TECH Q&A
YOU X.C. THING
I’ve read your reviews of the Canyon Lux Trail CF7 and Scott Spark RC Team, and can’t decide which to buy. I mostly ride cross-country loops with short, steep ups and downs, and want to climb fast but descend with more comfort than on an XC whippet.
Sebastian, via email
That’s a tricky choice! They’re both good bikes, but with a different feel. The Scott is really supple and smooth, but its suspension is a little more prone to moving while you’re pedalling – although you can use the on-bar lockout lever to counteract this. In contrast, the Canyon has a more direct-feeling pedalling response, which, despite it being the ‘trail’ version, gives it an ‘XC bike’ feel. It has a little more grip and stability on the descents, too, thanks to its chunkier tyres and slightly longer reach and wheelbase, although the Spark RC’s suspension eats up the bumps slightly better.
