With the UK fully in lockdown, we’ve seen a rise in home fitness and the urge to increase wellness across the nation. CRISP. caught up with Maximilian Stauber, Fitness brand and merchandising manager at Canyon to talk cycling.
Let’s start at the top, for our readers that don’t know, Can you give us the brief history of Canyon bikes?
Starting life in our founder, Roman Arnold’s garage as “Radsport”, Arnold has since evolved into one of the world’s leading manufacturers of road, mountain, triathlon, fitness, urban and kids’ bikes as well as modern e-bikes. Officially renamed in 2002, Canyon continues to expand worldwide, selling more bikes outside of its native Germany than within since 2008. As a pioneering direct sales brand, Canyon products are exclusively available online at www.canyon.com.
What is your mission?
Canyon’s aims are centred around democratising performance- combining market-leading, world-beating products with pricing and a distribution model that more people than ever can access.
Canyon is proud to work hand-in-hand with the best athletes on the planet to produce an array of award-winning bikes that embody a pure passion for riding. Whether it’s the fastest race bikes on the planet, or sleek commuting models for city life- Canyon always looks to implement its leading technologies, trademark design language as well as the highest standards in quality and service.
What differentiates you from similar bikes in the market today?
Our focus on innovation, design and engineering combined with our direct sales business model allows us to offer some of the highest performing bikes, at some of the most competitive prices. With over 20 markets worldwide offering full product support via local service centres- we feel we can also provide customers with not only a great product but a great purchase experience and aftersales care too.
Tell us about the Perfect Position System (PPS) you use?
Being a direct sales brand, means we have had to come up with a way to support our customers with accurate sizing advice. Despite a limited number of showrooms worldwide, and an expansive events program, not everyone buying a Canyon will be able to try or see, their bike prior to purchase.
The Perfect Position System has been developed by Canyon to provide a frame size recommendation using a few of the customer’s body dimensions. Simply enter your inseam and overall height, and the system will calculate which size you’d be best suited to based on the geometry of the bike in question.
How has cycling market changed over the last 5 years?
One of the biggest changes we have noticed is e-bikes have become more important and accepted in the market. Making hilly journeys or long commutes more achievable, as well as offering an efficient, economic and environmentally friendly way of travelling through built-up areas.
The advances in e-bike technology have landed at just the right time for the lifestyles and environmental in the modern world. Even standard hybrid and city bikes, without a motor, have seen increased interest- as we become more conscious of our health and the environment. Our busy lives leave less time to dedicate to exercise, so combining a workout with a commute is appealing to many as a daily boost to our physical and mental health.
Where do you see E-bikes going in the future?
As infrastructure improves, technology advances, and the economy of scale helps lower price points, we foresee more e-bike riders in the future. Removing barriers like a lack of safe cycle paths and minimal storage at places of work will help more people to make the switch. Based on recent survey data- we noticed widespread intent to move to more eco modes of transport, like e-bikes and away from cars. So, we hope it is only a matter of time for the uptake to increase. On the recreational side of cycling, e-bikes also bring together riders of different abilities- making cycling more inclusive.
Whether this is on roads, or in the forest, the range of E-bikes available helps connect an array of different cyclists.
What do our readers need to look for when choosing a new bike?
Try to consider how you will use the bike. What terrain you will ride on. Do you want to carry luggage on the bike? How far are you riding, and how regularly?
All of this will help direct you towards the most suited bike, with the features and quality most appropriate for your needs. If you’re not sure, feel free to reach out for advice. Canyon has a Livechat function where a local team is on hand to help talk you through any questions or concerns.
What is your best selling bike?
Our comfortable, fast road bike- the Endurace.
What is Canyon doing to tackle cycling safety in cities?
Canyon takes safety seriously and, when talking about navigating the city safely, a key factor is quality, reliable equipment. We have some of the most stringent quality control checks in the bike industry.
With an in-house test lab, as well as extensive testing of our carbon components using a CT Scanner, we are very confident that our products will stand up to City life. Aside from this, the team developing Canyon Gear, our range of apparel, also look at making sure riders are seen and safe.
Once again, exhaustive testing in various light conditions has led us to produce a range of highly reflective clothing and accessories options to make riders as visible as possible.
