Canyon release the limited edition Lux World Cup CFR Untamed with one aim – Absa Cape Epic victory

 Canyon Lux World Cup CFR Untamed
The Canyon-Sidi team will race the Lux Untamed at the Absa Cape Epic (Image credit: Canyon)

Canyon has released a strictly limited-edition version of its Lux World Cup CFR XC mountain bike. The Lux World Cup CFR Untamed is launched to celebrate the 20th edition of the Absa Cape Epic – the world’s toughest and most prestigious MTB marathon stage race in South Africa.

The Absa Cape Epic is renowned for the grueling demands it places on rider and machine as the seven-stage route races through some of the harshest wilderness South Africa has to offer. With over 613 km and 16,850m of climbing physical fitness, mental focus and having the best cross-country mountain bike race are all key to achieving success in the Cape Epic.

Canyon Lux World Cup CFR Untamed side on view

The Canyon Lux World Cup CFR Untamed's colorway is inspired by the Springbok (Image credit: Canyon)

Canyon says its limited edition Untamed takes the proven performance of the Lux World Cup CFR already has a winning pedigree having claimed the overall World Cup Short Track XCC title, and a fourth overall in the XCO Cross Country under the German rider – Luca Schwarzbauer. It also helped Puck Pieterse take wins in the XCO and XCC and a podium in the UCI World Championships in Scotland.

Limited to just 100 bikes the goal for making Lux World Cup CFR Untamed is simple – to win the Absa Cape Epic, and will be ridden by the Canyon-Sidi team. It gets a super high-end build and an exclusive new Epic colourway which takes inspiration from South Africa’s national animal – the Springbok, like the 'bok the Lux World Cup CFR Untamed has evolved to adapt to thrive in the toughest of environments. It's agile, lightning-fast and fleet-footed, while still being remarkably durable given its lightweight with the frame weighing in at just 1,575g in size Medium. 

Canyon Lux World Cup CFR Untamed cockpit view

The one-piece carbon cockpit is designed with input from Canyon’s XC pro riders (Image credit: Canyon)

The top-shelf drool-worthy spec comes from DT Swiss featuring the 110mm DT Swiss F232 One fork, with a topology-optimized design that Canyon claims is the benchmark in stiffness-to-weight ratio. The rear-shock is also from DT Swiss and the R232 One shock has 100mm of travel.

The all-new DT Swiss XRC1200 XC wheelset makes its debut on the Lux World Cup CFR Untamed and is claimed to be a lightweight and compliant wheelset. They are also hookless, full carbon, and tubeless-ready. Completing the DT Swiss package is the D232 One Dropper Post with 60 mm of travel which is super light, reliable, and easy to maintain thanks to Upside Drop Technology.

lose up view of the The DT Swiss F232 One fork on the Canyon Lux World Cup CFR Untamed

The DT Swiss F232 One fork adds to the luxury spec of the Lux (Image credit: Canyon)

Elsewhere the dream build continues and starts with Canyon's stiff one-piece carbon cockpit designed with Canyon’s XC pro riders. It has a special ergonomic shape which allows for a comfortable grip near the stem and provides the rider with an aerodynamic position. Braking and shifting are taken care of by Shimano with its XTR drivetrain and brakes.

Finishing off this limited-edition bike are some nice additions like a light and sleek chain guide, space for two large water bottles, an integrated Impact Protection Unit, a Quixle thru-axle, and CeramicSpeed SLT bearings.       

Close up side view of the Canyon Lux World Cup CFR Untamed and the DT Swiss and the DT Swiss R232 One shock

DT Swiss also provide the rear-shock with its R232 One shock (Image credit: Canyon)

Pricing, availability and specification

There are only 100 of the Canyon Lux World Cup CFR Untamed available and they are on sale exclusively at Canyon.com from Thursday 21st March. Sized from S to XL and priced at $TBC / £7,649 / €7,999.

Canyon Lux World Cup CFR Untamed side on

Gearing and braking comes from Shimano's top-end XTR  (Image credit: Canyon)
  • Frame: Canyon Lux WC CFR Carbon
  • Fork: DT Swiss F 232 ONE, 110mm
  • Shock: DT Swiss R 232 ONE, 100mm
  • Rear Derailleur: Shimano XTR, 12spd
  • Shifters: Shimano XTR
  • Bar: Canyon CP0036 Carbon
  • Crankset: Shimano XTR
  • Seatpost: DT Swiss D 232 ONE, Dropper
  • Saddle: Ergon SR10 Pro Carbon
  • Brakes: Shimano XTR
  • Wheels: DT Swiss XRC 1200, Carbon
  • Tires: Schwalbe Racing Ralph, 2.35”
  • Color: Springbok
  • Sizes: S-XL
  • Price: $TBC / £7,649 / €7,999
Paul Brett
Staff writer

Based in Edinburgh, Paul Brett is a staff writer for BikePerfect.com. He has been an avid cyclist for as long as he can remember, initially catching the mountain biking bug in the 1990s, and raced mountain bikes for over a decade before injury cut short a glittering career. He’s since developed an obsession for gravel riding and recently has dabbled in the dark art of cyclocross. A fan of the idea of bikepacking he has occasionally got involved and has ridden routes like the North Coast 500, Scotland and the Via Francigena (Pilgrim Route), Italy.

Current rides: Marin Alpine Trail 2, Ribble 725, Cube Stereo 160

Height: 175cm