How This New Tech From Canyon Could Change Mountain Bike Design in 2024... And Why It Probably Won’t

Canyon's bikes seem to be branching out into each and every direction. Whether it's conservative or extreme geometry, simple elegance or quirky, kooky features, the German brand has the eventuality covered. Today we look at their KIS (Keep It Stable) system which is designed to help keep the front wheel straight.
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[@darrenbrush1200]

The only useful thing I see about this is it would hold the bars straight while its in the work stand.

[@tmb1065]

The kids doing the bar twirly things when they jump right before they crash would love it!

[@kevinclark9176]

That was my exact thought in the beginning; “this would be nice in the work stand” lol

[@andrewrivera4029]

Maybe it can be both.

[@waynebinky]

@@artvandelay1720 Not really. Watch triathlete's push their bikes with the seat. It's super efficient and you rely on the bars moving easily.

[@MTBr-of-SoCal]

Quote: "It feels like you're reacting to the reaction, instead of talking directly to your bike and listening to what it's telling you". One of the best darn lines I've heard in a long while. I think a great many of us learn how to be better riders by being attuned to the feedback or input/output of ourselves to the bike, the bike to the terrain. And when you start throwing in systems that attempt to "do it for you", it removes the human (rider) element. Sorry, I want full control of my bike and how to maneuver it.

[@dummkompf]

that was one of the only things I've heard recently that has made me audibly say "wtf" because it was such absolute nonsense. lol it makes absolutely no sense whatsoever

[@the6ig6adwolf]

Give the man his Xmas bonus, Henry is hands down the best reviewer/personality PB currently has.

[@ignaciosevil1944]

levy is missed tho

[@the6ig6adwolf]

@@ignaciosevil1944 definitely not

[@andrewrivera4029]

Better than Ben!?!?!?!?

[@the6ig6adwolf]

@@andrewrivera4029 Ben is 3rd

[@ignaciosevil1944]

Im not gonna say that some person is better than another... that is being a clown really, since its up to anyones personal opinion. Certainlly ben excells in different things@@andrewrivera4029

[@GreatCreative]

Possibly Pink Bike's most useful and educational videos all year. Henry makes a complicated topic relatable. And the storyboarding is pretty damn clever, too. If not Henry, the videographer and editor should get a Christmas bonus.

[@judechandler5102]

Always look forward to another Henry rant

[@bikingwithmykids7358]

Great video not only In content but in production! Great explanation of the new system but also the balancing act the bike needs to play for riding.

[@qualm43]

With each passing innovation, I lean harder and harder into being a Luddite.

[@knott4me561]

Full rigid single speed

[@tmb1065]

@@knott4me561 Steel. Full external cable runs. Nothing press-fit.

[@bracket0398]

Mmm, my buds are tryna get me to ride full sus when im fine with rigid. Know what i can and cant do with it, comfy with mechanical disc 10 speed. Used to ride fixed for simplicity and skill; kinda miss it.

[@kevinburke1325]

You guys talk about rigid mtbs, but they aren't even sold. There's literally 0 thing as a fully rigid mtb. It's just not sold. You can get a hardtail, but rigid mtbs aren't even a thing.

[@tmb1065]

@@kevinburke1325 i have a 1st gen pugsley and old voodoo hoodoo 26er that i run fully rigid.

[@MrOvertSandStorm]

Amazing video guys! Henry, love your essay style good explanations! keeps me intrigued and wanting more! Great vid

[@ZOB4]

Christmas bonus aside, Henry really does present things very well in a level-headed and well reasoned way. I don’t feel like I’m being sold something or given a line of BS, which is a huge problem with cycling media across the board.

[@rafjj23]

Loved the insight on this technology. I wish we could have an aftermarket external system that we can play and tune even further for personal liking.

[@pierrebroccoli.9396]

Don't think they have steering dampeners on Dirt Bikes but on Street Sports Bikes, they were a game changer. I think I will keep my bike K.I.S.S. Keep It Simple Stuupid 😁

[@kevinclark9176]

I’ve had a steering damper on my dirt bike for over a decade. It’s awesome on my dirt bike.

[@bradsanders6954]

Dirt bikes have had steering dampers for a long time, Scotts makes the best. Honda even had a small damper stock on their MX bikes at one time. My KTM 890R has a good damper on it in stock form.

[@pierrebroccoli.9396]

@@bradsanders6954 right, didn't know that. My brothers ktm didn't gave one but I know they are standard fair on street sports bikes.

[@alecfotsch3533]

Really well put together thoughts! Thanks PB team and Henry!

[@jhonerik]

really nice review and covers most of the questions that's pop in my mind.

[@bradsanders6954]

For as much as people rave about E Mt bikes, after 900 miles on my Canyon Spectral ON CF8 it just sits. Its a novelty, I'm a bicycle rider. I dont have a problem keeping the wheel straight, so.... What IS fun is the Intense Sniper XC bike, that thing can be thrown around like a BMX bike, almost. 24.5 lbs and loves to go fast.

[@JoshuaTootell]

I only ride my Sniper on race days. But damn that thing is fast. Also a couple pounds lighter with my build.

[@pernyberg2816]

Awesome as always, Henry. And now do one with an old, actual, steering damper 👍

[@Dirtjam9]

+£1 to Henry's Christmas bonus fund.

[@ianfurqueron5850]

Great video! The dry English humor and reasoned analysis gave me vintage Top Gear vibes. Well done!

[@sandy_knight]

Great for no-handers, not so good for bar spins or tail whips. I wonder what it's like to moto-whip or t-bog?

[@stevengeorge5605]

Thank you, Henry. Well done, as always! 👍

[@mattdelcomyn8012]

Very sophisticated and articulate review of an interesting new bit of tech. Much appreciated!

[@oettam20]

Awesome video! Please do more like this!

[@andyinstaller7748]

Another great video, thanks Henry 👍

[@guol1806]

In one sentence, "They've added some rubber bands to fix slack-geometry wheel-flop."

[@MrAbellanosa]

Thanks for the vid. Very good point.

[@paulhenry8174]

I’ve got a simple spring on my front fork. Works just like this. Kind of nice on a cargo bike. I’ll take it down some trails and see how it works out.

[@justsayin3600]

On long steep climbs, I often don't pedal straight. I zig-zag to take the steep angle out.

[@TonySchopp]

Very talented review paired with similar level video production. Quite impressive!

[@micahorr8669]

Great video, Henry!

[@WesMacaulay]

Always like sight gags in there with my Pinkbike videos! At least we can all agree that headset cable routing makes us barf 😂

[@angelv1665]

Highly informative assessment. Thank you.

[@TeamCykelhold]

KISS on my bike stands for Keep It Simple, Stupid. No electronic shifters, no electronic suspension and abso-f*ing-lutely no steering springs - damped or not.

[@andybrad4721]

Definitely one of the top 5 presenters on pinkbike 😂 Good to hear a well thought out argument though

[@verymental6999]

Perfect explanation and presentation ❤

[@andreyshary9362]

This is a really really really nice comment about Henry doing a great job as always 🌲💰

[@tobiaslord]

Intelligently covered mate. Good vid

[@bonarlizaitis131]

Great video. It certainly deserves a bonus

[@eruryuzaki6505]

The style of the filming in the forest is so beautiful! I love it.

[@matthew_pauls]

Get that x mas bonus!! Phenomenal job to all involved, from the intellect to the humor

[@JeepingNet]

With all the changes in technology and things like live valve. I wonder if we might see some kind of electric geo where you can put the bike into up hill mode then flip it into down hill. Like a flipchip that can be flipped and locked in with some kind of servo.

[@kanethomas6998]

Canyon done this for the Strive . It actually works quite well.

[@phenofinder9145]

Outstanding review. You are highly talented.

[@RobertFullStop]

You've earned your Christmas bonus as far as I'm concerned... great presentation.

[@cartersheley1567]

My god this guy makes bangers. Best editing and video work in the game

[@topchoice1621]

Mountain bikes are getting more technical for no reason

[@EarthSurferUSA]

That is because mankind is losing its ability to reason. I say education has been sabotaged, because I see it in every industry.

[@_Jake.From.Statefarm_]

They said the same thing in 1985.

[@pudgylittlehamster]

E-bike are fantastic for older riders. My old man can keep up and I fucking love it. As a young man I refuse to use them when i get to an age yeah ill hop on one. If my legs work , Im going to enjoy the pain up hill etc

[@rubbersidedown5620]

Henry and the team killing it.

[@Komplex_Music_]

nice review!

[@nenadmomic]

love watching your narrations.

[@benjy288]

Stability is also related to weight, a heavier bike is less likely to get knocked off line, which is probably why most bikes are getting heavier, because mountain bike manufacturers only concern these days seems to be how well a bike descends.

[@bradsanders6954]

Intense will sell you a 21lb dual suspension XC bike.

[@benjy288]

@@bradsanders6954 Maybe XC is the exception, because trail and enduro bikes are generally getting heavier, for example trek's recent fuel ex and slash gained about 2 kg, and trail bikes seem to be turning into enduro bikes, just with a little less travel.

[@bradsanders6954]

@@benjy288 That sounds about right, I purposely got the XC bike to get it light, and it took some doing to get it down to 24.5 lbs...from there it gets even more pricey.....the new XC bikes get called "down country" bikes meaning they can be trailbikes also. The slacker ft end geometry does work good for going downhill fast, and the shorter travel is much better than old short travel. More progressive and firms up nicely.............the 21lb bike is 10K if you can get one.

[@benjy288]

@@bradsanders6954 I assume you have the intense 951 XC series? if so its kind of funny that they call it an XC bike, because I have a 2019 norco fluid fs1, which they called a short travel trail bike, and its almost identical to the intense, it has a 66.5 head angle, 120 rear, but with a 130 fork, so today's XC bikes are basically turning into short travel trail bikes from a few years ago, my norco's a bit heavier though, about 30.3 lbs with pedals, and that's after I put it on a diet, but I do basically use it as an enduro bike, so I've got dh rated rims, and all alloy parts, but I know saving weight can get very pricey.

[@JoshuaTootell]

The difference between my 2012 130mm trail bike and my Intense Sniper is the Sniper is 100mm, and 6 pounds lighter (ready to race). It is an excellent bike for XC riding. But certainly not an enduro bike.

[@EarthSurferUSA]

Anybody remember the oval chain rings Shimano put on their top of line drive groups back in the 90's? They never admitted they made a mistake, (Japanese and many engineers are like that), but over the next few years, they stopped using them for the top line stuff, (went back to round rings), as they trickled down to department store stuff.

[@teamneverlost]

Shimano Biopace they were called, some people maintained it gave them knee problems!

[@avySeal]

The new Commencal Sx sold the show me for. 😂 Thanks for the video.

[@Apangard]

Would the straightening effect cause your rear end to want to break loose from traction more during violent cornering?

[@hassebir]

Thanks this is such a charp dissection of a new product!

[@stuartsmith8677]

Maybe the FSA system they are bringing out will be better. I believe they are doing a few options, a kis system, a stability system and one more I think 🤔 maybe you can review this when it comes out.

[@HannyDart]

Have a look at the guys from Trinity Bikes / Williams Racing Products. They recently experimented with applying a Motocross Showa steering damper!

[@muzzarobbo]

Came here to say the same thing, Mic is doing some cool stuff!!

[@francisdee9955]

Give the man a bonus🤟🏻👌🏼

[@Biker790]

Henry is funny AF, and some of those shot transitions had me dying. He also has a way to communicate these nuanced concepts to non-experts in a way that makes sense, and doesn't seem like ethereal nonsense. Get this guy more screen time please! Henry and Ben collabs would be so great.

[@ryanj9245]

Looking forward to the review on the Commencal!

[@Stefanoss]

I've really really really enjoyed this video

[@donutbarbell]

Need more videos from Henry, good journo

[@David_Mudsurfer]

@pinkbike can you please compare the Meta SX V5 to the V4 in your field test? Furthermore the difference between the kinematics of these two is nowhere shown .

[@andrerichard628]

😂 I learned from this video that I want that Commencal!

[@timdelph9048]

In the moto world, a steering damper was game changing for me. BUT, there are a few key factors that made it work well for me. Having truly separate high and low speed circuits, adjustable sweep (how much of the steering range it engages), and no damping on return to center. Haven't felt the need for one on a MTB, but I didn't feel the need for one on my dirtbike either- just splurged after 15 years when buying a new bike. Won't go back now.

[@andylebandy]

It is the same thing as the lil spring on city bike, linking the fork and frame, to stabilize the steering, but fancier.

[@hambo6713]

great video

[@gototrails]

nice work 👌

[@Ghostina1]

A video from Henry, awesome! nobrainer

[@simonofthepiemansSN]

Great essay.

[@dylan-5287]

It's cool seeing "new" tech like this on mtbs but I enjoy the OG KISS. Simple is better sometimes.

[@andrewrivera4029]

Bring on the innovations! Over the last 20 years I’ve enjoyed the advancing bike tech allowing me to reduce the amount of crashes, attack more challenging terrain, get more runs in despite the fact I’m now 57 years young I’m hitting bike park (not the crazy double diamond drops and jumps) and enjoying the sh!t out of my bikes! The e-bike allows me to do epic XC/DH classic rides without so many zone 4 spikes and keeps me in zone 2 which is said to maintain fitness better as I get older. I get it, most young XC weinies cringe when they see a e-bike zip by them but just know we do appreciate your effort and that we’ve already been there!

[@Surestick88]

I feel like the Hopey steering damper had it right (damping turning the wheel off-center, no damping returning to center). I think packaging is (was?) the biggest issue for it. The KIS system is simpler and lighter but i feel like it misses the mark. The only bike I've really felt the need for a steering damper on is my fat bike in the snow where most riding is walking pace.

[@timothydubber549]

This isn’t a steering damper.

[@alexramirez118]

I own a DH double crown bike. There is a stability I feel on my double crown bike that i dont feel on my regular fork Enduro bike. I feel like this Canyon system would mimic that double crown stability feature.

[@dimensionsofearth]

I'm so glad my bike is simple. Indeed a steering damper is essentail for this system. I feel they are trying to achieve what a damper does. A damper without a spring is all thats needed for what they want.

[@aaronos9421]

I am wondering if a young MTB’er used the Kis system from their very beginning of riding a bike & then compared & contrasted to the current steering norm , without the Kis system what their thoughts would be. 🤔.. Great MTB journalism by Henry as per ☝️🍻. “ As with everything MTB it’s horses for courses ‘ “ 🍻. 🌎.

[@rmhfpv9225]

smart comparison to the undamped fork

[@tobiasstamenkovic9628]

Gj Henry, have you xmas bonus, you deserve it. ;)

[@rhetorical1488]

I hope we will not end up in a situation where you need a separate bike for every single slightly different train we want to ride. New gear is amazing to be sure, I rode my 90s "top of the line" bike on an average blue on the north shore and nearly killed myself lol

[@Igai99]

nah. Every bike has its own area where it shines! The bike for everything would be an good Enduro Bike :)

[@EarthSurferUSA]

Your modified air fork with no dampening did not have enough air pressure in it. Not to say the fork would work much better with more air pressure and no dampening (rebound especially), but on those smooth turns, they did not have to be sagging low.

[@EarthSurferUSA]

Try more air pressure to hold the front end up, no compression dampening for compression sensitivity, but heavy enough rebound so it does not act like a basketball.

[@bennis123]

This guy is such a great presenter!

[@jonp5964]

Xmas bonus 🤞 - means I watched the whole review. Interesting

[@johnblackham4443]

They’ve made steering dampers in the past. I prefer an increased trail by using a 44 mm rake. Have trail bike geometry and love the stable carved turns .

[@flippy66]

He said very, very clearly that this is not a steering damper and doesn't work at all like a steering damper.

[@klasadolfsson3213]

A normal (moto) steering damper that is properly adjusted is something that gives you stability by dampening the forces on the front wheel that will throw you off line, but otherwise not noticed. This is the opposite.

[@avocette]

Steering dampers should not be "keeping the wheels straight" but also "minimizing steering movement". Just like with forks having light springiness and light damping on the first few mm of travel only to increase spring support and damping progressively, steering dampers should allow a little bit of wobble first 5-10° from the center. No-hands pedaling the bike, one will notice that the inherent stability of the bike is due to the automatic steering due to wheel flop. Excessive wheel flop beyond the +-30° mark is very much unwanted though, and you would want a spring force to make you return to that unresisted range of movement.

[@rinky_dinky]

i have em at the bottom of my down tube , on my touring bike , originally its to help keep your front wheel straight while you load your panniers , park you bike , and of course help steering under heavy loads , this is old tech

[@powman1982]

really really really nice

[@MitchEllison]

I have no idea how Canyon thinks a SPRING is a steering DAMPER.....

[@ridemtns13]

Henry with the cranky old man opinion, which is basically me, too.

[@dbartholomew2]

Christmas bonus for you!

[@Igai99]

I've ridden the KIS system and i really liked it. At the beginning i was sceptical, but it really helped me to keep the line in my head very precise! It takes out every single minimal unwanted movement,i imagine. I keep it on my bike :)

[@flippy66]

"I imagine" - there you go.

[@usagiyojimbo5944]

Did you suddenly become funny or has Mike Levy written your lines? ;P Liked your vid. Thumbs up.

[@pauleddy5146]

Steering dampers such as this are not necessary. Fork twist and load handling are better sources of improvement. If you can keep each fork leg in it's plane during all forces it would work perfectly as designed. The fact that they can't stay exactly in relation to the other parts during all stress and loads is why you see the design and current technology changes employed, and to be used in the future, to try and mitigate the evils. (larger and larger stanchions and lowers, arches/arch size/material, crowns/number of crowns, dropout design and size, axle size and location technology, hub, spoke and wheel design) All of the changes developed are made to do the same thing, make the bike go where you, the pilot, want it to go, in the manner in which you want it to go and in which makes you more confident to do so.

[@Ferrari255GTO]

Wait i thought wheel flop was venefitial for cornering? I definitively feel it and i ended up using in a technique for corner entry. I just can't be the only one who does this

[@user-nf3oq2ge3g]

Henry’s analogies are too much a your steering is like a bear on cocaine that got stung by a bee? All over the mountain haha

[@asun3630]

Please keep Ryan as the lead host on podcast: I love Henry too!!!! But Ryan blows all the other hosts out of the water! He has such a dope vibe and always has such an upbeat attitude.

[@snowman22ism]

Great video Henry... If you don't get a Christmas bonus, let me know... I'll take care of it.. ;)

[@ExhumedToConsume]

that patron saint comment made me rewind a few times lmao

[@billymartyn5573]

Christmas bonus? Henry deserves two Christmas bonuses.

[@aluminumhorserider6197]

Just waited a year or two for my head set bearings to rust. Now I have same thing for free.

[@kevinclark9176]

I’ve had a steering damper on my dirt bike since 2009 and it is amazing. I’ve been asking for like a decade why no one has done it on a MTB. Seems this system is the opposite of what you need.

[@cmacblue42]

THIS. We could use a steering DAMPER not a friggin spring lmao

[@matthewcaldwell1384]

I’m really impressed with the concept and any attempt to improve contact and safety on light transport systems is very much appreciated.Surely there is no more efficient system ( that requires human interaction)on this planet.I love all of my bicycles and encourage anyone to use the method.it’s sad how in America we rarely provide anti-theft services .I am proud and lucky to be able to use very little petroleum to conduct my life.And explore our great outdoors ….I very much enjoy the content and will continue to like share and comment….

[@mountaincruiser817]

Next “Bunnyhop knob”

[@tmb1065]

We need full HUD screens that read the terrain and map out the optimal line.

[@shadowdance4666]

Nice bikes. Are they mullets?