No sooner had Bosch unveiled a compact hub motor for urban e-bikes with its new Hub Line than the official announcements of the first bikes followed. Among is the new Roadlite:ON CF from Canyon. This ultra-light e-bike combines a carbon frame with a deliberately minimalist drive system, making it ideal for anyone looking for a bike that is as sleek, sporty and low-maintenance as possible for everyday city use.
Hub motor meets single-speed drivetrain
At the heart of the bike is the new Bosch Hub Line hub motor in the rear wheel. It delivers 45 Nm of torque and is powered by a permanently integrated 360 Wh battery. The system is complemented by a Gates belt drive and a single-speed setup. The latter, in particular, is rather unusual even for Canyon, but offers a number of advantages in urban use. The belt runs smoothly and is virtually maintenance-free, whilst the electric motor largely compensates for the lack of gears during typical city rides. However, the downside of such a single-speed drivetrain becomes apparent where the terrain becomes more challenging or higher speeds are required. Anyone who regularly has to tackle steep climbs or frequently rides well above the 25 km/h assistance limit will quickly reach the limits of this approach. In these situations, the cadence increases noticeably.
Light, minimalist – yet still suitable for everyday use
The overall package, stripped back to the essentials, is also reflected in its weight: weighing just 13.9 kg, the Roadlite:ON CF is one of the lighter models in its class. This is down not only to the carbon frame, but also to the comparatively narrow 35 mm-wide Continental Grand Prix Urban tyres and the battery, which is firmly integrated into the frame. The latter saves additional weight and ensures a particularly clean look, but cannot be removed – so the bike must always be taken to the charger to be recharged. Canyon also omits mudguards and a rear rack from the standard specification. Anyone wishing to make the bike more suited to everyday use can add both components using the appropriate accessories. Equipped in this way, the bike transforms into an ultra-light yet practical commuter e-bike!
Despite its minimalist design, the Roadlite:ON CF features a number of practical details. These include a kickstand and discreetly integrated mounting points for accessories such as a smartphone holder, bottle cage or folding lock. Also fitted as standard is the permanently integrated Sate-Lite lighting system, featuring a compact front headlight on the handlebars and a rear light beneath the saddle. The latter also has a brake light function. Braking is provided by Promax hydraulic disc brakes, which are branded by Canyon itself.
Price and availability
The new Roadlite:ON CF is available now in two frame sizes, in the colours Stealth and White Pearl. Prices start at 2,999 euros; the optional luggage rack costs around 50 euros extra, whilst the mudguards will not be available until mid-August 2026.
At the launch of the new Hub Line, we already had the opportunity to test the motor on various bikes – including the Roadlite:ON CF. You can find all the details in this article.
In the urban range, the Roadlite:ON CF positions itself as the significantly sportier alternative to the existing Citylite:ON. Whilst the latter is consistently geared towards comfort and practicality, the new Roadlite:ON focuses on a minimalist, exceptionally lightweight and dynamic riding experience. We tested the Citylite:ON extensively in everyday use in this article.
