With its Citylite range, Canyon launched a new platform for urban city bikes in the autumn – available as both classic bikes and e-bikes. Even at first glance, it is clear that the requirements of everyday city life have been consistently taken into account here. Clean lines, a tidy appearance and many practical details indicate that the focus was on functionality. We tested the Canyon Citylite:ON e-bike to see whether the concept works in everyday life.
Design
When you see the Citylite:ON, you have to look twice to make sure it really is from Canyon. The manufacturer’s bikes usually have a distinctly sporty design, but this model takes a different approach – it is much more reminiscent of classic Dutch bikes. Particularly striking are the high stem and low top tube, which ends at the front with a distinctive bend at the head tube. This is not only a stylistic device, but also due to the fact that Canyon only offers the bike in one frame size. The low standover height means that even shorter people can stand with both feet firmly on the ground.
Despite its classic influences, the Citylite:ON is very modern in many details. The extremely clean cockpit with internally routed cables and integrated headlight appears almost minimalist. The drive system with belt drive and hub gear also visually emphasises the purist approach. A particularly striking feature of the electric drive is the removable battery in the down tube, which is very cleverly concealed: the slightly protruding black cover makes the actual frame tube appear slimmer and contributes to an elegant silhouette. Colourful accents such as the tension strap, which is also available in black or pink, successfully round off the contemporary interpretation of a modern city bike.
Equipment
Canyon has equipped the Citylite:ON with the latest generation Bosch Performance Line motor. We already appreciated its predecessor for its quiet operation and performance, which was perfectly adequate for city traffic with 75 Nm of torque. The new motor offers the same performance, but is significantly more compact and lighter than its predecessor.
An unusual choice is the battery. Canyon has opted for the Bosch CompactTube, which is usually combined with the sportier SX motor. With a capacity of 400 Wh, it is fairly modest, but at only around two kilograms, it is the lightest battery in the Bosch portfolio and can be removed from the frame of the Citylite:ON for charging. The electric drive is controlled via the Purion 200, which combines the control unit and display in a compact form and thus fits in very well with the tidy cockpit.
There is also a special feature on the stem. Here, Canyon has integrated a smartphone mount for the SP Connect system, which offers real added value: two contact points allow the smartphone to be charged inductively and thus wirelessly while riding with the appropriate (and optional) adapter. This feature is a real advantage if you use your smartphone frequently on your bike! Another clever detail is the lighting system: the compact Starstream Mini headlight from Supernova is integrated flush into the handlebars and provides a surprisingly bright and even light. The slim rear light on the luggage rack with integrated brake light function provides additional safety.
The bike is equipped with hydraulic disc brakes bearing the Canyon logo, although they are manufactured by Promax. The 180-millimetre brake discs are designed to provide sufficient braking power even when fully loaded, but during testing they were noticed to emit a quiet, continuous squeaking noise on several occasions.
Silent, clean and largely maintenance-free, the mechanical drive works with a belt from Gates. Combined with the Shimano Nexus 5e hub gears – specially developed for use in e-bikes – this results in a range that corresponds roughly to a typical seven-speed gear system.
With sturdy mudguards, rear kickstand and luggage racks, the Citylite:ON is clearly designed as a practical everyday bike. The MIK HD interface at the rear is particularly well thought out, allowing baskets, boxes or even child seats weighing up to 27 kilograms to be mounted with a click. There is also an optional front rack, which was fitted to the test bike and can carry an additional ten kilograms. This makes the bike ideal for shopping and transport. The standard Abus frame lock on the rear wheel provides additional security.
A suspension seat post and 47-millimetre-wide Maxxis tyres in 27.5-inch format ensure comfort. Visually, the completely black tyres give the bike a powerful, almost bulky appearance. However, a reflective strip on the sidewall would have been useful on a city bike like this.
We weighed the test bike’s ready-to-ride weight, including the optional front luggage rack, at 23.5 kilograms – which is perfectly acceptable for a fully equipped e-city bike.
Operation
The Bosch Smart System offers intuitive and logical operation. Its compact control unit with small display clearly shows all important information. You can use the app to customise riding modes and displays as needed. Overall, the system perfectly matches the character of the bike. The integrated smartphone holder proves extremely practical in everyday use, for example for navigation.
The ability to remove the battery is generally a welcome feature, but the implementation is somewhat cumbersome. Removing the battery from the bottom is generally less convenient, and with the CompactTube battery, it must first be clicked into place and then pushed towards the retaining point. Only then does it lock securely into place and remain firmly in position. In addition, the black plastic cover of the battery compartment is merely clipped on. Although this worked without any problems in the test, it could be a potential weak point in the long term. On the other hand, the charging port at the very front of the top tube is all the more successful, as its high position makes it easy to reach and it is closed magnetically by a flap.
As the lock and the battery share a key, it can only be removed when the frame lock is locked. This means that the battery can only be removed when the bicycle is locked.
Canyon has taken a refreshingly different approach to gear shifting. Instead of the low-quality standard twist grip, it uses a MicroShift trigger with two buttons. This is a successful solution that allows for precise, clearly defined and therefore much more comfortable gear changes. And thanks to the MIK click system, the luggage racks are also very easy to use. Accessories can be attached or removed in seconds, which offers real flexibility in everyday use.
Riding impressions
Even the design hints at it, and the first few metres immediately confirm the impression: the classic Dutch bike clearly served as the inspiration for the Citylite:ON. Accordingly, the seating position is very upright and comfortable, which gives you excellent visibility in traffic and allows you to glide relaxed through the city.
The relaxed character of the bike is perfectly complemented by Bosch’s new Performance Line motor. Compared to its predecessor, it is slightly more noticeable, but only when directly compared. Overall, it operates very discreetly and is therefore significantly quieter than the more powerful CX motor, for example. Thanks in part to the flawlessly functioning hub gear system, the drive’s performance is perfectly adequate for urban use, even with luggage or on normal inclines.
Auto mode is super handy for everyday riding, as it adapts to whatever you’re doing and makes switching between modes pretty much unnecessary. But in Turbo mode and typical city stop-and-go traffic, the relatively small battery really gets put to the test, and the remaining capacity drops pretty quickly. This makes the advantage of the removable battery all the more apparent, as you don’t have to transport the entire bike to the charger every time.
Particularly at frequent traffic light stops, the low top tube with its clearance height of only 77.5 cm allows you to stand securely with both feet on the ground. Once you are back on the move, the suspension seat post and large-volume tyres with moderate air pressure provide a noticeable increase in comfort, effectively smoothing out minor bumps. And even with a fully loaded front luggage rack, the bike remains stable in corners, as it is firmly attached to the frame and does not steer with the front wheel. However, when the headlight is switched on, the load at the front can partially obscure the beam. If you frequently ride with a front box in the dark, you should therefore ensure that the design and load are as low as possible.
Conclusion
With its Citylite:ON, Canyon has succeeded in creating a very harmonious and contemporary reinterpretation of the classic Dutch bike. Its modern appeal is particularly evident in the clever details of the overall clean and tidy integration of all components, such as the lighting system and the option of wireless smartphone charging. The bike’s features are clearly tailored to everyday urban life and, with its many transport options, prove to be well thought out and suitable for everyday use in practice. The drive system also impresses with its sufficient power, pleasant quietness and virtually maintenance-free operation. Only the somewhat cumbersome handling of the removable battery slightly detracts from the otherwise positive overall impression.
For 2,999 euros, you get a unique city bike with character that stands out from the crowd. The recommended front luggage rack and adapter for wireless smartphone charging on the stem are available for around 50 euros each. In addition to the diamond frame version, Canyon also offers the Citylite:ON with a step-through comfort frame and low step-through – in three colours: Moonstone (grey), Aurora Green and Nightfall (black).
