With its new SL bikes, Canyon recently expanded the Pathlite:ON series with relatively lightweight e-bikes that are equipped with Bosch’s new SX motor and offer a comprehensive range of features at an attractive price. We tested the Pathlite:ON SL 6 – the mid-range of the three new models, which has what it takes to be the price-performance champion!

Design

Sporty and robust — Canyon’s Pathlite:ON SL can’t and won’t hide its origins as a trekking bike! With its chunky tires, suspension fork and thick welded seams on the aluminium frame, the bike has quite a robust appearance, which is emphasized by components such as the sturdy luggage rack with an integrated mini air pump or an included accessory bag for the top tube.

However, a closer look reveals some elegant design elements: the cables and wires disappear inconspicuously into the frame just below the handlebars, the down tube is quite narrow thanks to the compact battery. Although the motor itself is clearly visible, it is somewhat more compact and inconspicuous compared to other Bosch drives. The compact display unit for controlling the electric drive on the handlebars and the integration of the lighting system are also pleasantly discreet. Like these, the rest of the components are also kept in black, which puts the bike’s sleek frame — here in the light grey color Chalk — in the spotlight.

Equipment

At the heart of the electric drive is Bosch’s Performace Line SX motor, which offers a decent torque of 55 Nm and is also very lightweight. Together with the 400 Wh CompactTube battery, the drive system only weighs around 4 kg in total. It is operated via the new Purion 200, a combination of compact color display and thumb button. The fact that the bike’s battery is removable and can therefore be conveniently recharged at the desired location is highly welcome. Something that cannot be taken for granted on many bikes with this new Bosch system! Not visible from the outside is the Bosch ConnectModule integrated into the frame, which offers both GPS tracking and an alarm function. To activate these features, however, a paid subscription from Bosch is required, which costs around 5 euros per month or 40 euros per year.

For the mechanical drivetrain, Canyon uses the high-quality XT drivetrain from Shimano with 12 gears, which offers a large gear ratio thanks to the 10-51 cassette. The hydraulic MT200 disc brakes also come from Shimano. An air suspension fork from Suntour NCX-D Air with 63 mm travel is installed for rough terrain, and there is also a dropper post seatpost with 25 mm travel. For tires, Schwalbes G-ONE Ultrabite with a width of 50 mm are fitted.

The commuter equipment includes all the important components — and more! Plastic mudguards protect against getting wet, the kickstand helps you park your bike and a compact Knog Oi bell is included. One spectacular feature is the lighting system with Supernova Mini2 headlight, which even has a high beam function. At the rear, the compact Iridium M12 rear light is mounted on the rack, which has a load capacity of 27 kg and is compatible with the MIK and Ortlieb QL3.1 systems.

The 68 cm wide flat bar handlebars with ergonomic Ergon GA3 grips feature a smartphone holder from SP Connect, which has a useful USB-C charging port. Equally handy is the option to adjust the height of the stem.

Operation

Controlling the Bosch drive on the handlebars is simple and easy to understand with the Purion 200 controller, which has five easy-to-reach buttons with a well-defined pressure point. In addition to the chosen riding mode, the color display also shows all important information about your ride. If you want more individualization, you can configure this extensively with Bosch’s free eBike Flow app, where you can also select your preferred riding modes.

Unsurprisingly, the trigger for Shimano’s XT drivetrain is located on the handlebars, enabling smooth and precise shifting. More surprising, however, are two other buttons on the steering side: one is the lever for the dropper seatpost, and the other is a compact button for activating the headlight high beam. When this is switched on, the icon on the button lights up blue — as is familiar from car high beams.

We have already praised the ability to remove the battery for charging. In practice, however, this process turns out to be tricky at first and it takes some practice and patience to put the CompactTube battery back into the down tube. The battery compartment is closed by a hinged plastic cover, which holds securely in place — even if it sticks out a little from the frame. The charging socket directly on the bike, which is securely protected by a magnetically held cover, is excellent.

Riding impressions

With its torque of 55 Nm, Bosch’s new SX motor offers a decent amount of power, especially as the gear range is also wide. Relaxed gliding on the flat is just as possible as conquering steep climbs. If you pedal hard, the drive really wakes up — and the motor’s support then increases dramatically. This exponential boost in power literally encourages you to keep increasing the cadence. The european limit of 25 km/h limit is then reached in a very short time, at which point the drive gently disengages — the same applies if it switches back on when the speed falls below the limit.

Another factor contributing to the sporty character of the bike is its relatively light weight: we weighed the Pathlite:ON SL 6 in size L at 22 kg, which is pretty much in line with the manufacturer’s specifications. For a bike with such extensive equipment and wide tires, this is a very good value, which leads to agile handling.

Let’s stay on the tires: thanks to the rough profile, they are also well equipped for forest paths and gravel roads, but also roll pleasantly smoothly on asphalt – even if their rolling noise is quite noticeable there. On top of this, the volume of the motor varies depending on the level of assistance. If the electric drive only has little work to do, it is pleasantly quiet and you hardly notice it; under full load, however, it emits a clearly audible whirring noise. Incidentally, the clacking freewheel in the rear wheel is one of the louder types of freewheel — although this goes well with the sporty feel of the bike!

The riding position on the Pathlite:ON SL with its flat bar handlebar is generally rather sporty and stretched, but can also be made more comfortable thanks to the adjustable stem. The sensitive air suspension fork, whose air pressure can be adjusted to suit your body weight, ensures comfort on rough surfaces. In addition to its suspension, the seat post also impresses with its dropper function. This allows the saddle to be lowered comfortably so that both legs are safely on the ground. This is an advantage when you are standing at traffic lights with a loaded pannier rack.

Conclusion

Suspension and dropper seat post, lighting system with high beam, system luggage rack and alarm option with tracking – the Canyon Pathlite:ON SL 6 offers a range of features that leaves nothing to be desired and makes the bike well equipped for almost any application in everyday life. The fact that it weighs just 22 kg is just as pleasing as the attractive price of 2,999 euros. So is this a bike that you only buy out of pure common sense? Not at all, because with its sporty look and agile riding style, it offers further convincing arguments!

In addition to the version with a high top tube tested here, the Pathlite:ON SL 6 is also available as a mid-step comfort frame with a lowered top tube in three colors and three sizes. Further information is available directly from Canyon, where the bikes can be ordered — ultimately, the direct distribution is also a reason for the good price-performance ratio.