VM Test Canyon Precede:ON AL7: All-purpose bike from Koblenz for commuting and everyday use

Pedelecs have enormous potential as commuting companions and car replacements. This is confirmed not only by relevant environmental and industry associations but also by the ADAC. "In addition to regular e-bikes, especially S-pedelecs offer the potential to cover everyday commuting distances of up to 20 kilometers without excessive physical exertion using a bicycle instead of a car or public transportation." There is nothing to add to this statement, except that the mentioned S-pedelecs are unfortunately artificially hindered by lawmakers with excessive regulations such as driver’s license and helmet requirements as well as bans on bike paths and field paths. Trailers are also not allowed. But it doesn't always have to be an S-pedelec; a brisk regular pedelec often suffices. However, not all are suitable for longer distances beyond 15 kilometers - or if you need to go faster. In this respect, the Canyon Precede:ON AL7, which is fairly priced at 3,500 euros for what it offers, is not adequately classified with its in-house categorization as a "city bike." One could also call it "Rhenish understatement."

Capable: Sturdy aluminum frame as a basis

Because it can do much more: Based on a bulky-angular-imposing aluminum frame (there is also a carbon version), which, as usual from the Koblenz company, has a timeless technoid design along with a robust powder coating and is combined with a smoothly stepless Enviolo Twist-Pro hub, an adequately powerful Bosch Performance Line mid-motor (65 Nm), low-maintenance Gates belt drive, plus fat Schwalbe G-One Allround shoes in MTB format, and solidly built mudguards, luggage rack, and dazzlingly bright Supernova light, the Koblenz team realized the "ultimate all-purpose weapon" for the modern pedaler, which actually masters almost all types of city, suburb, or excursion rides - except perhaps for taking it on the train. Because with 25 kilos of "live weight," the aluminum behemoth is so heavy that you don't want to lug it over stairs or onto trains. It's also important to have a ground-level and secure parking space, both at the office and at home. At least the Bosch PowerTube battery, seamlessly integrated into the design, can be quickly unlocked and removed from the frame compartment with a key, but charging can take a whole working shift. Alternatively, you can also plug it in at the bottom bracket.

Length runs, weight too: High comfort thanks to thick tires

In frame size M, which fits perfectly at 1.82 meters long, a 500 Wh battery is installed, while the L and XL versions have the 625 Wh capacity. Our "Heavy Commuter" Oliver Dorsch, who commutes several times a week from Bad Wörrishofen to the publishing house in the northern part of Munich, occasionally could have used that capacity. In headwinds, rain, or hilly terrain, when you demand full pedal assistance, it can get tight. However, a big advantage of the Canyon is that it runs pretty well even without the battery, not giving you significant propulsion or rolling resistance beyond 25 km/h, allowing easy movement on flat terrain at 30 km/h and safely descending hills at 50 km/h without hesitation. Also, with its weight and thick tires, it smooths out much of the roughness of the road, lying stoically and quietly on the track. Only climbing steep hills without assistance is something for real training enthusiasts and the tough ...

Even field, forest, or dirt roads are handled well. However, the aluminum Precede does not like urban cobblestones: it shakes you up quite a bit with the rigid aluminum fork, and you realize it's not the 1,500-euro more expensive carbon variant (also featuring Bosch CX drive, 85 Nm, and more complex stem). Given the weight, the Magura MT30 disc brakes are also heavily stressed - though they grab less spontaneously and aggressively in new condition than Shimano XT stoppers. The bike's handling, more of an SUV than a sports car in character, is not overly nimble but quite adequately agile, reliable, and secure for its weight class - making you feel at home in the universal sitting position somewhere between upright and sporty and like "one" with the Rhein's vehicle.

Packhorse Qualities

Its big moment comes when the commuter bike transforms from carrying a briefcase to a packhorse with a shopping bag: factory-supplied sturdy aluminum baskets (1.2 kg) with a loading capacity of 7.5 kilos each can be quickly clipped in. Ortlieb bags with QL.3.1 locks are also quickly fixed, while standard bags only fit if you adjust the eyelets to the thick tubes of the stylish luggage rack. You can easily imagine a trailer attached to the Precede, whether for a child or cargo.

What our "Heavy Commuter" Oli Dorsch also noticed:

• The first small incline at the Petuel Tunnel: You immediately notice the high bike weight. After Aubing, open field and tailwind. Momentum over the A99 bridge (again noticeably felt the weight). But then a short downhill, next to the B2 towards Germering. Speed 28 – 30 was achievable. Downhill before Inning, speed 45.
• Then already with lights (really good, as bright as a car headlight with high beams) past Ammersee to Eching. Up to here, it's about 45 kilometers. I rode this distance without a motor. Arduous, but doable.
• The stepless hub works quite well. But you are always a bit occupied with fine-tuning. Often turned to the highest level stop and then always "a little nudge" towards the current ideal. Takes getting used to, but the hub has other advantages, as does the belt drive.
• From Eching at Ammersee, I turned on the motor. First tried "Eco". Continuing towards Greifenberg, it gets a bit uphill again. I was then glad for the support on the hill(s). At Windach, comes the steepest incline of the whole route. I got over it well with "Sport" and 26 km/h.
• With a chain shift (XT 12-speed, 2.990,-), the bike might ride a bit more sprightly. But the primary use is always (large) city and smaller tours in the city or to the surrounding area with longer forest passages etc. It rides very well on forest and meadow paths. Due to the wide tires, you don't really miss a suspension fork. It rides extremely good-natured. Even downhill at higher speed, it never feels jittery.
• It's not really made for longer, sporty tours on asphalt. But I still undertook them, also towards the mountains (Marktoberdorf, Füssen, Auerberg) where it constantly goes up and down.
• Uphill and against the wind, the bike with motor has its great advantages. Especially in the strong east wind of the first spring days. On the way back, I was always glad to be able to increase the motor's support.
• You also learn to manage battery capacity: 100 km was recently possible even in hilly terrain. After 105 km, I still had one "bar" left. Cold weather does, as is known, affect the battery. This must be taken into account.
• A rookie mistake was riding completely without motor support. Better to switch between Eco and Tour, so you don't unnecessarily wear yourself out. Sport and Turbo modes are quite nice for acceleration.
• On flat terrain and with light or no wind, the bike rolls surprisingly well. I've already compared the bike to the Sühle from FCB – you don't see it coming that it's fast.
• For the recommended use, it is a great bike. Belt drive and the necessarily required hub gear are a plus (especially the stepless enviolo) and not even expensive at Canyon. No oil and long-lasting. In this version, extremely low maintenance.
• Details: The bell might be too quiet for Munich. A permanently installed lock on the frame would be nice (spontaneous purchases, etc.). As a Shimano user, you first have to get used to the shift direction – exactly the opposite.