Review: Conway Xyron S 8.9 Carbon

Once upon a time there was a German manufacturer with a wholesale background who, since the introduction of an (electric) fully named (e)WME, has become much more desirable for potential customers who do not decide which bike to buy solely based on the image of a brand. Smart concepts, nice shapes and impeccable technology have been strong arguments for the Conway brand since the birth of aforementioned (e-)enduros.
The Xyron, the second full-suspension bike with plenty of travel and power in the line-up of the full-range manufacturer under the roof of Hermann Hartje KG, is no different. This claim comes easy to us, because the potent all-rounder has already been a guest in the Nyx offices several times – mostly as “carrier” for TRP brake tests, as most recently in the spring of this year.
However, up to now we’d only ridden the All Mountain bike in the aluminium version and with the same wheel size respectively: either 27.5 or 29 inches. Never, however, had we tested the carbon bike – with a mullet setup, i.e., 29ers in the front, 650B in the rear. A good reason to grab the opportunity when Conway offered us their Xyron S 8.9 MX Carbon for testing.

Just to make it clear: an “S” in the name of any Conway bike indicates that it is intended for sporty use, in contrast to the now clearly labelled and fully equipped “SUV” version, which combines the (in this case massive) comfort of a full suspension bike with specs suitable for everyday use like lights, mudguards and luggage racks.
The term “MX” refers to aforementioned wheel size mix, which is supposed to combine the better rollover behaviour and the rider’s greater feeling of safety of 29" wheels at the front with the noticeable agility and lightness of 27.5" wheels at the rear.

For the revised frame, which was needed because Bosch converted their Smart System including a 750 Wh Powertube, mostly the same applies as for its predecessor:
The Xyron's silver-black carbon chassis is dominated by clean shapes, no Bowden cable is visible as they enter the frame via the headset (though it is still possible to retrofit them on the outside thanks to the side inlet). If you applied a ruler, you could almost draw a dead straight line starting from the massive head tube to the slim top tube and the bulky seat stays down to the rear dropout. Almost, because shortly before the top tube meets the cockpit, it is a little bent.
All tubes play skilfully with angular geometries and sharp edges and neuralgic points are safely protected. Only at the front do the carbon fibres break this design language as they bulge into something that could easily accommodate a small beer keg.

Despite the motor, developers have succeeded in integrating the shock and rocker down low in the frame. However, the seat tube had to be split in two to make room for the lower shock mount. A flexible rubber cover on the rear of the seat tube protects the sliding surfaces and seals of the shock, which would otherwise be exposed to dirt and trail debris.
The test bike shows that there is doubtlessly still enough space in the main frame to accommodate large, downhill-oriented shocks and their reservoirs.

From the first saddle contact to the last stone step ridden (yeah, I did it! I finally brought myself round to ride the final key section of the Ewige Wand (Eternal Wall), which had been a mental hurdle for me until then – for reasons I don't really understand; though admittedly, it got somewhat defused) the Xyron seems to be built for a smooth and calm riding experience. The riding position is compact and relatively upright, nevertheless the rider sits well positioned above the bottom bracket, the chassis is forgiving, the handling good-natured, and you are always in total control of the bike due to an efficient rear suspension, the Twentyniner front and the door-wide handlebars.
By the way, I would have needed to shorten the handlebars a bit for ergonomic reasons actually; but even the other test rider who is very broad-shouldered considered them too wide. A size-dependent specification would therefore be appropriate.

The 160 mm of travel’s full potential is of course never tapped in regular everyday touring. But the Fox suspension also remains completely unimpressed by bumpy, blocked terrain, which is best tackled at high speed, or by larger steps and drops; as well as by the jumps and airtime my riding skills allow for (but to be honest, this is not a benchmark).
In my opinion the simple Float combo is potent enough for even a little crispier all-mountain riding, and frankly speaking I am glad that adjusting the bike is no rocket science.

Bosch's solid Performance CX motor with its four modes and mighty 85 Nm of torque also makes perfect sense on the Xyron S. However, its long-range 750 Wh Powertube adds a lot to the weight, and the 160 mm full suspension bike, carbon frame or not, 650B rear wheel or not, is anything but a lightweight. But the power this overall package needs especially when accelerating, is easily compensated for by the potent motor.
The market leader is known for its powerful propulsion but performs in a more sensitive way, too, when in eMTB mode. All in all, however, it gives an additional push rather than to sensitively amplify the riders own power. This is especially important to bear in mind on more demanding uphill trails – i.e.: choose your line with foresight.
Even on rough downhill terrain, the notorious freewheel rattling is hardly noticeable! As the battery cover/integration and the well-protected frame hardly make any noise either, this bike glides downhill in almost heavenly silence. Uphill you’ll hear the Bosch-typical noise level that of course depends on the mode and gear you’re riding in.

I didn't really come to like the new Smart System control unit until the end of the test phase – too many switches, too many options and, as a result, too much information that you could get from the – basically clean – Kiox display.
I'm clearly a fan of reduced versions, like those Bosch has just presented for 2023 with a system controller that can be integrated into the top tube, including a mini remote. By the way, the frame of the Xyron is already set for this next level, as can be seen, for example, from the recess on the top tube, which is currently still without a purpose.

Given the geometry data, the riding behaviour holds no surprises. The great strength of the Xyron, as the long wheelbase and rear triangle as well as the flat steering angle suggest, lies in its smooth running.
Coupled with its good 24 kilograms and the potent tyres, nothing can really get this bolide off track. The smaller rear wheel, however, provides just enough playfulness to prevent the all-rounder from completely turning into a bus.
Downhill and through wide curves, the ride is as relaxed as can be, with sufficient mental and real safety reserves. And going up steep hills also works very well, because I'd rather practise wheelies than have the front wheel come off the ground unintentionally.

Narrow bends or rapid changes of direction, on the other hand, are not the Conway's favourite discipline (nor mine, especially as I touched tree trunks several times with the handlebars that were too wide for me). To master them and get the bike around the corner, you need vigour, determination, and physical effort.
And for trial-like rides in alpine terrain, for inch-by-inch approaches to key sections or spontaneous corrections of the ideal line, you’ll probably find more suitable, i.e., more agile, and more responsive bikes. But that brings us back to the target group discussion from the beginning of this piece: if you expect this from your E-full suspension bike, you'll go for other brands anyway.
All in all, it's a bit like “safe sex”: outright sensible and still fun.

In order to characterise the Xyron carbon on point – and in refreshingly superlative-less language – just take a look at the manufacturer’s website.
The bike with its large battery is the capable all-rounder and faithful companion for your tours and trails, it reads, and with its sporty-comfortable geometry and a swallow-happy chassis your tours are not only more fun, but also automatically longer. That's it!

Well-specced and reasonably priced, the potent Conway bike won’t win over technically experienced gravity fans or individualists looking for something special. But it may well support returners and beginners with its good-natured, relaxed handling characteristics.
And even those who venture further into the trail will appreciate the undeniable feeling of safety and some suspension travel reserves.