Balance Frame

Love the Balance. I scored a 2020 LE, DVO, Sram, DT, and Spank for components. CBF suspension rides great. 20+ years ago I always thought these bikes were cool - now I have one and I love it.

I still remember the first time I rode the Canfield Balance, it was a demo bike from BikeBoy PH. I was only 12 back then, still new to racing and figuring things out. But from the first ride, it just felt right, parang instant connection which is hard to explain. It honestly felt like love at first ride.

The crazy part? The next day was already race day. I didn’t even have much time to think; I just rode the bike the way it wanted to be ridden. Everything felt faster, smoother, and more controlled. That day, I finished first in my category.

At that time, I was still a beginner, but the Balance showed me what real speed felt like. It gave me confidence I didn’t know I had yet. It made me trust the bike and more importantly, trust myself.

Looking back, that bike wasn’t just something I raced on. It was the one that changed everything for me. It was the missing piece that helped me level up.

Excellent experience. Lance and Michelle were both prompt and courteous in answering any questions I asked. Bike was well-packaged and arrived as scheduled. Absolutely recommend Canfield Bikes!

Ok I got my balance at the beginning of 2023 to ride the trails to the jump lines and like everyone says bike climbs unreal for 170 travel (169) and descends fast and flow amazingly but I find the rear end too short for rough tech descending and I moved by a bike park and have a dh for that and my Canfield sat for about a year until I stripped it down to just the rear brake straight seat post and max psi in the rear suspension and almost in the fork and it’s a better Slopestyle bike than my ticket s I ride it on all types of jump lines mostly BMX style step lips and landings it absolutely rips like I said better than my actual Slopestyle bike

Plugging a better detailed review now that I actually finished a build up.

The newest gen frame is familiar but better then the last rev I rode ('16). Same hardware sizes, same silhouette, rides like a balance but tweaked and modernized. The internal cable routing definitely looks cleaner, the slightly raised leverage ratio ramp isn't crazy increased but noticeable over the old gen and it really is a better fit for coil then the older models. I can run a supple setup but im not in travel too deep as often as I was the older model. I appreciate that its still a light but robust frame. Its AL so random rocks dont kill it and it pedals like you'd expect a cbf bike to pedal (as in great even when running compliant suspension and moving through all of travel). I love the classic black ano look and the geo is spot on as well.

To me the balance is a sweet middle ground between a pedal day bike and a freeride rig. I guess hence the name. It is mild and reasonable in all its stats so that there really isnt a ride type it wouldn't be up for. I built mine to go for trail rides, go ride shuttle laps that arent dh bike appropriate, and occasionally for riding large'ish jump lines. For me its a bike of well thought out blends and decisions. Nothing abnormal, all very accessible. It really is a viable answer for any use case that's not lightweight XC or race dh rig at extreme ends of the bike spectrum.

I could talk setup and minutia all day but if your interested and think this might be for you at all, honestly it is. This is the cant make a bad choice bike to rule them all in my opinion.

Finally value and support wise no one out there is topping canfield. Lance and crew are all so awesome to work with. They care, are super friendly, and honestly how many brands have the owner answering the phone when you call to ask goofy questions? They've done more then right by me several times over now.

I'm 5'7" and chose a small frame w/ Kitsuma Air bc I prefer its reach and ease of adjusting spring rate. I love that the chainstays are so short because it allows me, as a shorter rider, to REALLY experience a snappy bike. The first time I tipped the bike into a berm, I heard Etta James' "At Last" in my head. It was effortless which was the opposite of my previous bike ('22 Status 160). The bike is exactly what I've been searching for in a park bike. Playful and eats the bumps. I'm not a racer so I'm not worried about all out speed, just having fun and this bike delivers ALL of the fun. Slap or shralp berms at will. Change lines whenever, wherever. The bike uses all of it's travel and I never feel a bottom out. Amazing. The bike is all about shenanigans and fun, but is also really happy on tight, fast trails like Jazz Hands at Angel Fire. Thank you, Lance, for keeping 27.5 alive and this shred machine in the lineup.

Solid classic balance frame. Enjoying seeing the black ano again as well

Hi Ya’ll.
Just purchased a Balance large size frame Balance. It arrived quick and safe! I’m so stoked to start this build. Aside from the frame itself, I want to say a bit about customer service. Three days prior to shipping, Lance Canfield himself phoned me letting me know it was on its way! I’ve never had the owner of a company personally contact me in this way! What a surprise! A few days later I had a a few questions about my build regarding brakes and crank lengths. So I gave them a shout. Guess who answers the phone? Yep Lance. We chat for 20 or so. Lance answered all my questions. Never felt like I was just a customer on the other end of the line. I truly felt like I was valued. I can’t say enough how grateful I am for the customer connection at Canfield. I’m looking forward to finishing this build. Never been prouder to own and ride a new bike.

Scotty Jenkins