CANYON ENDURACE CF SL DISC 7.0
£1849 The endurance bike that wants to race
Canyon’s Endurace has been a fixture within the German online seller’s range for over three years. During that time the number of carbon fibre and aluminium Endurace models has expanded with three levels of carbon – the CF, with rim brakes, and lighter CF SL and CF SLX with discs. Our CF SL Disc 7.0 is the lowest-priced carbon disc model and looks to offer typical Canyon value for money, but how does it measure up against the current competition?
The endurance market has really evolved during the last few years with designs that distinguish its bikes more clearly from racefocused models. Tyre volume and clearance is key, plus frame geometry, components and comfort levels that make long rides less arduous. With its slightly dropped seatstays, subtly cut away and curved lower seat tube and decent clearances, the Canyon ticks most of those boxes.
Conforming to our past experience of Canyon bikes, the recommended medium-sized bike comes up a little short on reach with its stock 100mm stem. Canyon offers an exchange system, so you’re able to swap the stem for a more suitable length, if necessary, and the 553mm top tube means needing 120mm or longer for us. At 158mm, the head tube for this size is shorter than the current norm, the 73-degree head angle a tad steeper and 990mm wheelbase shorter, too.
All this adds up to a bike that’s at the less compromising end of the endurance spectrum. Perhaps the clue is in the last four letters of its designation, because there’s undoubtedly a race element to this Canyon. For a start, its 8.45kg weight is very good for a disc-equipped bike at this price and its complete 105 groupset with no substitutions is impressive, too. DT Swiss wheels
and Continental tyres are a reliable pairing, but just how does it all feel?
From the off, the Canyon aluminium bar feels characteristically ergonomic (1) and combined with the squared stem profile, doesn’t lack stiffness. Selle Italia’s X3 saddle is flat-topped, firm and a little slippery but benefits from a decent length of exposed VCLS carbon seatpost to help absorb bumps. The DT Swiss E1850 Spline wheelset is an OEM version of the circa 1655g E1800 with squat, rounded aluminium rims that are 20mm wide internally (2). These open the Continental Grand Prix SL 28mm tyres out to 30mm, but still leave a little more frame clearance, just in case.
Tyre volume dictated testing at 75 to 80psi, allowing the supple rubber to maximise grip and comfort. Shimano’s 105 hydraulic groupset really is a benchmark for reliable quality and its brilliant hoods and controls are matched by quietly efficient operation. With 52/36 chainrings and an 11-34 cassette (3), the Endurace is geared to take you almost anywhere on tarmac, although we’ve seen one in a gravel race, too!
There’s no denying that the Endurace wants to fly and its racy edge is always there, nudging you onwards. If you take the bait and force it on a climb, it responds more like the brand’s racier Ultimate does, if a little dulled by weightier wheels and tyres. With relatively little overall mass it’s easier to sustain efforts, and the payback often comes on the descents where the additional grip and control keep things composed.
Compared to the current crop of endurance bikes, the Endurace offers less overall comfort. Despite the firm saddle, seated comfort is quite good, but isn’t matched by the feeling up front, as the combination of fork, handlebar and stem pass more vibration to your hands and wrists than we’d like. It’s not jarring, but is less damped than the rear.
With crisp, predictable handling, the Endurace uses its short wheelbase to great effect, but, at least with the stock 100mm stem fitted, feels a little busier at speed, requiring a little more rider input to maintain your line. There’s a lot to like about the Endurace, especially if you’re not ready to go fatter and slacker just yet.
Pitched at the sharp end of the endurance market, the Endurace can still cut it