On the right track with Canyon
The Cyclist Track Day is the perfect place to try out a new Canyon road bike. Here’s what you can expect from the latest Aeroad, Ultimate and Endurace
CANYON AEROAD CF SLX DISC 9.0 DI2 When flat-out speed is all that matters
When Cyclist first rode the Canyon Aeroad on its release in 2014, we said it was a bike ‘so mechanically advanced, so aerodynamic and so efficient that it’s almost frightening’.
With a design honed in a wind-tunnel, everything about the Aeroad is dedicated to the pursuit of speed. But that doesn’t mean that it’s a harsh ride, as Canyon believes comfort is an important part of going fast. So the Aeroad rolls on 25mm tyres as standard, and can even be fitted with 28mm tyres.
This latest version comes with disc brakes, which have been carefully integrated to offer all the advantages of hydraulic braking and increased tyre clearance but with barely any loss in aerodynamic efficiency.
The Aeroad is a favourite with many pros on the KatushaAlpecin and Movistar teams, and you can discover its secrets for yourself at this year’s Cyclist Track Days. Canyon Aeroad range, from £3,199, canyon.com/aeroad
CANYON ULTIMATE CF SL DISC 8.0 AERO The Ultimate is fast, light and born to race
The Canyon Ultimate has become a true classic in the world of race bikes, with multiple Grand Tours and World Championships to its name. Yet it’s also designed to be comfortable for long rides.
‘By lowering the clamping point inside the frame by 11cm we increase the seatpost’s effective bending length, allowing it to flex more over bumps and absorb vibrations for a smoother ride,’ explains Daniel Heyder, product engineer at Canyon.
The disc-equipped frame weighs just 820g yet still offers fantastic aerodynamic efficiency, saving 13 watts at 45kmh over the previous generation. That’s down to a frame design that utilises highly prized carbon fibres and intelligent lay-up to nail the best possible ratio of stiffness and engineered flex to generate comfort on rougher terrain. Add in the stopping power of disc brakes, and the Ultimate is a one-stop solution to racing, sportive riding and beautiful days in the mountains. Canyon Ultimate range, from £1,649, canyon.com/ultimate
CANYON ENDURACE CF SL DISC 8.0 & WMN CF SL DISC 8.0 Comfort and performance in equal measure
The aptly named Canyon Endurace is a bike for all seasons and all terrains. It is built around 28mm tyres, but there’s room for plenty more. In another nod to comfort, the seatpost uses Canyon’s ingenious leaf-spring design, which allows it to flex beneath the rider, while the lack of a rear brake bridge makes for supremely skinny and flexy seatstays. Yet the frame still boasts much of the aero integration of the Aeroad and comes in at a startlingly low 840g for a size medium.
As Roman Arnold, CEO and founder of Canyon puts it, ‘Personally I love the Endurace. I’m a little older now and no longer a racer, and so it’s perfect for me.’ The women’s version of the Endurace (pictured) offers the innovative feature of fitting smaller sized 650b wheels on the smallest models to preserve the bike’s geometry and handling throughout the range. ‘This is something I’m so proud of,’ says Arnold. Canyon Endurace range, from £799, canyon.com/endurace
