Tech Specs: Canyon Aeroad CFR Di2
Worth: €9,999 / $9,999 / £9,299
Weight: 7.0 Kg – Dimension S
Groupset: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2
Wheels: DT Swiss ARC 1100 Dicut
Tyres: Continental GP5000 S TR 25mm – F 28mm – R
Sizes: 2XS-2XL
Colors: Alpecin / Sparkle Stealth – pictured
After I consider the Canyon Aeroad, I image Mathieu van der Poel completely hammering his personal up a cobbled climb within the Spring Classics or flying over the Roubaix cobblestones, all uncooked energy and poise and infrequently to a victory.
The World Highway Race Champion now has a brand new bike to race on as Canyon has launched a brand new model of its Aeroad race bike right now.
We noticed this new Aeroad on the Critérium du Dauphiné earlier within the yr, a race that is usually a proving floor for brand spanking new tools forward of the Tour de France. It’s been hiding in plain sight ever since and Alpecin-Deceuninck and Movistar are at the moment racing on the bike on the Tour de France. As bike launch techniques go, I’m all for it, personal the information and publicity fairly than worrying concerning the bike being noticed and making an attempt to cover it. In actual fact, as of right now, the bike has received three levels of this yr’s race because of dash ace Jasper Philipsen and his custom-painted model, not a nasty begin all informed.
That is the 4th era of the Aeroad – a mannequin which has existed since 2011, a truth which jogged my memory how time flies – and Canyon says its growth has required “a depth of professional rider suggestions” in addition to suggestions from mechanics. Promising stuff!
You’ll be able to learn all concerning the modifications in our information story overviewing the brand new bike, however summed up, the brand new bike is completely different sufficient that it is easy to identify, and has acquired some body and tube profile refinements to make it faster, some updates to help serviceability, in addition to an interchangeable handlebar drop part that riders can simply swap between.
I’ve ridden simply over 100 miles on my take a look at bike at dwelling so these are solely my early impressions. That distance is not sufficient for me to totally take a look at the bike, the brand new handlebars and actually “dwell with it”. So I’ll convert this to a full evaluate after extra driving and testing.
Design and specs
I will begin with the aesthetics, the Aeroad simply appears imply. Its angular and aero tube profiles look quick and aggressive standing nonetheless. I have been testing the ‘Sparkle stealth’ paint scheme as pictured. I might name it a gloss darkish gray with silver flecks and remember the large chrome Canyon logos. It is not an excessive amount of although and the bike appears nice. Add in an honest little bit of seatpost and the deep part wheels and you’ve got one fast-looking race bike.
I am testing the CFR Di2 mannequin, the CFR being Canyon’s top-tier body spec possibility. The bike as pictured retails for €9,999 / $9,999 / £9,299. For that, you get the Dura-Ace groupset, with energy meter chainset, DT Swiss wheelset, GP5000 tyres and Selle Italia SLR enhance saddle. The remainder of the ending package is from Canyon and is bike-specific.
The bike arrived with DT Swiss ARC 1100 wheels and DT Swiss 180 hubs. Tyres have been Continental GP5000 S TR tyres in a 25mm dimension up entrance and 28mm on the rear. The wheels have a 20mm inside width and with a 25mm tyre up entrance, issues really feel barely slender and maybe a contact harsh on some roads.
I assume the 25mm / 28mm combo was examined because the quickest, and that is what you will have for those who’re shopping for this bike. Certainly, Canyon informed me the 25mm tyre is the quickest for the specced DT Swiss wheels. Philipsen is racing, and profitable on 28s although. I used to be a contact stunned to not see 28s and even 30s fitted on a shopper bike. The clearance for the body is 32mm although, apparently requested by Van der Poel himself.
Whereas on wheels and tyres, I will point out the DT Swiss 180 rear freehub which is uncomfortably loud. It is not probably the most ridiculous I’ve come throughout, however it’s an excessive amount of for me. You might be able to quieten it right down to a level, however it’s value noting if it is a massive deal for you and your wheels. Conversely, for those who like your freehubs to make a racket, you will be properly happy.
The bike was very straightforward to arrange out of the field, It was a case of putting in the seatpost, which was very straightforward to do, some seatpost bungs and bolts are a faff, however not so right here. I put in the drops of the handlebars on the width adjustable bar. The second time I’ve carried out it and it nonetheless feels simply as odd to me, however it was straightforward and after the primary shakedown journey, I moved them to their narrowest setting. The whole lot else was carried out for me, I simply added sealant to the tyres, put in the neat new laptop mount and ran a torque wrench entrance to again for peace of thoughts.
I used to be happy to see that Canyon has removed the proprietary headset pre-load instrument that the CP0018 bar discovered on the previous bike used. And changed it with a Torx bolt which might be much more user-friendly. The older design I am positive has caught customers out and a wobbly headset you possibly can’t modify is a possible security subject. It makes the bike simpler to dwell with and extra user-friendly and I am all for it.
All handlebar, headset and seatpost bolts are additionally now T25 Torx, so that you solely want one instrument. Maybe proof of the mechanic session that’s talked about within the bike’s press materials. The included via axle deal with has a T25 bit included on the top, a pleasant transfer to streamline and support changes.
With reference to dwelling with the bike, Canyon has upgraded all of the headset fasteners on the brand new bike to titanium bolts and has additionally upgraded the headset bearings. There may be additionally a titanium fork crown race, which I can not say I’ve heard of earlier than which Canyon says is for ‘most abrasion resistance’. I might guess there have been some rounded-off, seized bolts within the handlebar meeting and presumably some prematurely worn-out headset bearings because of the built-in handlebar and stem making entry for servicing tougher than regular.
I discussed the necessity to not overwash the CP0018 bar in my Endurace CFR evaluate. If these modifications assist trigger much less complications and get monetary savings for homeowners usually then it is nice information they usually can solely be an enchancment over the outgoing bike.
The body updates look like to extract velocity and enhance stiffness and dealing with. On the entrance, the deepened fork legs clearly stand out, and the closed drive-side dropouts are a pleasant aero contact. The headtube profile has been narrowed as has the downtube. While the seat tube / seatstay junction and prime tube have been strengthened.
The Tempo handlebar is new and can come fitted to all seven Aeroad fashions. Two changeable bar drop sections might be accessible, which I believe is a primary for a street bike, right me if I am mistaken right here Cyclingnews readers.
I am but to correctly dive into this and take a look at each, however verify again for updates and footage. In brief, there might be a ‘traditional drop’ possibility, pictured on this piece and a flared ‘aero drop’ which Canyon claims supplies a 14-watt saving in testing in an aero place. The aero drop will not be included with an entire bike although and might be a £239.95 add-on in order for you them.
Look intently, some Alpecin riders are utilizing this bar within the Tour proper now. In addition to a damaging drop stem that might be professional solely I am informed to assist them get even decrease.
Efficiency
So simply how does a brand new bike Canyon declare is the quickest within the peloton that is simply been ridden to 3 stage wins within the Tour de France journey?
Effectively, it turned clear just about from the primary journey the Aeroad CFR is a really succesful bike. I used to be in a position to get snug with it virtually immediately. Regardless of its velocity, this thoroughbred does not appear high-strung or laborious to get on with in any respect.
Two phrases are on the forefront of my ideas when speaking concerning the Aeroad in the intervening time and that’s stiff and quick. It does really feel stiff below load and when delivering energy, notably at a slower velocity out of the saddle. Is that simply due to what I see after I look down on the backside bracket shell? I don’t suppose so. I’ve carried out loads of sprints on the bike, and even set a brand new one-minute energy PB up a brief native climb, which I am positive the bike helped with to a level when actually placing the ability down.
The dealing with is excellent too, to my thoughts. It is secure at greater speeds and below laborious braking, exact and sharp turning laborious into corners or guiding the bike by means of sweeping bends, no points there for me in any way.
Hunkered down on the hoods for prolonged stretches or within the drops the bike simply feels fast just about in all places. I turned up for an area membership bash on the bike for a tough 30 miles and it was good in all places, driving laborious on the flat, sprinting, and smashing up quick British climbs, it is simply acquired you lined and makes you need to journey it laborious on a regular basis.
The bike spec is excessive finish and as you could count on, Dura-Ace convey a really excessive degree of efficiency to the desk and the ability meter chainset is included from the off. The DT Swiss 50mm rims are mentioned to be as quick because the previous Aeroad with deeper 60mm+ wheels, shedding weight and bettering dealing with in a single go.
There is no detectable flex that I can really feel within the built-in and adjustable handlebar and it feels rock stable when wrenching on it getting an enormous gear turning. In actual fact, the built-in options all really feel stable and properly executed, sure there might be some preliminary understanding of what sizes you want for those who’re trying to purchase, however as soon as put in and arrange all the pieces works with out subject.
Early verdict
I appear to have clicked properly with the Aeroad from the off and really feel at dwelling on the bike already. It is undeniably stiff and quick and urges you on at each flip.
To this point, it looks like a fast, agile and aggressive race bike that may simply have your again no matter you’re doing. I’ve skilled zero rattles over rougher British roads and there have been no bedding-in points wherever. My solely preliminary niggles are a barely harsh feeling entrance tyre and narrowish rim and the offended bee freehub as talked about. However they’re factors on the spec, nothing to do with the body itself.
Subsequent up in testing might be swapping out the handlebars for the aero drops and testing these, hopefully a race or two, washing and dealing on the entrance finish, and a few longer adventures to see if the Aeroad is as robust an all-around race bike because it initially appears to be.
