The year is 2016, the end of the era of racing bikes with rim brakes. Specialized and Trek have recently unveiled spectacular aero road bikes, but then Canyon comes along and beats the duo to the punch. Because not Specialised Venge or Trek Madone secure the TOUR top score of 1.4 with their aerodynamic quality, but the lighter Aeroad CF SLX 9.0 LTDwhich is connected in this way with the Scott Foil on a par. Canyon followed up with the Aeroad CFR Di2 and the Aeroad CFR Disc with disc brakes, and both road bikes also received a TOUR test score of 1.4 based on the adjusted grading scale, which takes into account progress in brakes and components. So what is the Canyon Aeroad's recipe for success?
Canyon Aeroad CFR Disc MVDP - Statement in the wind tunnel
The Koblenz-based company's top-of-the-range model is currently making a big impression, especially in the wind tunnel. With 204 watts for 45 km/h, the blue special edition in honour of Mathieu van der Poels is one of the best in the world. fastest production bikes in the world. Only three aero racers were ever faster in our measurements in the wind tunnel in Immenstaad on Lake Constance. Among them was the Canyon Aeroad CFR Di2, which performed two watts better with an eleven-speed drive instead of a twelve-speed drive. A negligible difference for the important criterion of aerodynamics, both models scored a straight A. The Aeroad CF SLX 9.0 LTD came in at 208 watts and was just behind the fastest models at the time.
However, the predecessor of the current Aeroad benefited from its impressively low weight just above the UCI limit in terms of the overall score. The subsequent versions with disc brakes could no longer keep up. For an aerodynamically optimised road bike, the 7190 grams of the current Aeroad CFR Disc are still very impressive.
Overall, the Canyon road bike is more versatile than it first appears; the overall concept of aerodynamics, low weight, riding dynamics and good comfort on the saddle represents a coherent concept for different terrains. It is no coincidence that many World Tour pros rely almost exclusively on the Aeroad.
However, Canyon's aero road bike has not only made positive headlines recently. After a Handlebar breakage already leads to sales stop Canyon had to take the Aeroad off the online shelves again in autumn. Persistent problems with the seatpost were the trigger. Even though the 2022 models are now sealed with a rubber sleeve to prevent the ingress of dirt and water, there are still reports of creaking supports. According to Canyon, however, the support is still safe.
Canyon Aeroad CFR Disc MVDP
- Weight: 7.2 kg
- Price: 9999 Euro
- Frame/fork/steering bearing weight* 955/445/50 grammes
- Frame sizes** XXXS, XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
- Seat/top tube/head tube 535/565/142 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR*** 562/387 millimetres/1.45
- Wheelbase/caster 990/62 millimetres
Canyon Aeroad CFR Disc MVDP - Equipment
- Drive/gear shift Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 (2x12; 52/36, 11-30 teeth)
- Brakes Shimano Dura-Ace (160/160 mm)
- Wheels/tyres (weights)***** DT Swiss ARC 1100 Dicut 62/Continental Grand Prix 5000 25/28 mm (f./h. 1233/1562 grams)
Measured values & individual scores
- Weight of complete wheel 7.2 kilos - Grade 2,0
- Steering head stiffness 117 Nm/° - Grade 1,0
- Lateral stiffness Fork 40 N/mm - Grade 3,3
- Bottom bracket stiffness 68 N/mm - Grade 1,0
- Seatpost spring stiffness 176 N/mm - Grade 2,0
- Aerodynamics 204 Watt - Grade 1,0
* Weighed weights.
** Manufacturer's specification test size bold.
*** Stack/reach projected vertical/horizontal measurement from the centre of the bottom bracket to the top of the head tube; STR (stack to reach) 1.36 means a very stretched, 1.60 an upright riding position.
**** Wheel weights including tyres, cassette, quick release/ thru axles and brake discs if applicable.
Single noteswhich are included in the overall grade with different weightings, are only shown in part. The grades are calculated up to the final grade with all decimal places; however, for the sake of clarity, we show all grades with rounded decimal places.
Aerodynamics: Theoretical pedalling power required to overcome air resistance at 45 km/h, measured in a wind tunnel with a pedalling leg dummy.
Julian Schultz
Editor
