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Canyon vs. Rose - It doesn't get much tighter than this
For the prestigious comparison in the competition bike category, both manufacturers entered models into the race that were fundamentally revised last year and presented within a few days. While Rose was a tick ahead of the competition at the time and launched the XLite a little earlier, Canyon now has the edge in a direct duel with the Ultimate.
The Ultimate CF SL 8 Aero performs a tenth better, but has to give way to the XLite 06 Ultegra Di2 from Rose in the most important individual categories in the competition bike segment. The lead in weight and aerodynamics is marginal and irrelevant for the individual scores.
Nevertheless: The Bolide from Bocholt is 80 grams lighter and 1.2 watts faster. Regardless of the head-to-head duel, the aerodynamic quality of both bikes is impressive, and in the field of race all-rounders they occupy leading positions thanks to their fast standard wheels.
Why does the Canyon still come out a shade better? Because it offers more comfort. Both in the TOUR test lab and on the road, the pendulum swings quite clearly in favour of the Ultimate. The Rose is by no means uncomfortable either, as the 28 mm tyres on the in-house carbon rims are more voluminous and partially compensate for the disadvantage of the relatively hard aero seatpost. However, the XLite can't compete with the Ultimate, whose seatpost with its D-shaped cross-section is clamped low and impressively smoothes out passages on cobblestones.
Picture gallery - Details of the Canyon Ultimate CF SL 8 Aero
Otherwise, the two torsionally stiff models emphasise what they are made for: fast road biking. The Canyon is a little more manoeuvrable and steers more directly around corners. The Rose tends to offer a smoother ride and is reminiscent of the Aeroad, Canyon's second competition model. You sit stretched out in the saddle on both racers, although the position on the XLite is a little more race-like.
Put in the shade
The equipment is functional and of high quality: Electronic twelve-speed Ultegra, easy-to-adjust brakes, aero-optimised carbon cockpits and fast tyres - both models have up to 32-millimetre tyres - leave nothing to be desired for amateur racers. Despite the slightly better test result of the Ultimate, the question of which is the better competition bike can only be answered to a limited extent. Overall, both models are a success and outshine significantly more expensive all-rounders.
With the new XLite, Rose has tended to venture a little further out from under cover and designed it to be a little sportier - with their only real competition model, the Bocholt-based company had little choice but to remain competitive. The new Ultimate, on the other hand, is a consistent further development, as you would expect from Canyon. The decisive selling point could therefore be the price.
Picture gallery - Details of the Rose XLite 06 Ultegra Di2
And that clearly speaks in favour of the Ultimate: It undercuts the XLite with comparable equipment by 1000 euros and - a unique selling point - also comes with integrated power measurement.
Variants and prices
As is typical for mail-order bikes, both manufacturers offer their models in numerous equipment variants and different frame qualities. The cheapest version from Canyon (Ultimate CF SL 7) with a mechanical 105 and flat aluminium wheels from DT Swiss costs 2199 euros, for Roses XLite 04 105 with comparable equipment costs 2999 euros.
The bestsellers in this TOUR test are in the middle of the price range. Canyon only tops out at € 10999 for the CFR (SRAM Red AXS, Zipp 353NSW), whose frame is said to be 320 grams lighter than that of the CF SL. At Rose, the top-equipped XLite 06 (SRAM Red AXS, RC Sixty Disc) 8199 Euro.
The Canyon Ultimate CF SL 8 Aero in detail
- Price4999 Euro
- Weight: 7,5 Kilo
- Aerodynamics: 216 Watt*****
- Frame/fork/steering bearing weight* 1005/365/54 grams
- Frame sizes** XXXS, XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
- Seat/top tube/head tube 505/555/143 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR*** 573/387 millimetres/1.48
- Wheelbase/caster 990/60 millimetres
Canyon Ultimate - Equipment
- Drive/gear shift Shimano Ultegra Di2 (2x12; 52/36, 11-30 t.)
- Brakes Shimano Ultegra (160/140 mm)
- Wheels/tyres (weights)**** DT Swiss ARC 1600 Dicut 50/62/Continental Grand Prix 5000 25/28 mm (f./h.: 1197/1746 g)
>> The Ultimate gets an overall TOUR score of 1.6
The Rose XLite 06 Ultegra Di2 in detail
- Price5999 Euro >> available here
- Weight: 7,4 Kilo
- Aerodynamics: 215 Watt*****
- Frame/fork/steering bearing weight* 901/389/84 grammes
- Frame sizes** 50, 53, 55, 57, 59, 62
- Seat/top tube/head tube 505/555/151 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR*** 565/392 millimetres/1.44
- Wheelbase/caster 995/55 millimetres
Rose XLite - Equipment
- Drive/gear shift Shimano Ultegra Di2 (2x12; 52/36, 11-30 t.)
- Brakes Shimano Ultegra (160/160 mm)
- Wheels/tyres (weights)**** Rose RC Sixty Disc 60/Schwalbe Pro One TT 28 mm (front/rear: 1207/1644 g)
>> The XLite gets an overall TOUR score of 1.7
*Weighed weights
**Manufacturer information, test size bold.
***Stack/Reach Projected vertical/horizontal dimension 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 a very upright sitting position.
****Impeller weights including tyres, cassette, quick release/threaded axles and brake discs if necessary.
*****Aerodynamics Theoretical pedalling power required to overcome the air resistance at 45 km/h, measured in a wind tunnel with a pedalling dummy leg
Julian Schultz
Editor
