Back at the 2015 Eurobike show, Canyon displayed a prototype Ultimate CF SLX Disc, now the German direct sales brand has teased us with what look to be near-production versions of both the Ultimate and Aeroad.
Canyon are remaining tight-lipped on the Ultimate CF SLX Disc and Aeroad CF SLX Disc, but we would be surprised if at least one – if not both – of the bikes aren’t officially launched this year.
In fact, Canyon have revealed that the disc-equipped Aeroad CF SLX is “currently undergoing rigorous testing by our pro riders before it passes the final phase of its development.”
While the Aeroad CF SLX Disc on display at Eurobike was in Movistar colours, we know Canyon’s other sponsored team, Katusha, has been testing the Aeroad CF SLX Disc for some time. It was the team’s Norwegian fast man, Alexander Kristoff, who posted a photo of his prototype bike from training on Instagram back in April – though that was hastily deleted.
While development has continued a pace, we haven’t yet seen either the disc-equipped Aeroad or Ultimate in the peloton yet, after the UCI postponed the testing of disc brakes in professional racing following Paris-Roubaix.
Now, with the UCI likely to give the green light to testing again for the 2017 season, we can expect to see more new, disc-equipped bikes in the peloton – with Canyon sure to be among the brands represented. For now you’ll just have to make do with flicking through our photo gallery further down the page.
Both the Ultimate, which focuses on low weight, and the Aeroad, Canyon’s aerodynamic road machine, largely share the same tube profiles as their non-disc siblings.
Canyon have used 12mm thru-axles at the front and rear, with disc calipers fixed to the bike using the now ubiquitous flat mount standard, and the hydraulic hoses routed internally.
At Eurobike, the Ultimate CF SLX Disc was on display was equipped with SRAM’s new Red eTap HRD groupset, while the Aeroad CF SLX Disc wore Campagnolo’s prototype disc brakes.
When they are eventually released, the Ultimate and Aeroad won’t be Canyon’s first disc-equipped road bikes. That honour fell to the Endurace CF SLX launched earlier this year.
Meanwhile, disc brakes aside, Canyon used Eurobike to unveil the Speedmax CF – a more affordable version of the firm’s time trial/triathlon bike.
While the flagship Speedmax CF SLX range opens at £4,399, this one starts at £2,049, making the Speedmax CF one of the most competitively priced fully-fledged time trial bikes on the market.
The CF shares the same deep, aerodynamic Trident tube profiles as the all-singling CF SLX, though Canyon have made a few key changes across the bike to make it a more accessible proposition to riders.
First the cockpit features less integration, which helps bring the cost down as well as making the Speedmax more adjustable, as well as being easier to setup and service.
Canyon have also tweaked the geometry by increasing the stack and shortening the reach to make the CF less aggressive than the CF SLX, and to help the riders achieve a more comfortable position. The hidden, proprietary brakes of the CF SLX have also been swapped for regular direct mount calipers.
Six bikes make up the Canyon Speedmax CF range, starting from that £2,049 model with Shimano 105 and Mavic Cosmic wheels, and rising to £3,999 with Shimano Ultegra Di2 and Reynolds Strike carbon clincher wheels.
Website: Canyon
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