tour magazin canyon aeroad

Canyon Aeroad 2021 review

The new canyon aeroad will certainly pique riders' interests with its quill stem, adjustable handlebar width and market-leading claims of aerodynamics but is it as good as its makers will have you believe.

Cyclingnews Verdict

The new Canyon Aeroad is lighter, faster, stiffer, yet just as comfortable as the original. It gets extra marks for creative engineering, and it's a fast and compliant bike to ride, but racers may want to wait a while

Slightly relaxed geometry makes it suitable for more riders

Genuinely comfortable ride

Competitively low weight (7.3kg size L)

Aero cockpit's cut-free stem height

Width adjustable handlebars

Restricted to Aeroad cockpit, of which six-degree rise option only available… for now

Non-carbon-railed saddle seems out of keeping with otherwise high spec

Specced with older DT Swiss ACR 1100 Dicut wheelset… for now

Tubeless tyres not included

You can trust Cyclingnews Our experts spend countless hours testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

The 2021 Canyon Aeroad has finally been unveiled to the world, and with it came the usual raft of claimed improvements from the manufacturer. These include the 2020-appropriate claims of increased aerodynamics, reduced weight, and an integrated cockpit. However, it is upon closer inspection when the new Canyon Aeroad begins to stand out not only among the best aero road bikes , but among the best road bikes overall. 

It has a bunch of nifty tricks up its sleeve that not only make the bike easier for Canyon to deliver in the first instance (important considering Canyon's direct-to-consumer nature), but also easier to live and travel with for the eventual owner. 

The launch comes at a would-be-late point in the season for a bike launch; after the Tour de France and World Championships. But thanks to 2020's mismatched season, there is still plenty of racing for the peloton to sink their teeth into, and thus plenty of exposure opportunity for the bike, with the remainder of the Giro d'Italia , the Vuelta a España and the classics still to come. 

The outgoing Aeroad has been around since 2014 and such was the success of the bike - both in testing and to Canyon's bottom line - the only change Canyon made in that time was the introduction of disc brakes. It's a bike that you've undoubtedly come across on the Sunday club ride or Tuesday night criterium and it's won everything from town sign sprints to that Amstel Gold . For this reason, the new Aeroad is possibly the most important bike that Canyon has launched in its lifetime, so it's perhaps unsurprising that the German firm has taken its time. 

Canyon's aim was to make the bike better, and according to the German brand, it has engineered a frameset that's seven watts faster, 14 per cent stiffer, and 168 grams lighter than before, as well as simple to adjust, maintain, and ultimately live with. It also gets a more relaxed geometry meaning it should be more comfortable for the masses. 

The result is a bike that positions itself as an aero all-rounder, up against the likes of the Specialized Tarmac SL7, the new Merida Reacto, and the 2021 Trek Madone . 

• Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL7 review
• 2021 Merida Reacto Team-E review

Cyclingnews has managed to get hands-on with the new Aeroad CFR ahead of the launch, complete with Dura-Ace Di2 groupset and DT Swiss ARC 1100 wheels. 

The test period was limited to a 10-day stretch, but in that time, the early impressions are of a bike that is composed, comfortable, yet fast and furious when necessary. 

Our size large test bike weighs in at 7.3kg, so it won't challenge the thoroughbred lightweights in a race for the fewest grams - Canyon's Ultimate CFR will see to that instead. Rather like its predecessor, it remains a contender for our guide to the best aero road bikes , but with a few minor adjustments, it will comfortably meet the 6.8kg weight limit for those who find it actually matters - as proven by Valverde's choice to ride it for every stage of the 2020 Tour de France. 

Ultimately, it's a race-ready aero bike that will appeal to a wide audience of racers, café cyclists and club riders alike. 

Design and aesthetics

Our test bike comes in what Canyon calls 'tinted chrome' colour, but depending on the time of day, the position of the sun in the sky, and which side of the bed you got out of this morning, you'll see greens, golds, a bit of bronze, a touch of silver, and who knows what else. I'll be honest, in the dimly lit gloom of my garage, it looks a bit underwhelming, but get it out into the golden hour of an autumnal sunset and it does look rather pretty. 

The tubes on which the paint is applied are undeniably Aeroad in their genetics. The seat tube still wraps around the rear wheel and the top tube still follows the same horizontal profile, but most of those tubes are considerably upsized in the pursuit of increased aerodynamic efficiency. 

It would be a safe assumption that an increase in tube dimensions would equal an increase in weight, but our large test model's 7.3kg overall weight backs up Canyon's claimed 168g decrease. The ride quality and frame stiffness are other traits that can suffer with increased tube sizes or decreased weight, but on early impressions, this does not seem to be the case. Power transfer doesn't feel quite as sharp as some of the competition I've tested of late, but the difference is minute - it's still certainly no slouch out of the corners.

In addition to larger tubes, the fork legs and rear stays have been widened - another 2020-appropriate feature - meaning wider tyre clearances of 30mm, although that's within the ISO standards and could easily accommodate a few extra millimetres. 

One of the major changes that Canyon has applied to the new Aeroad is a new geometry. Taking the aggressive position of the original, Canyon has increased the stack by 9mm and shortened the reach by 5mm to create a bike that more people are able to take advantage of. 

For those of us who like it long and low, the proprietary cockpit's negative-six-degree angle will be a put-off, but Canyon's already got a slammed negative-17 stem on the bikes of its pro riders, and it'll be making available to the public a few months after launch. 

Talking of cockpits, that brings us onto the real talking point of the new bike. The catchily named CP0018 Aerocockpit. 

On face value, this system is a one-piece bar and stem combo like any other, but on further inspection, it's altogether different, and it's one of a few innovations that set the Aeroad apart from its competition. 

With today's crop of bikes all aiming to remove cables from the wind to create a faster and cleaner-looking cockpit, the ways in which engineers have tackled the problem has differed from brand to brand. Specialized route the cables through the bars but beneath the stem in their two-piece front-end solution. One of the downfalls of a completely integrated one-piece system is that should a rider wish to trial a lowered position, the steerer needs to be cut first. 

Rather than follow Specialized, Giant's and Scott's various systems of a plastic cover over the stem, Canyon decided to look to history and created a modern adaptation of the quill stem. 

This system allows the stem to be risen and lowered by 15mm (in 5mm increments) without cutting. The benefit is that a rider can trial lower positions without cutting the steerer, and raise it again if necessary - something that will also help with the bike's resale value down the line. But the downside is that it commits the Aeroad to this cockpit, which at the time of launch at least, is only available in the aforementioned negative-six-degree angle. 

While the raising and lowering of this stem will be rather simple for a skilled mechanic, it's still perhaps confusing to the rest of us, and as such, Canyon has provided a video walkthrough.

In the middle, an integrated out-front mount is provided with the necessary mounting accessories for all the best cycling computers , however, I think Canyon left the design of this component to the intern, as it angles up really awkwardly. A couple of angled shims would solve the issue, but Canyon, this one's due a redesign, please. 

Foldable, adjustable handlebars

Canyon, not shy of a bonkers cockpit redesign (as we learned previously in our Canyon Grail review ), then went a step further with the handlebar section of this new cockpit. 

Because of the brand's direct-to-consumer approach, all of its bikes are shipped via courier and in most cases, are assembled at home without the help of a shop mechanic. Therefore, with the more complex assembly of integrated cockpit design, Canyon chose to split the handlebars at the tops so that bikes could be boxed safely and assembled easily. 

The outer portion (drop, hood and a portion of the top) simply slides into the centre and is affixed using a couple of Torx bolts. In doing this, Canyon has also answered a frustration of many new bike owners by offering a choice of three widths. Meaning the change in bar width can be trialled, tested and reversed without removing handlebars or disconnecting cables.

Not only does this mean bikes are safer in their first journey, but it also makes for easier disassembly when packing your bike for travel. 

Having adjusted the bars myself, I can confirm the process is straightforward, but it does require a Torx key and a torque wrench - I wouldn't want to risk under- or over-tightening such a crucial component bolt. 

I would like to see deeper-contact Torx bolts though, the interface between tool and bolt is extremely shallow, and given Torx are prone to stripping, I would warn anyone adjusting it to take extreme care. The last thing you want is a bolt you can't tighten properly. 

To retain a neat finish, the bar tape will need to be unwrapped to the shifters and rewrapped. Unfortunately upon unwrapping, the bar tape on our test model tore a little during the unwrap. I saved it from tearing in two with a little care and finesse, but given Canyon is inviting its owners to adjust it, I'm surprised that it hasn't fitted something that can handle being adjusted multiple times. 

Having tested it, the cables on our test bike weren't cut long enough so I couldn't remove the right-hand section. However, this is just a test bike issue, as a bike delivered in this state would already have the outer portion removed for shipping. The other potential concern I have (although not something I experienced in my short test period) is that should a rider use the narrowest bar width, the cables could be too long and rattle in the tops. Though easily accessible and therefore probably solvable at-home. 

On paper, this system could be considered heavy, prone to failure, or at least rather flexible to result in an inexact handling experience. On early impressions, it's not the case. 

While original concerns led me to think such a crucial part of the bike might not want to be held in place by some small bolts, but with an inner- and outer-sleeve, it's likely to be more secure than a traditional stem and faceplate system, which relies on force to prevent slipping. 

Specifications

The Canyon Aeroad range comprises eight models across three platforms. The top-tier CFR, the mid-level CF SLX, and the lower tier CF SL. Our test model here is the halo model CFR, with its new carbon layup. It's the Dura-Ace Di2 model, complete with DT-Swiss ARC 1100 wheels, the aforementioned CP0018 cockpit, and Shimano's Dura-Ace R9100-P power meter crankset which spins inside a BB86 bottom bracket. 

Despite the recent announcement of a new pair of ARC 1100 wheels from DT Swiss, the Aeroad will ship with the older outgoing wheelset for the time being. A potential put-off for would-be owners looking to pull the purchase trigger on launch day. 

The specced wheels feature DT-Swiss well-renowned 240 hub internals, complete with ceramic bearings. The rims are 62mm deep front and rear, yet crosswind stability was a non-issue. 

The wheels are tubeless compatible, however, Canyon's choice of tyres is the non-tubeless versions of Continental's GP5000. They're widely considered as some of the best road tyres available , but they are tube-type only, so tubeless converts will have an extra outlay should they wish to ditch the tubes. 

Canyon has also opted to run odd tyre sizes, with a 25mm front paired with a 28mm rear. On DT-Swiss' current ARC 1100 wheels (with their matching internal rim widths), this is visually noticeable, however when Canyon starts to spec the bike with the new wheels (which have a wider front internal rim), the visual difference will be reduced. 

Crank length on our size large model is a commonly found 172.5mm, the stem length is an equivalent 110mm, and the middle section bar width is 410mm, although as mentioned, this can be widened or narrowed by 20mm. 

The seatpost is a new addition - the SP0046, as Canyon calls it - is deeper in profile than the previous model, but to negate the increase in weight that the extra material would create, it narrows at the lower section which is hidden inside the frame. This is also said to aid comfort and while comfort is one of the surprisingly good elements of the new Aeroad, I'm not yet sure whether it's due to the seatpost, the 28c rear tyre, or the frame as a whole. 

The seatpost is topped with a Selle Italia SLR Lite saddle, which without a carbon rail, seems a little out of keeping with the high-spec nature of the rest of the bike. 

Riding experience: Composed but fast

As mentioned, my test period with the Canyon Aeroad was limited to just 10 days, so any early impressions are just that. 

The way the new Aeroad rides is really composed and predictable, but it's far from boring. It doesn't feel quite as punchy as some of its competitors but it's still very much ready to race, and while I'm yet to put it through more than a couple of hours at a time, it feels comfortable enough for a big day on the pedals. 

Early verdict

It's hard to form a complete verdict in such a short period of testing, but nonetheless, I feel the 2021 Canyon Aeroad will find favour with budget-conscious racers and cafe cyclists alike, thanks to its competitive weight, increased aerodynamics and comfortable ride.

The fact that you're getting already-superceded wheels is a bitter pill to swallow, though. The non-carbon saddle and non-tubeless tyres are minor bugbears, and the delay to the more aggressively positioned cockpit will put off some of the most slammed of riders. 

Even with that in mind, those are small concerns for a bike that costs over £2000 less than its biggest rivals. At €7,499 / £7,699, there's no denying it's one of the best road bikes in terms of value for money. 

Although, without wanting to spark the debate, there can be a lot of value attached to buying your bike from your local bike shop, especially should the bike go wrong down the line, and that's something you're giving up when choosing Canyon. 

• Test term : 10 days
• Mileage : 150km
• Punctures : 0
• Ride types : Easy spins, sustained efforts

Tech spec: Canyon Aeroad CFR

• Price : €7.499 / £7,699 / $7,599 / AU$11,749
• Frame : Aeroad CFR
• Weight : 7.3kg (actual, L, no pedals)
• Groupset : Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 disc
• Crankset : Shimano Dura-Ace R9100P
• Wheels : DT Swiss ARC 1400
• Brakes : Shimano Dura-Ace hydraulic
• Bar/stem : Canyon CP0018
• Seatpost : Canyon SP0046
• Saddle : Selle Italia SLR Lite

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Josh is Associate Editor of Cyclingnews – leading our content on the best bikes, kit and the latest breaking tech stories from the pro peloton.

Josh has been with us since the summer of 2019 and throughout that time he's covered everything from buyer's guides and deals to the latest tech news and reviews. On the bike, Josh has been riding and racing for over 15 years.

He started out racing cross country in his teens back when 26-inch wheels and triple chainsets were still mainstream, but he found favour in road racing in his early 20s, racing at a local and national level for Somerset-based Team Tor 2000. 

These days he rides indoors for convenience and fitness, and outdoors for fun on road, gravel, 'cross and cross-country bikes, the latter usually with his two dogs in tow.

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Canyon Aeroad CFR 9 Di2 on test – The aerodynamic comeback

After four years in development, Canyon present the Canyon Aeroad CFR road bike for which they reached deep into their bag of tricks. The new flagship aero bike features a folding handlebar, recessed seat post and mixed tires. Will this deliver actual performance benefits or have Canyon missed the mark? Read on to find out!

After the direct to consumer company recently dared to take a detour into urban e-mobility with the Canyon Precede:ON CF 9, they’ve now put their focus back into high-performance road cycling. First released in 2014, the new Canyon Factory Racing (CFR) version of the Aeroad, promises to give you the decisive advantage in the fight for every second on the clock. Canyon seem to be quite sure of themselves and by no means modest when they claim that the Aeroad CFR is the world’s fastest road bike on the market!

What’s new on the Canyon Aeroad CFR?

Even if watt savings, weight reductions and wind tunnel results always sound impressive, with the Aeroad CFR it’s the brand new CP0018 cockpit that steals the show from all the numbers and calculations. Besides costing a lot of time and patience, there must have been a few very smart engineers and designers driving the development. Fully integrated cable routing and one-piece cockpits have been around and proven for several years. So, Canyon asked themselves what has never been done before and could offer buyers real added value? The result is a handlebar whose width can be adjusted via two cockpit wings. The two ends on the right and left side are inserted into a 230 mm wide middle section and secured in place from the bottom with the help of two clamping screws. The handlebar can be adjusted by 40 mm depending on the desired width. For example, the standard handlebar width on the size M is 410 mm, but you can narrow it down to 390 mm or extend it to 430 mm.

This doesn’t only make the bike much easier to pack and unpack from the transport box it gets delivered, but it also makes the bike’s application more versatile. During the training phase, the Aeroad can be ridden with a 410 or 430 mm wide handlebar for more control and better handling, and then converted to an aerodynamically optimised 390 mm come race day. To widen the cockpit, you’ll have to rewrap the bar with handlebar tape, but if you make it narrower, you’ll simply have to cut off the excess tape.

The clamping mechanism is based on the same principle that quill stems have been using for decades. For that, the steerer tube is divided into two parts. The upper end is firmly attached to the stem, measures 1 ¼” in diameter and slides onto the narrower bottom part, which measures 1 ⅛” in diameter. A clamping screw firmly connects both parts with the help of a wedge and it gives you an adjustment range of 15 mm thanks to three 5 mm aluminium spacers. The good thing about not having to cut the steerer tube is that you can always return to the initial setup after testing the various different positions.

In addition to the cockpit, the seat post has also been revised. The new Canyon SP0046 post weighs 33 g less than its predecessor despite its larger profile. The trick here is that the lower part of the seat post, where it gets clamped, is only half as wide as the part that you can see. This not only reduces weight, but it also makes the seat post more compliant, allowing it to absorb high-frequency vibrations. According to Canyon, the mixed tires also ensure more comfort on the rear. The rear wheel isn’t as affected by aerodynamics, which is why Canyon resorted to using a wide 700 x 28C Continental GP5000 tire on the back. On the front, you’ll find a more streamlined 700 x 25C GP5000 tire for aerodynamic optimisation. Canyon can’t be accused of a lack of attention to detail: even the geometry and the bottom bracket height are specially adapted to this tire size combination, compensating for the additional height of the rear wheel. Anyone looking to make this aero bike even more comfortable can fit tires up to a width of 700 x 30C.

The components in detail

The new Canyon Aeroad is available in three platforms and a total of eight models. As with the recently introduced Canyon Ultimate CFR (article here ), the benchmark platform is the Aeroad CFR featuring Canyon’s most advanced carbon layup. In addition to the € 7,499 Aeroad CFR 9 Di2 which we got to review, the Aeroad CFR is also available with a SRAM eTap or Campagnolo Super Record groupset, all equipped with DT Swiss ARC 1100 wheels (click for review) , or as a frameset. The CF SLX version of the Aeroad also features the new aero cockpit and electronic drivetrain, available from € 4,999. The entry-level Aeroad CF SL starts at € 3,299, offering mechanical shifting and a two-piece cockpit without fully integrated cable routing. For very short riders from 1.52 m, the Aeroad CF SL is available in an additional 3XS frame size which rolls on 650B wheels.

Drivetrain Shimano DURA-ACE Di2, 2 x 11, 52–36T Cassette Shimano DURA-ACE 11–28T Brakes Shimano DURA-ACE 160/160 mm Wheels DT Swiss ARC 1100 Dict 62 Tires Continental GP5000 700 x 25/28C v/h Seat post Canyon SP0046 Handlebar Canyon CP0018-Cockpit, 390-430 mm Stem Canyon CP0018-Cockpit, 100 mm Weight 7.35 kg in size 56 Price € 7,499 Availability as of now

Sure, € 7,499 is a lot of money, especially for a direct to consumer brand like Canyon who have regularly offered flagship models for less in the past. With the new CFR line, Canyon have broken away from their previous pricing policy, giving their product managers and engineers free rein to push the limits and squeeze out the maximum performance possible. The price given for this build, which makes perfect sense for the intended application, isn’t unreasonable. The extensive product range leaves nothing to be desired, with models in many different price ranges. They even thought of the more vertically challenged among us. Thumbs up for inclusivity!

The geometry of the Canyon Aeroad

* Aeroad CF SL only

If you look at the geometry table, you can see that the geometry of the new Canyon Aeroad has been somewhat relaxed. In size M, the stack has been increased by 9 mm and the reach has been reduced by 5 mm. This should allow more riders to get into an aerodynamic position on the bike and enjoy the aero advantages of the Aeroad. Measured at the cockpit, the updated geometry corresponds to that of the Canyon Ultimate. Canyon have developed a second cockpit with a lower profile for professional road racers who need a more aggressive riding position and can maintain it for a long time.

Overview of the Canyon Aeroad models

First ride review of the Canyon Aeroad CFR

Standing there, the Aeroad makes no secret of its potential. The shape and aggressive look of the design craves performance and speed while all the cables remain completely hidden inside the frame. Both the 62 mm deep DT Swiss ARC 1100 wheels with the quick-engaging Ratchet EXP freehub and the Shimano DURA-ACE groupset with the 52–36 t chainrings up front and an 11–28 t cassette at the rear are sensible choices for an aero racing bike. On flat terrain or downhill, this setup allows you to carry on pedalling at high speeds and still have a sufficiently small gear available for the climbs. The 700 x 25C Continental GP 5000 tire up front naturally makes sense from an aerodynamic point of view. However, if you don’t care about the marginal differences in aero performance, you can go to 700 x 28C for safer handling – more on that in a moment.

The recessed Canyon SP0046 seat post has a minimal amount of play in the seat tube for added compliance and makes perfect sense regarding comfort, but the adjustment range is limited to XX mm. The new aero cockpit is excellent from an ergonomic point of view and we were never bothered by the recess for the adjustment on the top section. Being able to fold away the handlebar is very practical for shipping and frequent travellers. The possibility of riding the bike with wide handlebars during training and then switching to a more streamlined, narrow handlebar on race day isn’t to be recommended in our opinion. There is so much that is different in a race already and you have to struggle with countless variables that aren’t there during training. An additional variable wouldn’t be helpful; after all, the width of the handlebar has a big influence on the leverage ratio and thus the handling.

Power transfer on the Canyon Aeroad is very direct and not a single watt is lost due to flex in the frame. However, compared to current high-performance all-rounders such as the Specialized Tarmac SL7 or the Trek Émonda, it isn’t the most light-footed. When getting up out of the saddle to accelerate or sprinting to the finish, it’s noticeable that the cockpit is somewhat lacking in stiffness at peak loads. This is no problem for hobbyists and leisure riders. Competitive riders and professionals should keep their fingers crossed that the lower cockpit that Canyon are developing for a more aggressive riding position is going to be stiffer for those Grand Tour events.

Whether on flat terrain or downhill: the Canyon Aeroad CFR is highly efficient and carries its speed well. The direct power transfer and excellent aerodynamics of the bike combined with the DT Swiss wheels make the Aeroad a very fast bike on flat terrain, best able to play to its strengths in the medium speed range of 20 to 40 km/h. On very steep and long ascents, the bike feels somewhat sluggish, performing better on short, punchy climbs or inclines in the lower percentiles. Overall, the Canyon is a good and efficient climber for an aero bike.

In terms of handling, the Aeroad is among the best. The front and rear are well-coordinated and there is no under- or oversteering to be felt. In general, Canyon have done a great job of balancing the handling between being composed and agile, sure to please both road bike beginners and ambitious racers. The bike responds precisely to steering input and even in sharp bends or windy conditions, you can always correct or change direction.

Just looking at the geometry table, you can immediately see that the new generation Aeroad has been designed to be more comfortable. The higher stack and the shorter reach offer a more compact and upright riding position, evidencing Canyon’s attempt to make the bike more suitable for everyday riding. Hobbyists and mortals like us who do not have a pro tour figure benefit enormously from the more relaxed riding position. The vibration dampening is excellent and allows you to ride further, spending several hours in the saddle. The ergonomics and the wide drops of the aero cockpit are a good match for the comfortable geometry and vibration damping of the frame. Who would have thought a few years ago that an aero road bike could be so comfortable to ride?

The Shimano DURA-ACE brakes with 160 mm rotors on the front and rear offer great braking performance and, together with the bike’s straight-line stability, they instil you with confidence. With its big profile, the Aeroad is naturally more susceptible to cross-winds. However, if you get caught in a gust, it doesn’t just knock over the front of the bike but pushes the entire bike evenly to the side. That feels a lot less scary and makes the handling more predictable even in windy autumn weather! One shortcoming here is the lack of stiffness in the cockpit: if you have to correct in the corner with a very strong crosswind, the front wheel responds very precisely, though the cockpit feels somewhat vague, which robs you of confidence in these situations.

At high speed, the comfort makes the handling feel very good-natured. If you haven’t been paying attention and get caught off guard or the vehicle in front of you simply doesn’t indicate, the Aeroad CFR never gets unsettled, even if you get surprised by a pothole. Of course, it will rattle, but the impact gets diffused instead of being passed on directly to the rider. If the road surface is dirty or damp, the 700 x 25C Continental GP5000 tire on the front quickly reaches its limits. A wider 700 x 28C or 700 x 30C version would offer a lot of advantages, allowing you to run a lower tire pressure and giving you a larger contact surface. Unless you’re regularly entering races, this is an upgrade we would recommend. The triple bosses on the down tube allow you to choose between two positions for the bottle cage. If you want to make the most of the Aeroad’s aerodynamic optimisation, you can mount the bottle lower in the frame. However, riders who don’t want to lean down that far while riding are best advised to attach the bottle cage higher up.

Our conclusion on the Canyon Aeroad CFR

The new Canyon Aeroad CFR is a very efficient and comfortable bike, making it suitable for long rides along with the compact riding position. The excellent vibration damping makes the aero bike much more forgiving for hobby riders than its predecessor. The cockpit isn’t stiff enough for pro tour riders, but weekend warriors will be happy about the compliance offered by the innovative stem-handlebar combination. If you regularly encounter crosswinds or live in mountainous terrain with lots of long and steep climbs, you should look elsewhere. Aero fans who value balanced handling, tire clearance up to 700 x 30C and a large selection of models and sizes will be delighted with the new Canyon Aeroad!

• balanced comfort
• good straight-line stability
• efficient on flat terrain and on descents
• compact pack size thanks to the foldable handlebar
• many frame sizes and a 650B option for small riders

• cockpit lacks torsional stiffness when turning hard and sprinting at full power
• In wet conditions and on dirty roads, the 700 x 25C tire up front quickly reaches its limits due to the small contact surface

You can find more information about the Canyon Aeroad CFR at canyon.com and read all our current road bike reviews here .

Did you enjoy this article? If so, we would be stoked if you decide to support us with a monthly contribution. By becoming a supporter of GRAN FONDO, you will help secure a sustainable future for high-quality cycling journalism. Click here to learn more .

Words: Philipp Schwab, Benjamin Topf Photos: Benjamin Topf

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Canyon Aeroad CFR review

Canyon claims to have the world's fastest aero bike with the aeroad cfr... but what about those width-expandable bars.

Fast, clean design that isn’t overly harsh; width-adjustable handlebars; exceptional price

Only 15mm of cockpit height adjustment; stem length is fixed

Our Thoughts

The bar design is cool! Practical adjustment meets super-clean aesthetics. And no, you can’t tell a difference in stiffness when riding. It’s just a shame that stem length is very much fixed. And yes, the bike rides quite well, too…

Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! >","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}'>Download the app .

Canyon’s brand new Aeroad CFR is an aero road race bike like no other — its integrated bar/stem module unbolts on either side for up to 40mm in width adjustment. The new iteration of the Aeroad also got a complete overhaul of the frame design to shave off a few grams of both weight and aero drag.

Canyon claims that the new Aeroad CFR, which you may have seen being raced in the Tour de France this year, is the world’s fastest aero bike. I can’t verify that without a wind tunnel and considerably more money than I have in my pocket, but I can say the Aeroad CFR does feel like you’re always surfing a tailwind. And you can get it delivered to your door, for about $4,000 less than comparable bikes from Specialized or Trek.

The new Aeroad comes in eight models, from the $4,000 CL SL Disc 7 up to the top end CFR Disc 9 EPS with Campagnolo’s top-end electronic group. Six models are available in the US, and I tested the $9,000 SRAM Red eTap AXS model.

An unique solution to aero integration – bar none

One-piece bar/stem designs are enjoying a surge in popularity, well more than a decade after Cinelli first rolled out the concept with its Ram design. On the plus side, building the stem and handlebar as a single carbon-fiber piece can improve weight, stiffness, and aerodynamics, particularly when you run shift and brake lines inside the structure. Plus, it just looks cool.

On the negative side, one-piece bar and stems by design are fundamentally nonadjustable. Want to adjust the bar’s angle? Or get a wider bar, or a longer stem? Tough.

Canyon is in a particularly tight spot here as a consumer-direct brand. Normally, if you buy a bike in a shop, the good folks helping you out can swap out a stem to get your fit just right, as well as adjust the stack height of the bars. When you buy from Canyon, you get what comes stock in the box. And if you want something different, you need to get that separately and handle the swap yourself, or via your local mechanic.

Now, with its CP0018 bar/stem, Canyon has a novel solution to half the cockpit fit equation: By removing four Torx bolts, you can expand or contract the handlebars’ width by a total of 40mm.

Another novel design with the Aeroad CFR front end is the height adjustment. Instead of a standard stem design that clamps onto a steerer tube, the CP0018 clamps inside the steerer tube. It’s a new-school quill design, and one that eliminates the need for cutting the steerer tube — or riding around with a bunch of spacers on top of the stem.

While the design looks beautiful, it does limit you to 15mm of vertical adjustment — substantially less than you’d get with a traditional steerer tube. That said, Canyon does offer XS to XL frames with small jumps between sizes, reducing the potential need for big front-end height adjustments.

Another important note on front-end fit: Canyon shortened and raised the stack and reach on this new bike to bring it in line with the Canyon Ultimate.

Stem length, however, is very much fixed. For most people, that shouldn’t be a problem. But if you want another length, you’ll have to sort it out yourself after the purchase, exchanging the original CP0018 for credit.

Getting aero with Swiss Side

Swiss Side is a small company specializing in aerodynamics, and its work shows in multiple ways on this bike. The 62mm deep DT Swiss ARC 1100 wheels were designed with the input of Swiss Side, whose engineers hail from Formula 1. And the cockpit and frame were also designed in partnership with Swiss Side, which uses both computational fluid dynamics as well as a lot of time in a German wind tunnel for validation of designs.

Canyon claims that the new frame is 7.4 watts faster (at 45kph), 170g lighter and 14 percent stiffer than the original Aeroad.

Canyon built the lower half of a mannequin with moving legs to test a rider’s impact on a bike’s aerodynamics. With that mannequin and two water bottles, Swiss Side and Canyon determined that the new bike is 5.4w faster at 45kph when taking a range of yaw angles into account.

Canyon and Swiss Side came up with a faster bike design, using more elongated tube shapes, but ultimately settled on a slimmed-down version to keep weight on target.

The complete bike in AXS build with 62mm wheels weighs 7.26kg/16lb in size medium.

How the Aeroad CFR rides

First things first: Yes, the bars are rock solid. No, there isn’t any wiggle at the bolt points. Think about how your bars bolt to your stem, or how your seatpost bolts to your frame. Does anything there move? No? It’s the same deal here.

The CP0018 drops are sculpted a bit. Instead of being a traditional curved cylinder, the drops flatten a bit to accommodate the palms. I don’t particularly like the old/current design on the Canyon Ultimate as it feels almost pointed near the shifter clamp, but this one fits me. So, riding in the drops — whether just cruising along or yanking on them to sprint — feels locked in.

I appreciate that Canyon and Aeroad didn’t go overboard on aero shaping. At the bar tops, this means that while the flat top is broader than a round bar, you can still hook your thumbs around it. On very deep aero bars, I’ve seen riders ride with their thumbs  above  the bar with the rest of their fingers; this is a bad idea!

Similarly, the frame and post are well balanced for speed  and  real-world riding. You won’t mistake the post for the super-plush model on the Ultimate, but it’s not absurdly rigid, either. Same deal with the frame; it will rocket forward when you stomp on it, but it’s not abusively stiff.

Of course, a good portion of a bike’s manner lies in the wheels and tires. With Swiss Side’s input, Canyon dressed the Aeroad CFR narrower in the front, with a 25mm Continental Grand Prix 5000 on a DT ARC1100 Dicut paired at the rear with a 28mm 5000 on an ARC1100 Dicut Wide. While more wheel makers are offering staggered rim heights , this staggered rim width is fairly novel and designed to maximize aerodynamics and comfort. It doesn’t feel imbalanced.

The 62mm depth wheels are all-in on aero. On gusty days, they certainly required concentration and keeping both hands inside the ride at all times. But like the best snub-nosed designs these days, side pressure is steady and predictable, and without the terrifying shuddering and abrupt stalling that older deep wheels could incur. And in seemingly all conditions, the wheels just felt eager . The quicker you go — especially in a crosswind — the faster they felt.

It all adds up to a race bike that serves up a healthy portion of go-fast efficiencies while still carving out room for rider comfort and adjustability. And while the bike isn’t cheap, it is an absolute screaming deal compared to the competition. Just make sure you know your fit details before you buy!

Canyon Aeroad bikes available in the U.S.

• Aeroad CF SL 7 Disc $3,999 Shimano 105, Reynolds AR 58/62 DB
• Aeroad CF SL 8 Disc $4,399 Shimano Ultegra, Reynolds AR 58/62 DB
• Aeroad CF SLX 8 Disc Di2 $5,999 Shimano Ultegra Di2, DT Swiss ARC1400 Dicut DB 62
• Aeroad CF SLX 8 Disc AXS $5,999 SRAM Force eTap AXS, DT Swiss ARC1400 Dicut DB 62
• Aeroad CFR Disc Di2 $9,000 Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 including power meter, DT SWISS ARC1100 Dicut DB 62
• Aeroad CFR Disc AXS $9,000 SRAM RED eTap AXS including power meter, DT SWISS ARC1100 Dicut DB 62

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cervelo rouvida brings plenty to the table, but at a cost","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/ebike\/ebike-gear\/cervelo-rouvida-gravel-review\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/ebike\/ebike-gear\/cervelo-rouvida-gravel-review\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"review: the cervelo rouvida brings plenty to the table, but at a cost\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/ebike\/ebike-gear\/cervelo-rouvida-gravel-review\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"review: the cervelo rouvida brings plenty to the table, but at a cost\"}}\u0027>\n review: the cervelo rouvida brings plenty to the table, but at a cost\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"giro d\u0027italia stage 7: tadej poga\u010dar explodes gc with next-level tt: \u0027super happy with 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PURE SPEED: CANYON UNVEILS 2022 AEROAD LINEUP

KOBLENZ, 17 MAY 2022 | EMBARGO UNTIL THURSDAY 19 MAY 2022, 11:00 (CEST) — The Canyon Aeroad is one of the most recognisable, most advanced, and flat-out fastest aero bikes around, with a pro racing palmarès that speaks for itself. The bike of Mathieu van der Poel’s scintillating yellow jersey run at the 2021 Tour de France. A serial Classics winner at races from the Tour of Flanders to Strade Bianche. Multiple Grand Tour stage wins. And now the Aeroad is back and in stock with new components, fresh colours, in a range of build options catering to all road riders.

The 2022 Aeroad range is based around the existing Aeroad frame, the same design that’s racked up win after win since its 2020 launch. It’s Canyon’s most advanced aero bike development ever – the result of 4 years of testing, countless supercomputer simulations, and meticulous wind tunnel validation, all in collaboration with aero experts Swiss Side.

But despite its racing credentials, the 2022 Aeroad is a bike for the entire road riding community, not just for the pros. Philipp Hardt, Aeroad Product Manager, explains in detail: “We want to make the Aeroad’s all-round performance DNA available to as many riders as possible. We did this by delivering a wide range of options built around three frame platforms – the pro-level Aeroad CFR, enthusiast-class CF SLX, and the more attainable CF SL. All bikes will feature deep-section DT Swiss aero wheels, with front-wheel rim depths adapted to the seven frame sizes available for riders between 158-200+ cm. From SLX level upwards, all bikes will have power meters for perfect control over training efforts. In short: there’s a perfect Aeroad for everyone.”

At the top end of the range, three flagship Aeroad CFR bikes combine superlight CFR frames with pro-level components – including premium DT Swiss ARC 1100 Dicut carbon wheels – to deliver a setup worthy of the world’s top riders. Three race-ready Aeroad CF SLX bikes will also be available, with prices starting at €4,999 for the SRAM Rival AXS-equipped Aeroad CF SLX 7 Disc eTap. The €3,999 Aeroad CF SL 8 Disc rounds out the range: with Shimano Ultegra shifting, DT Swiss ARC 1600 wheels, and Alpecin-Fenix pro team replica artwork, it delivers unmatched speed and style in its price range. Aeroad bikes feature reinforced cockpits and a new seatpost sleeve bearing and seal for the ultimate in long-term reliability to go along with their incredible speed.

The complete 2022 Aeroad range will go on sale on Thursday 19 May 2022, exclusively at canyon.com .

About Canyon

Canyon is one of the most innovative bike brands in the world. The concept began in founder Roman Arnold’s garage and grew to be the world’s largest direct-to-customer manufacturer of road bikes , mountain bikes , triathlon bikes , gravel bikes , hybrid bikes , and electric bikes .

Canyon have earned their glowing reputation for innovation through consistently using advanced materials, thinking, and technology. The iconic Canyon design is easy to identify. Alongside being boldly competitive and ever-expanding, they are committed to making the global cycling community accessible for every rider.

While Canyon partners with some of the finest athletes on the planet, their mission, ‘Inspire to Ride’, highlights how they work to promote the power of cycling to everyone.

Canyon products are exclusively available online at  www.canyon.com .

Contact details

• Ben Hillsdon
• Global Communication Manager

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Pure speed: Canyon unveils 2022 Aeroad lineup

The canyon aeroad is one of the most recognisable, most advanced, and flat-out fastest aero bikes around, with a pro racing palmarès that speaks for itself..

The bike of Mathieu van der Poel’s scintillating yellow jersey run at the 2021 Tour de France. A serial Classics winner at races from the Tour of Flanders to Strade Bianche. Multiple Grand Tour stage wins. And now the Aeroad is back and in stock with new components, fresh colours, in a range of build options catering to all road riders. The 2022 Aeroad range is based around the existing Aeroad frame, the same design that’s racked up win after win since its 2020 launch. It’s Canyon’s most advanced aero bike development ever – the result of 4 years of testing, countless supercomputer simulations, and meticulous wind tunnel validation, all in collaboration with aero experts Swiss Side. But despite its racing credentials, the 2022 Aeroad is a bike for the entire road riding community, not just for the pros. Philipp Hardt, Aeroad Product Manager, explains in detail: “We want to make the Aeroad’s all-round performance DNA available to as many riders as possible. We did this by delivering a wide range of options built around three frame platforms – the pro-level Aeroad CFR , enthusiast-class CF SLX , and the more attainable CF SL . All bikes will feature deep-section DT Swiss aero wheels, with front-wheel rim depths adapted to the seven frame sizes available for riders between 158-200+ cm. From SLX level upwards, all bikes will have power meters for perfect control over training efforts. In short: there’s a perfect Aeroad for everyone.” At the top end of the range, three flagship Aeroad CFR bikes combine superlight CFR frames with pro-level components – including premium DT Swiss ARC 1100 Dicut carbon wheels – to deliver a setup worthy of the world’s top riders. Three race-ready Aeroad CF SLX bikes will also be available, with prices starting at €4,999 for the SRAM Rival AXS-equipped Aeroad CF SLX 7 Disc eTap. The €3,999 Aeroad CF SL 8 Disc rounds out the range: with Shimano Ultegra shifting, DT Swiss ARC 1600 wheels, and Alpecin-Fenix pro team replica artwork, it delivers unmatched speed and style in its price range. Aeroad bikes feature reinforced cockpits and a new seatpost sleeve bearing and seal for the ultimate in long-term reliability to go along with their incredible speed. The complete 2022 Aeroad range will go on sale on Thursday 19 May 2022.

Bike of champions: the Aeroad is the choice of world-class riders like Mathieu van der Poel.

Pure Speed, pure class: the Aeroad CF SLX 8 Di2 in Pale Green.

An aero bike that makes a statement – the Aeroad CF SLX 7 eTap in Hot Salsa.

Aero made accessible: the Aeroad CF SL 8 in refined Grey in Grey and pro-inspired team Alpecin-Fenix replica colourways.

About Canyon Bicycles

What started life in founder Roman Arnold’s garage as Radsport Arnold has evolved into one of the world’s leading manufacturers of road , mountain , triathlon , hybrid and kids’ bikes as well as modern e-bikes . Officially renamed in 2002, Canyon works hand-in-hand with the best athletes on the planet to produce an array of award-winning bikes that embody a pure passion for riding. With a strong reputation for true innovation, implementing leading technologies, clean and clear design as well as the highest standards in quality and service, Canyon continues to expand worldwide, selling more bikes outside of its native Germany than within since 2008. As a pioneering direct sales brand, Canyon products are exclusively available online at www.canyon.com.

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Tour de France Tech 2021: 10 of the fastest aero road bikes

First Published Sep 3, 2020

When maximum speed is required for flat stages and sprints, an aero road bike is the weapon of choice for most riders in the Tour de France. Here are 10 that have made an appearance in this year's race.

Main photo: Chris Auld

Canyon Aeroad, Arkea-Samsic, Alpecin-Fenix and Movistar

        View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Alpecin-Fenix (@alpecinfenix) C

Canyon revealed its latest disc brake-only Aeroad range, developed with Swiss Side, last October .

The bike alone is 7.4 watts more efficient than the previous model at 45km/h (28mph) claims Canyon. Plus, the top-level Aeroad CFR is said to be 14% stiffer and 168g lighter than the previous Aeroad CF SLX.

The tube profiles have been optimised to make good use of the sailing effect, Canyon explains:

“Given the correct tube profiles, sailing effect occurs at certain yaw angles when the tube profiles interact with the air like a wing, generating lift and therefore propelling the rider forward.

“This means in certain crosswind conditions the rider benefits from a drag reduction. They can lean into the wind and accelerate, providing a huge performance advantage over non­-ae­ro frames."

The new front end with fully internal cable routing brings the Aeroad into line with most other aero road bikes out there. While there have been issues with the CP0018 Aerocockpit leading to Canyon issuing a 'stop ride' order , a solution looks to be just around the corner, as Dutch rider Mathieu van der Poel has been spotted riding his Canyon Aeroad CFR with the correct handlebar. Read the full latest story on this over here.

        View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Alpecin-Fenix (@alpecinfenix)

Scott Foil, Team DSM

Scott unveiled an updated version of its Foil in August last year with full internal routing.

"The new Foil has the same well-proven lightweight and aerodynamic frame as the previous version and is still amongst the lightest aero bikes on the market, but now comes with fully integrated cable routing and a unique colour scheme," says Scott.

It comes with a new fork that takes tyres up to 30mm wide and uses the Syncros Creston IC SL combined handlebar and stem.

> Review: Scott Foil 10 2021

Ridley Noah Fast, Lotto-Soudal

Caleb Ewan has unfortunately crashed out of this year's Tour de France but he sprinted to victory on Stage 3 and Stage 11 last year on a Ridley Noah Fast Disc.

The bike comes with a fork crown that integrates into the cutaway head tube to manage airflow at the front end.

Little fairings at the end of the fork that Ridley calls F-WIngs are designed to combat turbulence created by the spinning hub.

Find out more about the Ridley Noah Fast Disc over here .

Merida reacto, bahrain-mclaren.

        View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Team Bahrain Victorious (@teambahrainvictorious)

The fourth-generation Reacto is a disc brake-only bike that follows the trend for a fully integrated front end, saving a claimed two watts, according to Merida; the brake hoses and shift cable are hidden inside the head tube whereas they were exposed between the handlebar and the down tube previously.

> Review: Merida Reacto Team-E 2021

The fork crown is tucked further into the junction of the head tube and down tube than on the previous version of this bike to reduce drag by another 2 watts.

The seatstays have also been dropped, along with a concealed seat post clamp, hidden through-axle as well as more streamlined and neatly integrated disc coolers.

Find out more about the Merida Reacto here .

Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL7, Deceuninck-Quick-Step and Bora-Hansgrohe

Deceuninck Quick-Step

The Tarmac in a roundup of aero road bikes? Although it has traditionally been the lightweight race bike in the range, Specialized says that the new version of the Tarmac is also super-aero.

"By targeting the tubes that truly impact the aero performance of the frame, whether it's the seat tube, the seatstays, the head tube or the fork blades, all with shapes from our FreeFoil Shape Library [the collection of airfoil shapes that Specialized has developed], and then mating them with the fastest components that we have at our disposal and integrating the cabling, we created a package that is 45secs faster over 40km than the Tarmac SL6," says Cam Piper, the product manager behind the Specialized Tarmac SL7.

The brand reckons that its team riders no longer need to choose between an aero road bike and a lightweight road bike according to the terrain and conditions because the S-Works Tarmac SL7 is both. That’s why the likes of Julian Alaphilippe and Peter Sagan are riding it every day.

Find out everything you need to know about the Specialized S-Works Tarmac Sl7 .

Factor ostro vam, israel start-up nation.

Unleashed in September of last year , Factor’s Ostro VAM is an aero disc-brake bike that combines the low weight of its O2 VAM with the aero qualities of its ONE model. Naturally, there are no cables anywhere to be seen.

The tubes are truncated aero sections designed to reduce drag in crosswinds without adversely affecting handling.

The Ostro fork features what Factor calls a ‘Reversing Flow Energising Channel’.

"Both the channel and the fork’s wide stance address the aerodynamic challenge of incoming airflow meeting the ‘reversing flow’ of air carried by the wheel and tyre moving forwards through the fork,” Factor explains. “This reversed flow stagnates behind the fork and disturbs airflow around the outside of the fork onto the down tube."

Factor designed a 'converging nozzle' into the fork crown to accelerate the reversed flow out of this area and cut overall drag.

Trek Madone, Trek-Segafredo

The Trek-Segafredo team is spending a lot of time on Trek’s Emonda, updated with aero features , but the Madone is still getting a look in.

> Review: Trek Madone SLR 9 Disc

The Madone is made with Trek’s deep Kammtail Virtual Foil aerodynamic tube shapes and an adjustable top tube IsoSpeed decoupler which allows the seat tube to flex and smooth the ride. You can see the IsoSpeed system on the underside of the top tube in this pic of Mads Pedersen and his bike.

Litening C:68X SLT, Intermarché–Wanty Gobert

Intermarché took over the CCC World Tour licence this year and its riders will be chasing stage wins mostly on Cube’s Litening C:68X SLT.

The bike features aero tube profiles throughout and is designed to have minimal crosswind susceptibility. Cube claims to have achieved a 30% reduction in drag over the previous model by reducing the number of wide tubes and lowering the Litening’s frontal area.

Its own one-piece integrated handlebar hides all the wires and hoses inside.

Find out more about the Cube Litening C:68X 2020 in our first look over here .

Italian brand Newman supplies the wheels.

Bianchi Oltre XR4, Team BikeExchange

        View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Team BikeExchange (@greenedgecycling)

Team BikeExchange riders are mostly racing on the new Bianchi Specialissima but the Oltre XR4 still gets a look in, a bike that was released way back in 2016. The one pictured above is a Tour de France custom painted version for Michael Matthews.

“In a wind tunnel, technicians flew fluorescent paint over the frame and fork’s surface at race speed and interpreted their trace patterns and intensity to reveal the aerodynamic performance of every aspect,” Bianchi said about the development of the bike.

The head tube is said to have been inspired by Bianchi’s Aquila time trial bike and the same goes for the fork with a crown that integrates with the frame and legs that are narrow to keep the frontal surface area low. 

Team BikeExchange riders are using the disc brake bike rather than the rim version Jumbo-Visma riders used last season. Also, instead of the black paint job which the yellow squad opted for to keep the weight down , BikeExchange race on the XR4 with refreshed modern aesthetics . There are diagonal bands of two different celeste shades alongside some stealthy black.

> Review: Bianchi Oltre XR4 Disc Ult Di2

Cervelo s5, jumbo visma.

        View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Team Jumbo-Visma cycling (@jumbovisma_road)

Cervelo announced the S5 Disc towards the end of 2018. The down tube has a profile shaped to reduce drag, and it is cut away around the trailing edge of the front tyre.

The seat tube follows the shape of the rear wheel and is narrower than that of previous versions of the bike, with a slimmer seat post to go with it.

All cables are internally routed and as well as hiding the cables, the V-shaped geometry of the stem is designed “to present less obstruction to the oncoming high-velocity airflow between the rider’s arms”.

Cervelo has made the latest version of the S5 longer and lower than before in response to feedback from professional riders.

Read more about the tech behind this bike over here .

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Mat has been in cycling media since 1996, on titles including BikeRadar, Total Bike, Total Mountain Bike, What Mountain Bike and Mountain Biking UK, and he has been editor of 220 Triathlon and Cycling Plus. Mat has been road.cc technical editor for over a decade, testing bikes, fettling the latest kit, and trying out the most up-to-the-minute clothing. He has won his category in Ironman UK 70.3 and finished on the podium in both marathons he has run. Mat is a Cambridge graduate who did a post-grad in magazine journalism, and he is a winner of the Cycling Media Award for Specialist Online Writer. Now over 50, he's riding road and gravel bikes most days for fun and fitness rather than training for competitions.

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Best aero road bike 2024 | 20 top-rated aero bikes and buyer's guide

The best aero road bikes tested by BikeRadar – and everything you need to know about these go-fast aerodynamic machines

Steve Sayers / Our Media

Paul Norman

The best aero road bikes add an extra dose of speed to your ride, and the pursuit of speed is undoubtedly part of what makes cycling so exhilarating. When it comes to going fast, on the flat or downhill at least, aerodynamic drag has the biggest influence.

Representing the leading edge of road-bike technology, the best aero road bikes challenge traditional notions of what makes a fast race bike.

The latest aero bikes combine wind-cheating profiles with next-level integration to make these machines as slippery as possible. Sure, they may not always be at the cutting-edge when it comes to weight, but if you think an 8kg road bike can’t be fast, think again.

Are aero road bikes worth it?

Aero bikes are commonplace in the pro peloton, where riders are chasing marginal gains and, of course, have access to the latest WorldTour bikes from their team sponsors.

The angular, sculpted frames of aero bikes particularly come to the fore on long, flat stages and under the sprinters, where the lower drag of wind-cheating tube profiles can give them the extra turn of speed they need to clinch a victory.

Teams and their bike sponsors will typically provide riders with the choice between an aero bike and a lightweight climbing bike , and some riders will swap between them depending on the terrain.

Some riders now stick to their aero bikes regardless of terrain, riding them on more undulating and mountainous territory. This is particularly true for breakaway specialists, who spend a lot more time in the wind than other riders and seek out whatever advantage they can get.

That said, one of the recent trends in bike design has been the combination of low weight and aerodynamics, and some brands offer just one machine to meet both requirements. The Specialized S-Works SL7 and Pinarello Dogma F are just two examples of aero-influenced all-rounders.

However, aero road bikes are the fastest option out there in the majority of circumstances and you don’t have to be a pro to benefit, especially if you’re a rider who places a lot of significance on riding fast. After all, for a lot of people, riding fast is fun .

Still, there is a lot to consider when it comes to finding the best aero road bike for your needs, especially for everyday riding.

For those of us who aren’t blessed to be WorldTour pros with a team of mechanics at hand, an aero bike still needs to be easy to live with. Do you need an engineering degree to maintain it? Do the deep-section wheels make it a handful on windy days? How does it perform on broken roads?

We’ve answered all of those questions in pursuit of finding the best aero bikes money can buy.

Read on for our pick of the best aero bikes, as tested by the BikeRadar team, and read our full buyer’s guide at the end of the article to help you find the right bike for you.

The best aero road bikes in 2024, as tested by BikeRadar

Cannondale systemsix hi-mod etap axs.

• £10,500 / $12,500 as tested
• Still one of the fastest bikes in the world
• Nimble handling and a comfortable ride

This Cannondale SystemSix is an incredibly fast bike that left us feeling other brands are still playing catch-up with Cannondale when it comes to creating aero bikes.

The Hi-Mod frameset is Cannondale's stiffest carbon fibre, and despite the stiffness and aero tubing, we found this to be a remarkably comfortable bike to ride.

This bike has a halo-spec with a SRAM eTap AXS groupset, 64mm-deep carbon wheels and Cannondale's two-piece aero KNOT handlebar, which still allows for plenty of adjustment.

The price is high, but when you compare it to other bikes of this spec it's competitive, and there is always the Cannondale SystemSix Carbon Ultegra .

• Read our full Cannondale SystemSix Hi-Mod eTap AXS review

Canyon Aeroad CF SLX 7 Disc eTap

• £4,949 / €4,999 / AU$7,399 as tested (CF SLX 8.0 Disc eTap $7,499 in US)
• Great spec with SRAM Rival eTap and a power meter
• Superb ride that's fast but comfortable

The latest Canyon Aeroad is a superb ride: lightning-fast and efficient but still comfortable enough over broken surfaces, with a 28mm rear and 25mm front tyre helping smooth things out.

The component list on this model includes SRAM Rival eTap AXS complete with (single-sided) power meter and 50mm-deep DT Swiss carbon wheels.

Canyon's clever three-piece bar makes width adjustment and travelling with the bike easier. The 8.3kg weight for the size large is competitive too. We did get some front-brake rub; it was easily fixed, but with Canyon, you don't have the benefit of a shop to help if you need to tweak things.

• Read our full Canyon Aeroad CF SLX 7 Disc eTap review

• £9,599 / $9,000 / €10,199 as tested
• Wide tyres for a comfortable ride
• Fast, sharp, responsive ride feel

Cervélo has made some subtle changes to the S5 with the latest model, announced in July 2022 . The tube shapes have been tweaked to make them a little more aero, the front-end design has been simplified and made easier to adjust and there's 6mm wider clearance, so you can fit tyres up to 34mm.

The result is a bike that feels incredibly fast but also smooth, with the fitted nominally 28mm tyres measuring 31.7mm. It's also really sharp-handling, planted at speed and still firm enough to respond immediately to pedal input.

The S5 isn't a light bike though, at 8.2kg for a size 56cm, and there's not much fore and aft saddle adjustability, although seatposts with different setback are available.

• Read our full Cervélo S5 review

Cervélo Soloist Ultegra Di2

• £6,800 / $6,800 as tested
• Balance of speed and comfort, but some rivals are lighter
• A few spec concessions on this model

The Cervélo Soloist was the original aero bike, released in 2002, and the Canadian company has now resurrected the Soloist name 20 years later .

With the S5 pitched as Cervélo's pro-level aero bike, the Soloist is aimed at speed-hungry amateurs, with a (slightly) more affordable price and all-round flavour. It's claimed to be lighter than the S5 and more aerodynamic than the R5, and offers clearance for 34mm tyres.

And the result on the road? The Cervélo Soloist Ultegra Di2 is a very comfortable and fast aero-optimised racer deserving of the Soloist name. Sure, it may give up speed and weight to other Cervélo bikes, but if you want an aero-influenced bike that offers a bit of everything, this is a contender.

• Read our full Cervélo Soloist Ultegra Di2 review

Cube Litening SLT C:68X SL

• £8,099 / €6,899 as tested
• Fast with agile handling
• High-spec with quality bespoke components

Cube's Litening range includes this aero-focused frame (renamed the Litening Aero since our test) and the Litening AIR, launched in August 2022 as a slimmed-down, lightweight frame for riders who want an all-rounder with aero touches.

Back to our test bike, and the 7.54kg weight is still impressive for an aero machine, helped by the high-spec SRAM Red eTap build and Mavic Cosmic SLR 45 Disc wheels.

It offers straight-line speed in abundance, making it fast and exciting to ride. A single-piece bar-stem with a low frontal profile helps the bike cut through the wind.

• Read our full Cube Litening SLT C:68X SL review

Factor Ostro VAM

• £9,450 / $11,499 as tested
• Wide tyre clearance and light weight
• Plenty of comfort for broken roads

An all-rounder with an aero edge, rather than a full-on aero bike, the Factor Ostro VAM manages to mix aerodynamics with a 7.4kg weight for the tested size 56 and clearance for 32mm tyres.

There's a proprietary bar-stem from Factor's Black Inc component brand, although you can swap this out for a standard model. The 45mm-deep carbon wheels come from Black Inc as well.

It's a bike that feels composed and confidence-inspiring, with fast steering but predictable handling at speed and enough comfort to handle broken roads.

• Read our full Factor Ostro VAM review

Felt AR Ultegra Di2

• £6,299 / $6,999 / €6,999 as tested
• Fast, user-friendly and with an excellent spec
• Internal routing limits handlebar-height adjustment

Felt claims the AR Ultegra Di2 is 9.4 per cent more aerodynamic than its predecessor, and there's no denying that out on the road you can feel the aero difference over a more orthodox road bike. It isn't as light as other aero road bikes, but this doesn't get in the way of the Felt being incredibly fun to ride.

When it comes to spec, Felt has done a great job with a near-faultless package including carbon finishing kit, an Ultegra Di2 groupset and Reynolds wheels with Continental GP5000 clincher tyres.

While the internal cabling looks clean and aids aero performance, it leads to some handlebar height-adjustment issues, which is worth bearing in mind.

• Read our full Felt AR Ultegra Di2 review

Giant Propel Advanced Pro 0 AXS

• £6,399/$8,000/€6,900/AU$8,499 as tested
• Blends low weight and aerodynamics
• Assured handling

The Giant Propel Advanced Pro 0 AXS costs half as much as the WorldTour-level Advanced Pro SL and gives away little in terms of performance.

Our aero B ike of the Year 2023 is a brilliantly versatile aero road bike due to its balance of weight, speed and handling.

Not all of Giant's spec choices hit the mark, but the Propel Advanced Pro 0 AXS's mid-range price could leave you with cash for upgrades.

• Read our full Giant Propel Advanced Pro 0 AXS review

Giant Propel Advanced SL 0

• £11,999 / $12,500 / €12,000 / AU$14,000 as tested
• Very light for an aero bike at 6.9kg
• Easy maintenance and adjustment

At 6.9kg, the Giant Propel Advanced SL 0 is exceptionally lightweight for an aero bike. Giant claims it's also more aero than its predecessor.

It's designed to be easy to work on, although the integrated seatmast means that once cut there's only a few centimetres of saddle-height adjustment.

The bike rolls on 25mm tyres, although there's room for 30mm, but despite this the ride is comfortable. The two-part bar and stem make for adjustability, although Giant doesn't offer bars under 40cm width.

• Read our full Giant Propel Advanced SL 0 review

Lapierre Aircode DRS 8.0

• £6,300 as tested
• Fast with accurate handling
• Superbly equipped

Now in its third generation, the Lapierre Aircode DRS 8.0 follows the trends for aero bikes with the integration of disc brakes and hidden cables – not forgetting clearance for 28mm tyres.

The bike also addresses weight and comfort, two issues that are often associated with aero bikes, with a 900g frame and a carbon layup that's said to improve frame compliance.

Despite the aggressive geometry that screams urgency as soon as you get on the bike, there's no denying it's comfortable to ride. It's a real technical achievement and the spec does it justice with Ultegra Di2 gearing and a DT Swiss wheelset. Lapierre even throws in some bolt-on aero bars for extra versatility and value for money.

• Read our full Lapierre Aircode DRS 8.0 review

Merida Reacto 6000

• £2,800 as tested
• Great value for money
• Excellent frameset but wheels are heavy and tyres are average

The unisex Merida Reacto 6000 is a great-value aero road bike with excellent handling, and a stiff and fast frameset that shares its geometry with the Merida Reacto Team-E .

It puts you in an aggressive position, which makes sense for a bike that is built for speed. This could be tiring on your arms and hands on long rides, but we had no issues during testing.

The spec is good, but there are compromises. It has a cockpit that bucks the trend by sticking with a non-integrated design, which might not be desirable for some, but others will find it very practical.

There is an Ultegra groupset that performs as well as ever, but the wheels are on the heavy side and you would probably want to upgrade the tyres right away.

We've also reviewed the Merida Reacto 4000 , equipped with Shimano 105 and earning the same 4.5-star rating.

• Read our full Merida Reacto 6000 review

Orbea Orca Aero M10iLTD

• Fast, comfortable ride
• Clever add-ons for those not racing
• A bit heavier than the competition

Orbea claims the latest iteration of its Orca Aero saves 15 watts over its predecessor. It feels fast, but is still comfortable and adjustable, and the spec leaves no reason for swap-outs. The bike comes with an optional aero bottle and storage under the down tube, the latter not UCI-legal.

There's a nicely integrated bar, although we found the sharp trailing edge hit our wrists when sprinting. The bike is compatible with a standard bar and stem though.

The Orbea is a bit on the heavy side too at 8.3kg, although we didn't notice this when out riding and we were impressed by the Orca's comfort levels.

• Read our full Orbea Orca Aero M10iLTD review

Ribble Ultra SL R Enthusiast

• £6,599 as tested
• Fearsomely fast
• Well priced

The Ribble Ultra SL R Enthusiast's eye-catching aero design translates into visceral speed with minimal concession to overall practicality.

If you just want to ride fast, you'd be hard pressed to find a better aero road bike for the money.

However, an integrated power meter would be nice, as would more handlebar size options and a simpler seatpost clamp.

• Read our full Ribble Ultra SL R Enthusiast review

Vitus ZX-1 EVO CRS Ultegra Di2

• £3,999 / $5,200 / AU$6,800 / €5,500 as tested
• Incredible-value fast aero bike
• Integrated handlebar rules out front-end fit adjustments

The ZX-1 EVO is Vitus' flagship aero bike, and despite the relatively low price tag, the bike boasts a spec that wouldn't be out of place on a much more expensive ride, with Ultegra Di2, deep-section wheels and aero-profiled finishing kit.

The bike is incredible value for money, then, and it doesn't disappoint on the road either with a joyous ride. The geometry is racy, but it isn't the most aggressive, making this bike a good choice if you value stability.

The only thing to look out for is the integrated cockpit, which doesn't allow for front-end fit adjustments, so it might be wise to try before you buy.

We've also tested the mechanical Shimano 105 spec of the Vitus ZX-1 EVO. Priced at £2,800, it's great value for an aero bike.

• Read our full Vitus ZX-1 EVO CRS Ultegra Di2 review

Cervélo S3 Disc Ultegra

• £3,999 / $5,000 as tested
• Awesome aero experience
• Choppy ride on rough surfaces

Cervélo invented the aero road bike, and the S3 Disc builds on the brand’s 25 years of aero knowledge with a claimed 13 watts less drag and a 68g weight saving on its predecessor. Cables all run internally, despite the S3 having a separate bar and stem for adjustability.

The wheelbase is short even on larger-sized frames, leading to sharp handling, although the bike would benefit from an upgrade from the alloy DT Swiss P1800 wheels. Run tubed, they lead to a rather choppy ride over uneven road surfaces; a swap to 28mm tyres might help.

• Read our full Cervélo S3 Disc Ultegra review

Orro Venturi Evo 105

• £2,100/ $2,667 / €2,457 as tested
• Tunable spec
• Reasonable price
• Some flex in the front end

At £2,100, the Orro Venturi Evo is a British aero bike that won’t break the bank. It looks great too, with space for 28mm tyres and an aggressive racing position. We reckon it rolls with the best on flatter undulating roads, although there’s a little front-end flex when pushed hard.

You can custom-tune the spec to your requirements, and alongside a Shimano 105 R7000 groupset , the test bike came with Vision Team 30 aero alloy wheels and fast-rolling Continental tyres. It’s a nice package at a nice price.

• Read our full Orro Venturi Evo 105 review

Scott Foil RC Pro (2023)

• £10,499 / $10,999 / €10,499 as tested
• More aero than the previous Foil
• Plenty of comfort, particularly at the rear

The latest Scott Foil has a claimed increase of 16 watts in its aero efficiency at 40kph over its long-running predecessor, thanks to wind tunnel tuning with Simon Smart, the man who's also behind the ENVE SES wheel range . At 7.4kg, the new Foil is light too, despite having deeper aero sections than the previous bike.

The frame geometry is the same as the Scott Addict RC , offering sharp, predictable handling at high speeds, but not at the expense of comfort, particularly at the saddle. That's thanks to a three-piece seatpost design with a rubber insert and a wider 28mm rear tyre.

It's a bike that's fast, lightweight and comfortable.

• Read our full Scott Foil RC Pro review

Tifosi Auriga Chorus Disc

• £3,499 as tested
• Long and low ride position
• Better tyre rubber would up the Auriga's game

The Tifosi Auriga is a fast bike in a straight line, with a stiff frame, and it handles direction changes with admirable agility. Despite its 9kg-plus weight, it climbs well too.

The Auriga frame's geometry puts you in a long and low position, which should cut down your frontal profile for aero benefits, while the FSA ACR system allows cables and hoses to be run internally, also lowering drag.

Tifosi claims 28mm tyre clearance, but we think there's room for more and the Auriga is equipped with a Campagnolo Chorus mechanical/hydraulic groupset, which we enjoyed. The tyres are in need of a swap-out though.

• Read our full Tifosi Auriga Chorus Disc review

Trek Madone SLR 9 eTap (2023)

• £13,800 / $13,199 / €14,999/ AU$17,999 as tested
• Very fast, very expensive
• Slightly twitchy in crosswinds

With distinctive, aggressive looks, the latest Trek Madone SLR is every inch the aero race bike.

The distinctive IsoFlow seat tube is designed to funnel airflow into the area behind the rider, improving aerodynamics while retaining some of the comfort from the old IsoSpeed system.

The rigid frame and sharp handling make for fast riding that's predictable, in most circumstances, and inspires confidence. We did find the Madone somewhat sensitive to crosswinds though, probably down to the slightly angular Bontrager Aeolus RSL 51 wheel rims. The fitted 25mm tyres felt a little narrow too, and they're not tubeless.

• Read our full Trek Madone SLR 9 eTap review

Wilier Triestina Cento10 SL Ultegra Di2

• £5,540 / €5,600 as tested
• Sharp handling
• Firmer ride than some

The Cento10 SL is a lower-priced version of Wilier's previous flagship road bike, the Cento10 Pro (the Filante is now its top aero racer).

The SL shares much in common with the Pro, using the same moulds for the frame, and it feels like a masterstroke because the bike is almost indistinguishable from a superbike, at a much more affordable cost.

The bike is firmer than some, but it's a dream to ride with a long and low position that feels balanced when cornering fast, and handling that puts other aero bikes to shame.

The equipment spec is high, too, with Shimano Ultegra Di2, Wilier's own carbon wheels and a Selle Italia SLR Boost Carbonio saddle, but the 25mm tyres might be on the slim side for some.

• Read our Wilier Triestina Cento10 SL Ultegra Di2 first ride review

Buyer’s guide to aero road bikes: what to look for

What is an aero bike.

An aero bike prioritises aerodynamic features, aiming to give you a little free speed as you ride.

That starts with aero tube profiles, usually a truncated aerofoil design (also known as a Kammtail), with a smoothly curving leading edge and an abruptly chopped-off rear. The idea is to trick the wind into following the drag-saving shape of a full aerofoil while saving weight and maintaining frame stiffness.

Truncated shapes are particularly evident on the down tube and seat tube, but on dedicated aero bikes usually carry over to the head tube, fork blades, seatpost and the rest of the frame.

The latest aero bikes are all about integration and it’s rare to see exposed cables at the front end of the bike. The trick for bike manufacturers is providing that integration without sacrificing fit or everyday usability – some brands do this better than others.

Aero bikes will sometimes have more aggressive road bike geometry than all-round race bikes – and certainly more aggressive than endurance road bikes or sportive bikes. That normally means a longer, lower position that allows the rider to hunker down over the bar, reducing frontal profile for less wind resistance.

An aero bike arguably needs deep-section aero wheels to complete the deal. The best will come with them, but some makers fit more basic wheelsets (usually to keep the price down), expecting you to buy your own.

Aero bike vs road bike

It looks as if the era of the specialist aero bike may be passing. As we’ve already mentioned, the latest generation of lightweight/all-rounder race bikes increasingly incorporates aero features.

Take the Specialized Tarmac SL7 road bike, for example. It’s almost as aero as the brand’s Venge specialist aero bike, which has now been removed from the range with Specialized adopting a ‘One bike to rule them all’ philosophy.

Other formerly conventional road bikes that have had an aero makeover include the Cannondale SuperSix (overall winner of our Bike of the Year test in 2020), the Trek Emonda and the Scott Addict , with all these brands promoting aero benefits in a lightweight package.

As with any bike purchase, it’s a case of weighing up the options and choosing the right machine for your needs. If you’re looking for more of an all-rounder with an aero edge, there are now plenty of options out there. Equally, if all-out speed is your thing, a dedicated aero bike will have that ace up its sleeve.

What is the fastest aero bike?

Almost every aero bike will be accompanied by some kind of claim about how the bike is faster than its predecessor or competitors. Aero gains are often quoted as seconds saved over 40km at 45kph or such, but do you regularly ride at that speed? The laws of physics mean that if your average speed is half that, you’ll reap an eighth of that figure.

With around 80 per cent of wind resistance down to you, rather than the bike, there is only so much help an aero bike can provide. That’s before we get to the rider’s engine, too. If speed is your thing, here are five ways you can ride faster for free .

Having said that, few riding experiences beat the feeling of free speed when riding fast on a sharp-handling aero bike, especially on a rapid downhill or full-gas on a flat or rolling road.

As for the ‘fastest’ aero bike, as ever we’d tread with caution when it comes to manufacturer claims. Sure, you can factor it into your buying decision, but there’s lots more to consider besides, including fit, usability, frame features (for example, tyre clearance) and budget.

Tube shapes

It goes without saying that an aero bike will have aero tube profiles. These are most obvious on the main tubes of the bike, the down tube and the seat tube in particular.

Aero features will likely extend to the seatstays, which are often dropped, hitting the seat tube some way down from its top, as well as being aero in profile. The head tube, fork and seatpost (and its clamp) are also likely to have had the aero treatment.

The first crop of aero road bikes, led by the Cervélo Soloist (which has now made a comeback in 2022), had teardrop-shaped tubes. It’s the classic aerodynamic shape, but the tail adds a lot of weight without much structural benefit, so the frames tended to be heavy. The extended profile could also make for tricky handling in crosswinds.

That’s changed now, with the realisation that a truncated aerofoil (or Kammtail) can be more aerodynamically efficient than a teardrop.

Air forms an eddy behind the cut-off edge of the tube and air flowing past this forms a teardrop shape that’s much longer than the tube. Trek says that although the length of its Kammtail tubing is less than three times its width, it behaves aerodynamically as if it’s eight times the width.

With that in mind, there’s potentially a quadruple benefit from truncated aerofoils: they use less material for a lighter frame, they are more structurally rigid, they produce longer virtual tails to the tubes and they’re less edgy in crosswinds.

Another plus: they make it much easier for manufacturers to produce aero designs that comply with the geometry rules set by the UCI, cycling’s world governing body.

Integration

The new frontier in aero bike design is front-end integration. That means the handlebar and stem are often one piece, with a broad, flat aero shape to the bar. At least some of the brake and gear cables will run internally into the frame, so they’re out of the airflow.

There’s a surprising amount of drag from round cables routed externally. Pinarello claimed burying the cables inside the bar and stem of the Dogma F12 improved aerodynamics by more than 5 per cent relative to its F10 predecessor, which had external cabling (Pinarello has since launched the new Dogma F ).

The flip side is that some integrated systems can be difficult to work with, so expect to spend more on maintenance or to deal with more frustration if doing it yourself.

Also, make sure you’re comfortable with the position dictated by a bike’s integrated carbon bar/stem. There are limited size options and adjustability to many integrated systems.

The best integrated cockpits keep everything clean and tidy, hiding the cables from the wind, but still allow for easy servicing and fit adjustments, most likely by keeping the handlebar and stem as two separate units.

Ride quality

With their chunky tube profiles, aero bikes of old had a (often justified) reputation for a harsh ride.

That’s largely changed with the modern crop of aero bikes, because brands have learned how to design frames for a more comfortable ride without compromising aerodynamics, and road disc brakes have increased tyre clearances – you can now run a 28mm or even 30mm tyre on many of the latest aero bikes.

Nevertheless, it’s something to look out for if you’re thinking of buying an aero bike. It’s worth reading road bike reviews and, ideally, taking a test ride before parting with your cash, especially if you live somewhere with rough roads.

As mentioned above, an aero bike will typically promote a long, low ride position. That’s great for cutting through the wind, but make sure you’ll be comfortable riding an aero bike (or that it offers the adjustability you need) before taking the plunge. Neck, back, shoulder and hand pain can be issues if you’re not very flexible or not used to an aggressive position.

You may adapt to the position, but if you’re not racing you don’t want to end up suffering on your bike to go a little faster – being forced to cut your ride short due to pain or picking up an injury is counter-productive, to say the least.

Weight used to be a driving factor behind bike design, with a lower weight perceived to result in a faster and better ride. Aero bikes disprove the rule, with many tipping the scale at around 8kg and feeling lightning-quick.

While a lightweight bike might serve you better on long climbs, the weight and performance difference between many more conventional bikes and aero bikes is marginal, and improving your power-to-weight ratio can be one way to offset the difference.

There are also ways to make your road bike lighter if you’re that way inclined.

A lightweight bike might feel more responsive, but geometry and tyre choice arguably have as much impact on the feel of a bike as weight. If you want something that feels responsive and snappy, look for a bike with a short wheelbase and a head tube angle of around 73.5 degrees.

An aero bike needs an aero wheelset to complement – and make the most of – the frame’s aerodynamics. It’s still all too common to find an aero frameset equipped with budget, non-aero wheels. Recognising this, some brands are now fitting wheels worthy of the investment they’ve made in their frames.

Unless you’ve got a set of go-fast wheels already sitting at home, it’s worth looking for a bike that comes with decent deep-section wheels. If not, and you do want to upgrade, budget the best part of £1,000 for a set of the best road bike wheels .

Disc brakes have largely taken over on all new bikes, but rim-brake outliers are still out there, particularly if you’re buying a second-hand bike .

If you go for a rim-brake aero bike (and, most likely, an older model), you may find the calipers have been moved out of the wind. The front brake may be integrated into the fork and the rear brake may be under the bottom bracket.

Fortunately, this is less common nowadays and, as a general rule, we’d steer riders away from integrated brakes. Integrated front brakes are often less effective than a separate caliper, and rear brakes under the bottom bracket are prone to brake rub and getting covered in filth.

Most high-end aero bikes now come with disc brakes, but it’s worth bearing in mind if you’re looking at a lower-priced rim-brake model.

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Post by Dr.Dos » Thu Aug 06, 2020 4:57 pm --> by Dr.Dos on Thu Aug 06, 2020 4:57 pm

rudye9mr wrote: ↑ Thu Aug 06, 2020 4:46 pm Would like to see the blade 795 rs in that test..

by » Thu Aug 06, 2020 4:57 pm --> by Weenie on Thu Aug 06, 2020 4:57 pm

Post by rudye9mr » Thu Aug 06, 2020 5:31 pm --> by rudye9mr on Thu Aug 06, 2020 5:31 pm

Post by Dr.Dos » Thu Aug 06, 2020 5:59 pm --> by Dr.Dos on Thu Aug 06, 2020 5:59 pm

Post by rudye9mr » Thu Aug 06, 2020 6:27 pm --> by rudye9mr on Thu Aug 06, 2020 6:27 pm

Post by C36 » Thu Aug 06, 2020 6:39 pm --> by C36 on Thu Aug 06, 2020 6:39 pm

TiCass wrote: "2018 Canondale SuperSix HiMod 218W" That seams way too good for the old Cannondale. That must be the 2019 model.

Post by rudye9mr » Thu Aug 06, 2020 6:40 pm --> by rudye9mr on Thu Aug 06, 2020 6:40 pm

Post by ichobi » Thu Aug 06, 2020 7:10 pm --> by ichobi on Thu Aug 06, 2020 7:10 pm

Post by demoCRIT » Thu Aug 06, 2020 7:25 pm --> by demoCRIT on Thu Aug 06, 2020 7:25 pm

Dr.Dos wrote: ↑ Thu Aug 06, 2020 5:59 pm deleted image [/img]

Post by Unniti » Thu Aug 06, 2020 9:25 pm --> by Unniti on Thu Aug 06, 2020 9:25 pm

Post by spartan » Fri Aug 07, 2020 1:19 am --> by spartan on Fri Aug 07, 2020 1:19 am

Post by ichobi » Fri Aug 07, 2020 1:57 am --> by ichobi on Fri Aug 07, 2020 1:57 am

Post by FlatlandClimber » Fri Aug 07, 2020 8:38 am --> by FlatlandClimber on Fri Aug 07, 2020 8:38 am

rudye9mr wrote: ↑ Thu Aug 06, 2020 6:40 pm RANK MAKE YEAR WATTS @ 45KPH 01 Cannondale SystemSix Disc 2019 203 02 Specialized Venge ViAS 2016 204 02 Trek Madone 2016 204 04 Cervelo S5 2016 205 04 Felt AR FRD 2016 205 06 Cervelo S5 Disc 2019 206 06 Factor One 2018 206 08 Canyon Aeroad 2016 208 08 Specialized Venge Disc 2019 208 10 Giant Propel Advanced SL 2016 210 10 Specialized Tarmac SL7 S-Works 2020 210 12 BMC Time Machine 2016 211 12 Pinarello Dogma F12 2018 211 12 Scott Foil Premium 2016 211 15 Look 795 2016 212 15 Trek Madone Disc 2019 212 17 Ridley Noah Fast Disc 2019 213 18 Canondale SuperSix HiMod 2018 218 18 EddyMerckx 525 Disc 2019 218 ** LOOK Blade 795 RS Disc 2018 219 20 Specialized Allez Spint 2019 219 20 Scott Addict Premium 2019 219 22 Wilier Zero SLR 2020 220 23 Canyon Ultimate 9.0 2018 224 24 Giant TCR Advanced 2019 227 Added the data to list (blade 795 rs disc)

Post by FlatlandClimber » Fri Aug 07, 2020 8:40 am --> by FlatlandClimber on Fri Aug 07, 2020 8:40 am

Post by robeambro » Fri Aug 07, 2020 9:13 am --> by robeambro on Fri Aug 07, 2020 9:13 am

Post by ichobi » Fri Aug 07, 2020 9:45 am --> by ichobi on Fri Aug 07, 2020 9:45 am

by » Fri Aug 07, 2020 9:45 am --> by Weenie on Fri Aug 07, 2020 9:45 am

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Prep softball playoffs: Benicia moves past…

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Prep softball playoffs: benicia moves past american canyon, maas has electric stuff in the circle, allows just one hit in 10-0 win.

The Panthers exploded for seven runs in the third inning, which was more than enough for starting pitcher Sinead Maas, who threw a five-inning, one-hit shutout while striking out seven in a 10-0 win.

No. 3-seeded Benicia will move on to play at Livermore in the semifinals of the North Coast Section Division II playoffs on Tuesday.

“I think our offensive approach was similar to the one we had last game in that we started to be a little more patient and swing at the pitch they wanted,” Benicia head coach Kristin Grubbs said. “Not just any strike. That’s going to be key moving forward is hunting for our pitch and taking advantage when it’s there … I liked what we did from the third inning on.”

American Canyon head coach Roger Harris thought his short-handed team showed a lot of fight, especially from sophomore pitcher Jordan delos Santos, who was called up from the junior varsity team earlier this year and battled sickness to get through four and two third innings.

“We knew ahead of time that this was going to be the day of our senior trip. So we had a plan to bring a pitcher up halfway through the year and let her know this would be her game,” Harris said. “We had the second-round playoff game circled for her and we knew that we were going to be down some players and we battled. In the third inning it was still 0-0. We told our girls to control what we could control. The ball just didn’t bounce our way today.

“I’m proud of the nine players that showed up today,” Harris continued. “That’s not saying that I’m not proud of the six that didn’t, I’m very proud of them, too. But this was something we planned and knew was going to happen. Benicia has always been our nemesis and and my hat is off to Kristin and she’s got a great program and I wish her nothing but the best moving forward.”

Benicia had plenty of baserunners in the first two innings, finally breaking through in the third inning with 13 at-bats and five hits. Alana Robinson had a key two-run double to left to make it 3-0. Robinson had two hits on the day.

“I was looking for a pitch above the belt and something I could get through the infield,” Robinson said.

Kyra Mason later had an RBI single to center to make it 5-0, while Emma French had an infield single to make it 6-0. A sacrifice fly by Ava Rojas made it a seven-run advantage.

While Benicia didn’t get a chance to see the Electrical Street Parade, its pitcher shined bright in the circle all game. She finally allowed a baserunner in the fourth when Wolves’ leadoff hitter Deja Montgomery beat out a bunt for a single. Montgomery was soon caught stealing by catcher Ava Pannell. Maas would eventually face the minimum threw five innings and picked up her second win of the week by going a combined nine innings and allowing just two hits.

“My curveball was helping me get ahead of batters,” Maas said. “I don’t think I threw any different once we got the lead. My goal along with my catcher was just to get ahead of every hitter. My riseball was also working well. I’ve been working on getting it higher when I’m up 0-2 in the count and I think that worked well for me.”

Benicia put American Canyon away in the bottom of the fifth when Robinson had a two-out single to keep a rally alive. Moments later Robinson singled to make it 8-0. Suae Beatty came up next and reached on an error that scored two runs and gave the Panthers a 10-run mercy-rule win.

Grubbs said it was just a matter of time before her offense started clicking.

“Let’s score one at least, but this team never gives up and we’re going to figure it out,” she said.

While Benicia moves on, American Canyon will say goodbye to its season along with coach Roger Harris, who announced after the game that this was his last. Harris has been the only head coach in the history of the American Canyon program.

“This was my last game,” Harris said. “I’ve been thinking of it the last couple years. I’m two years away from retirement with my job and I have five grandchildren and it’s my time to start thinking about my time in retirement. The seniors knew after I told them after Tuesday’s game and then I just told the other girls now. They were upset but they understood. The coaching staff here has laid down a great foundation for them and the quality of players that have come through this program have been top notch.”

More in Sports

Vacaville high softball offense erupts in second-round win.

‘Special’ day returns to Corbus Field

Ryan Sarna named new head football coach at Benicia High

Signing on to the next chapter

To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories .

Kate Hudson on Making Her Musical Debut: “I've Been on Some Kind of Tour My Entire Adult Life”

By Cat Cardenas

In the fall of 2021, Kate Hudson was seated in the middle of Linda Perry’s recording studio in the San Fernando Valley, waiting to start a project that had been a lifetime in the making. The previous year, in the midst of pandemic lockdowns, Hudson, like so many others, was jolted into taking stock of her life. She had a lot to be proud of—her children, more than two decades of work, an Oscar nomination, a successful company—but there was one glaring regret: She had never recorded an album.

Long before her breakout turn as rockstar muse Penny Lane in Almost Famous , the actress had been jotting down poems and lyrics. She was a musical soul, drawn to everything from Pearl Jam to Neil Young, and Madonna to Joni Mitchell. But as Hudson’s acting career took off, the idea of pursuing music became more and more unrealistic. Every time she thought about it, a new obstacle popped up: She was too busy, she was too scared, and eventually, when she was in her 30s, she was told she was “too old.”

Finally, in 2020, she decided to shake off any preconceptions about what she should and shouldn’t do. The first step was deceptively simple—if she was given the chance to sing, she would say yes, no questions asked. “Instead of overthinking it, I just had to do it,” she says. “That was the first shift in my brain.”

By Hannah Jackson

By Philipp Wehsack

It proved to be the right move. Not long after, Hudson agreed to sing a cover of Katy Perry’s “Firework” for a zoom charity event at her son’s school. As it turns out, Perry, the lead singer of 4 Non Blondes, had caught the performance, and was impressed. She reach out to let Hudson know that she wanted to meet up to write and record. Hudson couldn’t turn it down. “The first day is always like an awkward first date,” says Hudson, sharing the advice her fiancé, Danny Fujikawa—who also worked on the album—gave her before that first session. As Perry was warming up and finding her sound, she belted out a wild, booming note.

“I started to laugh because it was like she was waking me up,” Hudson recalls. “That was it, we were off to the races.”

Now, at long last, Hudson is ready to release the final product, Glorious , her debut album. Out May 17, the record is a blend of Americana, pop, disco, and vintage rock ’n’ roll—all held together by full-bodied, gravelly vocals sent straight from Laurel Canyon. Shimmery and bold, the 12 tracks range from triumphant ballads like “Not Easy to Know” to self-assured bops like “Gonna Find Out” and “Lying to Myself.” It’s a confident release, one that feels unencumbered by Hudson’s previous doubts. “I went into this with no expectations of what it would be,” she says. “I wasn’t doing this for any reason other than it felt like I just had to do it.”

Hudson caught up with Vogue to talk about the making of Glorious , her creative process, and going on tour.

Vogue : You’ve been writing songs your whole life, what stopped you from recording before this?

Kate Hudson: For so many years, it was like, “you don’t break what’s not broken.” If you had success in one area of the arts, then you shouldn’t be venturing into another area. A part of me never really understood that. I think a lot of artists are drawn to and want to operate in different modalities, but the only reason we don’t pursue the things we love is because we’re afraid of what people think, which goes against what it is to make art anyway. If we always worried about what people thought, then a lot of the things we love would’ve never been made.

Along with your fiancé, you also wrote this album with Linda Perry. What was that experience like?

I love working with different types of personalities, and I’ve been doing that for a long time. So getting in a room with Linda, it was like discovering a whole new process. She really wanted to facilitate the building of an album, so I appreciated how she moved through things quickly. If something wasn’t working, she didn’t linger, she just kept moving. I really related to that, and I think that's why we were able to be so prolific in this process.

Danny was a great anchor because Danny’s a much quieter and more specific songwriter. So when we were done writing the structure of the songs, Danny could then really go into his dark room and spend time with them, and arrange them and really refine the sound. So it was a really, really nice mix.

Because you’d been working toward this for so long, how did it feel when you were finally putting pen to paper, or tracking vocals?

When I got together with Linda, it was the first time I’d ever collaborated in the writing process, and that’s when the floodgates opened. We were writing two to three songs a day. I couldn’t believe how much music was coming out. It hasn’t really stopped. It made me realize that there was a lot of music to be written, and that was exciting, because I started to feel like if I was in the right, focused environment, then I could get this done. I’d never put myself in the position before to give myself that structure, and it was such a gift.

Was there a temptation to revisit some of your old lyrics or poems when you started on Glorious , or did you want to start completely fresh?

I wanted to meet the music where I am now. Putting out my first album right now in my life is wild, so I knew lyrically, it would need to be reflective. I always said the only thing I wanted, that I was very conscious of, was to be authentic. This has to feel very honest. The only way I can make this is if I'm tackling it exactly where I am right now and that means there will be a maturity to the music. I wanted it to feel a little lived in, even though it’s my debut.

We’ve gotten to hear your voice in films like Nine , and in shows like Glee , but what was it like finding your sound?

For this album, it was really just singing from my instinct. When you sing for a film, you’re singing as a character or you're singing maybe a little bit differently than you would if it was your own music. But for this, especially when I’m writing the song and the melody, it’s just very instinctual. I’ve been doing this privately for so long, I wasn’t trying to create a sound, or try to be something other than honest. It was like, what does my voice sound like when it just comes out without overthinking it?

How do you feel about the people comparing your vocals to Stevie Nicks ?

Obviously, I’m beyond flattered. She’s probably most female musicians’ rock goddess. Stevie is one of my very favorite female artists, so that’s a very kind thing. I just saw her not that long ago at this private show, and I was looking at her just thinking “Wow, this woman has lived an incredible life.” Her music, and her story, and her energy, she's just the ultimate. But part of that is because she never tried to be anything but herself. That’s what I’ve been thinking about all my favorite artists. So not just Stevie, but Bonnie Raitt, Emmylou Harris, or Cyndi Lauper . These women are authentic voices.

Because you’ve been at work on this for so long, have you been sharing snippets as you go, or keeping it all under lock and key?

When I felt good about it, I would play it for people. I also just had to be listening to mixes all the time, so if I was getting my hair and makeup done for something, and I had to hear a mix, there were a handful of people who heard different variations of the songs that way, too. But finished product wise, no one's really heard it. Even my family hasn't heard the full album.

What’s their response been to what they have heard?

They all know that this is a part of me. So they’re just really excited that I’m doing it. I know [my brother] Oliver is really loving the music, and that means so much to me. It’s interesting when you put something like this out there, whose opinion really matters to you, and who you really hope loves it. Ollie was always that for me, because he loves music. He complimented the songs that I played him, and that felt really loving and good.

Now that Glorious is finally going to be out in the world, what are you most looking forward to?

I just can’t wait to get on the road and just feel that connection. I’m even excited to have those shows that might be a little weird. I look forward to having those experiences, because I’ve seen that happen many times. It’s new for me doing it myself, but I’ve been on some kind of tour my entire adult life. I know exactly what it looks like. For me and my kids, this is a huge part of what my whole family knows really well. So, it’ll be fun to do that myself. I really just love being on stage, traveling, and seeing the world. So what could be more exciting than the idea of actually touring the album?

The album is so dynamic, it really covers a wide range of genres and styles. What songs are you most excited to perform?

I can’t wait to perform “Romeo,” because that one is just going to be really fun live. The most challenging one, actually, for me to sing live is, “Talk About Love,” because of where it sits in my register, I just have to be so focused when I’m singing it. I’m just excited about all of them, though. They’re all my babies.

You initially wrote 26 songs while working on the album, will there be more music on the way?

Definitely. I didn’t do this to then just stop. I did it because I love it so much, and I hope I get to be writing music until I die. It will always be something I’m doing. But I hope that I can do it in a way that can connect me with different artists that I admire. So yeah, there’s definitely going to be more music. If I have anything to say about it, there will be.

You’re working on a new project with Mindy Kaling in which you play the president of a pro basketball team. I’m curious if recording music and tapping into that side of yourself has changed anything for you as an actor?

Spiritually, it did unlock something. I always go for weird metaphors, but it’s like a rose bush that hasn’t started blooming yet, and there are all these little buds just waiting to open. Once one starts to go, then they all open up into this big beautiful thing. That’s what it feels like. It’s made the focus of my acting more specific, because I don’t want to be doing things that aren’t bringing me the same sense of fulfillment.

When you think about the things in your life that matter to you creatively, and when you're doing what you love the most, it kind of becomes a domino effect into everything else. The choices become different. Like do I want to make this film if I don’t have that kind of deep connection to it? If not, then it makes the no’s easier. Choosing to make the album did actually affect that. It’s liberating.

What are you proudest of when it comes to Glorious ?

I did what I said I was going to do, and that feels like a pinch-me moment. There were so many opportunities for me to say “this is too much,” or “I don’t have the time for this.” I could’ve done that, and instead, I chose to stick with it, and I’m so happy that I did. I just didn't realize how much I needed it spiritually.

Neuheit : Das Canyon Ultimate im Fahrbericht

Julian Schultz

 ·  12.09.2022

Kurz nach dem Update des Aeroad legt Canyon also mit dem Ultimate auch sein zweites Wettkampfrad neu auf. Durchaus ungewöhnlich, da sich andere Hersteller wie Specialized (Tarmac) oder Giant (Propel) inzwischen auf ein universelles Renngerät fokussieren. Die Koblenzer dagegen fahren weiter zweigleisig und bieten sowohl ein Leichtbau- als auch Aero-Modell an.

• Canyon Inflite 2023: Neues Cyclocross-Rad

Top-Modell des Canyon Ultimate deutlich unter UCI-Limit

Doch wie viel Leichtbau steckt im Canyon Ultimate der fünften Generation? Laut Hersteller speckten sowohl Rahmen und Gabel als auch Komponenten wie Cockpit und Sattelstütze ab. Der hochwertige CFR-Rahmen, der auch von den Profis der Teams Alpecin-Deceuninck, Arkéa-Samsic und Movistar gefahren wird, bringt lediglich 730 Gramm auf die Waage. Die Gabel fällt mit 330 Gramm rekordverdächtig leicht aus. Das CFR Di2, das TOUR an der Côte d’Azur für einen Fahrtest zur ­Ver­fügung stand, unterbietet damit deutlich das UCI-Limit und liegt bei bemerkenswerten 6,3 Kilogramm.

Auch die SLX-Version des Canyon Ultimate ist mit 830 Gramm für den Rahmen und 350 Gramm für die Gabel absolut konkurrenzfähig. Das CF SLX 9 Di2, das wir in TOUR 10/2022 einem ausführlichen Einzeltest unterziehen, rangiert damit laut Herstellerangaben bei 6,7 Kilogramm. Die SL-Modelle, deren Rahmen 1050 Gramm wiegt, bewegen sich zwischen 7,3 und 8,2 Kilogramm. Die Gewichtsunterschiede der drei Plattformen (CFR, SLX und SL) ergeben sich aus unterschiedlichen Carbon-Layups.

Geringes Aero-Update für das Canyon Ultimate

Neben der Gewichtseinsparung soll die Neuentwicklung auch aerodynamisch profitieren und schneller als sein Vorgänger sein. Konkret nennt Canyon eine Verbesserung um 10 Watt bei 45 km/h für das Rahmenset, mit Fahrer soll die Ersparnis bei 5 Watt liegen. Vor allem das vom Aeroad bekannte One-Piece-Cockpit, das ohne Leitungstrennung in Höhe und Breite eingestellt werden kann, dürfte das Canyon Ultimate schneller machen. Zur Einordnung: Das alte Ultimate haben wir vor knapp zwei Jahren mit minimal anderer Ausstattung mit 224 Watt gemessen, das aktuelle Aero-Ergebnis des CF SLX 9 Di2 gibt’s exklusiv in TOUR 10/2022.

Starker Federkomfort

Beim Komfort zählte bereits der Vorgänger zum Besten der Besten - und daran knüpft auch die Neuheit an. Das extreme steife und fahrstabile Canyon Ultimate rollt derart ruhig über die unterschiedlichsten Beläge, dass man die Federung fast schon als selbstverständlich hinnimmt. Durch die gewachsene Reifenfreiheit auf 32 Millimeter kann das Canyon zudem für ruppiges Terrain gewappnet werden. Serienmäßig rollen die meisten Modelle auf 25/28 Millimeter breiten Reifen (vorne/hinten).

Drei Plattformen, elf Modelle

Insgesamt bietet Canyon elf Modelle in drei Qualitätsstufen (SL, SLX, CFR) an. Die Koblenzer setzen fast ausschließlich auf elektronische Schaltungen von Shimano und SRAM. Bemerkenswert: Bis auf die Einstiegsversion sind alle Räder mit integriertem Leistungsmesser ausgestattet. Die SL-Modelle sind zwischen 2699 und 4999 Euro erhältlich, wobei die beiden günstigsten Modelle als einzige mechanisch schalten und ohne One-Piece-Cockpit auskommen.

Die SLX-Räder rangieren zwischen 6299 und 8699 Euro, die CFR-Serie liegt zwischen 10499 Euro und 10999 Euro. Zum Vergleich: In der vierten Generation bewegten sich die Preise für ein Canyon Ultimate zwischen 1699 und 4799 Euro (SL), 5399 und 7799 Euro (SLX) sowie 8499 und 8999 Euro (CFR).

Meistgelesen in der Rubrik Rennräder

Canyon has unveiled its 2022 Aeroad line-up, featuring new build options across three frames, helping to alleviate stock problems affecting the Aeroad's availability. 

The new Aeroad range uses the existing CFR, CF SLX and CF SL framesets, all of which were born from the German brand’s collaboration with aero experts Swiss Side. The result is what Canyon describes as its “most advanced aero bike” and one ridden to success by the likes of Mathieu van der Poel and Alejandro Valverde at WorldTour level, with both men currently riding the Aeroad at the Giro d'Italia .

Despite the Aeroad’s racing pedigree, Canyon believes that the bike has benefits for those who aren’t paid to pin a number on their jersey.

“We want to make the Aeroad’s all-round performance DNA available to as many riders as possible,” says Aeroad Product Manager Phillip Hardt. “We did this by delivering a wide range of options built around three frame platforms. All bikes will feature deep section DT Swiss aero wheels, with front-wheel rim depths adapted to the seven frame sizes available for riders between 158-200+cm. From SLX level upwards, all bikes will have power meters for perfect control over training efforts.”

So while the framesets remained unchanged, other than fresh paint jobs, the complete bikes feature new set-ups that are designed to deliver an Aeroad for all.

In recent years the top-tier Aeroad CFR has become synonymous with Van der Poel and his racing exploits, helping him win Monuments and Grand Tour stages alike. For 2022 it will be offered in three pro-level builds featuring DT Swiss ARC 1100 Dicut carbon wheels and the aforementioned power meter.

The Aeroad CF SLX is described by Canyon as “race-ready” and is again available in three different build options, including a SRAM Rival AXS-equipped CF SLX 7 that will retail for £4,749.

The new Aeroad range is rounded out with the CF SL model, offered in both Alpecin-Fenix team colours and a 'grey in grey' option. Costing £3,799 it is the most accessible Aeroad and features Shimano Ultegra shifting and DT Swiss ARC 1600 wheels.

As always, the new Aeroad range is available exclusively through Canyon.

For more information visit canyon.com and don't forget to check out our guide to 2022's best road bikes .

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Luke Friend has worked as a writer, editor and copywriter for twenty five years. Across books, magazines and websites, he's covered a broad range of topics for a range of clients including Major League Baseball, the National Trust and the NHS. He has an MA in Professional Writing from Falmouth University and is a qualified bicycle mechanic. He has been a cycling enthusiast from an early age, partly due to watching the Tour de France on TV. He's a keen follower of bike racing to this day as well as a regular road and gravel rider. 

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