Review of the new Canyon Aeroad CFR

Highly anticipated, the new Canyon Aeroad has undergone extensive changes while retaining the DNA and aesthetic profile of its predecessor. The menu includes several technical solutions designed to improve comfort and accessibility, and even greater efficiency on the road. We were able to test this 2021 Aeroad CFR in preview.

By Guillaume Judas – Photos: @3bikes.fr / All rights reserved

It took a year for the new Aeroad, first seen with Mathieu Van der Poel at the 2019 Tour of Britain, then more recently with Alejandro Valverde and Warren Barguil for example, to finally become available for sale, between final production adjustments and the Coronavirus crisis. A bike that we already knew was better integrated (brake hoses and electric wires) than the previous version, which dated back to 2014, judging by the first stolen photos here and there. It must be said that this new Aeroad does not betray the aesthetic codes of the brand and the model it replaces. At first glance, it is sober, well-finished, with a line and proportions similar to those of its predecessor, already a benchmark in terms of aerodynamics. Nevertheless, whether in this last area, in terms of weight, stiffness, comfort or ease of access, it goes up a notch and should appeal to many riders, especially since its selling price is, as always with the German brand, ultra-competitive.

More efficient in the wind

By relying on work carried out with Swiss Side, a company created by former Sauber Formula 1 engineers who developed the most advanced CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) software to analyze the smallest details of each frame tube and its interaction with the entire structure – which also works with DT Swiss and the Ineos Grenadiers team – Canyon thus claims to have gained up to 7 watts of drag at 45 km/h with this new Aeroad. This would make it the most aerodynamically efficient road bike on the market, according to comparative tests carried out by Swiss Side and the German magazine Tour in the Friedrichshafen wind tunnel in Germany. These figures are validated on the final version of the bike, after several months of CFD development and the production of several prototypes.

Canyon thus claims to have gained up to 7 watts of drag at 45 km/h with this new Aeroad

These figures are often abstract for the average cyclist, but they demonstrate the importance of this area in performance and energy saving. If at 45 km/h about 75% of air resistance comes from the cyclist, their position and their clothing, about 25% remains for the bike, of which only 8% is for the wheels. An “optimized” bike in this respect therefore allows you to ride faster with the same energy expended, or to expend less to ride at the same speed, with gains that can reach up to 10% of the effort required.

While the benefit seems less impressive at low speeds, it should not be overlooked, as the average cyclist spends more time in the saddle. They therefore save more time in the end, even on a hilly course, because the aerodynamic advantage becomes predominant over weight gain at around 20 km/h uphill. Dynamically, a bike well-designed to combat air resistance can therefore feel more airy and less sluggish than a lighter bike on the scales. This is the case with the new Aeroad CFR Di2, which weighs 7.250 kg without pedals or bottle cages in size S, or just over 7.5 kg fully equipped and ready to ride, but which fears no other bike in terms of performance, except perhaps in high mountains.

Overall, all the tubes of the new Aeroad are slightly more imposing than those of its predecessor, pushing the limits of UCI regulations. Their shape and volume have been optimized in key areas of the bike, namely the cockpit (we’ll come back to this), the head tube, the down tube, the seatstays, and the seat tube. This profile also has the effect of increasing the bike’s “sail” effect, a characteristic that manifests itself under certain crosswind conditions, when the tube profiles interact with the air like a wing and thus generate lift to gain even more speed. This is a known phenomenon with deep-section rims, and is made possible here, according to Canyon, on the Aeroad frame thanks to the height of the tubes.

Weight studied to the nearest gram

Among the brand’s objectives during the bike’s development was the need to save weight, in order to get as close as possible to the UCI limit of 6.8 kg with disc brakes, which corresponded to a demand from professional riders equipped by Canyon.

To do this, it was necessary to find the best compromise between aerodynamics and weight with the frame profile, by using very high modulus carbon fibers to design rigid and strong, but relatively thin tubes. Thus, the same CFR carbon chosen for the latest versions of the ultra-light Ultimate CFR was selected for this high-end version of the new Aeroad. Canyon claims to have gained 14% in stiffness and 95g on the frame compared to the previous version of the Aeroad CLX.

These carbon fibers also save 20g on the fork. 10g are also saved on the seatpost, despite it being wider than the previous one, thanks to an ingenious inverted L-shape design inside which also allows for a little more flex for comfort. The cockpit clamping system and the absence of a traditional expander save an additional 10g.

Finally, the housing of the Di2 junction box at the end of the handlebar eliminates the need for the previous box’s housing in the stem and the necessary reinforcements, which again allows for a saving of 37g, for a total saving of 168g on the complete frameset.

A custom cockpit, almost

This weight saving on the cockpit does not, however, compromise the innovative and integrated adjustment possibilities of this new Aeroad, whether in its CFR version or its slightly less high-end CLX version. This one-piece cockpit with a profiled upper section features a 20mm adjustable system on each side, allowing the handlebar width to be changed. It is thus possible to opt for a wider or narrower handlebar with three different positions (between 370 and 410mm center-to-center for a size S bike, for example) to favor either leverage for more grip when riding out of the saddle, or aerodynamics in the narrowest position. These two sliding parts, which can be adjusted quite easily with two screws on each side, also allow them to be detached from the central part, so that they can be folded to the sides and facilitate the transport of the bike (in a bag or box).

The other innovation concerns the head tube, which dispenses with a traditional steerer tube in favor of two parts that slide into each other, to facilitate the adjustment of the cockpit height. The 1 1/8″ diameter fork steerer tube thus fits into a 1 1/4″ tube attached to the stem. Clamping is achieved by a preload ring placed just below the base of the stem, with a screw and a sleeve that penetrate through a slot inside the system to ensure locking. This allows the cockpit height to be adjusted (up or down) without cutting the steerer tube, and possibly to revert to a previous setting depending on the circumstances. Ingenious, but not so practical in reality, because the screw and sleeve can fall to the bottom of the steerer tube during adjustment, as happened to us. And since cables and hoses also pass through the system, retrieving the screw requires a lot of patience, or else disassembling everything.

Revised geometry

To make the new Aeroad even more versatile than its predecessor, Canyon slightly revised the geometry to bring it closer to that of the Ultimate. This translates into a 9mm higher head tube on a size M frame, with a 5mm shorter reach.

When the Aeroad Disc first appeared in 2017, the brand was initially forced to lengthen the chainstays by 5mm to maintain a good chainline with this braking system, which requires a wider rear wheel spacing than rim brakes. Canyon believes this is no longer necessary today with the current generation of disc brake groupsets, which allows them to return to 410mm chainstays, identical to previous rim brake versions, to maintain the same lively feel of the bike, even though the Aeroad is now only offered with disc brakes.

The Aeroad is now only offered with disc brakes.

On the CFR and CF SLX versions, seven frame sizes are offered (from 2XS to 2XL), while the entry-level CF SL version (which does not benefit from the same level of front-end integration) sees a 3XS size added with 650b wheels for smaller riders.

In terms of comfort (everything is relative because we are talking about a racing bike), the Aeroad CFR tested here in size S seems generally a little smoother than the previous CLX, with good vibration filtering at all levels, whether on the front with a cockpit that maintains a certain lateral and longitudinal flexibility, or on the rear where the triangle never seems too firm under the buttocks. The seatpost filters correctly, as does the 28mm tire mounted at the rear, in accordance with DT Swiss recommendations on the new ARC 1100 Dicut wheels. A good point whatever the distance to be covered, and which makes the Aeroad more accessible than some of its direct competitors.

Versions offered

The Aeroad CFR is available with three high-end builds, and as a frameset with the seatpost and Aerocockpit. The Shimano and Sram models come standard with a power meter.

• Aeroad CFR Di2: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2, Shimano power meter, DT Swiss ARC 1100 Dicut 62 wheels, two colors: €7499
• Aeroad CFR eTap: Sram Red eTap AXS 12-speed, Quarq power meter, DT Swiss ARC 1100 Dicut 62 wheels, one color: €7999
• Aeroad CFR EPS: Campagnolo Super Record EPS 12-speed, Campagnolo Bora One 50 wheels, one color: €8999
• Aeroad CFR frameset, two colors: €4299

With the same technologies and SLX carbon fibers, the Aeroad CF SLX is available in two versions.

• Aeroad CF SLX 8 Di2: Shimano Ultegra Di2, DT Swiss ARC 1400 Dicut 62 wheels, three colors: €4999
• Aeroad CF SLX 8 eTap: Sram Force eTap AXS 12-speed, DT Swiss ARC 1400 Dicut 62 wheels, two colors: €5299

Finally, the Aeroad CF SL benefits from the new geometry and tube shapes, but without the integrated cockpit, retaining the old Aerocockpit. It is available in three versions.

• Aeroad CF SL 7: Shimano 105, Reynolds 58/62 wheels, two colors: €3299
• Aeroad CF SL 8: Shimano Ultegra, Reynolds 58/62 wheels, two colors: €3699
• Aeroad CF SL 8 WNM (women): Shimano Ultegra, Reynolds 58/62 wheels, one color: €3699

Fast and powerful

During the first few hundred meters on the bike, we were a little surprised by a slight sensation of flexibility with our hands on the drops. We find here the relative flexibility of light carbon handlebars, quite different from usual models with an airfoil shape on the upper part. The bike immediately feels quite fluid, and stands out for its excellent rolling qualities. When the first false flat and the first small climb, serving as a warm-up, are cleared, we can see on the bike computer that it quickly and easily picks up speed, and this in complete silence, without the slightest resonance or creaking noise. Only the wheels make themselves known during accelerations out of the saddle, with a characteristic sound of deep-section carbon rims.

The bike immediately feels quite fluid, and stands out for its excellent rolling qualities.

The power meter shows that the Aeroad CFR is particularly economical in maintaining a sustained average speed, without having to expend considerable energy. On the flat, it delivers a smooth feel under the pedal strokes that allows for a wide range of gearing. Unlike some bikes that can be considered more “demanding”, it does not require a high pedaling cadence to be dynamic and responsive, and allows you to cruise at 80 rpm without fear of hitting the frame’s stiffness at any point. Comfort is very good on poorly surfaced roads, which also allows you to conserve energy and maintain some control when taking risks on descents.

In the test bike’s configuration, the Aeroad is, of course, most effective on flat or moderately hilly terrain. It feels quite easy into a headwind, and especially super fast as soon as the wind blows from three-quarters. This is also evident when taking turns at the front with riding companions, where you notice that simply getting back into their slipstream produces a kind of extra suction compared to the bikes usually used.

We obviously cannot dissociate the DT Swiss ARC 1100 62mm wheels from the overall bike, and they seem to suit it perfectly. Nevertheless, their height and susceptibility to crosswinds require constant attention in terms of handling, especially for a lighter rider. During changes of direction or in certain descents with sharp turns, the bike can lack stability during changes of lean due to gusts of wind. With a weight of over 1600g, these wheels are also a little heavy on some climbs, when it is necessary to accelerate or when the gradient requires shifting to the small chainring.

During hard efforts lasting a few seconds, we feel a bit of inertia due to the weight of the wheels, and still that slight flex in the cockpit. Is it really a handicap? We can’t help but think of Mathieu Van der Poel’s punch on steep climbs with this bike, or Warren Barguil’s recent fourth place at the top of the formidable Mur de Huy in La Flèche Wallonne, to question our sensations. “It’s the best bike I’ve had as a professional, I find it more dynamic and faster than the previous Aeroad,” confides the French Arkea – Samsic rider, who only uses the Ultimate CFR in high mountains for weight reasons.

Aside from this specific use, and perhaps with a second pair of wheels for very windy days or courses with frequent accelerations, the new Aeroad seems to retain – and improve upon – the qualities of its predecessor: speed, efficiency, comfort, ease of use, ultimately offering great versatility for riders looking for a single bike capable of performing on all terrains.

The price of €7499 for this Aeroad CFR Di2 should be compared to equivalent models from competitors, which are generally €1500 to €5000 more expensive.

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