{"id":7052,"date":"2019-03-31T20:45:30","date_gmt":"2019-03-31T18:45:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sparkbikereview.com\/?p=7052"},"modified":"2019-12-23T12:03:31","modified_gmt":"2019-12-23T10:03:31","slug":"canyon-aeroad-cf-slx-9-0-di2-review-the-fast-german","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sparkbikereview.com\/canyon-aeroad-cf-slx-9-0-di2-review-the-fast-german\/","title":{"rendered":"Canyon AEROAD CF SLX 9.0 DI2 Review \u2013 The Fast German"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It\u2019s very seldom that we use the word the \u2018fast<\/em>\u2019 in a review title. I mean, generally speaking, how fast a bike is; is a matter of perspective.  And since every perspective is unique, its often difficult to remain objective, and not to succumb to a bike, like the Aeroad\u2019s, seductive stance. However, we came to the conclusion that no matter what perspective you have; whether you\u2019re staring it head-on or piloting it along with your cheeks blown back, every buyer of this bike will agree that it\u2019s on another level of speed and aesthetics all together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019ll take\nphysicists some time to figure out which level, but in the meantime the bike\u2019s\nGerman creators have superseded, or should I say \u201csuper-speeded\u201d all concepts\nof bicycle design. They\u2019ve pulled together their knowledge from endurance road\nbikes, and dedicated studies into aerodynamics, to build the Aeroad. It\u2019s\ndifferent in its riding abilities, because it has been designed differently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This Canyon\nAeroad CF SLX Disc 9.0 Di2 model, is a bike that\u2019s not only meant for aero\naspirations in racing format, but one that has great agility as a low-down\nall-round road bike. It impressed us, and then impressed us some more. And\nevery time we\u2019d hear that ping of a new personal best on Strava. So as you can\nimagine we\u2019re super stoked to share our thoughts on this blur of a bike. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Frame:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Aeroad\nCF SLX frame has unmissable diamond glare, with regards to its aesthetics. The\ncherry pepper red colouring is also a nice touch, however a black colour is\nalso available. With a carbon fibre construction, Canyon has engineered the\nframe to contain massive amounts of stiffness in the downtube, bottom-bracket\nand head-tube. Germany\u2019s finest, have even taken the liberty in measuring the\namount of stiffness, and then have used it as a key selling point for the\nAeroad. 100 Nm of force in the head-tube, and 70 Nm of force in the\nbottom-bracket. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Applying all that stiffness to a 980-gram frame, was certainly no child\u2019s play. But this is Canyon that we are talking about here, and with this brand anything seems to be possible. Even flat disc brake calliper mounts on the frame, which neatens up the air flow around the tubes of the frame. Speaking of aerodynamics, Canyon have also pieced this bike together with a wing-shaped carbon dropper handlebars, and sharp aero seat-post. That all, once again, have great levels of stiffness thanks to the brand\u2019s unique carbon lay-up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Drivetrain:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Shimano\nDi2 DuraAce 2×11 drivetrain deserves its time in the spotlight. We had\nabsolutely no complaints about this gear setup, and electronic shifting integration.\nThe bike\u2019s rear derailleur has been made with a carbon fibre cage for\nlightweight purposes, while being operated and directed by a small, bite-size,\nmotor. The motor obviously gets its command from the electronic shifters up\nabove. Which in fact feel like buttons that you\u2019re clicking whenever you shift\ngears. In terms of battery life; we never had to charge it for the entire\nduration of our test. (Which was about 14 days) So it lasts pretty long, and\nthe battery itself is tucked away, under the stem part of the handlebar, in a\ngroove in the carbon construction. Electronic shifting as experienced on this\nmodel of the Canyon Aeroad, is quick and effortless. Definitely the future of\nbicycle drivetrains!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      Wheels:    <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      The air-slicing,\ndiscs, responsible for keeping the bike rolling fast, are none-other than Mavic\u2019s\nComete PRO Carbon wheelset. It\u2019s rim shape has been carefully crafted to mimic\nthat of a proper aerofoil. This shape has also had its perks in terms of stiffness,\nalong with its 26mm outer rim width. Another major feature on the wheels, were\nthe 25mm Mavic Yksion. Which in can save the day on long rides thanks to it\nbeing tubeless ready. Then to give an idea of just how much these fast-boys\nweight, we put it on a scale and clocked in at 1650grams for the entire set. That\u2019s\nexcluding the cassette though. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      The Ride:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      The art of\ndesigning and building a road bike is making sure it can climb well, and not\nfeel like a limp noodle. In fact, this art is something Canyon have sketched\nquite well, as the Aeroad handled even the steepest of climbs, elegantly. It\ndefinitely impressed us considering the bike is designed to be aero in all\naspects, yet hasn\u2019t thrown in the towel in terms climbing agility. This\nresponsiveness inevitably comes as a result of the bike\u2019s 73-degree head angle.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      Round about\nnow you\u2019re probably wondering how the bike performed on flat sections of the\ntarmac. At least 70% of the time on these sections we rode in heavy Cape Town\nwind. And to keep things simple, the Aeroad wasn\u2019t swayed whatsoever. In its\nwing-like design, the handlebars also played a massive role in the fight\nagainst the wind. It\u2019s all cutting edge really! There wasn\u2019t one thing that we\nwould have changed on the bike\u2019s aerodynamic side. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      Descends\nwere the best place to get low on the bike\u2019s dropper bars, and honestly we felt\nlike we could take on a sports car and come off as the best! With smiles all\nthe way, the Aeroad drifted weightlessly downwards, while smoothly flowing\naround U bends along the path to the nearest coffee station. Only tapping the\neffortless hydraulic brakes when they were needed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Verdict: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      The ride was truly magnificent! The tech was flawless! The speed was remarkable. We believe the Germans responsible for the Aeroad deserve a fair round of applause. At USD 6239 you\u2019ve got to ask yourself whether you\u2019re just paying for flipp\u2019n good road bike looks with the Aeroad CF SLX 9.0 DI2?! Well, technically no! You\u2019re paying for flipp\u2019n good aerodynamics, with a scent of long-enduring rider support. Matching the bike up to other in its category, its stands out as a work of art. And one that allows you to reflect upon the truth of road biking at an astronomical speed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      Price: USD 6,239 – Canyon AEROAD CF SLX 9.0 DI2<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n