Canyon Aeroad CFR review in our 2025 road bike comparison test

Canyon Aeroad CFR is all about racing performance – and not just because it was developed in collaboration with former world champion Mathieu van der Poel. No, the whole bike is crafted precisely to meet the standards of pro riders and team mechanics. With so much world–champion DNA, it’s bound to shine in the review of our race bike comparison test, right?

The Aeroad is the ultimate race bike in Canyon’s portfolio: although the German manufacturer has another race-oriented bike in their stable, the Canyon Ultimate, all the pro riders choose the Aeroad, which is aerodynamically more efficient. In this Canyon Aeroad review, we see how Canyon focused on the smallest details with the Aeroad CFR.

For starters, the Aeroad is designed to be perfectly tuned for professional use, which means that it performs just as well on the cobbles of the Paris-Roubaix and the Belgian spring classics as it does in the scorching heat of the French Alps. It all sounds appealing, but can it impress the Rari Racing Club too?

The shape-shifter amongst race bikes?

With the Aeroad, Canyon offer an aero classic that few can rival. In this Canyon Aeroad CFR review, our test bike relies on the same proven aero concept, with a low head tube and downtube. Interestingly, Canyon continue to use a deep “aero” tail, while many modern manufacturers prioritise lightweight rear ends.

But the true highlight is hidden in the Aeroad’s cockpit. Like with other Canyon bikes, both the handlebar width and height can be adjusted without having to change the bars or cut the steerer tube. And with the Aeroad CFR, Canyon take it a step further: even the standard drops can be swapped for a dedicated aero version – without disconnecting the brake lines. This allows you to convert the bike from a tame all-rounder into a fierce racer in just a few steps.

Canyon also rely on a very robust headset. This relies on titanium inserts and specially sealed bearings, which are built to withstand the mud baths of spring classics and even power washers. Lastly, Canyon fitted small rubber feet on the fork ends to prevent scratches when the bike sits on the fork legs without the wheels.

As expected, all of this comes at an unbeatable price: for € 9,999, you’ll get Canyon’s ultimate racer delivered straight to your door. This makes it nearly € 2,500 cheaper than the average in this test.

Size	2XS	XS	S	M	L	XL	2XL
Top tube	516 mm	529 mm	546 mm	555 mm	569 mm	594 mm	609 mm
Seat tube	441 mm	471 mm	501 mm	531 mm	561 mm	591 mm	621 mm
Head tube	88 mm	107 mm	121 mm	142 mm	162 mm	188 mm	206 mm
Head angle	70°	71.2°	72.8°	73.25°	73.3°	73.5°	73.8°
Seat angle	73.5°	73.5°	73.5°	73.5°	73.5°	73.5°	73.5°
Chainstay	410 mm	410 mm	410 mm	410 mm	413 mm	415 mm	415 mm
BB Drop	70 mm	70 mm	70 mm	70 mm	70 mm	70 mm	70 mm
Wheelbase	975 mm	979 mm	982 mm	988 mm	1.003 mm	1.029 mm	1.042 mm
Reach	372 mm	378 mm	390 mm	393 mm	401 mm	419 mm	429 mm
Stack	498 mm	520 mm	539 mm	560 mm	580 mm	606 mm	624 mm

Rari Racing and high-end

Speed is everything for an aero bike like the Aeroad CFR, and the components are chosen to match the purpose. Canyon rely on a DT Swiss ARC 1100 Dicut wheelset with 50 mm rims. Surprisingly, they didn’t opt for the more aerodynamic version, which employs over 60 mm rims. According to Canyon, the frame itself is so aerodynamically efficient that the bike is actually faster than its predecessor, even with the lighter wheels.

The rims are paired with Continental GP 5000 S TR tires. True to their “speed-first” approach, they combine a 25 mm tire at the front and 28 mm tire at the rear, which aims to strike a good balance between minimal frontal area and optimal compliance. If you want slightly more compliance, you can fit wider tires, as the frame has clearance of up to 32 mm.

The aero cockpit is complemented with a Shimano’s DURA-ACE Di2 groupset, which relies on super ergonomic hoods, power metre cranks with a 52/36 chainset, an 11–30 cassette. In this Canyon Aeroad review, we found that this setup not only ensures silky-smooth shifting but also complements the bike’s high-end look. The finishing touch is the 3D-printed Selle Italia SLR Boost saddle, which has our test team singing its praises. With this top-tier spec, our Canyon Aeroad CFR test bike in size M tips the scales at 7.2 kg – a featherweight for an aero-focused bike.

Aero for the people – Canyon Aeroad CFR in review

Whether it’s the spring classics or a sprint stage at the Tour, Canyon pros are all about speed – but can the bike keep up? According to Canyon, that’s not a problem at all. But what was our experience in this test?
When accelerating, the Canyon Aeroad CFR transfers power directly and efficiently to the ground. The entire bike feels extremely composed, even in the narrowest 350 mm cockpit setting! Only when climbing does the bike feel a bit less agile, as its sprinter DNA starts to show. Still, at 7.2 kg, it can tackle any ascent – just not quite as nimbly as the more agile bikes from Specialized and Lapierre.

Is it the Rari or the Canyon Aeroad CFR that’s sparkling like that?

The geometry is uncompromisingly race-focused too, making it one of the sportiest bikes in the entire test field and a top performer in any race. Even under intense riding conditions, the Aeroad doesn’t disappoint; the intuitive handling ensures excellent composure and helps racers stay cool in even the most hectic scenarios. Alongside the BMC, it’s one of the most efficient bikes in the test field.

The same goes for cornering. Like the BMC, the Aeroad feels as if on rails at high speeds, though it lacks the extreme precision in handling. In our Canyon Aeroad review, we found that it requires slightly more input and pressure on the front wheel to carve around corners as quickly, which also makes it friendlier for less experienced riders.

In terms of compliance, the two bikes are very similar; both absorb minor vibrations without being comfort miracles. Instead, they provide the direct, unfiltered feedback that racers love. The Canyon’s ergonomics, however, are outstanding, with the highly praised cockpit and Selle Italia saddle providing excellent grip and control in all situations.

As a result, the Canyon Aeroad CFR in review is less versatile than some other bikes. Top speed and acceleration aren’t everything. While the Canyon can handle climbs, it’s noticeably slower than our test winner, the BMC Teammachine R 01, which relies on a similarly innovative aero design.

Tuning-Tipp: 30 mm wide tires for improved grip and compliance.

What race type is the Canyon Aeroad CFR made for?

Flat, fast, and hilly: it doesn’t really matter, as long as speed is the priority. The Canyon Aeroad CFR is built for racing and truly shines when things get fast. Whether it’s a final sprint or an attack on a climb, this bike is ready for anything, which is mainly down to the aero cockpit and aerodynamic efficiency. It only falls slightly behind on long, steep climbs, where it can’t quite keep up with the lightweight all-rounders in our test. But with its sprinting DNA and breakaway spirit, it really comes alive on descents. And it’s not just for experienced riders – the Aeroad is equally well-suited for beginners.

Conclusions from the Canyon Aeroad review

With the Aeroad CFR, Canyon offer an extremely high-quality bike at a very competitive price. But it’s not just the value for money that stands out – the bike’s efficiency, sprint capability, and beginner-friendliness make it one of the best race bikes in this test. Add in the versatility of the customisable cockpit and the Canyon engineering team’s attention to detail, and you’ll get a bike that only narrowly misses out on a “Best Buy” recommendation.

More info at www.canyon.com.

The test field

This bike was tested as part of the 2024 race bike comparison test – an overview of this comparison test and all other tested race bikes can be found here:

All bikes in review: BMC Teammachine R 01 | Canyon Aeroad CFR | Cervelo Soloist | Falkenjagd Aristos RSR | Lapierre Xelius DRS 9.0 | Specialized Tarmac SL8 | Trek Madone SLR 9 | Wilier Filante SLR

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Words: Calvin Zajac Photos: Jan Richter