The Canyon Endurace CF SLX Disc 8.0 Di2 is one of the most sought after bikes of the season, and also won our endurance bike group test last year. Here you will find out how it scored against the high-profile competition and how it performed on the harsh Belgian pavé.
For an overview of the test fleet head to the main article: The best road bike for any weather and any season – 10 Endurance Bikes in Review
No other bike in this group test represents the “I just want to ride” sentiment as passionately as this € 4,999 carbon steed from the German direct sales brand. The sculpted yet discreet look is timeless and stylish at the same time, giving you the freedom to shine in extravagant jersey/bib combinations, especially in the stealth finish. Whereas the aggressive red-tone of our test bike screams self-confidence and is in balance with the overall slick shapes of the bike. Fully integrated features such as the H36-Aerocockpit or the integrated seat clamp make the Canyon look incredibly clean – impeccable execution without any compromises. Not only do the components look great, but are also functionally efficient. Unlike on the 3T or Specialized, the seat clamp does justice to its name: easy to access, holding up the saddle even on the roughest cobble and is hands-down the best solution we’ve come across in the whole test!
The stylish cockpit offers perfect ergonomics and the short bar drop makes for a comfortable sitting position when riding in the drops, even though the aerodynamic advantage is minimal. On the lower side of the stem lies the Di2 Junction box, nicely integrated but still easy to access. For all of those who like to play around with bar widths and stem lengths, integrated solutions can easily become an expensive nightmare.
Weighing in at 7.69 kg, our size large test bike accelerates very nicely. A Shimano Ultegra Di2 drivetrain makes shifting quick and effortless, even when the chain is under load. The combination of a semi compact chainset and a 11-32 T cassette is jaw-dropping on flats, even at a speed of 40 km/h there’s still plenty of gear length to push into the pedals. At the same time, the light gears will make even the toughest climbs feel less terrifying.
With a 73° head angle and a 73,5° seat angle, the geometry of the Endurace CF SLX Disc 8.0 Di2 doesn’t break into radical territory, leaving little room for surprises. Little saddle setback and an 110 mm stem make for a comfortably compact and centred riding position. When designing the seat tube and cockpit, Canyon has incorporated just the right amount of flex, resulting in a comfortable but direct riding feel. Each contact point of the bike offers enough comfort to still feel legs and feet even after a 240 km Brevet.
The high-volume, 28 mm wide Continental Grand Prix 4000S II tires grip very well, ironing out a big chunk of vibrations. On the wide and 41 mm deep Reynolds Assault LE Disc carbon rims the tires are free to unfold their full potential. A rim/tire combination that makes the Canyon feel agile and predictable even during quick direction changes. If you think the tires are still too narrow you can beef them up to 32 mm, thanks to disc brakes and loads of clearance.
The Canyon Endurace CF SLX Disc 8.0 Di2 in detail
Drivetrain Shimano Ultegra Di2
Wheelset Reynolds Assault LE DISC Carbon
Brakes Shimano BR-RS805
Tires Continental Grand Prix 4000 II
Weight 7.69 kg
Price € 4,999
Conclusion
A brilliant package: The Canyon is the perfect bike for those who don’t know where and how far their next ride will take them. Sexy, predictable and affordable – the Canyon Endurace CF SLX Disc 8.0 Di2 is our best value tip, offering an incredible performance and perfect concept!
Strengths
+ Price/performance ratio
+ Great overall performance
+ Love for detail
+ Comfort
Weaknesses
– Integrated Cockpit makes customising difficult
– Internal cable routing is noisy
For more info head to: bmc-switzerland.com
For an overview of the test fleet head to the main article: The best road bike for any weather and any season – 10 Endurance Bikes in Review
All bikes in test: 3T Exploro Team | BMC Roadmachine 01 | Focus Paralane Factory | Ridley X-Trail | ROSE Backroad-4400 | Specialized Roubaix Expert Di2 | Trek Domane SLR 10 RSL | OPEN U.P.P.E.R. | WHITE Wessex
This article belongs to the GRAN FONDO Issue #005. For the full interactive experience we recommend reading it in our magazine app for iPhone & iPad – it’s awesome – and free!
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Words: Benjamin Topf, Manuel Buck, Robin Schmitt Photos: Julian Mittelstädt
