Canyon’s new Aeroad bike uses a unique Aerocockpit bar & stem combo that delivers more adjustability than any other integrated cockpit solution we’ve ever seen. As top road bikes move towards completely internal cable routing, Canyon’s direct-to-consumer business model meant they couldn’t just ship out a bunch of premium aero road bikes that only a professional mechanic could set up.
So they went back to the drawing board – even taking inspiration from quill stems of old – to develop an easy-to-use Aerocockpit that offered both no-cut stem height and bar width adjustment!
Canyon Aerocockpit, 3-piece adjustable height & width cockpit
It isn’t often that a new pro-level bike debuts, and the first thing we think is… “wow, that’s a pretty cool handlebar”.
But the all-new carbon Canyon CP0018 Aerocockpit on the latest Aeroad is truly a unique approach to the concept of a “one-piece” integrated aerodynamic bar and stem combination.
In fact, half of what makes the new Aerocockpit unique is that it isn’t one-piece, but rather three – featuring detachable ‘cockpit wings’ that allow the rider to change the width of their bars by 40mm whenever they feel the need. And the other is a nesting threadless carbon quill stem that allows for 15mm of height adjustability, without needing to cut the fork’s carbon steerer tube.
How does bar width adjustment work?
By simply starting with what seems like a regular integrated bar & stem combo, the new CP18 Aerocockpit essentially cuts off the bar just where you would finish off your bar tape wrap. Then, it gets a set of tops & drops that slide into the central section of the handlebar (into what would be the extended clamping area of a conventional bar.)
Underneath, a pair of bolts on each side secure the bar in place through holes in the extension ‘cockpit wings’ in one of three positions: -10mm, 0mm & +10mm on either side. This gives three bar width options of +/- 20m from the standard middle position or a max variance of 40mm in bar width (ignoring the possibility of setting one side wider than the other, which could actually help riders with arm length differences.)
Beyond the ability to just adjust your bike fit, the removable wings that made it easier for Canyon to box the Aeroad for delivery, also mean travel with the bike is easier too. Simply loosen the four bolts under the bar, and the two cockpit wings can be folded down for more compact travel, without even needing to remove the bar from the steerer tube.
How does stem height adjustment work?
The 15mm of height adjustability of the Aerocockpit works by getting rid of the convention of cutting the carbon steerer tube to length, using a expander inside of the steerer to tension the headset bearings, and a clamp on the outside of the stem that presses against the upper section of the steerer.
Instead, the 3-piece integrated carbon cockpit has a quill-like extension that extends down through the upper headset bearing. Then a clamping screw, presses a fork insert just against the front way of the fork’s steerer. This allows more opportunity for the ‘stem’ to move up and down on the steerer tube, without needing to cut it.
The result, you can add a 5mm, 10mm or 15mm stack of open spacers under the stem to change your bar height without needing to cut the steerer or adjust the internal cabling.
Canyon CP0018 Aerocockpit – Availability
For now, you will need to buy a new Canyon Aeroad to get the newest Aerocockpit. But as much as it looks like a completely proprietary system, the new integrated cockpit appears to work with a conventional 1 1/8″ upper steerer tube, and the outer diameter of the cockpit’s carbon quill is a standard 1 1/4″ meaning it works with semi-standard upper headset bearings – like those in the old Aeroad. The fork steerer drilling and fork clamping insert are obviously unique, but there’s plenty of reasoning to think that Canyon could make this available on their other bikes in the future. (You simply need a frame with a 1.25″ upper headset bearing and a tapered fork with a 1.125″ diameter.)
If it does become available separately… How much will it cost? That also is unclear. But Canyon’s top H36 Aerocockpit already sells for 400€, so we wouldn’t be surprised to see this more adjustable one selling at a good bit more than that.
Want the complete details on the all-new, more aero Canyon Aeroad? Read about it here. Then check out the full spec & pricing breakdown of all CF SL, CF SLX & CFR models to see which get the new CP18 Aerocockpit here.
