Cross is coming! Are you ready? Canyon has added two new framesets to their race-ready Inflite family with an all-new aluminum AL SLX version and a more affordable carbon CF SL frame option.
2019 Canyon Inflite AL SLX & CF SL cyclocross bikes
Last summer Canyon debuted their uniquely shaped cyclocross race bike the Inflite CF SLX with their top-level carbon layup, just before the start of the race season. Pro cross riders Pauline Ferrand-Prévot and Mathieu van der Poel then spent the season racing the new bikes and getting them properly muddy. Now with cyclocross season just over two months away, Canyon has two new, more affordable versions of the frame in both carbon and alloy ready to get your training underway.
Both new bikes share the identical race-ready ‘Cross Pro’ geometry found on last year’s Inflite CF SLX, with snappy 425mm chainstays, long frame reach, and short stems.
Both carbon and aluminum bikes also offer Canyon’s wide eight size range (XXXS-XXL) with the two smallest bikes getting 650b wheels to maintain optimal handling characteristics without toe overlap or other geometry compromises.
Canyon Inflite AL SLX 6.0 Race aluminum cross bike
The aluminum bike is probably the standout of the expanded Inflite range, if for no other reason than the affordable 1400€ pricetag of its one available build. With an Apex1 drivetrain, tubeless DT Swiss wheels & tubeless Schwalbe X-One tires, the alloy bike is priced within reach, yet still ready to race.
Tech Details
The aluminum bike shares a similar (but toned down) aesthetic as the other Inflites with its slightly kinked toptube, and even though it is shipped as a 1x drivetrain, it can be setup with a front derailleur or a high-mount chain retention device. The alloy frame gets the same flat mount discs, 12mm thru-axles, and modular internal cable routing as the top-end carbon bikes, and even shares the same full carbon 1.25″ fork as the more expensive models.
Most of the alloy Inflites are expected to ship out to customers between the middle and end of July which should be plenty of time to prep a pair of them for the debut of cross racing!
Canyon Inflite CF SL carbon cross bikes
The new more affordable carbon CF SL version of the Inflite looks just like the CF SLX bike debuted last summer, with the only difference being inside the carbon layup. That difference only amounts to 110g, with the new Inflite CF SL carbon cross frame still claiming a weight of just 1050g (medium) paired to the same 360g fork you would get on the more expensive model. The big benefit here may be the new availability of the Inflite CF SL as a full carbon frameset for just 1600€ letting you build up your own race weapon as you see fit.
As for complete builds, the Inflite CF SL is available with both Shimano double setups or SRAM 1x depending on your persuasion. The Inflite CF SL 8.0 Team with Ultegra Di2 will set you back 3600€ including a carbon Reynolds AR 41 wheelset and Canyon’s one-piece H31 carbon bar+stem combo. An Inflite CF SL 8.0 Race cuts the price back to 3000€ with Force CX1, and the same wheels & cockpit.
The base Inflite CF SL 8.0 sticks with mechanical Ultegra and DT Swiss’ latest alloy tubeless cross wheels for 2500€. And the Inflite CF SL 8.0 makes for a solid carbon bargain at 2000€ with those same DT wheels and a SRAM Rival1 groupset (just 400€ more for the complete build vs. buying the frame only.)
Most of the new CF SL carbon frames are available to order now with mid July availability as well. And you can always still opt for the 4600€ top-end Inflite CF SLX 9.0 Race with Reynolds Assault LE carbon wheels, and wait for it… SRAM Red eTap 1x?! Wait, what….
