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Affordable alloy Canyon Inflite AL SLX & carbon CF SL ready for cyclocross training

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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

2019 Canyon Inflite AL SLX 6.0 Race

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

2019 Canyon Inflite CF SL frameset

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.

2019 Canyon Inflite CF SL 8.0 Team

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.

2019 Canyon Inflite CF SL 8.0

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.)

2019 Canyon Inflite CF SLX 9.0 Race

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….

Canyon.com

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Sean
Sean
5 years ago

There is no eTap 1x and there won’t be. No clutch on the rear der and that paperclip chain watcher won’t help much. Marketing hype, no patent filed and well, at least Photoshop out the shifter paddle on the left.

Crash Bandicoot
Crash Bandicoot
5 years ago
Reply to  Sean

Sorry but cant you already run etap in a 1x configuration? Heck I think it would be faster because the system would not have to check FD position prior to shifts. Also doubt that Eagle eTap clutched rear derailleur will not be able to work with eTap road shifters.

f*ingsteve
5 years ago
Reply to  Sean

eTap still needs both shift paddles even without a FD.

FFM
FFM
5 years ago
Reply to  Sean

There’s any number of ways 1x eTap could be a thing ranging from stronger OE cage springs just for Canyon to a soon-to-be-released actual clutch version. Unless you’re the guy at SRAM or Canyon, to make the blanket statement that “this isn’t a thing and won’t/can’t” is pretty foolish especially in the bike industry. Even if you are the guy at SRAM, rest assured that if you don’t make 1x, someone in Oregon or Colorado with a CNC in their garage will.

Jake
5 years ago
Reply to  Sean

The clutch doesn’t matter as much as you think. I know several people who made it through entire CX seasons with just a narrow wide chainring and a chainguide.

Dinger
Dinger
5 years ago
Reply to  Jake

Wout Van Aert seems to get around fine with 2x e-tap. Most of the euro WC CX racers still prefer 2x. If you need the clutch (I prefer it myself), run mechanical. Electronic shifting doesn’t get you anything in CX except more weight, cost, and batteries to babysit.

David Gray
5 years ago
Reply to  Dinger

Don’t forget, the eTap Eagle Prototype is out there, and with that we could see a eTap Red CX group in either 2x or 1x with the stronger Eagle inspired RD

Heffe
Heffe
5 years ago

That is a standard eTap derailleur, although 1X CX etap has already been seen out in the world and of course the off-road etap has all but been released.

Hamburger Harry
5 years ago

Ive run 1x eTap for 2 seasons and it works. All youneed to do if shorten the chain to maximize the spring tesnsion on the rear mech….l did rhe same with vampy 10s mechnical

Loki
Loki
5 years ago

To my taste that is one ugly frame, dressed in yellow and black just makes it worse. Looks reminiscent of the Allsop Softride …

Heffe
Heffe
5 years ago
Reply to  Loki

Yes the ugly stick has struck this frame hard… some have found that it rides well, though.

Sam
Sam
5 years ago

Anyone knows what the max tire clearance is on the AL SLX 6.0? Max 33 they say. But should get more then that I think.

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