As much as Canyon continues to develop all-new bikes like the XC Lux we saw earlier this year, the direct-to-consumer bike maker also keeps dropping more affordable, alternative material versions of their most popular premium bikes. The latest to get this treatment is the Aeroad now with a second lower spec CF SL carbon frameset under the top-level CF SLX models.
The Aeroad CF SL isn’t an isolated, affordable update. In the last year we saw Canyon drop an alloy version of their Inflite cyclocross bike, plus a more affordable CF SL carbon version there too, even an alloy version of the World Cup DH Sender. As recently as last week we also got a sneak peek as the upcoming aluminum version of their Grail gravel bike.
2019 Canyon Aeroad CF SL trickle down carbon aero bikes
Trickling down more affordable versions of existing carbon bikes can be a relatively logical step for a big company like Canyon. Working with the same external frame molds, Canyon just has to re-engineer a carbon layup using less costly materials. That’s not exceptionally easy, as they still have to end up with mostly the same stiffness in the revised construction, the only real penalty being typically 100-200g extra due to the lesser grade carbon.
Looking at the new CF SL version of the Aeroad vs. the previous CF SLX version, you’d be hard pressed to identify and difference besides the extra X on the toptube. That’s because from the outside the framesets are effectively identical, which means you’ll get all the aero performance of the original in the new, more affordable CF SL versions.
2019 Canyon Aeroad CF SL Disc affordable carbon aero road bikes
The new CF SL frame is available in a disc brake option if that’s what you’re after. For 2000€ you can pick up an electronic drivetrain ready frameset including frame, fork, headset, seatpost & aero cockpit (mechanical shift frames are only available as complete bikes.)
Starting at 3200€ you’ll find the Aeroad CF SL Disc 7.0 complete bike with a 105 groupset and Reynolds carbon wheels. Or up to $5000 / 4700€ you’ll find the Aeroad CF SL Disc 8.0 Di2 complete build with an electronic Ultegra Di2 drivetrain and DT Swiss ARC 1400 tubeless carbon wheels, even in a WMN women-specific build at that top-level too.
2019 Canyon Aeroad CF SL affordable carbon aero road bikes
Rim brakes are still an option for the Aeroad CF SL too. 2000€ will again get you a rim brake CF SL frameset with either mechanical or electronic shift routing, and here including frame, fork, headset, seatpost, aero cockpit, and a pair of Shimano Ultegra direct-mount rim brake calipers already installed.
Complete bikes are also available from the $3000 / 2700€ Aeroad CF SL 7.0 (or WMN) with 105, up to the 4200€ Aeroad CF SL 8.0 Di2 again with electronic Ultegra.
Canyon Aeroad CF SL availability vs. the Aeroad CF SLX
The question then remains, what benefit is there to buying the CF SLX versions, other than a hundred grams here or there? One reason may just be availability. In the US so far, it looks like only two CF SL complete bikes are available each in rim or disc brakes, and no frameset options.
Then, if you pay close attention globally there are actually some SLX versions that look to offer the lighter, stiffer frame for less money. For the most part that appears to be due to discounts on 2018 spec’ed bikes with different wheelsets. But it would pay to look closely at the build specs before you pull the trigger on a new carbon Aeroad.
