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Canyon aero road price drops with new 2019 Aeroad CF SL frame option

2019 Canyon Aeroad CF SL affordable carbon race-ready trickle down carbon aero bikes
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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

2019 Canyon Aeroad CF SL affordable carbon race-ready 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

2019 Canyon Aeroad CF SL affordable carbon race-ready trickle down carbon aero 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.)

2019 Canyon Aeroad CF SL affordable carbon race-ready trickle down carbon aero 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

2019 Canyon Aeroad CF SL affordable carbon race-ready trickle down carbon aero 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.

2019 Canyon Aeroad CF SL affordable carbon race-ready trickle down carbon aero bikes

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.

Canyon.com

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29 Comments
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Jamie
Jamie
5 years ago

What is the weight od the new frames:
Aeroad CF SL
Ultimate CF SL
?????

B
B
5 years ago

Nice bikes but it’s too bad nothing ever seems to be in stock.

Bazz
Bazz
5 years ago

Can you sit on the top tube of this version without A) cracking it and B) voiding the warranty?

Andrew
Andrew
5 years ago
Reply to  Bazz

Almost every manufacturer will say that you shouldn’t sit on the toptube…. and why would you. Its designed for handling the loads required of riding the bike…and last I checked, everyone seems to be in a race to the bottom for frame weights, so its not like they want to overbuild it for people that are too lazy to stand or side on the saddle that’s 30cm away and designed for that function.

Bazz
Bazz
5 years ago
Reply to  Andrew

So you don’t lean up against your bike at a cafe stop, putting weight on the top tube. OK.

But for the rest of that do, be warned, the SL has had top tube cracking issues and as long as you don’t say you say on the top tube they will warranty it.

Crash Bandicoot
Crash Bandicoot
5 years ago
Reply to  Andrew

C’mon what a load of crap this is a moderately heavy aero bike not some WW special project almost 100% of road cyclists I’ve ever seen sit on their top tubes.

sunburned
sunburned
5 years ago
Reply to  Bazz

I have a 2018 Aeroad SLX disc. I’m 205 lbs and have been sitting on the top tube while standing over the bike and sideways for a full year. Nothing has cracked or broken.

Bewer
Bewer
5 years ago

Depends on your weight ;-))

boom
boom
5 years ago

Too bad it’s only for electronic drivetrains. Nice try Canyon, but try harder next time

Gillis
Gillis
5 years ago
Reply to  boom

I think you need to read the copy more thoroughly: “2000€ will again get you a rim brake CF SL frameset with either mechanical or electronic shift routing…”

Hard to say for sure, but it looks like maybe the disc frameset is only available in electronic, but they do offer a 105/disc version.

boom
boom
5 years ago
Reply to  Gillis

Yes, the disc is the only one that I care about. Which is electronic only:

“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.”

mumble
mumble
5 years ago
Reply to  boom

And the main leading image to the article is a CF SL Disc with mechanical/hydro 105… Also they state: “Starting at 3200€ you’ll find the Aeroad CF SL Disc 7.0 complete bike with a 105 groupset and Reynolds carbon wheels.”

Don’t know if they just left out the bit about a mechanical frame, or if its only available in the complete build, not the frameset alone, but there is most definitely a disc brake mechanical drivetrain version.

Bob
Bob
5 years ago
Reply to  boom

electronic drive train “ready” does not mean “exclusive”. the very first pic is of a bike with discs and a mechanical 105 group set.

reading comprehension is clearly not your friend.

record11
record11
5 years ago
Reply to  Bob

Dremel. Lets go back to the 80’s will “Drillium”. What could go wrong. Fact is, most of the guys who have 14lbs rides have 42lbs of gut….

Robin
Robin
5 years ago
Reply to  record11

Sure, if by “fact” you mean completely fabricated assertions based completely on personal bias and completely absent any objectivity at all.

record11
record11
5 years ago
Reply to  Robin

Fact and Most are entirely appropriate. Met “that guy” just today at a bike shop getting his new Envy wheelset.

Mark
Mark
5 years ago
Reply to  record11

The plural of “anecdote” is not “data”

Robin
Robin
5 years ago
Reply to  Mark

Exactly, Mark.

blahblahblah
blahblahblah
5 years ago
Reply to  Robin

this ai all a bit confusing

Fred Gravelly
Fred Gravelly
5 years ago
Reply to  boom

Why do you absolutely need discs on an aero road bike?

Ettore
Ettore
5 years ago
Reply to  Fred Gravelly

Because they also climb and descend faster, unless you’re on an extreme gradient.

Gillis
Gillis
5 years ago

Will this fit 28c tires? Spec on their website only shows an odd (to me) 23c front/25c rear.

zipp23
zipp23
5 years ago
Reply to  Gillis

28c on an aero bike??

DRC
DRC
5 years ago
Reply to  Gillis

I’ve been riding 32c tires on the stock Reynolds wheels on my Aeroad Disc for about 6 months. Many group rides, a few races, and some gravel. No damage.

Gillis
Gillis
5 years ago
Reply to  DRC

I contacted Canyon and this was the response:

Thank you for your email and interest in Canyon!
With our Aeroad, we do not recommend a tire size greater than 25mm.
This allows a minimum of 3mm of clearance between tire and frame.
Please let us know if we may provide additional information.

All the best,

Sean

Service Center | Canyon Bicycles USA Inc.

seb
seb
5 years ago

2014 design though…

DRC
DRC
5 years ago

I’m confused here. The SL is a lower model frame than the previous SLX? So why is the 2019 Aeroad SL disc Di2 $300 more expensive than the 2018 Aeroad SLX disc Di2? The only other difference I can see is the DT Swiss wheels on the 2019 instead of Reynolds, is the wheel price difference that high?

Joe Bond
Joe Bond
5 years ago

For a company from West Germany, their inventory in the US is more like they’re from East Germany

Mike on a Bike
Mike on a Bike
5 years ago
Reply to  Joe Bond

It’s mostly due to a combination of shipping costs and warehouse space. A mail order bike company has to keep inventory in a warehouse and have a staff available to facilitate shipments. My guess is that Canyon ships only enough of each bike available on their website to their warehouse to meet projected initial demand and then restocks as orders are made.

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