With the recent addition of the new Endurace platform which goes from a top-end 5300€ carbon CF SLX model all the way down to aluminum AL versions priced as low as 850€ sharing the same geometry and ride concept, Canyon felt like it was overlapping a bit with their entry-level aluminum road bike, so they have given the Roadlite a breath of new life. The racier Roadlite AL range has now dropped the drop bars to become a fast moving flat bar fitness machine.
Now exclusively available with disc brakes and road compact gearing, the aluminum framed Roadlite series offers a quick and light ride for either getting around town and staying in shape or getting out for some longer rides. And with light builds and full Shimano drivetrains the new bike won’t hurt the budget. Check out the details after the break…
Starting with a quick handling 73° head angle and 73.5° seattube, the Roadlite is no slouch on the road. But by bringing the rider position more upright with the move to a 600mm wide flat bar, riders get a good balance of quick steering for a fast ride but a more comfortable position on the bike and the added security of a wider flat handlebar and easy to reach brakes for those who are less comfortable riding in the drops.
The combination hopes to give newer or less experienced riders the feeling of performance of a Canyon road bike in a more relaxed position on the bike. The fitness bike still delivers some solid performance, and in fact with the Shimano drivetrains and Shimano hydraulic disc brakes they offer a lot of bang for your buck. Each of the bikes gets full internal routing, tapered forks, and thin seatstays that claim to tune out some buzz. Plus the alloy frame gets rear rack mounts and together with the carbon steerer fork has fender mounts front and rear.
The top of the revamped range is the Roadlite AL 7.0 at 1300€ with a claimed weight of just 8.5kg/18.7lb. It gets a full Ultegra 2×11 drivetrain with a 11-32 cassette, matched with Acera-level M396 hydraulic disc brakes that are essentially the same as the last generation of Deore brakes. Add in a set of DT Swiss R24 wheels that can be set up tubeless, and a set of the excellent 28mm Continental Grand Prix 4000S tires for a great all-around value. It even gets Canyon’s split leaf spring, shock absorbing VCLS carbon seatpost, Ergon GP2 grips, and VP flat pedals.
Next up is the 1000€ Roadlite AL 6.0 that comes in both standard and women-specific versions with generally the same spec. The get a full 11 speed 105 compact drivetrain again with a hill-friendly 11-32 cassette and the same Acera hydraulic disc brakes. Wheels go to Mavic’s Crossone with 28mm Continental Grand Prix 4000s on the regular bike and SL tires on the women’s version. Claimed weights are still reasonable at around 9.3kg/20.5lb.
The entry Roadlite AL 5.0 also comes in both standard and women’s versions, each for just 800€. They swap in an all alloy fork and Tiagra 10 speed drivetrain to get the cost down, as well as an Altus-level hydraulic brakeset. The still get road compact chainsets, but actually go to a wider range 10 speed 11-34 cassette. Wheels and tires are the same, again with smaller wheels and fatter tires for the two smallest women-specific sizes.
The standard aluminum Roadlite AL bikes come in a 6 frame size range from XS-XL, all with 700c wheels. The women’s Roadlite AL WMN bikes come in just a 4 size range adding an XXS up to a M. The women’s XXS & XS use 650B wheels and swap in Schwalbe 35mm Kojak tires in place of the Contis.
Most of the standard bikes are in stock and available now direct from Canyon, although some sizes are already awaiting restock at the end of July, or as far out as mid-September for some of the sizes at the extremes. Availability in the women’s sizes is more spotty, with most not expected in stock until the end of July through mid August.
