Alexander Kristoff’s Canyon Aeroad CF SLX proved to be the winning bike last year at Flanders. Could it win again in 2016?Ben Delaney / Immedaite Media
SRAM Red eTap wireless shifting is still pretty hard to lay hands on, unless you just happen to race at the top professional levelBen Delaney / Immedaite Media
SRAM Red eTap has interchangeable batteries for the derailleursBen Delaney / Immedaite Media
This is Kristoff’s third bikeBen Delaney / Immedaite Media
As his third bike, this Aeroad lacks the Quarq power meter of his primary race bike. Also, it has standard SRAM rings unlike the blacked-out rings on his race bikeBen Delaney / Immedaite Media
For the cobbled hills of the Tour of Flanders, even the strongest riders often opt for an 11-28t cassetteBen Delaney / Immedaite Media
Canyon’s integrated bar/stemBen Delaney / Our Media
The front end of the cockpit lives up to framset’s nameBen Delaney / Immedaite Media
Shimano Dura-Ace direct-mount calipers are used for a simple reason: SRAM doesn’t yet this style of brake that the frame requiresBen Delaney / Immedaite Media
Continetnal Competition tubulars are a popular choice in the pro pelotonBen Delaney / Immedaite Media
SwissStop pads do the job on the Zipp 303 wheelsBen Delaney / Immedaite Media
The Aeroad fork’s aero lines are most noticeable with the fork turnedBen Delaney / Immedaite Media
Look Keo Max 3 Carbon pedalsBen Delaney / Immedaite Media
SRAM has its own chain catcherBen Delaney / Immedaite Media
Team Katusha’s Alexander Kristoff won the 2015 Tour of Flanders aboard a Canyon Aeroad CF SLX, and the Norwegian is eager to do exactly that this year, too. For the 2016 edition of Belgium’s biggest race, Kristoff and his Russian team are again on the German aero bikes, but this time with SRAM’s new wireless shifting group instead of last year’s Shimano Dura-Ace Di2.
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Other significant equipment changes for the 2016 season include a move to Zipp 303 wheels and Continental tubulars (from Mavic and Mavic-branded Veloflex), Look pedals (from Shimano) and Quarq (from SRM).
Despite the change from Shimano to SRAM, Shimano direct-mount calipers (unbranded) remain, for a simple reason: SRAM doesn’t yet make direct-mount brakes, which the Canyon frame requires.
Shimano dura-ace direct-mount calipers are used for a simple reason: sram doesn’t yet this style of brake that the frame requires: shimano dura-ace direct-mount calipers are used for a simple reason: sram doesn’t yet this style of brake that the frame requires
The Aeroad frameset necessitates direct-mount calipers, which team sponsor SRAM doesn’t yet make
BikeRadar was given access to Kristoff’s third bike. Each of the three are identical in terms of geometry, and most of the parts. Notable differences are the absence of the Quarq power meter on this bike, different Elite bottle cages, and stock SRAM chainrings on this bike — Kristoff’s primary bike is equipped with blacked-out chainrings.
For complete and live coverage of the Tour of Flanders, be sure to check out Cyclingnews.com.
SRAM red etap wireless shifting is still pretty hard to lay hands on, unless you just happen to race at the top professional level: sram red etap wireless shifting is still pretty hard to lay hands on, unless you just happen to race at the top professional level
Complete bike specifications
Frameset: Canyon Aeroad CF SLX
Stem/handlebar: Canyon Aerocockpit CF, 130mm x 41cm
Front brake caliper: Shimano Dura-Ace Direct Mount
Rear brakecaliper: Shimano Dura-Ace Direct Mount
Front derailleur: SRAM eTap
Rear derailleur: SRAM eTap
Shift levers: SRAM eTap
Cassette: SRAM 1170, 11-28T
Chain: SRAM Red22
Power meter/crankset: SRAM Red 22, 53/39T [Quarq with blacked-out rings on race bike; no power meter on third bike shown here)
Pedals: Look Keo 2 Max Carbon
Front wheel: Zipp 303
Read wheel: Zipp 303
Front tubular: Continental Competition Pro LTD, 25mm
Rear tubular: Continental Competition Pro LTD, 25mm
Ben Delaney is a journalist with more than two decades of experience writing for and editing some of the biggest publications in cycling. Having studied journalism at the University of New Mexico, Ben has worked for Bicycle Retailer & Industry News, VeloNews and BikeRadar. He has also previously worked as Global Brand Communications Manager for Specialized. Ben covers all things road and gravel, and can be found logging big miles in the Rocky Mountains that nestle alongside his home in Boulder, Colorado. He has covered the most important bike races in the sport, from the Tour de France and Tour of Flanders, to the Unbound gravel race, and specialises in tech content, showcasing what the pros are riding and putting everyday equipment through its paces.
