Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) earned himself a top 10 finish at Paris-Roubaix aboard this Canyon Ultimate CF SLXJames Huang/Future Publishing
Canyon has long championed its extra-oversized 1 1/4in to 1 1/2in tapered head tube and continues to use it on the latest Ultimate CF SLX, which was introduced last year at the Tour de FranceJames Huang/Future Publishing
While Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) might not have been at the forefront of many people’s minds pre Paris-Roubaix 2013, those in the know were expecting him to nab a good resultJames Huang/Future Publishing
Shimano Dura-Ace 7900 mechanical levers are mounted high on double-wrapped Ritchey aluiminum handlebarsJames Huang/Future Publishing
Ritchey produces stems with 1 1/4in steerer clamp diameters specifically for CanyonJames Huang/Future Publishing
Canyon supposedly engineered the revamped Ultimate CF SLX from the outset to be compatible with higher-volume tires. Here, the 27mm-wide tubulars have little room to spare but they still fitJames Huang/Future Publishing
Katusha’s tires were labeled as Mavics but the tread design and casing construction suggest they’re more likely FMB Paris-Roubaix modelsJames Huang/Future Publishing
Canyon incorporates basalt fibers into its VCLS carbon fiber seatpost, which supposedly improves flexibility and shock absorptionJames Huang/Future Publishing
Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) used 53/46T chainrings for Paris-RoubaixJames Huang/Future Publishing
Like many Shimano-equipped riders at Paris-Roubaix, Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) passed over the fancier Dura-Ace Di2 group in favor of the previous-generation mechanical version. Several riders have suggested to us that the longer throws are more forgiving on the cobbles and the extreme vibration can sometimes confuse the Di2 brainJames Huang/Future Publishing
Canyon’s sandwich-type replaceable rear derailleur hanger should theoretically yield a stiffer connnection than plates that only bolt onto the dropout from one sideJames Huang/Future Publishing
Katusha team frames’ minimal paint leaves the woven surface layers exposed at the bottom bracket shellJames Huang/Future Publishing
Canyon favors rounded shapes and gradual transitions on its flagship Ultimate CF SLX frameJames Huang/Future Publishing
Canyon’s own chain catcher securely attaches to the water bottle bosses on the seat tube, making it unlikely to give way when it’s actually neededJames Huang/Future Publishing
If only the inner ring size has been changed from the usual 39T, then why bother changing the outer one too? Shimano positions the shift ramp and pin locations for specific ring combinations so matched sets will shift betterJames Huang/Future Publishing
Cables are internally routed on Canyon’s latest Ultimate CF SLX – but, unfortunately, the system isn’t convertible between mechanical and electronic drivetrains, so if Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) decides to switch he’ll need a whole new frameJames Huang/Future Publishing
Unusually long stems are commonplace at this level of the sportJames Huang/Future Publishing
Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) uses the cutout version of Selle Italia’s SLR Team Edition saddleJames Huang/Future Publishing
The tall collar surrounds the seatpost with more even pressure, which should theoretically provide a firmer holdJames Huang/Future Publishing
The slim seat stays feature a simple, nominally round shape throughout their shape. The previous incarnation of the Ultimate CF SLX proved to be remarkably comfortable and we don’t expect Canyon to have taken any steps backwards hereJames Huang/Future Publishing
If you were looking for justification for using a Shimano Ultegra chain instead of a Dura-Ace one, here you go. If it’s good enough to be raced at Paris-Roubaix…James Huang/Future Publishing
Alexander Kristoff’s (Katusha) bike was equipped with Mavic’s wide-profile M40 carbon tubulars when we caught up with it at the team hotel the day before the race. He switched to the Mavic Cosmic Carbone Ultimate with its textured Exalith aluminum sidewalls for better braking, despite the fact that it rides firmer than the M40James Huang/Future Publishing
Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) earned himself a top 10 finish at Paris-Roubaix aboard this Canyon Ultimate CF SLXJames Huang/Future Publishing
The podium of this year’s Paris-Roubaix was occupied by so-called ‘endurance’ bikes. But Katusha’s Alexander Kristoff scored a well-earned ninth place aboard the recently redesigned Canyon Ultimate CF SLX road racer, with just a few minor equipment changes to survive the pavé.
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Canyon team liaison manager Andreas Walzer said the frameset was designed from the outset to accommodate the higher-volume tires required for Paris-Roubaix’s notorious cobbles. Indeed, Kristoff’s Mavic-badged FMB Paris-Roubaix tubulars fit through the frame and fork as promised, albeit without much (if any) room to spare.
As an added bonus, the standard head tube length also meant Kristoff didn’t have to go to any extreme measures to achieve his desired position, although it’s only in these rarified circles that a 140mm-long stem can be considered commonplace.
When we arrived at the team hotel for photographs the day before the race, Kristoff had his tires mounted to Mavic’s M40, wide-profile carbon tubular wheels, which won Paris-Roubaix under Johan Vansummeren in 2011.
Kristoff switched to Cosmic Carbone SLR wheels on Sunday, though, sacrificing the supposedly smoother ride and lighter weight of the M40’s bulbous all-carbon rims for the surer braking performance of the SLR’s textured Exalith aluminum sidewalls.
Additional pavé-induced equipment choices included two layers of Ritchey handlebar tape, flatland-friendly 53/46T matched Shimano Dura-Ace 7900 chainrings, and aluminum Elite Ciussi bottle cages.
Canyon incorporates basalt fibers into its vcls carbon fiber seatpost, which supposedly improves flexibility and shock absorption:James Huang/Future Publishing
Basalt fibers in the VCLS carbon seatpost should improve flex and shock absorption
Otherwise, Kristoff’s machine is essentially the same as when the overhauled Canyon Ultimate CF SLX frame was first presented to the public at the 2012 Tour de France. The latest model retains the predecessor’s nominally roundish tube shapes, gradual transitions, and ultra-oversized 1 1/4in to 1 1/2in tapered front end, but with more refinement that brings the claimed weight down to under 800g.
The previous model was remarkably comfortable out back, and judging by appearances we – and surely Kristoff – are hoping Canyon has continued that trend this time around.
Cable routing is newly internal and, like many Shimano-equipped riders at this year’s Paris-Roubaix, Kristoff opted for the company’s previous-generation Dura-Ace 7900 group.
Like many shimano-equipped riders at paris-roubaix, alexander kristoff (katusha) passed over the fancier dura-ace di2 group in favor of the previous-generation mechanical version. several riders have suggested to us that the longer throws are more forgiving on the cobbles and the extreme vibration can sometimes confuse the di2 brain:James Huang/Future Publishing
Kristoff passed over Dura-Ace Di2 in favor of the previous-gen mechanical version
According to several riders and teams we’ve spoken to, the shift levers’ longer throws are less likely to unintentionally change gears when pinballing across the pavé. Should Kristoff decide to switch to the new Di2 setup, his mechanics will have to build a whole new bike – the routing isn’t convertible. We doubt Kristoff troubled himself with such minutiae during Sunday’s grueling slog across the cobbled countryside, though.
Total weight as pictured is a light-for-Roubaix 7.25kg (15.98lb).
Complete bike specification
Frame: Canyon Ultimate CF SLX, size medium
Fork: Canyon OneOneFour SLX
Headset: Acros integrated, 1 1/4in to 1 1/2in tapered
Stem: Ritchey WCS 4-Axis for Canyon, 140mm x -6 degrees
Handlebar: Ritchey WCS Logic Curve, 42cm (c-c)
Tape/grips: Ritchey cork, double wrapped
Brakes: Shimano Dura-Ace BR-7900 w/ SwissStop Yellow King carbon-specific pads for Mavic
Brake levers: Shimano Dura-Ace STI Dual Control ST-7900
Derailleurs: Shimano Dura-Ace FD-7900
Shift levers: Shimano Dura-Ace STI Dual Control ST-7900
