Former Giro d'Italia winner Denis Menchov returns to his Russian roots for the 2012 season after just a single year with the ill-fated Geox-TMC squad. His move to Katusha means he'll be competing on bikes from German company Canyon instead of his previous Fujis.
Menchov will likely have any number of Canyon's road and time trial bikes at his disposal this year but for now, his primary machine is the Aeroad CF – the same chassis that Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) rode to huge successes last season.
Canyon didn't design the Aeroad in the wind tunnel, instead focusing on building the frame with nominally aero tube profiles and minimizing frontal area. As compared to the company's more traditional Ultimate CF SLX, the Aeroad isn't as stiff either in torsion or at the drivetrain – particularly with the downsized 1-1/8 to 1-1/4in steerer instead of Canyon's usual OneOneFour fork – but it's still up to the task and clearly didn't seem to slow Gilbert down.
Canyon use a slightly narrower 1-1/8 to 1-1/4in steerer on the Aeroad CF (relative to the OneOneFour on most other models) to decrease frontal area
Frame weight is a touch heavier than the Ultimate CF SLX at just over 1,000g for Menchov's medium size – not an especially impressive number as compared to true lightweights but given the realities of the UCI's minimum weight rule, Katusha will still have no problem keeping Menchov's new bike right at that mark. Even with an SRM power meter, an SRM PowerControl 7 computer head, Elite bottle cages and Mavic Cosmic Carbone SLR training clinchers installed, weight is just 7.19kg (15.85lb), according to team officials.
Other key components include a Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 group and carbon bodied pedals, a Ritchey WCS aluminum semi-anatomic bar and forged aluminum stem, a Selle Italia Flite Team Edition saddle, an Acros integrated headset, and Canyon's own shock-absorbing VCLS carbon and basalt fiber aero-profile seatpost.
Menchov's biggest result came in 2009 when he won the Giro d'Italia but subsequent years have been less satisfying – he wasn't even able to contend last year's Tour de France as Geox-TMC didn't receive a wild card invitation. The Russian has publicly declared the Tour to be his main objective this year, however, so we can expect to see more of this Aeroad – along with Canyon's new time trial bike – later this season.
The seatpost clamp is neatly integrated into the Canyon Aeroad CF's shape. Team mechanics had better exercise care with those bolt torques, though
Complete bike specifications
- Frame: Canyon Aeroad CF, size M
- Fork: Canyon Aeroblade SL, 39mm rake
- Headset: Acros integrated, 1-1/8 to 1-1/4in
- Stem: Ritchey WCS 4-Axis 44, 13cm x -6°
- Handlebar: Ritchey WCS Curve, 44cm (c-c)
- Tape: Ritchey Pro Logic Cork
- Front brake: Shimano Dura-Ace BR-7900 w/ Mavic Exalith pads
- Rear brake: Shimano Dura-Ace BR-7900 w/ Mavic Exalith pads
- Brake levers: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 STI Dual Control ST-7970
- Front derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 FD-7970
- Rear derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 RD-7970
- Shift levers: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 STI Dual Control ST-7970
- Cassette: Shimano Dura-Ace CS-7900
- Chain: Shimano Dura-Ace CN-7900
- Crankset: SRM Wireless PowerMeter Dura-Ace 7900 Compatible, 172.5mm, 53/39t
- Bottom bracket: Shimano press-fit SM-BB91
- Pedals: Shimano Dura-Ace SPD-SL PD-7900
- Wheelset: Mavic Cosmic Carbone SLR clincher
- Front tire: Mavic Yksion GripLink, 700x23c
- Rear tire: Mavic Yksion GripLink, 700x23c
- Saddle: Selle Italia Flite Team Edition
- Seatpost: Canyon VCLS Aero Post
- Bottle cages: Elite Custom Race
- Computer: SRM PowerControl 7
- Other accessories: Canyon chain catcher
Critical measurements
- Rider's height: 1.78m (5ft 10in)
- Rider's weight: 67kg (148lb)
- Saddle height, from BB (c-t): 761mm
- Saddle setback: 75mm
- Seat tube length, c-t: 531mm
- Tip of saddle nose to C of bars (next to stem): 587mm
- Saddle-to-bar drop (vertical): 80mm
- Head tube length: 150mm
- Top tube length: 560mm (horizontal)
- Total bicycle weight: 7.19kg (15.85lb)