Canyon gave its aero road platform a thorough overall for this yearJames Huang / Immediate Media
Whereas the original Canyon Aeroad uses nominally teardrop cross-sections throughout, the new Aeroad CF SLX uses truncated profiles that are supposedly more efficient at a wider range of wind anglesJames Huang / Immediate Media
Instead of mounting the rear brake down by the bottom bracket, Canyon elected to stick with the more conventional location and direct air around the caliperJames Huang / Immediate Media
The steerer tube is bigger than before but narrower bearings maintain a trim outer profileJames Huang / Immediate Media
Canyon equips the Aeroad CF SLX frame with press-fit bottom bracket cupsJames Huang / Immediate Media
The chainstays are broad and tall to help keep the rear end rigidJames Huang / Immediate Media
Even the seatpost and integrated cockpit get the squared-off treatmentJames Huang / Immediate Media
The included Aerocockpit CF is one of the most striking aspects of the bike. Unlike many aero handlebars, this one is actually quite comfortable to holdJames Huang / Immediate Media
Canyon includes matching profiled headset spacers so as to maintain the profile all the way down to the top tubeJames Huang / Immediate Media
Housing and wire routing through the integrated cockpit is impressively tidy – although there’s no obvious way to use an out-front Garmin computer mountJames Huang / Immediate Media
The D-shaped seatpost is held in place with a hidden binderJames Huang / Immediate Media
The deep drops and supplemental sprint shifters suit the bike’s aggressive natureJames Huang / Immediate Media
The Mavic wheel and tyre combo feel fast in a straight line but the sharply pointed trailing edge and flat sides can be hard to manage in strong crosswinds. The rim’s 13mm internal width is also disappointingly narrowJames Huang / Immediate Media
As with other experiences with this variation of Shimano Dura-Ace direct-mount calipers, brake performance is outstanding with excellent lever feelJames Huang / Immediate Media
Canyon specs mid-compact 52/36T chainrings on the Aeroad CF SLX 9.0 SLJames Huang / Immediate Media
A Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 9070 electronic transmission promises consistent and fast shift performanceJames Huang / Immediate Media
Mavic’s second-generation Exalith 2 sidewall treatment is far less noisy than the original but does offer excellent braking performance, particularly in the wetJames Huang / Immediate Media
The Shimano Di2 wire enters the frame through the same port as the rear brake housingJames Huang / Immediate Media
Canyon claims that its Aerocockpit CF saves 5.5 watts over a conventional setupJames Huang / Immediate Media
The Aerocockpit CF is particularly striking from this angleJames Huang / Immediate Media