Test Canyon Aeroad CF SLX 7 Disc eTap

The Canyon Aeroad in this version launched at the end of 2020 is largely reconnaked as a fast and versatile bike, offered as always by the German brand at an ultra competitive price. The Aeroad CF SLX 7 Disc eTap is no exception, offering 12 speeds, wireless electronic transmission, an integrated cockpit and carbon wheels. For less than €5000.

By Guillaume Judas – Photos: ©Vincent Lyky

The Canyon Aeroad comes in three versions, with different types of carbon fiber. The Aeroad CFR is the frame used today by professional riders from the Alpecin-Deceuninck and Movistar teams at the highest level in the world, on almost every terrain by a champion like Mathieu van der Poel for example. Of course, the winner of Milan-Sanremo and Paris-Roubaix this season uses a slightly modified Aeroad that prefigures the next version of this successful model, but In principle, this bike with its aerodynamic tubes is designed to go almost anywhere.

=> SEE AS ​​WELL : Test from Canyon Aeroad CFR

After this very high-end model, we then find the Aeroad CF SLX with a frame that is barely less light, announced at around 990 g, which remains a great performance considering the size and shape of the tubes designed to cut through the air, and especially the complete integration of the brake sheaths or hoses. The range extends from €4999 with the model testand here, up to €6499. Then we find the Aeroad CF SL, with a frame with a slightly higher mass, and less integrated.

The CF SLX 7 Disc eTap is therefore assembled from a very good level frameset, a Sram Rival AXS wireless electronic groupset (the entry level at Sram in 12 speeds), the same integrated cockpit as on the very high-end versions of the Aeroad and the Ultimate, and very well-made DT Swiss carbon wheels, which are among the most efficient on the market for dealing with the wind. The machine comes in at 8,03 kg without pedals in size XS, with a groupset and wheels that are far from the lightest on the market. Overall performance, considering the price of the bike, is remarkable from Canyon.

Aero bikes are attractive in more ways than one, especially when you're looking for performance. However, they suffer from several characteristics that can be complicated to manage on a daily basis for the average cyclist, such as excessive rigidity and reduced comfort, aggressive geometry, excessive weight that is a handicap for less athletic cyclists and integration that can make maintenance and transport complex.

Despite its heavily profiled and oversized tubes, the Aeroad SLX overcomes some of these drawbacks, notably thanks to a frame whose weight is not excessive, at less than a kg. It is also offered with a pilot positiontagand in particular, with in addition to total integration, easy adjustments in terms of its height and width. The Canyon Aeroad and Ultimate bikes from the SLX range level onwards are today the only ones on the market to offer a three-part cockpit, whose two side bars can open to fold along the head tube, in order to facilitate the transport of the bike in a transport bag or in the trunk of a car for example. These two bars can then be secured to the central part by adjusting the width, from 390 to 430 mm axle/axle. This ingenious system that we discovered on the occasion of the release of the Aeroad CFR in 2020 has now been reinforced, for greater rigidity and reliability.

In terms of geometry, this Aeroad takes up the one that was already applied on the Ultimate, to offer a pilot positiontagand less extreme than its predecessor, especially in terms of length and distance between the saddle and the handlebars. The angles at the front and rear also promote a posture focused not on pure endurance, but at least on long-distance efforts. The head tube remains responsive enough not to require mover's shoulders when dancing, and stable enough so that the bike does not become too demanding to ride in crosswinds.

The precise tube shapes were designed in part in conjunction with the DT Swiss ARC DiCut wheels with a 62mm rear and 50mm front rim depth, and 28mm rear and 25mm front tires. These wheels are often cited as some of the most aerodynamically efficient on the market, and here they are felt. perfectly in line with the frame, even in terms of the overall handling of the bike, despite their pronounced profile. Note that Canyon never makes misplaced savings on tires. The Aeroad CF SLX 7 eTap is fitted with the very good Continental Grand Prix STR Tubeless Ready. They are supplied with the bike with two differentiated sections, to promote aerodynamics at the front, and comfort and traction at the rear, and with entry-level inner tubes. By switching the tires to tubeless with a preventative liquid, it is still possible to save a good hundred grams on the total bike.

The Sram Rival AXS groupset is the entry-level group for the American equipment manufacturer, but only its materials and higher weight distinguish it from the much more expensive Force and Red groupsets. The transmission has the same features, and it is almost impossible to tell the difference in use in terms of speed of gear changes and braking efficiency with the more upscale models. The Aeroad also comes with a Quarq power meter integrated into the Rival crankset, which is a great performance at this price point.. Despite this slightly heavy groupset, wheels that are not the lightest in the DT Swiss ARC range and Tubeless supplied with inner tubes, the Aeroad CF SL7 7 eTap comes in at 8,03 kg without pedals in size XS, a weight that can still be found on machines sold up to €2000 more expensive.

=> SEE AS ​​WELL : Test from the Sram Rival AXS group

Accessible efficiency

On route, the Aeroad SLX is perfectly at home in many areas. It shows itself particularly effective on flat and hilly terrain, largely rigid enough to respond to frank accelerations without loss of efficiency or to tackle climbs, and relatively comfortable to accumulate the kilometers without excessive fatigue.

Without being able to judge its real aerodynamic efficiency, we can still see that it demonstratesvery good positive inertia once it gets going, saving quite a few watts when trying to maintain a high cruising speed on long stretches. On descents, it is precise and reassuring, while taking advantage of the good absorption of vibrations from the entire chassis to always remain in contact with the asphalt, which avoids unpleasant rebounds even on routes with a degraded coating. On sprints, it shows excellent responsiveness, and its pilot positiontage shows no weakness with the hands down on the handlebars, as was the case with the previous version of the cockpit.

The bike certainly marks time on the steepest climbs, beyond 8%, where it becomes a little clumsy, because of the stiffness of its wheels and its overall weight. Likewise, it can become a little demanding at low speed, in town and in the middle of traffic, when you have to chain together frequent restarts starting from a very reduced speed. The weight, here again, slightly handicaps it compared to more high-end bikes that are displayed at more than a kg less, and which turn out to be a little sharper. But we are nitpicking. Because The Aeroad remains generally very balanced and surprises with its handling for a bike of this caliber. 

The Aeroad in SLX version therefore confirms that Canyon's aero bike is one of the most versatile on the market, and that it is not aimed only at the most athletic and experienced riders. Equipped with the Sram Rival AXS group, it does not reach the heights in terms of price either, and that is rather good news for those who are not the most fortunate. As such, it is not always useful to pay more and more to afford a machine that is both efficient and accessible.

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