Canyon Aeroad CF 7.0 SL (2013)
Affordable aero race bike from Canyon
Pros
- Aero frame
- Solid wheels
- Weight
Cons
- Online only
Review
Canyon are exclusively an online bike manufacturer. As a result of cutting out the middlemen (the wholesaler and the local bike shop), they can price their bikes very competitively and then ship them directly to you.
The Aeroad CF 7.0 SL uses the same frame as ridden by Team Katusha on the ProTour and, as the name suggests, is designed around lightweight aerodynamics. For a mid range road bike the complete weight of just over 7kg is impressive, add to this the aero factor and you have an immediately affordable true race bike.
Immediately apparent when you see the Aeroad is the oversize downtube, headtube and bottom bracket area, all designed to afford maximum stiffness for those big efforts. The entire frontal area has been minimized (see how the downtube morphs vertically to horizontally through its length) to provide the aerodynamic advantage. Canyon also incorporates Basalt fibres in their carbon fork and seattube to help with the compliance or comfort factor.
The value is obvious straight from the box. SRAM Force and Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheels perform their duties reliably and also help keep the weight down. Finish this off with cockpit components from Selle Italia and Ritchey and you have a race bike ready to go with barely a part to upgrade.
In fact the only downside I can see is that an online only bike may not be everyone's cup of tea. What do you do when there's no bike shop to complain to when things go wrong?
The Aeroad CF 7.0 SL is recommended for any would be bike racer on a budget. It is fast, agile and aero and with the incorporation of "compliance" technology in the fork and seatpost, it won't break you during a big day in the saddle.
The Canyon Aeroad CF 7.0 SL surely has to be one of the most versatile, well priced and beautifully spec'd bikes on the market. No longer do you need to make a decision between an aero road bike and a climbing bike. Weighing in at just over 7kg's and with an aero frame and wheels, the only decision you have to make is whether you destroy your mates in a sprint, or what muffin you'll have while you wait for them to finish the last climb of the day. Spec'd nicely with a SRAM Force groupset, Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheels and a Ritchey cockpit. Check out our specifications page for all the details.
