{"id":63774,"date":"2024-05-18T17:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-18T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ad005b51-86a9-40d6-bf4e-63b254b3cb64"},"modified":"2024-05-18T17:59:40","modified_gmt":"2024-05-18T15:59:40","slug":"canyon-ultimate-cf-sl-8-aero-review-race-bike-of-the-year-contender","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/canyon-ultimate-cf-sl-8-aero-review-race-bike-of-the-year-contender\/","title":{"rendered":"Canyon Ultimate CF SL 8 Aero review | Race Bike of the Year contender"},"content":{"rendered":"

A budget powerhouse? <\/p>

By Simon von Bromley\n <\/p>

Published: Saturday, 18 May 2024 at 15:00 PM<\/p>

\n\n
<\/div>

Canyon\u2019s Ultimate CF SL platform offers a value-driven take on the German brand\u2019s popular all-rounder road racing bike.<\/p>

With the Ultimate range pitched as delivering \u201cthe perfect balance\u201d of low weight, stiffness, durability and aerodynamics, Canyon says this third-tier Ultimate uses a carbon fibre<\/a> layup that prioritises toughness and value.<\/p>

At \u00a34,799 \/ \u20ac4,999 \/ AU$7,649, it also undercuts many similarly-specced rivals significantly.<\/p>

In use, the Ultimate CF SL 8 Aero impresses as a highly competent all-rounder, feeling fast and engaging.<\/p>

The only notable downside is that the proprietary integrated cockpit limits adjustability significantly. For many riders, this may not be an issue, however, it\u2019s worth ensuring you\u2019re happy with what\u2019s on offer before you buy.<\/p><\/div><\/div>

Canyon Ultimate CF SL 8 Aero frame<\/h2>
The frame shape is identical to the top-flight Ultimate CFR. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

In terms of shape, the Ultimate CF SL frameset is identical to the range-topping Ultimate CFR<\/a>.<\/p>

Developed in partnership with Swiss Side (which provides aerodynamic expertise, performance consulting and race simulation<\/a> tools for numerous brands and professional teams), Canyon claims this fifth generation Ultimate is 5 watts more efficient at 45kph compared to its predecessor<\/a>.<\/p>

The frameset retains a familiar silhouette, but the truncated aerofoil shapes have been sharpened and elongated, while a D-shaped seatpost has been added in place of a round one.<\/p>

\"Canyon
Our test bike weighs 7.83kg. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Up front, the Ultimate CF SL 8 Aero adopts Canyon\u2019s sleek and adjustable CP0018 Aerocockpit, which first debuted on the Aeroad CFR<\/a> \u2013 Canyon\u2019s aero road bike<\/a> \u2013 in 2020.<\/p>

Canyon claims a size medium Ultimate CF SL frame weighs 1,062.4g. Our test bike (also a size medium) weighs a competitive 7.83kg, including two composite bottle cages supplied by Canyon.<\/p>

As you might expect for a direct-to-consumer brand such as Canyon, though, the major selling point of the Ultimate CF SL range is arguably the value proposition.<\/p>

\"Canyon
Canyon Ultimate CF SL 8 Aero – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

The \u00a34,799 \/ \u20ac4,999 \/ AU$7,649 asking price is notably lower than similarly specced road bikes<\/a> from rival brands.<\/p>

Specialized\u2019s Tarmac SL8 Pro (which uses the American brand\u2019s second-tier Fact 10r carbon fibre layup), for example, costs \u00a38,000 \/ $8,500 \/ \u20ac8,500 for a build with SRAM Force AXS<\/a> or Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8100<\/a>.<\/p>

It\u2019s also a decent chunk cheaper than the Focus Izalco Max 9.8, which costs \u00a36,599 \/ \u20ac6,799, although it\u2019s worth noting its frameset uses the top-spec carbon blend Focus offers.<\/p><\/div><\/div>

Canyon Ultimate CF SL 8 Aero geometry<\/h2>
\"Angled
The geometry has been tweaked to bring it in line with the Aeroad. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

While the frameset shares a similar appearance with its predecessors, this latest version of the Ultimate saw a few geometry tweaks to bring it in line with the Aeroad.<\/p>

The changes are subtle, though, with stack and reach figures only changing by a few millimetres.<\/p>

Reach, for example, has been increased by just 2mm on my size medium test bike to 393mm. However, the stack is now 7mm lower on a size medium at 560mm.<\/p>

For comparison, the Focus Izalco Max is a little taller and longer with 571mm of stack and 399mm of reach in a size L\/56.<\/p>

\"Canyon
The Aerocockpit is the only front-end option for this frameset. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

The Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro, meanwhile, is closer with a stack height of 565mm and 393mm of reach in a size 56cm.<\/p>

The Ultimate’s ride position is classically long and low, as you\u2019d expect of a racing bike. Given this, it\u2019s worth noting the handlebar stack height can only be increased by up to 15mm using headset spacers, due to the quill stem-style system.<\/p>

Likewise, the size medium Ultimate CF SL gets a 100mm stem paired with a 410mm (centre to centre) handlebar, which can be adjusted by 20mm to offer a 390mm or 430mm bar width.<\/p>

Unfortunately, Canyon doesn\u2019t offer a choice of stem length or handlebar width at the point of purchase.<\/p>

\"Canyon
The bike has a 50mm-deep front wheel. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

It\u2019s also worth noting the Canyon CP0018 Aerocockpit is the only front-end option for this frameset, due to the proprietary fork steerer and stem design. This means you can\u2019t swap in a standard stem and bar as you can on many other bikes.<\/p>

Canyon has previously said you can purchase the CP0018 Aerocockpit in alternative sizes. But it isn\u2019t clear how much this would cost or what sizes are available, as Canyon doesn\u2019t list the CP0018 Aerocockpit as a spare part on its website.<\/p>

For people in the middle of the fit bell curve for each size, this likely won\u2019t pose any major issues \u2013 you can still adjust reach by moving the saddle fore or aft, after all. <\/p>

However, it’s less ideal for those at the margins or who are fussy about their bike fit<\/a>.<\/p>

<\/colgroup>
\ufeff<\/th>3XS<\/th>2XS<\/th>XS<\/th>S<\/th>M<\/th>L<\/th>XL<\/th>2XL<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Seat tube angle<\/b> (degrees)<\/td>73.5<\/td>73.5<\/td>73.5<\/td>73.5<\/td>73.5<\/td>73.5<\/td>73.5<\/td>73.5<\/td> <\/tr>
Head tube angle<\/b> (degrees)<\/td>70.2<\/td>71.5<\/td>71.2<\/td>72.8<\/td>73.25<\/td>73.3<\/td>73.5<\/td>73.8<\/td> <\/tr>
Chainstay<\/b> (mm)<\/td>405<\/td>405<\/td>410<\/td>410<\/td>410<\/td>413<\/td>415<\/td>415<\/td> <\/tr>
Seat tube<\/b> (mm)<\/td>390<\/td>420<\/td>450<\/td>480<\/td>510<\/td>540<\/td>570<\/td>600<\/td> <\/tr>
Top tube<\/b> (mm)<\/td>497<\/td>516<\/td>529<\/td>546<\/td>555<\/td>569<\/td>594<\/td>610<\/td> <\/tr>
Head tube<\/b> (mm)<\/td>104<\/td>115<\/td>107<\/td>121<\/td>142<\/td>162<\/td>188<\/td>206<\/td> <\/tr>
Bottom bracket drop<\/b> (mm)<\/td>60<\/td>60<\/td>73<\/td>73<\/td>73<\/td>73<\/td>73<\/td>73<\/td> <\/tr>
Wheelbase<\/b> (mm)<\/td>958<\/td>965<\/td>979<\/td>983<\/td>987<\/td>1.004<\/td>1.029<\/td>1.042<\/td> <\/tr>
Standover<\/b> (mm)<\/td>697<\/td>720<\/td>748<\/td>775<\/td>801<\/td>828<\/td>851<\/td>874<\/td> <\/tr>
Stack<\/b> (mm)<\/td>483<\/td>498<\/td>520<\/td>539<\/td>560<\/td>580<\/td>606<\/td>624<\/td> <\/tr>
Reach<\/b> (mm)<\/td>358<\/td>372<\/td>378<\/td>390<\/td>393<\/td>401<\/td>419<\/td>429<\/td> <\/tr> <\/tbody> <\/table>