Canyon Ultimate CF SLX thread

ReesA

Hi,

I am very strongly considering one of these (the 8.0) and as info seems to be spread out over many disparate threads and there are relatively few reviews (I know of the bikeradar and road.cc ones) I thought it might be good to start a thread to gather more information together in a single spot.

Could people post their Canyon thoughts and experiences? Are many people holding off for the 2013 frames? Based on the bikeradar TDF photos of the new frame it certainly looks interesting but seems like it will jack the price of the bike up by a few hundred £££. £2100 for the current bike seems great value which may come down when the 2013 frame goes on sale.

Looking forward to your thoughts. (photos would be great too!)

ShutUpLegs

Are they doing a cyclocross bike?

the_prophet

I'm guessing you mean the ultimate cf slx?

i've got a 9.0 pro, will get some pictures and some words up later on. Couldnt be happier with mine 8)

ReesA

the_prophet wrote:

I'm guessing you mean the ultimate cf slx?

Yep that is what I meant! Thanks for the heads up I edited the title of the thread.

blablablacksheep

i have SLX 8 and very impressed just getting used to the racy frame set-up atm, but it really is a light bike very much aprciated on the climbs:)

pictures ect will follow once i have time lol

the_prophet

Here's a few quick pictures of mine, apologies for the quality, photography is not my fortè...







spec is;

Full Campag Record
Mavic Krysrium SLR wheels
Ritchey WCS Bars / Stem

weights suppose to be around 6.3kg I think.

as said, couldnt be happier. super responsive and stiff when putting the power down, but so so comfy at the same time. Only had it a couple of months, but a few big rides done and its been faultless. Only thing i'm still getting used to is the Campag shifters, as i've always ridden shimano. Still tweaking the position, so spacers / stem height etc is changing.

EDIT - I really struggle with uploading images on b/r for some reason!!! sorry, just copy and paste and it should work.

gingermagician

Here you go...

Very nice btw 8)

the_prophet wrote:

Here's a few quick pictures of mine, apologies for the quality, photography is not my fortè...







spec is;

Full Campag Record
Mavic Krysrium SLR wheels
Ritchey WCS Bars / Stem

weights suppose to be around 6.3kg I think.

as said, couldnt be happier. super responsive and stiff when putting the power down, but so so comfy at the same time. Only had it a couple of months, but a few big rides done and its been faultless. Only thing i'm still getting used to is the Campag shifters, as i've always ridden shimano. Still tweaking the position, so spacers / stem height etc is changing.

EDIT - I really struggle with uploading images on b/r for some reason!!! sorry, just copy and paste and it should work.

ShutUpLegs

Loving those SLR's

ReesA

How is the frame sizing compared to what you were riding previously?

giant_man

Do like these Canyons, they just look so damn purposeful, very nice, how are stock levels at Canyon, does anyone know ...

baldwin471

giant man wrote:

Do like these Canyons, they just look so damn purposeful, very nice, how are stock levels at Canyon, does anyone know ...

Quite low i'd imagine. The 2013 range should be announced in the next couple of weeks.

the_prophet

not a million miles away, its a 58 I used to ride a large defy and I think its a better fit. going to experiment with a slightly longer stem but other than that, its very good. was based around looking at the geo chart and also using there frame size fit programme which can reportedly be a touch hit and miss.

gingermagician

giant man wrote:

Do like these Canyons, they just look so damn purposeful, very nice, how are stock levels at Canyon, does anyone know ...

They have a live availability checker on each product page for bikes.

Weighing up one of these or possibly a Rose Carbon Pro-RS at the moment - certainly pretty tempting, given the spec (though replacing components that get worn and/or damaged will be painful on the wallet with Dura-Ace...)

giant_man

they just seem so damn good vfm imo ...

bendertherobot

CF rather than SLX but same fork

ben16v

i`ve done a couple hundred miles on my slx 8.0 and must say its very comfortable - i think down to the seatpost and forks, but i can fell every pedal stroke when pushing or climbing.
my previous bike is a cube alu which i cant fault but this does feel that little bit more special
my frames are both 56 but the canyon is slightly larger but the bar seat measurements are pretty close - the pps worked pretty well although i did do a lot with the tape measure and a notepad with my cube and the spec sheets
anyway, any questions i`ll do my best to answer

hubba hubba

I'm waiting for the 2013 CF SLX. Partly because in the BR pics from the TDF the new frame looks incredible but mainly because I need to reach my weight loss goal!

James Huang's article says "Canyon will include the new frame in their mid-October website update, but the first deliveries won't be until the end of December 2012 or early January 2013".

tight_git

Well my stealth cf slx arrived today, it's partly assembled now and I will report back when the weather improves and I can get out on it. It's a 58cm btw and I'm not too far from the op - near Thirsk so if you're up this way and want a look give me a shout.

HTH

meesterbond

giant man wrote:

they just seem so damn good vfm imo ...

They are! I bought a Speedmax AL last year, totalled up the RRP price for the main bits (Groupset, chainset, wheels, shifters and bars etc) and it came to the cost of the bike.... frame and forks were effectively free!

stan1000

Here is a link to the 2013 Ultimate CF SLX preview article from July http://www.bikeradar.com/road/news/arti ... lx--34449/
It'll be interesting to see the price difference to the current frame, lets hope the GBP/Euro exchange rate stays favourable. 8)

giant_man

Do like these Canyons, they just look so damn purposeful, very nice, how are stock levels at Canyon, does anyone know ...

Gazzaputt

giant man wrote:

Do like these Canyons, they just look so damn purposeful, very nice, how are stock levels at Canyon, does anyone know ...

Just go to the website select the model you like and then use the 'check availability' .

ReesA

Tight Git wrote:

Well my stealth cf slx arrived today, it's partly assembled now and I will report back when the weather improves and I can get out on it. It's a 58cm btw and I'm not too far from the op - near Thirsk so if you're up this way and want a look give me a shout.

HTH

Brilliant I will PM you.

utherdoul

I have been looking at the Canyon for over 9 months, and have actually just ordered the 8.0 but am now having last minute doubts! It seems like the right time to buy what with all the good offers! Couple of questions though.
What are peoples thoughts on:

1) SLX 8.0 vs 9.0 - The £700 price difference for the two, but as the price difference between the two wheels sets (Krysium Elite vs R-SYS SL) is about £700 that seems fair. Any one got any thoughts on whether it is worth the upgrade for the 9.0 (or should I use the £700 for some Fulcrum Zeros or something similar)? I have just bent my rear Fulcrum 3 so if I get the 9.0 I will probably still have to buy some every day wheels.

2) Does anyone have any thoughts on compact vs standard? I ordered the standard, but am now wondering if I would be better with a compact? I just wondered if it would be easier to mess about with the cassette ratios rather than get a standard and not be able to get up any hills! I was out in the Alps this year on my Allez Double Compact and 12-25 and didn't have any issues / had enough gears, but wondering if I went again with a standard I might cry if I cant get up the hills!

All thoughts appreciated!

poynedexter

on the compact issue, i was racing last night on a caad8 compact and had enough gears for 34mph on the flat, and had a low enough gear for climbing in the mournes last week, but had 2 lower gears left, so it depends on your legs really. both will work and compact is safer.

i like the look of these canyons but am a bit confused with the different models. interms of a racing bike in carbon, what is the pecking order, or the range from bottom to top. they seem to be well spec'd at all levels, but are some more for sportive/comfort and others for racing? the web site is a bit too fancy in its descriptions.

poynedexter

oh i like the look of the cf slx 8.0. in white its pedalling porn!

gsk82

i love my 9.0 sl. its unbelievably light and rock solid.

i don't think theresmuch of a pecking order within the individual models ie 9.0 and 8.0. it seems to be more about offering campag/ shimano/ sram in each model. the website ranks the models though. the ulimate cf slx is above the ultimate cf etc

Gazzaputt

utherdoul wrote:

I have been looking at the Canyon for over 9 months, and have actually just ordered the 8.0 but am now having last minute doubts! It seems like the right time to buy what with all the good offers! Couple of questions though.
What are peoples thoughts on:

1) SLX 8.0 vs 9.0 - The £700 price difference for the two, but as the price difference between the two wheels sets (Krysium Elite vs R-SYS SL) is about £700 that seems fair. Any one got any thoughts on whether it is worth the upgrade for the 9.0 (or should I use the £700 for some Fulcrum Zeros or something similar)? I have just bent my rear Fulcrum 3 so if I get the 9.0 I will probably still have to buy some every day wheels.

2) Does anyone have any thoughts on compact vs standard? I ordered the standard, but am now wondering if I would be better with a compact? I just wondered if it would be easier to mess about with the cassette ratios rather than get a standard and not be able to get up any hills! I was out in the Alps this year on my Allez Double Compact and 12-25 and didn't have any issues / had enough gears, but wondering if I went again with a standard I might cry if I cant get up the hills!

All thoughts appreciated!

I run Elites on my Al and R-Sys on the CF.

R-Sys are well worth the extra. Really suit the stiffness of the bike and complement it's ride very well.

I changed this year to a compact and my legs have thanked me!

the_prophet

Gotta say, if i was ordering again i'd seriously consider getting a compact instead.

Don't get me wrong, the double has been fine so far, but the hills around me are all just about do able with a double, but there's nothing left for anything steeper. I need to get my little legs a bit stronger to cope before trips away next year i think .

MinardiM189

I visited the Canyon showroom in Koblenz on Friday to check out the Ultimate CF and CF SLX. The friendly & helpful staff took my measurements and input these into their sizing programme, the Canyon computer recommended a 58 or 56 size frame (I am 5'10" but with long legs), after test riding around the car park I settled on a 56 with 90mm stem.

While in the area (2.5hrs north by car) I stopped in at Rose BikeTown, which is very impressive. They took my measurements with a highly impressive sizing machine, this recommended a 57 frame (their system predicted my saddle height to within 3mm without even measuring my inside leg) , after test ride around the showroom I again decided that a shorter stem was necessary. The Rose salesman then offered a very good deal on a Rose Xeon CRS-3000 (good exchange rate, free bottle cages, discounted pedals, etc.). Rose also offer exchange on stems and saddles within 4 weeks of purchase, which I liked.

However at the end of the day I decided on a Canyon, the current sale makes certain models exceptional value for the specification offered.

My Ultimate CF SLX 8.0 stealth should be arriving the first week in September.

gsk82

i have the mavic r-sys sl wheels and they are stunning. i occasionally take the front one off just to feel how light it is. if you can spare the £700 and give your bike some stick i'd get them, nothing wrong with a bit of indulgence.