Feedback for Canyon Ultimate SLX Disc sizing

ericbayarea

Hey all, first post here. Figured I'd inquire to the European masses as we are just now getting Canyon's in the US. I'm looking at a Canyon Ultimate CF SLX Disc and of course, I'm in-between sizes.

Some considerations:
-The Canyon fit guide puts me on a M but if I drop a few cm here or there, it puts me on a S.
-I ride a Cannondale Evo size 56 with a zero-offset seat post, seat slammed back and a 110mm stem (though I do feel a bit stretched)
-I recently test rode a Cannondale Evo size 54 with standard offset seat post and a 110mm stem and that felt pretty good
-The Canyon Ultimate in M comes with a 100mm stem (sounds right for me) whereas size S comes with a 90mm stem (sounds short for me)

My measurements (cm)
-Height: 179
-Inseam: 82.6
-Trunk: 62.9
-Arm: 66.7
-Sternal Notch: 148
-Torso: 65.5

I'm not overly flexible. Typically ride a couple 32km rides during the week with one 90-120km on the weekend. One or two 160km annually. Spirited club rider with a few races per year.

Canyon US does NOT trade their stem/bar cockpit and I would need to purchase a new one if I want to change stem length.

If you are similar to me, would like to hear your feedback. Cheers!

sloppyschleckonds

M

.

.

mallorcajeff

Yep medium all day long

ericbayarea

2 endorsements on M - thanks!

Any other thoughts feel free to let me know. Canyon US has been pretty responsive and have a good pulse in their inventory, when new bikes are arriving, etc. Silver lining of bikes not built here is that they’re either in stock or in transit with a known delivery date.

Couple weeks out from Ultimates in Gran Turismo Blue arriving - the color I want!

sloppyschleckonds

ericbayarea wrote:

Couple weeks out from Ultimates in Gran Turismo Blue arriving - the color I want!

Good choice, looks even better in real life

ericbayarea

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

Good choice, looks even better in real life

Glad to hear it. I've scoured the internet for photos and they're not easy to come by. Looks magnificent.

If you've got one post a pic - will be good to see a real-world example (vs photo shoot versions)

ericbayarea

I had an appointment today at my LBS. The fit specialist suggested I hold a "bike finder" session using their Guru Fit system (http://www.gurucycling.com/academy/) and allow him to go through the Canyon Ultimate in S and M and dial in my ideal size based on fit. This is a computer-controlled pneumatic bike that allows micro adjustments by 1mm+ on the fly.

Best 45 min I've spent. We started with my ideal seat hight and setback. Then he introduced the frame geometry and we adjusted spacers accordingly. We simulated changing stem length as well. We then dialed in an ideal S and an ideal M and spent a few min on each and switched back and forth - all without stopping pedaling.

After all was said an done, the M with 100mm stem with 35mm of "spacers" (distance includes headset cap height) felt a bit stretched out compared to the S with 90mm stem with 25mm "spacers."

I think i'm going to go with the S, which I couldn't have guessed beforehand.

dstev55

179cm tall on a size small?

Doesn't sound right to me. I know you had a bike fit of sorts but I'd be very wary of getting a bike too small. It may feel ok sat back in the saddle on the hoods but what about in the drops or out of the saddle? I'm a similar size to you and had a bike that was too small for me (and that was a medium instead of a large!) And although it was ok I felt cramped in the drops and occasionally hit my knees on the bars when out of the saddle, especially when climbing.

ericbayarea

Thanks for the feedback.

I'd say I'm more 178.5 (previously converted from inches and rounded). I did do some spinning in the drops and my knees did not touch the bars. I too was concerned with knees hitting while out of the saddle. The fit guy raised the trainer on a 15-degree incline and I stood holding the hoods for a few minutes. My knees didn't hit the handlebars but they were noticeably closer than the setup with a M. One thing that may positively impact this is that the cranks were set to 170s as they are when sold with a S (M has 172.5).

However, I just now realized that the handlebars we were using were 410, which are those sold with the M. The S actually comes with 390... hm... I'll try to get back to the shop and see about throwing on some 390 with the desired geometry (they can just recall it from memory which is very nice).

ericbayarea

Cleared up the handlebar question. Canyon's "390" are measured from inside-at-hoods to inside-at-hoods and equate to a "400" when measured hood-to-hood (center) as is the case with traditional bars. I was using a bar on the test bike which is the same as my personal bar: 400 from hood-to-hood (center) and 420 from drop-to-drop (center). So no change there.

I'm grappling with this fit too because I can't rack my mind around why a S/54 feels better with a 90mm stem with 25mm spacers... as compared to a M/56 with 100mm stem at 35mm spacers. But if the fit is accurate, which I think it is, the M/56 does put a minor yet noticeable strain on my lower back and shoulders... something i've noticed lately with my current 56.

ericbayarea

[deleted duplicate]

drexel1975

Not the disc but a 2018 Canyon Ultimate SLX 8.0 Di2 in Gran Turismo Blue

https://www.dropbox.com/s/7asyy7gjqi6muk8/IMG_0099.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/i7lef68ey1j9rjy/PD3MK5ldTM%2BDqxMAlQxlxA.jpg?dl=0

Definitely better looking in the flesh than in photos. When the sun is on the bike it looks immense.
I'm 5' 7" or 170cm in metric and went for the XS which I wasn't sure about but it felt great.

ericbayarea

After putting about 100 miles on my re-configured 56 Evo I realize I didn't like the '54' feeling and been having pains. I've since reset my saddle height, set-back and raised my stem slightly. Will likely put original stem (10cm longer) back on.

I pre-maturely ordered the Ultimate in size S because after the first ride on the re-configured bike it felt good... Ultimate arrived in 2 days, I put it together and tried to set up my desired dimensions. Seat post was just about maxed out and the drop to the handlebars was a big red flag - this size wasn't going to work.

Note to self: When asking for advice, take it!

I called Canyon today, they emailed me a return label and sent out a new bike in size M. Should get it by weeks end.

@drexel1975: The Gran Turismo Blue is SO much nicer in person!

ericbayarea

Just as a follow up, after receiving the M Ultimate SLX Disc, I LOVE it. Tweaking height and set-back of the seat after each ride but in general it's phenomenal. I should have listened to feedback and my gut and go with a size M to begin with. And the Gran Turismo Blue color is even nicer in person.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/8q6y818zoceormi/CanyonUltimate.jpg

dstev55

ericbayarea wrote:

Just as a follow up, after receiving the M Ultimate SLX Disc, I LOVE it. Tweaking height and set-back of the seat after each ride but in general it's phenomenal. I should have listened to feedback and my gut and go with a size M to begin with. And the Gran Turismo Blue color is even nicer in person.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/8q6y818zoceormi/CanyonUltimate.jpg

Looks stunning!

jasperdeman

ericbayarea wrote:

Just as a follow up, after receiving the M Ultimate SLX Disc, I LOVE it. Tweaking height and set-back of the seat after each ride but in general it's phenomenal. I should have listened to feedback and my gut and go with a size M to begin with. And the Gran Turismo Blue color is even nicer in person.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/8q6y818zoceormi/CanyonUltimate.jpg

Hey Eric, thanks for the follow ups. I saw your measurements in your opening post, and I'm super close to your measurements. And also looking at the Ultimate.

Could you tell me your current saddle height and how much spacers you have?

And maybe to much to ask, but I'll try anyway: can you measure the current "reach" and "stack" to the top of the handlebars (rather than the stack/reach of the frame).

ericbayarea

jasperdeman wrote:

Could you tell me your current saddle height and how much spacers you have?

And maybe to much to ask, but I'll try anyway: can you measure the current "reach" and "stack" to the top of the handlebars (rather than the stack/reach of the frame).

I kept a journal as I made small adjustments here and there. I settled on these measurements about two months ago and haven't changed it since:

-Saddle Height (BB to saddle): 76.5cm
-Saddle Setback (BB to saddle nose): 9cm i]note: I'm using a Specialized Power Arc saddle, which is a "short" nosed saddle[/i
-Reach (BB to center handlebar): 47.5cm - i]note: Because my SLX has the integrated stem/bar this measurement can't be adjusted without changing out the stem/bar or raising/lowering the bar[/i
-Handlebar drop from seat nose: 8cm

As far as stack goes, I didn't measure that. I measured drop from seat nose as compared to my previous bike and ended up leaving all the provided spacers because that stack height measured as close as possible to my pervious Cannondale Evo (while using less spacers on the Evo, as it turns out).

If I could I'd bring in the handlebars 0.5cm while leaving the height the same, but that's just not possible without a new bar/stem. I've been doing additional stretches and that has helped

Bought one of these when setting up my bike. Definitely a must have.

P.S. Here's a pic (obviously, mine's the one in blue :P )

sloppyschleckonds

Nice work Eric

shirley_basso

Very nice indeed but there must be a slicker tail light solution, maybe the same as your buddy?

ericbayarea

Shirley Basso wrote:

Very nice indeed but there must be a slicker tail light solution, maybe the same as your buddy?

Tough crowd!

Actually, this picture was from my first ride with the bike and thus, I used the light I had on hand (I leave pretty early and use a light for safety until it gets lighter out). A few weeks later I purchased the CygoLite Hotrod 50 which I've been using ever since. Much sleeker solution.