PURE
CYCLING
Pure Cycling
Magazine
— 2015
EDITORIAL
!
K
F
L
C
E
A
B RS
U
O
Y
However, none of this gives us
reason to just sit back and relax.
We constantly ask questions of
ourselves and our products. How
can we make things better? Is
there anything our products don’t
do? Why isn’t there a bike out there that truly combines XC efficiency up climbs with DH performance
on the descents? The feedback we get from our
team riders is just as important as what you have to
say about us. Your experiences, your ideas and your
suggestions give us fresh incentives to explore new
pathways, to change the way we think and to revolutionise the bike as we know it – just like with the
Strive CF.
Trying something new always involves an element of risk. Riding
an unknown trail? It could be too
hard. Stepping over a frame with
a different geometry? It might
not be what you’d expected. Releasing new products? Maybe it’s not what the customer wants at all. On the other hand, what if that trail
turned out to be the best you’ve ever ridden? Or what
if that new bike made you capable of things you
never thought were possible? For us, that's reason
enough to go one step beyond, get out of the comfort
zone, explore new methods and carry on innovating.
With our new Urban and Fitness ranges, we once again
find ourselves in new territory. Beyond the trails
and country roads, we’re heading into the city. The
time is right to combine sustainable mobility with
the performance Canyon bikes are associated with.
If we’d always shied away from taking paths unknown,
then the Arnold garage in a small village on the
banks of the Mosel River would still remain a niche
spot for enthusiasts to pick up exotic imported parts,
just as it was some 30 years ago. Today, pro riders
compete and win at the biggest races and contests
around the world riding Canyon bikes, backing up
our promises of unique quality and service that riders
everywhere seek out.
It gives us great pride when our innovations go on
to set new standards. What’s even more important
though is your trust in what we produce, our service
and our philosophy. “Pure Cycling” is more than just a
slogan. It encompasses what every single one of us at
Canyon lives for: the vision of the perfect bike. To one
day achieve this, simply thinking, ”but we’ve always
done it that way,“ just doesn’t cut it.
Enjoy reading and have a great year riding in 2015.
Yours, Roman.
3
CONTENTS
CONTENTS
6
MADE
FOR RACING
SHAPE
YOUR RIDE
Next-level aerodynamics combined
with outstanding overall performance. The new Aeroad CF SLX
can sprint, climb and break away
to victory, proving its worth at
the 2014 Tour de France with two
commanding stage wins.
CONTENTS
Enduro requires being able to adapt to
challenging trails, posing a challenge
to both bike and rider. Working together
with the Canyon Factory Enduro Team
and Fabien Barel gave birth to the pioneering Shapeshifter.
24
34
28
12
INTO
THIN AIR
SWIM
CANYON RUN
Ironman winner, Nils Frommhold, and
World Championship silver medallist,
Anne Haug, compete at the top level in
both long and short disciplines around
the globe. Full motivation requires the
right tools to finish the job – the Aeroad
and Speedmax CF.
Upper Mustang is the place to go for
no-limits adventure, as Rob-J found out
together with his Strive. The highest
peaks and deepest valleys on the planet
make this the perfect spot for freeriding.
REDISCOVER
YOUR CITY
38
FROM DUSK
TILL DIRT
Having good times on the bike
and pushing each other to whole
new levels – that’s what Pete,
Thomas and Anton of the Canyon
Factory Freeride Team live for,
whether it’s competing in the
FMB World Tour or sessioning
Pete’s home spot.
Canyon Urban bikes embody modern urban
mobility in its purest form. Elegant design
and exceptional practicality unite so that the
city takes on a whole new perspective.
18
WORK-BIKEBALANCE
When life’s stresses begin to stack up, nothing
provides relief quite like heading out for a ride.
Canyon Fitness bikes bring new means of combining comfort and performance – the perfect
way to stretch the legs and free the mind.
46
MUCHAS
GRACIAS,
NAIRO!
When a Columbian climbing sensation
took on the Giro d’Italia, history was
made. Nairo Quintana overcame adversity to climb to the very top of the
sport aboard the Ultimate CF SLX and
take a landmark first Grand Tour win
for Canyon.
4
PURE
CYCLING
Our philosophy. Beyond just a slogan.
This is what drives us to improve
everything that we do, to provide the
best products, innovations and services for everyone, from weekend
warriors to the world’s best riders.
It is the very essence of Canyon.
44
5
MOUNTAIN BIKE
MOUNTAIN BIKE
E
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ry
na p
o
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olu ble the d
v
e m
a
a r scra e by as h
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u ro o ea
me endu ed w 14 s
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S t ,
…
ers new scen eam wns
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elo e de T o
ev e th the duro nd d
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Ca ay t s an acto few
w imb n F a
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S R E
OU I D
Y R
6
7
OM HT
FR
S E W A IG C T
Y
GU E N STROJE
Fabien
E
H W PR .”
Barel had a
H
T
T D NE A F
vision. Surrounded
S
A NTE I K AS R T O
by mountains with
the sun shining down,
ON ESE ME, W PA
O
he smoothly spins the
S P R O HIS A
S
T
cranks to the top of another
“A ON EM AT TO BE
long climb. Having reached the edge
Y
of the ridge, he drops straight into the
C A N YS T T H E D T
trail. There’s no letup. Drifting across the
S AY T
loose surface, he’s lost in the flow of the
AW WAN
terrain as the singletrack bends in all different diI
rections. Nothing can stop him. In this vision, Fabien
dominates both the climbs and the descents riding the
same bike – the ultimate enduro machine. The setup
is perfect and the handling spot-on, no matter what
the terrain does, he’s prepared. Little did Fabien know,
Canyon product developer, Vincenz Thoma, had been busy
since 2011 making his enduro riding dream a reality.
As an engineer, Vincenz uses riding to help with his
work: “I get my motivation out on the trail. Riding
bikes is the best way to come up with new ideas and
think of ways to get them to work.” The result of all
that trail time? Shapeshifter. Like the best innovations, the system is surprisingly simple. By pressing a
remote and shifting their weight, the rider activates a
gas spring that changes the rear shock linkage to
select between two modes, XC or DH, and achieve the
ideal setup for any terrain. Vincenz kept chipping
away at the concept, honing it so that one day it
would be ready to make it onto a production bike. The
ideal candidate for that job? The new Strive CF.
Back in 2012, Canyon began a project to set up a new
enduro racing team. Fabien Barel was the star signing,
drafted in to lead the team into a brand new season.
As a three-time Downhill World Champion and qualified engineer, the Frenchman had one major incentive
to get on board: “As soon as the guys from Canyon
presented the new system to me, I knew straight away
that this was a project I wanted to be a part of.” While
playing a key role in getting the Canyon Factory
Enduro Team to the top of the sport, Fab’s riding and
engineering experience was a major factor in the
development of the new Strive with Shapeshifter.
As soon as pen hit paper and the handshakes took
place, Fabien got straight into working with the new
Strive prototypes. He was responsible for coming up
with the bike’s new geometry to cope with the varying demands of enduro: “As a racer, it’s extremely important that the bike is stable at high speeds, which
is why I like to have a longer front center.”
8
MOUNTAIN BIKE
Force
MOUNTAIN BIKE
XC Mode
Regular
Geometry
DH Mode
Full Travel
Race
Geometry
SAG
Front
Center
GEOMETRY
1.5°
1.5°
Race Geometry for super stability at
speed or Regular Geometry for extra
agility on the trails. It’s your call.
17 % 25 %
SAG
130
160
Stroke End
Travel
TRAVEL AND
SUSPENSION RATES
In DH mode, 160 mm of travel and
25–30% sag provide the ideal setup for
racing downhill, while 130 mm of travel
and around 15% sag in XC mode improve
overall efficiency.
19 mm
BOTTOM BRACKET
HEIGHT AND ANGLE
ADJUSTMENT
The geometry changes between DH
mode and XC mode correspond to 1.5°
in steering angle, 1.5° in seat angle
and 19 mm in bottom bracket height.
SHAPESHIFTER
Shapeshifter consists of a gas spring embedded in our patented rear shock linkage
and a handlebar mounted remote. With
just the flick of a switch, Shapeshifter
changes the rear shock linkage and with
it the entire suspension dynamics while
you ride. As a result, you get two fundamentally different geometries, suspension
rates, and travel settings to choose from,
all without the need of a specially designed
rear shock.
DH Mode
XC Mode
9
MOUNTAIN BIKE
MOUNTAIN BIKE
Thanks to his input, the idea emerged to create two
versions of the new Strive, including Barel’s new extended Race Geometry.
With a new season and a fresh new racing format in
the Enduro World Series (EWS), 2013 was set to be
full of action. Joining Fabien for the ride with the
Canyon Factory Enduro Team were self-proclaimed
“Top Chief” and “Dudes of Hazzard” founder, Joe Barnes
of Scotland, as well as Germany’s fastest female, Ines
Thoma, with Swiss rookie Ludo May coming on board
for 2014.
The team’s first season could hardly have gone better.
Fab rode an aluminium prototype of the new Strive to
victory at the inaugural round of the EWS in Punta Ala,
Italy, proving what the bike was capable of in its first
ever competitive outing. Testing continued
throughout the year and the results kept
coming: 2nd in the Team rankings with
Fabien coming 3rd in the overall and
Ines 4th.
Heading into 2014, the team
looked to raise their game
across the board.
The carbon Strive
CF was
Y
K
C
A
C
T SE
A
H LO
T
A UT C
I“ ’M , B AS A
NW
A
M
throughout the field, although the outcome could
have been far worse: “I’m a lucky man, but that was a
close call!”
Despite the loss of their captain, the team continued
into the season fully focussed on their goals. EWS
Round 2 took the riders to Tweedlove Festival in Scotland, where Joe used the home advantage to pull his
first ever podium out the bag, finishing in a fantastic
3rd place. Two rounds later in La Thuille in the Italian
Alps, the Top Chief repeated that performance, confirming his promise as one of the most exciting riders
on the scene. It’s only a matter of time before he
climbs onto the top step.
While the EWS continues enduro’s march into the
mainstream, Fabien is making a strong recovery and
itching to get back to racing on his Strive. Stay tuned!
!”
L
L
ccfinally
ready to take
on the competition.
This marked a significant step forward in the
constant arms race between
EWS teams to gain every last
second’s advantage come race day.
The Canyon Factory Enduro Team goes far
beyond the riders ripping the trails – it’s the
work that goes on behind the scenes that gets
them up there in the first place. Product developers
spend long hours at the drawing board coming up with
new ideas to eke out every last ounce of performance,
while our mechanics toil away late into the night to
make certain every bike is 100% race ready. This is a
team effort, and as a result Barel, Barnes, May and
Thoma were perfectly prepared to take on the first
EWS round of the year in Chile.
Even when everything is running perfectly, there are always times when the trail bites back and crashes can’t
be avoided. This is normally just part of the game, you
shrug it off, but some hits can have a bigger impact. On
Stage 1, Fabien lost control drifting through a fast corner at 40 km/h, sending him straight over the bars.
Landing heavily head first in soft sand, it was clear this
was no ordinary crash. Diagnosis: a cracked vertebra.
The good news? No major nerve damage. The bad?
Fab’s season was over. His crash sent shockwaves
U
L
10
WATCH THE STORY
UNFOLD
Check out the highlights clip from
Punta Ala: www. canyon . com
/pure_cycling_tv
11
MOUNTAIN BIKE
INTO THIN
A
MOUNTAIN BIKE
I
Dirt and freeride
legend Rob-J reports
back from a breathtaking riding adventure
in Nepal and explains
why experiences like
his can change how we
view our lives.
12
13
R
MOUNTAIN BIKE
MOUNTAIN BIKE
14
15
The Mustang region in the Himalayas is
a draw for anyone in search of adventure, extreme mountain bikers included.
Surrounded by 8000 metre peaks, this
is the deepest valley in the world.
MOUNTAIN BIKE
THE AIR IS THIN UP HERE. I hike up the last steep
slope to around 4500 metres and try to extract
everything that my legs and lungs have to give. I’m
right on the limit and about to start the last
descent of my time here in Nepal, on the Lubra
Trail deep in the Upper Mustang and surrounded
by some of the highest peaks in the world.
Annapurna (8091 m), Dhaulagiri (8167 m) and
the Nilgiri (7061 m) are just a few of the summits
I can see. Surrounding these giants are several
“smaller” six-thousanders that haven’t even been
named yet, our guide Mandil tells us that there are
simply too many of them. How many undiscovered
trails and lines are still out there? How much can
still be ridden? The possibilities appear endless.
They are.
MOUNTAIN BIKE
ROB-J
“At these
moments,
right in
the here
and now,
time stands
still.”
Born in Prague in 1981, Rob-J has lived in
Munich for much of his life. Rob is a true
all-rounder with several dirt and freeride
successes to his name. His talent was first
discovered at a freeride youth camp and
life has come full circle as Rob now organises and promotes his own events to seek
out promising young riders.
SKY’S THE LIMIT —
THE STRIVE HAS NO
LIMITS
When riding up this high, you need a
bike that can climb efficiently but also
cope with extremely demanding, technical descents – just like the Strive Rob
used to take on the Upper Mustang.
Before dropping in and riding the trail down to the riverbed of
the mighty Kali Gandaki for the last time, I spy an enormous
lammergeyer floating on the thermals, majestically soaring
across this ancient kingdom without a single beat of its wings.
This is what it’s all about. At these moments, right in the here
and now, time stands still. For the next thirty minutes I have
the whole trail to myself. You ride yourself into a trance, your
senses become hyper-alert, reading what lies ahead so that
each movement flows seamlessly into the next. The trail’s a
high-speed mix of loose corners interspersed with steep, exposed sections all the way down to the bottom. Make a mistake riding this fast and you’re in serious trouble, but thoughts
of “what if?” have no place in the mind right now. I’m utterly
consumed by the experience. The perfect ride? It’s definitely
one of the best trails I’ve ever ridden. The crowning glory of my
time in Nepal.
This journey was so much more than just another trip into the
backcountry to go and ride. There were points when it felt like
we’d gone on a journey back through time, to an era when old
values still counted for something, an existence we all too
often seem to have lost touch with in the western world. Up in
Mustang, people still live their lives as they have been doing
for centuries, perfectly in time with nature’s rhythm. This
entire area has only recently become accessible to outsiders,
meaning modern influences have yet to take a hold, people do
things as they always have done. Everything is made by hand.
Whatever they undertake, they do it with full dedication and
take their time until every last detail is perfect. It’s like they go
beyond Buddhism. Nothing gets rushed. All actions are carried
out with a constant, unwavering attachment to their religion.
This will not be the last time I travel to Nepal. The terrain has
so much more to offer, it’s just waiting to be discovered. I also
want to learn more about the people here and their rich
culture. And when I do come back, I'm going to take my time
and savour the thin air away from the stress and pressure of
modern life. It'll be worth it.
16
17
M
O
R
F K L
S
L
U
I
D T T
R
I
GRAVITY
GRAVITY
t
ha out. g
w
b in
t’s all a ush
a
Th is s p he ed
ti s? tyle lway ps t ook
im s a ee h
e l lope rom at k eam
h
t
s
re and get f s wh ide T e.
a
re g u d i er or
he ridin h yo yon Fre or m
W e
e ry f
s
fre e ru tep b acto ack
Th e s n F ng b
on nyo omi
Ca d c
an
18
19
T
This isn’t a team made up of
stars of the future, they’re the
stars of right now. With Anton
“Cleanlander” Thelander from
Sweden, Belgium’s Thomas “La
Frite” Genon and German Peter
“Party” Henke, together the
Canyon Factory Freeride Team
has taken the gravity scene by
storm. Competing around the world, when these guys
go big the judges often reach for the high scores. The
three work together as a team, roadtripping around
the world to session new spots and spurring each
other on to come up with new ideas to impress fans
and judging panels alike. It’s all about progression.
The results they get don’t just come about through
the hard work they put in, but more importantly by
how much enjoyment they take out of what they do.
This ain’t no job, it’s a way of life! The FMB World Tour
rankings prove just how successful that laid-back
attitude can be. Consistently placing inside the top10 is no problem for the team. Each of them can turn
on the style on groomed slopestyle courses and rough
freeride terrain in front of massive crowds as if it
were just any other session on any other day. Having
the right bike always helps – the Canyon Stitched is
the first model in the new Dirt and Slopestyle range
and is built to nail big tricks. When things get a little
more wild, the boys roll out the Rampage-proven
Torque DHX to get to grips with the rough stuff. Still
in their first season together, there’s definitely lots
we’ve yet to see. Just like dropping in to hit a monster
kicker, the only direction for these guys is up.
20
Designed for downhill domination and
bike park action, huge travel reserves
(195–210 mm) turn every descent into a
test to see just how far you’re willing
to push it. When it comes to the madness of Red Bull Rampage, the team take
to the Torque to seek out the best lines.
TORQUE
TO THE ROCKS
The Stitched takes the style dial and
turns it up to the max. With the frame
weighing just 2050 g and tube shapes
designed to withstand the biggest impacts, the Stitched will keep on giving
when laying down new tricks. An extra
stiff BB.Box and tapered headtube result in pinpoint steering accuracy, while
flattened steering angles provide the
ideal balance between agility and stability when sessioning the local jumps,
scoping new street spots or chilling
down at the pumptack. This is the ride
you need if you want to take it to the
next level. No hesitation. Just send it!
SICK LINES —
NEW STICHED
GRAVITY
GRAVITY
21
22
Thomas Genon’s nickname, “La Frite”,
comes from the French slang, “avoir la
frite”, literally meaning, “to have the fries”,
or more accurately, “to be up for it”. Conveniently, both count for Thomas. A fan of
eating fries, he’s also clearly up for trying
anything with his progressive riding style.
DID YOU KNOW …
The best slopestyle courses can
usually be found in famous
bike parks around the world
where Pete, Thomas and Anton
regularly compete. After taking
inspiration from their travels,
the guys wanted to do something completely different for a
new film shoot they did back in
www. canyon . com
June. Hooking up with camera/pure_cycling_tv
man Lukas Tielke from Peoplegrapher and course building
experts, Mellowpark, the team set about transforming
Pete’s home spot. Surrounded by still water and tranquil forest, it’s the last place you’d expect to stumble
across huge kickers, berms, tables and transfers with
multiple line combos on offer. In this natural setting,
the guys really let loose and showcase their massive
talent. The style isn’t restricted to the tricks though,
this film is shot in typical Tielke fashion to make you
stoked to just get out and ride, as all good edits should.
The guys clearly had a great time with the project, just
look at the title, that’s what it’s all about. Check out
the film at win.gs/goodtimes or Canyon.com.
WATCH
#GOODTIMES
GRAVITY
GRAVITY
23
MU­
CHAS
GRA­
CIAS,
NAIRO!
ROAD
The 97th edition of the Giro d’Italia was
a race of firsts. Columbian Nairo Quintana
became the first ever South American to
stand on the top step of the podium, while
Canyon achieved a Grand Tour win for the
first time with the Ultimate CF SLX.
24
ROAD
The Giro could hardly have got off to a worse start for
Quintana. After coming down hard in a crash on the
sixth stage and suffering from bronchitis early in the
race, luck was not on the Columbian climber’s side.
He didn’t let that get to him. The Movistar Team captain courageously fought on one day at a time to
avoid any big time losses. Then, when the race finally
hit the high mountains, the hour came for Quintana
to shine.
Stage 16 tackled the legendary Gavia and Stelvio
passes in sub-zero temperatures and driving snowfall
before a gruelling summit finish to Val Martello. From
such extreme conditions, heroic acts emerge. Nairo
Quintana was made for such feats. As a teenager he
rode an old beat-up mountain bike up and down
a mountainside in the heart of the Andes every day,
18 kilometres each way and with gradients in excess
of 8%, just so he could get to school in the nearby
town of Arcabuco. On the 27th of May 2014, Quintana
put all those years of hard graft and toil behind him
and took off into the abyss down the slick descent
of the Stelvio, throwing all caution to the wind and
leaving the race leaders in his wake. After crossing
the line with a four minute advantage over his nearest
challengers, Quintana pulled on the coveted Maglia
Rosa, sending out a clear message to his competition.
Three days later, another dominant stage win all but
confirmed an inevitable and historic overall victory.
Following his Giro win the 24-year-old has achieved
legendary status, especially back in his native Columbia where the sport’s heritage and superstar riders
like Lucho Herrera are revered above all else. No
South American before Quintana had been able to
make their mark on the Giro’s roll of honour, and now
Canyon too celebrates a milestone accomplishment.
Ever since Cadel Evans became World Champion in
2009, overall victory in one of cycling’s three Grand
Tours had always been the next target for Canyon.
After so agonisingly missing
out on the pink jersey with
Katusha rider, Joaquim Rodríguez, in 2012 by just 16
seconds, to finally get on the
top step is a truly landmark
achievement. Still early on in
his career, Quintana can only
go on to achieve further greatLIMITED
ness – what’s the French for
“Giro”? Watch this space …
EDITION
In honour of Nairo’s victory and to the
mythology of Giro, we produced a special
edition run of the race-winning bike in
iconic pink livery. With each model serving
as a unique tribute to one of the race’s 21
stages, the Ultimate CF SLX IL GIRO 2014
is strictly limited to just 21 examples.
25
ROAD
ROAD
GIRO D’ITALIA
The Giro d’Italia has been one of the pillars
of international cycling ever since the first
edition was run back in 1909. For three
weeks every year, the entire Italian nation
and cycling fans across the world fix their
attention on the race to follow the battle
for the Maglia Rosa. Pink, the colour of
the leader’s jersey, epitomises the race
and was originally chosen to match the
tone of paper used by title sponsor, “La
Gazzetta dello Sport”. The battle for the
pink jersey takes place against a backdrop of breathtaking landscapes, ancient
villages and comes to a climax on legbreaking ascents. Gavia, Stelvio, Cima
Grappa, Monte Zoncolan – all climbs that
have been written into Giro legend. Along
the whole route the “Tifosi” is ever present,
crowds spurring their heroes on through
snow, ice and rain, their cries echo across
the mountains. Whoever emerges victorious from this three week-long festival
of cycling has their name inscribed with
the greats alongside Coppi, Bartali and
Moser – all of these riders have achieved
immortal status within our sport.
198
3,445
km
Million
30 different nationalities and 20 teams
competed in the 2014 Giro d'Italia
Total length of the 2014 edition
from Belfast to Trieste
Size of the global audience that tuned in
to watch the race this year
Riders
26
775
27
ROAD
THE NEW
AEROAD CF SLX
This bike has a will of its own. That’s how fast the
Aeroad CF SLX feels when you get on it. “You cannot
ride it slow,” was the first impression of Joaquim
“Purito” Rodríguez, who rode the previous Aeroad onto
the podium at the 2013 Tour de France. The new
Aeroad CF SLX looks to continue the success story as
the world’s number one bike. So far, the signs are
looking promising, hot off the heels of two stage wins
in this year’s Tour de France. Since its conception in
2010, the Aeroad has experienced success in the
biggest one day classics and Monuments, leader’s
jerseys in all three Grand Tours and top spot in the
UCI WorldTour Individual Rider Ranking three years
running. Driven by the desire to make the best even
better, Canyon Product Developers created the Aeroad
CF SLX. This new generation fuses together the very
best aerodynamics with the classic parameters of
road frame construction: maximum stiffness, lightness and sovereign comfort. For developer Wolfgang
Kohl, the aims were clear: “We wanted to create a
bike that could escape on the flats, attack on the
climbs and win in the sprints.” The result is the true
definition of what a race bike should be. A bike that
promises speed and comfort through its design alone –
and backs up this promise with every moment spent
out on the road.
29
RACING
MADE FOR
ROAD
ROAD
SYSTEM INTEGRATION
A major part of the aerodynamic performance of the Aeroad CF SLX is owed to
the newly developed Aerocockpit CF. With
its low surface area and carefully sculpted
profile, this integrated bar and stem system merges effortlessly into the toptube.
We worked together with Acros to create
a custom headset design so we could
create a smooth transition from the stem
through the spacers to the headtube.
Beyond contributing to a streamlined form,
the Acros headset’s ultra-compact bearings help to keep weight down. Shimano
Direct Mount Brakes ensure excellent
stopping power, however the Aeroad CF
SLX bucks the trend of fitting the rear
brake beneath the bottom bracket, instead
using a slightly modified front brake for
the rear as well. Our wind tunnel testing
proved this to be by far the most efficient
configuration. A rear wheel fairing integrated into the seattube’s unique design
provides a distinct aero advantage. Achieving the smoothest transition possible
between the frame and the wheels greatly
improves airflow around the whole rear
end of the bike.
IN COMPARISON
TO PREDECESSOR
–19%
Wind resistance with
Aerocockpit
+17%
Frameset stiffness
–13%
Frameset weight
“The increased bottom bracket
stiffness is clear when putting
down power in sprints.”
Wolfgang Kohl
PERFORMANCE
Taking the lightness, stiffness and handling
of our Ultimate CF SLX and combining it
with the pure aerodynamic performance of
the Speedmax CF was the fundamental goal
during the development of the Aeroad CF
SLX. The increased bottom bracket stiffness
is clear when putting down power in sprints.
Tackling fast descents becomes more
assured thanks to the boost in headtube
stiffness. A 1 ¼“ fork shaft was specifically
chosen to deliver handling accuracy and
high torsional stiffness. The headtube
merges seamlessly into the forks with the
prow design continued into the fork crown,
once again highlighting the frame’s key
element integration. Our proven Pro Geometry results in a low and aggressive
riding position ideal for sprinters to achieve
full power output and top speed when it
matters. None of these performance features
impact upon the impressive comfort of the
Aeroad CF SLX. The end result is a frame
that weighs just 980 g and raises the bar of
what road bikes are capable of.
AERODYNAMICS
980 g
Modern aerodynamic bike design requires an incredibly scientific and methodical approach,
as shown by the countless CFD studies and wind tunnel tests we carried out. This is what
gives the Aeroad CF SLX its outstanding performance. Our first generation Trident profile,
first featured on the Speedmax CF, has been optimised for the lower average speeds of
road racing using cutting-edge analysis methods to create Trident 2.0. Thanks to these
optimised tube forms and extensive system integration of the cockpit, brakes, rear wheel
and seatpost, the Aeroad CF SLX has been improved by 13.5 watts in comparison to its
predecessor. Design and aerodynamics go hand in hand with the Aeroad CF SLX. Flowing
forms, clear lines and seamless transitions to mechanical components represent racing
performance in its purest form. Even at first sight, the Aeroad CF SLX clearly evokes dynamism and speed.
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Frame Weight
–13.5 W
Aerodynamic Drag at 45 km /h
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RENNRAD
ROAD
The aim was to create a bike that could
escape on the flats, attack on the climbs
and win in the sprints. The Aeroad CF SLX
passed the toughest tests at the 2014 Tour
de France, proving its sprinting prowess
with Alexander Kristoff and climbing performance with Joaquim Rodríguez.
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TRIATHLON
TRIATHLON
SWIM
CANYON
RUN
Triathlon stars Nils
Frommhold and Anne
Haug have both reached
great heights throughout
their careers. We sat
down with them for an
exclusive interview to
discuss what motivates
them, their goals and
their journey right to
the very top.
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NILS FROMMHOLD
ANNE HAUG
After a few seasons competing in
short distance, Nils made a big
statement during his Ironman
debut by taking victory at Arizona
2012, proving he also has what it
takes to go long. Having competed on the Speedmax since 2013,
Nils splits his time training on
Fuerteventura or down in Freiburg,
South Germany.
A World Championship silver medal
(2012) and the German National
Title (2013) are just two of the
highlights on 31-year-old Olympic
distance specialist Anne’s list of
career achievements. Competing
across the globe in the ITU World
Triathlon Series, her Aeroad CF SLX
is more well-travelled than most.
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T R I AT H LO N
How did you get
started with Triathlon?
When was your first
race?
NILS FROMMHOLD Up until I was
18 I’d always been a swimmer back
home in Berlin. It stopped being
fun when people began to leave my
training group so I gave it up and
then I suddenly had all this free
time on my hands to enjoy – but
lacking that structure never felt
right. At the start, triathlon was a
way for me to get the motivation
to train again. However, once a competitor, always a competitor. It
quickly became apparent that triathlon meant a lot more to me.
Things moved pretty quickly after I
finished school and I moved out to
Potsdam so I could train professionally. I quickly made the jump to the
national squad and ever since the
end of 2012 I’ve been competing
in long distance.
ANNE HAUG I got into triathlon in
a very roundabout way. When I was
five I started playing tennis, then
I took up volleyball and basketball
when I was ten, I also did modern
pentathlon and badminton before
getting back into tennis again. At
some point along the way I realised
that I could run faster and longer
than most people. When I was 16
my boyfriend at the time did a tri-
athlon, which I thought was quite
cool so I wanted to do one too. Only
problem was that I couldn’t swim,
so I told myself to get into the pool
and keep practising until I could
do 1500 m freestyle without stopping, then I could sign up for a triathlon. After three months training
I did my first event and came third
straight away. After that I was
hooked. I wasn’t so concentrated on
performance or turning pro, but I
got better year after year, moving
up the different categories until I
was competing in European Cups
and then finally World Cups. Within
just four years I’d gone from age
groups to the world elite.
What’s so special
about the disciplines
you do?
A.H. Long distance has a certain
mythology surrounding it and you
never know what can happen. You
set off at sunrise with no idea what
to expect from the day. That mix
of tension, anticipation and a little
bit of fear is totally unique. There’s
also a certain lifestyle that comes
with triathlon and I can’t think of
anything much better right now
than being able to travel for the
whole year like we get to do.
N.F. With short distance people’s
performance levels are a lot closer
so the competition against your opponents is a lot more direct than
something like an Ironman, which
is much more of a battle against
yourself. I really like having that
“Long distance has a certain mythology surrounding it and you never know
what can happen.”
36
T R I AT H LO N
What’s been the high
point of your triathlon
career?
direct fight and the fact that it’s
faster. Another factor is of course
the Olympics. They’re simply the
biggest thing that can happen in
any athlete’s life.
What do you gain
from competing
considering all the
sacrifices you have
to make?
N.F. It’s a bit like balancing on a
knife edge. Sure, you have to give
up on a lot but you have to take the
sacrifices as they come. There’s no
better feeling than finally reaching
a big objective, giving it your all and
knowing at the end that it was all
worth it. Getting beaten is also important to help you develop. Being
able to overcome big setbacks is
even more satisfying than winning
without any problems. Whether you
win or lose, the best thing is when
you get to share your experience
with others. My performance is just
the tip of the iceberg, a lot of it
really comes down to my coaches,
my carers and my friends.
A.H. The mental side of it fascinates me. Lining up for the Olympics, everyone is physically in peak
form. The real difference is what
goes on in your head. If you can
overcome all the pressure, do a perfect race and then win as well, that
euphoria you get is just incredible.
N.F. Without doubt my first Ironman win in Arizona! It was the first
time I’d lined up for a long distance event and I had no idea what
would happen. I’d also just come
back from a long break with a complicated stress fracture that could
have ended my career. The best
part was crossing the line to find
my girlfriend and trainer who had
stood by my side the whole time
and being able to share that winning moment with them.
A.H. What really stands out for
me was qualifying for the Olympics. It was an incredibly moving
moment, all of a sudden all the
dreams you’ve had and everything
you’ve been working for gets fulfilled. I’ll also always remember
winning my home race in Hamburg, the atmosphere out on course
there was simply unique – it was
incredible.
And the low point?
N.F. As I said, the stress fracture
on my shin back in 2011. Being
forced to watch something I love
doing from the side-lines for a
whole year and not be able to take
part – that was hard. There was
also never knowing when things
would finally begin to improve as
the healing process was so drawn
out. No one could tell me for certain
if it would ever be 100% healed.
A.H. The final part of the World
Championships in London. I just
completely fell apart during that
race.
“My performance is
just the tip of the iceberg, a lot of it really
comes down to my
coaches, my carers
and my friends.”
How do you motivate
yourself?
N.F. It may sound simple but just
improving my performance keeps
me driven. I take more joy in making small gains than I do if I win a
race without having had to give it
absolutely everything.
A.H. I’ve got a big goal that gets
me out of bed every day: the Olympics. For me, it’s not about whether
I medal or not, but more about
constantly progressing and improving. It’s fascinating when you pull a
performance out the bag that you
could never have dreamed of and to
discover where your own limits are.
What are your
short- and long-term
goals?
N.F. There’s nothing too specific
really, I find it fairly easy to stay
motivated and keep going regardless. I guess there are three races
I really want to target and give it
everything for: Challenge Roth,
Ironman Frankfurt, and naturally
the Ironman World Championships
in Hawaii too. Whether these happen soon or in the long run, we’ll
just have to see!
37
A.H. Quite simple. The Rio Olympics 2016. Before then I really need
to work on my swim so I’m ready for
the chaos of open water.
Do you have any role
models?
N.F. Not really!
A.H. I’m constantly impressed
by up-and-coming stars, athletes
like Gwen Jorgensen and Emma
Snowsill.
URBAN
With the Canyon Urban range, design achieves a new status, the city takes on
a new definition and urban mobility finally becomes an experience to enjoy.
39
URBAN
URBAN
40
41
DESIGN
The Canyon Urban range combines
elegance and functionality in a bold new
design. Long, uninterrupted lines rise
up through the frame and merge into the
cockpit for an unmistakeable overall
appearance. The Canyon Commuter goes
beyond form following function.
FEATURES
Practical, user-friendly components are
seamlessly blended into the frame to
complement the bike’s harmonious form.
With Integrated lights and leather contact points, the finishing touches on the
Canyon Urban model are of the very
highest quality.
URBAN
URBAN
R
Riding allows us to view the city from an entirely new
perspective. Whether heading to work, going shopping
or meeting up with friends in the evening, your surroundings simply open up, you discover new places and
spark up conversations with like-minded people. Free
from set departure times, parking restrictions and traffic jams, you get to finally enjoy fully independent mobility. There’s no scenario where the bike is out of place.
It provides cultured transportation, the perfect accompaniment to an evening at the theatre or going out to
a concert. Anything is possible. Lifestyle is no longer
judged on shiny bodywork or big engines. Riding a bike
is the very definition of modern style and progression.
It makes a bold statement. Nobody switches to riding
because they have to, they do it because they can.
The era for rusting city clunkers is over – the Canyon
Urban range brings design and urban mobility into the
modern age. Internal cable routing and subtle artwork
place the focus on the essential, further highlighted by
the seamless welds and clear-cut lines. Elegance and
functionality combine to create a bold design. These
bikes provide an answer to the question: how do we
view the future of mobility? Free, independent and
with style, all while taking responsibility for our own
wellbeing as well as that of our city.
Lights charged? Chain oiled? Pump in the bag? The
Canyon Urban range resigns these questions to the history books. Our low-maintenance and highly practical
Commuter model will transform how you get to work.
With fully-integrated lighting and mudguards that
double up as luggage racks, it’s everything a modern
commuting bike should be. Individual components fall
into the background, the bike represents a cohesive
unit. Belt drives and internal hub gears keep maintenance to the absolute minimum and increase reliability
for purely functional performance, while lightweight
wheels provide agile handling. Canyon VCLS technology
has been applied to absorb vibrations and shocks to
guarantee rider comfort. Whether heading to a morning
meeting or to the shops at the weekend, you’ll arrive
feeling refreshed and invigorated. For those after more
stripped down performance on the way to the park or
café when the sun’s out, our Urban model guarantees
top style points for the journey there.
With the Canyon Urban range, design achieves a new
status, the city takes on a new definition and urban
mobility finally becomes an experience to enjoy.
“The era for rusted
city clunkers is over.“
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43
FITNESS
WORK—
There’s simply no better feeling than heading out for
a ride after a tough day at work or at the weekend to
just unwind and let the stress fade away. Get on the
bike and get out of town, on your own or with friends.
Forget workload and project deadlines, out on the bike
you can recharge the batteries so you’re ready to take
on new challenges. Whether putting power through
the pedals or enjoying a gentle spin. Take off down
single-track roads, roll past woods and fields, or find
your way to the next swimming spot to go for a cooling
dip on a hot day. Two wheels are far better than two
feet when it comes to exploring your surroundings. Let
the rush of fresh air blow all the worries out of your
mind. The new Fitness range is perfect for those who
love being active and seek invigorating ways to stay
in shape.
FITNESS
BIKE—
BALANCE
The Roadlite AL continues its success as a road bike
into its new form as the first model in our new Fitness
range, complete with several design features from
our current generation of Canyon road bikes. With a
lightweight and robust aluminium frame, this new
model presents an attractive all-round package. Our
VCLS seatpost significantly reduces the impact of road
vibrations, while flat handlebars, ergonomically formed
grips and comfortable saddles make long rides a joy.
Reliable drivetrains with broad gear ranges make light
work of the climbs and the balanced riding position reduces pressure on back and neck muscles for pain-free
riding. The Roadlite AL is a dynamic bike that offers
new ways of combining performance and comfort for
the Canyon range.
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45
CANYON
PURE
CYCLING
There is no simpler way to express ourselves.
Whether designing the perfect frame, riding with
friends or communicating with our customers,
this is what we do every day.
HOW IT IS. HOW IT
WAS. HOW IT ALWAYS
WILL BE.
What drives us at Canyon is not some new
fad or short-lived trend. It is a tradition
started back in 1985 by our founder, Roman
Arnold. Today we work with the exact same
passion that allowed him to go from travelling Europe with his father and their trailer
as a mobile dealership all those years ago,
to manufacturing his own bikes delivered
directly to the customer. The fundamentals of this business philosophy have never
been changed. That’s why our bikes cannot
be found in shops and are only available directly from us. This will also never change.
We believe in having a close relationship
with our customers. We collect feedback
on our bikes and components from riders
around the world and put it directly into
practice so that we can improve everything
that we do. That’s the secret that explains
how “Radsport Arnold GmbH,” created almost 30 years ago, has become the success
it is today.
No
Diversions
Canyon bikes are delivered directly from
us straight to you. That’s how we can offer
the best bikes for the best prices.
PART OF A
COMMUNITY
Our customers are the best motivators,
critics and inspiration that we have. Just
like us, they are passionate riders. Talking
with one another, trying out new products
and swapping experiences forms the very
backbone of what we do at Canyon. They
constantly remind us precisely who it is
we are working for. That’s why we set ourselves such high targets for our products
and services, from design and development
to assembly and consultation. We employ
the very best engineers, materials experts,
designers and quality controllers around.
Canyon has a comprehensive testing lab
with an array of rigs, including our own CT
scanner to ensure everything we make
meets our high quality standards. In this
respect, we are unique in the industry. Most
important of all, however, is that every bike,
component, item of clothing and accessory
we create can be described with just two
words: Pure Cycling.
30
Days
Right of Return
CANYON
VALUES THAT
COUNT
What is it that creates the best riding experience for us? We believe having the perfect products helps on the one hand, on the
other it’s all about understanding important
values regarding our community and our
responsibilities. This is why we promote and
support cycling across a whole variety of
disciplines and look to encourage junior
talent as part of our commitment to the future of our sport.
INNOVATION AS
STANDARD
The results speak for themselves. Our teams
and riders have countless victories between
them including world titles, national championships, stage wins and podiums. Whether
pro or amateur, we share the passion for
our sport with all riders – but that’s not all.
Working together with current and former
professional athletes provides us with yet
more valuable feedback to complement the
input from enthusiasts and everyday riders.
This is what constantly drives the development of our products so we can improve
their performance. Our team of developers
are responsible for over 200 different innovations, many of which have gone on to
become standard-bearers in the industry.
Regardless of this, we do not turn a blind
eye to our services, consultation or product
guarantees. After a purchase is made, we
will always be there for the customer. Our
30 day right of return, six year guarantee
and unique Crash Replacement Service set
us apart as ways to get you back in the
saddle as quickly as possible should something go wrong. After all, we understand as
well as anyone that once you’re hooked,
you can never let go.
Over
100
Awards and test wins have been attained
by Canyon bikes in recent years,
including 33 “Bike of the Year” crowns.
47
IMPRINT
PUBLISHER
Canyon Bicycles GmbH
Karl-Tesche-Strasse 12
56073 Koblenz
Phone +49 (0) 261 40 4000
[email protected]
EDITORIAL & COORDINATION
David Ehling
Matthew Leake
Daniel Oster
Christian Thill
Sebastian Wegerle
Helen Weißenbach
CONCEPT, LAYOUT,
ARTWORK & TEXT
KMS TEAM GmbH, Munich
PRINTER
COLOR GRUPPE, Munich
www.canyon.com
DISTRIBUTOR
Canyon Bicycles GmbH
Marketing
Karl-Tesche-Strasse 12
56073 Koblenz
Rubrik
51
Rubrik
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