WHAT'S NEW
Our Visit to Canyon HQ
Cue in memories of Eurobike 2008, Day 1. It was the first time we ever saw a Canyon bike. Their beauty was obvious, but what mystified us was the against-the-grain way they sold their bikes: Consumer direct. The technological sophistication of their frames was as subtle as a hammer blow; their aesthetic appeal was mammoth; and their corporate branding was crafty. After all, Eurobike has long been the world's most important trade show. The first 3 days of the show is always restricted to industry-only, then the 4th day is open to consumers. Canyon's booth was the size of the Reichstag -- a total non-necessity since 3 days of the audience (the wholesale & retail hordes) were exactly who Canyon does not sell & market to. In the very largeness of their presence to this irrelevant audience they gave voice to the thought we've long had: Bike industry status quo, you are broken. It was love at first sight. One part of it was the bikes, the other part of it was the corporate disposition. Cycling-mad, racing-mad, but decidedly non-conformist within its professional space: In Canyon we'd found kindred spirits.
Next came the 2 days of distracted thinking. Canyon. Racing pulse. Canyon. Urge to write poetry. Canyon. Crushes are brutal in their debilitation and focus only returned in a conversation with the CEO of one of our favorite brands, Franc Arnold of Ergon . We'd been killing it with our Ergon grip and pack sales all year, and in a celebratory chit-chat at the Ergon booth we learned of a happy coincidence that would ultimately change the fate of Competitive Cyclist: Franc's brother Roman is CEO and chief brainiac of Canyon. We'd stumbled upon the German Bike Mafia (we hadn't known it existed), and the door cracked open for us. Our dizzy crush got bumped aside by a calculated plan.
Fast forward to 2011. Our recent European walkabout included a three day summit at Koblenz, Germany, home of Canyon. What can we divulge? For one thing, the smile still hasn't left our faces. And their bikes? We're hopeful they'll be available in the US by the end of 2011, and we're optimistic that Competitive Cyclist will have some degree of involvement once it occurs. There are many devilish details being worked out. But if you're interested in Canyon, please provide us your name, phone number, and email address , and we'll be certain to contact you as a first priority, since any availability in 2011 will be highly limited.
In the meantime, some photos of their amazing facility --
July 31, 2011
Ok ho avuto modo di provare l'aeroad cf9 sl è una bici dalla linea splendida,bellissima non c'è altra bici attulmente con questa linea cosi meravigliosa,i tubi tutti molto aereodinamic.i vorrei suggerire al progettista di renderla più rigida. la bic,i in discesa specialmente, risulta non stabile specie nell'anteriore ed è un vero peccato perche una bici cosi bella bisogna trovare il modo di renderla più stabile con il carbonio, oggi, si può fare di tutto,si puo sicuramente irrigidire la bici. se ci sediamo sopra con i piedi poggiati in terra e scuotiamo il manubrio lateralmente si puo sentire che la bici flette molto e questo la rende poco stabile.Sono qui a chiedervi di provvedere a sistemare questo problema ,io posso aspettare perchè ho gia altre bici, voglio riacquistarla e sono certo che nel mio club si può venderne molte,appena hanno visto la bicicletta si sono innamorati è veramente meravigliosa.
ok confido in voi che possiate provvedere a queste modifiche ed appena saranno fatte vi prego comunicarmelo che io voglio riacquistarla. in attesa di sentirvi vi saluto cordialmente . Renzo Menici mail:remenici@libero.it Buon lavoro.
- Renzo Menici, prato italia
April 14, 2011
I bought an Ultimate CF in 2008. While the wait was long, the frame was dirt cheap even with the shipping and lousy EURO exchange at the time. I built the bike with Campy Record 10 and it weighed under 16lbs w/ standard 32 spoke clinchers. The ACROS headset took a little getting used to but after that I found it to be very fast. The 1.25" steering tube will always suck though since there is only the Syntace F119 stem (supplied with the 2008-9 bikes) available for use and they are only 84/6. I raced the Canyon in every possible condition. It is the tightest geometry and super quick in technical crits, it jumps uphill and is stupid light, and I can ride for 6-7 hrs without paying the price of a rough ride of frames half its stiffness. It makes the Cervelo R3 seem like a wet noodle. Best of all it is the fastest descender out there. I hit 66mph on a descent last season on the Canyon paired with 56mm deep Easton tubs and never even felt it. Only realised it after the race while looking at the computer.
As for the customer service I am on my second frame. I was hit by a car late 2009 after Canyon ended selling to the US. They honored their crash replacement discount and got me a new frame for 2010 which I still ride today. BTW the main triangle and stays survived the car crash. Only the steering tube cracked.
Best bike I have ever ridden. Period.
- Keith, Brooklyn
February 16, 2011
Who's the chick on the Cinelli?
- James, Baltimore
February 14, 2011
I live in Australia and I have a Canyon CF. I have had an exotic Colnago and though I loved it the Canyon is a better frame to ride. All the comments here about the .com and "lack of soul" don't change that ...
- David, Brisbane
February 09, 2011
Glad to see Litespeed back in the fold. I'm no fan of their copycat alien rocket-ship CFRP bikes but I do like that Ti is now at least an option being offered here. Too bad the Litespeed model naming seems to be about as imaginative as George Foreman assigning monikers to his children. Canyon? Yawn.
- PawleeWalnutz, NYC,
February 09, 2011
I think the bikes are classic examples of the modern, uncluttered, non-swoopy carbon road frame. When a relaible distro net is established in the US, I'll own one.
- Derrick , Chicago
February 09, 2011
Didn't Litespeed take up carbon in the past and subsequently and loudly reject it via adverts in the specialized cycling press not too long ago? So now they are back into carbon again? Please refrain from spinning this move evidently dictated by ecomic imperatives as a romantic impulse. I know this kind of retelling is a "specialite de la maison" cc and you do it well -- but this time it would be just too obvious. Thanks.
- John, Durham
February 08, 2011
BMC with smooth tubes does not impress, I see Ridley, Wilier much more special focus on brands that make sense.
- Jay, Oakland, MI
February 08, 2011
The Litespeeds are way more distinctive than Canyon's generic molds/paint jobs.
- E.P., West
February 07, 2011
Some of us dream of a day when you are again wedded with Colnago. I know I sure like mine......... the Canyon brand seems OK but it doesn't do much for more. Just a bit too generic.
- Mark, Iowa City
February 07, 2011
I picked up a CF Pro when Canyon were still accepting orders from the US. The bike is fantastic, especially considering the price. With the discount for holding a racing license, I think the full Chorus equipped bike w/ Ksyrium Elites was around 2200 Euro. Waiting for delivery was stressful; I'm glad that they will have a domestic representative soon.
- Rich, Seattle
February 07, 2011
I'm in the minority here, but meh. Oversized shaped carbon with white paint! Wow that's a looker. I have no doubt that your Bromance with Canyon is based on some level of quality, but it just doesn't do it for me... no soul.
- Wisco, Madison
February 07, 2011
one of the best bar wrapping tutorial vids I've seen. will forward to all my friends who have crappily wrapped bars....
- mass, baltimore
February 07, 2011
Good looking machines no doubt. Questionable frivolous lawsuits over BS patent infringements that apply only in Germany & the corny decal issue make them as desirable as blaukraut, been to a German restaurant lately ?
- Dan, Kansas
February 06, 2011
Luckily, I live in Europe and will be getting a Canyon when my current bike hits five years old.
- Matthew, Kippax
February 05, 2011
I own one of the fancy pants euro "made" bikes you sell and I love it. But, honestly, aren't these carbon bikes all the same? Seems to me the only thing new or different is the logo on the down tube.
- Stiff yet Comfortable, Made in Taiwan
February 05, 2011
Purchase direct from Germany...wrong size = Percocet headache. Purchase from CC...wrong size = tylenol headache.
- Chris, Denver
February 05, 2011
Ken from Utah...look above at the Aerorad CFs and Ultimate SLX Pro, and you will see 'CANYON.com' on the downtubes. I don't really care either way (I want one regardless), other than to say it's rude to call others 'dufusses' [sic] when in reality your inattention is the issue.
- T, Camarillo
February 05, 2011
You already know what I think of Canyon's business model. But what I don't care for is their choice of typeface. Just saying.
- Matthew, PRoB
February 05, 2011
hey dufusses....note that the new bikes going into boxes already lack the .com-ness your panties are all in a twist about.
- Ken, Utah
