2021 Canyon Speedmax ignores UCI rules and goes all-in on aero, adjustability and storage

Canyon has today announced its 2021 Speedmax range, which eschews UCI rules and goes all-in on maximising aerodynamic efficiency, on-bike storage and integration. In line with other major manufacturers, the new range is also disc-brake only.

As it did with the Aeroad, Canyon is updating the entire Speedmax range in one fell swoop. The top of the range models now receive Canyon’s CFR branding, and use Canyon’s light and stiffest (and most expensive) carbon fibre. Below this tier sit the SLX and CF models.

There are a total of 11 models in the new Speedmax range, with prices starting from £3,899 for the Speedmax CF 7 Disc and rising to £12,399 for the top-spec Speedmax CFR Disc AXS.

All models in the Speedmax range come with deep-section carbon aero wheels, and many models also come with power meters as standard.

Canyon Speedmax Disc CFR — The Speedmax Disc is primarily targeted at the triathlon market, and ignores UCI rules as a consequence. - Canyon

All-in on aero, integration and discs

Designed in collaboration with aero-experts Swiss Side, who were also closely involved with the design of Canyon’s recently launched 2021 Aeroad aero road bike range, the new Speedmax CFR is the result of 456 CFD (computational fluid dynamics) test runs and 97 wind tunnel validation test runs during its development.

The net result of all this development is that the new Speedmax CFR is claimed to be 9 to 10 watts more aerodynamically efficient, with a rider, compared to the previous Speedmax CF SLX.

Canyon says these tests were conducted at an effective wind speed of 45kph and that it was tested across a range of yaw angles from -20 to +20 degrees.

2021 Canyon Speedmax CFR vs old CF SLX — Canyon says the new Speedmax CFR is 9-10 watts more aerodynamically efficient, with a rider at 45kph, compared to the previous Speedmax CF SLX. - Canyon

According to Canyon, key gains were made thanks to the integration of storage, but it’s also easy to imagine how the noticeably deeper tube profiles (compared to the previous, UCI legal Speedmax) contribute to lower overall aerodynamic drag.

Achingly on trend, Canyon has also gone disc-brake only across the entire 2021 Speedmax range.

While rim braking systems have long been considered marginally more aerodynamically efficient, the direction of travel for wheel development across the performance bike industry is clearly towards disc brakes, so it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise.

Canyon Speedmax Disc CF — The new Speedmax Disc range is disc-brake only at every level. - Canyon

However, Canyon did say that the current, UCI legal Speedmax with rim brakes would remain part of Canyon's product catalogue.

Mono-riser, adjustable handlebar system

A key feature of the new Speedmax CFR and CF SLX models is the new mono-riser, fully adjustable aero handlebar system.

There is also a single aero extension, which splits off into two adjustable hand grips. The design is visually similar to that of Trek’s Speed Concept time-trial bike, but it remains to be seen if Canyon's cockpit is any easier for the home mechanic to work on.

2021 Speedmax CFR Handlebar — The new mono-riser aero handlebar system is key to optimising the aerodynamics of both the bike and the rider. The drinking tube from the frame's internal hydration bladder runs down the middle of the single extension for easy access.

Canyon does claim, however, that the bike has been designed to be easy to travel with (as well as for it to ship to consumers) and that a bike bag specifically designed for the new Speedmax will be available to purchase separately.

Both models come with a Fitting Kit that contains a range of spacers and bolts to make what Canyon says is its most adjustable aero cockpit ever.

As is quickly becoming standard in the time trial and triathlon world, both stack height and angle adjustment are catered for as stock. The height difference between the armrests and the base bar can be set between 0mm and 110mm, for example, while the extensions and armrests can be tilted an extra 3.5 or 7 degrees from their standard 5 degrees of tilt.

2021 Canyon Speedmax CFR Handlebar — Canyon says the new aero cockpit is its most adjustable ever. - Canyon

Consumers can also choose between a flat or riser base bar at the point of purchase.

Bikes in the CF range come with Profile Design Aeria Ultimate integrated handlebar systems. These feature more standard, dual extensions, but are still highly adjustable for fit.

Triathlon bikepacking?

Another theme for the new Speedmax range is the integration of on-bike storage. The CFR and CF SLX framesets feature storage for tools, food and fluids, all completely integrated into the frameset.

While the cheaper CF framesets don’t feature this same level of internal storage, they do ship with customised storage boxes on the top tube and bottom bracket area, designed to fulfil a similar purpose.

Canyon has provided some interesting x-ray images showcasing how much stuff can be carried inside the bikes. As you can see, there’s quite a lot of space in there – is this the first triathlon bike optimised for bikepacking?