Canyon revamps Endurace with 35mm tyre clearance and top tube mounts

Canyon has updated its Endurace CF and AL frames to increase tyre clearance (from 30mm to 35mm) and add top tube mounts, while also introducing a new fork and bottom bracket.

The 2022 Endurace CF (carbon fibre) and AL (aluminium) come hot on the heels of one of its key endurance bike competitors, the new Cannondale Synapse.

While Canyon’s latest update is decidedly low-tech compared to the integrated lights and radar of the Synapse, the new Endurace does match it pound-for-pound by adding 35mm tyre clearance and mounting points for a bento box.

Despite its relatively affordable positioning, Canyon has kept an eye on performance with the 2022 Endurace. The updated framesets borrow a new carbon fork and the BB86 bottom bracket standard, both said to improve stiffness, from the higher-end Endurace CF SL and CF SLX frames, which remain unchanged.

The aluminium Endurace range includes two models, with Shimano Tiagra and Shimano 105 for £1,399 / €1,399 / $1,499 and £1,699 / €1,699 / $1,799 respectively. Meanwhile, the Endurace CF line-up covers four models, from £1,999 / €1,999 / $2,149 with Shimano 105 to £2,999 / €2,999 / $3,199 with SRAM Rival eTap AXS.

The carbon fibre range includes an “all-road” build, with 35mm gravel bike tyres, hinting at the brand’s versatile intentions for the bike, though the Canyon Grail and Canyon Grizl remain the true gravel riding options.

Setting the scene

Canyon Endurace CF 7 Etap with SRAM Rival eTap — The revamped Canyon Endurace CF has clearance for 35mm tyres and top tube mounts, plus a new fork and bottom bracket. - http://Tino Pohlmann

As the name suggests, the Endurace has historically been positioned as an endurance bike with performance under the bonnet. The Endurace platform was introduced in 2014 before receiving an update in 2016, with the flagship Endurace CF SLX becoming Canyon’s first bike with road disc brakes.

A lot has changed since then. Rim brakes have been consigned to history and gravel bikes have risen to prominence, alongside trends towards wider road tyres and a demand for more versatility.

The Endurace reflects all of those changes, including the adoption of disc brakes across the new AL and CF range.

Canyon Endurace AL 6 road bike — There's a new aluminium frame, too, with the same updated features. - Tino Pohlmann

Canyon says the latest Endurace design will allow riders to do more with their bike while remaining true to the platform’s original ethos and, within the context of 2022, the German direct-sales brand’s typically aggressive pricing.

“Here are two new bikes that underline our commitment to democratise performance, taking the class-leading attributes of the Endurace CF SLX and making them more accessible than ever,” says Canyon’s press release.

“At a time when there are more newcomers discovering cycling than ever, these new Endurace platforms meet that demand by raising the bar for quality at more affordable price points.”

What’s new?

30mm and beyond

While the Endurace’s frame shape remains largely unchanged, Canyon has made a number of changes to bring the platform up to date.

“Remember when 25mm tyres were considered wide on a road bike? Thankfully, we’ve come a long way since then,” says Canyon.

As we’ve already stated, that means clearance for 35mm tyres, matching the likes of the Synapse, Cervélo Caledonia and Orbea Avant as an endurance bike with plenty of room for plush road or light gravel rubber.

We’ve previously covered the potential benefits of wider tyres, not least for the type of riding this bike is intended for, but to recap: more comfort, more grip and, if you play your cards right, more speed, too.

Canyon has specced a 30mm front tyre and 32mm rear tyre across most of the range, following the new Aeroad in using different tyre sizes for either end of the bike (the Aeroad has an aero-minded 25mm/28mm combination).

Mudguard fans will be disappointed, though. Canyon’s press materials make no mention of mudguard mounts on either the carbon fibre Endurace CF or aluminium Endurace AL, but we’ve asked for confirmation.

Male cyclist riding a Canyon Endurace AL 6 road bike — The new Endurace follows the trend for more storage by adding mounts to the top tube. - Tino Pohlmann

Comfort is king

A quick word on comfort: as well as increasing the Endurace’s tyre clearance, Canyon has specced its VCLS (Vertical Comfort Lateral Stiffness) seatpost on all but one bike, with a carbon layup designed to improve comfort.

The seatpost clamp also remains integrated into the seat tube, the thinking being that it leaves more of the post available to flex.

There’s not much more to say about the Endurace’s new top tube mounts. However, having first appeared on gravel and bikepacking bikes, as an additional option for riders to store snacks and the like, it’s something we’re now starting to see on the latest endurance bikes.

Staying loyal to press fit

The new fork shares the same 1-1/4in diameter as the Endurace CF SLX, said to increase stiffness under heavy braking and improve steering precision, according to Canyon.

As for the new BB86 bottom bracket, that’s where the latest Endurace starts to buck the trend.

After years of pushing press fit, we’ve seen a number of brands – including the original press fit pioneers Cannondale, on the new Synapse – revert to threaded bottom brackets.

Not so with the Endurace, though Canyon does nod to the potential drawbacks of the design, and the steps the brand is taking to address those.

“Extra attention is paid to tolerances in the manufacturing process with stringent quality checks to ensure long-lasting, creak-free, smooth-spinning performance,” says Canyon.

Geometry and handling

The new Endurace uses Canyon’s Sport geometry, with a more relaxed fit than the Ultimate race all-rounder and Aeroad aero bike. That primarily means more stack and less reach for a more upright, less stretched position on the bike.

Canyon likes to use stack-to-reach ratios to benchmark the different layouts of its bikes: the new Endurace CF’s ratio is 1.56, compared to 1.45 for the Ultimate CF SLX.

While the Endurace’s geometry reflects its position in the market, Canyon says the handling should be similar to the Ultimate, with an aim of retaining the zip and precision of the racier bike.

“While we differentiate geometry when it comes to a less aggressive rider position, we look to maintain the key handling attributes that make a Canyon a Canyon – agility to respond and the accuracy to carve precise lines across the road,” reads the brand’s press material.

“The Ultimate has built a reputation as one of the finest-handling bikes on the scene, and the Endurace should be no different. If we take the trail measurement as an indicator of a bike’s agility, both the new Endurace CF and Endurace AL lines, and our Ultimate family, run around 60mm in a size medium for a comparable feel at the controls.”

Finally, Canyon is offering the Endurace CF and Endurace AL in eight sizes, from XXXS to XXL. The two smallest sizes come with 650b wheels, while 700c wheels feature across the rest of the size range.

2022 Canyon Endurace AL geometry

SIZE	3XS	2XS	XS	S	M	L	XL	2XL
Body height in cm	-158	158-164	164-170	170-177	177-184	184-191	191-197	+197
Saddle height	590-690	620-720	650-750	680-780	710-810	740-840	770-870	800-900
Seat tube length	402	432	462	492	522	552	582	612
Top tube length	501	511	532	543	553	568	594	609
Head tube length	122	139	128	145	164	186	213	232
Head tube angle	70.5	71.5	71	72	73	73	73.25	73.25
Seat tube angle	73.5	73.5	73.5	73.5	73.5	73.5	73.5	73.5
Chainstay length	405	405	415	415	415	415	415	415
Wheelbase	957	958	989	991	990	1.006	1.029	1.044
Stack	510	529	548	568	590	611	637	656
Reach	350	354	370	375	378	387	405	414
Standover height	681	691	744	774	800	827	852	878

2022 Canyon Endurace CF geometry

SIZE	3XS	2XS	XS	S	M	L	XL	2XL
Body height in cm	-158	158-164	164-170	170-177	177-184	184-191	191-197	+197
Saddle height	593-693	623-723	653-753	683 -783	713-813	743-843	773-873	803-903
Seat tube length	402	432	462	492	522	552	582	612
Top tube length	501	511	532	543	553	568	594	609
Head tube length	122	139	128	145	164	186	213	232
Head tube angle	70.5	71.5	71	72	73	73	73.25	73.25
Seat tube angle	73.5	73.5	73.5	73.5	73.5	73.5	73.5	73.5
Chainstay length	405	405	415	415	415	415	415	415
Wheelbase	957	958	958	991	990	1.006	1.029	1.044
Stack	510	529	548	568	590	611	637	656
Reach	350	354	370	375	378	387	405	414
Standover height	708	733	762	788	814	838	866	887

2022 Canyon Endurace CF and AL specs and prices

While we’ve seen price hikes across the industry, and Canyon hasn’t escaped the impact of supply chain and shipping pressures, the new Endurace range looks very competitively specced for the money. UK and US prices are to be confirmed.

There's also a generous splash of colour across the range, along with the usual black options.