Canyon Ultimate CF SLX Disc gets versatile

Canyon Ultimate CF SLX Disc gets versatile

Similar geo, 30mm clearance for prototypes to be tested by Katusha and Movistar teams

James Huang / Immediate Media

Published: September 1, 2015 at 1:40 pm

Canyon previewed at this year’s Eurobike show the disc-equipped road racers the German direct-to-consumer brand plans to supply to its Katusha and Movistar teams for testing this autumn. Canyon officially referred to its Ultimate CF SLX Disc showpiece as a ‘concept’ but make no mistake – this bike is coming to the public, and we’re guessing sooner than later.

Related: BikeRadar's complete coverage of the 2015 Eurobike trade show

We obviously haven’t had a chance to ride Canyon’s new Ultimate CF SLX Disc but from what we can tell, it’s going to be one hell of a bike. Based closely on the recently revamped standard Ultimate CF SLX, the Disc variant gets front and rear 12mm thru-axles instead of quick-release dropouts, and the latest flat-mount disc brake calipers at both ends.

It feels like we're finally converging on a stable fitment platform for road disc bikes with flat-mount caliper interfaces and 12mm-diameter thru-axles : it feels like we're finally converging on a stable fitment platform for road disc bikes with flat-mount caliper interfaces and 12mm-diameter thru-axles

12mm thru-axles and flat-mount disc brakes are used at both ends

Freed from the constraints of rim brakes, Canyon’s frame engineers have even boosted the official maximum tire clearance to a whopping 30mm, which should make the new bike quite versatile.

Despite the impressive clearance, frame geometry remains nearly unchanged from the standard Ultimate CF SLX’s aggressive ‘Sport Pro’ layout. Chainstay length does grow fractionally to 415mm to satisfy Shimano’s prescribed chainline requirements, but thanks to a shorter head tube that compensates for the longer fork blades, stack and reach carry over intact. Bottom bracket drop and head tube angle are untouched, too, meaning the new bike should handle just as deftly as the rim brake version.

There's massive tire clearance out back, too: there's massive tire clearance out back, too

Canyon says there's room for 30mm rubber, which should greatly boost the bike's versatility

Even better, all of that extra capability has apparently added barely 100g of extra weight. According to Canyon, the Ultimate CF SLX Disc weighs just 1,200g (2.65lb) for a medium frame, fork, and headset – excellent figures by anyone’s measure.

Canyon has yet to announce when the new bike might go into production but there’s little doubt that it will at some point – and probably in the relatively near future.

The canyon ultimate cf slx disc is the bike many have been waiting for: ultralight weight, 12mm front and rear thru-axles, flat-mount disc calipers front and rear, aggressive fit and handling, and clearance for 30mm-wide tires: the canyon ultimate cf slx disc is the bike many have been waiting for: ultralight weight, 12mm front and rear thru-axles, flat-mount disc calipers front and rear, aggressive fit and handling, and clearance for 30mm-wide tires

There's no word on when the Canyon Ultimate CF SLX Disc will be released but we're hoping it's soon