Canyon's latest flagship race bike is called the Ultimate CFR and it sports a frame weighing a claimed 641g, with complete bikes starting at 6.2kg.
CFR stands for Canyon Factory Racing and it looks like this is Canyon’s attempt to create a halo brand for its very best bikes, much the way Specialized designates its pro-level machines as S-Works and Cannondale uses the Black Inc label.
The Ultimate CFR comes with some truly impressive claimed stats, but closer reading reveals they’re the same numbers Canyon published last year with the launch of the remarkable Ultimate CF EVO Disc, a bike we subsequently reviewed in a mouth-watering SRAM Red eTap AXS spec.
What definitely has changed between last year's EVO and this year's CFR is the builds, with Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 and Campagnolo Super Record EPS specs for £7,149 and £8,499 respectively.
Canyon Ultimate CFR: ultralight disc frame, Evo-like specs
Canyon won't confirm the Ultimate CFR is based on the same frameset as the Evo, instead stating that the CFR's layup "emulates the existing Evo".
According to Canyon, “the pursuit of lightness has always been, and shall remain, a key yardstick in road bike performance”.
Just like the Evo, the Ultimate CFR has disc brakes and a claimed frame weight of 641g (size medium including paint but without “small parts”, i.e. hardware), with a 285g fork. This compares to 785g and 325g respectively for the Ultimate CF SLX Disc.
Incidentally, the Ultimate CFR is disc-only, but Canyon says the rim brake Ultimate CF will be sticking around for now.
Canyon likes to quote stiffness-to-weight figures and the CFR’s figure is a claimed 137 (same as the Evo), versus 125 for the Ultimate CF SLX Disc.
These figures are apparently achieved using a combination of ultra-high modulus (UHM) and ultra-high tension (UHT) carbon.
The Ultimate CFR also gets the same 270g (claimed) CP20 one-piece carbon cockpit as the Evo.
The Ultimate CFR will initially be available in two builds, with the lightest weighing a claimed 6.2kg and featuring Campagnolo’s Super Record EPS groupset and DT Swiss PRC 1100 25 Y Anniversary wheels.
Alternatively, the Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 model weighs a claimed 6.5kg and gets 50mm-deep DT Swiss ARC 1100 Dicut wheels.
Riders also have the option of a frameset that includes that lightweight CP20 cockpit, plus a Schmolke carbon seatpost.
While Canyon describes the Ultimate CFR as “a bike for all roads, not just for racing”, it will be the ride of choice for Canyon-sponsored climbers, while sprinters will likely stick with the Aeroad, which it seems likely will receive an update imminently.
Canyon Ultimate CFR prices and specs
The Ultimate CFR is available now in two builds or as a frameset, with full details as follows:
Canyon Ultimate CFR Disc Di2
- Claimed weight: 6.5kg
- Groupset: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2
- Wheels: DT Swiss ARC 1100 Dicut
- Price: £7,149 / €7,599 / AU$11,899
Canyon Ultimate CFR Disc EPS
- Claimed weight: 6.2kg
- Groupset: Campagnolo Super Record EPS
- Wheels: DT Swiss PRC 1100 25 Y Anniversary
- Price: £8,499 / €8,999 / AU$14,099
Canyon Ultimate CFR frameset
- Claimed weight: 641g frame, 285g fork
- Includes: Schmolke 1K carbon seatpost, CP20 one-piece carbon cockpit
- Price: £3,299 / €3,499 / AU$5,499
