Canyon Endurace CF SLX 8 Di2 Aero

Canyon’s sporty endurance bike, the Endurace, has been around since 2014 and is one of the German direct-to-market brand’s most successful product lines.

This newest design brings plenty of the aerodynamic lessons learned from its pro-tour focused Aeroad and Ultimate platforms, including the innovative Aerocockpit one-piece bar/stem.

Testing in the depths of UK winter has laid bare the one significant omission from the latest Endurace frameset’s design: dedicated mudguard mounts. For many, this is an essential inclusion for any endurance bike, and rightfully might be seen as a deal-breaker.

That said, it’s the one low point in an otherwise excellent – and very entertaining – endurance road bike.

Canyon Endurace CF SLX 8 Di2 frame details

The frame design features a deep, boxy down tube, bearing the hallmarks of the brand’s Bike of the Year winning Ultimate all-round race bike, as does the straight-legged, skinny fork.

Interestingly, the head tube’s aero-optimised shape appears like a halfway house (in terms of depth) between the Ultimate and Aeroad, while the skinny flattened top tube flows into the triangulated junction between the seatstays and aero-shaped seat tube.

The design looks very polished and demonstrates that Canyon has taken lessons from its racier bikes.

To that end, just like the Ultimate, the Endurace CF SLX 8 Di2 uses the CP0018 Aerocockpit that debuted on the current-generation Aeroad. This features the innovative spacing system that allows for 40mm of width adjustment.

That said, the quill-stem system is proprietary, so you can’t switch it out for another cockpit. At the time of writing, it isn’t listed as a purchasable part on Canyon’s direct-to-consumer site – nor can you swap it at the point of purchase.

In short, while the width adjustment is a commendable part of the design, you’re stuck with the supplied dimensions.

The seat tube's wheel-hugging cutaway flattens to provide a degree of comfort-improving flex, leaving the lion's share of the job to the long-standing leaf-spring like design of the S15 VCLS seatpost. This is claimed to provide 20mm of flex, but importantly, is a proven design.

Other updates to the frame bring the Endurace closer to the all-road space than its previous incarnations. The tyre clearance is upped to 35mm, bringing potential light gravel riding into play, and the frame now sports its ‘Load’ top tube storage.

In place of a set of gravel-style bento box mounts on the top tube, Canyon has created a storage space with a clip-on cover that houses a long neoprene sleeve (which is included).

This is designed to take a Canyon CO2 cartridge, tyre levers and a multi-tool (all of which are available separately). It's a smart idea that means you’ll never leave home without the repair essentials, presuming you buy them.

For such a versatile and well thought-out frameset, it seems remiss that Canyon hasn't given any provision for standard mudguard fittings. The Endurace should rightfully be considered the sort of machine that’ll be used come rain or shine, but to add all-weather protection you’ll need to resort to clip on fenders.

The CF SLX frameset sits below the premium CFR carbon version and is said to weigh in around 100g heavier than the CFR’s 930g frame and 350g fork.

It’s still very light for an endurance bike, though – the complete build of the Endurace CF SLX 8 weighs in at 7.98kg – competitive for its specification and price.

By comparison, the similarly priced Lauf Ùthald weighs in at 8.08kg and Specialized’s Roubaix SL8 Comp at the same price is 9.17kg.

Canyon Endurace CF SLX 8 Di2 geometry

The latest-generation Endurace uses Canyon’s Sport Geometry, just as the original did back in 2014.

Size-for-size, the Endurace is around 20mm taller than the Ultimate and around 15mm shorter (albeit the actual measurement varies on a sliding scale, depending on frame size).

Overall, Canyon says the Ultimate has a 1.43 stack-to-reach ratio, while the Endurace ups that to 1.56.

On my large-sized test bike, that equates to a 611mm stack and a 387mm reach.

Giant’s similarly sporty Defy has a lower 596mm stack and longer reach at 392.9mm (for a size large).

That said, because Canyon’s CP0018 Aerocockpit has an effective 110mm stem length (as supplied with a size-large bike) the actual reach length is much closer – the Defy has a 100mm long stem.

Canyon Endurace CF SLX 8 Di2 specification

The Endurace CF SLX 8 Di2 sports a Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8100 groupset.

Canyon has added extra value by upgrading the left crank arm to 4iiii’s single-sided Precision power meter.

A single-sided power meter is better than none, but the Lauf Ùthald, with SRAM Force AXS, packs in a dual-sided wattage measurer for even less.

The gearing choice reflects Canyon’s fast philosophy for the Endurace, with a semi-compact 52/36-tooth chainring paired with an 11-34t cassette.

This is bigger gearing than some alternatives, and will favour stronger riders confident in their abilities in the hills.

As mentioned, Canyon provides its one-piece Aerocockpit and VCLS S15 carbon seatpost. This is topped by Fizik’s short-nosed Tempo Argo saddle.

The bike is running on DT Swiss’ ERC 1400 Dicut 35 wheelset.

The 35mm-deep, hooked carbon rim was designed in conjunction with aero experts Swiss Side and features a big-tyre friendly 22mm inner width and tubeless compatibility.

It has the brand’s highly rated 240 EXP hubs, with a 36-tooth ratchet design. At a claimed 1,477g a pair, they're lightweight.

The wheels are fitted with Continental’s acclaimed Grand Prix 5000 S TR tyres. Canyon has specced offset sizes: 700x32c at the rear to prioritise volume-induced comfort and a 700x30c version up front (ostensibly, for improved aerodynamics).

This is a swap from the stock specification – the bike will ordinarily be specced with Schwalbe Pro One tyres (in the same sizes).

In all, it’s an impressive build for the money – there are no compromises from the complete Ultegra groupset and nothing that’ll need upgrading for many, many miles to come.

Value-wise, it's Canyon’s usual high standard, although Lauf’s Ùthald Race Wireless arguably betters it by around £500 with its SRAM Force AXS groupset and Zipp 303S wheels.

On the other hand, the Roubaix SL8 Comp at the same price comes with a 105 Di2 R7100 groupset and alloy wheels.

For a similar specification from Trek, you’ll need to look to the Domane SL 7 AXS at £6,475 with SRAM Force AXS and Bontrager Aeolus Pro 37 carbon wheels.

Canyon Endurace CF SLX 8 Di2 ride impressions

The previous iterations of the Endurace have all impressed, with one caveat: the design tended to be biased towards a fast ride, rather than a forgiving one.

This is especially so compared to the luxury comfort offered by some of its rivals, such as the Specialized Roubaix, Trek Domane and Cannondale Synapse.

This evolution of the design, however, addresses the balance of speed and suppleness with exceptional results.

The combination of the aero-tweaked frame, fork and cockpit, plus the aerodynamically optimised wheels, makes the Endurace a rapid bike.

The stiffness through the drivetrain feels race-bike optimised – I would even argue it’s a match for the Ultimate.

That said, it is brilliantly offset by a more forgiving ride position than the previous-generation Endurace, and the combination of a flexible seatpost and generous tyre volume (plus a favourable saddle) come together for an air of calm.

With the standard of rural road surfaces in the UK is the poorest it has ever been (to the extent that some could easily qualify as gravel roads), the Endurace has a flowing quality.

I wondered whether the CF SLX was getting its fine manners from the big-volume tubeless tyres.

So, I switched out the impressive DT Swiss wheelset for a set from my own Ultegra Di2 bike, but running 28c tyres, and while the Endurace felt a little firmer, it certainly still met my expectations of a class-leading endurance bike.

This is one seriously impressive machine.

The DT Swiss ERC 1400 Dicut wheelset impressed, with the 1,477g claimed weight light for a 35mm-deep aerodynamic-rimmed wheel.

The lightness of the wheels and the stiffness of the frame combine to make the CF SLX a superb climbing companion.

The gearing is at the higher end of what I’d expect on an endurance bike, though on the variety of climbs on my 70-mile test loop, the Canyon impressed on short, sharp ramps.

On the longer, more tempo-focused, climbs I couldn’t quite find the higher cadence I was looking for, but that’s perhaps more down to my high-cadence riding style than any stark deficiencies in the Endurace’s setup.

On rolling terrain and descents, the Endurace keeps its speed well – the ride position, while being comfortable and more upright than a race bike, is still sporty enough.

The shallow drop of the bar means you can get down and stay down in a more aerodynamic position for longer.

The width-adjustable bar is a clever inclusion – I experimented a lot with widening and narrowing it.

If I was heading out on a relatively flat ride, I opted to put the bar in its narrowest setting to help tuck in from the wind. For more elevation and twisty terrain, I widened the setup to further stabilise the handling.

Adjustment is easy and only requires a hex key; Canyon cleverly doesn't tape the top section where the bar adjusts.

The CF SLX descends magnificently – the taut feel of the frame and the broad tyres combine to assure your confidence in line choice. In test spec, the Continental tyres grip impressively (we also highly rate the Schwalbe Pro One tyre), and mute chatter with their extra volume.

Shimano’s braking is full of feel and has ample power from the drops or the hoods – it’s easy to feed in enough slowing forces without over-braking, making for a faster ride because you’re less likely to scrub off too much speed unnecessarily.

Canyon Endurace CF SLX 8 Di2 bottom line

The CF SLX is a stunning bike. As a fast endurance bike, it's nigh-on perfect and this model has an (almost) unimpeachable spec list.

However, for riders looking for a bike to ride all year round and whatever the weather, the Endurace has one major flaw – the omission of dedicated mudguard eyelets.

In the especially wet testing period, this shortcoming was an almost ever-present issue. Certainly, your bike kit and buddies won’t appreciate the lack of protection from road spray.

Overall, it leaves the Endurace as one of the very best endurance options available. In good weather, I’d argue it’s one of the most exciting bikes to ride in the endurance space in years.