Launched in 2017, the still-fresh Endurace WMN has scored consistently high marks on BikeRadar and other sites due to its great value-for-money spec and impressive performance. The 2018 Endurace WMN CF SL Disc 8.0 is no exception to that trend.
- Bike of the Year 2018
- Women’s cycling news, reviews, interviews and more on BikeRadar Women
- Best women's road bikes of 2018: 9 of the best
- The Canyon Endurace WMN CF SL Disc 8.0 SL is one of our Bike of the Year bikes for 2018. To read reviews of the other contenders and the categories tested across road, mountain and women's bikes, visit our Bike of the Year hub.
BikeRadar reviews the Canyon Endurace WMN CF SL Disc 8.0
The name of this bike is a giveaway to its intended purpose. The Endurace WMN from Canyon is the main endurance or sportive-focused bike in the Canyon lineup, released at the same time as its racier sister the Ultimate WMN.
Endurace WMN CF SL Disc 8.0 SL frame
This version of the Endurace WMN is based around the same quality carbon as the top-of-the-line model, with women’s specific geometry that gives a slightly shorter reach than the men’s/unisex version (though should give the same on-bike body position). If you want to save some pennies, there is an aluminium-frame version of the Endurace that employs the same frame geometry.
There’s a good amount of clearance on the frame, so should you want to fit something chunkier you could, although I found the 28c Schwalbe Pro One tyres perfectly satisfactory.
While Canyon did have WMN versions of the Endurace before, these were based around a unisex frame shared with the men’s/unisex bike. The new version, launched in 2017, now has women’s specific geometry.
The decision was made based on the analysis of body dimension data collected from Canyon’s own online fit system, which indicated the significant differences between the average male rider and female rider.
To address this, and to provide female riders with an equivalent ride experience and on-bike position, Canyon decided the best option was a bespoke frame geometry.
Our news story on the change to women’s specific design has plenty more information if you’d like to know about the differences Canyon observed.
Endurace WMN CF SL Disc 8.0 SL specs
A full Shimano Ultegra groupset, including hydraulic disc brakes, provides lightweight, reliable shifting. A 50/34t chainring with 11-32t cassette provides a good range of gears for more sportive-focused riding, with enough range to allow an easy spin up climbs.
Generally speaking, there’s very little to criticise with the spec. Canyon, as a direct-sell brand, is known for providing great value for money and that’s evident again here.
DT Swiss ER 1600 Spline wheels are a quality lightweight set and come set up tubeless and ready to ride.
The bolt-thru-axle design feels more secure and direct than the skewer system used by older disc-brake bikes, and handling feels stable and surprisingly fast.
The Endurace feels planted in the corners, although it's not as quick and nimble to manoeuvre as more aggressive, race-oriented bikes, such as its sister the Canyon Ultimate, or the Specialized Tarmac Women’s or Liv Langma. Think stable and secure rather than nimble and lively.
As you’d expect, certain specs are size specific to the frame size. Apart from the smaller wheels and correspondingly smaller tyres on the 3- and 2XS, this includes stem length, handlebar width and crank length.
Comfort is an important part of a good ride and Canyon has included its own carbon VCLS in this version of the Endurace. It splits towards the top where the saddle is attached, acting like a leaf spring to flex and absorb vibrations and impacts from the road surface channelled up through the frame.
It’s effective — the feeling through the seat is comfortable, though you still get a sensation of the road surface (which, personally, I like).
One feature I have mixed feelings about is the Ergocockpit, a one-piece integrated carbon stem and handlebar set up that is designed to provide comfort and improved aerodynamics.
In practice, I found the unit did provide enough compliance to smooth out the worst of the road vibrations, though you still get a degree of feedback.
However, my concern is with the limits that such a one-piece cockpit place on fine-tuning the fit. If the frame and the cockpit fit you, then great, but should you prefer to alter the stem length, angle, or want different handlebars, you’d have to invest in a whole new bar and stem.
Overall, I prefer the fit of the WMN model of the Endurace, but as with anything to do with fit, while there may be overall trends, it’s an individual matter and it’s always worth investing in a bike fit.
Endurace WMN CF SL Disc 8.0 SL overall
This version of the Endurace WMN represents excellent value for money. It also has the performance needed to elevate it to an excellent 4.5 out of 5 stars.
If you’re looking for a do-it-all bike that errs more towards comfort and versatility than all-out speed, but is quite capable of going hard when you need it to, the new Endurace WMN is a bike to consider.
It’s not the smoothest ride available for a bike aimed at endurance (that crown goes to the Trek Domane), however it’s a great bike for someone who likes versatility. It’s comfortable for long rides, racy enough for those who prefer speed and stable yet fun in its handling.
The Endurace WMN also wins points for its range of sizes — it’s great to see a brand like Canyon cater to smaller riders, and take a considered approach rather than simply scaling down a larger size.
We’ve also tested the entry-level carbon model the Endurace WMN CF 7.0, and at the other end of the spectrum the top-of-the-range special edition Endurace WMN CF SLX Disc 9.0 Team CSR.
Endurace WMN CF SL Disc 8.0 price, sizes and availability
The Endurace WMN CF SL Disc 8.0 is available directly from Canyon for £2,699 / $2,699 / AU$4,299 and comes in five sizes: 3XS, 2XS, XS, S and M.
It’s worth noting Canyon sizes its WMN bikes to the same scale as its unisex/men’s bikes. As a 5ft 8in / 1.73m rider I would usually ride a 54, and in Canyon would ride a size Small. Canyon’s online fit system will guide you through a fit process and recommend a frame size.
For £2,999 / $3,499 / AU$4,699 you can get the same model with Shimano Di2 electronic shifting.
Also consider...
If you're in the market for a bike and want to know what else is on offer, have a look at the following list of tried, tested and reviewed options.
- Trek Domane SL 6 Disc Women's
- Specialized Tarmac S-Works SL6 Women's
- Liv Langma Pro Disc
- Trek Emonda SL5 Women's
- Liv Avail Advanced 1
- Specialized Ruby Elite
Want more? BikeRadar Women has loads of women's cycling news, reviews, interviews and advice and more.
