Product news: 21 models! Canyon Ultimate, Aerorad and Endurace now with disc brakes

Market: Bang in Koblenz – Canyon expands its range of road bikes with disc brakes to the entire product range. For 2017 there will be 21 disc models, from the aero bike to the Canyon Ultimate CF SLX Disc. At the same time, however, the existing rim brake models will be retained.

The topic of disc brakes on racing bikes was probably one the Topics of this year, not only in relation to professionals and UCI, but also among manufacturers and hobby riders. Numerous manufacturers already presented the disc models of their proven rim brake wheels in the spring, while a few others handed in the new wheels drop by drop over the course of the season. Not so at the Koblenz direct mailer Canyon – it was almost uncanny how calmly the topic was dealt with there. In the first half of the season, you could see photos on Twitter where a Movistar or Katusha pro had a prototype with disc brakes under their butt. But with regard to series production, market launch and end users, they were calm and deliberately relaxed.

The first harbinger of Canyon's disc brake avalanche was the new endurance bike Endurace CF SLX, which was already able to offer disc brake variants when it was presented a few months ago. Of course, this was not surprising, also because the hydraulic stoppers in the endurance area experienced and still experience a much broader acceptance than elsewhere on the road.

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With today's press release and the presentation of the new product range for the 2017 road models, however, it becomes clear why it took Canyon a little longer and it also shows that behind the scenes they have been anything but idle: exclusively all road models, from the ultra-light From the climbing ace Ultimate CF SLX to the sleek Aerorad to the well-known Endurace, a complete range of disc models will be available in the coming year. Should the rim brake fans panic at this announcement, we can give the all-clear: The models for conventional rim brakes will not be shaken.

Canyon road bikes with disc brakes: everything is the same and yet completely different

Canyon emphasizes that they deliberately took their time to present their disc models for the road. In hindsight, this turned out to be a smart move, because you could wait and see which standards would establish themselves, what the level of acceptance would be on the market, and you could also press ahead with the development without the great time pressure. At first glance, the disc models from Ultimate and Co. hardly differ from their rim brake counterparts; but as is often the case with first impressions – they are deceptive.

A lot has been said and written about the pros and cons of disc brakes - but there is no doubt about the fact that the brakes make fundamentally different demands on the frame and also on the entire bicycle system - a great challenge for developers and designers. The peak loads that act on the frame during emergency braking should not be underestimated and are completely different for disc brakes than for rim brakes.

That's why a lot has happened with the frames, especially in the non-visible area: The carbon layup has been modified in such a way that there is no loss of stability and rigidity even during heavy braking. In addition, all disc models come with 12mm thru-axles at the front and rear. This not only noticeably increases the rigidity, regardless of the braking system, but also has the great advantage that the disc always runs in the same place even after a wheel change and thus remains rub-free.

"But the weight! But the aerodynamics!”: That's not so wild says Canyon

Canyon also addresses two of the main criticisms of disc brake skeptics in today's press release: namely the additional weight and the apparently poorer aerodynamics of disc brakes. On both points you don't want to beat around the bush and say clearly: Yes, the models with disc brakes are heavier and yes, they are also less aerodynamic. At the same time, however, it is emphasized that the differences are in a tiny area, which is easily offset by the advantages of the new brakes.

But now to the hard facts: The frames for disc brakes are all about 70g heavier than their counterparts with rim brakes. The brake systems themselves also weigh a few grams more, so there are measurable differences and, depending on sensitivity, probably also noticeable differences: According to Canyon, for example, between disc and rim brake models of the Aerorad CF SLX 8.0 Di2 with largely identical equipment, there are approx. 600g (7,2kg vs. 7,8kg).

Canyon is also trying to clarify the aerodynamic differences: They sent an Ultimate CF SLX against an Ultimate CF SLX Disc in the wind tunnel under the same conditions. At 45 km/h the difference was 3,3 watts or 1,5% - in favor of the "old" rim brake.

So why disc brakes anyway? For Canyon, the advantages are obvious: Better modulation during braking and consistently lower operating forces help to stay fast for longer and easily compensate for the minimal deficits in weight and aerodynamics. Another positive side feature of disc brakes is the significantly greater tire clearance - by eliminating the old brake calipers, the entire passage of the rear triangle and fork can be used; so fit in Endurace Disc and Ultimate Disc tires with a width of up to 33mm!

Canyon disc road bikes: All models at a glance

Canyon Ultimate CF SLX Disc and Canyon Ultimate CF SL Disc models

Canyon Aerorad CF SLX Disc models

Canyon Endurace CF SLX Disc and Canyon Endurace CF SL Disc models

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