Tiffany Cromwell and her new Canyon Ultimate CF SLX (Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
Tiffany Cromwell's 2016 Canyon Ultimate CF SLX with SRAM eTap. The bike of the new Canyon//SRAM Pro Cycling team(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
For the fast and flat stages, Cromwell was riding Zipp 404 Firecrest tubular wheels (Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
Canyon even supplies its own bottle cages(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
matched with an aero handlebar setup, the head tube features an hourglass shape for less frontal drag(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
Cromwell's XXS sized Ultimate CF SLX features a tiny 94mm 'tall' head tube (Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
Many are saying this is the best colour scheme in professional racing of 2016. We tend to agree(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
Cromwell uses a Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle, mounted on top of Canyon's new S13 VCLS CF seatpost(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
Another angle of that integrated Garmin mount(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
The brake calipers are the same as those in SRAM's Red 22 mechanical groupset(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
Australian Tiffany Cromwell has been a professional cyclist for a number of years now, she won at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad in 2013(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
The new Canyon Ultimate CF SLX was first seen under Columbian Nairo Quintana prior to the 2015 Tour de France(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
Another view of that Canyon' H36 AeroCockpit CF' integrated handlebar and stem setup. We like the integrated Garmin mount up front(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
Cromwell rides with the Canyon H36 AeroCockpit CF. It claims to make a real difference to the bike's aerodynamics(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
This Quarq power meter is listed as a 'eTap' model. It's the same as the brand's Red 22 version, but with a revised graphic(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
A look at the new SRAM eTap rear derailleur. It's 11-speed and works with the current generation SRAM Red 22 cassette, chain and crankset(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
The SRAM eTap front derailleur is a little bulky, but impressive given it holds the same battery type as the rear derailleur (Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
The lack of gear cables or wires makes it easy to spot SRAM's new wireless eTap groupset(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
During the week of racing, Zipp teased its Super 9 Disc wheels with new 'Impress' printed logos. Expect to see these on Cromwell's Canyon Speedmax once she starts racing against the clock (Courtesy)(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
There's no doubt that the biggest recent news in women’s racing is the development of the Canyon//SRAM pro cycling team for 2016. Launching with what’s likely the nicest livery in the game, the new women’s team builds on what the former Velocio-SRAM team started.
A bike worthy of its name
Updated for 2016, the Ultimate CF SLX is a rare breed of race bike. With this, it’s claimed to be super light, super stiff, aero and yet comfortable. Rarely can brands claim so many key attributes, but our experience shows that in this case it isn't mere marketing nonsense.
The German-engineered Ultimate CF SLX lays claim to an impressive stiffness to weight ratio with a medium frame said to weigh just 780g (meaning Tiffany Cromwell’s XXS frame is probably significantly lighter).
While Canyon has kept the stiffness-to-weight ratio figures rather similar to the bike’s previous generation, there’s a newfound focus on aerodynamics and comfort.
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And lastly, there’s the Rapha kit the team will be wearing. "Rapha gear is awesome. When the new team got launched, it was a very cool launch and it was a different and unique approach," Cromwell concludes.
"I’ve known people in Rapha for a long time, but it’s a great opportunity to finally work with them. They’ve developed so much with Team Sky, and we’re benefiting from that. We’re getting all that stuff – including even faster skinsuits. The team trial is the baby of this team, and they’ll be helping us there."
Complete bike specifications
Frame: Canyon Ultimate CF SLX, size XXS Fork: Canyon One One Four SLX Headset: Acros, Canyon Stem: Canyon H36 AeroCockpit CF, 100mm Handlebar: Canyon H36 AeroCockpit CF, 39cm width Tape: Zipp Service Course Front brake: SRAM RED 22 Rear brake: SRAM RED 22 Brake levers: SRAM eTap Front derailleur: SRAM eTap wireless Rear derailleur: SRAM eTap wireless Shift levers: SRAM eTap wireless Cassette: SRAM X-Glide 1190, 11-26T Chain: SRAM RED 22 Crankset: SRAM eTap Quarq power meter, GXP, 170mm, 53/39T Bottom bracket: SRAM GXP pressfit Pedals: Speedplay Zero Titanium Wheelset: Zipp 404 Firecrest tubular Front tyre: Continental Competition, 25mm Rear tyre: Continental Competition, 25mm Saddle: Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow Seatpost: Canyon S13 VCLS CF Bottle cages: Canyon Cage SF (2) Computer: Garmin Edge 510
Critical measurements
Rider's height: 1.66m (5ft 5in) Rider's weight: 53kg (117lb) Saddle height from BB, c-t: 690mm Saddle setback: 50mm Tip of saddle to centre of bar: 530mm Saddle-to-bar drop: 97mm Head tube length: 94mm Top tube length (effective): 513mm Total bicycle weight: 7.09kg (15.63lb), including Garmin Edge 510
