One of three SRAM eTap rigs for the defending Flanders champ
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Alexander Kristoff's Canyon Aeroad CF SLX proved to be the winning bike last year at Flanders. Could it again in 2016?(Image credit: Ben Delaney/Immediate Media)
Look Keo Max 3 Carbon pedals(Image credit: Ben Delaney/Immediate Media)
The Aeroad fork's aero lines are most noticeable with the fork turned(Image credit: Ben Delaney/Immediate Media)
SwissStop pads do the job on the Zipp 303 wheels(Image credit: Ben Delaney/Immediate Media)
Continetnal Competition tubulars are a popular choice in the pro peloton(Image credit: Ben Delaney/Immediate Media)
Shimano Dura-Ace direct-mount calipers are used for a simple reason: SRAM doesn't yet this style of brake that the frame requires(Image credit: Ben Delaney/Immediate Media)
The front end of the cockpit lives up to framset's name(Image credit: Ben Delaney/Immediate Media)
Canyon's integrated bar/stem(Image credit: Ben Delaney/Immediate Media)
For the cobbled hills of the Tour of Flanders, even the strongest riders often opt for an 11-28 cassette(Image credit: Ben Delaney/Immediate Media)
As his third bike, this Aeroad lacks the Quarq power meter of his primary race bike. Also, it has standard SRAM rings unlike the blacked-out rings on his race bike(Image credit: Ben Delaney/Immediate Media)
This is Kristoff's third bike(Image credit: Ben Delaney/Immediate Media)
SRAM Red eTap has interchangeable batteries for the derailleurs(Image credit: Ben Delaney/Immediate Media)
SRAM Red eTap wireless shifting is still pretty hard to lay hands on, unless you just happen to race at the top professional level(Image credit: Ben Delaney/Immediate Media)
SRAM has its own chain catcher(Image credit: Ben Delaney/Immediate Media)
Team Katusha's Alexander Kristoff won the 2015 Tour of Flanders aboard a Canyon Aeroad CF SLX, and the Norwegian is eager to do exactly that this year, too. For the 2016 edition of Belgium's biggest race, Kristoff and his Russian team are again on the German aero bikes, but this time with SRAM's new wireless shifting group instead of last year's Shimano Dura-Ace Di2.
Other significant equipment changes for the 2016 season include a move to Zipp 303 wheels and Continental tubulars (from Mavic and Mavic-branded Veloflex), Look pedals (from Shimano) and Quarq (from SRM).
Despite the change from Shimano to SRAM, Shimano direct-mount calipers (unbranded) remain, for a simple reason: SRAM doesn't yet make direct-mount brakes, which the Canyon frame requires.
BikeRadar was given access to Kristoff's third bike. Each of the three are identical in terms of geometry, and most of the parts. Notable differences are the absence of the Quarq power meter on this bike, different Elite bottle cages, and stock SRAM chainrings on this bike — Kristoff's primary bike is equipped with blacked-out chainrings.
Cyclingnews will have live coverage of the Tour of Flanders on Sunday along with a full race report, results, photos, news and reaction.
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Watch the video below to hear Kristoff's take on his bike and to subscribe to the Cyclingnews video channel, click here
Frameset: Canyon Aeroad CF SLX Stem/handlebar: Canyon Aerocockpit CF, 130mm x 41cm Front brake caliper: Shimano Dura-Ace Direct Mount Rear brakecaliper: Shimano Dura-Ace Direct Mount Front derailleur: SRAM eTap Rear derailleur: SRAM eTap Shift levers: SRAM eTap Cassette: SRAM 1170, 11-28T Chain: SRAM Red22 Power meter/crankset: SRAM Red 22, 53/39T [Quarq with blacked-out rings on race bike; no power meter on third bike shown here) Pedals: Look Keo 2 Max Carbon Front wheel: Zipp 303 Read wheel: Zipp 303 Front tubular: Continental Competition Pro LTD, 25mm Rear tubular: Continental Competition Pro LTD, 25mm Saddle: Selle Italia SLR Seatpoost: Canyon S27 Aero VCLS CF Bottle cages: Elite (2) Critical measurements
Rider's height: 1.81m (5ft 11in) Rider's weight: 78 kg (172b) Saddle height from BB, c-t: 79cm Tip of saddle to center of bar: 62cm Saddle-to-bar drop: 14cm
