Canyon gave its aero road platform a thorough overall for this year(Image credit: James Huang/BikeRadar)
The deep drops and supplemental sprint shifters suit the bike's aggressive nature(Image credit: James Huang/BikeRadar)
The Mavic wheel and tyre combo feel fast in a straight line but the sharply pointed trailing edge and flat sides can be hard to manage in strong crosswinds. The rim's 13mm internal width is also disappointingly narrow(Image credit: James Huang/BikeRadar)
As with other experiences with this variation of Shimano Dura-Ace direct-mount calipers, brake performance is outstanding with excellent lever feel(Image credit: James Huang/BikeRadar)
Canyon specs mid-compact 52/36T chainrings on the Aeroad CF SLX 9.0 SL(Image credit: James Huang/BikeRadar)
A Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 9070 electronic transmission promises consistent and fast shift performance(Image credit: James Huang/BikeRadar)
Mavic's second-generation Exalith 2 sidewall treatment is far less noisy than the original but does offer excellent braking performance, particularly in the wet(Image credit: James Huang/BikeRadar)
The Shimano Di2 wire enters the frame through the same port as the rear brake housing(Image credit: James Huang/BikeRadar)
Canyon claims that its Aerocockpit CF saves 5.5 watts over a conventional setup(Image credit: James Huang/BikeRadar)
The D-shaped seatpost is held in place with a hidden binder(Image credit: James Huang/BikeRadar)
Housing and wire routing through the integrated cockpit is impressively tidy - although there's no obvious way to use an out-front Garmin computer mount(Image credit: James Huang/BikeRadar)
Whereas the original Canyon Aeroad uses nominally teardrop cross-sections throughout, the new Aeroad CF SLX uses truncated profiles that are supposedly more efficient at a wider range of wind angles(Image credit: James Huang/BikeRadar)
Instead of mounting the rear brake down by the bottom bracket, Canyon elected to stick with the more conventional location and direct air around the caliper(Image credit: James Huang/BikeRadar)
The steerer tube is bigger than before but narrower bearings maintain a trim outer profile(Image credit: James Huang/BikeRadar)
Canyon equips the Aeroad CF SLX frame with press-fit bottom bracket cups(Image credit: James Huang/BikeRadar)
The chainstays are broad and tall to help keep the rear end rigid(Image credit: James Huang/BikeRadar)
Even the seatpost and integrated cockpit get the squared-off treatment(Image credit: James Huang/BikeRadar)
The included Aerocockpit CF is one of the most striking aspects of the bike. Unlike many aero handlebars, this one is actually quite comfortable to hold(Image credit: James Huang/BikeRadar)
Canyon includes matching profiled headset spacers so as to maintain the profile all the way down to the top tube(Image credit: James Huang/BikeRadar)
The Aerocockpit CF is particularly striking from this angle(Image credit: James Huang/BikeRadar)
Canyon designed its original Aeroad aero road bike with the primary goal of minimising frontal area, but has now thrown the full gamut of tech R&D tools at the wholly revamped second-generation Aeroad CF SLX.
The German consumer-direct outfit says this new version is considerably faster over a wider range of conditions, and also lighter. And now we've taken delivery of the Shimano Dura-Ace Di2-equipped Aeroad CF SLX 9.0 SL model, we can confirm that it looks fantastic too.
Whereas the first-generation Aeroad used more classic teardrop-like tubes, the new and more modern Aeroad CF SLX chassis feature nominally truncated airfoil cross-sections for better aerodynamic performance across a wide range of wind angles. As a side benefit, this has also allowed Canyon to include wider tubes for a claimed 11-percent boost in chassis stiffness and an official frame weight of just 960g for a size 56cm sample.
The previous version's teardrop-shaped tubes have given way to truncated profiles for more balanced performance at various wind angles
Aero-minded details are littered throughout, including an impressively tidy combined port for the Shimano Di2 wire and rear brake housing, a partial fairing for the rear wheel, a sleekly hidden binder for the proprietary D-shaped seatpost, and front and rear direct-mount Shimano Dura-Ace calipers, which Canyon says areeasier to work on than chainstay-mounted brakes and produce less drag as well.
The focus on improving airflow isn't limited to the frameset. Our tester also arrived with Canyon's new Aerocockpit CF, which combines the carbon fibre stem and handlebar into a distinctly flattened and low-profile form that the company says save 5.5 watts of drag on its own.
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The stock Aerocockpit CF is visually striking and supposedly quite fast
Canyon has even carried over its novel adjustable fork rake design, which uses flippable 'chips' in the dropouts that let you choose mellower or quicker handling.
Rounding out our test bike build are a set of Mavic Cosmic Carbone SLE WTS wheels with brake-boosting Exalith 2 sidewalls, matching Mavic Yksion Pro GripLink and PowerLink clincher tyres, and a fi'zi:k Arione saddle. Total weight for our complete 50cm sample is 6.83kg (15.06lb) without pedals.
The stock Mavic wheel and tyre package is good but could be better
We're already well underway with testing and so far it's been clear sailing. The new bike is indeed noticeably stiffer and snappier than its predecessor, the direct-mount brakes and Mavic Exalith 2 sidewalls work extremely well, the ride quality is quite reasonable given the genre, and yes, the bike does at least seem fast as you wind things up.
And while it's not exactly cheap at £4,899 / €5,699, it's quite well equipped for the money.
How will things shake out long-term? We'll have our final wrap-up in a few weeks so stay tuned.
