If you think high-performance cycling means slipping on a pair of cycling shoes, think again. Canyon has just unveiled the hotly anticipated fourth generation of its spectacular Aeroad road bike. Designed and engineered with feedback from Canyon pro riders and mechanics, testing at the GST Wind Tunnel in South Germany has shown the Aeroad to be the fastest bike in the World Tour peloton. And it can be yours for a little under £10,000. (There is also a sub-£4,000 for those with shallower pockets.)

Canyon wanted to harness the raw speed of the previous generation while making refinements across the board. You may have seen Alpecin Deceuninck riding it at the Tour de France. Watch the Olympic road race in August and you’ll see World Road Race Champion Mathieu Van Der Poel on board one too. Such elite-level endorsements are testament to the Aeroad’s race-winning credentials.

Introducing the PACE Bar 

One of the headline features of the new Aeroad is the PACE Bar. Standing for Performance Adaptive Cockpit Ecosystem, the PACE Bar unlocks an array of performance and fitting options through an innovative modular system. Riders can now swap out the handlebar drops in a matter of minutes to suit their ride. They can choose between Classic Drops and Aero Drops of different widths. The latter feature a more aggressive and aerodynamic form that reduces the rider’s frontal surface and can save up to 14 watts. Aero TT bars can also be fitted into this unique modular cockpit.

Performance and versatility

Sections of the frame have been reinforced to boost handling responsiveness. But the Aeroad still has a lightness and compliance that doesn’t compromise aero performance. In fact the pro builds tips the scales at just over 7kg out the box.

Canyon has increased tyre clearance to 32mm on the 4th-gen model. That helps make the Aeroad a hugely versatile aero race. Wider tyres means it’s capable of taming anything from the smooth streets of Milan-San Remo to the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix.

Canyon Aeroad specifications

The new Aeroad line-up comprises six Shimano Di2 or SRAM AXS models – two Aeroad CFR models and four Aeroad CF SLX ones.

The top-end CFR models are built using a premium carbon lay-up. That helps the frameset deliver lightness, toughness and stiffness at WorldTour level.

The more affordable CF SLX carbon frame strikes the optimal balance of lightweight construction and high strength. CF SLX models are available in either Di2 or AXS builds with either a CF SLX 7 or CF SLX 8 specification.

Both platforms feature electronic groupsets across the board, plus power meters on all models apart from the Aeroad CF SLX 7 AXS.

The Aeroad CFR is available now from £9,299; the Aeroad CF SLX from £3,949.

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