Team Katusha sprinter and one-day specialist Alexander Kristoff stormed to victory in stage 7 of this year’s Amgen Tour of California, just edging out Peter Sagan as the race arrived in Santa Rosa. US tech editor James Huang took a look at the Canyon Aeroad CF SLX that took him to the line.
Flying the flag
Canyon has a long history of providing its top sponsored WorldTour riders with national-themed rides and it’s gotten quite good at doing so with both style and grace. You could be forgiven for thinking that’s a Union Jack painted on Kristoff’s custom painted Canyon but that red, white, and blue are actually the colors of the Norwegian flag just turned at an angle — and although fellow Scandinavian Edvald Boasson Hagen is that country’s current national champion, Kristoff has held the title twice (2011 and 2007).
It’s little surprise that Kristoff has chosen Canyon’s aero-minded Aeroad CF SLX option over the more all-purpose Ultimate CF SLX. The truncated-airfoil tube shapes’ additional surface area may be heavier than the Ultimate but at the higher speeds that are so critical to Kristoff’s success, the reduced drag likely pays bigger dividends on the results sheet.
Nevertheless, the current-generation Aeroad is stouter than its predecessor, and certainly well suited to sprint duties. The U-shaped down tube is deep but broad, the chainstays are reassuringly stout, and the compact rear end is less apt to wag than before. Naturally, Canyon says Kristoff’s Aeroad CF SLX records lower drag figures in the wind tunnel than the original version, too — especially when combined with the sleek new Canyon H11 Aerocockpit integrated front end.
Canyon makes its own Garmin computer mount for the Aerocockpit integrated bars.
Further cleaning things up is the SRAM Red eTap electronic group, whose wireless design leaves no cabling dangling out in the wind. Kristoff has his levers mounted high on the traditional-bend, deep-drop bars, but since you can actuate the shift paddles with your knuckles, there’s no need for supplemental ‘sprint’ shifters as are often found on Shimano Di2-equipped bikes. A matching SRAM Red Quarq crankset records Kristoff’s power numbers while the standard outer chainring has been swapped for a solid, non-cutout version to better resist flex under load.
Other SRAM-supplied bits include the standard PressFit GXP bottom bracket, a conventional stamped steel PG-1170 cassette instead of the machined Red unit, and Zipp 404 Firecrest carbon tubular wheels — which were replaced during the race with ones that were finished to match the frame and fork.
Continental’s 25mm-wide Competition ProLtd ALX tires were a popular choice at this year’s Amgen Tour of California.
SRAM may be Katusha’s official component sponsor but the Aeroad uses direct-mount rim brake calipers — and as yet, the Chicago company doesn’t make anything to suit. Katusha mechanics leave the stock Shimano Dura-Ace calipers in place but strip them of their identifying badges.
Finishing things off are Elite Pase Custom Carbon bottle cages, a Selle Italia SLR Flow saddle and Smootape handlebar tape, Look KéO 2 Max Carbon pedals, and 25mm-wide Continental Competition ProLtd ALX tubular tires.
Total weight without computer or bottles is 7.47kg (16.47lb).
Alexander Kristoff stormed to victory at stage 7 of the 2016 Amgen Tour of California aboard this custom painted Canyon Aeroad CF SLX.
The colors of Norway are deftly incorporated into Kristoff’s Canyon.
Katusha doesn’t settle for simple rider name decals here.
The only element missing here are the matching Norwegian-themed Zipp wheels, which unfortunately weren’t available for photographs on the day these images were shot.
Kristoff is using SRAM’s new Red eTap wireless electronic group.
A bit more detailing on the chainstays.
The Norwegian colors wrap around the down tube to the fork blades.
Canyon equips the Aeroad CF SLX fork with adjustable-offset tips. Kristoff is running the shorter-rake position.
The SRAM Red eTap levers are set high on the Canyon Aerocockpit bars.
SRAM has yet to develop a direct-mount rim brake caliper so Kristoff’s bike carries on with Shimano Dura-Ace ones with the logos removed.
The solid outer chainring is presumably a bit stiffer than the standard one.
Front derailleurs this big once seemed ungainly but they now seem like the norm. SRAM has done a good job hiding the Red eTap electronic front derailleur’s visual bulk, too.
Look, ma, no wires!
Canyon uses an admirably stiff two-piece ‘sandwich’ rear derailleur hanger on the Aeroad CF SLX. Don’t fret over the dirty drivetrain, by the way. Kristoff had just returned from a training ride and the mechanics hadn’t yet had a chance to wash the bike before we snatched it away for photos.
Look KéO 2 Max pedals for Alexander Kristoff.
The rather neat number plate holder has two anchor points on the frame instead of the usual one owing to the direct-mount caliper.
Bottles are held in place with Elite Pase Custom Carbon cages.
Canyon finishes its Aerocockpit front end with profiled-to-match spacers and top cap.
The angled cut on the front of the hidden seatpost binder is a nice touch.
Katusha uses standard SRAM GXP press-fit cups in Kristoff’s Canyon Aeroad CF SLX.
A set screw inside the SRAM chain catcher braces against a dedicated washer to keep it from rotating.
A simple wrap of electrical tape keeps the valve extender from rattling inside the Zipp carbon rim.
Carbon rails keep the weight down.
The PF86 shell allows the chainstays to be pushed a little further apart than would otherwise be possible with a PF30 or threaded setup. The unused holes in the underside of the down tube would normally be used to secure an internally mounted Shimano Di2 battery.
Star-shaped flanges and straight-pull spokes on the Zipp 177 rear hub.