10 reasons to love this bike: Canyon Ultimate CF SLX

It’s Quintana’s bike

The redesigned Canyon Ultimate CF SLX was first spotted in the pro peloton last summer, when Nairo Quintana rode it to second place in the Tour. The 8.0 model shown is a step down in components from the pro model, but uses the same frame and fork.

It’s aerodynamic

Borrowing tech from its Canyon stablemate, the Aeroad, the new Ultimate is designed to cut through the air faster than its predecessor. Tube profiles have been redesigned, with a D-shaped down tube, seatpost and fork blades, and an hourglass head tube resulting in smoother airflow over the frame.

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It’s stiff

While the tubes are kept as slim as possible to minimise weight, features such as the boxy top tube and wide-set seatstays ensure the frame is as stiff as possible for optimum power transfer. This is further helped by carbon fibre layup optimised for maximum strength in key areas without adding to the weight.

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It’s comfortable, too

Not only is the new Ultimate lighter and faster, it claims to be 15% more comfortable, too. Key to this is the innovative integrated seat clamp, set further down the seat tube by the junction with the seatstays, which allows more deflection in the seatpost. 

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It’s a stunner

Never mind the tech, we were won over when we saw pics of the bike in its ‘Gran Tourismo’ blue colour scheme. And we can confirm that it looks even better in real life. For cycling ninjas, it also comes in stealth black.

It’s a featherweight

We measured the Ultimate at exactly 6.8kg, bang on the UCI minimum weight limit. The frame, it’s claimed, comes in at a mere 795g!

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It’s future-proof

It’s only fitting that such a high-tech bike should have equally up-to-date components, and Shimano’s fantastic Ultegra Di2 electronic gear-shifting is a perfect match.

It comes with classy wheels

Mavic’s Ksyrium Pro Exalith SL are a great set of hoops – light and stiff, with Mavic’s Exalith treatment on the rims for outstanding braking. Normally retailing at £1,090, they’d be a serious upgrade on most bikes.

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It’s here at last

After much-publicised distribution problems following the move to a new factory, Canyon assures us that it is back on track with fulfilling orders. Worth the wait? We think so!

It’s a bargain

With all its high-tech design, low weight and incredible spec, you could be forgiven for thinking this bike would have an eyewatering price tag. But at £3,199 it is, as you’d expect from Canyon, superb value for money.