Canyon Aeroad 8.0 Di2 v Giant TCR Advanced SL 3
Discussion
Aeroad - but you bettter be fast! 
Seriosuly though, I'm always a bit unsure about top of the range frames like the TCR, Trek Madone etc, part of me always thinks "just how special is this frame" in the sense that is it just a good frame which justifies its expensive price tag by virtue of the kit hanging of it. Does the frame change throughout the range, to what degree does the bottom of the TCR range share characteristics with the top end stuff, questions like that. its pretty hard to get the answers of the web and shop staff wont know but are there any differences in the carbon, the weave etc.
Where the frame is the only one in the range, like the aeroad, you know excactly what you are getting which makes the decision much easier. If you dont like being stopped though, dont bother, it will generate LOADS of interest.
Seriosuly though, I'm always a bit unsure about top of the range frames like the TCR, Trek Madone etc, part of me always thinks "just how special is this frame" in the sense that is it just a good frame which justifies its expensive price tag by virtue of the kit hanging of it. Does the frame change throughout the range, to what degree does the bottom of the TCR range share characteristics with the top end stuff, questions like that. its pretty hard to get the answers of the web and shop staff wont know but are there any differences in the carbon, the weave etc.
Where the frame is the only one in the range, like the aeroad, you know excactly what you are getting which makes the decision much easier. If you dont like being stopped though, dont bother, it will generate LOADS of interest.
Yep, the Aero road doesn't get quite the same level of adulation in the reviews as the CF SLX which is by all accounts as good as it gets at any price point. It seems that the main reason being its not quite as stiff as some of the competition, although from what i've seen aero bikes tend to be less stiff when tested anyway.
That said you should get a higher spec of components with it and it is a tour level used by Katusha to pretty good effect this year and Omega last year.
Shame you can't actually test the Canyon before buying as it would be interesting to be able to ride them back to back and find out for yourself, rather than rely on magazine reviews, but part of the reason its so good value is that they dont have a showroom presence.
Either way, they are both very good choices.
That said you should get a higher spec of components with it and it is a tour level used by Katusha to pretty good effect this year and Omega last year.
Shame you can't actually test the Canyon before buying as it would be interesting to be able to ride them back to back and find out for yourself, rather than rely on magazine reviews, but part of the reason its so good value is that they dont have a showroom presence.
Either way, they are both very good choices.
okgo said:
I'd always go on owner opinion over some journo at Bikeradar who for all you know could be s
te at cycling.
I'd also buy the Canyon, but not with those wheels.
Have you heard good owner opinions okgo? Wheels are less of an issue since they'd become training and wet weather wheels and I'd probably get some aero wheels as a nice set.te at cycling.I'd also buy the Canyon, but not with those wheels.
itsnotarace said:
The opinion of owners on weightweenies of the aeroad is the same as the article i posted but you obviously know different so please link your sources so we can all read them
I know of one bloke that has one, he doesn't seem to have any issues with it, 1st Cat racer.Just can't believe its that big a deal (if its not as super stiff as the other one)...being aero is quicker most of the time anyway, so stiffness is not such an issue.
itsnotarace said:
TCR all day long. Aeroad doesn't get great reviews compared to the Ultimate CF/CF SLX
I would expect this to be one of two reasons.1. Giant spend more money advertising in magazines than Canyon.
2. Bike Radar testers are not as fast as Phillipe Gilbert
you can not take bike magazines seriously, they waffle on about subjective nonsense in all their reviews and rarely criticse a bike. Its all guff to keep manufacturers happy and keep the group tests full. So stiffness was the flavour of the month a while back and we all had to have the stiffest bike possible, next month it will be flex so we are all comfy on sportives and stiff bikes will be rubbished...
The CF is stiffer and lighter but the Aeroad is apparently comfier and if the likes of Gilbert think its comfier, that bodes well for the rest of us...
http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/pro-bike-phili...
just to add, i'd get the aeroad as a frame package, then build it up accordingly. there will be some great groupset deals from shiny bikes and ribble soon, sram red will be around a grand in the sales....
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 16th August 11:23
itsnotarace said:
Stiffness isn't a problem, it's that it's a boring ride from a steering / handling point of view. Each to their own though.
To be honest, reading the whole reveiew, their are some contradictory statements in there:"This means the Aeroad doesn't feel as surefooted, and thus doesn’t inspire the same confidence, as the current crop of WorldTour race bikes."
"As for pedaling stiffness and the efficiency that comes with it, we were content. The bike transfers power well, both when the rider is seated and climbing out of the saddle." - isn't transferring power a sign of stiffness?
"the Aeroad CF’s ride is very firm" - again, incidcates stiffness.
"the tall but narrow down tube and chainstays transfer lots of road energy – both big hits and small vibrations – to the rider" - stiffness?
"Despite the small diameters used for the seat tube and stays, and the use of VCLS, our light tester still found the ride to be very firm" - stiffness?
"Sweeping from one end of the adjustment to the other makes a noticeable difference to the handling of the bike – we preferred the Canyon with the rake increased, which offered a slower, more stable feel." - oh, it's back to being stable.
I'm not really sure what to believe, most of the traits they don't like could easily be down to rider preference and fit to the bike.
Bingo! You need to test for yourself to be sure rather than rely on online / magazine reviews.
If you speak to Canyon, whilst they dont offer demo bikes, you can return it within 30 days for a refund if your not happy with it - on the proviso that you've only used it for a dry test ride.
Until i trashed my Lemond i was on the point of pulling the trigger on a CF SLX and the 30 day return policy went some way to allaying my fears of purchasing blind from the internet.
If you haven't already, have a look on weight weenies forum as sujested earlier, as you should be able to find actual owners opinions and these tend to be more objective.
If you speak to Canyon, whilst they dont offer demo bikes, you can return it within 30 days for a refund if your not happy with it - on the proviso that you've only used it for a dry test ride.
Until i trashed my Lemond i was on the point of pulling the trigger on a CF SLX and the 30 day return policy went some way to allaying my fears of purchasing blind from the internet.
If you haven't already, have a look on weight weenies forum as sujested earlier, as you should be able to find actual owners opinions and these tend to be more objective.
AyBee said:
To be honest, reading the whole reveiew, their are some contradictory statements in there
If you read my posts it was okgo who mentioned stiffness, not me. I'm not disputing whether the frame is stiff or not as I haven't ridden one - although I have ridden the Ultimate CF SLX which was plenty stiff. I personally think the Aeroad looks like a lovely frame in terms of aesthetics but I wouldn't buy one over a TCRGassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff