Which Canyon bike?

After deliberating for a month I chose the CF SL7.0, their entry-level carbon frame with 105 throughout. I'm delighted, a huge step up for me from my Alu scott Speedster 30 that did me proud over 3500 miles last year. The comfort and the agility of the Canyon is marvellous, more than happy with the 105 kit.
I could not justify the extra for the SLX, but could have stretched to the SL8 with campag bling, but the 105 does a very respectable job and allowed me some spare money fro a new Garmin 500 and a couple of extra bits of cycling kit.

Keep an eye on the canyon outlet site

https://www.canyon.com/_en/outlet/list.html?type=race

They often have bikes reduced by several hundred quid and, usually, they're unused.

I have the Ultimate SLX and it's the dogs b*******s. So I would go with for the SL as it's a better long term bet. Perfect to up grade later. I'm Campag user so can't give any advice on choosing between Sram and Shimano.

This will probably stir up a few opinions, but if you are on the shorter side of average height have you considered the Aeroad?

It gets a bit of flack for being soft and not wind tunnel tested, but if you look at the pro teams, the shorter guys seem to prefer it, e.g. Quintana and Purito. My guess is that in a small the frame is plenty stiff enough and affords a bit of vertical compliance and some aero benefit.

Both Merida and Cervelo reckon that aero is better than weight on gradients up to around 9-10% for pros (when comparing their own 'climbing' vs 'aero' frames), Cervelo go further and say amateurs are better off on a S3/S5 than a R3 on anything up to 5% (because we go slower on anything steeper and drag drops of rapidly). They have a great article on their website about it.

As a buyer, the touble is the Aeroad has been due a refresh for some time, it would sting to buy one and then a brand new, big update comes out. Again, a point of much debate, will the update actually make any difference? It is interesting how Purito rides such an 'old' frame if the updated-once-a-year Ultimate CF is available to him.

Wait for the reductions, or check out 2013 models now, the SLX is about £2000 in some models, helps if your a giant or a midget like me, that's what I'm holding out for when I can raise the cash, they always have XL and 2XL

If there was any way of stretching your budget I would be holding out for the CF SLX 7.0. Pro level frameset, magnificent wheel package and the 11 speed Ultegra mechanical groupset is superb; light and precise. If you compromise elsewhere you'll soon get the urge for upgrades, but no need with the CF SLX!

The Ultimate AL is my choice.

The Ultimate AL is a lovely bike...

I went for the ultimate cf sl 9.0 aero. Pretty pleased with what I've got for my money. £1200 wheels and the ultegra groupset being comparable to dura-ace for a total of £2400!! Just got to wait for it now.

I'm looking at the SL personally but the al is such good value with di2

Pick the one with the best frame (strength/weight/stiffness), everything else will wear and get replaced.