Canyon unpainted grey/black frames

Hi dkr,

It's Chloe here from Canyon!

Thanks for your query regarding the carbon finish on our bikes.

Many of our carbon frames and forks are supplied in their unpainted raw state, which intentionally shows the carbon weave and layup used in the manufacturing process. This is in no means a manufacturing defect and is common practice among many other high-end bike brands. The advantages of this unpainted finish are both less weight and no issues with paint rubbing or scratching over time.

Every bike is built from scratch for each order that is placed so we would never send you a second hand bike and this feature is certainly not one of those of a second hand bike, it's common for any of our bikes in the Stealth carbon finish.

I actually personally really like this finish and no two bikes will ever have the exact same carbon fibre layup therefore your bike is totally unique in terms of it's finish.

Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any further queries!

Thanks

CanyonChloe

I've a Canyon ultimate in matt black, no blemishes​ or differences in colour. Perhaps mine was painted or I'm not looking hard enough. I'd read about this effect on a lot of Rose bikes which is one of the reasons I chose Canyon. A few grams of paint versus an unsightly frame? Easy choice.

I also have a Stealth Ultimate CF SLX, complete with lines where some of the layers join.

Totally normal. Bike frames are hand layed so each one is unique. They are normally painted or have a cosmetic carbon outer layer (think supercars) to tidy it up but this adds a bit of weight. Ironically bear carbon probably works out a little cheaper for a manufacturer but they probably get more returns because people think something is wrong with them

I have the Aeroad CF and it's exactly as you described. When I first got it I was a little shocked, but now I'm used to it.

I own a Canyon CF SLX with an unpainted finish which has colour variation and markings as between different parts of the frame. 

No one but Canyon knows whether you've been sent something from their "seconds" (i.e. reject) pile.

The weird patterns are generated by final carbon mat used on the outside layer as the plastic is injected (or prepreg is cooked). Both Unidirectional (fibres in a single direction creating a very specific directional strength) and Continuous Strand (swirls of continuous fiber strands providing equal strength in all directions) are prefereable to the excess weight of a pretty woven mat as the final layer and have a more random blemish-like finish. Yes the finish is not as geometrically satisfying, but these finishes are functionally better and (circa 50g) lighter than pretty mats or paint.

The best way to check if it is fine, is to shut your eyes and run your finger over the finish. You should not feel any holes or non-plastic material coming through. If the finish is smooth then the bike is without an exterior issue on these naked frames

Agreed. My gt grade is entirely naked carbon, and has all sorts of weird patterns. Its normal.

The black areas on my carbon Giant are unpainted and do have a marble sort of look in strong light. It's just carbon being carbon. If you want pure black then you'd have to go painted.

I've heard about this before online and on this forum, see here.

It clearly isn't only Canyon bikes, it applies to many lightweight carbon frames and components. Having seen the carbon manufacturing process first hand, most parts do end up with variations in colour.

Part of the weight saving comes from having very little, if any, cosmetic paintwork - as Canyon has said, that is just what carbon fibre looks like.

Though my Canyon is Gran Tourismo Blue, the top of the top tube is matt black. I think it is painted, but there are some very very subtle variations in colour (same with the seatpost and bar/stem.

I have a UD unpainted matt carbon Rose . To me the finish looks like grey black marble. It is normal. I like it.

I don't have a canyon but do have a carbon frame with unpainted areas and there is variation in mine. Frame is good though so possibly the norm though I'm sure a number of canyon owners will be along shortly....