Canyon CF SL 8.0 2018 or Cannondale Supersix Evo Ultegra 2018

Hi Alessandro,

Thanks for your comments. Whilst the internal cable routing does make it a little harder to get to the cables, having them housed internally means they won't get worn down as quickly and will therefore last longer and be more practical.

Thanks!

CanyonChloe

I built a bike from a frame up which used internal cables. A right pain the first time, but if you buy it as a complete bike, they should include sleeves permanently installed, which guide new cables straight in when replacing.

Given that they may need less maintenance, and they look better, I can see the attraction.

But it depends on the design of the routing - there is a little more cable friction on my internally routed bike than the externally-routed one I feel. Kind of a more 'direct' action when shifting on the externally-routed one.

Hi Tasos,

It's Chloe here from Canyon UK!

Thanks for your interest in the Ultimate CF SL 8.0. This is a great bike with an impressive spec for the price. The SL is one of our top end carbon frames, it's not as stiff or as light as the SLX but comfort isn't compromised.

You will be getting the latest Ultegra groupset with this bike and it also comes with the DT Swiss PR 1600 Spline wheels. This is a mid-range wheelset, they are reliable, easily servicable and stiff and responsive to use. If you were thinking of changing the wheelset you could alway sell the wheels that come with the bike and get the ones you had your eye on!

The internal cabling also makes this bike much more appealing, practical and easy to maintain. We love clean straight lines and this is shown on all of our bikes.

I have just checked and nearly all sizes in this bike are available from stock. All bikes ordered from stock are shipped within 10 days and then once it reaches the UK will be delivered within 2-3 days. We also have a UK Service Centre in Chessington where we have a Customer Service team, as well as a Service and Warranty department. We are more than happy to help you with any questions or queries you may have and if you ever needed to send your bike back for a service or order spare parts we will take care of that for you.

It's also useful to note that we have a 30 day return or exchange policy as well as a 30 day stem and bar exchange as we understand it can sometimes be difficult to get the sizing right if you can't sit on the bike first!

If you need any further help or have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us via the live chat on our website. Our test reports part of the website is also really useful to read some unbiased reviews like the one below:

https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/service/testreports/article.html?id=766

Thanks,

CanyonChloe

never ridden a canyon but have ridden a Standard evo, evo disc,  Caad10 & 12, and own a hi-mod.  Their is adifference in feel between all of them even though they all share basically the same geo but most of that may be down to wheelsets. I'd buy any of them brilliant bikes.  I always thought i wasnt that flexible after 20 years of office work and that it'd be hell but after riding a hire bike for a week i was hooked. 

The canyons are supposedly good bikes.

I've currently got a Supersix Evo and having previously owned a Trek Madone (with a very similar geometry to the Canyon) - I'd lean towards the Canyon if I were buying a similar bike again.

The Cannondale is a fantastic bike for sure, but it's a far racier geometry compared to the Canyon. Some folk love this, but I've never really loved owning mine and I honestly feel the Trek is comfier over long distances and climbs much better (with identical drivetrain). That Trek is over 5yrs old now as well, compared to the most recent version of the Supersix.

Also - I had to replace the stock parts on the Cannodale almost straight away. I'm 5'10 and ride a 54cm bike - the stock parts on the Cannondale included a 110mm stem and a layback seat post. In my opinion, out of proportion for a bike with a 54cm frame size. I was too stretched out, so swapped to a 90mm stem and an inline post as the ride hadn't been comfortable at all. My point being, the Canyon's more relaxed geometry might negate the need to change these bits, if like me you've got  average lengths arms and legs?! 

For what's it's worth, the SI cranks on the Cannondale are superb, and I'd imagine at this price point, there's not a lot to choose between the two wheelsets. External cables wouldn't really concern me, but it does make for cleaner lines on the Canyon. 

Good luck!

I've got the hi-mod version. (Rim brake version, rather than disc, though.)

Truth is, I don't think that you'll be disappointed with either. Both are really good bikes, and the latest models have both been tweaked since I bought them, so they're probably even better now.

I'm with part_robot. Just go for the one you think looks best. I tell myself that I love the Supersix because of how comfortable it is and how well it handles, but a big part of me wonders if that's just me rationalising the fact that I just like it more because I think it's way prettier...

(Horizonal top tubes for the win - I love the fact that the Supersix rides like a modern race bike, but still looks like a proper bike. No Frankenstein tube shapes or weird geometries.)

I officially have a couple of bikes that my wife knows about but of all the bikes I look forward to riding the Supersix. I know it will be comfy, fast and handle well. I can ride on the drops all day do big miles uphill and down dale without my body moaning. I dont care about the extrenal cables, the cranks are fine and wheels can be changed if necessary. I do care that i am still smiling after 70 miles

I had an SLX (the previous model, before they tweaked the design slightly), which was obviously a really good bike. But I never really loved it. I could appreciate how good it was, but I never really fell for it.

We had a break-in and they took the bike. The insurance company couldn't do a like-for-like, but gave me a good price on the Ultegra Supersix, so I went for that. 

So happy with it. I don't know if objectively it's a better bike, but I just really enjoy riding it. It's really comfortable, really nippy, really fun. Weirdly, in the end the thieves did me a favour, because there's no way I'd swap the Supersix for the Canyon. 

External cabling is a bonus for me, for sure. 

Like I say, the Canyon was obviously a really good bike. Better than I really need, for sure. And objectively I've got no idea which is better. Honestly, it could all just be in my head - I never rode them side-by-side, and it's not as if I've got loads of experience of high-end bikes. But I do love the Supersix.

Ridden both.

I'm a confirmed Cannondale fan. External wiring is not a problem. Duraace cables are stainless and mine have been working faultlessly for years. I find they generally need replacing about every 5 years. The Cranks are good, and wear well. I don't have them on my bike, but I have a number of friends that do, and they are getting tens of thousands of miles out of them. 

The ride, Personally I think the Evo is the best handling bike I've ever ridden. I prefer the feel to the Canyon, but admittedly I'd be hard pressed to pick one over the other in a blind test. Both are really good  bikes, but popular vote around these parts would give the Evo over the canyon.

I have a CF SL disc (which has the newer designed frameset with the "aero" tubes) whilst I like it a lot

1) I slightly prefer Cannondale frames for reasons I can't fully quantify

2) I prefer external cables because I like to be able to replace them in a couple of minutes

My experience with the Si cranksets (I've had one for 2 years on my Cannondale) is they are excellent. Very stiff and light. I can't speak for the wheels. The bikes are basically identical though - really I'd just go for the one you like the looks of best.

Personally I'd buy the CF SL frameset on its own as that way you can get the improved design (it's something like £1100 currently) and use the rest to build up a bike with Ultegra. Which is basically what I did with mine as I didn't want any of the stock parts.

Note that I don't think you'll be able to add Di2 to the Canyon if it's a mechanical frameset but you probably will with the Cannondale.

[CORRECTION: apparently you can't buy the non-disk CF SL frameset in the new design. Look like it's CF SLX only. Soz]

My two cents...

External cabling - if doing the service yourself, always a pro rather than a con.

Cannodale crank - pretty good piece of kit that compares well against Shimano. Tomorrow, once rings are worn, you can attach whatever you want (Rotor, FSA...).

Wheels - agreed.

I find the Evo more aggressive geometry - something I would be leaning towards.

Other niggles: Canyon has that weird 1 1/4 stem thing - if the particular size is not 100% fit, it might not be easy to change stem. Albeit, I think there are people selling Canyon parts on eBay.

Conclusion: You can always test the EVO and see whether you like it (with Evans for example). Have you tried Canyon? Don't buy simply based on specsheet.

O

The Canyon has better wheels and cranks.

External cabling is easier to service (although because it's external it can need replacing more often due to being exposed to the elements).

Both good bikes though.

I think you've made your decision based on your concerns for the Cannondale.
The external wiring on a bike for that sort of money would really bug me. At least you can change the crank and wheels.

I've got a Canyon C.F. SL 9.0 2017. It's pretty much the same as the 8.0 apart from the wheels and it doesn't have new Ultegra.
I love it.