Need help with first carbon bike

wellsprop wrote:

As for the Bianchi, looks stunning also has R8000, aero racey frame... Wheels however, very meh and not suited to the rest of the bike (need some deep wheels for that!).

Style over substance maybe?

I tried it on the turbo trainer in the store, and they want to give me one for a week to test. Looks amazing, it def looks like it has flair rather than a finely tuned and engineered machine. I think its like buying an Alfa Romeo, you always know the BMW is a better car but you still want one.

wellsprop wrote:

Hi Deano,

Like you, I made my first foray into the carbon bicycle world this year. I got myself a 2017 Canyon Ultimate CF SLX Disc 8.0 (the one with full Ultegra and Mavic Cosmics) and subsequently upgraded to Ultegra R8000.

I absolutely love it to bits, the only thing that could be improved is the wheel weight, the Cosmics are a bit porky compared to DT Swiss offerings.

Here's my take, Ultegra R8000 is noticeably nicer than Ultegra 6800 and RS685's, If you aren't too worried about having sexy deep section wheels, then losing a bit of wheel weight by choosing the DT Swiss option would be great. I really really like the integrated bar and stem too, looks awesome and is forgiving on the hands (but totally unadjustable).

This is a really tough call, Id certainly have the R8000 over 6800/RS685 but I'd choose the integrated carbon cockpit over the conventional one.

Wheel's, I'd choose aero (but that's because I use my Canyon solely for fast rides smashing the hell out of myself - 20mph+ for 1-2 hours on mixed terrain). If I were choosing wheels to use on a slightly more relaxed, more versatile setup, I'd chose the DT Swiss wheels no question (as I have done on my winter/commute bike).

The 2018 model has more upgrade potential (wheels and cockpit), the 2017 model could do with R8000.

If you want an absolute all-out race type machine, go for the 2017 and stick R8000 on it. If you want something a little bit lighter and a little more versatile, it'd easily have to be the 2018 model.

EDIT: Also forgot to say that the Mavic tyres that come with the deep section cosmics are rubbish - I replaced them with Conti GP 4000's right away - the DT Swiss wheeled Canyon already comes with Conti GP 4000's.

Thanks wellsprop,

when you say R8000 is noticiably different, is this in the shifting, braking or both? currently running 105 and shifting is fine, my tektro rim brakes are poor, even 6800 would be a big jump and I could upgrade later when i go to DI2. If i go with the aero as really it is better monetry value I could buy a set of training/climbing wheels. I will be using the bike as an all rounder for joining the faster groups in my club runs, doing climbing abroad once a year, but I do have some distant pipedream of doing some TT'ing. I can't get the stage race blue out my head though, if it was stealth it would be a no brainer for the aero unless the R8000 is worth more performance wise than the aero details. 

wellsprop wrote:

deano802 wrote:

wellsprop wrote:

Hi Deano,

Like you, I made my first foray into the carbon bicycle world this year. I got myself a 2017 Canyon Ultimate CF SLX Disc 8.0 (the one with full Ultegra and Mavic Cosmics) and subsequently upgraded to Ultegra R8000.

I absolutely love it to bits, the only thing that could be improved is the wheel weight, the Cosmics are a bit porky compared to DT Swiss offerings.

Here's my take, Ultegra R8000 is noticeably nicer than Ultegra 6800 and RS685's, If you aren't too worried about having sexy deep section wheels, then losing a bit of wheel weight by choosing the DT Swiss option would be great. I really really like the integrated bar and stem too, looks awesome and is forgiving on the hands (but totally unadjustable).

This is a really tough call, Id certainly have the R8000 over 6800/RS685 but I'd choose the integrated carbon cockpit over the conventional one.

Wheel's, I'd choose aero (but that's because I use my Canyon solely for fast rides smashing the hell out of myself - 20mph+ for 1-2 hours on mixed terrain). If I were choosing wheels to use on a slightly more relaxed, more versatile setup, I'd chose the DT Swiss wheels no question (as I have done on my winter/commute bike).

The 2018 model has more upgrade potential (wheels and cockpit), the 2017 model could do with R8000.

If you want an absolute all-out race type machine, go for the 2017 and stick R8000 on it. If you want something a little bit lighter and a little more versatile, it'd easily have to be the 2018 model.

EDIT: Also forgot to say that the Mavic tyres that come with the deep section cosmics are rubbish - I replaced them with Conti GP 4000's right away - the DT Swiss wheeled Canyon already comes with Conti GP 4000's.

Thanks wellsprop,

when you say R8000 is noticiably different, is this in the shifting, braking or both? currently running 105 and shifting is fine, my tektro rim brakes are poor, even 6800 would be a big jump and I could upgrade later when i go to DI2. If i go with the aero as really it is better monetry value I could buy a set of training/climbing wheels. I will be using the bike as an all rounder for joining the faster groups in my club runs, doing climbing abroad once a year, but I do have some distant pipedream of doing some TT'ing. I can't get the stage race blue out my head though, if it was stealth it would be a no brainer for the aero unless the R8000 is worth more performance wise than the aero details. 

 

No worries,

The shifting on the front mech is noticeably nicer with the new front derailleur (and much easier to setup). The rear mech shifting feels a little crisper than RS685 (which shifts nearly as well as 105 mechanical), so the shifting of the hydraulic R8000 feels a good if not slightly sharper than 105 mechanical. In terms of performance, aero wheels give you a speed advantage over shallower wheels whilst R8000 will give you an ergonomic advantage over 6800/RS685 (I think R8000 is about 150 grams lighter though).

I didn't notice any difference in the feel of braking between RS685 and R8000 (I actually put smaller 140mm rotors on my Canyon when I switched to R8000 as I weigh 67kg, so don't need all the extra power) - even the 140mm hydros are way better than the 105 mechanical rims ive been used to!

With regards to crosswinds, I often cycle out on the Somerset levels and across the Old Severn Bridge to Wales, I've cycled in 15mph xwinds and had no real issues. I do notice that the front end is always a bit skittish - but very controllable once I got used to the front end occasionally dancing a small amount side to side (easily manageable even when I've been group riding).

If you are planning to go to Di2 in the future, I'd suggest buying the aero with 6800 and buying yourself a set of light shallow/mid wheels. Then, when you decide to go to Di2, splashing out on R8000 Di2. That way, you have total versatility with two sets of wheels and the added benefit of the aero cockpit!

The aero also comes in Stage Race Blue, does it not? I went with Gran Tourismo Blue on my CF SLX and I'm glad I did, looks sweet in the flesh!

Yeah I agree the aero is the way to go I think, as I am looking at 2017 model which is discounted in their outlet they only have the stealth, the blue is nicer but  I can live with it.