Mathieu van der Poel rides prototype: Is the new Canyon Endurace in the starting blocks?

You have to look very closely to recognise the differences: The new Canyon model, which the Alpecin-Deceuninck stars Matthieu van der Poel and Jasper Philipsen, among others, are currently piloting in the classic races through Belgium, is at first glance a bit different. from the standard Aeroad can hardly be distinguished. The front and fork of the aerodynamically optimised racing bike in particular are strongly based on the design language of the competition all-rounder, which the Canyon-sponsored Movistar and Alpecin professionals have recently been using in all competitions without exception. The only clearly recognisable difference is the different shape of the seat tube - significantly tapered in the lower third instead of stretched out like a wing. A closer look reveals further details: the down tube is significantly wider at the height of the bottle cage and the seat stays are wider. The first assumption is that this is a successor to the Aeroad. But a look at the back of the seat tube reveals something surprising: What the pros are piloting here as a prototype is a preview of the future Endurace long-distance model.

It wasn't just the last two victories - Philipsen won In Flanders Fields in Welvegem at the weekend and van der Poel crossed the line first in the E3 Saxo Klassik race the week before - that brought the new bike to the attention of spectators. The question of what the favourites will be riding in the upcoming Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix monuments is also increasingly preoccupying fans, which is why many are taking a closer look at the preparatory races.

How is the new Canyon Endurace designed?

The luxury CFR (Canyon Factory Racing) version used by the pros is probably much sportier than before, at least that's what the first pictures suggest. Not only the frame shape is based on current competition racing bikes and appears to be aerodynamically optimised down to the last detail. The riding position is also significantly more stretched and race-like than the previous Endurace. Van der Poel and Phillipsen do not sit visibly differently, i.e. more upright, on the new bike than on the previous Aeroad. This is probably the main reason why the Endurace was never used in professional races. It is not yet known whether other, more endurance-compatible geometries are planned for more affordable versions or whether the previous, very comfortably cut Endurace platform will remain in the programme.

Does the Endurace get a comfort plus?

Probably not, the opposite is more likely to be the case. The seat post of the new model is very similar to the aerodynamically optimised shape of the Aeroad, possibly even identical to it. Experience has shown that this shape offers significantly less suspension than the unrivalled comfort of the round leaf spring seatpost on the previous Endurace. Compared to the Aeroad, the seat tube in particular seems to have been designed with better comfort in mind. The taper at the lower end of the seat tube is also used by the Cannondale SuperSix, among others, to improve suspension comfort, where it is even more pronounced. It is extremely unlikely that the design will be able to achieve the outstanding comfort values of the previous Endurace.

Even lighter now?

In terms of weight, the Canyon Aeroad is a good example. In the top version, i.e. with a Shimano Dura-Ace or SRAM Red groupset, it weighs in at seven kilograms. Due to wider tyres and wider rims, an extra 100-200 grams must be expected. If Canyon sticks to its strategy, three frame qualities will probably be offered: CFR, CF SL and CF, which will become increasingly cheaper, but also heavier. We suspect that the bike will only allow wireless drivetrains: Shimano 105 Di2 and SRAM Rival AXS should then be the cheapest versions and weigh around 8.5 kilograms.

More tyre clearance?

Even if the platform is clearly designed for racing, at least 35 mm wide road tyres should fit in the frame and fork. With the last update of the Endurace, Canyon increased the maximum permissible dimension from 32 to 35 millimetres; recently presented innovations such as the Rose Shave showthat the trend in endurance bikes is moving in this direction.

What else is new?

A derailleur hanger in the UDH standard was to be expected at the time of the new presentation. Beyond that, nothing special is recognisable or known: The new Endurace obviously doesn't have a storage compartment in the top tube like the last one. However, it is also possible that this is reserved for the cheaper but heavier frame versions. After all, the Canyon engineers get the maximum performance out of the CFR versions.

When will the Endurace be available to buy?

The fact that the pros are showing off the bike relatively publicly suggests that the launch is imminent. The Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix are popular prominent stages for a new launch, even if the pros do not usually ride such models there due to the upright seating position. This should be different with the new Endurace, as it has already proven its suitability for racing here. The extra tyre width speaks for its use at Paris-Roubaix. And a victory in a cycling monument at the time of the market launch is the best advertising a bike manufacturer can imagine.