Canyon Ultimate CFR AXS review: does the price reduction keep it competitive in 2024?

The Canyon Ultimate CFR platform has been around for a couple of years now, and in that time it has racked up a whole host of WorldTour success in both the men’s and women’s peloton.

Outdated then, you might think?

Well, like many other bikes, the Canyon Ultimate CFR has benefitted from a refresh this year courtesy of the new SRAM RED AXS groupset, giving the ever-popular range a new lease of life, and in doing so making the Canyon Ultimate CFR even lighter. Our test bike tips the scales at just 6.85kg, and has also seen a slight price reduction since it was featured in our Race Bike of the Year 2024 awards feature - worth an in-depth revisit then, I think.

Canyon Ultimate CFR AXS: Construction

The frameset remains unchanged from when the bike was first released in September 2022, but take a glance over the spec sheet, and the bike still stacks up remarkably well against its young buck rivals.

As is the case across the Canyon range, the CFR branding identifies that this bike benefits from the giant German brand's highest level of carbon manufacturing. With that comes all the usual stiffness to weight claims, and aerodynamic design features.

I’ll return to the specs in a minute, but first I want to take a moment to appreciate the bike’s aesthetic. The Ultimate remains understated yet recognizable in 2024, even with some new colourways for this season. On test, I had the subtle-looking matt black frameset, which is admittedly quite modest, but if you do want to jazz the bike up somewhat, Canyon also offers a navy blue colourway with sparkles, and a ‘Funky Diamond’ pearlescent paint job too. Overall it's a good-looking bike, but one that can disappear under the radar if you opt for one of the less obvious colourways.

Returning to stats, it's a similarly modest but nonetheless competitive outlook. The 762-gram claimed frame weight might not be quite as impressive as it was when the bike was first released. However, consider the aero details around the head tube, down tube, and the added 30 grams of material around the bottom bracket, aimed at improving stiffness, and it’s safe to say the Ultimate is still competitive with some of the best two years on.

The Ultimate still sells as standard with the vintage CP0018 cockpit, but that bar performs incredibly well for most people. Unlike almost every other one-piece cockpit on the market, the CP0018 features adjustable bar widths from 370mm to 410mm. Though the new Aeroad takes this one step further, with the ability to actually change out the bar ends for different shapes, the CP0018 is still ahead of the competition. The only sticking point is that you still can’t change stem length without purchasing a whole new cockpit. Since Canyon is a direct-to-consumer brand, it’s not something they allow you to customise at the point of purchase like you might expect from concept stores or local shops.

The new Sram groupset has proved to be both incredibly reliable and a joy to use over many kilometres of riding, and the new features really do bring the fight to Shimano Dura-Ace, which still remains my benchmark groupset.

Improved braking performance, wider pad spacing, and ‘Bonus buttons’ have all modernized the groupset. The added benefit of a crash diet helps to make this bike sit right on the UCI weight limit while remaining genuinely user-friendly for the everyday rider.

And nowhere is this more true than in the tyre choice, particularly for us here in the UK. The bike comes standard with Pirelli P-Zero Race TLR Classic tyres in a 30mm width, which I think strikes a great balance between speed and ride quality without feeling mushy on the road. Of course, this is somewhat dictated by the Zipp 353 NSW wheelset which, being hookless and featuring a super wide internal rim width of 25mm, should be fitted with a minimum tyre width of 29mm according to international standards.

Canyon Ultimate CFR AXS: The ride

Having carried out all of our testing for this year’s Race Bike of the Year awards feature over the summer, I have had access to a whole host of range-topping (or very nearly) race machines, which means scrutiny is running as high as ever.

It also means I have been able to directly compare the Canyon Ultimate CFR to younger, more modern competitors. So how does it stand up, and is it still a good purchase in 2024?

The simple answer is yes, it certainly is, but hold on, this bike has a certain character that won’t be to everyone's tastes.

From my very first ride in the Prosecco hills of Italy, the Canyon Ultimate CFR stood out as a stable and agreeable ride. And no, that’s not a vision clouded by nostalgia for a warmer, sunnier time!

The geometry for race bikes can be a rather tricky balance to strike. Of course, you want a fast-handling machine but shorten the chainstays and wheelbase too much, and you’ll be in for a very twitchy ride. Too long, and you end up with a rather boring bit of kit.

It’s a balance that Canyon has done well to find. The Ultimate is definitely easier to get comfortable with than some of my favourite race bikes, namely the Giant TCR, but with that does come a slightly less rewarding ride.

Back in the UK, I’ve put hundreds of kilometres on the Ultimate CFR, and it continues to perform well across varied terrain and the less-than-ideal road surfaces we often face. The Pirelli P-Zero TLR Classic 30mm tires deserve a special mention here - they provide a smooth ride over rougher patches, and absorb a lot of road chatter, making longer rides notably more comfortable. This is, of course, mostly down to the width, but it's a great spec point to have as standard. On climbs, this bike comes into its own. The frame stiffness, paired with the impressively light 6.85 kg weight, makes it almost impossible for the bike to feel bad when the tarmac points up.

Canyon Ultimate CFR AXS: Value and conclusion

Ultimately - forgive me - the Canyon Ultimate CFR might not be the bike to grab if you’re seeking a quirky, high-character ride; it’s more like a well-made, dependable machine - think of it as the VW Golf of performance bikes. It’s exceptional in its versatility and reliability plus it's very good value too. That said, for those looking for a bike with a bit of flair, it may feel just a touch understated. On the other hand, it’s the reliability and well-rounded design that will make it a go-to for many riders, especially those who want a bike that can handle almost anything without demanding too much from its rider.

Canyon Ultimate CFR AXS: Specs and ratings