It is rare that companies can bring a bike to market without some details making it out to the press before hand. Usually it is a spy shot of a training ride or some new bike showing up quietly in transition. But the newest Canyon chose a much different route in its introduction to the public. In prototype form an all white Canyon won the Ironman European Championships underneath Jan Frodeno. But even thought the world knew that Canyon had a new ace up its sleeve they wanted to fine-tune a few items before official press introductions. The good news is that Canyon feels it’s finally time for the world to meet its newest iteration of the Speedmax CF – the Speedmax CF SLX.

The Canyon CF SLX System

The SLX is not a time trial bike adapted for triathletes – this is a bike designed specifically for the needs of multisports athletes. Nutrition, hydration, gear and even the computer mount were all design considerations for Canyon when crafting the SLX.

“Our aim wasn’t just to create the fastest bike, but the fastest looking bike as well. When the Speedmax CF SLX is in the transition zone it almost looks incomplete because it’s so clean, but everything you need is there, exactly where you want it. When we say it’s race-ready, that’s exactly what we mean.” – Wolfgang Kohl, Speedmax CF SLX engineer

The Energy Source is the conformal bento box of the SLX. With the Energy Source Canyon made space for all the gels, bars and hydration tablets needed by the rider for the toughest races out there.

Up front is hydration storage developed in partnership with Profile Design. The Hydration Source is simple to refill in the heat of the race to increase the amount of time the rider spends in the optimum aero position. The Hydration Source is simple to install and drink out of, while the entire lid is detachable for effective cleaning.

At the rear is a removable seat post bottle cage. Additional bottle cages connect seamlessly to the rear of the seat post. Compatible with either one or two standard bottles, Canyon tells us the mount is simple to install and easy to access when riding.

Because most riders do not have access to readily accessible neutral support Canyon made sure there was a place for your flat kit as well. Located inside the top tube is the SLX Gear Box. The Gear Box comes equipped with two CO2 cartridges; two tire levers and a spare inner tube encased inside a soft neoprene shell between the top tube and down tube. That makes fast puncture repairs possible to get back in the race.

Finally to complete the integration Canyon added a Garmin ¼ turn computer mount forward of the hydration system.

“The Speedmax CF SLX combines aesthetics with all the needs of a triathlon. To have all your spares and nutrition for race day stored away without anybody ever seeing them or even knowing they’re there, that’s amazing.” Jan Frodeno, Ironman 70.3 world champion (2015), Ironman European champion (2015)

Because you are going to be spending quite a bit of time in the saddle, Canyon worked hard to make the cockpit of the SLX one of the most comfortable out there. Canyon’s partnership with ergonomics gurus, Ergon, resulted in the creation of a new shell shape with plush padding material for enhanced damping, grip and comfort.

A more secure hold and better grip are delivered by the new Ergon extension grips. These dampen road vibrations far more than conventional bar tape for extra comfort. On the base bar Ergon’s innovative Base Bar Grips greatly increase rider control.

Finally because going fast only works as long as you can safely slow down. Canyon collaborated with TRP to take braking performance on the Speedmax CF SLX to the next level. Re-positioning the front brake from the rear of the fork crown to the front results in a stiffer braking platform for improved feel. All braking mechanics are protected behind a flexible cover and are easy to access for assembly and maintenance. The rear brake remains positioned below the bottom bracket.

Interestingly – while the CF SLX is a true triathletes bike, Canyon was able to retain its UCI legality.

The full CF SLX line will consist of five models and will be available from December 2015. Until then stay tuned to AeroGeeks.com for a breakdown of the aerodynamics of the CF SLX and a closer look at the different models will be available. And for those looking for a better look at the SLX make sure to tune into the coverage of the Ironman World Championships to see one looking to get back on the podium.