Canyon Magazine 2015 English by Canyon Bicycles GmbH

PURE CYCLING

Pure Cycling Magazine â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 2015

Editorial

! k f l c e a B rs u o y

However, none of this gives us reason to just sit back and relax. We constantly ask questions of ourselves and our products. How can we make things better? Is there anything our products don’t do? Why isn’t there a bike out there that truly combines XC efficiency up climbs with DH performance on the descents? The feedback we get from our team riders is just as important as what you have to say about us. Your experiences, your ideas and your suggestions give us fresh incentives to explore new pathways, to change the way we think and to revolutionise the bike as we know it – just like with the Strive CF.

Trying something new always involves an element of risk. Riding an unknown trail? It could be too hard. Stepping over a frame with a different geometry? It might not be what you’d expected. Releasing new products? Maybe it’s not what the customer wants at all. On the other hand, what if that trail turned out to be the best you’ve ever ridden? Or what if that new bike made you capable of things you never thought were possible? For us, that’s reason enough to always go one step beyond. Get out of the comfort zone, try something new and don’t stop innovating. With our new Urban and Fitness ranges, we once again find ourselves in new territory. Beyond the trails and country roads, we’re heading into the city and parks. The time is right to combine sustainable mobility with the performance Canyon bikes are associated with. If we’d always shied away from taking paths unknown, then the Arnold garage in a small village on the banks of the Mosel would still remain a niche spot for enthusiasts to pick up exotic imported parts, just as it was some 30 years ago. Today, pro riders compete and win at the biggest races and contests around the world riding Canyon bikes, backing up our promises of unique quality and service that riders everywhere seek out.

It gives us great pride when our innovations go on to set new standards. What’s even more important though is your trust in what we produce, our service and our philosophy. “Pure Cycling” is more than just a slogan. It encompasses what every single one of us at Canyon lives for: the vision of the perfect bike. To one day achieve that, simply thinking “we’ve always done it that way”, just doesn’t cut it. Enjoy reading and have a great year riding in 2015. Yours Roman 3

CONTENTs

MADE FOR RACING

Shape your Ride

Next-level aerodynamics combined with outstanding overall performance. The new Aeroad CF SLX can sprint, climb and break away to victory, proving its worth at the 2014 Tour de France with two commanding stage wins.

CONTENTS

Enduro requires being able to adapt to challenging trails, posing a challenge to both bike and rider. Working together with the Canyon Factory Enduro Team and Fabien Barel gave birth to the pioneering Shapeshifter.

28 12

INTO THIN AIR

swim canyon run Ironman winner, Nils Frommhold, and World Championship silver medallist, Anne Haug, compete at the top level in both long and short disciplines around the globe. Full motivation requires the right tools to finish the job – the Aeroad and Speedmax CF.

Upper Mustang is the place to go for no-limits adventure, as Rob-J found out together with his Strive. The highest peaks and deepest valleys on the planet make this the perfect spot for freeriding.

Rediscover your city

From dusk till Dirt Having good times on the bike and pushing each other to whole new levels – that’s what Pete, Thomas and Anton of the Canyon Factory Freeride Team live for, whether it’s competing in the FMB World Tour or sessioning Pete’s home spot.

Canyon Urban bikes embody modern urban mobility in its purest form. Elegant design and exceptional practicality unite so that the city takes on a whole new perspective.

Work-BikeBalance When life’s stresses begin to stack up, nothing provides relief quite like heading out for a ride. Canyon Fitness bikes bring new means of combining comfort and performance – the perfect way to stretch the legs and free the mind.

muchas gracias, Nairo! When a Columbian climbing sensation took on the Giro d’Italia, history was written. Nairo Quintana overcame adversity to climb to the very top of the sport aboard the Ultimate CF SLX and take a landmark first Grand Tour win for Canyon. 4

pure cycling Our philosophy. Beyond just a slogan. This is what drives us to improve everything that we do, to provide the best products, innovations and services for everyone, from weekend warriors to the world’s best riders. It is the very essence of Canyon.

44 5

m o u n t a i nb i k e

e p

ry na p o i u t olu ble the d v e m a a r scra e by as h h t d h wi bike ldwi son p r u ro o ea me endu ed w 14 s o c 0 c ve trive . Ra he 2 a s h t S t , â&#x20AC;Ś ers new scen eam wns p elo e de T o ev e th the duro nd d d k a n n yo o ma d rip ry E ups n Ca ay t s an acto few w imb n F a cl nyo than Ca ore m

a h s r e ou i d y r 6

om ht fr s e w a ig c t y gu e n stroje Fabien e h w pr .” Barel’s dream h t t d ne a f was clear … With s a nte I k as r t o the sun beating down and surrounded by snowon ese me, w pa o capped mountains, he smooths p r o his a s t ly spins the cranks to the top of “A on em at to be another long climb. Having reached y the edge of the ridge, he drops straight C a n ys t t h e d t into the trail. There’s no letup. Drifting across s ay t the loose surface, he’s lost in the flow of the aw wan terrain as the singletrack bends in all different diI rections. Nothing can stop him. In this vision, Fabien dominates both the climbs and the descents riding the same bike – the ultimate enduro machine. The setup is perfect and the handling spot-on, no matter what the terrain does, he’s prepared. Little did Fabien know, Canyon product developer, Vincenz Thoma, had been busy since 2011 making his enduro riding dream a reality. As an engineer, Vincenz uses riding to help with his work: “I get my motivation out on the trail. Riding bikes is the best way to come up with new ideas and think of ways to get them to work”. The result of all that trail time? Shapeshifter. Like the best innovations, the system is surprisingly simple. By pressing a remote and shifting their weight, the rider activates a gas spring that changes the rear shock linkage to select between two modes, XC or DH, and achieve the ideal setup for any terrain. Vincenz kept chipping away at the concept, honing it so that one day it would be ready to make it onto a production bike. The ideal candidate for that job? The new Strive CF. Back in 2012, Canyon began a project to set up a new enduro racing team. Fabien Barel was the star signing, drafted in to lead the team into a brand new season. As a three-time Downhill World Champion and qualified engineer, the Frenchman had one major incentive to get on board: “As soon as the guys from Canyon presented the new system to me, I knew straight away that this was a project I wanted to be a part of”. While playing a key role in getting the Canyon Factory Enduro Team to the top of the sport, Fab’s riding and engineering experience was a major factor in the development of the new Strive with Shapeshifter. As soon as pen hit paper and the handshakes took place, Fabien got straight into working with the new Strive prototypes. He was responsible for coming up with the bike’s new geometry to cope with the varying demands of enduro: “As a racer, it’s extremely important that the bike is stable at high speeds, which is why I like to have a longer front center.”

m o u n t a i nb i k e

Force

m o u n t a i nb i k e

XC-Mode Regular Geometry

DH-Mode

Full Travel

Race Geometry

SAG Front Center

geometry

1.5°

Race Geometry for super stability at speed or Regular Geometry for extra agility on the trails. It’s your call.

17 % 25 % SAG

130 160 Stroke End

Travel

TRAVEL AND SUSPENSION RATES In DH mode, 160 mm of travel and 25–30% sag provide the ideal setup for racing downhill, while 130 mm of travel and around 15% sag in XC mode improve overall efficiency.

19 mm BOTTOM BRACKET HEIGHT AND ANGLE ADJUSTMENT The geometry changes between DH mode and XC mode correspond to 1.5° in steering angle, 1.5° in seat angle and 20 mm in bottom bracket height.

shapeshifter Shapeshifter consists of a gas spring embedded in our patented rear shock linkage and a handlebar mounted remote. With just the flick of a switch, Shapeshifter changes the rear shock linkage and with it the entire suspension dynamics while you ride. As a result, you get two fundamentally different geometries, suspension rates, and travel settings to choose from, all without the need of a specially designed rear shock. DH-Mode

XC-Mode

m o u n t a i nb i k e

Thanks to his input, the idea emerged to create two versions of the new Strive, including the new Barel extended Race Geometry. With a new season and a fresh new racing format in the Enduro World Series (EWS), 2013 was set to be full of action. Joining Fabien for the ride with the Canyon Factory Enduro Team were self-proclaimed “Top Chief” and “Dudes of Hazzard” founder, Joe Barnes of Scotland, as well as Germany’s fastest female, Ines Thoma, with Swiss rookie Ludo May coming on board for 2014. The team’s first season could hardly have gone better. Fab rode an aluminium prototype of the new Strive to victory at the inaugural round of the EWS in Punta Ala, Italy, proving what the bike was capable of in its first ever competitive outing. Testing continued throughout the year and the results kept coming: 2nd in the Team rankings with Fabien coming 3rd in the overall and Ines 4th. Heading into 2014, the team looked to raise their game across the board. The carbon Strive CF was

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a c t se a h lo t a ut c I“ ’m , b as a nw a m

throughout the field, although the outcome could have been far worse: “I’m a lucky man, but that was a close call!” Despite the loss of their captain, the team continued into the season fully focussed on their goals. EWS Round 2 took the riders to Tweedlove Festival in Scotland, where Joe used the home advantage to pull his first ever podium out the bag, finishing in a fantastic 3rd place. Two rounds later in La Thuille in the Italian Alps, the Top Chief repeated that performance, confirming his promise as one of the most exciting riders on the scene. It’s only a matter of time before he climbs onto the top step … While the EWS continues enduro’s march into the mainstream, Fabien is making a strong recovery and itching to get back to racing on his Strive. Stay tuned!

!” l l

ccfinally ready to take on the competition. This marked a significant step forwards in the constant arms race between EWS teams to gain every last second’s advantage come race day. The Canyon Factory Enduro Team goes far beyond the riders ripping the trails – it’s the work that goes on behind the scenes that gets them up there in the first place. Product developers spend long hours at the drawing board coming up with new ideas to eke out every last ounce of performance, while our mechanics toil away late into the night to make certain every bike is 100% race ready. This is a team effort, and as a result Barel, Barnes, May and Thoma were perfectly prepared to take on the first EWS round of the year in Chile. Even when everything is running perfectly, there are always times when the trail bites back and crashes can’t be avoided. This is normally just part of the game, you shrug it off, but some hits can have a bigger impact. On Stage 1, Fabien lost control drifting through a fast corner at 40 km/h, sending him straight over the bars. Landing heavily head first in soft sand, it was clear this was no ordinary crash. Diagnosis: a cracked vertebra. The good news? No major nerve damage. The bad? Fab’s season was over. His crash sent shockwaves

u l

Watch the Story unfold Check out the highlights clip from Punta Ala: www. canyon . com /pure_cycling_tv 11

m o u n t a i nb i k e

Into thin

m o u n t a i nb i k e

Dirt and freeride legend Rob-J reports back from a breathtaking riding adventure in Nepal and explains why experiences like his are exactly what we live for.

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The Mustang region in the Himalayas is a draw for anyone in search of adventure, extreme mountain bikers included. Surrounded by 8000 metre peaks, this is the deepest valley in the world.

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The air is thin up here. I hike up the last steep slope to around 4500 metres and try to extract everything that my legs and lungs have to give. I’m right on the limit and about to start the last descent of my time here in Nepal, on the Lubra Trail deep in the Upper Mustang and surrounded by some of the highest peaks in the world. Annapurna (8091 m), Dhaulagiri (8167 m) and the Nilgiri (7061 m) are just a few of the summits I can see. Surrounding these giants are several “smaller” six-thousanders that haven’t even been named yet, our guide Mandil tells us as that there are simply too many of them. How many undiscovered trails and lines are still out there? How much can still be ridden? The possibilities appear endless. They are.

m o u n t a i nb i k e

Rob-J

“At these moments, right in the here and now, time stands still.”

Born in Prague in 1981, Rob-J has lived in Munich for much of his life. Rob is a true all-rounder with several dirt and freeride successes to his name. His talent was first discovered at a freeride youth camp and life has come full circle as Rob now organises and promotes his own events to seek out promising young riders.

SKY’S THE LIMIT — THE STRIVE HAS NO LIMITS When riding up this high, you need a bike that can climb efficiently but also cope with extremely demanding, technical descents – just like the Strive Rob used to take on the Upper Mustang.

Before dropping in and riding the trail down to the riverbed of the mighty Kali Gandaki for the last time, I spy an enormous lammergeyer floating on the thermals, majestically soaring across this ancient kingdom without a single beat of its wings. This is what it’s all about. At these moments, right in the here and now, time stands still. For the next thirty minutes I have the whole trail to myself. You ride yourself into a trance, your senses become hyper-alert, reading what lies ahead so that each movement flows seamlessly into the next. The trail’s a high-speed mix of loose corners interspersed with steep, exposed sections all the way down to the bottom. Make a mistake riding this fast and you’re in serious trouble, but thoughts of “what if?” have no place in the mind right now. I’m utterly consumed by the experience. The perfect ride? It’s definitely one of the best trails I’ve ever ridden. The crowning glory of my time in Nepal. This journey was so much more than just another trip into the backcountry to go and ride. There were points when it felt like we’d gone on a journey back through time, to an era when old values still counted for something, an existence we all too often seem to have lost touch with in the western world. Up in Mustang, people still live their lives as they have been doing for centuries, perfectly in time with nature’s rhythm. This entire area has only recently become accessible to outsiders, meaning modern influences have yet to take a hold, people do things as they always have done. Everything is made by hand. Whatever they undertake, they do it with full dedication and take their time until every last detail is perfect. It’s like they go beyond Buddhism. Nothing gets rushed. All actions are carried out with a constant, unwavering attachment to their religion. This will not be the last time I travel to Nepal. The terrain has so much more to offer, it’s just waiting to be discovered. I also want to learn more about the people here and their rich culture. And when I do come back, I’m going to take my time. It’ll be worth it. Especially when the stifling effect of modern life’s stress, pressure and imbalance makes our air too thin to breathe.

m o r F k l s l u i d t t r i Gravity

Gravity

t ha out. g w b in tâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all a ush a Th is s p he ed ti s? tyle lway ps t ook im s a ee h e l lope rom at k eam h t s re and get f s wh ide T e. a re g u d i er or he ridin h yo yon Fre or m W e e ry f s fre e ru tep b acto ack Th e s n F ng b on nyo omi Ca d c an

T This isn’t a team made up of stars of the future, they’re the stars of right now. With Anton “Cleanlander” Thelander from Sweden, Belgium’s Thomas “La Frite” Genon and German Peter “Party” Henke, together the Canyon Factory Freeride Team has taken the gravity scene by storm. Competing around the world, when these guys go big the judges often reach for the high scores. The three work together as a team, roadtripping around the world to session new spots and spurring each other on to come up with new ideas to impress fans and judging panels alike. It’s all about progression. The results they get don’t just come about through the hard work they put in, but more importantly by how much enjoyment they take out of what they do. This ain’t no job, it’s a way of life! The FMB World Tour rankings prove just how successful that laid-back attitude can be. Consistently placing inside the top10 is no problem for the team. Each of them can turn on the style on groomed slopestyle courses and rough freeride terrain in front of massive crowds as if it were just any other session on any other day. Having the right bike always helps – the Canyon Stitched is the first model in the new Dirt and Slopestyle range and is built to nail big tricks. When things get a little more wild, the boys roll out the Rampage-proven Torque DHX to get to grips with the rough stuff. Still in their first season together, there’s definitely lots we’ve yet to see. Just like dropping in to hit a monster kicker, the only direction for these guys is up.

20 Designed for downhill domination and bike park action, huge travel reserves (195–210 mm) turn every descent into a test to see just how far you’re willing to push it. When it comes to the madness of Red Bull Rampage, the team take to the Torque to seek out the best lines.

Torque to the Rocks

The Stitched takes the style dial and turns it up to the max. With the frame weighing just 2050 g and tube shapes designed to withstand the biggest impacts, the Stitched will keep on giving when laying down new tricks. An extra stiff BB.Box and tapered headtube result in pinpoint steering accuracy, while flattened steering angles provide the ideal balance between agility and stability when sessioning the local jumps, scoping new street spots or chilling down at the pumptack. This is the ride you need if you want to take it to the next level. No hesitation. Just send it!

SICK LINES — NEW STICHED

Gravity Gravity

22 Thomas Genon’s nickname, “La Frite”, comes from the French slang, “avoir la frite”, literally meaning, “to have the fries”, or more accurately, “to be up for it”. Conveniently, both count for Thomas. A fan of eating fries, he’s also clearly up for trying anything with his progressive riding style.

Did you know …

The best slopestyle courses can usually be found in famous bike parks around the world where Pete, Thomas and Anton regularly compete. After taking inspiration from their travels, the guys wanted to do something completely different for a new film shoot they did back in www. canyon . com June. Hooking up with camera/pure_cycling_tv man Lukas Tielke from Peoplegrapher and course building experts, Mellowpark, the team set about transforming Pete’s home spot. Surrounded by still water and tranquil forest, it’s the last place you’d expect to stumble across huge kickers, berms, tables and transfers with multiple line combos on offer. In this natural setting, the guys really let loose and showcase their massive talent. The style isn’t restricted to the tricks though, this film is shot in typical Tielke fashion to make you stoked to just get out and ride, as all good edits should. The guys clearly had a great time with the project, just look at the title, that’s what it’s all about. Check out the film at win.gs/goodtimes or Canyon.com.

watch #goodtimes

Gravity Gravity

MuCHas graCias, Nairo! road

The 97th edition of the Giro d’Italia was a race of firsts. Columbian Nairo Quintana became the first ever South American to stand on the top step of the podium, while Canyon achieved a Grand Tour win for the first time with the Ultimate CF SLX.

road

The Giro could hardly have got off to a worse start for Quintana. After coming down hard in a crash on the sixth stage and suffering from bronchitis early in the race, luck was not on the Columbian climber’s side. He didn’t let that get to him. The Movistar Team captain courageously fought on one day at a time to avoid any big time losses. Then, when the race finally hit the high mountains, the hour came for Quintana to shine. Stage 16 tackled the legendary Gavia and Stelvio passes in sub-zero temperatures and driving snowfall before a gruelling summit finish to Val Martello. From such extreme conditions, heroic acts emerge. Nairo Quintana was made for such feats. As a teenager he rode an old beat-up mountain bike up and down a mountainside in the heart of the Andes every day, 18 kilometres each way and with gradients in excess of 8%, just so he could get to school in the nearby town of Arcabuco. On the 27th of May 2014, Quintana put all those years of hard graft and toil behind him and took off into the abyss down the slick descent of the Stelvio, throwing all caution to the wind and leaving the race leaders in his wake. After crossing the line with a four minute advantage over his nearest challengers, Quintana pulled on the coveted Maglia Rosa, sending out a clear message to his competition. Three days later, another dominant stage win all but confirmed an inevitable and historic overall victory. Following his Giro win the 24-year-old has achieved legendary status, especially back in his native Columbia where the sport’s heritage and superstar riders like Lucho Herrera are revered above all else. No South American before Quintana had been able to make their mark on the Giro’s roll of honour, and now Canyon too celebrates a milestone accomplishment. Ever since Cadel Evans became World Champion in 2009, overall victory in one of cycling’s three Grand Tours had always been the next target for Canyon. After so agonisingly missing out on the pink jersey with Katusha rider, Joaquim Rodríguez, in 2012 by just 16 seconds, to finally get on the top step is a truly landmark achievement. Still early on in his career, Quintana can only go on to achieve further greatness – what’s the French for liMitEd “Giro”? Watch this space … EditioN In honour of Nairo’s victory and to the mythology of Giro, we produced a special edition run of the race-winning bike in iconic pink livery. With each model serving as a unique tribute to one of the race’s 21 stages, the Ultimate CF SLX IL GIRO 2014 is strictly limited to just 21 examples.

Road

Giro d’Italia The Giro d’Italia has been one of the pillars of international cycling ever since the first edition was run back in 1909. For three weeks every year, the entire Italian nation and cycling fans across the world fix their attention on the race to follow the battle for the Maglia Rosa. Pink, the colour of the leader’s jersey, epitomises the race and was originally chosen to match the tone of paper used by title sponsor, “La Gazzetta dello Sport”. The battle for the pink jersey takes place against a backdrop of breathtaking landscapes, ancient villages and comes to a climax on legbreaking ascents. Gavia, Stelvio, Cima Grappa, Monte Zoncolon – all climbs that have been written into Giro legend. Along the whole route the “Tifosi” is ever present, crowds spurring their heroes on through snow, ice and rain, their cries echo across the mountains. Whoever emerges victorious from this three week-long festival of cycling has their name inscribed with the greats alongside Coppi, Bartali and Moser – all of these riders have achieved immortal status within our sport.

198

3,445 km

Million

30 different nationalities and 20 teams competed in the 2014 Giro d'Italia

Total length of the 2014 edition from Belfast to Trieste

Size of the global audience that tuned in to watch the race this year

Riders

775

ROAD

The new AEROAD CF SLX This bike has a will of its own. That’s how fast the Aeroad CF SLX feels when you get on it. “You cannot ride it slow”, was the first impression of Joaquim “Purito” Rodríguez, who rode the previous Aeroad onto the podium at the 2013 Tour de France. The new Aeroad CF SLX looks to continue the success story as the world’s number one bike. So far, the signs are looking promising, hot off the heels of two stage wins in this year’s Tour de France. Since its conception in 2010, the Aeroad has experienced success in the biggest one day classics and Monuments, leader’s jerseys in all three Grand Tours and top spot in the UCI WorldTour Individual Rider Ranking three years running. Driven by the desire to make the best even better, Canyon Product Developers created the Aeroad CF SLX. This new generation fuses together the very best aerodynamics with the classic parameters of road frame construction: maximum stiffness, lightness and sovereign comfort. For developer Wolfgang Kohl, the aims were clear: “We wanted to create a bike that could escape on the flats, attack on the climbs and win in the sprints”. The result is the true definition of what a race bike should be. A bike that promises speed and comfort through its design alone – and backs up this promise with every moment spent out on the road.

Racing

made for

ROAD

System integration A major part of the aerodynamic performance of the Aeroad CF SLX is owed to the newly developed Aerocockpit CF. With its low surface area and carefully sculpted profile, this integrated bar and stem system merges effortlessly into the toptube. We worked together with Acros to create a custom headset design so we could create a smooth transition from the stem through the spacers to the headtube. Beyond contributing to a streamlined form, the Acros headset’s ultra-compact bearings help to keep weight down. Shimano Direct Mount Brakes ensure excellent stopping power, however the Aeroad CF SLX bucks the trend of fitting the rear brake beneath the bottom bracket, instead using a slightly modified front brake for the rear as well. Our wind tunnel testing proved this to be by far the most efficient configuration. A rear wheel fairing integrated into the seattube’s unique design provides a distinct aero advantage. Achieving the smoothest transition possible between the frame and the wheels greatly improves airflow around the whole rear end of the bike.

IN COMPARISON TO PREDECESSOR

–19% Wind resistance with Aerocockpit

+17% Frameset stiffness

–13% Frameset weight

“The increased bottom bracket stiffness is clear when putting down power in sprints.” Wolfgang Kohl

Performance Taking the lightness, stiffness and handling of our Ultimate CF SLX and combining it with the pure aerodynamic performance of the Speedmax CF was the fundamental goal during the development of the Aeroad CF SLX. The increased bottom bracket stiffness is clear when putting down power in sprints. Tackling fast descents becomes more assured thanks to the boost in headtube stiffness. A 1 ¼“ fork shaft was specifically chosen to deliver handling accuracy and high torsional stiffness. The headtube merges seamlessly into the forks with the prow design continued into the fork crown, once again highlighting the frame’s key element integration. Our proven Pro Geometry results in a low and aggressive riding position ideal for sprinters to achieve full power output and top speed when it matters. None of these performance features impact upon the impressive comfort of the Aeroad CF SLX. The end result is a frame that weighs just 980 g and raises the bar of what road bikes are capable of.

AerodynamiCS

980 g

Modern aerodynamic bike design requires an incredibly scientific and methodical approach, as shown by the countless CFD studies and wind tunnel tests we carried out. This is what gives the Aeroad CF SLX its outstanding performance. Our first generation Trident profile, first featured on the Speedmax CF, has been optimised for the lower average speeds of road racing using cutting-edge analysis methods to create Trident 2.0. Thanks to these optimised tube forms and extensive system integration of the cockpit, brakes, rear wheel and seatpost, the Aeroad CF SLX has been improved by 13.5 watts in comparison to its predecessor. Design and aerodynamics go hand in hand with the Aeroad CF SLX. Flowing forms, clear lines and seamless transitions to mechanical components represent racing performance in its purest form. Even at first sight, the Aeroad CF SLX clearly evokes dynamism and speed.

Frame Weight

–13.5 W Aero-Drag at 45 km /h

r enn r a d

ROAD

The aim was to create a bike that could escape on the flats, attack on the climbs and win in the sprints. The Aeroad CF SLX passed the toughest tests at the Tour de France, proving its sprinting prowess with Alexander Kristoff and climbing performance with Joaquim RodrĂguez.

Triathlon

swim canyon run

Triathlon stars Nils Frommhold and Anne Haug have both reached great heights throughout their careers. We sat down with them for an exclusive interview to discuss what motivates them, their goals and their journey right to the very top.

Nils Frommhold

Anne Haug

After a few seasons competing in short distance, Nils made a big statement during his Ironman debut by taking victory at Arizona 2012, proving he also has what it takes to go long. Having competed on the Speedmax since 2013, Nils splits his time training on Fuerteventura or down in Freiburg, South Germany.

A World Championship silver medal (2012) and the German National Title (2013) are just two of the highlights on 31-year-old Olympic distance specialist Anneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s list of career achievements. Having prepared for the 2014 season in various locations around the world, including Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and Australia, her Aeroad is more well-travelled than most.

T r i at h lo n

How did you get started with Triathlon? When was your first race? Nils Frommhold Up until I was 18 I’d always been a swimmer back home in Berlin. It stopped being fun when people began to leave my training group so I gave it up and then I suddenly had all this free time on my hands to enjoy – but lacking that structure never felt right. At the start, triathlon was a way for me to get the motivation to train again. However, once a competitor, always a competitor. It quickly became apparent that triathlon meant a lot more to me. Things moved pretty quickly after I finished school and I moved out to Potsdam so I could train professionally. I quickly made the jump to the national squad and ever since the end of 2012 I’ve been competing in long distance. Anne Haug I got into triathlon in a very roundabout way. When I was five I started playing tennis, then I took up volleyball and basketball when I was ten, I also did modern pentathlon and badminton before getting back into tennis again. At some point along the way I realised that I could run faster and longer than most people. When I was 16 my boyfriend at the time did a tri-

athlon, which I thought was quite cool so I wanted to do one too. Only problem was that I couldn’t swim, so I told myself to get into the pool and keep practising until I could do 1500 m front crawl without stopping, then I could sign up for a triathlon. After three months training I did my first event and came third straight away. After that I was hooked. I wasn’t so concentrated on performance or turning pro, but I got better year after year, moving up the different categories until I was competing in European Cups and then finally World Cups. Within just four years I’d gone from age groups to the world elite.

What’s so special about the disciplines you do? A.H. Long distance has a certain mythology surrounding it and you never know what can happen. You set off at sunrise with no idea what to expect from the day. That mix of tension, anticipation and a little bit of fear is totally unique. There’s also a certain lifestyle that comes with triathlon and I can’t think of anything much better right now than being able to travel for the whole year like we get to do. N.F. With short distance people’s performance levels are a lot closer so the competition against your opponents is a lot more direct than something like an Ironman, which is much more of a battle against yourself. I really like having that

“Long distance has a certain mythology surrounding it and you never know what can happen.” 36

T r i at h lo n

What’s been the high point of your triathlon career?

direct fight and the fact that it’s faster. Another factor is of course the Olympics. They’re simply the biggest thing that can happen in any athlete’s life.

What do you gain from competing considering all the sacrifices you have to make? N.F. It’s a bit like balancing on a knife edge. Sure, you have to give up on a lot but you have to take the sacrifices as they come. There’s no better feeling than finally reaching a big objective, giving it your all and knowing at the end that it was all worth it. Getting beaten is also important to help you develop. Being able to overcome big setbacks is even more satisfying than winning without any problems. Whether you win or lose, the best thing is when you get to share your experience with others. My performance is just the tip of the iceberg, a lot of it really comes down to my coaches, my carers and my friends. A.H. The mental side of it fascinates me. Lining up for the Olympics, everyone is physically in peak form. The real difference is what goes on in your head. If you can overcome all the pressure, do a perfect race and then win as well, that euphoria you get is just incredible.

N.F. Without doubt my first Ironman win in Arizona! It was the first time I’d lined up for a long distance event and I had no idea what would happen. I’d also just come back from a long break with a complicated stress fracture that could have ended my career. The best part was crossing the line to find my girlfriend and trainer who had stood by my side the whole time and being able to share that winning moment with them. A.H. What really stands out for me was qualifying for the Olympics. It was an incredibly moving moment, all of a sudden all the dreams you’ve had and everything you’ve been working for gets fulfilled. I’ll also always remember winning my home race in Hamburg, the atmosphere out on course there was simply unique – it was incredible.

And the low point? N.F. As I said, the stress fracture on my shin back in 2011. Being forced to watch something I love doing from the side-lines for a whole year and not be able to take part – that was hard. There was also never knowing when things would finally begin to improve as the healing process was so drawn out. No one could tell me for certain if it would ever be 100% healed. A.H. The final part of the World Championships in London. I just completely fell apart during that race.

“My performance is just the tip of the iceberg, a lot of it really comes down to my coaches, my carers and my friends.” How do you motivate yourself? N.F. It may sound simple but just improving my performance keeps me driven. I take more joy in making small gains than I do if I win a race without having had to give it absolutely everything. A.H. I’ve got a big goal that gets me out of bed every day: the Olympics. For me, it’s not about whether I medal or not, but more about constantly progressing and improving. It’s fascinating when you pull a performance out the bag that you could never have dreamed of and to discover where your own limits are.

What are your short and long-term goals? N.F. There’s nothing too specific really, I find it fairly easy to stay motivated and keep going regardless. I guess there are three races I really want to target and give it everything for: Challenge Roth, Ironman Frankfurt, and naturally the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii too. Whether these happen soon or in the long run, we’ll just have to see!

A.H. Quite simple. The Rio Olympics 2016. Before then I really need to work on my swim so I’m ready for the chaos of open water.

Do you have any role models? N.F. Not really! A.H. I’m constantly impressed by up-and-coming stars, athletes like Gwen Jorgensen and Emma Snowsill.

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With the Canyon Urban range, design achieves a new status, the city takes on a new definition and urban mobility finally becomes an experience to enjoy.

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dEsigN The Canyon Urban range combines elegance and functionality in a bold new design. Long, uninterrupted lines rise up through the frame and merge into the cockpit for an unmistakeable overall appearance. The Canyon Commuter goes beyond form following function.

fEaturEs Practical, user-friendly components are seamlessly blended into the frame to complement the bikeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s harmonious form. With Integrated lights and leather contact points, the finishing touches on the Canyon Urban model are of the very highest quality.

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Riding allows us to view the city from an entirely new perspective. Whether heading to work, going shopping or meeting up with friends in the evening, your surroundings simply open up, you discover new places and spark up conversations with like-minded people. Free from set departure times, parking restrictions and traffic jams, you get to finally enjoy fully independent mobility. There’s no scenario where the bike is out of place. It provides cultured transportation, the perfect accompaniment to an evening at the theatre or going out to a concert. Anything is possible. Lifestyle is no longer judged on shiny bodywork or big engines. Riding a bike is the very definition of modern style and progression. It makes a bold statement. Nobody switches to riding because they have to, they do it because they can. The era for rusting city clunkers is over – the Canyon Urban range brings design and urban mobility into the modern age. Internal cable routing and subtle artwork place the focus on the essential, further highlighted by the seamless welds and clear-cut lines. Elegance and functionality combine to create a bold design. These bikes provide an answer to the question: how do we view the future of mobility? Free, independent and with style, all while taking responsibility for our own wellbeing as well as that of our city. Lights charged? Chain oiled? Pump in the bag? The Canyon Urban range resigns these questions to the history books. Our low-maintenance and highly practical Commuter model will transform how you get to work. With fully-integrated lighting and mudguards that double up as luggage racks, it’s everything a modern commuting bike should be. Individual components fall into the background, the bike represents a cohesive unit. Belt drives and internal hub gears keep maintenance to the absolute minimum and increase reliability for purely functional performance, while lightweight wheels provide agile handling. Canyon VCLS technology has been applied to absorb vibrations and shocks to guarantee rider comfort. Whether heading to a morning meeting or to the shops at the weekend, you’ll arrive feeling refreshed and invigorated. For those after more stripped down performance on the way to the park or café when the sun’s out, our Urban model guarantees top style points for the journey there. With the Canyon Urban range, design achieves a new status, the city takes on a new definition and urban mobility finally becomes an experience to enjoy.

“The era for rusted city clunkers is over.“

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Work— There’s simply no better feeling than heading out for a ride after a tough day at work or at the weekend to just unwind and let the stress fade away. Get on the bike and get out of town, on your own or with friends. Forget workload and project deadlines, out on the bike you can recharge the batteries so you’re ready to take on new challenges. Whether putting power through the pedals or enjoying a gentle spin. Take off down single-track roads, roll past woods and fields, or find your way to the next swimming spot to go for a cooling dip on a hot day. Two wheels are far better than two feet when it comes to exploring your surroundings. Let the rush of fresh air blow all the worries out of your mind. The new Roadlite Fitness range is ideal for people who love sport but aren’t looking to push performance to the very limit.

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Bike— Balance

The Roadlite AL continues its success as a road bike into its new form as the first model in our new Fitness range, complete with several design features from our current generation of Canyon road bikes. With a lightweight and robust aluminium frame, this new model presents an attractive all-round package. Our VCLS seatpost significantly reduces the impact of road vibrations, while flat handlebars, ergonomically formed grips and comfortable saddles make long rides a joy. Reliable drivetrains with broad gear ranges make light work of the climbs and the balanced riding position reduces pressure on back and neck muscles for pain-free riding. The Roadlite AL is a dynamic bike that offers new ways of combining performance and comfort for the Canyon range.

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Pure Cycling There is no simpler way to express ourselves. Whether designing the perfect frame, riding with friends or communicating with our customers, this is what we do every day.

HOW IT IS. HOW IT WAS. HOW IT ALWAYS WILL BE. What drives us at Canyon is not some new fad or short-lived trend. It is a tradition started back in 1985 by our founder, Roman Arnold. Today we work with the exact same passion that allowed him to go from travelling Europe with his father and their trailer as a mobile dealership all those years ago, to manufacturing his own bikes delivered directly to the customer. The fundamentals of this business philosophy have never been changed. That’s why our bikes cannot be found in shops and are only available directly from us. This will also never change. We believe in having a close relationship with our customers. We collect feedback on our bikes and components from riders around the world and put it directly into practice so that we can improve everything that we do. That’s the secret that explains how “Radsport Arnold GmbH”, created almost 30 years ago, has become the success it is today.

No Diversions Canyon bikes are delivered directly from us straight to you. That’s how we can offer the best bikes for the best prices.

PART OF A COMMUNITY Our customers are the best motivators, critics and inspiration that we have. Just like us, they are passionate riders. Talking with one another, trying out new products and swapping experiences forms the very backbone of what we do at Canyon. They constantly remind us precisely who it is we are working for. That’s why we set ourselves such high targets for our products and services, from design and development to assembly and consultation. We employ the very best engineers, materials experts, designers and quality controllers around. Canyon has a comprehensive testing lab with an array of rigs, including our own CT scanner to ensure everything we make meets our high quality standards. In this respect, we are unique in the industry. Most important of all, however, is that every bike, component, item of clothing and accessory we create can be described with just two words: Pure Cycling.

30 Days Right of Return

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VALUES THAT COUNT What is it that creates the best riding experience for us? We believe having the perfect products helps on the one hand, on the other it’s all about understanding important values regarding our community and our responsibilities. This is why we promote and support cycling across a whole variety of disciplines and look to encourage junior talent as part of our commitment to the future of our sport.

INNOVATION AS STANDARD The results speak for themselves. Our teams and riders have countless victories between them including world titles, national championships, stage wins and podiums. Whether pro or amateur, we share the passion for our sport with all riders – but that’s not all. Working together with current and former professional athletes provides us with yet more valuable feedback to complement the input from enthusiasts and everyday riders. This is what constantly drives the development of our products so we can improve their performance. Our team of developers are responsible for over 200 different innovations, many of which have gone on to become standard-bearers in the industry. Regardless of this, we do not turn a blind eye to our services, consultation or product guarantees. After a purchase is made, we will always be there for the customer. Our 30 day right of return, six year guarantee and unique Crash Replacement Service set us apart as ways to get you back in the saddle as quickly as possible should something go wrong. After all, we understand as well as anyone that once you’re hooked, you can never let go.

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100 Awards and test wins have been attained by Canyon bikes in recent years, including 33 “Bike of the Year” crowns.

Imp r I N T Publisher Canyon Bicycles GmbH Karl-Tesche-Strasse 12 56073 Koblenz Phone +49 (0) 261 40 4000 info@canyon.com Editorial & Coordination David Ehling Matthew Leake Daniel Oster Christian Thill Sebastian Wegerle Helen WeiĂ&#x;enbach Concept, Layout, Artwork & Text KMS TEAM GmbH, Munich Printer COLOR GRUPPE, Munich

www.canyon.com

Distributor Canyon Bicycles GmbH Marketing Karl-Tesche-Strasse 12 56073 Koblenz

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