PURE CYCLING
PURE CYCLING MAG — 2016
N E IV
R D E T O A T OV N IN
At Canyon we take as much pride in our open atmosphere as we do in being at the forefront of technology. We are a modern company through and through. The quality of the service we deliver to our customers is central when it comes to judging our success. We always strive to go one step beyond. Setting new standards is something we look to do every day. This is what drives me and this is what drives the 650 plus employees who embody everything Canyon stands for. This year we celebrate the completion of the brand new Canyon.Factory. At 22,000 m² this facility will allow us to produce upwards of 380 bikes a day. It will make us more flexible. Thanks to new computerised production processes we can build more models simultaneously while guaranteeing better working conditions for all. The lengths we have gone to with the Canyon.Factory set a new precedent for the entire cycling industry. The fact that our production has an even lower environmental impact with minimal wasted resources is something I am especially proud of. Everywhere I look, in every department I see people who love to ride and get the absolute best out of their work. They identify with Canyon and believe in our common goal. The same goes for all the professional athletes supported by Canyon who give their all in the biggest races and contests around the world. The results truly speak for themselves. Come and experience everything Canyon is about. Join us across Europe, we’re at festivals and shows all year round. Take the chance to test our bikes or just come by and have a chat. We look forward to welcoming you. Enjoy the ride, Roman
3
CONTENTS 06
12
RECYCLING
BUILDING THE BEST BIKE
Anyone who rides appreciates the value of our environment. That’s why Canyon goes to great lengths in all departments to ensure its business is as sustainable as can be.
As one of the newest and most advanced production and logistics centres in the industry, find out what makes the Canyon.Factory ready for the future.
16 QUALITY IN CONTROL How safe are Canyon bikes? How can you maximise quality? Gordon Koenen leads Canyon’s Quality Management Team and explains everything.
20 #PERFECT HOUR 52.937 Kilometres in 60 minutes. That’s the marker Movistar Team pro Alex Dowsett set on the Speedmax WHR to break the UCI Hour Record. Read about Canyon’s role in making it happen.
4
26 DESIGN THAT TALKS All our bikes share a unique design character, but how is that achieved? Our designers talk through the elements that make Canyon bikes what they are.
30 ENGINEERED PERFECTION
34 OUT OF THE COMFORT ZONE Road tripping around the USA to hit up some of the most iconic spots in the sport, Fabio and Jannick report back from freeriding paradise in Utah.
42 PURE CYCLING WORLDWIDE Testing a Canyon doesn’t mean you have to travel to Germany. Our partners located across Europe and beyond give you the chance to try our bikes in some of the best riding locations out there.
5
For three generations the Ultimate CF SLX has represented the pinnacle of road bike performance. Now reborn, the success story is set to continue.
BUILDING April marked the start of operations in the Canyon.Factory. By the end of 2015 all bikes will be assembled and shipped from the brand new production and logistics centre. Its completion sets a clear path for Canyon’s future. Soon enough all customers will benefit from this state-of-the-art intelligent factory.
THE BEST BIKE 6
7
R
drivers can take them up to 11 metres high and they all follow wires laid in the ground. Everything is automatic. The driver doesn’t even need to steer, they just program where they need to go and keep their foot on the gas.”
“Right now you’re sitting in one of the most advanced bicycle production facilities in the world.” As soon as Canyon Head of Production and Logistics, André Koch, makes this statement the entire room goes silent. A mixture of surprise and pride can be read from the faces of the employees gathered for their first visit. Beforehand many of them only had a vague idea of the scale and potential of what could be achieved with the completion of the Canyon.Factory.
A few metres further on, a big delivery from Shimano is being offloaded. The workers use scanners strapped to their fingers and a smart phone attached to their wrist to record all the goods coming in. That means their hands are free at all times to move the boxes around, a major improvement over the gun scanners used previously. The system shows exactly where the delivery has come from and the precise location of where it needs to be stored. Seemingly small details such as these all add up to make the whole production process more flexible and effective. “The new digital scanning process allows us to know the exact location of all parts in the factory as well as their status in the overall production procedure. That makes everything much quicker and means our customers will benefit from much shorter delivery times,” Koch continues while making his way to the main production hall.
“200 people will be positioned here when we go live, that’s a third of our workforce here in Koblenz,” Koch continues. “Investing in the local area, bringing everything closer together, reducing production times and digital interconnection. Those were all central factors when planning this factory and these beliefs underline Canyon’s commitment to being pioneers in technology and our vision to build the best bikes.” Head one level down below the offices and it becomes very clear what Koch is talking about. Vehicles that resemble oversized pieces of stationery manoeuvre down narrow aisles between towering shelves to remove full, ready-to-ship Bike Guards from far above the warehouse floor. “Those are our forklift order pickers,” Koch explains. “There’s just a 120 millimetre gap between them and the shelves on either side. The
8
“This is the real heart of the factory,” says Koch gesturing towards the ceiling. Three metres up there is a complex network of rails that goes on for some 50 metres. This is the production line. At the start of it brand new frames are attached to the conveyor belt at the seatpost using special adaptors. They then begin their journey through the 18 stations that make up the production line. At each of the stations a mechanic is on hand to complete a number of tasks all clearly displayed on their personal tablet. As soon as their job is complete the frame moves on to the next station. From across the hall the click-clunk of shifting gears can be heard. A mechanic steers a Spectral CF 9.0 SL fresh off the production line through a course marked out on the ground. This is the testing area where every single bike is ridden and checked before being packed into a bike guard. After that it gets scanned into the system and is ready to be delivered to its new owner. “This whole building is highly advanced,” Koch goes on as a frame floats down to the next station. “Each cart on the conveyor belt and even the forklifts are fitted with radio-frequency identification technology which means they can communicate with our logistics and production management systems. This is what will enable us to be so flexible in our production. Say we produce 450 bikes a day; theoretically those could be 450 completely different models. We have never been able to do this until now.”
“Right now you’re sitting in one of the most advanced bicycle production facilities in the world.”
It’s not just on the inside that everything is ready for what the future holds. Outside there is the potential for the building to expand in all directions. As such the Canyon.Factory will maintain its standing as one of the most advanced production centres in the world for years to come.
9
10
“In the past we were dealing with as many customers as we now have employees. Everything changes so quickly at Canyon, it never gets boring.”
CANYON.FACTORY FACTS & FIGURES
450 Bikes produced daily at peak production
600
— Michael Adrian, Technical Service
Bike orders shipped daily
1,000 m�
“A friend of mine told me how a few years back it was Rose, Radon and Canyon but now it’s Specialized, Trek and Canyon. That shows how far we’ve come and where it is we’re going. We’ve done this together and we should be very proud of that.”
Area for accessories storage
2,000 Accessory orders shipped daily
2,500 m� Assembly area
4,600 m� Storage for parts and complete bikes
11,000 m� Total building area
— Ward Grootjans, Business Intelligence & Business Development
14,000 Bike Guards / complete bikes can be stored
“The speed that Canyon has grown in the past ten years is incredible. From a small bike shop where everything was improvised to this futuristic production line. It’s unbelievable.”
22,000 m� Total land area
28,000 Storage compartments for components
€18m Investment
— Jean Grebel, Purchasing
11
RE-
CYCLING
12
Terms like “waste prevention” or “material recovery” don’t tend to get people’s pulses racing. For Sebastian Heinrich though it’s a different story. As Canyon’s Sustainable Business Development Advisor Sebastian naturally rides to work all year round, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
T
“The best waste is the kind that never collects.” This is the central philosophy that drives Sebastian’s work at Canyon. It’s his job to always be on the lookout for ways to make the company more sustainable. Where can production be improved to create less waste? Who is the best partner when it comes to using recycling materials? How can anything redundant be turned back into something useful? At 35 Sebastian has already found answers to a lot of these questions. Take the new Canyon.Factory with its large disposal island where all production waste is collected and then sorted for recycling. This goes beyond separating plastic from paper. Any carbon fibre offcuts, like from cut down fork shafts, are transferred over to a specialist disposal firm that can extract the original fibres for reuse. Away from the production line Canyon hands over any excess cardboard and wooden pallets to local schools and youth clubs. Even old banners can be cut down and transformed into stylish tote bags, each one unique and exclusively available at Canyon.Home.
CARBON RECYCLING Canyon has a partnership with CFK Valley Strade Recycling who specialise in recovering valuable fibres from carbon products. Our R&D Department is currently working on a way to integrate the recycled products in the production of Canyon components so nothing gets put to waste.
13
F CANYON & FLINC In 2015 Canyon established a popular car sharing pool. The Flinc app works on all devices including sat-nav and shows employees where lifts are going free.
THE AIM TO SAVE “For us it’s a case of saving as many resources as possible,” Sebastian sums up. “At the end of the day we all ride bikes so we all appreciate everything our environment gives us. That’s why we want to take responsibility for what we do so we don’t damage it.” This attitude has led to the creation of a popular car-pooling network. Using the Flinc mobile app allows employees to inform each other about what car sharing opportunities are on offer. Measures like this ensure everyone at Canyon does their bit to reduce the company’s carbon footprint. The three years Sebastian has occupied this role have seen vast change throughout the company and he shows no signs of letting up the pace. “Our carbon recycling creates perfectly good material that can be reused. The problem is that right now we cannot use it in our own production,” he explains. “Our R&D department are working hard on a solution that allows us to apply the recycled carbon to make our own components and accessories. One day soon it will be possible!” The long-term goal for Sebastian is to integrate all carbon back into production so that in the end there is zero waste. Innovation. It’s central to everything Canyon does, not only when it comes to developing bikes, but also in its commitment to protecting the environment.
UPCYCLING COLLECTION Old banners, flags and lorry tarpaulins can all be reused. A foundation in Cologne employs people with handicaps in a workshop to create accessories such as tote bags and trouser ankle straps from the old materials. Each item is unique and only available at Canyon.Home, Koblenz.
14
REUSED BIKE GUARDS By Autumn 2015 Bike Guards used to ship bikes won’t simply be recycled after use, but reused. A sticker will identify these Bike Guards. Although the box has been used before, the bike inside is brand new.
WATER EVERYWHERE
CANYON. FACTORY
Drinking fountains are installed throughout the new Canyon. Factory to give employees access to fresh drinking water without resorting to bottles, therefore reducing the amount of glass and plastic waste. This initiative will soon be applied across the whole of Canyon.
At the new Canyon.Factory 200 workers can produce around 380 bikes per day. Recycling was central in the planning of the new production centre. The idea is to make everything as straightforward as possible. On the assembly line all waste from production is collected centrally and then separated by two specifically trained members of staff into the correct categories.
15
IN Y L T O I R L T A N U Q CO Research. Development. Quality. These three words are fundamental for everything Canyon produces. Gordon Koenen leads the Quality Management Team, whose job it is to ensure all Canyon customers benefit from the highest safety standards around. He explains to us why Canyon makes such extreme demands in this area.
16
17
How safe is a Canyon bike when it is delivered?
Canyon even has its own CT scanner, is that common in the industry?
That’s a very good question! I’d say extremely safe. We strive to build the best bikes out there and that includes ensuring the highest levels of safety and quality we can.
It’s pretty unique to be honest. We installed the CT four years ago and back then we were the very first in the sporting industry to use the technology for quality management, which definitely raised the bar. We don’t know of any other manufacturer out there that has its own scanner and uses it the way we do.
What do you actually do to guarantee quality?
Why does Canyon use a CT?
Every bike gets taken for a test ride by our mechanics. All the components, the brakes, the gears – they all have to work perfectly. Then the bikes undergo a final inspection where all parts are examined again. We really focus on the components most important to rider safety, so that means checking the torque on each of the bolts. In the Canyon.Factory all these checks are integrated into the assembly to make the whole process a lot more efficient.
When it comes to components like forks or handlebars you cannot take any risks when it comes to safety so these parts have to undergo especially thorough testing. Every single carbon fork or carbon handlebar that makes it onto a Canyon bike has been examined in our CT scanner before being installed.
So innovative production methods are as important as innovative bike design for Canyon?
And how do customers benefit from this? Whenever our customers are out riding they can rest assured that their bike is the safest it can possibly be. Even if they do have a problem with one of our parts they can return it to us and we can analyse the entire production process. All we have to do is look up their customer number to find out exactly which components were fitted on the bike. We store all the CT files so even long after production has taken place we are still able to identify the exact source of a problem should one come up.
Exactly. This has been our approach for several years now. The processes we’ve adopted at the Canyon.Factory are just the next logical step. When it comes to testing our own components we go far beyond any industry standards to guarantee their durability. For this we’ve developed a range of testing machines together with one of Germany’s leading technical institutions in Pforzheim. There are currently around 50 of these machines being used in five test labs; two here in Germany and three located with our production partners in Asia.
18
Is this one of the advantages of direct sales?
≤500 Canyon bikes undergo full quality inspection daily.
I definitely think so. We have all the information here at our fingertips and can monitor every stage of the production process, from manufacturing our components to shipping finished bikes to our customers. This makes us a lot more effective when it comes to customer service, which for us is as important as delivering high quality.
15,000 Parts are tested to destruction by Canyon every year.
45,000
Why does Canyon put so much focus on quality management?
Components pass through the CT scanner in Koblenz annually.
ABOUT GORDON KOENEN
For us it’s all about building the best bike – that’s always been our goal. People often focus on innovative design or having top-level components but none of this would mean anything if you couldn’t deliver first class quality. All of the key areas, innovation, product management and quality, they all have to carry the same value. Only then can we deliver on our commitment.
Gordon was brought to Canyon eight years ago to work on quality management. Since then he has built a 20-strong team whose job is to ensure the safety and quality of all Canyon products. Gordon worked for various manufacturers in the car industry for 18 years but applied to Canyon after seeing the job post online when looking for a new bike. “Getting this position was like winning the lottery. I couldn’t imagine a better job or working environment anywhere else,” he explains. His favourite model: the Ultimate CF SLX.
19
R
#P E
O TH U
E C F R
20
“Trying to break the Hour Record is a journey into the unknown. For the first 30 minutes we have a good idea how things will pan out. The 15 minutes after that we can make a solid guess. It’s in that final quarter where we really have no idea what will happen.” Having won gold at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics in the Team Pursuit, Andreas Walzer knows his stuff when it comes to the Hour Record. The subject causes his eyes to light up and his pulse to quicken. As Team Liaison Manager, Walzer is the linchpin between Canyon and the professional teams it supplies.
21
L
Leaning on the railings two metres from the track at the National Cycling Centre in Manchester, Walzer is starting to feel the nerves. Right in front of him Alex Dowsett is sat in the starting gate. Walzer’s work is done. All he can do now is watch, fingers crossed, hoping that all the hours, test sessions, setbacks, new ideas, countless emails and phone calls have all been worth it. Movistar Team’s British time trial specialist prepares himself aboard the Speedmax WHR. Behind the aero helmet’s reflective visor his eyes are fixed firmly down the track. The countdown begins. It’s 25°C inside the velodrome. 2000 spectators have gathered to watch the spectacle. The tension rises. The crowd is still. The timing system’s loud beeps are all that disrupt the silence. Twenty seconds. Ten seconds. Five, four, three, two… Dowsett shifts his weight back and then throws his body forwards to launch out of the start gate. The #PerfectHour has begun.
22
“It dawned on me that this wasn’t going to be a ’punt’ at the Hour Record, this was going to be a full scale assault.” Rewind to autumn 2014 and the scene was a different one. “When the UCI changed the rules as a time trialist I thought, ’Yeah I want to have a go at that record.’ Back then I didn’t quite know what I was getting myself in for!” Dowsett booked his first training session at the London Olympic Velodrome for the 15th of October, 2014. Borrowing a track pursuit bike from a friend he wanted to get a rough idea for what the attempt would involve. “I’m watching people trickling into the track; some from Movistar, a few from Campagnolo, and then four Canyon guys from Germany. This is when it dawned on me that this wasn’t going to be a ’punt’ at the Hour Record, this was going to be a full scale assault.” Back to the track in Manchester it feels like the temperature has risen up above 30°C. The announcer keeps the noise in the velodrome as high as the heat. The whole place is buzzing and Dowsett is putting out metronomic lap times: 17.25; 17.23; 17.26. Approaching halfway the splits on the big screen show that Dowsett is nine seconds in arrears to Rohan Dennis’ record pace he set earlier in February. The gap isn’t coming down either.
SPEEDMAX WHR Creating a track-specific version of the Speedmax CF required more than simply removing the gears, brakes and bottle cages. The reduced design of the Speedmax WHR cuts through the air with minimal resistance. Its stable geometry and vast position adjustability make it perfect for riding on track. The reworked rear triangle has aircraft-grade 7075 aluminium dropouts for added strength. Campagnolo Pista disc wheels with ceramic bearings wrapped in Continental Tubular tyres provide the fastest setup available. Total weight: 7.3 Kilograms.
Having scoped out what the record attempt would involve back in October Canyon’s engineers set to work on the #PerfectHour project. There is only one goal in mind: setting a new UCI Hour Record. This is when the Speedmax WHR was born. Based on the highly successful Speedmax CF time trial machine, the Speedmax WHR had to be redesigned to conform to track racing regulations. No brakes, no gears to shift, no bottle cage, the bike reduced to its bare essentials. The engineers created a prototype in record time. By January Dowsett is already training on the Speedmax WHR.
23
“Every 4°C temperature difference affects times by 0.01 seconds per lap.” Two weeks before the record attempt the #PerfectHour team is gathered in Brackley, Oxfordshire. Movistar Team, Campagnolo, Endura and Canyon are there to carry out the third and final wind tunnel test overseen by aerodynamics guru, Simon Smart. In a scene more often associated with Formula 1, the Speedmax WHR is fixed down to a rolling road in front of a black hole straight ahead. Dowsett climbs on and begins pedalling as the turbines fire up. Within seconds he’s being hit by a 52 km/h headwind. In between each test cycle there is a hive of activity around Dowsett as he gives his feedback and the mechanics make the fine adjustments to prepare the next setup. Everyone is focussed on the job at hand. With such a wide range of different extensions, arm pads, wheels and tyre widths to analyse there is no time to waste. The Speedmax WHR is only one piece of the aerodynamic jigsaw. Various combinations of helmets and skinsuits also have to be tested alongside Dowsett’s position on the bike. Everything must be perfect, right down to the smallest detail. One single watt is all it takes to make the difference between raising the bar with a new world record and tragically failing by a matter of metres. Unlike any other challenge in cycling the Hour Record gives you complete control over your environment. No potholes, no rain, no wind, no external factors to change the result. Having control over track temperature can even be used to gain an advantage. Every 4°C temperature difference affects times by 0.01 seconds per lap.
“Dowsett steers the Speedmax WHR like he’s on rails, barely deviating from the black racing line.” It’s lap 130 in the Manchester Velodrome. Dowsett flies along the back straight and for the first time he gets out the saddle for just a split second. The crowd takes note. Walzer raises his eyebrows. Any signs of discomfort cannot be good especially when position on the bike is so vital. Could he be struggling? The times on the big screen tell a different story. Lap by lap Dowsett is clawing his way back. Between kilometres 35 and 40 he holds the deficit steady at 6 seconds. Then, suddenly he is unleashed. The lap times get lower and lower as he raises his speed. The audience responds to the pace change and gets louder every time Dowsett flashes by. Lap 179. The crowds are now on their feet. The numbers on the screen have turned from red to green. He is ahead. Dowsett steers the Speedmax WHR like he’s on rails, barely deviating from the black racing line. For 45 minutes he has ridden a controlled pace slower than Dennis. Then, at the point when Dennis began to drop off during his record attempt, Dowsett lights up the afterburners. That was the plan all along and it is being executed to perfection.
24
in 6
52.
9
k 7 m 3
“52,937 Metres in 60 minutes, over 5,800 pedal revolutions, 211 laps of the 250 metre track at an average power output of over 400 watts.”
in 0m !
Back in January the entire #PerfectHour project stood on the brink after Dowsett broke his collarbone while out training on home roads. Memories of those difficult times are long gone for everyone involved. For Walzer too. The broad grin spread across his face and goose bumps on his skin say it all as he goes around embracing everyone who played their part in the success.
52.937 Kilometres is the new UCI Hour Record. 52,937 Metres in 60 minutes, over 5,800 pedal revolutions, 211 laps of the 250 metre track at an average power output of over 400 watts. The perfect hour. Preparation, dedication and passion made it possible. This is what sport is all about. This is Pure Cycling.
Suddenly Walzer switches back into work mode and makes his way over to the Speedmax WHR propped up against the railings far from the crowd surrounding Dowsett. “I’ve got to get this back to Koblenz by tomorrow,” he says. This time the record-breaking bike won’t be heading back to the R&D workshop, it will stand alongside all the other milestone machines at Canyon. Home: Cadel Evans’ 2009 World Champion’s bike and Nairo Quintana’s custom pink Giro d’Italia ride included. Success breeds success, as they say.
25
DESIGN
Design plays a central role at Canyon. So many elements of a bike’s character can be expressed through form alone: speed, strength, versatility, the list goes on. Design gives each bike a voice to express its purpose. Where can it be used? What can be done with it? The answers are all clear to see.
26
THAT TALKS
Our attitude to riding, to our products and to our customers is all reflected through Canyon design. Product Designer, Lars Wagner, explains Canyon’s philosophy in this area: “It’s essential that design doesn’t contradict engineering. That’s why we connect the two processes right from the start when we develop new products. Taking this approach allows us to unite two inherently juxtaposing elements. What we want to achieve is a subtle sense of tension to create a design that captivates but isn’t trying too hard. This is what enables us to clearly express the quality and performance of what we produce.” “Simplicity and clarity are fundamental to our design vocabulary. Stripping everything back to the bare essentials is part of this and that’s shown in all of our products, whatever they are built for.” Creating forms that express their function is the goal, even if one part is intended to fulfil multiple roles. This is why each frame has an array of distinctive and differing tube profiles. Compartmentalising the frame changes the way light interacts with different surfaces for extra definition that results in a precise and technical appearance. This sums up Canyon’s character.
27
1. SKETCH These are freehand drawings created either on paper or digitally using graphics tablets. Our core brand values as well as the essential functions of the bike need to be expressed through its form.
2. DRAFT Once drafted, ideas and effects can be analysed, discussed and improved. How all the lines connect together and the overall aesthetics of the design play a decisive role here.
3. 3D RENDERING We then create a full virtual model to review the design from every angle, including the effects of light and shade on the frame’s surface.
4. END RESULT This is what it all comes down to – a full carbon frame packed with innovative features that has been singled out for awards by both the mountain biking press and international design juries.
Not at all! For me good design is defined by a product’s functionality and its character. The purpose of the product mustn’t be ambiguous for the user, not just when it comes to how it works but also aesthetically. With our products we want to transmit the values held by Canyon as a brand. That way our customers can “experience” the Canyon brand without having to have all the information about the product forced upon them. That message should obviously change depending on the product. I don’t think a toaster, for example, should communicate dynamism. Whenever I see a toaster with dials taken from a car I think that’s the wrong approach.
As one of Canyon’s mountain bike designers Peter was a driving force behind the design of the current Strive CF. It was his job to integrate the complex Shapeshifter geometry adjustment system into a clean overall package. Peter had three words in mind when he set about that task: “Simple. Precise. Dynamic.” The result is a perfect example of how Canyon brings engineering and design together. Below he explains more about the guiding principles that inspire his work.
Do you think all design has to be simple, precise and dynamic?
TALKING TO PETER KETTENRING
I’ve been into bikes since 1990 and back when I was at school I used to sketch them all over my books. I then went to Art College and got the chance to design a concept for a downhill bike with a friend for one of our final projects, I’m still grateful for my teacher giving me the opportunity. After that I went down the classic route with an industrial design degree and then worked at agencies on various projects like smartphones and washing machines until I returned to my passion for bike design with Canyon. I’ve been here for three years now.
Peter, tell us how you ended up working at Canyon.
At the start it’s all about exploring different ideas so we do a lot of sketches to come up with a rough form for the frame. We do this both digitally with graphics tablets as well as pen and paper. The aim is to find ways of expressing both our core brand values as well as the essential functions of the bike through its form. Then we enter the draft phase where we apply the initial ideas to the bike’s actual geometry. We work closely with the engineers to analyse different aspects of the design’s functionality and determine if it has the right impact aesthetically. As soon as we reach an agreement on this we create a computer model to get a detailed view of the design from every possible angle including the effects of light and shade on the different surfaces. With the Strive CF we succeeded in integrating Shapeshifter seamlessly into the frame. The structure’s flowing and linear forms almost contradict its technical complexity, which is exactly the effect we wanted to achieve.
You were largely responsible for the design of the Strive CF. How do you go about the whole design process?
I’m a big fan of Dieter Rams’ “Less, but better” design principle, but for me it’s important that a product has character alongside functionality. When I do my sketches I constantly ask myself, is there anything unnecessary that can be left out? Concentrating on simplicity often leads the way to something that’s also precise and dynamic. We focus on applying logical lines and tube profiles with defined edges to give our bikes their precise and dynamic character. That way when you look at a Canyon bike it’s clear to you that it’s made to move. The whole approach counts for Canyon as a company too. We’re a young team and put so much emphasis on perfect engineering and pioneering quality management. We believe in our direct sales model and using digital platforms, as this dynamism improves our connection with our customers.
You take a lot of inspiration from the terms; “Simple. Precise. Dynamic.” What do those words mean to you?
28
Designers Peter Kettenring (left) and Lars Wagner (right) discussing frame design.
29
ENGINE PERFEC ULTIMATE CF SLX ULTIMATE CF SLX PALMARÈS
2012
Alexander Kristoff takes Bronze at Olympic Games
2009
2013
Cadel Evans wins World Championship
Luca Paolini wins “Omloop Het Nieuwsblad”
30
EERED CTION 2014
Alexander Kristoff wins “Milan-San Remo”
2014
Nairo Quintana wins “Giro d’Italia”
2014
Alejandro Valverde wins “Flèche Wallonne”
31
2015
Nairo Quintana wins “Tirreno-Adriatico”
F
“Freewheeling downhill on the new Ultimate I roll faster than the other guys I ride with. When you consider that I’m lighter than they are, then it’s clear there’s a real advantage.” Nairo Quintana was one of the first riders in the world to test ride the new Ultimate. The Movistar Team captain has a strong attachment to the bike. Riding its predecessor he cemented his reputation as one of the best climbers of his generation at the 2014 Giro d’Italia, the first ever Grand Tour victory for Quintana and for Canyon. In its latest evolution the new Ultimate CF SLX builds on that success and will once again be counted on by the world’s top riders who rely on the complete performance that has become the bike’s signature.
“The Ultimate is our interpretation of complete road bike performance. It combines aerodynamics, stiffness, lightness and comfort like nothing else out there.”
One question stood out throughout the development of the new Ultimate: what does a bike need for it to be perfect? Should aerodynamics have the upper hand for all-out speed? Or does comfort have priority to keep the rider fresh for longer? The answer is as simple as it is complex. The perfect bike cannot simply be “best in class.” It has to be an all-rounder that can come up with the goods in every single category, capable of turning its hand to any terrain and all conditions.
Sebastian Hofer, Product Developer
32
2015 marked ten years since the release of the first ever Ultimate. When introduced to the world back in 2005 the Ultimate was universally praised for its masterful fusion of both lightness and stiffness. Over the years its reputation grew and grew, racking up multiple test wins, readers’ choice awards and design prizes along the way. The Ultimate’s arrival at the very top of the sport was heralded by Cadel Evans’ World Championship triumph in 2009. From that point on the success did not stop coming: multiple Grand Tour stage wins and Monuments have all been added to its palmarès. 2014 saw the biggest result to date when Quintana climbed his way to victory at the Giro d’Italia. The long list of wins will only continue to grow.
For four generations the Ultimate has embodied our commitment to being at the forefront of what is technically possible. The pursuit of perfection is reflected in the new Ultimate CF SLX. Engineering and design go hand-in-hand. The cutting-edge carbon frame unites the Ultimate’s renowned stiffness and low weight with optimised aerodynamics and comfort. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the down tube and head tube. Their narrow profiles cut through the wind with enhanced efficiency over the previous third generation. This is evolution in practice.
GAINS OVER PREVIOUS GENERATION
+15% Compliance
-14%
Engineered perfection. This is our goal and this is precisely what the new Ultimate CF SLX stands for. It goes beyond a high-end road bike. It is the complete road bike.
Aerodynamic drag, 12.9 Watt saving (Frameset + Aerocockpit)
33
OUT OF THE COMFORT ZONE For Fabio Schäfer and Jannik Hammes riding is not just something reserved for free time, it’s a way of life. One is editor of Germany’s Gravity MTB magazine, the other a freelance mountain bike photographer. Together they have been making tracks to sample the most iconic riding locations around the world with a pair of Torque DHX and Stitched 360° dirt bikes in tow. Shooting and reporting back along the way, their last trip took them stateside. Destination: Virgin, Utah. This is where the most groundbreaking feats in freeriding go down. While many dream of taking on these hallowed lines, doing it in reality does not come without risk. So, why bother? It’s over to them to explain.
34
35
36
I
“I’ve wanted to ride Utah’s red dirt for as long as I can remember. Now I’m finally here, my buddy Jannick at my side cruising around together in our supersized campervan. We’re climbing a steep ridgeline each with a Torque DHX on our backs. The wind howls in our ears so loud that it’s hard to make out what the other is saying. This is no time to get vertigo. To our right the ground suddenly falls away from us into a huge vertical drop. Normally I’m okay with heights but up here I’m thankful I’ve got my bike to hold on to.
“This is where the mountain biking rulebook has been rewritten time and again.”
After a 40 minute hike we’re finally at the top of the ridge. We take a moment to let it all sink in. Virgin, Utah. We’re actually here. This is where the mountain biking rulebook has been rewritten time and again over the past 15 years. We’re at the old Red Bull Rampage site, the event that has earned its reputation as the biggest and most dangerous freeride contest in the world. All of the legendary New World Disorder films ever released contain segments filmed right here. Put simply, this place is holy ground for mountain bikers. The entire face is covered with countless lines and drops built up over the years. It’s like a giant piece of artwork and we’re objects right in the middle. Up until now we’d only seen it from afar, admiring photos or film footage from a safe distance back home. To finally stand up here is unreal. My pulse is maxed out. If we stray off line just a little then chances are we’ll be falling down a 20 metre drop pretty quickly.
37
“I’ve wanted to ride Utah’s red dirt for as long as I can remember.”
A
All I can do is hope we’ve picked out the right line. Hit the wrong angle off a drop and you’ll miss the landing completely. For the hundredth time I readjust my goggles. It’s a nervous tick. Something to try and keep the fear under control. I turn to Jannick, “Ready?” He nods, we fist bump and then our fingers let go of the brakes. Straight away the wind picks up the dust from his back wheel and it swirls off the cliff into the abyss. At least now I can see clearly. No footage could ever get across just how steep this place is in real life. The surface is like a blessing and a curse at the same time. One second you’ve got endless grip on the red earth, the next you hit a deep section of sand and all traction disappears. Before I’ve had time to focus we hit the next drop. I’m glad Jannick is ahead of me otherwise I would have forgotten to check the brakes. It’s a double drop. Hit the first lip with too much gas and you’ll jump too far and not have chance to set up for the second take-off. The timing has to be perfect. I clear it. Rolling away I can feel the endorphins spread throughout my whole body.
38
39
40
“Put the phone down, turn off the laptop, get outside and go ride!”
A
As we get to grips with the terrain, huge grins appear underneath our full-face helmets. My heart beats so hard I can feel it hitting against my body armour. We’re completely stoked. It’s like we’ve just nailed the headline sequence in our own film except we can play back the scene in our minds whenever we want. No matter how many films you watch at home, nothing could come close to the reality. Everything is so real, the air we’re breathing, the red dust on our bikes, the cold sweat on our brows. It’s moments like this that stick with you forever. The funny thing is we wouldn’t have even thought of coming here if it weren’t for our bikes. They are the reason we’ve travelled across the globe to some place in the middle of a desert miles from anywhere, all so we can experience these priceless moments. All that’s left to say? Put the phone down, turn off the laptop, get outside and go ride!”
41
WORLD WIDE 42
PURE CYCLING You have the chance to test Canyon bikes in some of the best riding locations around the world, from classic European spots in Mallorca and Italy, to more tropical surroundings in Thailand. Here’s a taste of what’s on offer.
43
R Rolling through almond groves, flowering meadows and pine forests we’re right at the heart of rural Mallorca. Every time the road heads up we catch a glimpse of crystal clear waters on the horizon reflecting the cloudless blue skies above. We’re at the southernmost point of the island, not far from the Cap de Ses Salines. The last 70 kilometres aboard our carbon Ultimate CF SL road bikes have passed by like a dream. This is one of those rides that you know you’ll never forget. We reach our destination and make our way down to an empty beach to enjoy the fresh sea breeze on our faces. What a day. Mallorca’s perfect mix of warm climate and stunning scenery make it a Mediterranean sanctuary for cyclists and mountain bikers. Canyon. Base – located in the grounds of Robinson Club, Cala d’Or in the south east – offers a range of the latest models to take out and discover the riding delights on offer, starting from just 30 euros a day. If you want to be shown the best spots then there’s a choice of six guided routes lead by highly experienced guides, including former track world champion, Carsten Wolf.
3.
44
SEA VIEWS & ALPINE PANORAMAS
1.
Choice is not limited to Canyon. Base though. Several other travel companies across the island offer Canyon bikes exclusively to test. Balear Reisen has built up a network of seven stations over the past 20 years so wherever you are on Mallorca you’re never far from getting out for a ride. The company specialises in riding holidays for all disciplines and all abilities, whether you’re a racer or triathlete looking for the ideal pre-season training location, or want to discover all the local mountain trails on a bike that’s a little more rugged. With a choice of accommodation from hotels to more secluded fincas you get to customise your own ideal riding or training escape. Rad International operates in the southwest of the island where the least rain and the most hours of sunshine are to be found. Since 1982 the company has advised visitors on the best choice of accommodation and routes and is more than happy to help if you need a fix for your bike. For the staff at Rad International it’s all about the personal touch.
2.
1. Canyon.Base at Robinson Club on Mallorca 2. Riding the island, Mallorcan roads are a dream for cyclists 3. Staff at the Canyon.Base are always happy to help 4. Crystal clear waters are a constant temptation 5. Siam Bike Tours ride from Bangkok to Phuket 6. Barcelona is surrounded by stunning countryside 7. Scenes like these are what riding is all about
45
Back on the Spanish mainland Canyon bikes can be hired to explore the scenery surrounding Barcelona and the Costa Blanca. Beyond Spain, Canyon also has several partners throughout Italy, Germany and in the Austrian Alps. Hotel Conrad in Saalbach-Hinterglemm is just an hour’s drive from Salzburg and offers the perfect base to explore the mountains under the summer sun with breathtaking views of white alpine peaks everywhere you look; this is nirvana for mountain bikers. After something more extreme? Try out one of our downhill bikes and get the laps in at one of several bike parks in the area.
INNOVATION AND PASSION We know just how important it is to test our bikes in real-world conditions. Going out riding is when fresh ideas emerge to feed our development and push our products even further. This is not just limited to Canyon engineers, everyone’s opinion counts, especially those of our customers. To build the best bikes we pride ourselves on connecting with riders everywhere to hear what they have to say and what they want to see in our products. Every rider counts and this is what the whole game is all about. Pure Cycling.
THAI TEST RIDES
4.
If you prefer your climate a bit more tropical then you’re in luck because Canyon bikes are even available to test in Thailand. A 10 day guided ride from Bangkok’s bustling metropolis to the island paradise of Phuket takes you past countless temples and palaces along the stunning Thai coastline. Golden sands, turquoise sea and monolithic rock formations that shoot straight out of the water make this iconic picture-perfect landscape so unique. Siam Bike Tours has run multi-day trips through Thailand since 2006. Taking advantage of a well-built road network and routes with low traffic, all tours are run in small groups with international guides and provide the best way to discover the country and its culture. With all luggage transported between stops all you have to focus on is enjoying the ride and when the day is done you can take advantage of a Thai massage to get your muscles back in shape. At the end of it all simply sit back and relax on the beach. This is a paradise you know you’ve earned.
5.
46
6.
7.
Want to experience the best riding holiday or training camp of your life? Find out more about Canyon’s partners at www.canyon.com/partners
47
IMPRINT PUBLISHED BY Canyon Bicycles GmbH Brand Design Karl-Tesche-Strasse 12 56073 Koblenz EDITORIAL Torsten Adams Helen Falke (Lead) Matthew Leake Frank Lukas Hutter & Donner PHOTO SHOOT COORDINATION Thomas Laschet PHOTO CREDITS Jannik Hammes Tino Pohlmann René Zieger Movistar Team PROOFREADING Telelingua Deutschland GmbH, Munich CONCEPT & LAYOUT KMS TEAM GmbH, Munich PRINTING COLOR GRUPPE, Munich DISTRIBUTION Canyon Bicycles GmbH Karl-Tesche-Strasse 12 56073 Koblenz Tel. +49 (0) 261 40 4000 info@canyon.com Copy deadline: 1st of July 2015 www.canyon.com
48