Released September 8

Canyon unveils 5th-generation Ultimate road race bike
Overview

Builds

7

Price Range

$2,799–$10,499

Suspension

Rigid

Frame Material

Carbon

Three Grand Tour victories, two World Championship titles, countless stage and GC wins at the world’s most prestigious races – the Canyon Ultimate’s palmarès speaks for itself.

Since the first generation launched back in 2004, the Ultimate has been and remains the absolute pinnacle of Canyon’s road performance range – a pure road bike made for racing. Its unsurpassed handling and ride feel make the Ultimate the choice of hundreds of thousands of riders around the world, from ambitious amateurs to the world’s top pros.

Now, it’s time for something new. A new era of pure road performance. Introducing the new Canyon Ultimate family, with eleven bikes available across three platforms.

“With the new Ultimate, we wanted to make something that fans of classic road race bikes would love. After a painstaking development process in collaboration with our pro riders, we’re proud to present the next evolution of the Ultimate. A timeless design that hits the perfect balance of lightness, stiffness, aerodynamics, comfort, and toughness,” explains Dr Florian Imgrund, Canyon Global Category Director – Road, on the design philosophy behind the Ultimate.

Pro teams have already been riding the new Ultimate since the beginning of the season – with two stage wins at the Vuelta a España in the hands of Alpecin-Deceuninck rider Jay Vine, the bike has already made its mark at the highest stages of racing even before its official market launch.

In comparison to the previous generation, the new Ultimate improves upon its predecessor in a number of key areas:

  • Incredible comfort: improved ergonomics and more tire clearance – room for up to 32 mm rubber.

  • Improved aerodynamics: reduced drag thanks to optimisations made with aero experts Swiss Side – saving 10 watts for the frameset alone.

  • Cutting-edge integration: invisible integration of cables and lines, all in a user-friendly setup.

  • Easy fitting: cockpit with simple height and width adjustment, no steerer tube cutting needed, easier to transport.

  • Low weight: only 6.3 kg (Ultimate CFR Di2: excluding pedals and accessories, size M), even with extra reinforcement in key high-stress areas.

A complete performance package, it does the Ultimate an injustice to pigeonhole it ‘just’ as a climber’s bike or say it’s only for pros looking to shave every possible gram. It’s much more than that. This is the right bike for everyone drawn to the purity and clarity of the Ultimate’s aesthetics, but still who demand cutting-edge performance technology and performance features. And everyone looking for a bike that’s flat-out fun to ride on any route you point it at. In short, this is a road bike for everyone.

Coming in three platforms – CFR, CF SLX, and CF SL – and available in an incredibly wide size spectrum, all riders can find their perfect bike in the new Ultimate portfolio.

At the top end of the range, three flagship Ultimate CFR models, starting at $10,999, combine a superlight CFR frame with the finest components available on the market. All CFR framesets set a new performance benchmark with a premium carbon layup delivering lightness, durability, and stiffness at WorldTour level.

The CF SLX platform comprises two models, starting at a price point of $6,999 for the Ultimate CF SLX 8 Di2, featuring Shimano Ultegra Di2. The $2,999 Ultimate CF SL 7 rounds out the range.

The complete 2023 line-up will be launched on Thursday 8 September 2022.

The highs and lows of this model family

Compare the Ultimate Range
MSRP
$2,799$3,699$3,999$6,299$6,999$9,999$10,499
Spec Level
Weight
18.5 lbs17.6 lbs17.0 lbs16.0 lbs14.9 lbs14.7 lbs13.9 lbs
Wheels
AluminumAluminumAluminumCarbonCarbonCarbonCarbon
Wheel Size
650c / 700c650c / 700c650c / 700c700c / 700c650c / 700c700c700c
Groupset
105UltegraRival AXSUltegra Di2Dura-Ace Di2RED AXSDura-Ace Di2
Drivetrain
2 × 112 × 112 × 12 Electronic2 × 12 Electronic2 × 12 Electronic2 × 12 Electronic2 × 12 Electronic
Power Meter
None4iiii PrecisionRival AXS4iiii PrecisionDura-AceRed AXSDura-Ace
Spec Level

Based on build material and quality level of the frame, fork, wheelset, groupset, suspension system, and more.

Geometry
Wheels
650c650c700c700c700c700c700c700c
483498520539560580606624
358372378390393401419429
1.351.341.381.381.431.451.451.46
497516529546555569594610
390420450480510540570600
73.573.573.573.573.573.573.573.5
104115107121142162188206
70.271.571.272.873.373.373.573.8
6060737373737373
263263263263263263
561568580584588602625638
405405410410410413415415
9589659799839871,0041,0291,042
4444434342434243
6760695957565653
697720748775801828851874
Crank Length
165165170170172.5172.5175175

🐐 Measurements listed in mm and degrees

Reviews
Cycling News
The new Canyon Ultimate has matured into a brilliant all-rounder

Sep 8, 2022 · Will Jones

Exceptional uphill, fast handling, and a quality build kit make this a very compelling package

Highs
  • Beautifully balanced handling

  • Considered aero touches

  • Still feels like a climbers bike

Lows
  • Still some proprietary touches

  • Threaded BB would be preferable

  • No 0mm seat post option

Read Review

Gran Fondo Magazine
First ride review: New Canyon Ultimate CFR Di2 2023 – more aero and a wider range of applications?

Sep 8, 2022 · Mike Hunger

Lighter, stiffer and more aerodynamic – and at the same time more robust! We’ve already put the Canyon Ultimate CFR Di2 2023 through the wringer, riding it on all types of terrain.

Highs
  • Robustness as a development goal

  • Easily adjustable cockpit

  • Predictable and easy handling

  • Optimal balance between weight, efficiency and downhill capabilities

Lows
  • Tire/wheel combo affects braking precision on fast descents

Read Review

Road Bike Action
2023 CANYON ULTIMATE: MODERN UPDATES BALANCE HANDLING, AERODYNAMICS, WEIGHT - Road Bike Action

Sep 8, 2022 · RBA Staff

A slew of improvements bolster Canyon's Ultimate road bike

Read Review

The Gear Loop
Canyon Ultimate CF SLX 8 Di2 review

Sep 8, 2022 · Leon Poultney

It's been a long time coming but Canyon's Ultimate has been refined and improved in this excellent fifth generation

Highs
  • Pleasingly lightweight

  • Beguiling kit list for the price

  • Easy adjustments to cockpit for great fit

  • Sharp but fun

Lows
  • Dizzying array of model choice

  • Canyon’s new accessories will make you part with more cash

  • Lightest models are expensive

Read Review

Velo
Canyon unveils 5th generation Ultimate road bike

Sep 8, 2022 · William Tracy

The Ultimate family includes 7 models for the US market spread across 3 levels.

Read Review

road.cc
Canyon Ultimate CF SLX 8 Di2 2023

Sep 7, 2022 · Liam Cahill

The Ultimate is a brilliant race bike – fast, comfortable and handles well

Highs
  • Well-balanced speed, handling and comfort

  • Spec is perfect

  • Loads of easy position adjustability

Lows
  • Not the bargain that it once was

Read Review

From Canyon

Since the first generation launched back in 2004, the Ultimate has been and remains the absolute pinnacle of Canyon’s road performance range – a pure road bike made for racing. Its unsurpassed handling and ride feel make the Ultimate the choice of hundreds of thousands of riders around the world, from ambitious amateurs to the world’s top pros.

Now, it’s time for something new. A new era of pure road performance. Introducing the new Canyon Ultimate family, with eleven bikes available across three platforms.

“With the new Ultimate, we wanted to make something that fans of classic road race bikes would love. After a painstaking development process in collaboration with our pro riders, we’re proud to present the next evolution of the Ultimate. A timeless design that hits the perfect balance of lightness, stiffness, aerodynamics, comfort, and toughness,” explains Dr Florian Imgrund, Canyon Global Category Director – Road, on the design philosophy behind the Ultimate.

Pro teams have already been riding the new Ultimate since the beginning of the season – with two stage wins at the Vuelta a España in the hands of Alpecin-Deceuninck rider Jay Vine, the bike has already made its mark at the highest stages of racing even before its official market launch.

In comparison to the previous generation, the new Ultimate improves upon its predecessor in a number of key areas:

  • Incredible comfort: improved ergonomics and more tire clearance – room for up to 32 mm rubber.

  • Improved aerodynamics: reduced drag thanks to optimisations made with aero experts Swiss Side – saving 10 watts for the frameset alone.

  • Cutting-edge integration: invisible integration of cables and lines, all in a user-friendly setup.

  • Easy fitting: cockpit with simple height and width adjustment, no steerer tube cutting needed, easier to transport.

  • Low weight: only 6.3 kg (Ultimate CFR Di2: excluding pedals and accessories, size M), even with extra reinforcement in key high-stress areas.

A complete performance package, it does the Ultimate an injustice to pigeonhole it ‘just’ as a climber’s bike or say it’s only for pros looking to shave every possible gram. It’s much more than that. This is the right bike for everyone drawn to the purity and clarity of the Ultimate’s aesthetics, but still who demand cutting-edge performance technology and performance features. And everyone looking for a bike that’s flat-out fun to ride on any route you point it at. In short, this is a road bike for everyone.

Coming in three platforms – CFR, CF SLX, and CF SL – and available in an incredibly wide size spectrum, all riders can find their perfect bike in the new Ultimate portfolio.

At the top end of the range, three flagship Ultimate CFR models, starting at $10,999, combine a superlight CFR frame with the finest components available on the market. All CFR framesets set a new performance benchmark with a premium carbon layup delivering lightness, durability, and stiffness at WorldTour level.

The CF SLX platform comprises two models, starting at a price point of $6,999 for the Ultimate CF SLX 8 Di2, featuring Shimano Ultegra Di2. The $2,999 Ultimate CF SL 7 rounds out the range.

The complete 2023 line-up will be launched on Thursday 8 September 2022.