Canyon Aeroad - first impressions

I am probably one of the first people in UK to have a Canyon Aeroad frame, which arrived this afternoon.  I ordered it back in November last year and was originally due calendar week 12 (i.e. March) but issues with start of mass production meant 6-7 weeks delay.

The delivery process quite straightforward - got two emails (in German!) first advising order ready and will be transferred to UPS within 48 hours and then later that day another email with tracking number, and the UPS tracking is quite detailed which is good for knowing which day to stay at home.

Opening the box and you immediately get real impression of attention to details.  All the internal cable liners were inserted in the frame and neatly taped up keep then in the right place.  The Aeroad has a deep fork crown and neatly taped in place was a extra long allen key bolt.  In the box is a basic but functional allen key with torque indicator, to use on the stem and seat clamp bolts.  Rubber protectors to go on cables to prevent head tube wear are included.  The chain stay has a normal clear frame protector neatly stuck on, but also on the chainstay when the small chainrings pass is small possibly metal plate stuck on, providing more substantial protection in area that would get damaged if dropped chain.

The frame looks like on the Canyon website, except that the website does not really convey how matt the finish is.  Its stealth bomber matt.  Also the Canyon logos are more subtle that shown on the website.  I like understated generally, but from more than ~2 metres away you can barely see them.  I have not weighed the frame but being German I would be very surprised if the quoted weight is not spot on.  The seat post seemed heavier than expecting so weighed that and 260g is above average (Deda blackstick - i.e. nothing fancy - on my 2004 Giant is much less) - think is the very solid looking and highly adjustable seat clamp.

The seat post (and seat tube) is a gentle oval, which although assumed this was not totally clear from any of the pictures I saw or reviews I read.  Obviously the key feature of this frame is supposed aerodynamic advantages.  There are plenty of people (on various cycling forums) who seem to think they can judge the aerodynamics of a frame simply by looking at the pictures, but I am not one of them and there's a lot more to aerodynamics that simply what 'looks' aero.  But there is no doubt that this is a very neat and tidy frame and there is a lot of attention to detail to try to improve the aerodynamics.  The Acros headset is super easy to adjust and to me seems a great idea, with the only drawback being its relatively high stack height, but headtubes on Aeroad shorter than on Ultimates and for me one small spacer and standard 82 deg stem puts bars at exactly the height I need.  (The geometry of the Aeroad - quite long and low - suiting my average legs and super long torso perfectly, was a major selling point for me).

The frame came with a Ritchey WCS stem (noticeable lighter than a Deda Newton, so I weighed and 35g lighter) but they could only supply with default 110mm now or two weeks wait for 120mm, whereas I need 130mm so will be putting Deda Newton on for now and the Ritchey on eBay.  The Aeroad has standard 1 1/8" steerer (at top) so Canyon's general inflexibility regarding stem lengths less of issue than for Ultimate with 1 1/4" with limited manufacturers making.

Little more to say now until I build the thing (2011 Chorus, Mavic Cosmic SLRs, probably Deda stem/bars and Specialized Toupe or Romin saddle...and maybe white bar tape).  But currently waiting the arrival of Campag press fit BB86 bottom bracket cups, and getting them fitted.  And off fishing with my dad tomorrow anyway