Spanish multiple Classics winner Alejandro Valverde’s weapon of choice for the Ardennes Classics is Canyon’s Ultimate. This frame is equivalent to that of the Movistar team, and shares the drivetrain’s soul, albeit with mechanical Campagnolo Super Record rather than EPS electronic shifting. Frankly, this isn’t that much of a hardship.
Thanks to Canyon’s internet-only business model, this bike’s value is mindblowing. There are no groupset deviations, just unadulterated Campagnolo carbon, keeping the bike’s basic weight to – UCI commissaires, look away now – a mere 6.29kg. Its straight tubes are all about maximum simplicity and efficiency. Asymmetric chainstays and seat tube, plus sizeable squared down tube, all hint at the frame’s performance, and its stealthy look oozes menace.
Accelerating up to speed, the Canyon is less caged tiger than wily old fox, feeling content to wait for just the right moment before unleashing fury. It zips along with mild restraint, but stamp on the pedals and it changes character, sending you surging headlong at the horizon.
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Not finding our rhythm didn’t stop the Canyon from flying uphill
Bounding up a La Redoute-like lengthy stepped ramp on one of our test routes, the Ultimate’s climbing prowess came to the fore but, fly as it might, we struggled to find a rhythm when really putting the pressure on. Nevertheless, it was a speedy ascent, and after taking in some rough gravel we dropped back down the other side, which tested the Canyon’s high-speed handling and deceleration.
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