The Canyon//SRAM team has been making waves since its 2016-season launch, with striking Rapha-designed kit and, naturally, top-line Canyon bikes. BikeRadar was at the five-stage 2016 Aviva Women's Tour, now part of the inaugural UCI Women's WorldTour, and took a closer look at team member Barbara Guarischi's ride.
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Italian racer Guarischi, who returned in April after recovering from surgery on her shoulder, took a notable win this season at the second stage of Omloop Borsele, fighting back from a mechanical that put her at the rear of the peloton before pushing hard through the riders and on into first place. Her other achievements include a Stage 1 win at the Giro d'Italia Femminile 2015, and victory at the 2015 RideLondon Grand Prix.
The Aeroad's integrated seatpost binder sits just behind Guarischi's name on the top tube
As you might expect, Guarischi's bike includes a full SRAM Red groupset with eTap wireless electronic shifting. Remote Blip buttons are placed on the underside of her handlebars to facilitate shifts when climbing.
On the Aeroad those bars form part of Canyon's Aerocockpit, an integrated one-piece 390mm-width bar and 100mm stem combination designed to reduce aerodynamic drag. Guarichi rides low and aggressive, with no spacers.
Turning to the other touch-points, Guarischi has opted for a Specialized Power saddle, with a 2.1cm setback and 68cm height from the bottom bracket. Pedal-wise the Italian prefers to go Speedplay with a 50mm axle.
Elsewhere the Aeroad comes specced with stock 58mm-section Zipp 404 Firecrest carbon clinchers. They're paired with Continental Competition Pro Ltd 25mm rubber, run at 7.6 bars of pressure at the front and 7.2 at the rear, for the wet conditions the second stage promised – and delivered. Look closely at the chainring, meanwhile, and you'll spot the tell-tale Q of a Quarq power meter.
Guarischi's remote shifters are on the underside of her Aerocockpit bar
Should you fancy the retail version of this bike – albeit with Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 rather than SRAM Red – it'll set you back not far short of £6,500. And if you're taken with the colours, you'll need to set your sights on the retail version of the Ultimate, also in the Canyon//SRAM stable, which is available in team livery on the Canyon website.
Spot the Quarq power meter…
