Canyon Aeroad - Read if you planning on purchasing one

[BaGearA]

Ok. So I'm going to reply to this because it the longest but also hopefully respond to some other remarks.

 

And also hopefully take this to Friday...

 

I think firstly I need to clarify my TT riding. I didn't have my full weight on the TT. Maybe not because I thought it couldn't handle it but because, like somebody mentioned, the control is better. My snotty email to Canyon - after what I perceived to be a rude reply - I only mentioned my riding category to emphasize that I know how to ride a bicycle competitively. After them comparing me to a pro I thought this was necessary. I too rode a few races in elite last year and this year I'm in VA... not the point but vastly different from 'A' batch. Around bends I would bear no weight on the top tube. On longer descents, like off the back of Longtom for example, I would take some weight off my legs and 'rest' (still not full load baring) on the top tube when the road allowed it. I feel I need to clarify this as an example was made where I was asked if I would stand on my top tube and jump on it? No of course not - and how I have just explained my illegal top tube riding, it is completely different to putting an 86kg gym bar on it like another person mentioned.

 

I was clearly ignorant before this and didn't realise riding on the top tube was so frowned upon. Maybe if I had consulted the ever wise Hub before, my email to Canyon may have been different? But as Canyon didn't give me any more information other than what a pro earns for a stage victory, I found it necessary to give them a piece of my mind. After never having cracked a top tube before and then cracking 3 in the same place I'm sure you can understand why I thought this has to be an issue with the bike or even a batch issue. My fiery reply to Canyon received no further information than the first email I got from them so I needed answers and this is where I came...

 

I think some have missed the point of my post. This is a 'single center study' as such. I never once advertised that you should not buy the Aeroad because it has a flawed design. This is my experience and I felt people considering the Aeroad should be made aware. If you are over 80kg, occasionally 'ride' on your top tube and planning on getting an Aeroad then I hope you would really consider this information before making your choice. If you are 65kg, never sit on your top tube and you want an Aeroad then this thread is completely irrelevant to you. Or, if you are the first type of person and you believe you are experienced enough, like a pro, to ride your top tube without issues then again this is irrelevant.

 

Another thing I need to clear is that I, in no way expect Canyon to honour the warranty. Not the first time and definitely not the third time! If this is the inherent design of their frame (which it seems so) and riding on your top tube is 'not normal bike use' and 'not normal bike use is not covered in the warranty then that is that. But what I have a problem with is why this is not communicated more clearly? Lots of you say "Ah its common logic"... ***! I'll admit that I had no idea of this 'common logic' (apart from balancing on one foot on my TT and jumping up and down) and I'd hazard a guess to say more that 50% of the viewers of this post are of the same opinion. Check this... Canyon have different classifications for their bikes denominated by numerals... so for example number 1 is for their road bikes and 2 for gravel bikes etc... (maybe my number or class is wrong but you get the point). So the Aeroad comes with a lovely big stick on the down tube 'Class 1' - Road use only. So any issues arising using the Aeroad on a jump track would not be covered by warranty. Road Bike = Road. Gravel Bike = Gravel... duh. This to me is as common as logic gets. Canyon will happily brand their bikes to explain which surface the bike should be ridden on but when it comes to the less 'common' of the logics, like sitting on a top tube, its not mentioned anywhere.

 

As Canyon didn't confirm or deny the occurrence of issues like this one can only assume it happens more than they would care to admit. Perhaps you'll only find the odd case of broken top tubes on the internet because when an Aeroad owner attempts a warranty claim they dont get as upset as I did and no one hears of it any further. This has been hugely distracting and a lot admin that I think a lot of people would rather avoid.

 

Pro's, amateurs and general public ride, sit and descend on their top tube. And in the context of my post why they do it is irrelevant - It happens - illegal or not.  As a premium bike manufacturer that targets the general public and weekend warriors, I believe they should take this into account and make it clearer that their top tube is designed to save weight and sitting on it may cause issues - rather than lumping it under 'normal bike use'. Normal bike use for a commute is different to normal bike use for a race? Sunday riders may have a completely different view of normal bike use than an amateur that races ever second weekend - both parties could easily own an Aeroad. If Canyon feel it’s necessary to let their customers know that the Aeroad must not be used on a MTB track then they definitely need to let customers know not to use the top tube. 

 

Lots of personal digs here too which are not really necessary but I can understand why. Some comments in my emails I may sound like a **** to you but Canyon had no idea who I was and with very little hesitation assumed my lack of experience. I was angry.. still am.

 

I would just like to highlight from my original post –

 

“It seems to me that manufacturers are trying to save weight anywhere they can with these new age aero frames and they end up compromising their bikes so much that they sit on such a fine line between beneficial and detrimental

 

 

 I would love to hear your guys thoughts and opinions and if anyone has experienced issues like this with their Canyon or even with other bikes.

 

 

 Again I dont want to be scathing but If I had this information at hand when I was making a decision I most likely would not have bought the Aeroad and I hope that potential buyers would appreciate the information.”

 

This was the aim of my post and I tried to make it clear to avoid a lot of the comments that have been posted… but there was always the chance that this would go a little astray…

And by they way how do you guys reply so quickly? There were 21 pages of comments I had to go through

fair reply and I think you've made the point you set out to , don't know why the hub is being so extra dickish this week but alas

 

go get another bike and ride till you feel better cause I can asssure you Canyon don't give A rats arse 

[button]

fair reply and I think you've made the point you set out to , don't know why the hub is being so extra dickish this week but alas

 

go get another bike and ride till you feel better cause I can asssure you Canyon don't give A rats arse

Sounds like there’s been a lack of spice of late and this is the new band wagon that’s rolled into town... Fine with me... the more people that comment the more people that read.

 

Edit: didn’t like what I said about Canyon not caring which is contradictory to the point of my post. Apologies

Edited August 29, 2018 by button

[Eldron]

Given that I am one of the jerks on this thread a more even reply is probably in order...

 

I would probably also be a little hot under the collar if I broke 3 frames (oddly enough I have - in the mid 80s I and the team broke a bunch of Columbus SLX frames - yeah I'm that old).

 

The top tube sitting thing still irks me though - if in doubt add some maths I always say:

 

A frame weighs around 1kg - let's break (ha ha) that into 4 equal sections - rear triangle and 3 main tubes - let's say each one weighs a quarter of the total so a top tube weighs 250g.

 

Button weighs 86kg but only partially sits on the top tube - maybe 2/3 of his weight - ~60kg.

 

Roads are not flat so point loading happens when we hit dips/speed bumps/potholes - let's say 1g (running gets up to 3g) so the load is now 120kg. On a 250g tube. That is only a few mm thick (check the pic that Button posted).

 

So we're expecting a 250g tube to support 480 times its weight in it's weak direction that it was not designed or intended to support? That is mad.

 

Given that the max rider weight is 120kg on this frame (if this thread is to be believed) - if we use the model above we're expecting a 250g tube to carry 2/3 of 120kg and doubled = 160kg. 640 times its weight.

 

Personally I'd say you'd be mad to sit on your top tube. The "standing on your top tube" analogy sounds silly but you're doing exactly that when you top tube ride. If "hanging 120kg off your top tube" works better for you then think about that before you super tuck.

 

Practically it has worked and many people do it but from an engineering point of view I'd say it's a bit silly. And kinda pointless from an energy saving point of view.

 

This thread has performed its duty - to warn heavier riders that perhaps the Aeroad frame is not for them if they like to sit on the top tube a lot.

[MudLark]

I actually think Canyon's replies are pretty fair. It's clearly an engineering decision they made and everything's a compromise somehow trying to balance lightness and strength. And I doubt you can fairly say that they don't know what they're doing. No offence meant to Button but after he'd broken two in the same way, he should have figured out that they aren't strong enough for that particular position. One can't reasonably expect them just to be continually replaced forever. This thread has had the opposite effect for me. Somewhere in my not too distanr future (maybe even as soon as next month) there's a road bike. Canyon is going to be front of mind for me.

[Pure Savage]

Looks like you skipped a couple of meals. When in JHB next, we will go for some steak and chips, and a couple (read: a lot) of beer...

 

Sounds like a plan! Next time I am in Jozi will do!

[Velouria]

I'm busy watching the Vuelta, and I have to call bull ****.

 

Those pros are definitely sitting on their top tubes:

 

 

 

Clearly, the bikes to buy if you like tube squatting are:

Cannondale

BMC

Argon18

Edited August 29, 2018 by Velouria

[DieselnDust]

I'm busy watching the Vuelta, and I have to call bull ****.

 

Those pros are definitely sitting on their top tubes:

 

Screenshot - 2018-08-29.png

 

Screenshot - 2018-08-29_1.png

 

Clearly, the bikes to buy if you like tube squatting are:

Cannondale

BMC

Argon18

 

Sitting or not sitting those okes get a new frame when they crack the current one. Maybe the data goes into improved product maybe not. So many compromises in such a simple structure.

Solution is simple; don't super tuck. It's got that "don't try this at home or on your local club ride" feeling

[karma]

I'm busy watching the Vuelta, and I have to call bull ****.

 

Those pros are definitely sitting on their top tubes:

 

Screenshot - 2018-08-29.png

 

Screenshot - 2018-08-29_1.png

 

The bikes to buy are clearly if you like tube squatting are:

Cannondale

BMC

Argon18

I guess we know who's not getting warranty replacements

[Eddy Gordo]

Shew, 21 pages and I only see this now. Tough ond op. I was also interested in canyon but mtb a few months back, until I saw that they have usage restrictions for the different mtb models. This makes no sense to me and I decided to look at something else.

I hope you bike is insured. Claim for a new frame from insurance and buy something else.

[DieselnDust]

All mth's have usage restrictions. Have you read Speciaiized or cannondale or Giant or swift or Momsen or Pyga or..... Or.... Or...

It's standard terms and conditions of the warranty. If you read some companies t&c you may not want to ride your bike at all!

['Dale]

I'm busy watching the Vuelta, and I have to call bull ****.

 

Those pros are definitely sitting on their top tubes:

 

Screenshot - 2018-08-29.png

 

Screenshot - 2018-08-29_1.png

 

Clearly, the bikes to buy if you like tube squatting are:

Cannondale

BMC

Argon18

On a non-related note, that Argon's seatstays always look so straw thin to me relative to the other bike designs

 

On a related note, some team machines are superior in built to the rest of the range. Can anyone confirm to what extent?

[Pure Savage]

I guess we know who's not getting warranty replacements

Maybe they happy their top tubes are made properly ????

[eddy]

It's clearly an engineering decision they made and everything's a compromise somehow trying to balance lightness and strength.

Correct.

 

The design requirements of a toptube and a seat tube are very different. Expecting that a TT will perform the same function as a ST ( except without the benefit of a railed saddle to assist in spreading the load) is ultimately unreasonable.

 

If TT sitting becomes the norm, expect similar threads on a variety of brands.

[karma]

Maybe they happy their top tubes are made properly

 

or they're not fatty 86kg riders...

 

 

 

 

(sorry OP)

[Jase619]

fair reply and I think you've made the point you set out to , don't know why the hub is being so extra dickish this week but alas

 

go get another bike and ride till you feel better cause I can asssure you Canyon don't give A rats arse 

 

Only this week

[VicanZA]

When I was a kid, I would have my GF sit on the handle bars and give her a lift home, never had one of those brake.

 

Buttons have u tried the GF test on this canyon?