This article compares the differences between all the Canyon Aeroad and Giant Propel Advanced models in terms of their carbon fiber technology (Canyon Carbon Fiber vs Giant Advanced Composite), frameset features, technologies, and characteristics to help you better understand them before buying.
| Canyon Aeroad | Giant Propel Advanced | |
|---|---|---|
| Type of bike | Aero | Aero |
| Frame material | CFR carbon CF SLX carbon | Advanced-SL carbon Advanced carbon |
| Frame sizes | XXS, S, M, L, XL, XXL | XS, S, M, ML, L, XL |
| Groupset | Shimano, SRAM (12-speed) | Shimano, SRAM (12-speed) |
| Brakes | Hydraulic disc | Hydraulic disc |
| Cabling | Internal | Internal |
| Price (USD) | $4,499 to $9,499 | $6,000 to $12,500 |
Canyon Aeroad
The Canyon Aeroad is an aero bike designed for pure speed. This is seen from the new cockpit design, which is very clean with hidden cables and steeped with innovative thinking.
The Aeroad is Canyon’s flagship bike, ridden by Matthew van der Poel to stage wins at the Tour de France.
Generally, a one-piece handlebar is very expensive to swap if you need a different dimension to achieve the right fit. Canyon overcomes this problem by having a handlebar that is both height and width adjustable from 390 to 430mm. They can also be folded and packed inside a bike bag for traveling. This new handlebar is used in the CFR and CF SLX models only.
The CFR model sits atop the Aeroad lineup with a weight of 7.3kg, followed by SLX (7.7kg) and SL (7.8kg).
| Model | Frame material | Groupset | Wheelset | Retail price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canyon Aeroad CFR Tokyo Ed. | CFR carbon | Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 | DT Swiss ARC 1100 | $9,499 |
| Canyon Aeroad CFR | CFR carbon | Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 | DT Swiss ARC 1100 | $8,999 |
| Canyon Aeroad CFR | CFR carbon | SRAM Red eTap AXS | DT Swiss ARC 1100 | $7,999 |
| Canyon Aeroad CF SLX 8 | CF SLX carbon | SRAM Force eTap AXS | DT Swiss ARC 1400 | $5,999 |
| Canyon Aeroad CF SLX 8 | CF SLX carbon | Shimano Ultegra Di2 | DT Swiss ARC 1400 | $5,999 |
| Canyon Aeroad CF SLX 7 | CF SLX carbon | SRAM Force eTap AXS | DT Swiss ARC 1600 | $4,499 |
Giant Propel Advanced
The Giant Propel Advanced is an aero road bike designed for speed.
At first glance, it’s evident that this bike is fast and stiff with its slim frontal end and deep-dish wheels. All Giant Propel models are disc-only and have hidden cables for a clean aero profile.
The Giant Propel Advanced SL is the lightest among them, with an integrated seat post, and uses Giant’s highest-grade carbon fiber, the Advanced SL. The Advanced is one step down and heavier due to the different carbon fiber used and non-integrated seat posts.
| Model | Frame material | Groupset | Wheelset | Retail price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giant Propel Advanced SL | Advanced SL carbon | Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 (R9200) | CADEX 50 | $12,500 |
| Giant Propel Advanced Pro 0 | Advanced carbon | Shimano Ultegra Di2 (R8100) | Giant SLR 1 50 | $8,000 |
| Giant Propel Advanced Pro 0 AXS | Advanced carbon | SRAM Force eTap AXS | Giant SLR 1 50 | $8,000 |
| Giant Propel Advanced 1 | Advanced carbon | SRAM Rival eTap AXS | Giant SLR 2 50 | $6,000 |
Giant Propel Advanced vs others
Canyon vs Giant carbon fiber
Canyon Carbon Fiber (CF)
Canyon’s innovative approach to bike design includes the utilization of advanced carbon fiber technology, resulting in performance-oriented bicycles that offer remarkable strength, reduced weight, and improved ride quality.
Canyon employs three main types of carbon fiber in their range of bikes; CFR, CF SLX, and CF SL, each offering unique benefits to cater to your needs and budgets.
- Canyon CFR (Canyon Factory Racing) Carbon is the top-tier carbon fiber used by Canyon, designed for maximum performance. Bikes built with CFR carbon are the lightest and stiffest in the Canyon line-up, favored by professional racers and serious enthusiasts alike. The CFR series represents the pinnacle of Canyon’s engineering prowess and innovation, employing state-of-the-art materials and advanced manufacturing techniques.
- Canyon CF SLX Carbon is a step below CFR, but it still offers exceptional performance characteristics. It used to be the highest-grade carbon in Canyon’s arsenal until the introduction of the CFR series. Bikes with CF SLX carbon frames provide a perfect balance of weight, stiffness, and comfort, making them highly versatile for a range of riding conditions.
- Canyon CF SL Carbon is the entry-level carbon fiber in Canyon’s range, but it still offers excellent performance. While it doesn’t quite match the extreme weight savings and stiffness of the CFR and CF SLX grades, CF SL frames are still impressively light and stiff, providing excellent performance for the value. Ideal for cyclists who desire a high-quality, performance-oriented bike without breaking the bank, the CF SL series is a testament to Canyon’s commitment to delivering value and performance.
Giant Advanced Composite Carbon
Giant’s Advanced Composite Carbon is a proprietary carbon fiber technology used in constructing bicycle frames. It’s a high-quality composite material with carbon fibers embedded in a resin matrix.
Using Advanced Composite Carbon, Giant can design frames with specific performance characteristics tailored to different riding disciplines. The material offers excellent vibration-damping properties, enhancing comfort and reducing fatigue on long rides. It also provides efficient power transfer, enabling riders to maximize their pedaling efficiency and accelerate easily.
The Giant Advanced Composite Carbon is available in standard and SL (Super Light) versions.
- Advanced SL represents the pinnacle of Giant’s carbon fiber engineering and construction. Advanced SL frames undergo additional optimization, utilizing a higher grade of carbon fiber and meticulous layup techniques. It’s found in Giant’s top-of-the-line bikes.
- Advanced is a step down from the top-tier Advanced SL carbon fiber, but it still offers an impressive balance of performance and value for money.
Frameset technologies and innovations
Canyon Aeroad and Giant Propel Advanced framesets incorporate advanced technologies to enhance their bikes’ performance and ride characteristics.
Here’s an overview of the technologies used in each bike model.
Canyon Aeroad CFR
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| CFR Carbon | Canyon Factory Racing (CFR) Carbon is the highest-grade carbon fiber used by Canyon. It’s designed for ultimate performance, with CFR carbon frames being the lightest and stiffest in Canyon’s range. This carbon is employed for the most performance-driven models in Canyon’s lineup. |
| Pro Geometry | Pro Geometry is Canyon’s design approach that tailors each bike frame’s size with specific tube dimensions and carbon layups, optimizing performance and ride characteristics for riders of different sizes. This ensures that every rider, irrespective of their size, enjoys a consistent and optimal cycling experience on the Aeroad CFR. |
| Adjustable Cockpit CP0018 | The Canyon Aeroad CFR and CF SLX feature the innovative Cockpit CP0018, designed for aerodynamic efficiency and versatility. With fully internal cable routing, it offers a clean look and enhanced aerodynamics. The unique wing design allows for easy bike packing, eliminating the hassle of dealing with internal routing. Its innovative width adjustment feature lets you switch between narrow, medium, and wide settings (390-430mm) using just one tool. It provides a total adjustment range of 40mm (+/- 20mm on each side), allowing you to fine-tune your fit for comfort and efficiency. CP |
| Aeroad System Complete | This design principle ensures the Canyon Aeroad is developed as a complete system, incorporating the frame, fork, seat post, stem, handlebar, and even spacers into the aerodynamic optimization process. The goal is to minimize air resistance and maximize speed for the rider. |
| Aero Testing | Canyon uses cutting-edge technologies and tools to achieve aerodynamic efficiency, including wind tunnel testing and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). These tools help them simulate and analyze air flow over the bike, enabling Canyon to refine the design for optimal aerodynamics. Canyon’s rigorous testing approach ensures the Aeroad CFR offers superior aerodynamic performance. |
Giant Propel Advanced
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Advanced Composite Technology | Utilizes Giant’s High Performance Grade raw carbon material and Modified Monocoque Construction technique to create a custom frame material. This carbon composite offers a high stiffness-to-weight ratio, balancing lightweight performance and strength. |
| OverDrive Aero | Incorporates a D-shaped fork steerer tube and internal cable routing for an extremely aerodynamic system. The design reduces air drag and provides an efficient, sleek profile. The internal cable routing enhances the bike’s overall aesthetics and ease of maintenance. |
| Vector Integrated Seatpost | Features an integrated seatpost design that saves weight compared to standard composite posts. This aerodynamic seatpost adds compliance, improving rider comfort and reducing road vibrations for a smoother ride. |
| PowerCore | Incorporates a massively oversized bottom bracket/chainstay area with a fully integrated 86mm wide bottom bracket design (92mm wide for off-road bikes). The asymmetrical chainstays provide additional stiffness on the drive side and stability on the non-drive side, ensuring efficient power transfer and precise handling. |
| AeroSystem Shaping Technology | Utilizes Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and wind-tunnel data to optimize each tube shape for superior aerodynamic performance. The precise shaping reduces air drag and increases the bike’s efficiency, allowing riders to achieve higher speeds with less effort. |
Where to buy
Canyon shops
- Canyon online shop. Available to ship to most countries worldwide.
Giant shops
- Giant retailers. Use this tool to find your nearest Giant retailers.
Bernard Lu has 7+ years of experience working in a bicycle shop, overseeing the retail and workshop operations. He’s a qualified bicycle mechanic who understands a cyclist’s needs and speaks the same cycling lingo.
If you meet him at the cafe, he will happily talk to you for hours about all the intricacies of bikes and cycling tech. Just buy him a coffee next time you see him.