In this comparison, I’ll dissect two popular bike models; the Canyon Aeroad vs Orbea Orca Aero.
I’ll compare their lineups, bike specifications, and suggested retail prices in USD, then discuss the carbon fiber technology (Canyon Carbon Fiber and Orbea Monocoque (TorayCa) Carbon) and frameset technologies.
The goal is to give you a better understanding of Canyon Aeroad and Orbea Orca Aero to help in your decision-making.
| Canyon Aeroad | Orbea Orca Aero | |
|---|---|---|
| Type of bike | Aero | Aero |
| Frame material | CFR carbon CF SLX carbon | OMX (Toray T1100) carbon |
| Frame sizes | XXS, S, M, L, XL, XXL | 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 60 |
| Groupset | Shimano, SRAM (12-speed) | Shimano, SRAM (12-speed) |
| Brakes | Hydraulic disc | Hydraulic disc |
| Cabling | Internal | Internal |
| Price (USD) | $4,499 to $9,499 | $4,899 to $10,899 |
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 |
Orbea Orca Aero
The Orbea Orca Aero combines the design principles of the Orca Orca road and the Ordu time trial bike. It uses Toray’s T1100 monocoque carbon, which Orbea refers to as OMX carbon.
The most obvious and standout feature of the Orca Aero is the aero water bottle and storage box beneath the down tube. They are optional and can be removed, depending on your preferences.
The Orbea Orca Aero offers you a lot of customization options from frame color, groupset, wheelset, tires, and saddle using the MyO configurator. There are 6 models available with either Shimano or SRAM electronic shifting groupsets.
| Model | Frame material | Groupset | Wheelset | Retail price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orbea Orca Aero M10iLTD | OMX (Toray T1100) carbon | Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 (R9200) | Shimano Dura-Ace C50 | $10,899 |
| Orbea Orca Aero M11eLTD | OMX (Toray T1100) carbon | SRAM Red eTap AXS | Vision 55 SC | $9,899 |
| Orbea Orca Aero M20iLTD | OMX (Toray T1100) carbon | Shimano Ultegra Di2 (R8100) | Vision 55 SC | $6,799 |
| Orbea Orca Aero M21eLTD | OMX (Toray T1100) carbon | SRAM Force eTap AXS | Vision 55 SC | $6,799 |
| Orbea Orca Aero M31eLTD | OMX (Toray T1100) carbon | SRAM Rival eTap AXS | Vision 40 SC | $5,699 |
| Orbea Orca Aero M30iLTD | OMX (Toray T1100) carbon | Shimano 105 Di2 (R7100) | Vision 40 SC | $4,899 |
Orbea Orca Aero vs others
Canyon vs Orbea 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.
Orbea Monocoque (TorayCa) Carbon
Orbea uses carbon fiber from TorayCa in their bikes. It’s one of the handful of bike manufacturers that uses a monocoque carbon fiber construction, resulting in a lighter and stiffer frameset. The two most prominent types of carbon used in Orbea’s bike frames are OMX (T1100K) and OMR (T800) carbon.
- OMX (Orbea Monocoque X) carbon is Orbea’s top-grade carbon fiber, with the ultimate blend of stiffness, lightness, and strength. Monocoque refers to a type of construction technique where the external skin supports the structural load, which, when applied to bike frames, results in a balance of strength and weight. Due to its high manufacturing cost, OMX carbon is typically reserved for Orbea’s top-tier models.
- OMR (Orbea Monocoque Race) is the standard carbon composite used by Orbea. While OMR doesn’t match the absolute performance capabilities of OMX, it offers a fantastic performance-to-value ratio. This makes it a great choice for riders looking for top-notch performance without the premium price tag of the top-grade OMX carbon.
Frameset technologies and innovations
Canyon Aeroad and Orbea Orca Aero 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. |
Orbea Orca Aero
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Monocoque Carbon Construction | Monocoque carbon construction is a process that uses the most advanced carbon technology to create the most sophisticated bike frames possible. Monocoque means that the frame is made of a single piece of carbon fiber, rather than multiple pieces joined together. This ensures that the frame is lighter, stiffer, and stronger, as there are no weak points or excess material. Orbea has two grades of carbon fibers; OMX (Orbea Monocoque X-Light) and OMR (Orbea Monocoque Race). Orbea also uses a bladder molding technique with EPS (expanded polystyrene) forms and PU (polyurethane) inserts to prevent wrinkles and gaps in the carbon layers, which can compromise the quality and durability of the frame. |
| TrueAero | TrueAero is a combination of shapes, sizes, and materials that optimize airflow across the entire bike. TrueAero carbon is used to construct the Orca frame, which is designed to reduce drag and increase speed. TrueAero also includes features such as an integrated stem and handlebar, hidden cables, and an aero seatpost. |
| ICR | This stands for Internal Cable Routing, which is a system that routes all the cables neatly through the bar, stem, and headset for a clean look and improved aerodynamics. ICR also makes it easier to maintain and service the bike compare to other bike brands’ solutions. |
Where to buy
Canyon shops
- Canyon online shop. Available to ship to most countries worldwide.
Orbea retailers
- Orbea retailers. Use this tool to find your nearest Orbea dealers.
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.