How to customise your road bike – a guide to choosing the right components 

The Aeroad CFR isn’t just officially the fastest bike in the WorldTour – with the new MyCanyon customisation programme, it’s now also fully configurable too.

Imagine starting with a top-tier performance bike and making it truly yours. With the Aeroad CFR, you can configure every detail—from size, groupset and wheels to cockpit length, saddle and artwork—to match your riding style, fit and taste. 

This guide offers a deep dive on how to customise your road bike’s components so you can dial in your dream setup with confidence.

Selecting the custom spec for your Aeroad CFR is made easy with the MyCanyon customisation program—just head to the bike page, Aeroad CFR AXS or Aeroad CFR Di2, and explore the custom options using the on-page selectors.

First and foremost: the latest SRAM RED and Shimano Dura-Ace are two of the finest road bike groupsets ever created. Between them, they are the choice of the vast majority of WorldTour riders thanks to their supreme shifting quality and astonishing lightness. 

Generally, Shimano is seen as a slightly more traditional choice, renowned for its reliability, historic racing heritage and made-in-Japan quality. SRAM RED, is generally seen as the more progressive option, with a different approach to shifting and a technical carbon aesthetic. 

Let’s delve into the differences: 

Shifting and gearing: both SRAM RED and Shimano Dura-Ace offer 12-speed electronic shifting, but there are some key differences. SRAM RED’s cassette features a 10-sprocket setup on the smallest cog compared to Dura-Ace’s traditional 11-tooth ratio. This allows for slightly more gearing flexibility on SRAM RED, with smaller chainrings and lighter gear ratios, making it a versatile choice across a variety of terrain. Shimano’s Dura-Ace has similar gaps between gears, with the ‘big chainring’ look appealing to fans of classic race bikes. 

The shifting logic differs as well. Shimano Dura-Ace uses a traditional shifter system with two buttons on each side. SRAM RED uses one paddle on each side – left to shift down, right to shift up, both simultaneously to shift chainrings. This choice purely comes down to your own personal preference.  

Both systems are incredibly fast, with recent updates bringing SRAM RED’s shifting speed on par with Shimano Dura-Ace. 

Power meter: Both groupsets come with dual-sided power meters, so you can accurately monitor your performance in real time. Both are top-tier products with benchmark +/-1.5% accuracy figures that deliver reliable long-term performance with minimal maintenance. 

Weight: the weight difference between the two groupsets is negligible. We guarantee you won’t feel any difference on the climbs. 

Braking: Both SRAM RED and Shimano Dura-Ace are equipped with hydraulic brakes. SRAM RED’s one-finger braking is a standout feature – the levers are beautifully light to operate with no drawbacks in terms of braking accuracy and modulation. The aesthetics and ergonomics of the new SRAM RED brake hoods, with their slightly longer reach, also perfectly match Canyon’s aero drops. 

Shimano’s brakes are known and loved for their powerful stopping capability and ease of maintenance with a slightly simpler, more user-friendly bleeding process.  

Charging: Shimano Dura-Ace batteries charge directly on the bike, while SRAM RED uses AXS battery packs that are charged off the bike. 

Bonus buttons: Both groupsets include hidden buttons for extra connectivity and functionality, with Shimano Dura-Ace’s placement generally being seen as slightly superior. 

Made your choice? Pick your bike.

Having covered all of the differences above, ultimately, which groupset you opt for comes down to individual cyclist preference. If you favour SRAM RED, pick the Aeroad CFR AXS and start configuring it. 

Prefer Dura-Ace? Select the Aeroad CFR Di2. 

Please note you can’t switch between groupsets on the bike’s product page – if you want to switch to a different groupset, you’ll need to open the respective bike page.

Choosing the right stem length is crucial for achieving the perfect fit and riding position. From more upright and relaxed to long, low and aero, the Aeroad CFR has a range of stem lengths to match your preferences and body dimensions.

The default stem length recommended by MyCanyon comes from years of rider research and feedback – for most people, the default stem length will be the best option.

If you want to customise the stem, please consider these general rules:

Longer stem length: A longer stem puts you in a lower, more aero, faster position. This option is ideal for riders looking to maximise their speed and performance.

Shorter stem length: A shorter stem puts you in a more comfortable, upright position – ideal if you prioritise comfort over pure aerodynamics. This option is perfect for long rides where feeling fresher for longer is key.

Ultimately though, we recommend changing your stem length only if you are sure that you need a different length or you have recent bike fit data that suggests this.

Wheels have the biggest impact on how your bike will ride, and you can pick between two different wheelsets on the Aeroad CFR. 

As with the groupsets in step one, both these road bike wheelsets are outstanding across the board, delivering the speed and reliability worthy of the WorldTour. They’re both excellent, whilst also differing slightly in character and excelling in slightly different areas. 

Supreme all-round speed, iconic style: ZIPP 454 NSW 

One of ZIPP’s most elegant and iconic wheelsets ever, ZIPP 454 NSW set the world standard for all-round speed with their supreme combination of advanced aerodynamics, astonishing lightness, and beautifully smooth compliance.

It’s a holistic approach to performance that ZIPP themselves call Total System Efficiency: which the brand describe as ‘combatting the biggest enemies of speed: wind resistance, gravity, rolling resistance, and vibration losses’. In short, when it comes to all-round performance in all road racing scenarios, these wheels are the absolute pinnacle.

Add in iconic ZIPP style and F1-inspired Pirelli tyres, and there’s no finer wheelset in the pro peloton today.

• Weight: 1,428g
• Cognition hubs
• Rim depth: 58 mm with advanced, wind-slicing Sawtooth profiles
• Inner rim width: 23 mm for wider tyre widths and more comfort
• Wrapped in with 28 mm Pirelli P-Zero RS tyres

Legendary Swiss engineering and build quality: DT Swiss ARC 1100 

Crafted from the highest-quality components that master engineers DT Swiss have to offer, ARC 1100 deliver industry-leading reliability and the level of stunning engineering precision and build quality that set DT Swiss apart. 

Factor in the low weight, rim aerodynamics developed with Swiss Side and extra watt savings from the brand’s premium AERO111 front tyre and you get a capable, reliable, fast wheelset that ticks all the boxes for competitive performance over the long haul. 

• Weight: 1,472g 
• Famous high-grade 180 Ratchet hubs
• Rim depth: 50 mm 
• Inner rim width: 20 mm 
• AERO111 tyres: 26 mm front, 28 mm rear rubber for the aero/comfort balance 

For the finishing touch, you can select which saddle you’d prefer on your Aeroad CFR. 

Selle Italia provide three road bike saddles with different attributes – all-out performance and lightness, maximum comfort, or a more value-minded option. 

All three options are unisex, so all riders can get the most out of their Aeroad CFR and enjoy it to the max, just the way it should be. 

Ultimate carbon lightness: Selle Italia SLR Boost Tekno Superflow

Ultra-light, ultra-stiff, and 100% carbon – the ultimate racing saddle. Benchmark performance, top-tier comfort, and a touch of Italian design flair from legendary motorsports marque Dallara make this the pinnacle of carbon saddle design. Weight: 95 g.

Next-level comfort: Selle Italia SLR Boost 3D Kit Carbonio Superflow

The benchmark in comfort. Selle Italia’s first-ever 3D-printed saddle uses a sophisticated surface pattern with a classy technical aesthetic and differentiated cushioning zones that gives you superior support for your sit bones, while being kinder on your soft tissue zones. Weight: 166 g. 

All-round dependability: Selle Italia SLR Boost Kit Carbonio Superflow

A dependable, comfortable, ergonomic all-round saddle designed around Selle Italia’s proven SLR form. Its standard design and materials are comfortable enough for longer rides, and light enough not to hold you back on the climbs. Weight: 122 g.

Tips and tricks to personalise your road bike

Beyond the component options, all that remains is to find your frame size, add a name sticker and flag if you want, then pick from a selection of special MyCanyon colourways, some of the most complex designs we’ve ever produced:

Opus Editions: special artist-edition designs from world-famous contemporary designers

Fabrio Collection: next level paint jobs, with stand-out pigments and decals that dance on the frame

Mano Collection: inspired by the stars, painted by hand. Each is slightly different, and uniquely yours

Available for the first time ever in our history, your custom made Canyon is now only a few clicks away.