In professional cycling sports, winning or losing are often no more than few milliseconds apart. Alongside the cyclist’s fitness, it is also the design of the bicycle that has an influence on race performance. The Canyon Concept Speedmax is a time trial machine that has been painstakingly optimised to achieve the best possible racing outcome. The intention of the design was to achieve a time trial machine with even better aerodynamics. Following an innovative approach, the handlebars, porch, fork and brakes have been defined as a single formal unity. The various profiles and the formal integration of the newly developed braking system were perfected in extensive wind-tunnel testing. The Concept Speedmax also pushes the material limits of carbon fibre by optimising its aerodynamic characteristics: the use of high-grade carbon fibre technology allowed the weight of the machine to be reduced to a minimum. However, a true redefinition of a time trial machine does not stop with optimising the frontal aerodynamics only. The vulnerability of the entire frameset to side winds was thus reduced by more than 10 per cent. In order to make the Concept Speedmax match the physiognomy of individual riders, the frameset is available in three sizes. In combination with the highly functional and modular steam handlebar system, this time trial machine makes perfect individualisation possible.
Statement by the Jury
The design idiom of the Concept Speedmax visualises its aerodynamics to perfection. An innovative approach to the frameset’s design thus generated a new, universal form. The breaking system of this time trial machine is outstandingly convincing.
