Coffee with Cutlass: Digesting a Speedmax Assembly
A FedEx Freight driver lumbered into the studio and shouted “I hope you’ve got a friend here! This delivery is 90 pounds and my pallet jack’s battery is dead.”
I looked at my buddy, Josh, who had just stopped by while on a walk. We both shrugged.
We walked out the door and I asked the driver “It’s a bike; how on earth could it be 90 pounds?”
The truck’s overhead door rattled open and there sat a massive box on a rectangular pallet. While it didn’t weigh 90 pounds, the parcel’s cumbersome stature certainly made it seem hefty.
I thanked Josh for his help while he set off to continue his walk.
Then it was just me and this hulking, unassuming cardboard box that contained more carbon fiber than NASA’s Apollo 11 spacecraft.
Opening the box revealed a very well designed and constructed method for delivering a complete time trial bike with wheels removed and neatly set aside along the frame. It’s an impressive format to ship a bike as complicated as modern TT/Tri bikes tend to be
But let’s rewind to purchasing the bike.
The Wind Up and the Purchase
During a consultation with a client, we had determined the Canyon Speedmax CF SLX would be the best bang for the buck. The sizing performed by Johnny May at Full Sweet Cycling informed us that the XS would be the correct size.
I admit that Canyon has managed to create a double-edged sword for the industry. I’ve “sold” 5 Canyons to a mix of prospective and experienced cyclists in the past 18 months. It’s hard to compete with a “bike shop” quality bike that’s priced significantly lower than brick and mortar brands. The value is potentially lost due to complexity of equipment, difficult to source proprietary parts (headset bearings, although Enduro thankfully offers some in Canyon’s spec), poor factory assembly, and depending on the buyer, the cost of keen and professional assembly.
The Speedmax was purchased using the Cutlass HQ computer in order to facilitate the Canyon chat function while shopping their site. The Speedmax will be experiencing air travel a few times a year so extra hangers are required.
Canyon’s website may be glossy and flashy but it lacks clarity for some pertinent information. Is this by design?
We had no luck finding the part number for the Speedmax’s derailleur hanger to add to the order. I asked the person on the other end of the chat feature; we were given a part number to add to the cart. We added Canyon’s proprietary seatpost mounted bottle cage assembly and finished the purchase.
In the Box
The Speedmax comes with an array of “tools,” parts, and accessories.
The tools are chintzy - they’re passable for completing the assembly with the makeshift “torque” wrench.
The parts included pertained to the aero bar arm rest adjustment and fit kit.
It’s a modestly complicated collection of spacers, bolts of varying lengths, and a couple dozen little pieces to align the spacers. The spacers are aluminum with a decent finish and construction but why they don’t machine the alignment tabs for simplicity is beyond me.
The accessories that came in the bike box were the HydraPak hydration system that tucks away through the top tube into the downtube via a hatch that needs removal prior to installation; a spare tube, a couple of puny tire levers that might work for a Micro Machine’s wheel. They legitimately offer ZERO leverage. I guess they need to be small in order to fit with the integrated flat fix compartment in the downtube.
Next we have the wheels, which as it turns out for the XS, are DT Swiss ARC1400 650b wheels. This was new information to process, as I had already ordered a set of Boyd Rouleur wheels for training wheels.
I went back onto the Canyon site to review. When you click on XS a little blip shows up under the selection of sizes that merely states: “Please note: Size XS comes with a DT Swiss ARC1400 wheelset.” Nothing about the wheel size. I think that’s a bizarre omission.
The wheel size listed for the XS is eventually discovered at the Geometry and Dimensions chart. It’s my belief that the componentry should be more explicitly listed or a more substantive disclaimer is provided when making this selection.
Last up is the frame assembly. It came pre-wired - I’m still in disbelief that Shimano could not manage to streamline their “wired-less” technology with their TT set ups. Surely they have their reasons. Everything was already installed except the seatpost with saddle installed.
Out of the Box and In the Stand
The Hirobel frame clamp made the task of inspection and assembly easy. The broad range that the moveable clamp can accommodate is ideal for such a short top tube.
The Frame and Fork
Dry clearcoat/overspray on right fork blade
Scuff marks about the frame
Dry clearcoat around seat tube and seat stays
The Brakes
Rotors were rubbing due to being out of true and out of alignment
Calipers weren’t adequately aligned
Rear brake mount required facing
Lots of air left in the system
Pistons required exercising in order to advance evenly
Rear pads not squarely contacting rotor due to misalignment
The Drivetrain
Front derailleur position set a little on the high side
Front derailleur cage alignment needed adjustment
Front derailleur limits required setting; inner plate of cage too far from chain causing risk of chain dropping into frame
Rear derailleur hanger needed aligning
Crank preload bolt overtorqued
The Cockpit/Headset
Complicated
Base bar height is not adjustable
Headset bearing replacement will be a master class in patience
Aero bar spacer installation instructions are okay - marginally better than Ikea instructions.
Aero bar spacer installation is made convoluted by the little steel inserts for spacer alignment
Aero bar extensions are minimally customizable; could be better suited for bigger hands or more position options
The Wheels
650b DT Swiss ARC1400 aero wheels
Final Thoughts
After addressing and correcting the items in my assessment I was left wondering how the assembly experience would be for the end user. While the sentiment is novel, the idea that direct to consumer bikes are assembled adequately from the factory while encouraging the end user to complete the final assembly is a concerning prospect.
In my history of assembling these D2C bikes, I have encountered under-torqued brake rotor lock rings, poorly aligned brake calipers, under-torqued chainring bolts… the list goes on.
That’s not to say that I don’t like D2C bicycle brands. I use them as an option for people looking at purchasing a new bike. I’ve “sold” several Canyon’s during bike purchase consultations. Outside of what I can offer, I also recommend bike companies that are offered by the Baltimore LBS community. The discussions often go deep on where customer values, budget, experience, and needs intersect.
Thanks to the trust and collaboration from my client, the Speedmax has given newfound confidence in her 2025 race calendar. I’m looking forward to hearing the race stories while the Speedmax returns for routine maintenance.
Check the gallery below for some detail shots.
