Canyon Endurace CF 7 eTap review

The Canyon Endurace CF 7 eTap is a capable full-carbon endurance road bike equipped with SRAM’s most affordable wireless groupset, Rival eTap AXS. It’s a comfortable, lively ride with a build that won’t leave you wanting, and enough tyre clearance to dabble at the smoother end of the gravel spectrum.

The Endurace CF is the third tier in Canyon’s range, sitting below the more expensive CF SL and CF SLX models, but above the aluminium Endurace AL.

Canyon Endurace CF 7 eTap frameset

The Endurace CF’s frameset is outwardly identical to its CF SL and CF SLX siblings, so you get the exact same geometry and aesthetics in a package that’s just a touch heavier.

According to Canyon’s own figures, a medium Endurace CF frame weighs 1,020g, the CF SL is 920g, and the CF SLX is 820g. So, despite being the ‘entry level’ frame, you’re looking at a weight penalty of just 200g over the top end.

The Endurace is a shape that’s been with us for a while but it still looks fresh, with the seatstays slicing across the upper part of the seat tube, a visual element that’s distinctly Canyon.

The Endurace’s frameset is a clean piece of design that marries curves and angularity effectively and, while the brake hoses aren’t fully hidden, they’re mostly internal and of course there are no gear cables to contend with on a wireless groupset.

The frame and fork are full carbon and adhere largely to prevailing bike industry standards, the larger 1 1/4in fork steerer being the only exception (1 1/8in is the more common size). This slightly reduces your choice in aftermarket stems should you wish to change the length, but the size isn’t hard to come by.

On the practicality front, Canyon gives you bosses for a top tube bag in addition to the usual bottle cage mounts, but there are no provisions for mudguards (fenders).

Tyre clearances are generous by road bike standards at a maximum 35mm front and rear.

In this spec the bike comes in sober matt black only, a safe choice that looks good but isn’t terribly exciting.

Cheaper models in the Endurace CF range offer more variety here and the fashionista’s pick of the bunch would surely be the light blue or light lobster paintjobs offered for the Shimano Ultegra-equipped Endurace CF 8 (£2,199), the latter a pleasing coral-esque hue.

Canyon Endurace CF 7 eTap components

The Endurace features a SRAM Rival eTAP AXS groupset, the most affordable in the brand’s range of 12-speed wireless drivetrains.

• Related reading: Buyer’s guide to SRAM road and gravel groupsets

Rival isn’t the lightest, but its shifting is largely indistinguishable from that of Red and Force. Like all AXS groupsets, the gearing is non-traditional, and the combination of a 48/35 crank and 10-36 cassette affords a generous range of gears that’s comparable to a traditional compact setup but with more total range – it’s a very beginner-friendly option.

The DT Swiss Endurance LN wheelset won’t set your heart aflutter but does boast a very useful 22mm internal rim width that plumps tyres out nicely, and it’s tubeless-compatible.

Canyon’s rubber of choice is a fetching set of tanwall 30mm Schwalbe Ones but alas, these are tube-only, so you’ll have to buy new tyres if you want to go tubeless – a slightly curious choice by Canyon given the bike’s general versatility.

Canyon’s finishing kit is always good, solid stuff and the Endurace’s is no exception. You even get a branded saddle in the form of Fizik’s endurance-oriented Argo Tempo R5.

Canyon Endurace CF sizing and geometry

Canyon goes its own way a bit with sizing and many riders will find themselves sizing down if they follow the letter of Canyon’s recommendations.

I usually ride a medium frame but at 174cm tall I fall bang in the middle of the recommended range for a size small Endurace with 375mm of reach and 568mm of stack, and this is what Canyon supplied for review.

The brand also favours quite short stems (90mm on a small), and the result is a bike that feels very short to me.

It’s manageable, but in my case I’d be happier with a significantly longer stem, or a size medium with the stem slammed to compensate for the loftier stack.

As ever, do your homework with the numbers and make comparisons with other bikes.

Canyon doesn’t offer a women-specific version of the Endurace CF but with sizes from 3XS to 2XL, the vast majority of riders are catered for.

Sizes 3XS and 2XS get smaller 650b wheels which help keep the geometry consistent across the size range and makes for a better proportioned bike – very small bikes with 700c wheels often don’t look the best.

Riding the Canyon Endurace CF 7 eTap

Some bikes leave a strong impression because they’re exceptional in one specific regard. The Endurace doesn’t, and I mean this as a positive – it’s very well rounded, with nothing about its manners on the road that warrants criticism.

It’s stiff enough to feel capable, efficient and exciting with no sense that it’s a soft endurance bike that can’t be hustled when you feel the urge.

It’s comfortable too. Canyon labels the seatpost ‘VCLS’ (vertical comfort, lateral stiffness) but it’s not the two-part leaf spring-style design found on more expensive bikes from the brand.

Nevertheless, between the post and frame there’s enough inherent flex and vibration damping to make for a plush ride.

While I’d personally prefer it to be more stretched out, the fit is very unintimidating and new riders will appreciate the upright position it encourages.

The gearing is well chosen too and you’re unlikely to find yourself wishing for lower gears unless you’re really determined to push the envelope off-road and insist on hauling yourself up ultra-steep trails.

Canyon’s choice of moderately chunky slick tyres adds to the comfort and refinement but doesn’t feel limiting on tarmac.

They also help if you stray off-road, within reason. With no tread they’re not suited to wet or muddy conditions but smooth, dry fire roads present no obstacle.

It’s here of course that the option to go tubeless would be appreciated but, if that’s a dealbreaker for you, Canyon also offers the Endurace CF 7 All-Road which costs exactly the same amount of money as the standard CF 7 but wears 35mm Schwalbe G-One Allround tubeless-ready gravel tyres.

Canyon Endurace CF 7 eTap verdict

The Endurace CF probably isn’t the bike you save as your desktop background and fantasise about hanging on the wall of your penthouse, it’s just very, very good.

I can’t find meaningful fault with the spec, it rides well and the groupset just works and is as idiot-proof as they come.

Get the sizing right and it would be a great introduction to road cycling or a brilliant upgrade from an entry-level bike.

Canyon Endurace CF 7 eTap alternatives

Canyon Endurace CF 7

From Canyon’s own range, it’s hard to look past the base model Endurace CF. With 11-speed Shimano 105 and slightly more budget wheels, it’s a full £1,000 cheaper the CF 7 eTap but no heavier.

12-speed and wireless shifting is nice to have, but the 105 model makes a great case for itself.

• RRP: £1,949
• Buy now from Canyon (£1,949)

Specialized Roubaix Sport

Specialized can’t compete with Canyon on spec alone, but the Roubaix has a USP in the form of the Future Shock system which incorporates a suspension cartridge into the top of the fork steerer. This is the base model with full Shimano 105.

• RRP: £3,100
• Buy the Specialized Roubaix Sport from Sigma Sports (£3,100)

Canyon Endurace CF 7 eTap spec

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