Canyon Updates Inflite Cyclocross Bikes to Cut Mud, Fly Fast

As the mercury falls, cyclocross season approaches. Canyon’s multiple World Champion ride returns with a few updates.

Canyon’s been at the top of the cyclocross world before, and it wants to take a similar path back there with its new bikes this year. Mathieu van der Poel, Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado, and Puck Pieterse have all ridden (and carried) Canyon Inflites to Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Cyclocross World Championships. Now they can choose from the updated Inflite range to try again this season.

 

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The four 2023 models across two carbon frame platforms all utilize the existing Inflite frame layout. Canyon landed on the geometry to hunt stability and agility equally for tight, muddy turns.

Reduced frame surface area and wide tire clearance look to cut down on mud buildup. And the kink in the top tube near the seat aims to help riders pick it up and shoulder it in the sweet spot.

Canyon Inflite 2023 Updates and Hierarchy

New for 2023, refreshed components and power meters from Quarq and 4iiii are now on board. The pro-echelon Inflite CF SLX gets a SRAM Force eTap AXS groupset and 1 x 10-36 gearing. The Quarq power meter helps cyclocrossers draw down on their training.

And the mid-tier CF SL platforms look to let in anyone riding on an amateur budget. The CF SL 8 comes with a SRAM Rival eTap AXS groupset and a one-piece carbon H31 Ergo-engineered cockpit. The entry-level CF SL 6 skips the power meter and downgrades to a Shimano GRX 600 drivetrain.

Finally, the Inflite lineup also gets the latest generation of DT Swiss CRC carbon wheels, which were previously exclusive to Canyon’s road bike lineup. The CRC 1400 and 1600 wheelsets have a 22mm internal rim width, which Canyon specifically picked out to pair with 33mm ‘cross tires.

Its 45mm rim depth helps the wheels carve through sand and mud and promises some aero gains. Every bike except the CF SL 6 gets a CRC wheelset — it comes with alloy DT Swiss Cross LN wheels.

The lineup starts at €1,999 ($1,946) MSRP for the CF SL 6. The range-topper runs €4,699 ($4,575). They’re ready to get muddy now, available through Canyon’s website.

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