Kat Matthews’ Canyon Speedmax CFR
It’s basically the “same same” for Kat Matthews this year. This usually means only one thing for riders that are at the top of the game. Most of their equipment choices have been working just fine – and this is definitely the case for the current IRONMAN Pro Series leader. That said, there are a couple of things that have changed since she raced here in Kona in 2023.
She is ditching the CeramicSpeed pulley and adding some aero features and rim depth to the front end, moving from a 60 mm front wheel to a 80 mm front for this year’s race. She has a much sleeker aero bar set up and, like everyone else, she has more bottles for more fuel. She looks really, really good on this bike.
Let’s dive in.
Drivetrain
Full Shimano Drive Chain (well, except for the pedals)
| Groupset | Shimano DURA ACE 2x |
| Crank Length | 160 mm |
| Chain Rings | 58-44t |
| Power Meter | Favero Assioma Pedals |
| Cassette | 11-30t |
Cockpit
| Base Bars | Canyon Specs: 400 mm wide 75 mm length with “skater grip tape” |
| Aero Bar | Canyon with Ergon grips |
| Number of Bottles | 2 Plus internal bladder |
| Computer | Wahoo Bolt |
Rear Hydration
| Hydration System | Canyon with Xlab Cage |
| Saddle | Shimano Pro Aerofuel |
| Number of bottles | 2 |
Wheels, Rotors and Naming Rights
| Front Wheel | DT Swiss ARC 1100 DICUT DB 80mm |
| Rear Wheel | DT Swiss ARC 1100 DICUT DB 80mm |
| Rotors | Shimano 140mm |
| Front Tire | Continental AERO 111 Tire 26mm |
| Rear Tire | Continental Grand Prix 5000 TT TR 28mm |
| Property of | Kat Matthews |
My Personal takeaways:
There is nothing I don’t like about this bike. It’s sleek and steadfast. Everything has a purpose and it’s been tested well. A slightly smaller frame would probably give her a little more edge, but since she doesn’t have that option at the moment she is doing everything right with this bike.
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Canyon SpeedmaxKat MatthewsShimanoNotable Replies
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My observations and questions are:
80mm depth front rim on Kona? I guess the wind forecast is benign but still gusts of 15mph side winds expected north of the Kawaihae turn. DT Swiss ARC 1100s btw (culprit autocorrect)
Same lower BTA bottle set up as the ‘nfamous illegal one from Frejus, I think, but neatly mounted an inch further forward. It’s a cockpit not a cock pit btw
2x with a 58-11 max. ?Does she need a 44-30 low gear. I guess with the rollers a 58-30 combo allows her to stay in the big dog and pull away when her seatpost race ranger flashes red to stress the wheel suckers behind. OSPW ditched in favour of the Shimano DA pulley wheel.
That rear hydration support is integrated into the seat post, right. With a M Matthews hack/bodge wedge to achieve desired elevation angle of the double bottles? Those bottle cages look to be opening at an angle ie not vertical.
“A slightly smaller frame would probably give her a little more edge, but since she doesn’t have that option at the moment” The seat is almost as far forward as it can go. Matthews is 164cm (per wikipedia) but since Canyon don’t make an XS this is the smallest available frame for a Canyon Speedmax CFR TT. Nevertheless, can see her being a Canyon babe for a long time.
About 2: No. Looks like she is using the Trek RSL Aero Bottle. Hayden used the Canyon Fuel Aero.
That’s not a Speedmax CFR TT. They do make an XS.
She seems just a tad bit cramped. Would love to see what 2-4 cm of pad x would give her.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPanO4PgBvQ/?igsh=Z29xcnR3N3Ficzdz
XS has 650 wheels. I’d guess that has a lot to do with the decision.
Shouldn’t it be “Drivetrain” instead of “Drive Chain” Other than than what a great looking bike! I sure wish I could make the fit work for me!
Also has she bodged a drink straw into it? Looks like rep straws, one to the bladder and another to a bottle?
he bodged
Yep: that aero bottle will be gel-full but fluid enough to suck up.