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Product Comparison Test – Friday 20 June 2025 – Alkmaar, Netherlands
Jose Lazano Transition from Canyon to TF1
In competitive triathlon, every marginal gain counts, and aerodynamic performance is often the key differentiator between victory and defeat. Athletes can spend considerable time and money to develop their positions and equipment far beyond what a manufacturer provides as standard.
Jose represents just such an athlete having developed his Canyon CF SLX with cockpit, wheel and hydration upgrades over three seasons.
Jose was therefore surprised that after testing a demo Kú TF1 against his CANYON CF SLX at a 2.5km outdoor circuit in Amsterdam he sensed there were performance gains to be had with the TF1. To quote Joses own words:
“My bike is going to be so much faster, I’ve been working on this bike and position over 3 years, it cannot be that I get into a new bike and it is suddenly faster”.
Well, I was wrong”
But Jose wasn’t completely convinced and wanted to confirm his sensations outdoor with more ‘scientific’ evidence. He joined the 20th June 2025 Kú Aerocamp at the Alkmaar Velodrome in the Netherlands with a specific objective: to evaluate the aerodynamic performance and equipment configuration of his CANYON CF SLX to the Kú TF1.
This blog outlines the testing and analysis conducted to compare the baseline aerodynamic drag (CdA) and power-saving potential between the CANYON and TF1, shedding light on the impact of bike setup, bike fit and frame geometry.
Testing Approach
Jose’s evaluation involved baseline testing of both the CANYON and TF1 in configurations without race hydration. The primary goal of the testing was not to measure micro-effects due to equipment matching across the two bikes but to assess if the Kú TF1 could match or better his highly developed set up on the Canyon.
This is the kind of challenge we relish at Kú Cycle! Could we make Jose even faster?
The test protocols included using the same Assioma power meter pedals for testing the CANYON and the TF1. CdA was measured using the same Aerosensor device and standardizing all other data recording equipment between the two bikes to ensure comparable data acquisition.
Frame: CANYON CF SLX size M,
Upgraded, personalised Aerogrip cockpit configuration.
Wheels: Aeox Titan 80mm front Aeox Orbit rear disc
Tire Size: 28mm
Frame: TF1 L650 (ex Rico Bogen race bike).
Upgraded cockpit of Fast TT Aerobars.
Wheels: Kú 60mm rim on the front and an Kú disc on the rear.
Tire Size: 25mm Conti GP5000 TT TR tires.
A critical factor in Jose’s performance on both bikes was his fit. For the test matching his CANYON and TF1 fits were handled by the same experienced Kú fitter, Jo Spindler, ensuring consistency in his biomechanical setup.
The custom cockpit of Jose’s CANYON left no more room to modify his position further so the two bikes were therefore matched as closely as possible to Joses CANYON fit by adjusting the FastTT aerobar set up on the TF1.
The geometry of the TF1 L650 still provided him with scope to achieve a better position that enhanced both his comfort and aerodynamics. A good fit not only minimizes drag but also maximizes power output and reduces fatigue over long distances.
The key aerodynamic parameter measured was Jose’s drag coefficient (CdA), which directly influences how much power is required to maintain speed. Lower CdA values represent better aerodynamic efficiency.
The data below was achieved in a velodrome test with values compared at a constant velocity of 44kph or a normalised power of 250W
Joses CdA, averaged across both baseline runs, on the CANYON was 0.197.
To dip under 0.200 under any conditions is outstanding. This level of CdA is a testament to how well developed Jose is on his CANYON.
After the initial two baseline runs Jose changed helmets from the POC Tempur to the Rudy Wing Dream.
This equipment change gave Jose, at best, a 1.5% improvement in CdA, (0.197 Vs 0.194) equivalent to a power saving of 5W @44kph.
The data below was achieved in a velodrome test with values compared at a constant velocity of 44kph or a normalised power of 250W
Joses TF1 was configured to closely match the CANYON:
FastTT cockpit with identical stack and reach to the CANYON set up.
Kú 60mm front rim and Kú disc rear.
Jose’s baseline CdA, averaged across both baseline runs on his TF1 in this configuration, was 0.200.
This is a difference of 3% on the demo TF1 versus the equivalent baseline set with his highly developed CANYON set up.
Replacing the standard Kú 60 front wheel with the Kú 35mm front wheel, a proven improvement over the deeper section rim in combination with the Fast fork of the TF1, decreased CdA from O.200 to 0.190.
This is an improvement of 5% equivalent to a power saving of 10.6W@44kph
Jose would save 3 minutes 53 seconds over a full Ironman distance ridden at a consistent power of 250W.
The Kú 35 mm front wheel was positive for CdA against the deeper 60mm rim
The front tri spoke was an additional gain.
Jose’s lowest CdA of the test was 0.188 with a small change to increase his cockpit reach by 18mm.
Jose’s CdA on the TF1 alone improved by a total of 6% from a baseline of 0.200 to a final of 0.188.
This represents a saving of 12.8W@44kph from tuning and equipment, or a time saving of 4 minutes 45 seconds over a full Ironman distance ridden at a constant power of 250W.
Aerodynamic Efficiency: The comparison between Jose’s best setup on the CANYON and the initial, comparable set up on the TF1 was within 3% despite the development of position and equipment invested in the CANYON.
After tuning of the front wheel to better suit the unique characteristics of the Fast fork The final difference in CdA between the best of the CANYON, (0.194) and the best of the TF1, (0.188) was 3.1%.
Power Savings: At an average speed of 44 km/h over an Ironman distance, the 3.1% difference in CdA corresponds to a 6.4 watt power saving for Jose on the TF1 compared to the CANYON.
Time Gains: This power saving would result in a time reduction of 2 minutes over a full Ironman distance when riding at a consistent power output of 250 watts.
The data below was achieved in a velodrome test with values compared at a constant velocity of 40kph or a normalised power of 230W
The Kú TF1
demonstrates a 3,1 % saving
over the CANYON
The Kú TF1 saved
Jose 6,4 watts at
44kph over the CANYON
Over a full Ironman distance ridden
at 250W Jose would save 2 minutes
on the TF1 compared to the CANYON
Jose has a very highly refined position and equipment configuration developed over several seasons of competition on his Canyon CF SLX, it was demonstrated that by switching to the TF1, with no equipment or positional adaptations, these hard fought for improvements on the Canyon were easily matched.
With some simple, changes of standard Kú equipment; a change of front wheel and a single cockpit change, gave Jose a 3% gain in aero performance.
Such gains for minor adaptations indicate that further improvement could be expected both from equipment and positional development with a specifically sized TF1 suitable for Jose.
Maybe it’s best to let Jose himself have the last word:
“We tested INTENSIVELY both bikes and data doesn’t lie, The Ku TF1 was faster than my Canyon Speedmax even with all the upgrades I’ve been working on for years.”
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLZ_57vt35y/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=eHFxZmc5dnZuYmth
The meticulous testing and analysis conducted for all athletes attending Kú Aerocamps underlines the importance of tailored bike fitting, equipment configuration, and continuous refinement of race setups for achieving peak performance in competitive cycling.
For Sales Enquiries:
Ed Grace
ed@ku-cycle.com
+44 7894 307395
Media Contact Kú Cycle:
Alex Bok
alex@ku-cycle.com
+31 (0) 683 033 920
About Kú Cycle
A Dutch based company with a mission to design bikes and performance solutions that will change the sport forever – the perfect fit between body and machine. We believe a rider’s position should be established independent of the bike and will therefore reposition bike fitting services from a post-purchase service to a pre-purchase service. A new production process (built-to-order) and a completely different sales model are introduced with a single objective: athlete performance delivered!
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1322 CN Almere
The Netherlands
KvK-nummer: 74978454
VAT: NL860095629B01
Email: info@ku-cycle.com
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