Canyon CF SLX Continued Delays - Back to the Drawing Board?
Discussion
I first placed my order for a Canyon CF SLX at the end of January with an expected delivery date in April. As the delivery date came, I was told that delivery would be delayed, but this time coincided with a bike-scenery interface meaning I was off the road for a good 6-8 weeks anyway. I was belatedly given a delivery date of last week, which was acceptable since I've only been back out on the open road for 3 or 4 weeks. I received an email on Thursday telling me that that the bike would be with the courier within 48 hours. The excitement built as my dream machine I'd been waiting nearly 6 months for was soon to be with me. Several days of no updates lead me to phone Canyon's UK service centre this morning, only to be told that there'd been further delays...!
In essence, my patience has pretty much run out. Both delivery dates that have been given to me weren't met, and I was only told upon chasing days after that there had been delays. Not great customer service! I'm gutted to tell the truth as all the reviews rave about the bike. It appears to be nearly unbeatable value for money as well. I'd ordered the Ultegra Di2 version for a snip below £3k.
So the question I ask is where to go now? I'm fed up with waiting and simply can't trust Canyon to deliver. I live in Fulham, like the idea of getting a bike fit (I probably should have had one done before...), am looking for good value, preferably Di2 etc - recommendations please!
In essence, my patience has pretty much run out. Both delivery dates that have been given to me weren't met, and I was only told upon chasing days after that there had been delays. Not great customer service! I'm gutted to tell the truth as all the reviews rave about the bike. It appears to be nearly unbeatable value for money as well. I'd ordered the Ultegra Di2 version for a snip below £3k.
So the question I ask is where to go now? I'm fed up with waiting and simply can't trust Canyon to deliver. I live in Fulham, like the idea of getting a bike fit (I probably should have had one done before...), am looking for good value, preferably Di2 etc - recommendations please!
How about this (Scott HMX Aero Road Di2) but you'll need to factor in some wheels, seatpost, sadddle and handlebars etc.
Cycling Plus did a group test of DI2 bikes last month.
I seam to remember this was one of them...
http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/category/bikes/...
I seam to remember this was one of them...
http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/category/bikes/...
HurryUpAndWait said:
The fact remains that something seems to have gone very wrong with some part of their manufacturing or supply chain. This has been backed up by virtually zero customer service. And it sure ain't my bike their packing up!
What do they say when you get through? Id be pretty livid spending that much and getting s
t service, I'd also be worried about getting a refund in a decent time frameTwistingMyMelon said:
HurryUpAndWait said:
The fact remains that something seems to have gone very wrong with some part of their manufacturing or supply chain. This has been backed up by virtually zero customer service. And it sure ain't my bike their packing up!
What do they say when you get through? Id be pretty livid spending that much and getting st service, I'd also be worried about getting a refund in a decent time frameJimbo. said:
Just sack it off and buy something else, shiny-bling-bargin-Di2 or not. Else you'll miss the summer, and find out just how good/bad your Canyon is as a winter bike. Maybe.
Yep, going for a bike fit on Monday. Victim of their own success - that's just a copout in my opinion, though I know what you mean. Either expand your production to meet production time-tables or be realistic about when you can make the product. Doing neither, as seems to be what has happened, is amateurish.I looked at the SLX but went for a Boardman SLR 9.2S. Personally I wasn't happy with buying a £3500 bike off the internet and that was before you factored in the delayed delivery dates.
It's slightly lighter than the Canyon in my spec (Force 2013 compact chainrings/carbon cranks - lighter than Ultegra, sexier too) and weighs in at 6.8kg. The SLR and SLX are both made in the Merida factory.
The SLR is a pro level race bike using the very latest frame lay up techniques, with a frame designed using CAD/FEA. It is mega stiff, partly due to the huge BB profile. It climbs as you would expect of something this stiff and this light. Longest ride has been nearly 7 hours. This was bearable but not comfortable for the last 30 minutes. Most bikes wouldn't be though and my saddle is much more comfortable now it is broken in.
What swung it for me was the LBS back up and getting a bike fit thrown in. If I added the cost of a Retul fit to the SLX, it would have been what I haggled the SLR down to.
It was in my LBS two days after ordering, all built up to my drivetrain spec.
I am very pleased with the bike.
It's slightly lighter than the Canyon in my spec (Force 2013 compact chainrings/carbon cranks - lighter than Ultegra, sexier too) and weighs in at 6.8kg. The SLR and SLX are both made in the Merida factory.
The SLR is a pro level race bike using the very latest frame lay up techniques, with a frame designed using CAD/FEA. It is mega stiff, partly due to the huge BB profile. It climbs as you would expect of something this stiff and this light. Longest ride has been nearly 7 hours. This was bearable but not comfortable for the last 30 minutes. Most bikes wouldn't be though and my saddle is much more comfortable now it is broken in.
What swung it for me was the LBS back up and getting a bike fit thrown in. If I added the cost of a Retul fit to the SLX, it would have been what I haggled the SLR down to.
It was in my LBS two days after ordering, all built up to my drivetrain spec.
I am very pleased with the bike.
Well, the saga continues. I was excited a couple of days ago to discover that Canyon were trying to take payment, which only happens at the point of despatch. However, it turns out that they're simply reserving the amount... Yesterday I spoke to the UK Service Centre who told me it was ready for despatch. Hoorah! Today, a different system says they're picking parts - which could be the chain-catcher, rather than the bike. The guys in the UK service centre seem pleasant enough, but aren't provided with any useful information, or rather they have contradictory information. I should hear back soon, but it's frankly quite shambolic.
I have, helpfully, been informed that 93% of orders are despatched on time. I'm obviously a special customer
And this distribution has a very long tail.
[/Grumpy]
I currently have a Boardman, so want to try a different brand.
ETA: Just heard back from them, delayed until end of July/beginning of August. They were picking parts, the frame is still nowhere to be seen. Going to see what I can get quickly before the likely cancellation. Fed up!
I have, helpfully, been informed that 93% of orders are despatched on time. I'm obviously a special customer
And this distribution has a very long tail.[/Grumpy]
I currently have a Boardman, so want to try a different brand.
ETA: Just heard back from them, delayed until end of July/beginning of August. They were picking parts, the frame is still nowhere to be seen. Going to see what I can get quickly before the likely cancellation. Fed up!
Edited by HurryUpAndWait on Tuesday 2nd July 12:23
HurryUpAndWait said:
Well, the saga continues. I was excited a couple of days ago to discover that Canyon were trying to take payment, which only happens at the point of despatch. However, it turns out that they're simply reserving the amount... Yesterday I spoke to the UK Service Centre who told me it was ready for despatch. Hoorah! Today, a different system says they're picking parts - which could be the chain-catcher, rather than the bike. The guys in the UK service centre seem pleasant enough, but aren't provided with any useful information, or rather they have contradictory information. I should hear back soon, but it's frankly quite shambolic.
I have, helpfully, been informed that 93% of orders are despatched on time. I'm obviously a special customer And this distribution has a very long tail.
[/Grumpy]
I currently have a Boardman, so want to try a different brand.
ETA: Just heard back from them, delayed until end of July/beginning of August. They were picking parts, the frame is still nowhere to be seen. Going to see what I can get quickly before the likely cancellation. Fed up!
I'd move on, because what happens if the bike is not exactly as described or has issues, if its this hard getting it first time around it will be a nightmare to get issues resolved. Plenty of other decent bikes around at that price. I have, helpfully, been informed that 93% of orders are despatched on time. I'm obviously a special customer
And this distribution has a very long tail.[/Grumpy]
I currently have a Boardman, so want to try a different brand.
ETA: Just heard back from them, delayed until end of July/beginning of August. They were picking parts, the frame is still nowhere to be seen. Going to see what I can get quickly before the likely cancellation. Fed up!
Edited by HurryUpAndWait on Tuesday 2nd July 12:23
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