Canyon’s size chart is a massive problem…

Something needs to be done about Canyon's absolutely asinine size chart. The fact that the biggest name in direct to consumer bikes has the most unconventional sizing standards is a joke. You need look no further than this subreddit or the BikeFit sub to see that 80% of the questions posed are about how confused people are over the size recommendations.

if you take it in the simplest form; their sizing names do not match up with other sizing names.

The average Male height (in the US and Germany) is 5'10"+- (178cm). This person generally considers themselves Medium or Large Sized.

The average Female height is around 5'3.5" (163cm). This size woman would generally consider themselves a small woman.

Standard sizing conventions are based around Small, Medium, Large. the sizing works outwards from the middle Medium to the outliers such as XXS and XXXL depending on the company's offerings. So in the case of these average people, the man might have to decide between a Med and Large bike and the Woman between a Small and XS. This is expected and totally normal.

In cycling, frame sizes have become a bit more standardized in cm's even though brands have some variations. They generally work out from the middle: 54cm being a medium.

44cm XXS.
48cm XS
51cm Sm
54 Med —-
56cm Large
58cm XL
61cm XXL

Looking again, the sizing for a 5"10 man being between Medium and Large totally tracks and the 5'3 woman on a SM or XS also makes sense

NOW TAKE CANYON size chart attached… 🤦‍♂️

What in the everloving fuck is this shit!?!?

The average 5'10" is being suggested to ride a SMALL or Medium Frame depending on his inseam… A 5.3" woman is recommended an XXS!!!! the same size frame as a 4'6" woman?!?

The Stack of a SMALL Endurace Allroad is 570mm with a 391mm reach.

Looking at a Cannondale TopStone Alloy, a 391 Reach puts you between a medium and Large frame. (385mm-394mm) with the Stack height closest to a Medium (579mm)

A SMALL Canyon Ultimate has the same reach as a 56cm Aethos…

A SMALL Canyon Aeroad has a reach and ETT geometry that is in between a 54cm and 56cm Tarmac SL8 etc…

Why has Canyon decided to buck the norms of conventional SML sizing?

It seems to me that they like to shoehorn sizes between 2XS and 2XL. so using the outlying sizes and the anchors rather than the median, has shifted all their sizing into these absurd category names. (they do make a few 3xs frames but not many)

In my opinion, the simplest solution is to just shift the sizing 1 place. Sm becomes Md, XXL becomes 3XL etc. Otherwise jsut use the approximate TT length like everyone else and make a 51cm, 54cm, 56cm etc and have them lineup with other brands.

I would be really curious to see their sales and return data due to sizing issues.

Thanks for coming to my TED Talk.

*caveat: yes if you use your very accurate height and inseam measurement, it should give you a bike with the right geometry. But I guarantee you will second guess yourself when you see the recommended frame size.