After a few years of running I decided to go back to cycling. Because of a back issue I’m going for an endurance bike. Now I’m torn between the endurace cf8 di2 and the endurace cf7 AXS.
My questions about the bikes are:
Is there a big difference between the 34 mm Newmen Advanced G.34 carbon wheels on the cf7 AXS and the 42 mm Canyon ED42 carbon wheels on the cf8 di2? Are the canyon wheels worth the upgraded price?
Is there a big difference between the SRAM Rival AXS electronic groupset on the cf7 and the Shimano Ultegra Di2 electronic groupset on the cf8.
The price of the cf7 AXS is 2999€, the price of the cf8 di2 is 3299€. If I would choose the cf8, is the price difference worth it for the wheels and groupset?
by Kennethkv
7 Comments
Honestly not a big difference. The pricing reflects that difference. But the 8 is better value overall in terms of single component pricing. Ultegra is the better group and the canyon wheels are a bit nicer too. I personally would go with the cf8.
Ultegra is the “nicer” groupset on paper but personally I’d prefer any SRAM AXS groupset until a new generation of Di2 launches since they’re fully wireless, have interchangeable parts (you can mix and match Rival, Force, and Red), could switch to a 1by chainring, and have the nicer battery system imo. CF7 and 8 have the same actual frames. The Newmen wheels are hookless which I wouldn’t want to ride. The Canyon ED42 are essentially relabeled DT Swiss wheels. 25mm internal hooked with a DT Swiss hub and spokes.
the swapable battery on the AXS is a nobrainer for me. its so convenient
I’d take CF slx di2 in 💙.
first, mineral oil instead of DOT.
Second: you cannot change *frame mounts *frame size and *frame color. (Without financial loss), everything else can be done easily.
I’ve been debating this for the fast few days as the CF7 105 mechanical is out of stock with a restock date planned in august… I would have loved a CF7 105 Di2 but this is only available in the US. Contacted support and they couldn’t confirm (or deny) if the 105 Di2 would also come to EU.
I would go for the CF 8 just because it’s Shimano (and basically DT Swiss wheels).. I did see some people complain about chain drops on SRAM groupsets which destroyed their frame which got me scared about SRAM (but then again you can almost completely remove the risk with a chain catcher)… SRAM app is better, but Shimano is cheaper to run and who needs a fancy app anyways…. My advice would be go for the CF8 and replace your components when they need replacing with 105 components. Ultegra is just 105 but lighter.. This would make the Shimano even cheaper to run than SRAM. FYI the chain that comes on the CF 8 is a 105 level chain (I was shocked when I found out).. And regarding the battery, yes SRAM is nice you can just remove the battery to charge and swap the batteries easily when you run out of battery during a ride, but on the other hand the Shimano battery needs less frequent charging and you can just charge it with a powerbank so no socket and cables needed (except the cable from the charging port to the powerbank 😄)
Aeroad
Before buying my bike I did a test ride on both SRAM and Shimano versions of the bike and for me the Shimano shifters feel a lot nicer so I went with that but honestly they are pretty much equal in performance.
Shimano has better battery life and marginally better shifting, SRAM has marginally better braking performance. But you can’t go wrong with either one.