Canyon Ultimate steerer fork damaged, watch the video and check yours! 

German engineering...

Nicely explained, good job in checking this out!

Super useful info Federico, Thanks

Thank you for your great sharing. It's good to know and I learned something new today. 👍👍

Great presentation, really like your style

Excellent explanation and clear demonstration on how easy Carbon components can go wrong. Love your sense of humor in your videos 🙂

This was a great video and demonstrated the exact issue I am now dealing with on my Endurace CF SLX with the integrated head set. Thanks for the great info and the humor sharing the details.

Very informative. Thank You

Very well detailed and nice to see Canyon have responded to yourself and addressed the issue. I do think it would be better if they fitted an expansion bung as standard though. It sounds like an 1" 1/4 bung will be difficult to source.

So many Thank You, Sir. Most informative, - that should have been delivered by Canyon

My late 2021 Ultimate have the wedge from the factory. But thanks for making this video so I could check my bike before something would go wrong. Remember to add some clear nail polish to the carbon ends after you cut it. This will avoid water or sweat entering and doing damage over time.

Very well presented. Yes check your equipment! Cutting your own steerer is a good idea. Just take your time and wear a mask. Thanks

Canyon need to sort that out, good on them getting you sorted with a new fork, and as long as you are okay and spotted the problem early, thats the most important thing.

great video ty!!

Well explained Fede , I have to admit I’ve been a bit sceptical about canyon bikes & their issues. Especially the bar issues etc. But I guess on a good note their customer service has been top marks . Good luck with the cutting of the fork !!!

Federico. cracking video very well explained what happens in that area. had issue with new Ribble bike delivered last summer. play in headset couldn't tighten up. I ended up over tightening the bolt at top of steerer and sheared it Total panic. luckily managed to sort it. just didn't realise importance of all that stuff. my new bike has fully integrated bar stem and mentions about steerer BUNG so will be taking extra care this time. with help of your video. 👍👍👍 many thanks

Thank you very much for this useful information 👏👏👏

Excellent video for me. I’m about to add a VeloBike 18mm extension / 50mm compression plug to my new ultimate. Thanks for taking the time to create and share your experience.

I'm glad you had a good experience with Canyon and I'm really glad you did not have an incident due to a possible failure. You were lucky in a way because you bought a second bike and decided to do the maintenance on the former model after the fact. One of my friends has 3 or 4 bikes from Canyon. One of those bikes is a full-suspension MTB and he was having the bottom bracket creak after a few tours. After speaking to Canyon, they said it's normal and not something they can fix, since nothing is broken. I didn't think that was very cool of Canyon and it's one of the reason I steer away from Canyon these days. They seem to have good products, but they couldn't be bothered to assist a customer who has purchased multiple bikes through them. Ride on...

Very informative and well explained video for canyon users. You are lucky for noticing it before anything bad happens and you have a youtube channel as canyon do not provide free forks or even simple spacers for everyone who has the same problem. One of my friends with the same one piece h31 handlebar had to pay for the new fork. I have an ultimate with the h36 with a different bolting pattern so I did not have the same problem however as an engineer I always used a spacer above the stem for the reasons you explanied. An other problem which I had was failure of the fixing spacer at the bottom with a bolt on it. This is a very fragile plastic part which eventually fails by cracking even if you torque it less than 2 nm as stated. I had to pay for the whole spacer set as canyon was not helpful again.

Brilliant, thank you. I hope your fork did not run far 😀👍

I also have the same problem with my aeroad fork. And tq for this video as I was just don't know what to do . Thanks again . Will contact canyon soon.

Good explanation and excellent use of toilet roll thingy!

Thank you for the Video 😃

Very helpfull thank you

Watch all . This is not criticising Canyon. Good advice Federico. Thanks

Having watched your video I contacted canyon who is supplying me with the reinforcement plug free of charge. Thank you 😊

100% Thankyou

I can confirm that 2022 Ultimate comes with the "reinforcement element" already in place...I was aware of the issue in the past so I double checked before ordering and I would say that tech support was quite honest in saying that the problem was indeed real without this element in place..anyway, thanks for the video! better spreading this type of information than keeping it inside forums

Federico, once again you are reading my mind! I was literally just researching the H31 ergocockpit and very much planning to upgrade to it. However, with that clamping mechanism, I may well reconsider. I do love those swept-back tops though!

Good that you found this out before it failed on a ride. Canyon have some odd design theories - never understood their steerer/stem arrangements including that weird allen keyed adjuster (do they still sell that?). I ride Giant and my TCR has an oversize steerer too, with a stem plug - nuff said! Cutting a steerer is very easy with a clamp/guide and a suitable hacksaw blade (total outlay < 20quid). Just measure 15 times before cutting!

These engineering "after thoughts" are so unbelievable. It's mind boggling that they believe a hollow steerer can with stand compression forces. Jeez. Be safe out there doc 🚲

thanks for this! I have a h31 so will be checking it.

Like I already commented on your photo yesterday, the same thing happened on my Canyon Endurace but with the standard stem. The problem was (according to the bike mechanic that was subcontracted by Canyon to look at the issue), that there was no spacer on top. I really don't think that this comes from overtightening. I'm glad that you bring more attention to this problem, I only noticed it during maintenance and this can become really dangerous.

Fede. Excellent video. Every Canyon rider needs to understand these issues. Well presented. My only issue is that with every bike part black they were getting lost amongst your black jersey background. Perhaps a lighter grey or a more colourful jersey for future appropriate videos. The man in black needs to be in colour sometime !!

Aloha from Maui, I have the 2021 Endurace with standard stem like your original setup exactly. It came with a 5mm spacer on top but I put a 10 and that 5 to make 15mm on top right off the bat. The so called plug is right around the top bolt on the stem I feel safe about it I was going to put a real plug but just held off. If I ever cut it I will always have a 5mm spacer on top, I am strongly against no spacer on top because the stem is only 97% on the steer tube with the couple mm you need to clamp it down together. Your new bar set up may have to run no spacer on top but if you could I would but that new insert they gave you might fix everything I'd get one but my stem would be below it and most likely I won't cut it for resale. So far no problems with my steer tube after 3500 miles and I'm your size only my seat post creaks and sounds like the BB but if I clean the post and inside every couple rides its fine the bike feels brand new still. 🤙

Thanks for your detailed and clear video👨‍🎓! Canyon was generous to give you a new fork; they could blame the damage of the steerer to the mechanic who installed the integrated cockpit...

Others have recommended acquiring a higher quality torque wrench...I agree.

I run the PRO headset expansion nut 1-1/4'' 50mm in my canyon ultimate with the H31 cockpit for peace of mind. It is disappointing that Canyon don't supply their bikes installed with an expansion plug to reinforce the fork steerer against the clamping forces (as it is done by most manufacturers). It may works in their computer analysis, but if you consider the manufacturing tolerances and user error (overtightening the fork steerer) this should have been included for additional safety. After all it is in their best interest to avoid disputes with customers, etc.

Good locking out, I run H31 on my ultimate and don't have the plug.

They claim on their website that it is a 'compression plug', with those exact words. But its so measly that I almost don't know why they bothered. Is this to save weight or something. I almost bought a canyon and at the time it just didn't look right to me. I was going to purchase the 50mm deep plug from pro. Not many brands make a plug for the 1 1/4 oversized steerer. Look at the replacement compression plug that specialized now ships on the tarmac after the voluntary recall. It's massive, something like 70mm deep (as it should be).

Thanks for that important information. I can confirm that the issue is also on the round stem. My cracked likes yours. I tighten the bolts with torque wrench only, canyon is blaming my fault. It´s the same words as your answer.. **** Canyon, that´s bullshit. First and last bike of this brand.

I had this same issue with a Grizl and a standard clamping stem. No offer from Canyon to replace the fork. I had to buy it. I'd like to fit the reinforcement sleeve with the new fork, but I doubt the top cap will fit. BTW, I believe (but could be wrong) that the protruding part of the top cap is supposed to be inserted down into the steerer slightly giving it some reinforcement. This means that you have to make sure not to allow too much height difference between the top of the steerer and the top of the stem. Seems to me that they have to be nearly flush. This would be extremely easy for Canyon to fix simply by making the protruding part of the top cap longer by several millimeters.

I sat through the whole thing, very entertaining 16.21 minutes to explain a fractured steerer

Great video, i would recommend you to use a proper torque wrench instead of the plastic thing, especially on carbon. I don't trust plastic since it can wear out easily...

Great explanation. I just took off my CP10 stem to see why it was feeling a little “crunchy.” Same failure and I’m religious about using a torque wrench, especially on carbon parts, especially on my stem! We’ll see what Canyon says. My bike is a 2018 or 2019 so it’s got a lot of KMs. (Not KOMs 😅). I don’t really blame Canyon particularly. Every manufacturer has similar issues occasionally.

oh! MAN! i have the same problem. I didn't know about Canyon EP1297-01 Wedge Extention, just used a piece of metall pipe

Canyon insists in proprietary parts with designs significantly different from the rest of the industry and that comes with its own risks. Going with standard designs means using something that has been widely evaluated and tested. on the other hand, coming with a completely new design may mean that there are cases that haven't been tested as exhaustively as they should, due either to oversight or because they simply didn't existed at the time (as was the case here). Canyon is learning this the hard way with their shifter clamp on their latest Aeroad handlebar fiasco, the issues with the Aeroad seatpost design or the case shown here.

Hi. When you make a mark on the steerer tube against the top of the stem, how many mm below that line do you cut? I see that some canyon models don’t have expander plugs but rather just wedges so you don’t need to accommodate that few mm of the expander plug.

CF SL8, I went the other way around, swapped CP10 with V13 + round handlebar combo because I needed to shorten the stem and fit aero bars (cant fit anything on cp10). It was a nightmare to reverse engineer Canyon solution, why is this here, what is that for etc lol. Although Canyon didnt say anything about the metal sleeve reinforcement (EP 1297-01) for v13 I decided to put it anyway and watching your video, it's good that I did 😁 Thx 👍

Thx. I had the same Problem wirh my grail cf and find also see this as the root cause. I also get a new fork but without the part you show. I ask them now why they just send the fork and not the preventio. When i don‘t get the part from canyon (5€?) i will glue a stainless steel pipe in there

Very interesting Federico. Nice to see the new table being put to good use. Is that an industrial safety blanket?

Hi! I have an Endurace CF 7 with a V13 stem. I want to install the Wedge extension like you. What top cap did you use? I don't think the original from Canyon fits

👍Wouldn’t ride without a good expander plug.

And the second fail of canyon !!! I received my new canyon aeroad the slx DI2 version in January 2021 and I have already sold it! less than 250 km driven !!! First had contact about the wear on the seatpost. then the broken bicycle handlebars! And when I took it to the canyon service center they discovered two cracks in the carbon of the rear uprights . got a new frame but confidence was gone hence the sale.

Fede, very interesting. Thanks for sharing. So glad it didn't fail on you mid-ride. Did you find the runaway fork?

Nice durianrider reference!

How did you remove the steerer tube "expander"? I understand that once inserted it would be wedged if pulled up. How can you relax the wedge to be able to pull it out?

I had the same steerer failure. The internal of the steerer didn't show crack but where the external meets the clamping wedge had a dent. Canyon Ultimate CF SL 8.0 rim brake 2019 model with CP10 handlebar. The compression plug is in the middle of the steerer, not in the clamping area. That's a strange/stupid design. I emailed Canyon when I found out about the problem last year in September and had some debate about whether it was a user error with the wrong torque or a design defect, they finally agreed to send me a new fork but there was no stock at the time. Last week they finally shipped the fork. In the meantime, What I did is cut the damaged part of the steerer and put a regular Giant OD2 stem tilting upward to compensate for the loss of height.

! Watch out as regards inhalation of the carbon steerer dust !

Federico: Do not cut the new steerer tube in one go. Stop before cutting completely through, rotate it 180° and cut the rest. Reason: It may splinter otherwise. I had that recently, and it is a pain. And: Measure twice before cutting ;-)

Grazie tanti Federico! This is so timely. I just bought a brand new Endurace AL 7 as my winter bike and it indeed comes with a carbon fork/steerer. I was trying to find in the Canyon website this reinforcement plug (EP1297-01) for the 1 1/4" Canyon steerer you mentioned in the video without success. Could you provide a link to it?

Great video again dude! I guess this is why the H31 cockpit is half price on the Canyon shop now! Where did you get the reinforcement part for the steerer tube from, I can't see it on their website?

I am worried that my steerer is damaged and don’t really know what to do, because I feel insecure riding my bike now. I hope maybe you can help me to determine what I should do. I was at a bikefit and apparently my stem has to be set way lower than it is by default. So I took out some spacers and because of the pin-system, they couldn’t be placed above the stem, so I left the part of the steerer above the stem blank. I rode some time (quite hard) for a few weeks until I felt like this was a good position and looked up the manual because I wanted to gather information regarding the whole build up, for finally shortening the fork steerer. I discovered, that the manufacturer explicitly states to NOT leave space above the stem (even with spacers) because it damages the steerer tube. (Most likely because the compression device isn’t long enough to work against the stem pressure there.) Also I red a lot of things on the net from bike manufacturers explaining how sensitive those carbon steerers are to pressure. And now I am feeling unsafe riding my bike, even though there are no visible errors, but I also read carbon doesn’t tend to show signs of damage. I would change the fork ASAP, but apparently, there are no forks with 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 anymore, at least not in my region or online. Shouldn’t I be so worried? I mean are all those saying from bike companies and mechanics made up? please help :( I wanna ride again but I am very confused.

good mtb parts rigid fork is best in road

I had a similar failure with my Canyon Grail CF fork.

Yeah damn sadly this happened to me recently… I wonder if I can put in that reinforcement ring and continue riding or do I need to get a brand new fork now if cracks already exist?

Great video ... and nice hint - not going VEGAN yet- ;-))) I really had to laugh loudly. But i have to say. I swapped on my new Dogma F the steer plug over the standard one which came from Leon Bikes or better pinarello factory stock to an oversize Dedaelementi Plug! Just for safety reason cause i am more on the heavier side than a durianrider lean shape !

thank you very much ! I have same problem with aerokokpit, please where I buy the plug EP 1297-01 ? thank you :)

I check the steerer tube 3x per season... and have been using longer compression sleeve, and never put spacers above the stem - never.

My Canyon Endurace AL 7 comes with 1 1/8" steerer fork, not the 1 1/4". Still the space between the top cap and the wedge is huge ( at least 5cm). Canyon doesn't sell a solution like the one you showed at the end of the video for 1 1/8" forks. Should I use a traditional expander plug?

Ciao Federico, ottimo video analisi. Ho avuto un problema simile con una canyon ultimate venduta con manubrio integrato CP10. Il meccanico dopo aver tagliato la parte in eccesso della forcella non ha inserito il “wedge insert” di rinforzo e la pressione ha danneggiato, come nel tuo case study, il tubo forcella. Per curiosità nel tuo caso canyon ti ha fornito una forcella nuova in garanzia? Grazie mille e complimenti ancora per l’analisi dettagliata.

“ring of death and I haven’t yet become a vegan” LOL … cheers to the reference 🥃👍🏻

I dont understand why they dont fit compression plug. If they decide to make steerer bigger, they shouldve manufactured a matching compression plug. It’s been used for many many years and it’s been proven to work. I dont get why canyon decided to forgo the compression plug.

Had exactly the same problem. At the beginning they blamed me for overtightening the stem and offered me a replacement fork for 160€ Finally they changed the fork for free. The problem is I am very nervous that this will happen again. It seems like a weird design... I appreciate their customer support but I don't know if I i would buy again.

I am height 175cm and inner leg length about 80cm. Which size should I choose?M?S? I used M size in my giant tcr.

I'm surprised Canyon were so helpful considering their warranty department manager was popular a while back for rejecting a warranty request on a BB shell that was out of their stated tolerance range, maybe things or the manager have changed since... Good that they fixed it for you. At least you're not out of pocket for something they know they have done wrong, the fact they didn't ask you to pay is an admission of that IMO, but they still like to play the old trick of blaming the users overtightening bolts ofcourse, have to save face I guess.

Hi Federico! Thank you for the very interesting video! Do you have any idea of the internal diameter of the wedge extension part? I am considering to fix it on my Grizl steerer tube, but then the normal cap would probably not fit anymore.

Hi I just got my h31 few weeks ago and did not received this small part , is it available anywhere on canyon website ? I found only one for 1 1/8 tubes Btw great videos and content 👍🏻

Did canyon replace the fork free of charge or did you have to pay? They’re offering to replace mine as a crash replacement for a discount over the normal price. But this doesn’t seem quite right.

I now have two steerer fork failures on my endurace with the H31 cockpit, stem bolts tightened always using a torque wrench and to 5nm - imo they have a design issue here

Salve, è quindi indispensabile montare quell’accessorio sulla forcella? Ho ordinato un cockpit H31 non sapendo di questo problema, ora ho chiesto delucidazioni a Canyon!

Always going to blame the customer for over tightening which I suspect rarely happens as cutomers with carbon frames would be well aware to follow torque settings for obvious reasons, I'd say they should have replaced the folks. If they had provided the reinfocement ring in the first place the cracks would likely not have occurred and yes I am an Industrial Production Engineer :) My additional comment to Canyon would be to stop using customers to do there development work this is a critical part of the bike and this issue should have been found long before this point, very disappointing....

Gosh, with carbon, torque is everything! Can't see any good reason not to just go with finger tight on that cap expander nut. It takes up no load whatsoever. Back in shop days, customers frequently overtightened these expander nuts. They'd distort the wimpier aluminum steering tubes! No no with carbon fiber! One has to have the utmost respect for materials, including in these cases, the technical judgements of the passionate designers. Weight weenies unite! Those Specialized SL7 recalls for potential steering tube failures, and the washer the guys sent you, were merely minor mid-course corrections! Fly on! Gravel bikes may be a return to sanity. Weights are now back in the low twenty pounds, about like when steel was king up to the '90s. Skinny tubing, threaded bottom brackets, back to 12 speeds, now all lined up in back? Maybe trick steel alloys are next! Time for the the latest thing, Reynolds 531 MANGANESE molybdenum tubing, yessir.

looks like design oversight with the fancy bar clamping. Makes no sense they don't include the insert, when it costs pennies and doesn't add much weight.

IMPORTANTISSIMO. if you cut carbon, you must wear a MASK . Carbon dust is carcinogenic. do it outside....so your fork got scared at the end of the video........ it will need a circumcission.......i also uploaded 35 sec. video, Montreal winter road bike scenic with melting snow....if have few seconds....salute ..

Where is #hambini when you need him? 😉😁😁

That actually happened to my Canyon Ultimate CF SL 8 bike. Now Canyon offered me to change fork for 400 euro 💀

the cover image for this video looks like you're loading a shotgun ))

Plesea give me link

Unbelievable

You been watching durianrider?

van der poel