There’s a certain magic to seeing your dream bike take shape – not in a workshop with paint under your nails, but on a screen where every click feels like a brushstroke. Canyon’s new MyCanyon platform captures that magic, giving riders the power to design their own Aeroad CFR, from shimmering finishes to race-level componentry, all without losing the performance edge that’s made the German brand a favourite in the pro peloton.
It’s a move years in the making. Lukas Beck, Canyon’s Senior Graphic Designer, explains that the idea dates back to the founder’s early days in the 1980s. “It started with our founder’s origins in the bike industry,” he says, “then accelerated somewhat in 2015 when we opened our new factory, which was built with customisation in mind. But it took the coming together of our digital approach, our artwork approach, and the back-end functionality of making sure all those component choices were available where and when we need them.” Add to that the need to focus on the bikes and specification options riders actually want, and 2025 was the moment it all clicked.
Beck, who once painted bikes himself in Weimar (or, as he jokingly calls it, “little-Berlin”), says seeing thousands of riders bring their ideas to life is surreal. “It’s probably one of the best jobs out there,” he says. “One of the best experiences was meeting someone on the top of the Col de Galibier with a limited edition we did for the Tour de France a few years ago. To see a product produced at this scale being ridden by so many people is incredible.”
Canyon’s story started in founder Roman Arnold’s garage, but it’s a long way from DIY beginnings now. The German brand has grown into the biggest direct-to-customer bike maker in the world, building everything from road and mountain bikes to triathlon machines, gravel rigs, and e-bikes. What sets Canyon apart isn’t just its impressive scale but its attitude. Bikes are crafted with sharp design, cutting-edge technology, and a sleek silhouette that’s instantly recognisable on the road. Canyon, despite supplying world-class athletes, reminds us that its true mission is to open cycling to everyone, regardless of the discipline, as encapsulated in their mantra, ‘Inspire to Ride.’
Even though Beck isn’t literally building bikes anymore, he’s been central to shaping the MyCanyon experience. He collaborates with product management on colour combinations and ensures that each build offers something unique while staying true to Canyon’s performance DNA. “To be fair, I would not take credit for making the tool,” he laughs. “Our configurator and website were built by our amazing UX/UI team. My role is more about guiding the combinations and making sure every bike can be both dreamlike and ride perfectly.”
Balancing freedom with reliability was a core challenge. “We didn’t opt for endless customisation choices,” Beck explains. “We wanted a boutique array of components and specifications that we knew would be reliable, would work together in terms of handling, and would still offer the dream bike for customers.”
That boutique array includes Shimano Dura-Ace or SRAM Red AXS groupsets, wheel upgrades like the Zipp 454 NSW or DT Swiss ARC 1100, three Selle Italia saddle options, and premium tyres such as the Pirelli P-Zero RS or Continental Aero 111. Riders can also fine-tune their fit with different stem lengths and bar widths. Delivery takes around six to twelve weeks, factoring in painting, assembly, and quality control.
The bike frame itself is treated as a canvas, especially at the premium CFR level where MyCanyon launched. Riders can now personalise their ride with three artwork collections: Fabrio, which uses special pigments and iridescent decals with finishes like Gold Dust, Milky Way and Dark Matter; Mano, offering one-of-a-kind hand-painted schemes under themes like Astro; and Opus, which brings in collaborations with artists such as Felipe Pantone and Elena Salmistraro. Beck notes that these artist editions differ from everyday customisation because “every technique, decal, colour and layout has been chosen with a lot of consideration and feedback. It’s basically making their dream bikes come true.”
Canyon has been careful to make what you see online match what arrives at your door. Using high-resolution renders, the team photographs hand-painted samples that serve as the base for on-screen visualisation. Riders can even preview their bike via augmented reality in the Canyon app before placing an order. “They really can trust what they see,” Beck says. “It’s quite incredible how the initial designs have come to life.”
Of course, there were limits. Certain finishes and paint types simply weren’t possible at scale. “We had to scratch over a hundred options,” Beck admits, “but it’s all part of pushing the boundaries while keeping the bikes functional and reliable.”
So far, early trends are emerging. German riders lean toward darker shades, while the artist designs sit at a premium and move in lower volume. Mathieu van der Poel even rode Salmistraro’s Opus design in some Classic races this spring. Looking ahead, Beck sees huge potential: MyCanyon will expand to other models, more colour schemes, and additional specification options. It’s meant to become a core part of Canyon’s high-end offering, embedded across future bikes.
With MyCanyon, Canyon is giving riders the tools to design, experiment, and express themselves on two wheels, without ever compromising the ride. Each Aeroad CFR feels like a co-creation between rider and brand – a meeting point of personal expression and meticulous engineering that redefines what a premium bike can be.
The customisation options with MyCanyon are currently available only on Aeroad CFR bikes. Pricing starts from 10,499 EUR, with additional upgrade options depending on artwork complexity and component choices. Find out more here.
photography. courtesy of Canyon
words. Gennaro Costanzo
