The test bike for this process would be the Canyon Ultimate CF SLX DISC 9.0. A Shimano mechanically equipped road bike with hydraulic Dura Ace disc brakes designed as an all-round race bike. Disc brakes can be troublesome after a prolonged journey so I was interested to see how the Ultimate would run fresh out of the box.

Cracking the lid open revealed a snuggly fitted race bike that came out of the box as one piece. All connected by Velcro strapping and foam protective pieces.

The absence of sticky tape and zip ties that other bikes have arrived wrapped in was a welcome relief. Alongside the one-piece parts package was a box full of everything I’d need to put the bike together.

The front thru-axle, out front computer mount and assembly paste were joined by two Canyon Torque wrenches. One with a 5Nm range and a long handle and the other with a wider range of heads. The Bike Manual was up there with the thickest I have seen but contrary to most it held useful information about the final steps to getting the bike up and running.