EWS Bike Check: Joe Barnes' Canyon Spectral

May 21, 2015
by Mike Kazimer  
EWS bike checks

Hailing from Fort William, Scotland, Joe Barnes has been steadily working his way up through the ranks on the Enduro World Series circuit, consistently placing in the top ten last season, including two third place finishes. That top step has proven to be elusive, but with round two taking place in Ireland on terrain that Barnes is very familiar with, he's sure to be one to watch come race day.

Due to the tight and twisty nature of the course, Barnes has chosen to ride the Canyon's 140mm Spectral CF rather than the 160mm Strive. The Spectral's shorter wheelbase and steeper head angle should help with the required bobbing and weaving through the trees, and for popping up and over the roots and stumps that fill the clearcut sections of the track.


EWS bike checks
The line for the XX hydraulic lockout extends from the top of the shock to the handlebar mounted lever.
EWS bike checks
There's only one bottomless token inside Joe Barnes' Pike, but a high air pressure makes the fork feel very stiff throughout its travel.

Suspension

Up front, the RockShox Pike has been set up with one bottomless token in place, but with more air pressure than an average rider would typically run. This gives the fork a very stiff, but still fairly linear feel, which Barnes prefers over a setup that's plush initially and then ramps up at the end. Rear suspension is handled by a RockShox Monarch DebonAir that has been outfitted with a hydraulically actuated lockout, allowing the bike to go from plush to firm with the push of the handlebar mounted lever. There's a piece of grip tape on both the lockout lever and the dropper post lever for extra traction just in case the weather turns foul – when winning times are separated by only a second or two, absolute precision is a must, even when it comes to little things like locking out a shock or raising a seatpost.


EWS bike checks
The Spectral CF is rolling on Mavic's Crossmax XL wheelset.
EWS bike checks
This is a prototype DH saddle that Ergon is working on, with a slightly shorter overall length to make it easier to get off the back during steep descents.


EWS bike checks
A 34 tooth X-Sync chainring is matched with an e*thirteen upper guide for an extra bit of security to ensure that the chain stays in place.
EWS bike checks
An XX1 rear derailleur keeps the chain moving across the 10-42 cassette, and Velcro has been strategically stuck on the chainstays to keep the bike as quiet as possible.


EWS bike checks
The XX remote lockout sits in between the SRAM Guide Ultimate brake lever and the grip on the right side of the bar.
EWS bike checks
A chewed on ear of corn appears to be the inspiration for Joe Barnes' grip pattern.

Cockpit Setup

Ergon's grips are well known for their unique shape, but it looks like Joe (or an angry beaver), has taken matters into his own hands, trimming down the overall length and shaving the surface to create a fully custom design. The grips are fixed to a 740mm Renthal Fatbar Light carbon bar that's mounted to a 50mm Renthal stem.

740mm is fairly narrow, but at 5'8” Barnes isn't the tallest rider out there, and the track has plenty of tight sections where being able to wiggle around the tree trunks could be an advantage. There are no spacers under the stem, and the upper portion of the headset has been shaved down by two millimeters to get the front end even lower. Two millimeters isn't much, but for a rider whose job it is to go as fast as possible, being completely comfortable and confident with their bike's setup is extremely important. Will all of the little personalized touches pay off for Joe Barnes this weekend? Stay tuned to find out.

EWS bike checks
The upper portion of the headset has been shaved to get the stem as low as possible, and a titanium bolt secures the top cap.


Author Info:
mikekazimer avatar

Member since Feb 1, 2009
1,716 articles

95 Comments
  • 51 2
 What a true legend that guy if...thrives of steep, technical tracks. Ireland will do him well.
  • 12 6
 ... Yep. Even if came last he'd still win.
  • 20 0
 Dudes Of Hazzard films are easily my favourite mtb films...and his crazy cornering! Looks like he bends the bike around them.
  • 48 5
 Why shave the headset and then run a riser bar?
  • 66 9
 Because he has a to be a super moto EndurBro. And flat bars aren't EndurBro.
  • 42 4
 Renthal don't make a flat bar.
  • 25 0
 Because moto. Rental doesn't make a flat bar. They do make a 10 mm rise though and it looks like he's running the 20 mm. So yeah I dunno
  • 4 1
 My guess would be that is because the lowest bar Renthal makes in that model is still a 10mm riser bar.
  • 36 2
 I don't know why he wouldn't just flip the stem since it has a 6 degree rise
  • 6 4
 riser bar is probably a few grams lighter than a longer steerer, as most of the material in a riser is going to be there whether the bar has rise to it or not. A shorter steerer is stronger, too(though the amount is probably negligible.)
  • 21 0
 Cause it looks better like that.
  • 21 6
 And also 6 degrees would be 10.5 mm vert at 50 mil out , fuck im smart
  • 2 0
 I think the objective would be to get the weight/stem lower
  • 5 5
 Stack height shortens the reach, riser bars don't really.
  • 1 0
 Or a better question why didn't he just flip the stem over?
  • 9 0
 because potato.
  • 27 1
 Ergons + starved packs of rats = rideable grips? Good to see that even Ergon's team riders can't stand those horrible things!
  • 14 1
 Seriously, Just raped with a razor blade.
  • 2 0
 The "enduro" grips suck, but I actually find myself liking the GA-1s that I've been trying out on the trailbike. No weird edge under my fingers(the main difference between the GAs & the GEs,) get's fatter towards the outside like the Gwinn grips, rubber reminds me of some of the better ODIs I've used, & the extra rubber at the palm is pretty comfortable. no weird paddle to get in the way of charging, either. He's obviously got some special desires with grips, I've never seen anyone shorten them before, except BMX guys riding longnecks.
  • 3 0
 I quite like Ergon grips, primarily the GE1 Slim and new GA2. Both are relatively slim compared to previous Ergon grips and have only a single, inboard clamp - which is nice.
  • 20 0
 When will a new dudes of hazzard be out?
  • 16 1
 Hopefully Canyon will ship to North America soon in the future
  • 1 0
 ^^^Indeed! Looking 4 an update on this!
  • 1 0
 my money is ready. hope they do it.
  • 11 1
 Why not a flat handlebar instead of shave the headset topcap?
  • 3 0
 One of those riders that makes riding look so much fun, even if they don't put up the fastest time people will always look up to them and they will have good careers. Barnes put up a real good result in Scotland last year so it would not come as surprise if he is on the podium in Ireland.
  • 5 0
 That bike is as nasty (good way) as his mustache!
  • 5 0
 sick guy
  • 5 0
 I cannot wait for sunday
  • 3 0
 I'll put my money we'll spot him on different set of tires on race day, can I have a set of MM and a black marker pen pls?
  • 6 2
 Top cap, or upper HS cup? Top cap is above the stem... you know, on top.
  • 3 1
 What size frame does Joe ride? The top tube looks really long despite him being only 5' 8"
  • 1 0
 Looks more like a large frame doesn't it? Also the head angle looks really slack with what looks like a 160mm fork.
  • 1 1
 I'd guess 150...canyons are soo purdy!
  • 3 1
 160 you can tell by the sag gradients.
  • 1 2
 It's not a large, look at the headtubr length, think it's a medium
  • 5 0
 I wonder how big his unit is
  • 1 0
 Its a 160mm Pike so the headangle should be around 65,8° wich is 0,2° slacker then the Strive's.
  • 1 0
 Might be a custom frame (that is a medium but with the race fit (25mm longer tt than standard), don't think you can get it on the Spectral, only the strive)
  • 2 1
 Pretty certain it's a medium, as last year he rode a medium spectral too!
  • 3 0
 What pedals are on his Spectral?
  • 6 0
 He's running Shimano XTR trail pedals.
  • 7 0
 He's cycling, not running. Badumm tsss!
  • 14 0
 I'll just delete my own account now...
  • 2 0
 narrow wide rings seem to be working out for just about everyone. do people do this mostly for weight savings?
  • 6 9
 @anchoricex You gain weight, you gain space on your bars (now that you have the remote for dropper seatpost and sometines the suspension control) and also it's on less mechanical problem to deal with !
  • 3 0
 Simplicity (depending on your terrain) - a lot of people can get away with just using the middle front ring and the entire back cassette. Adjust your front ring to terrain. If you have the 10-42 or whatever cassette, you're pretty much set for most situations right there. Added bonus - you hear your tires and dirt a LOT more, instead of your chain banging around.
  • 2 0
 Chain retention without the noise of a guide.
  • 3 0
 foregoes the extra weight of a guard. I noticed that on my Covert with RF NW I still need a guide here on super chunky trails in CO, but I'm probably not the smoothest rider out there....
  • 2 0
 Same here. Been dropping occasionally in some of the fast chunky terrain. MRP 1x arrived today! Time 2 throw it on and ride. RF NW has been good most of the time but I can't stand it when I do drop, even though it's only once a month or so. One time too many.
  • 2 0
 those grips look really grippy, i want some!
  • 3 1
 Is it just me that misses the yellow crossmax wheels?
  • 10 1
 yep
  • 2 0
 Shaving headset immediately..... NOT.....
  • 2 0
 "The only thing that can kill Barnes is Barnes."
  • 1 0
 PLATOON^^^^^ 8-)
  • 1 0
 I have to admit that is one sweet looking ride! Does Canyon have plans to sell in the US?
  • 2 1
 Any data of the sag used front and rear? just to know...
  • 3 3
 5%/11%
  • 2 0
 I remember in an older interview Joe sets up his spring rate up equivalent to someone who weighs 40lbs more than him.
  • 1 0
 5%? wow
  • 1 0
 I'm assuming 140mm fork - correct?
  • 2 1
 No atleast 150 pprobably 160
  • 2 1
 I was hoping you'd say that - it looks more like 150
  • 4 0
 He ran a 170mm fork on a spectral last year so I reckon it's a 160.
  • 1 2
 Due to the tight and twisty nature of the course, Barnes has chosen to ride the Canyon's 140mm Spectral CF rather than the 160mm Strive.
  • 1 0
 Il be there watching practice in the morning! Yahooo
  • 1 0
 rock on Barnes so cant wait for this weekend
  • 2 2
 isnt it a bit dodgy shaving metal off a headset, cane creek made it that way for a reason
  • 1 0
 Prayers for Canyon to start shipping to North America
  • 1 0
 Not much space between that tire and the fork crown!
  • 1 0
 really??? that spectral + enduro team paint? can i buy those on the web?
  • 1 0
 Quest rear tire? Doesn't look like the Roam XL.
  • 1 0
 Charge front and rear ?
  • 1 0
 New sidewall logo front and back... Maybe it's just a new Mavic tire out back?
  • 1 0
 Yup, Quest XL in back. Just loaded the page on a PC and was able to see the details on the sidewall. Front is definitely a Charge.
  • 2 1
 what are those two circles that looks like bottons behind the headset?
  • 1 0
 The Spectral CF comes with a bump stop attached to the top tube ( those 2 circles) & steerer. Strange idea if you ask me...
  • 2 0
 No shapeshifter?
  • 1 1
 Holy flat brakes. My wrists hurt just looking at that.
  • 2 0
 ride steeper trails then!
  • 1 0
 Nice bottle cage Joe !
  • 2 5
 Handlebar is not carbon,that's the Fatbar Lite aluminium. ...I wouldn't trust the Fatbar carbon either,3 guys I know snapped theirs.
  • 2 0
 Hah! Got eeem!
  • 2 4
 Thanks Mike! Maybe that paint-over-carbon gives it more strenght...? Smile
  • 3 0
 No problem @nozes - I hadn't seen the painted version either.
  • 1 1
 Am I the only one that noticed how long his stem is?
  • 1 0
 It's 50mm I think.
  • 4 0
 Yea that's 15mm too long according to some "scientists"
  • 3 5
 Is that a Trek Session?
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