Imagine you were tasked with designing the ideal trail bike, a bike that was able to handle everything from long XC laps to the occasional enduro race. What would it look like? What size wheels would it have? How much travel?
Canyon's engineers found themselves facing those very same questions when it came time to revamp the Spectral, and the result is a bike with 27.5” wheels, 140mm of rear travel paired with a 150mm fork up front, and a very clean, modern look that was inspired by the Sender, Canyon's DH rig.
Canyon Spectral Details
• Intended use: trail / all-mountain
• Wheel size: 27.5"
• Rear wheel travel: 140mm
• 66º head angle
• Aluminum and carbon frame options
• Boost hub spacing
• Size: XS (alloy only) - XL
• Price: $2499 - $6999 USD
• www.canyon.com Riders who were familiar with the previous Spectral will immediately notice the new shock position – it's now oriented horizontally, running directly from the seatstays to the downtube. According to Canyon, this change was inspired by the lessons they'd learned during the development of the Sender. The goal of the revision was to improve the feel of the suspension at the beginning of its stroke, while still maintaining the ideal level of anti-squat to create an efficient pedaling bike. The Spectral has a progressive suspension curve that's designed to work well with air shocks, but the amount of ramp up at the end of the stroke isn't overly drastic, which allows rides to add or subtract volume spacers as they see fit.
The rearmost pivots are still located on the chainstay, but they're positioned above, rather than below the rear axle, a layout that's reminiscent of Rocky Mountain's Smoothlink design. Altering the shock position also allowed for a lower top-tube height, and makes it possible to run 150mm dropper posts.
Frame Details Semi-internal cable routing: At first glance it looks like the Spectral's housing is routed inside the frame, but it's actually sandwiched between the downtube and plastic “cable channel.” Found on both the carbon and aluminum frames, the plastic cover can easily be removed for maintenance, and also adds an element of frame protection.
Integrated seat post clamp: Most seatpost clamps only concentrate their clamping force onto a centimeter or so of post, which is why in some cases it's possible to tighten them down enough to affect the performance of a dropper post. Canyon's integrated clamp uses a plastic sleeve that's designed to help spread out that force.
Impact Protection Unit: In order to keep brake levers from smashing into the top tube during a crash the carbon-framed Spectral's are equipped with Canyon's Impact Protection Unit (IPU), which uses a custom headset spacer and a bump stop that's attached to the top tube. That bump stop is attached by hollow screws that are designed to break away, sacrificing themselves in order to save the top tube.
Lunch box: Canyon even came up with a frame case that can be attached inside the front triangle, with enough room for tools, a CO2, and some snacks.
Double bottle holder: Small riders get thirsty too, but it's often difficult to fit a full size bottle on smaller frame sizes. The Eject System is Canyon's solution to that problem, a bottle holder that holds two 400ml bottles side-by-side.
Frame Options / Build Kits There are three different frame options for the Spectral; riders will be able to choose from an all-aluminum frame, a frame with a carbon front triangle and aluminum swingarm, or a full carbon option. It's worth mentioning that Canyon now designates the Spectral as a Category 4 on their rating system, the same designation given to the longer travel Strive. In other words, the frame should be stronger than before, and able to handle even more aggressive riding. Prices range from 2199 EUR all the way up to the 6999 EUR for the full-carbon, XX1 and ENVE wheel equipped model.
All of the bikes are spec'd with wide tires, typically a 2.6" Minion DHF up front and a 2.6" Rekon in the back.
Geometry
Creating a playful, fun bike was the overarching goal behind the Spectral's redesign, and the geometry numbers reflect those intentions. This isn't a super-slack, stretched out limousine, but with a reach of 460mm on a size large, 430mm chainstays and a 66-degree head angle, the numbers are right in line with what you'd expect to see on a modern trail bike.
The geometry is slightly different on the small and extra-small sizes - Canyon equips those with a shorter shock, which results in a lower bottom bracket and lower standover height. The travel amount remains the same, but changing the shock size is said to alter the suspension curve so that it's even more supple in the first part of the travel, a benefit for lighter riders.
Winter is in full swing where I live in the Pacific Northwest, so when the opportunity arose to head over to Madeira, Portugal, to check out the new Spectral I jumped at the chance. A cursory Google search made it looked like a rugged island with plenty of sunshine – not a bad place to spend a few days. After nearly 24-hours of travel I stepped off the plane into spring-like temperatures and clear skies – things were off to a promising start.
However, Mother Nature had other plans, and by the time it was time to ride the weather had taken a turn for the worse – heavy fog had rolled in, accompanied by a steady, soaking rain. What followed were some of the wettest rides I've ever been on, and I'm no stranger to soggy pedaling. At times it was a struggle to see more than a few feet ahead, and the wet rocks and slimy turns made staying upright and in control a challenge. In other words, tricky conditions for riding unknown trails on an unfamiliar bike.
I'm having a good time in this photo, I swear.
Luckily I'm not made of sugar, and neither is the Spectral, and I was able to get in two full days of riding aboard the bike. Much of the riding on Madeira is done with the help of a shuttle vehicle, but there were a few extended sections of climbing that allowed me to get an initial feel for the bike's ascending capabilities. It's a snappy climber, even with the shock in the fully open position, and unless you try to pedal squares instead of circles there's minimal pedaling-induced suspension movement. Most of the climbs were fairly straightforward, free of any really tight, technical sections – sussing out the Spectral's performance in those situations will have to wait for a long term review.
On the descents, I'd say that Canyon have achieved their goal of creating a fun, playful bike – the Spectral lives for cornering, and felt right at home on Madeira's twistier trails. Rather than being a ultra-plush, plow-through-everything type of bike, the Spectral is on the sportier side, ideal for popping from feature to feature, even when shod with 2.6” rubber. It's a quick and precise handling machine, but there's still plenty of stability to take on rougher, higher speed trails, with just enough travel to take the edge off of those sneaky rocks that seem to jump out from nowhere.
As for the not-quite-plus-sized tires, the 2.6” Minion DHF / 2.6” Rekon combo worked well, despite the challenging conditions, although if it were my bike I'd probably swap out the Rekon for something slightly narrower with a more aggressive tread pattern. The same goes for the Fox 34 – I can envision some riders swapping that out for something like a 36 in order to gain a little extra front end stiffness, and to push the bike even further into the all-mountain realm.
Overall, Spectral hits the mark, slotting comfortably into the do-it-all category, a bike that should be able to handle just about everything short of super-technical DH trails. I did find myself wondering what a 29” wheeled version of the Spectral would be like, but we'll just have to wait and see if Canyon decide to go down that route in the future.
Why changing suspension platform? Oh I can have two water bottles you say? Oh they are special 400ml that I cant buy anywhere? Nice. Lunch box? What you wanna be Specialized now? Thats only for true endurists... I have ductape.
Only difference in geo is that the new model is 2 cm longer. Wow such engineering.
With the previous model you really got the bang for the buck - for 2k5€ on EX version you got 11s speeced fully sram/RS equipped machine with weight of 12.8kg!!!! out of the box. Now - 14.7kg for the same money. Talking about upgrades.
Thanks but no thanks... Very disappointed.
I upgraded from previous version of Spectral EX to Jeffsy 27 and I can tell you that Jeffsy feels like a bigger bike with more travel.
Also, when talking about bike weight, consider that 12.8 kg Spectral had lighter wheels and lighter tires while the new model rolls on DT Swiss M1900 with 2.6" tires.
And believe me, if you are going downhill, the added weight won't get in your way.
And by my experience low weight adds a lot to how playful a bike feels.
A slackish 120mm 29" would destroy this bike everywhere.
Go ride something like a Trek Fuel EX with a decent fork and front tire then go ride a 5010. It'll feel like a kids bike.
I fully agree that a 29er will be faster on most trails, especially in the slop but I just can't get along with the detached feeling they tend to have when trying to move it around. Really feels like having to fight the gyroscoping forces. I must add that I rode bmx and 24/26" dirtjump bikes for most of my riding life so I'm probably biased towards more lively feeling bikes.
Carbon Jack felt less fun on that particular trail. That experience was 8 on my fun meter. 3 months later I was riding in a train following closest bike friends and it was fun no10. I could not give much fk what bike I was one. Inwas just watching their bums ahead of me.
It's closer to horizontally than vertically.
And Merry Xmas
Bah Humbug
Shame, would have one if these and a stitched pro too
The only downside is DHL delivering my bike and then dropping it on the front door step with no signature in plain sight for everyone............
Wow serious?
And a 170mm HT means the front end is crazy high, especially with a 150mm fork and 2.6 tyres. There's no reason for it to be more than 140. Just spec a bar with 30-40mm rise, leave 2-3" of steerer uncut, and then we have options.
I guess we're all different...
@franziskaner yep L spectral has 145mm, 20mm riser bar and 0 spacers good for bikepark and I'm 190cm. I agree that 170 just seems to take options out
500mm max
Which thru-axle doesn't?!
d2hl4mfiesch9e.cloudfront.net/dirtde/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/20140825_1280.jpg
Hidden cable routing with plastic cover on the downtube
This bike is the hardcore version of my stock Giant Toughroad SLR 2016 (ok, the Giant seatpost is D-shaped, but the clamping is the same)
Even the paintwork on the toptube is very similar.
www.giant-bicycles.com/us/toughroad-slr-2-2016
Nope. $4600 from Santa Cruz gets you a full carbon frame with a lifetime warranty. Not a half carbon, half aluminum bike. This Canyon is for someone who wants something different simply for the sake of being different.
mate, $7k will get you full carbon, Enve rims on Chris King hubs, full XX1 eagle, and top of the line everything in general. The bike's geo and intended use is 100% comparable to a Bronson, but a similar build Bronson is $9.5K
I was referring to canyon's "we make race winning bikes" marketing strategy, opposed to santa Cruz image (cf 50/01 etc). Obviously, both will be as fun to ride, minor personal preferences aside...
The bang for buck battle will be won by Canyon all the times.
For the sake of being different? You make it sound like wearing a blue wig, when is clearly not.
The upper next 5010 for 4900€ has 34 Performance and GX Eagle. Spectral CF 9.0 SL: 5k€, 34 Factory, X01 Eagle, DT Swiss Carbon Wheels.
I know I didnt compare every single component, LBS support well does not exist on Canyons side, and "maybe" Santa Cruz carbon is better than Canyon carbon, maybe the geo or the suspension design is better, etc etc thousand other variables which may still make the more expensive bike the better option. But atleast without considering dealership margins the pricing is not even close to be on the same level.
They went the factory-direct route a couple weeks ago and slashed their prices
I don't buy their published weights as I personally put a CF8 on the scale at it was right at 13.7kg which is where Outdoorgearlab supposedly measured the Al 6 for their review. Tubes vs tubeless can't account for that much difference. Both medium bikes.
Went from one of the best looking to one of the worst.
mrblackmorescorner.blogspot.com.es/2017/12/canyon-spectral-2018.html
Also, this bike is a cross between both worlds of XC and All mountain so I think they did an excellent job on paper.
Just wondering @mikekazimer , who was first?
Other then that.. beauty of a bike.
It reminds me of the scene in Fight Club when he's going on about how meaningless life is. "go to your job that you hate to get money to buy shit that you don't need"
Please follow the BSNYC route and write a book about MTB the stereotypical riders, or only a collecting of your posts, I`ll be your first buyer/reader.
Bike-Snob-Systematically-Mercilessly-Realigning-the-world-of-cycling
@wildedge586: That's a book I'd only read on performance enhancing drugs, with you alongside me to explain the finer points. Seriously though. I love a bit of Waki when diluted by all you other nutters. But 300 pages non stop? Steady on.
That aside, if you like Canyon and this bike, then buy it. Otherwise don't. Playful means playful, it's not that complicated. Let's not get too obtuse.
1, positive: aggressive, progressive, stable, confidence inspiring, modern, inspiring, fun...
1, negative: lazy, boring, uninspiring...
2, positive: playful, agile, quick handling, fun...
2, negative: twitchy, nervous, unstable...
I hope this helps you interpret PB articles. Funny enough, I actually do have a perception of what Mike means by "playful". Some bikes like the Pole and Geometron may be designed so that as a rider you can shift your weight all you want and still easily remain within the usable envelope of the bike (judging by how the designers describe these, I haven't ridden them). Whereas some other bikes as so that you can easily upset them. That may be a bad thing if you don't want that (because your terrain is very demanding, skills are limited or you're just racing and don't want to waste time and effort keeping your bike in check when all it wants is chase the rabbits down their rabbitholes. But if you just want to go outside in good old fashioned faith that "fun and adventure will come your way" just like you did as a kid, a "playful" bike gets you in proper trouble at a safer pace.
Personally yes, I do think this bike looks fun. Because of the low top tube, that always helps.
Also how dare you say that Pole or Geometron are not playful? How dare you say that long bike lets you be sloppy with your rear/forward balance while riding it? The quick route from here is that lots of travel is an excuse for being a poor at lifting the bike off the ground. And you can't keep shaming us just like that.
What I am trying to say is... after all... the ugly, the bad, the playful - you do that. Bike is just a bike once it ticks most of the boxes most bikes tick since 2012 or 2015 at worst. And yeah. I like the black Canyon with gold parts.
Also, if I were a bike company, I would make sure I send Waki a big brown envelope before releasing the bikes on Pinkbike. Waki, exploit your popularity! YOLO!
I personally find the backlash over bike specific water bottles sort of amusing, my bike fits a full size waterbottle so I also don't have the problem, but having to spend $30ish on a water bottle isn't going to make or break a $7k bike for me personally.
Are you f***ing kidding me?
All reviews will be subjective - my favorite bike may not be your favorite bike for a variety of reasons - but we strive to explain as clearly as possible where a bike works well, what its shortcomings are, and what type of riders it's best suited for.