I told myself I'd never buy another Canyon, but this bike looks sweet. My main takeaway from this vid is that the riding in Australia looks excellent and I'll add it to my already long list of reasons I want to go.
@@wayne5741 weird sized and proprietary parts. My gravel bike is a canyon and needs a weird bearing size for the headset. Part is cheap on the canyon site, but costs over $110 for shipping. Insanity from a global brand.
@@KBE87I own a 2019 Spectral. Lots of engineering mistakes/weird decisions. I'm on a replacement frame, first one failed at the main pivot - thread cylinder from the right side detached from the frame. A week ago I found two cracks on the chainstay, luckily I had a spare from the first frame. But it will crack too if you ride hard and lean your bike at high speed back to back corners. Engineering mistake, right side of the chainstay is too thin, has weird shape/angle. Lots of metal strips in suspension linkages and suspension bolts start missing threads from use.
I like Carbon Trail Bikes to be around 13Kg (28.6lbs). After all, you need to carry some water with you too ;) My Stumpjumper is around that and I guess I've come used to it. I still own an Alloy Scott Genius with 150mm x 150mm that weights 15kg (33lbs). Cheers from Switzerland
Everywhere I look the strive is the fractionally better bike. Please explain….? Although canyon give you the choice between the shape shifter and the steering damper thingamy jig to deal with steering flop due to the slack trend xc.
Sweet review Wil, unfortunately alloy frame doesn't get an update but I'm guessing it would heavier again and entering Polygon Collosus territory with extra material to accommodate those massive reach numbers? Wonder if Stumpjumper Evo will follow suit and go to 150mm/140mm which would be a great comparison review with the Spectral. Hypothetically, which bike would you choose for blasting around typical Aussie trail centres?
I reckon you're on the money there Sandy - the Trek Fuel EX has gone to 150/140mm travel, the Merida One-Forty is the same, and now with this Spectral, I wouldn't be surprised if the new Stumpjumper/Stumpy EVO settles on a 150/140mm platform too. As for an alloy Spectral with the new frame design, I suspect it'll be coming but perhaps not for a while as Canyon often spaces these things out a bit. And the current alloy Spectral is still very relevant. Adding in-frame storage would certainly make it heavier, but generally Canyon is pretty good on the weight front so we'll have to wait and see! [Wil]
Not externally, but you could easily carry a soft-pouch bottle/bladder inside the downtube storage compartment. Something like what Specialized offered with the previous Stumpjumper EVO would do the trick nicely! [Wil]
i m looking for to buy a canyon bike but Torque:on cf8 or Spectral:on cf8 considering the sale at the moment ? Torque behing at 4899 USD and Spectral at 4999 usd
All of that is completely irrelevant if it’s actually a better bike to ride, which by all accounts it seems to be. People need to stop ‘reviewing’ bikes based on spec sheets.
There are two main reasons why I think that the old 2023 Spectral was better - Weight. My M size CF8 weights about 14.3 kilos, the new CF9 weights 600 grams (!!!!!!) more, while being cca. 1.600€ more expensive. And you pay for K.I.S., while there is just only one reasonable thing you can do with it - throw it away.
Heavier is better, if the weight is in the frame, especially for carbon. This seems like a marginally better bike. If the future AL version comes with the mullet chip, I might switch from my Jeffsy.
You're looking at the previous model Spectral, which has 160/150mm of travel. The new 2024 model features a new frame and 150/140mm travel. Currently Canyon only has four Spectral CF models with the new generation frame. We're yet to see alloy or a CFR version, but perhaps those will be coming down the line. Hope that helps! [Wil]
Not just yet - the 2024 alloy Spectral carries over the existing frame with 160/150mm of travel. We expect Canyon will update the alloy models at some point, but based on past experience it might not be until next year. [Wil]
Ironically, only a couple of years ago we found the reach numbers were too short on the Lux, Neuron, Spectral and Strive. Things have changed quite a bit! [Wil]
@@FlowMountainBikeRUclipsI found the lux trail felt too long for me but the spectral was too short. I suspect most canyon riders are pre-existing riders who already know their numbers and given its d2c it’s better if they do
According to the sizing calculator on the Canyon website, a rider of my dimensions can ride a Small or a Medium. And as mentioned in the video, I was able to make the Medium work, albeit with a conscious change in my riding position to keep the front wheel weighted. Personally I'm more of a 450mm reach kinda rider, which is why I'd be keen to try out a Small. I think the change in sizing will create a confusing situation for some folks, particularly as Canyon is a direct-to-consumer brand. Unlike going into your local bike shop to swing a leg over a couple of different bikes and frame sizes, obviously you can't do that with a Canyon. [Wil]
@@FlowMountainBikeRUclips I completely agree - 450 is about my sweet spot too; I can’t imagine many people our kinda height would be more comfortable on a medium over a small. I actually think I’d find myself on a small on some Pivots and Mondrakers too, but canyon is the worst offender. My GF is short (but hardly a Hobbit) at 5’3 and she would struggle to fit on literally any Canyon bike! Anyway loving your work mate, your reviews are 👌🏻
Since when? It's only been a thing since they upgraded the new strive. The old canyons had super short reaches. They even had two diffrent versions of the strive with diffrent reach numbers. The race versions were slightly longer
I'd completely agree, but when you consider that the similarly specced model of the new Stumpjumper, the Expert, costs over $11K, and the worse specced Stumpy Comp costs almost $9K, this isn't actually bad value. Now, I wouldn't dream of spending this much when the better value Spectral CF7/8 exist, but if you simply must have wireless shifting and top spec suspension, this would be a better pick than anything from Specialized or Trek.
@southpawlibranine3511 I wouldn't say it's overpriced, per se. I'd definitely say it's bad value and a waste of money, but that's just because a normal person doesn't actually need RS Ultimate suspension and a GX AXS groupset. If we compare the spec of the CF9 to its competition, the Spectral is significantly cheaper than most of them, so it can't be overpriced by that metric. However, your average consumer would be significantly better off saving $1.5-2.5K, getting the CF8 or CF7 instead. I especially consider the CF8 a sweet spot, as its Fox Performance Elite suspension is on par with RS Ultimate, so you're really losing wireless shifting and saving $1.5K in the process.
The stripes and wheel accents that matched the frame colors from the 2000's were too much, too busy. I like the simplicity of the two-tone. The main frame yellow and black rear on this Canyon look dope AF.
I told myself I'd never buy another Canyon, but this bike looks sweet. My main takeaway from this vid is that the riding in Australia looks excellent and I'll add it to my already long list of reasons I want to go.
@@wayne5741 weird sized and proprietary parts. My gravel bike is a canyon and needs a weird bearing size for the headset. Part is cheap on the canyon site, but costs over $110 for shipping. Insanity from a global brand.
Why never again Canyon?
@@KBE87I own a 2019 Spectral. Lots of engineering mistakes/weird decisions. I'm on a replacement frame, first one failed at the main pivot - thread cylinder from the right side detached from the frame.
A week ago I found two cracks on the chainstay, luckily I had a spare from the first frame. But it will crack too if you ride hard and lean your bike at high speed back to back corners. Engineering mistake, right side of the chainstay is too thin, has weird shape/angle.
Lots of metal strips in suspension linkages and suspension bolts start missing threads from use.
Why is nobody saying anything about this outstanding MOUSTACHE??!!
I like Carbon Trail Bikes to be around 13Kg (28.6lbs). After all, you need to carry some water with you too ;)
My Stumpjumper is around that and I guess I've come used to it.
I still own an Alloy Scott Genius with 150mm x 150mm that weights 15kg (33lbs).
Cheers from Switzerland
Everywhere I look the strive is the fractionally better bike. Please explain….? Although canyon give you the choice between the shape shifter and the steering damper thingamy jig to deal with steering flop due to the slack trend xc.
Sweet review Wil, unfortunately alloy frame doesn't get an update but I'm guessing it would heavier again and entering Polygon Collosus territory with extra material to accommodate those massive reach numbers?
Wonder if Stumpjumper Evo will follow suit and go to 150mm/140mm which would be a great comparison review with the Spectral. Hypothetically, which bike would you choose for blasting around typical Aussie trail centres?
I reckon you're on the money there Sandy - the Trek Fuel EX has gone to 150/140mm travel, the Merida One-Forty is the same, and now with this Spectral, I wouldn't be surprised if the new Stumpjumper/Stumpy EVO settles on a 150/140mm platform too.
As for an alloy Spectral with the new frame design, I suspect it'll be coming but perhaps not for a while as Canyon often spaces these things out a bit. And the current alloy Spectral is still very relevant. Adding in-frame storage would certainly make it heavier, but generally Canyon is pretty good on the weight front so we'll have to wait and see!
[Wil]
Were you at the You Yangs?
Would of been nice if this vid was in 4K 60FPS
Great review as always! Thanks 🙏🏼 Are there any solutions for adding a second bottle to the frame?
Not externally, but you could easily carry a soft-pouch bottle/bladder inside the downtube storage compartment. Something like what Specialized offered with the previous Stumpjumper EVO would do the trick nicely! [Wil]
i m looking for to buy a canyon bike but Torque:on cf8 or Spectral:on cf8 considering the sale at the moment ? Torque behing at 4899 USD and Spectral at 4999 usd
Great review! Thanks. 👍
Thanks mate, glad you dug it! [Wil]
It's not a review it's paid content
How is it on harder landings and bigger jumps?
Everything is fine but it can't jump over a *Canyone*
When less is actualy more...
Well yes, you have less travel, more weight and higher prices. So yes they are correct.
You get less for more 😐
And steering wheel tensioner
, one more thing that will need to be monitored and maintained😅
All of that is completely irrelevant if it’s actually a better bike to ride, which by all accounts it seems to be. People need to stop ‘reviewing’ bikes based on spec sheets.
There are two main reasons why I think that the old 2023 Spectral was better - Weight. My M size CF8 weights about 14.3 kilos, the new CF9 weights 600 grams (!!!!!!) more, while being cca. 1.600€ more expensive. And you pay for K.I.S., while there is just only one reasonable thing you can do with it - throw it away.
Heavier is better, if the weight is in the frame, especially for carbon. This seems like a marginally better bike. If the future AL version comes with the mullet chip, I might switch from my Jeffsy.
Finally canyon admit that the ancient medium was too small for the height they advised. Great bike but it seems the weight has increased
I'm confused because I'm looking at Spectral CFR and its 155 rear, 160 front, while you are saying it's 140/150
You're looking at the previous model Spectral, which has 160/150mm of travel. The new 2024 model features a new frame and 150/140mm travel.
Currently Canyon only has four Spectral CF models with the new generation frame. We're yet to see alloy or a CFR version, but perhaps those will be coming down the line.
Hope that helps!
[Wil]
Are they updating the 2024 AL frames???
Not just yet - the 2024 alloy Spectral carries over the existing frame with 160/150mm of travel. We expect Canyon will update the alloy models at some point, but based on past experience it might not be until next year. [Wil]
ive always found that canyon sizing is silly!!
Ironically, only a couple of years ago we found the reach numbers were too short on the Lux, Neuron, Spectral and Strive. Things have changed quite a bit! [Wil]
@@FlowMountainBikeRUclipsI found the lux trail felt too long for me but the spectral was too short. I suspect most canyon riders are pre-existing riders who already know their numbers and given its d2c it’s better if they do
Why on Earth would Canyon send you a Medium? Even the size chart on their own website would have suggested a Small would be best.
According to the sizing calculator on the Canyon website, a rider of my dimensions can ride a Small or a Medium. And as mentioned in the video, I was able to make the Medium work, albeit with a conscious change in my riding position to keep the front wheel weighted.
Personally I'm more of a 450mm reach kinda rider, which is why I'd be keen to try out a Small.
I think the change in sizing will create a confusing situation for some folks, particularly as Canyon is a direct-to-consumer brand. Unlike going into your local bike shop to swing a leg over a couple of different bikes and frame sizes, obviously you can't do that with a Canyon.
[Wil]
@@FlowMountainBikeRUclips I completely agree - 450 is about my sweet spot too; I can’t imagine many people our kinda height would be more comfortable on a medium over a small.
I actually think I’d find myself on a small on some Pivots and Mondrakers too, but canyon is the worst offender. My GF is short (but hardly a Hobbit) at 5’3 and she would struggle to fit on literally any Canyon bike!
Anyway loving your work mate, your reviews are 👌🏻
More gimics, less suspension travel.
Mate - rethink the moustache and dungarees
All in the name of getting folks like yourself to comment on our videos and drive up our RUclips engagement. Thanks for the help ;-)
@@FlowMountainBikeRUclips It must be very fulfilling.
Isnt it a well known fact that you should always down size with canyon bikes
Funnily enough, I used to need to size up with older Canyon models that were too short! [Wil]
Since when? It's only been a thing since they upgraded the new strive. The old canyons had super short reaches. They even had two diffrent versions of the strive with diffrent reach numbers. The race versions were slightly longer
Gota have a solid nose bonk
you lost me at +7000K cost
I'd completely agree, but when you consider that the similarly specced model of the new Stumpjumper, the Expert, costs over $11K, and the worse specced Stumpy Comp costs almost $9K, this isn't actually bad value.
Now, I wouldn't dream of spending this much when the better value Spectral CF7/8 exist, but if you simply must have wireless shifting and top spec suspension, this would be a better pick than anything from Specialized or Trek.
@@gpearce11doesn't change the fact that this is also overpriced.
@southpawlibranine3511 I wouldn't say it's overpriced, per se. I'd definitely say it's bad value and a waste of money, but that's just because a normal person doesn't actually need RS Ultimate suspension and a GX AXS groupset.
If we compare the spec of the CF9 to its competition, the Spectral is significantly cheaper than most of them, so it can't be overpriced by that metric. However, your average consumer would be significantly better off saving $1.5-2.5K, getting the CF8 or CF7 instead. I especially consider the CF8 a sweet spot, as its Fox Performance Elite suspension is on par with RS Ultimate, so you're really losing wireless shifting and saving $1.5K in the process.
Probably 6k when it goes on sale
hi
When is the bike industry going to stop with the ugly two tone paint??
The stripes and wheel accents that matched the frame colors from the 2000's were too much, too busy. I like the simplicity of the two-tone.
The main frame yellow and black rear on this Canyon look dope AF.
Far out. Just about every cliche used in those video review. This bike must be about as good as it gets then hey?😂
That's cause it's a paid ad
Flow is canyons pay book. So obvious