Canyon E-Spectral vs. Canyon Bio Spectral

What is the Difference?

About 10 years ago, the EMTB wave began. Back then, the bikes were heavy, bulky, and rode downhill like logging trucks. The new Canyon Spectral ONfly represents the current state of development in EMTBs. We were amazed at how small the difference between the once strictly separated worlds has become.

Canyon Spectral ONfly Test
Left with a motor, right without. The difference between EMTB and regular enduro is not immediately apparent. Even in terms of price and weight, the two worlds are closer than ever.

For our sister portal emtb-test.com, we tested the new Canyon Spectral ONfly. It is the latest light EMTB on the market. Because it sets new standards in terms of price and weight, we decided to feature this bike here as well. Never have EMTBs been so close to regular unmotorized MTBs as they are now. Price, weight, and ride characteristics are so similar that one has to ask a very honest question: Are Enduro EMTBs without motors now obsolete?

Youtube Video

With 15.8 kilos in the Collective version, the Spectral is no climbing machine. It will get up any climb, but it demands some effort from the rider.

Spectral CF Test

The faster you ride the Canyon Spectral ONfly, the less noticeable the difference in handling compared to a regular MTB. Cornering, braking points, and the effort needed to get the bike airborne—all become relative with speed. Additionally, neither the battery nor the motor’s gearbox rattles when you blast down the trail with the Spectral ONfly. E-bikes with comparable handling have always been significantly more expensive until now. Priced at 5599 €, it sits at a comparable level to a high-end MTB without a motor.

About the author

Ludwig Döhl

... has spent more than 100,000 kilometers in the saddle of over 1000 different mountain bikes. The essence of many hours on the trail: Mountain bikes are awesome when they match your personal preferences! With this realization, he founded bike-test.com to assist cyclists in finding their very own dream bike.

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