Canyon Spectral CF Top-Notch Bike Review

In our test of the Canyon Spectral CF Collective, we critically questioned the weight of the All Mountain. Canyon then took the liberty of sending us the significantly lighter Spectral CF LTD. How does the most upscale of all Spectral models ride?

The highlight of the new Spectral frame is definitely the K.I.S system, which is standard on all models. We also covered this feature in detail in our video (see below). During our test, it quickly became clear that this feature interests tech-savvy riders.

That was the standard question we were repeatedly asked during our test in the bike park. However, the answer requires a bit of time.

Physically and technically, there isn’t a single aha-moment that K.I.S. triggers, but rather many small insights that you experience with the system when you embrace it.

Mountain biking becomes awesome when you push your ride to the limit. However, particularly when descending, this is associated with a high risk. When the bike leans and starts to slide in open corners, control drops dramatically.

As a biker, you often try intuitively to enhance your steering input to induce a directional change that the bike is no longer granting. The problem here: In a sliding situation, there is no feedback on how far you have already turned the handlebars.

Where a normal bike without steering stabilization might give a “light” feeling at the front wheel, the K.I.S. system provides clear feedback on how far you have already turned the handlebars. This helps avoid the classic mistake of over-steering. Instead, it prompts you to straighten the handlebars to regain control in critical situations.

At the end of the day, the system isn’t a gamechanger, but it does make the Spectral a slightly better bike. The good news is: the choice of the system is up to the customer. If you’re not interested in this additional gimmick, you can simply remove it and enjoy the rest of the Canyon Spectral CF without the K.I.S. system. A lot has changed on the rest of the bike compared to its predecessor.

For the suspension of the top model, Canyon has played all its trump cards. The Factory level is the ultimate from Fox. The suspension fork with 36 mm stanchions and the Fox Float X shock were selected from this range. Only a coil shock was omitted.

The suspension has a firm character, which is beneficial for larger impacts, especially with limited travel reserves. In rough situations, this gives you more of a sense of security and direct feedback without too much spongy response. These suspension characteristics are particularly advantageous on an All Mountain, allowing you to rip it up even with less travel.

Both the fork and shock offer the ability to adjust rebound and low-speed compression. Additionally, the fork features high-speed compression adjustment. With a rider weight of 70 kg, we did well with 70 psi in the fork and 140 psi in the shock.

With the Sram XX Transmission derailleur, they have once again reached for the top drawer. The new pod controller feels more like the tactile feedback of a traditional cable shifter. This prevents unwanted shifts, which were a complaint with the paddle of the regular AXS drivetrain. With the impact protection feature on the derailleur and the direct mount without a derailleur hanger, you can save extra hours in the workshop, as there aren’t even adjustment screws needed. Shifting under load is no longer a problem for the Transmission generation. The Transmission aims to be stress-free.

For deceleration, the Sram Code RSC has been employed. With the help of the 200mm brake rotors, it’s a solid brake with the necessary bite to bring you to a sudden stop at any time. Only on long alpine descents might you wish for the slightly more powerful Sram Maven, as over time during extended braking, the braking power diminishes. For a trail bike, however, the Code RSC is completely sufficient.

The XMC 1200 Carbon wheels from DT SWISS are a true lightweight at under 1500 grams, even rivaling high-end cross-country wheels. Maxxis DHR II tires with the MAXX Terra compound are mounted on both front and rear. To save weight, only the EXO protection was used up front, while the EXO+ variant was chosen for the rear, which still saves a significant amount of weight compared to the Double Down version.

Without pedals, the Canyon Spectral CF LTD weighs 14.6 kg, which is already 1.2 kg less than the previously tested CF 8 CLLCTV priced at €3999. This is a very good value. However, the Spectral is not among the absolute lightweights in the trail category. The Mondraker Raze sets the benchmark here.

The Canyon is not a climbing prodigy, but the wheels in the top model are a good upgrade compared to the cheaper Spectral models. Considering the downhill capabilities, the bike climbs well and, thanks to the lightweight wheels, is also fun on flat trails. This makes it significantly superior to the more affordable Collective model.

All the components are perfectly in tune with the concept of building an All Mountain bike with solid downhill potential. You can feel it on the trail. The bike inspires confidence and a sense of safety even in borderline situations, and the 10 mm less suspension travel is hardly an issue.

Thanks to the suspension setup and the K.I.S system, it is very predictable and responsive. The Spectral CF feels at home almost anywhere because it is not only a trail destroyer, but also very maneuverable. The rear suspension offers pleasant progression towards the end, allowing you to pop off small terrain edges with ease. Additionally, it should be noted that the bike is incredibly quiet, which is a pretty cool feature if you ask us. It’s a bike made for fun.

Apart from its pure riding characteristics, the Canyon Spectral CF also has some exciting frame details. Each rear triangle can be converted to use a 27.5-inch rear wheel. The storage compartment in the down tube has become standard in the industry. And the decision not to route cables through the headset will please some bikers.

For €6999, you get the top model, which leaves nothing to be desired. You won’t get full specs from most competitors for this price. In total, there are 6 different models. Additionally, you can enter the carbon range with the CF 7 starting at €3399.

The mullet and 29er versions only differ in their wheels and are otherwise identically equipped. If you’re unwilling to compromise on weight, you should definitely check out the Neuron models from Canyon, which are more tour-oriented.

If you’re looking for the Canyon Spectral ONfly EMTB, you can find a detailed review on our sister site emtb-test.com.