With the Spectral:On, Canyon presented its first E-MTB in 2018. ever. Even back then, the concept of the extremely playful trail bike impressed us in the test. A rarity among e-mountainbikes. The only point of criticism: contrary to the trend at the time, Canyon did not install an integrated battery. The Koblenz-based company knew how to remedy this flaw. And lo and behold: around two years later, the mail-order company is fully committed to integrity and presents its second generation of e-mountainbikes. Despite the new look and attention to detail, the mission of the Spectral:On remains the same: maximum riding fun on the trail. We have already been able to collect our first trail kilometres with the new E-MTB.
The Spectral:On will be available from 17 March in four equipment variants, including a women's model, and in five different colours. The price range extends from 4599 euros to 6999 euros. It offers a full 150 mm of travel at both the front and rear. To emphasise the playful character of the trail bike, the Koblenz-based company has opted for a mix of wheel sizes. The Spectral:On comes with 27.5-inch wheels at the rear and a 29-inch wheel at the front.
The centrepiece of the new e-trail bike is the carbon main frame. When choosing the drive, the engineers favoured better customer service and a slim design over battery capacity and, as in the new Neuron:On the now three-year-old Shimano E8000 motor (>> To the e-mountainbike motor comparison test).
Instead of the external battery pack, the new model features the slim Shimano BT-E8035 with 504 watt hours of e-power in the down tube. Canyon had already recently launched the E-Hardtail Grand Canyon:On and the popular Neuron:On - both e-bikes with an integrated battery. Now the mail-order company from Koblenz is following up with the integrated version of the popular e-trail bike.
The facts about the Canyon Spectral:On 2020
- 150 mm suspension travel
- 29-inch wheels at the front / 27.5-inch wheels at the rear
- Frame size S-XL
- Carbon main frame
- Weight: 21.6 kg (size M)
- Shimano E8000 motor
- Integrated Shimano BT-8035 battery with 504 watt hours on all models
- 4 models from 4599 euros incl. women's model
The Spectral:On is one kilogram lighter despite integration
From a purely technical point of view, an integrated battery offers no advantages in terms of riding behaviour. Quite the opposite. In order to stow the battery in the down tube, the frame weight also increases with the same design. To securely fasten the heavy battery in the frame, the tubes have to be made thicker. Canyon relativises this disadvantage with a carbon main frame. As a result, the Koblenz-based company manages to undercut the frame weight of its aluminium predecessor by almost 400 grams. A saving that the customer has to pay for with a price premium of around 1000 euros. But the investment pays off. Overall, the new top model weighs 21.6 kilos (size M). If you hang the old Spectral:On on the scales in comparison, the display only settles at 22.7 kilograms.
Focus on integration: Canyon presents its own carbon fibre On handlebars
Canyon has not only recently focussed on integration for the battery, but also in the development of its own carbon handlebar/stem unit. The brand new cockpit is installed in all top models in the Spectral:On range. Starting from the Shimano display, all cables run hidden through the handlebars. The innovative design of the cockpit (Canyon CF:On CP0012) fits perfectly with the innovative overall concept of the new e-bike.
The geometry of the Canyon Spectral:On 2020
In terms of geometry, Canyon is sticking to the tried and tested concept of the old Spectral:On fixed. The most striking change is the slightly longer chainstays. With a length of 435 millimetres, the value is exactly five millimetres longer than its predecessor. A change that the developers hope will lead to a lasting improvement in climbing ability. On descents, the additional five millimetres should provide more stability. All in all, the chainstays remain remarkably short, especially for the e-bike segment, which speaks in favour of very playful riding characteristics. The steering angle is pleasantly slack at 66.5 degrees. At 445 millimetres for size M, the reach is moderately average. The Spectral:On is available in all equipment variants in sizes S-XL. For the women's model, the Koblenz-based company has limited itself to sizes S and M.
Prices and equipment
The Spectral:On can now be pre-ordered in four different versions on the direct mail order company's website. At 4599 euros, the Spectral:On CF 7.0 is the cheapest e-bike in the range. For the Spectral:On CF 9.0, the mail order company is asking a whole 6999 euros. For this, the top model comes with the finest Fox Factory suspension and a complete Shimano XTR drivetrain. On top of that, there is the in-house handlebar/stem unit and Reynolds carbon wheels.
Spectral:On CF 8.0
Canyon also leaves nothing to chance with the second model variant. For 5999 euros, the suspension comes from Fox, but in a performance version. In addition, there is a complete Shimano XT equipment with powerful four-piston brakes. The Race Face wheels with XT hubs are fitted with a grippy Maxxis tyre combination of DHF 2.5 and DHR II 2.6, each with a solid casing (front EXO / rear EXO+).
Spectral:On CF 7.0
For 4599 euros, the mail-order company offers the entry-level model, which is convincingly equipped as usual: the Spectral:On 7.0 comes with an XT/SLX gear mix, Lyrik fork and deluxe shock from Rockshox in the Select version. Unlike the top model, the 7.0 comes with Canyon's Iridium Vario seatpost.
Spectral:On CF WMN 7.0
Canyon has come up with something very special for women: the Spectral:On 7.0 is available in frame sizes S and M as a women's model with a special saddle. In addition, all models in frame size S are equipped with narrower handlebars (740 millimetres).
First ride impression: the Canyon Spectral:On 9.0 on the trail
We were able to test the Canyon Spectral:On extensively at the press camp in Barcelona. We liked the geometry straight away. The bike climbs well on the climbs. Only on extreme climbs does the front wheel sometimes lose grip due to the rather short chainstays. However, the Spectral:On feels most at home on the trail and downhill. The newcomer is extremely playful and manoeuvrable and can also be pulled into the manual with ease. A rarity among e-mountainbikes. The high front end provides a lot of security even on steep terrain. With an economical riding style, we used just under one and a half battery charges for 2000 metres in altitude. A detailed test will be available soon in EMTB 2/2020.
Max Fuchs
Editor
