Test 2023 - All Mountains up to 3300 Euro: Canyon Spectral - Downhill specialist
Jan Timmermann
· 15.03.2023
No other frame platform at Canyon now offers as many different model variants as the Spectral. Under the addition 29 AL 6, the bike comes without the K.I.S. steering stabiliser and with aluminium frame.
Canyon Spectral: All Mountain almost Enduro
At the front, it's like an enduro bike: the fork is 64 degrees flat with 162 millimetres of travel. The seat angle is even more extreme at a steep 77.8 degrees. Together with the shortest top tube in the test and a 40 millimetre stub stem, this results in a short and upright riding position. Similar to the Rose, classic L-shaped riders sit too compactly on the Canyon for sporty tours. Without downhill traction, the wheels accelerate reluctantly. Uphill, a grip on the platform lever effectively eliminates the slight bobbing of the rear triangle.
Confident on the downhill trail: calm & yet manoeuvrable
The unusual geometry of the Canyon Spectral really comes into its own on the descents. When standing, the riding position no longer feels compressed thanks to the generous reach. Especially at high speeds, the long wheelbase makes for a smooth ride. The Rockshox suspension works well, but doesn't quite release the 150 millimetres Canyon estimates for the shock. As a result, the rear suspension reaches its limit earlier than the 160 millimetre fork on fast, hard hits.
Nevertheless, thanks to its slack steering angle, the all-mountain bike from the Koblenz-based manufacturer remains composed even on steep and rough sections. On very demanding trails, Canyon leads the test field and poaches in the enduro segment. Thanks to the short chainstays, it still remains manoeuvrable, manoeuvres confidently around tight corners and rides lively overall.
Test Canyon Spectral 29 AL 6: Conclusion of the BIKE editorial team
The well-equipped Canyon Spectral 29 AL 6 is a specialist for challenging descents. No trail is too wild for this bike. The extreme geometry doesn't work on tour. - Max Fuchs, BIKE editor
Technical data and notes Canyon Spectral 29 AL 6
Manufacturer information
- Price: 3299 Euro¹
- Available by mail order
- Frame material: aluminium
- Frame size: S / M / L / XL (tested in size L, 46 cm)
Measured values
- Weight without pedals: 15.67 kg
- Frame weight without shock: 3473 g
- Weight of wheels: 5668 g
- Handlebar width: 780 mm
Equipment
- Fork: Rockshox Lyrik Select+
- Shock: Rockshox Super Deluxe Select+
- Front/rear suspension travel: 162/144 mm
- Cranks: Truvativ Descendant
- Gear system: Sram GX Eagle 1 x 12
- Gear ratio / bandwidth: 32; 10-52 / 520 %
- Brake system / Disc (front / rear): Sram Code R / 200 mm / 200 mm
- Telescopic post / stroke / diameter: Iridium dropper / 170 mm / 30.9 mm
- Wheels: DT Swiss All Mountain LN
- Tyres: Maxxis Minion DHR II Exo / Exo+TR 3C Maxx- Terra / Dual 29 x 2.50 / 2.40
- Ease of maintenance: medium
BIKE TEST RATING²: good - 173.5 out of 250
¹Price may be subject to additional costs for packaging, dispatch and coordination.
²The BIKE judgement reflects the laboratory measurements (BIKE laboratory measurement) and the subjective impression of the test riders.
The BIKE judgement is independent of price. BIKE judgements: super (250-205 P.), very good (204.75-180 P.), good (179.75-155 P.), satisfactory (154.75-130 P.), with weaknesses (129.75-105 P.), unsatisfactory (104.75-0 P.).
Jan Timmermann
Editor
