The new Canyon Spectral:On - affordable, light and with a huge battery!

900 watt hours, 23.7 kilograms and then a fair price? Impossible, really, because high-capacity e-bike batteries are heavy and expensive, and the additional weight can only be concealed with rigorous lightweight construction - which is also expensive.

It is therefore all the more astonishing that the Koblenz-based mail-order company Canyon has given the light but also expensive top model Spectral:On CFR now follows up with similarly light, but significantly cheaper E-MTB models. The Entry-level model Spectral:On CF 7 costs with 5499 Euro not even half as much as the top model, but still only weighs 23.7 kilogrammes - less than any other all-mountain bike in its class. In the big comparison test in EMTB 3/2022, we were able to test the Canyon e-bike in detail.

300 grams heavier: The frame of the Canyon Spectral:On CF

This makes the CF 7 the most affordable e-bike model in the new Spectral:On range. There are a total of three of the more favourable CF models. As with the two top models with the expensive CFR frame, the main frame and rear triangle are also made of carbon. However, slightly cheaper materials are used for the CF models.

The frames are said to be 300 grams heavier than those of the noble CFR models. The three CF models of the new Spectral:ON are between 5199 (720 Wh) and 7299 euros (900 Wh). Here too, the customer can choose ex works on all e-bikes whether they prefer the large or the small battery. The batteries alone cost 899.95 (720 Wh) or 1199.95 euros (900 Wh).

Lightweight despite a thick battery: the Spectral:On in detail

Background: The last e-mountainbike that Canyon has redesigned, was the Torque:On. The battery had a comparatively measly 500 watt hours, which was a surprise a good year ago. Good handling and weight were more important than sheer e-power and range, the developers explained the decision at the time. And now the new marvel from the Koblenz-based company has seen the light of day. The Spectral:ON CFR. Battery size? 900 watt hours. A new era is dawning for the direct-to-consumer e-MTB fleet! Can the newcomer to the good driving behaviour of its predecessor or will it become a sluggish hummer?

Canyon has set two development goals for the new trail and all-mountain e-bike. Firstly: The biker should Forget any range anxiety can. Secondly: The handy, fun and agile trail handling of the predecessor should not suffer as a result. Sounds like squaring the circle. Quite a few e-MTBs from the competition have become heavier and more cumbersome in recent years as their batteries have grown. Weights of over 25 kilograms seemed unavoidable with huge batteries despite carbon frames. Have the Koblenz-based company really managed to break this vicious circle?

The facts about the Canyon Spectral:ON

• Motor: Shimano EP8, 85 Nm
• Own Canyon battery, either 720 or 900 Wh (size S only 720 Wh)
• 150/155 mm spring travel
• MX wheel mix: 29/27.5 inch
• Two CFR models between 8999 and 11299 euros
• From May: Three CF models from 5199 euros
• Weight: Top model CFR LTD 23.2 kg in size L (EMTB measurement),
• Weight: entry-level model CF7 23.7 kg in size L (EMTB measurement)
• Weight release: 130 kg system weight

In order to at least come close to this perfection, the basic concept of the bike was completely rethought and a Completely new framework developedwhich is now using carbon fibre on the front and rear triangle for the first time. Canyon is also breaking new ground in many details to reduce the weight and complexity of the chassis. Number one is the battery removal. Like more and more other manufacturers, Canyon has done away with the cut-away down tube from which the battery can be folded out. Instead, the Battery pulled downwards out of the closed down tube. This concept, with which Specialized caused a sensation for the first time in 2018This has advantages in terms of the weight and stability of the frame. This is because it enables thinner wall thicknesses.

Even seemingly minor details such as the bottle cage mount and the switches and ports of the e-system have been tweaked. The aim: as few holes as possible in the framewhich in turn would require thicker walls and increase the weight. The cabling has also been kept as simple as possible - to minimise susceptibility to errors and to reduce weight. In total, the new frame should be around Save 800 grams compared to the predecessor. Our test bike, the top model Spectral:ON CFR LTD, weighs in at a total of 23.2 kilograms, a first in this battery class! Even with Bosch's 750 battery, we haven't yet had a bike in our test lab that comes close to this weight.

The new Canyon e-bike batteries

An important part of the concept is the specially developed battery. According to the developers, the batteries available on the market leave a lot of potential untapped. So Canyon set about developing its own. One important point was the height of the battery. Despite 900 watt hours, the bike should a slim silhouette preserved. A few tricks were used to minimise the height of the battery.

When it comes to weight, not every last ounce has been utilised. It could have been built lighter, but not with the extreme test standardsfor which the batteries are designed, according to Canyon. Impact resistance and moisture protection - Here, the company's own batteries should offer maximum safety. The development team wanted to rule out problems in any case. At 3866 grams, the 720 battery is nevertheless one of the lightest in its size. Models with a carbon casing such as the Red deer or Bulls but save another 300 grams. At 4.77 kilos, the 900 battery weighs around 900 grams more.

The geometry of the Spectral:ON

In our last tests, the Spectral:ON always stood out with its agile and fun handling. Also thanks to the moderate geometry. For the new edition, Canyon has tried to completely refresh the chassis without drifting into extremes. In other words: the main frame is significantly longer (reach 485 mm in size L), the seat angle is much steeper (76.5°). Just modern trends.

However, the Koblenz-based company has bucked the "long and slack" trend when it comes to the steering angle. 65.5 degrees is anything but extreme and should keep the bike manageable. The chainstays are slightly longer at 440 millimetres in order to maintain the balance with the significantly longer reach. Does the concept work? Our impression from practical experience clearly says: Yes! The Geometry combines smoothness and agility quite ideally. And it also strikes a pretty good balance between the sporty-extreme and the uncomplicated.

Flight attendant on the e-mountainbike

As one of the first E-MTBs, the top model CFR LTD relies on the electronic Flight Attendant suspension from Rockshox. Small servos automatically switch on the compression damping to prevent unwanted suspension movements. In practice, this works reliably. For longer passages in the pedalling position and on smooth surfaces, the suspension switches to the middle "Pedal" or "Lock" position. If the surface becomes rougher, the suspension elements absorb obstacles again with full sensitivity. On the Spectral:ON, the electric suspension supports the lively character of the bike. However, the advantage of the electronic suspension is marginal, as the rear suspension is already very well travelled. The wireless communication between the various components is stylish, but involves regular charging of the small AXS batteries on the shock and suspension fork. In total, you have to take care of four AXS batteries on the CFR LTD in addition to the main battery.

Models, prices and availability

The new Spectral:ON CFR is available in two equipment variants, both of which are available immediately are. The top model CFR LTD costs 11299 euros, the CFR 9299 euros. With a 720 battery, you can save a further 300 euros on both bikes. However, this option will not be available until May 2022.

Quality and workmanship

If you get your hands on a Spectral:ON CFR, it leaves behind a extremely high-quality and well thought-out impression. Noble, robust, stylish. This starts with the clean carbon cockpit with integrated cable routing and extends to the sealed cable entries in the headset and the distinctive chainstay protector with top damping.

During the test period, however, we noticed one or two blemishes. On our test bike, the brake lines rattled in the down tube during high-frequency impacts on the trail. This is particularly unfortunate because the efforts of the developers to create a quiet bike are otherwise noticeable. For a bike with an EP8 motor, the Spectral:ON is relatively quiet. The drawbar rattle only occurs in certain cases. The second weak point, which Canyon has already recognised and claims to have rectified for the series: the paint protection film on the rear triangle peeled off unsightly after a short time.

EMTB summary of the new Canyon Spectral:ON

Canyon proves with the Spectral:ON, that an E-MTB with a huge battery can remain manoeuvrable and agile. There is currently no other like it on the market. Hats off! However, with our first test bike, the CFR, Canyon is also entering new price dimensions. A bike from a direct mail order company for over 11,000 euros - that's also unique on the market at the moment. Our second test bike, the Spectral:On, proves that there is another way. The entry-level model for 5500 euros with a 900 battery and full carbon frame is a very fair package and, at 23.7 kilograms, almost outrageously light. Especially considering the price and battery size. Read on to find out whether this model was also able to put a big grin on the faces of our testers and readers on the trail. EMTB 3/2022.