Canyon Spectral:On CF with Avinox: Everything you need to know about this super-lightweight, high-performance trail bike

BIKE’s verdict on the Canyon Spectral:On CF

As a super-lightweight all-round trail bike, the new Spectral:On CF is set to make waves in the light e-MTB segment. The focus is on low weight and direct trail handling, putting it in direct competition with other Avinox bikes such as the Rotwild R.XX and the Raymon Tarok. But the Spectral remains significantly cheaper! The geometry is progressive, the design sleek – a promising package. – Florentin Vesenbeckh, test editor

Lightweight, yet with no compromises on power and performance: that has always been Canyon’s guiding principle for previous generations of the Spectral:On. But the latest iteration for the 2027 model year takes this philosophy a step further. It’s set to weigh under 21 kilos whilst delivering up to 1,500 watts of power. Visually, it remains super-slim. This combination is made possible by the new 700-series battery from Avinox, which is also used in bikes such as the Amflow PX Carbon, the Raymon Tarok and the Red deer R.XX is stuck.

Until now, Canyon had two versions of its Spectral:On e-bike in its range: light and sleek, fitted with Bosch’s Performance SX mini motor (Spectral:Onfly CF) or strong and persistent as Spectral:On CF with a large replaceable battery. The new edition combines, in a sense, the best of both worlds. Visually, it is virtually just as sleek as its ‘Light’ predecessor, significantly sturdier than the ‘Power’ predecessor, and in terms of weight, it is actually slightly closer to the ‘Light’ bike than to the ‘Power’ model. The basis for this setup is the Avinox M2S with its particularly slim FP700 battery, which is permanently fitted inside the down tube. Added to this is a slim carbon chassis, which is said to weigh just 2.9 kilos.

The facts about the Canyon Spectral:On CF

• Engine: Avinox M2S
• Battery: Avinox FP700, 700 Wh, permanently fitted
• Suspension travel: 160/155 mm
• Wheel size: 29/27.5 inches (optional 29/29” via Flipchip)
• Frame material: Carbon (main frame + rear triangle)
• Price: CF 9 for 6,999 euros
• Weight: from 20.8 kg (LTD model)
• Models: No other models were presented
• Sizes: S to XL (445 to 520 mm reach)
• Availability: available to order from early December, delivery in January 2027

Even on the Eurobike showcased Canyon’s new e-MTB with an Avinox motor We’d seen it before, but at the time there were no details or further information. Now we know more. The new carbon frame features 160/155 mm of travel, just like its predecessor. However, the rear suspension is said to have been tweaked slightly. Canyon cites improved anti-squat to counteract the effects of pedalling, as well as increased anti-rise for more controlled behaviour under braking. The carbon frame is said to be stiff enough at the front for precise steering, whilst the rear triangle is deliberately more supple.

The engineers claim to have fine-tuned other details as well. For instance, the new cable routing is said to have significantly improved ease of maintenance. Traditional cable entry points behind the head tube are easily accessible, and the cables are said to be routed continuously right through to the exit. The promise: simply feed the cables in and retrieve them at the exit without having to remove the motor or battery.

Details of the Avinox drive

A distinctive feature of the combination of the Avinox M2S and FP700 is that this is the only way to access the motor’s full 1,500-watt peak power. Furthermore, the package is remarkably light. Whilst the battery can be removed, this requires, amongst other things, disconnecting the motor and cable connections. So this is definitely not a battery with a quick-release mechanism designed for daily removal. As standard, Canyon only includes the 4 A charger. With this, Canyon states that charging from zero to 80 per cent takes 3 hours and 54 minutes. With the optional 12 A charger, this is said to take 1 hour and 16 minutes. The ‘Almost Charger’ is available at an additional cost.

New geometry

The geometry clearly reflects Canyon’s well-known strengths. The reach is on the long side, measuring a generous 495 millimetres in size L. Thanks to the fairly long head tubes, the stack is also substantial – 650 millimetres in size L. The bike therefore has a large frame size. The head angle measures 64 degrees. This is complemented by moderate, progressive chainstays: 442 millimetres in sizes S and M, and 447 millimetres in L and XL. The wheelbase is also really long at 1302 mm in size L.

To ensure the bike remains controllable on climbs, the seat angle is very steep at 78.5 degrees. This means that, despite the long reach, the riding position is likely to be fairly compact.

The bikes come from the factory as ‘mullets’: 29-inch at the front and 27.5-inch at the rear. With a flip-chip and a matching 29-inch rear wheel, the Spectral:On CF can be converted to two large wheels. The chainstay length then increases to 451 or 456 millimetres.

Features of the Spectral:ON CF 9

To mark the launch of the new Avinox bike, Canyon has released only the CF 9 specification. The price is set to be 6,999 euros – and for that, you get extremely high-quality components. Other comparable bikes can hardly keep up. The package includes a Fox Factory suspension system with a 36mm fork and a Float X shock. It’s complemented by an electronic SRAM X0 AXS groupset, SRAM Maven Silver brakes and DT Swiss HCX1700 carbon wheels.

When will the other models be released?

As the first bike in the Spectral:On CF range, Canyon is launching the m. On 13 October, Canyon will unveil the CF 9. Canyon has announced three further models in the Spectral:On CF family, due to be released between November 2026 and January 2027. Pre-orders will open on 4 December, with the first bikes due to be delivered from 19 January.