You can test a long-term test bike for too long. Like I did with the Canyon Spectral. I've been riding it since summer 2017, and suddenly a successor model came onto the market. In other words: this bike is no longer for sale! Unfortunately, I can only say that! It wasn't a conscious decision that made me choose the Spectral. I simply tried it out - and it didn't even do particularly well in our trail bike test. Compared to the competition, the testers found it too tame, the angles not aggressive enough.
I liked the bike with its precise steering, light weight (12.4 kg), pleasant handling and above all: the lightning-fast acceleration. I rode the green and gold bike with its beautifully curved frame through pretty much any terrain. Alpine mountain tours, tricky descents through mine shafts (on the Petzen, p. 98), flowing trail rides, full-throttle thrashing in Latsch (with downhill tyres), many kilometres on forest paths in all weathers - the Spectral had to put up with a lot and always remained composed. When things got really rough, I had to hold on tight to the handlebars, but I was still amazed at how close the Spectral with its short suspension travel (150 mm / 140 mm) came to the performance of an enduro bike. I didn't even miss high drops - provided the landing was steep. If there wasn't one, I had a welcome excuse not to attempt the stunt ("It's only a trail bike!") - and my spinal discs were happy.
Super: the equipment! I often want to change something on a new bike: Handlebars, stem, grips, tyres. Not here. Everything fitted on the Canyon - except perhaps the 1x11 drivetrain. Because when things get really steep, a twelfth sprocket is a good thing. Very proven: the tyres. Maxxis Highroller II for good guidance at the front, Minion SS semi-slick tyres with strong side lugs at the rear for fast rolling. Only the shock recently started to smack - it's now getting a well-deserved service.
STRENGTHS Handling, weight, range of use, equipment
WEAKNESSES None
CONCLUSIONThe Canyon Spectral has an enormous range of use. You can extend it even further towards gravity by giving the bike downhill tyres. Then it rides like an enduro bike. Hardly any maintenance, many rides, and everything still works. Unfortunately, this model is no longer available, but the successor is said to be just as good.
DATA
Price: 3499 €
Weight: 12,4 kg
Spring travel: 150 mm/140 mm
Reach: 423 mm
Stack: 603 mm
Steering angle: 66,5°
Seat angle: 74,5°
Web: canyon.com
TESTER
Dimitri Lehner
Weight: 75 kg
Size1.79 metres
Dimitri Lehner
Editor
