Canyon Spectral:On CF 8: A slow-seller or a brilliant bargain?

​If you’re looking for an e-MTB with a carbon frame and high-quality components at a fair price, you should take a look at Canyon’s Spectral:On CF 8. But is this affordable all-rounder still competitive, given its motor? We’ve taken a close look at this bargain e-bike.

​BIKE’s verdict on the Spectral:On CF 8

The Canyon Spectral:On CF 8 is a well-balanced all-rounder with straightforward, playful handling. For €3,999, the Koblenz-based online retailer offers a package comprising a high-quality full-carbon frame, practical spec and a long-range 800 Wh battery – a package of this calibre is often only found amongst the competition in far higher price brackets. Although the Shimano EP801 motor lags behind the modern competition in terms of maximum power, anyone who can do without extreme uphill thrust will find this a very well-rounded package at an unbeatable price.

​The facts about the Canyon Spectral:On CF 8

• Price: 3,999 euros (currently reduced from 4,499 euros)
• Engine: Shimano EP801, 85 Nm
• Battery: Removable aluminium battery with 800 Wh
• Frame material: Carbon (main frame and rear triangle)
• Suspension travel: 160/150 mm
• Impeller size: Mullet setup (29"/27.5")
• Frame sizes: S, M, L, XL
• Weight: 24.3 kg (BIKE measurement, size M)
• Maximum permissible system weight: 130 kg

​The Canyon Spectral:On CF 8 in detail

4,000 euros for an e-MTB with a full-carbon frame and well-designed components – that’s quite something. The team in Koblenz is particularly proud of the redesigned battery concept: The 800 battery, developed in collaboration with Darfon, has a flat design, fits perfectly into the down tube to ensure a low centre of gravity, and can be easily removed from the bottom when required. At 4.66 kilos, however, it is a little on the heavy side.

With 160 mm of front suspension travel and 150 mm at the rear, as well as an agile mullet wheel setup, Canyon is marketing this bike as a versatile all-rounder. On the trail, the design impresses with a good balance between safety and riding enjoyment. When the trail gets challenging, the Canyon’s generous suspension travel really comes into its own, providing a confident riding experience. However, the suspension response is quite linear. Sporty, active riders who like to ride the bike right on the edge or push through banked turns with plenty of body weight will find they lack a bit of resistance in the mid-travel range.

Aggressive trail riders and uphill specialists will also struggle with the drive system. The fitted Shimano EP801 drive simply can’t keep up with the latest generation of motors. Whereas modern motors such as the Bosch CX (since its latest performance update) or the Avinox motor with ‘Punch’ mode effortlessly power up even the steepest climbs, the Shimano seems tame by comparison. However, if you don’t prioritise maximum power on extreme climbs anyway, you can accept this compromise. In return, you get an absolutely top-quality bike with a first-class carbon frame, whose spec is unrivalled at this price point.

​What does the Spectral:On do well, and what doesn’t it do so well?

Strengths

• Attractive price
• Enormous range
• Balanced handling
• High-quality frame

Weaknesses

• Engine underperforms in a class comparison
• Rattling noises when going downhill
• Rear suspension characteristic curve too comfortable for some types of rider

​The geometry: comfortable, but made for the trails

The geometry of the Spectral:On CF 8 skilfully bridges the gap between sporty trail performance and a high level of touring comfort. With a low bottom bracket and a high front end, you feel fully integrated with the bike – which instils confidence on descents. The relatively steep seat angle of 76.5° positions the rider comfortably centred over the bike, ensuring efficient power transfer, particularly on moderate climbs. However, the Spectral:On isn’t exactly a climbing specialist. Thanks to the ‘mullet’ setup with the smaller 27.5-inch rear wheel, the chainstays are quite short at 440 mm. As a result, it tends to rear up a little sooner on steep, technical climbs, but it handles nimbly on twisty trails and responds well when you shift weight onto the rear wheel.

​The specifications of the Canyon Spectral:On CF 8

• Suspension fork: Fox 36 Rhythm (160 mm)
• Damper: Fox Float X Performance (155 mm)
• Circuit: Shimano SLX / XT mix (12-speed)
• Brakes: Shimano SLX, 4-piston, 203 mm
• Wheels: DT Swiss HLN350
• Tyres (front/rear): Maxxis Assegai 3C MaxxTerra Exo / Maxxis Minion DHR II Exo+

CF 8 vs. CF 9 AXS: Is it worth the extra cost?

As the entry-level CF 7 model is completely sold out, attention inevitably turns to the higher-end models in the Canyon range. Anyone prepared to spend a little more will quickly come across the Spectral:On CF 9 AXS. This is currently also reduced by 500 euros and is available for 4,499 euros (instead of 4,999 euros).

Both bikes share the same carbon frame design and the large 800 Wh battery. Important to note: Canyon consistently fits the Shimano EP801 motor across the entire model range – right up to the top-of-the-range CFR model, which costs almost 10,000 euros. So anyone hoping for an upgrade in pure drive power will be disappointed. But what do you get instead with the CF 9 AXS for an extra 500 euros? Quite a lot! Or to put it another way: for a mere 500 euros extra, Canyon catapults the Spectral:On into a completely different league in terms of spec. Take, for example, the electronic SRAM GX Eagle AXS transmission, which executes gear changes with precision and frees the cockpit from cables. Even more importantly: instead of the Fox 36 Rhythm, the beefy Fox 38 – in the high-quality Performance Elite version – guides you through the root-strewn terrain. Thanks to the Grip2 cartridge, the fork can be finely adjusted and offers a real performance boost on demanding trail rides. Paired with the even more aggressive Shimano XT brakes – instead of the SLX brakes – the CF 9 AXS becomes a very high-quality package that is definitely worth the €500 premium over the CF 8.