“Only seemingly simple”: An interview with the developers of the Canyon Spectral:On

Ironically, it was the success of one of the most important e-MTBs of all time that proved to be a stumbling block for Canyon. Since its launch in 2022, the Spectral:On had been a real hit, offering superb range thanks to its 900-watt-hour battery. The bike sold exceptionally well as a result. However, cracks in the battery casing prompted Canyon to withdraw the entire model from the market due to safety concerns. Canyon has paid compensation to those affected and was able to relaunch the model this year with a new battery. We spoke to Lennart Gänz from Canyon, who was responsible for developing the new batteries.

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An interview with Canyon developer Lennart Gänz

​BIKE: Until the recall in 2024, the Canyon Spectral:On was one of the most sought-after bikes on the market. What exactly had happened?

Lennart Gänz / Canyon: We discovered that cracks had appeared in the casings of a few batteries. Although it is unlikely, in the worst-case scenario this could result in a short circuit. We had to take this risk seriously and decided to take all the batteries out of service. It eventually transpired that a specific process within the production line could have caused stress cracks in the casing.

BIKE: By the time the faults were discovered, the Spectral:On was already a few years old. Why did you decide to develop a new battery anyway?

Lennart Gänz / Canyon: The project was given the very highest priority at Canyon because a great many existing customers were also affected. We’re cyclists ourselves, and we know how frustrating it is not to be able to ride. So we needed a solution as quickly as possible.

“Only seemingly simple” – Battery development

At first glance, a battery looks simple. However, the most recent buyers did not receive their replacement batteries until the end of 2025. Why not sooner?

Unfortunately, a battery is only seemingly simple. The certification process for a new battery alone takes three to four months. However, it was important to us to use this time as effectively as possible to pinpoint the cause of the problem and rectify it. The background: due to the dynamic stresses involved in mountain biking, batteries are subjected to many overlapping loads.

And to ensure that four kilos or more sit securely in the down tube and do not interact adversely with the frame, a great deal of detailed work is required. That is why developing an e-MTB battery is considerably more complex than it might appear at first glance.

What has Canyon done over the past year to ensure the satisfaction of the affected Spectral and Torque:On customers?

As early as the end of 2024, we decided to compensate the affected customers voluntarily with a one-off payment. In addition, we subsequently paid each customer a fixed amount for every day on which the bike could not be used. This was calculated on the basis of the bike’s purchase price.

900 or 800 watt-hours: Why are there two versions?

As well as the replacement batteries for existing customers – which come in a plastic casing and have a capacity of 720 or 900 watt-hours – there is also a new battery with an aluminium casing. Why this second version?

The 800 battery with an aluminium casing serves several purposes. Firstly, it will simplify our product range in future. Unlike the 900 battery, the 800 battery also fits into size S frames. Secondly, the new 800 battery sets new standards in terms of battery safety.

This is one of the first e-bike batteries to feature a fully enclosed aluminium casing, including the end caps. The battery can withstand water pressure equivalent to a depth of one metre for 30 minutes and is therefore IPX57-certified. Should moisture nevertheless accumulate inside due to condensation, it can escape through double-sealed membranes in the battery’s end cap. We are not aware of any other e-bike battery that combines all these features.

4.6 kilos – not a record range: here’s why

Weighing in at 4.6 kilograms, the 800 battery for the new Spectral:On and Torque:On models is noticeably heavier than its modern competitors, which often weigh less than 4 kilograms. Doesn’t this mean that the Spectral:On loses its unique selling point of a record-breaking range combined with a reasonable weight?

On paper, the battery is missing those 100 additional watt-hours. In practice, however, it delivers excellent range. The battery isn’t as long as the 900 model, which helps to lower the centre of gravity. And there have been some changes on the inside too. The new battery offers new communication interfaces and utilises more powerful cells. As a result, it charges significantly faster than even the previous 720 model battery. Combined with the excellent value for money, we therefore have high hopes for the relaunch of Spectral:On and Torque:On.

All in all, it sounds as though the new battery’s potential in terms of additional functions is far from being fully realised…

There’s a lot going on in the world of e-bikes at the moment, and we naturally make sure we’re always up to date with the latest technology and take customer feedback on board.

Can you imagine using this battery in other new Canyon bikes as well?

We have a wide range of different designs in our portfolio and will continue to ensure, as we develop new products, that we find the best product for each bike.