With Syntace steering assistant: Canyon Spectral CF 8 K.I.S. on test
Even though the new Canyon Spectral is to be presented here, the new K.I.S. system (Keep It Stable) is the... well, not the eye-catcher, because you can hardly see it, but it is the absolute unique selling point. That's why you'll first find a paragraph about it in this article and then our presentation of the complete Canyon bike.
K.I.S. steering power assist from Syntace
The K.I.S. designed by Syntace centres the front wheel like a car and compensates for unequal forces when steering. The central components of K.I.S. are two tension springs which are connected to the steerer tube via a strap and are tensioned when the fork is turned (see detailed pictures). The complete system consists of just a few parts and weighs around 70 grams. With the Spectral CF 8 K.I.S., Canyon is now launching the world's first MTB with Syntace's integrated steering force balancer. As a licence holder, Canyon is allowed to use the system exclusively for one year alongside the Liteville brand. In order to bring the first production bike with K.I.S. to market as quickly as possible, the mail-order giant Canyon had to pull out all the stops.
It is hardly surprising that the Spectral CF was the first choice from the wide range of models. On the one hand, the All Mountain has already impressed in various tests with its extremely good downhill performance. An ideal starting point for pushing the physical limits of downhill capability even further. In addition, the existing frame shape offered enough space to integrate the system inside the top tube. At least almost. Because the marriage of K.I.S. and Canyon was not quite as simple as "plug and play". Unlike the solution devised by Jo Klieber for Liteville, the two metal tension springs - the central component of K.I.S. - had to be arranged next to each other instead of on top of each other. The wide but flat top tube shape of the Spectral CF called for this independent development in order to integrate the system invisibly from the outside. Only the small, black slider on the top tube reveals the steering revolution at work behind the scenes. This slider allows the preload of the springs to be adjusted using an Allen key.
The new Canyon Spectral CF 8 K.I.S.
Before half the bike community gets hot under the collar: The new Canyon Spectral CF will initially remain the only Canyon model with the K.I.S. system. Although there will be an E-MTB from Liteville in addition to the Spectral 29 CF 8 K.I.S. (we've already had the chance to test it briefly), Canyon says it plans to introduce more bikes with K.I.S. in 2023.
This much can be said about the geometry: with its slack head angle, 160 mm suspension fork and long wheelbase, this potent all-mountain bike is already very much in the enduro category. The rear suspension is also impressive and keeps up very well with the longer suspension fork. With K.I.S., the Spectral CF goes one step further, which means that in most cases it can even compete with true enduro bikes such as the Intense Tracercan stay on it. The frame, including the K.I.S., weighs only 200 grams more than its predecessor. However, the wheels including tyres weigh 500 grams more, which reduces the sprinting ability and costs points on the climbs.
For the launch of the Spectral CF 8 K.I.S., the rest of the Spectral family from Canyon also got an update - including new colours and new equipment variants.
Test Canyon Spectral CF 8.0 K.I.S.
Only the small addition K.I.S. indicates the Syntace steering force assistant, which is hidden in the top tube of the Canyon Spectral. What can the first production bike with K.I.S. do?
In BIKE 11/22 we already reported in detail on the new K.I.S. system (Keep It Stable). K.I.S. centres the front wheel like a car and balances out the unequal forces when steering. The central components of K.I.S. are two tension springs, which are connected to the steerer tube via a strap and are tensioned when turning (see detailed pictures at the top of the gallery). The complete system consists of just a few parts and weighs around 70 grams. With the Spectral CF 8.0 K.I.S., Canyon is now launching the world's first MTB with Syntace's integrated steering force balancer. As a licence holder, Canyon is allowed to use the system exclusively for one year alongside the Liteville brand.
Premiere of the Canyon Spectral with K.I.S.
In order to bring the first production bike with K.I.S. to market as quickly as possible, the mail-order giant Canyon had to pull out all the stops. It is hardly surprising that the Spectral was the first choice within the wide range of models. On the one hand, the All Mountain has already impressed in various tests with its extremely good downhill performance. An ideal starting point for pushing the physical limits of downhill capability even further. In addition, the existing frame shape offered enough space to integrate the system inside the top tube. At least almost. However, the marriage of K.I.S. and Canyon was not quite as simple as plug and play. Unlike the solution devised by Jo Klieber for Liteville, the two metal tension springs - the central component of K.I.S. - had to be arranged next to each other instead of on top of each other. The wide but flat top tube shape of the Spectral called for this independent development in order to integrate the system invisibly from the outside. Only the small, black slider on the top tube reveals the steering revolution at work behind the scenes. This slider can be used to adjust the preload of the springs using an Allen key.
Crisp: The Canyon Spectral with K.I.S. feels tight
The first few metres with the centred Spectral are different than usual. Even at the lowest level of support, the system is present and noticeable at all times. In direct comparison to Liteville's setup, Canyon deliberately opted for a stronger spring force and a different design of the lever via which the cables roll off. As a result, the K.I.S. in the Spectral feels a little crisper and firmer even in the weakest setting. According to Canyon, those who ride longer on the system will want to increase the spring preload more and more. However, if you switch back and forth between bikes with conventional steering and the Spectral with K.I.S., as we did during the test in the Bikepark Lermoos, you will quickly get the feeling of being "trapped" in the centred middle position. It feels like more arm strength is required, especially for light steering movements and fine corrections at low speeds. According to our measurements, the force required on the handlebars always remains under one kilo. Not much, but clearly noticeable for humans, who are creatures of habit.
The Spectral with K.I.S. likes speed
As the speed and demands of the route increase, the initially unfamiliar muscle input fades into the background. As soon as things get faster and more intense, the Spectral with K.I.S. really revs up and holds the ideal line with the composure of a big bike. Even in the wet, mossy, soft-soap section, where you quickly become a pinball between stones and wooden beams, the Spectral manoeuvres through with good-natured ease. With its slack head angle, 160 mm suspension fork and long wheelbase, the potent all-mountain bike is already very much in the enduro category. The rear suspension with Fox Float X shock is also impressive and keeps up very well with the longer suspension fork. With K.I.S., the Spectral goes one step further, which means that in most cases it can even keep up with true enduro bikes like the Intense Tracer.
More weight costs points uphill
The short, upright riding position is particularly noticeable on the climbs. The steep seat angle positions the rider far forwards, which belies the bike's generous wheelbase and gives the impression of sitting on a smaller bike. Compared to the last test in BIKE 6/21 the current test bike weighs a good 800 grams more in the same size and with almost identical equipment. With pedals, the Spectral exceeds the 15-kilo mark. The frame including the K.I.S. has only become 200 grams heavier. However, the wheels including tyres weigh 500 grams more, which reduces the sprinting ability and costs points on the climbs.
Conclusion from Peter Nilges, BIKE test manager:
Thanks to K.I.S., the already downhill-strong Spectral can go one better on the descents and puts many an enduro bike in the shade. However, its high weight and compact riding position make it less suitable for touring. However, you first have to get used to the stronger suspension of the steering system.
Technical data and grades of the Canyon Spectral CF 8.0 K.I.S
Manufacturer information
- Price: 4999 Euro²
- available by mail order
- Material / Size: Carbon / S / M / L / XL (46 cm, tested size)
Measured values
- Weight without pedals: 14.91 kg
- Frame weight without shock: 2788 g
- Weight of wheels: 5406 g
- Acceleration of running wheels: 4444 kg x cm²
- Handlebar width: 780 mm
- Frame rigidity (absolute): 38 N/mm
Equipment
- Wheels: DT Swiss XM 1700 Spline
- Tyres: Maxxis Minion DHR II 29 x 2.4
- Fork:: Fox 36 Float Performance Elite
- Shock: Fox Float X Performance Elite
- Front/rear suspension travel: 161/152 mm
- Brakes: Shimano XT 203 mm / 203 mm
- Gear system: Shimano XT 1 x 12
- Gear ratio / bandwidth: 32; 10-51 / 510 %
- Tele support / stroke: G5 dropper / 200 mm
Valuation
- Driving behaviour uphill: 17.5 from 25
- Chassis efficiency: 16 out of 20
- Rolling resistance: 7.5 out of 10
- Weight: 3 of 15
- Inertia impellers: 3 out of 10
- Bottle cage: 5 out of 10
- Driving behaviour downhill: 33.25 from 35
- Rear suspension: 22.5 out of 25
- Front suspension: 19 out of 20
- Saddle retractability: 10 out of 10
- Brakes: 13.5 out of 15
- Tyre grip: 12.75 out of 15
- Driving stability: 3 out of 10
- Total uphill: 52 out of 90
- Total downhill: 114 of 130
- Other: 25 out of 30
- Ease of maintenance: good
BIKE test judgement¹Very good - 191 out of 250 points
The BIKE judgement reflects the laboratory measurements and the subjective impression of the test riders. The BIKE judgement is independent of price.
²Price may be subject to additional costs for packaging, dispatch and coordination.
BIKE judgements: super (250-205 P.), very good (204.75-170 P.), good (169.75-140 P.), satisfactory (139.75-100 P.), with weaknesses, unsatisfactory. ²Price may be subject to additional costs for packaging, shipping and coordination.
