Just gorgeous! In visual terms, the 2021 Spectral:ON CF 9 has very little in common with Canyon’s first eMTB. The latest version features several technical innovations, including the new Shimano EP8 motor, 630 Wh battery, sexy carbon frame and one-piece cockpit. Has it managed to maintain its fun character through all those changes?
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best eMTB of 2021 – 25 models in review
Only last year Canyon introduced the new Spectral:ON carbon frame platform. For 2021, the German online retailer has upgraded the motor to the new 85 Nm Shimano EP8 motor and swapped the old battery for a significantly bigger 630 Wh model. Apart from the drive unit, Canyon have only made a few minor changes, staying true to the concept of a playful eMTB designed to deliver uncompromised trail fun. The ingredients? A slightly tilted motor to allow the shortest chainstays possible (the shortest in our test field), mixed wheel sizes, 150 mm travel and a weight of just 21.80 kg. A further visual highlight is Canyon’s elegant in-house one-piece carbon cockpit, combining stem and handlebar in one part and helping to reduce weight. This also features an integrated display mount which allows for seamless integration of the Shimano EP8 remote and display – the cleanest and most discreet solution in the entire test field. To round off the tidy look, Canyon integrate the speed sensor into the rear of the frame, where it’s protected from impacts and twisting. Details such as the extra-wide saddle or the USB charging port on the top tube prove that the new Spectral:ON is aimed at a wide spectrum of riders, including tourers.
The spec of the Spectral:ON CF 9 is top-notch
For the € 7,499 top-of-the-range Spectral:ON CF 9 model, Canyon rely on the finest components. The spec includes FOX Factory suspension with a 36 GRIP2 fork and DPX2 shock, a top-end Shimano XTR drivetrain and XTR brakes with 200 mm ICE-TECH rotors front and rear. Not quite as high-end are Canyon’s in-house grips, which are made of hard plastic, providing little to no damping and making our fingers go numb on several occasions. Like MERIDA and Santa Cruz, Canyon opt against a super fat tire despite running an MX setup. The 27.5 x 2.6” MAXXIS Minion DHR II rear tire is only marginally wider than the 29 x 2.5” Minion DHF at the front. Both come in the thin EXO+ casing and are mounted on Reynolds carbon wheels. Heavy and fast riders should consider upgrading to more robust tires or using a tire insert to protect the rims, especially on the rear.
Canyon Spectral:ON CF 9
€ 7,599
Specifications
Motor Shimano EP8 85 Nm
Battery Shimano BT-E8036 630 Wh
Display Shimano SC-EM800
Fork FOX 36 Factory GRIP2 150 mm
Rear Shock FOX DPX2 Factory 150 mm
Seatpost FOX Transfer Factory 150 mm
Brakes Shimano XTR M9120 200/200 mm
Drivetrain Shimano XTR 1x12
Stem Canyon:ON CF Cockpit CP0025 45 mm
Handlebar Canyon:ON CF Cockpit CP0025 780 mm
Wheelset Reynolds TRe Carbon 29"/27.5"
Tires MAXXIS Minion DHF/DHR II (EXO/EXO+) 2.5/2.6"
Technical Data
Size S M L XL
Weight 21.80 kg
Perm. total weight 130 kg
Max. payload (rider/equipment) 108 kg
Trailer approval no
Kickstand mount no
Specific Features
One-piece carbon cockpit
USB charging port
Canyon offer the Spectral:ON in four sizes. Given the compact reach (465 mm in L) and steep 66.5° head angle, in theory, it would make sense to pick the next frame size up, especially if you’re looking for more composure. However, in practice that’s not a good idea because the overly-long seat tube (480 mm in L) restricts the choice of frame size and freedom of movement, even riding the recommended size. On flat trails, the slack seat tube angle and upright riding position provide a high level of comfort. That being said, the unusual SD:ON saddle divides opinions, especially on long rides. While some testers found it to be very comfortable, others didn’t like the wide, raised tail.
Size | S | M | L | XL |
---|---|---|---|---|
Seat tube | 430 mm | 440 mm | 480 mm | 520 mm |
Top tube | 590 mm | 612 mm | 632 mm | 653 mm |
Head tube | 100 mm | 115 mm | 125 mm | 135 mm |
Head angle | 66.5° | 66.5° | 66.5° | 66.5° |
Sitzwinkel | 74.5° | 74.5° | 74.5° | 74.5° |
Chainstays | 435 mm | 435 mm | 435 mm | 435 mm |
BB Drop | 33 mm | 33 mm | 33 mm | 33 mm |
Wheelbase | 1,171 mm | 1,197 mm | 1,221 mm | 1,245 mm |
Reach | 425 mm | 445 mm | 465 mm | 485 mm |
Stack | 620 mm | 625 mm | 635 mm | 645 mm |
How does the Canyon Spectral:ON CF 9 perform on the trail?
The concept plays to its strengths on the climbs, where the supportive tail of the saddle actively helps you shift your weight forward when trying to keep the light front end down. The Spectral:ON playfully winds its way up flowing climbs and flat trails and delivers tons of fun in the process. However, on technical terrain and steep gravel ramps, the bike reaches its limits. The super short chainstays, which benefit the agile handling of the Canyon cause the front to lift too easily, especially when riding with the dropper at full extension. If you’re still determined to tackle challenging terrain, you should lower the dropper and shift your weight far forwards.
In full flow mode the nimble Canyon Spectral:ON delivers endless fun on smooth and flowing trails but doesn’t handle high-speeds too well!
Tuning tips: softer grips | possibly a narrower saddle
Downhill, the Canyon offers good traction and plenty of pop, allowing you to build up speed in corners and pop off edges with ease. The handling is outstanding and makes the Spectral:ON feel incredibly nimble and direct! The shape of the one-piece cockpit forces you into an active and aggressive riding position, letting you playfully carve through fast open corners with plenty of traction on both wheels, even if you’re not a top rider. However, this can become a problem on steep sections of trail where gravity tries to pull you over the front end and the saddle gets in your way, limiting your freedom of movement. To prevent this, we recommend using the maximum number of spacers under the stem. Unfortunately, the Canyon:ON CP12 cockpit doesn’t allow for further geometry tweaks. All these factors, combined with the twitchy character of the Canyon at high speeds, push the Spectral:ON to its limits on technical, chopped up terrain and fast bike park tracks.
Riding Characteristics
7Agility
- sluggish
- playful
Stability
- nervous
- stable
Handling
- demanding
- balanced
Riding fun
- boring
- lively
Motor feeling
- digital
- natural
Motor power
- weak
- strong
Value for money
- poor
- top
Conclusion
No other bike in the test field integrates the Shimano EP8 motor system as neatly as the Canyon Spectral:ON CF 9 – both visually and technically. On flowing trails, the lively handling is excellent, whether you’re riding uphill or downhill. If you’re looking for a lively eMTB for fun singletrack sessions, the Spectral:ON might be exactly what you’re looking for. However, this bike isn’t designed for alpine terrain, KOM-hunting missions or fast-paced bike park laps.
Tops
- lively and fun handling
- best cockpit integration of the Shimano system
Flops
- steep up- and downhill terrain
- twitchy at high speeds
- rattling battery
You can find out more about at canyon.com
The test field
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best eMTB of 2021 – 25 models in review
All bikes in test: Cannondale Moterra Neo Carbon 1 (Click for review) | Canyon Spectral:ON CF 9 | CENTURION No Pogo F3600i (Click for review) | CUBE Stereo Hybrid 140 HPC SLT Nyon (Click for review) | CUBE Stereo Hybrid 160 C:62 SLT Kiox (Click for review) | Ducati TK-01 RR (Click for review) | FLYER Uproc6 9.50 (Click for review) | FOCUS JAM² 6.9 NINE (Click for review) | GIANT Trance X E+ 1 (Click for review) | Haibike AllMtn 7 (Click for review) | KTM Macina Kapoho Prestige (Click for review) | Lapierre Overvolt GLP 2 Team (Click for review) | MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 10K (Click for review) | Mondraker Crafty Carbon XR (Click for review) | Moustache Samedi 29 Trail 8 (Click for review) | ROTWILD R.X375 ULTRA (Click for review) | Santa Cruz Bullit X01 RSV Air (Click for review) | SCOTT Ransom eRIDE 910 (Click for review) | SIMPLON Rapcon PMAX (Click for review) | Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo (Click for review) | Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo SL (Click for review) | STEVENS E-Inception AM 9.7 GTF (Click for review) | Thömus Lightrider E2 Pro (Click for review) | Trek Rail 9.9 X01 (Click for review) | Whyte E-150 RS 29ER V1 (Click for review)
Relaxed and comfortable riding on surfaced roads, both uphill and downhill.↩
Easy climbs up trails with few obstacles, wide turns and a moderate incline.↩
Active and playful descents on easy trails with few obstacles, wide turns and a moderate slope.↩
Single-track climbs on challenging terrain. Loose ground, steps, roots, tight corners and occasionally extreme inclines.↩
Singletrack descents on challenging terrain. Loose ground, steps, roots, tight corners and small jumps as well as some very steep descents.↩
High speed descents on sometimes very rough trails with large jumps and obstacles that you can’t roll over.↩
The rating used for riding characteristics refers to the bikes in the group test and the current state of development of eMTBs. The best bikes managed to blend supposedly opposite riding characteristics, feeling both lively and stable at the same time. The handling describes the balance of the bike on downhill sections. The information regarding motor-power refers to the ride-feeling in the overall context of the bike and not exclusively to the motor – that’s why the same motor can present different values.↩
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Words: Photos: Various