Canyon Spectral:ON 9.0 in Review

The Canyon Spectral:ON 9.0 secured the coveted Best Value Tip in last year’s big group test. It returns in 2020 without any changes to the frame or spec but can it still hold its own against an increasingly competitive field?

Click here for an overview of the best eMTB 2020 group test.

The Canyon Spectral:ON was first introduced in early 2018, so we wouldn’t exactly call it old. However, ebikes move quickly and the 150 mm travel aluminium frame looks like an eMTB dinosaur compared to the competition: both the external 504 Wh battery of the Shimano STEPS E8000 motor and the antiquated speed sensor with its glitchy spoke magnet underline the overall system’s lack of integration. The workmanship is not up to the level we’ve come to expect either: the welds look basic and the rear linkage bushings developed play during testing. This is a problem that Canyon claim to have solved, but we’ve encountered it on every Spectral:ON we’ve tested to date.

Components, weight and technical details of the Canyon Spectral:ON 9.0

When it comes to componentry, the € 6,199 flagship Spectral:ON 9.0 features the best in high-end componentry with a Shimano XTR drivetrain and brakes and FOX Factory suspension. Riders who spend long days in the saddle will also appreciate the USB charging port integrated into the top tube, the proprietary saddle and the drivetrain’s extremely wide gear range.

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Geometry and size of the Canyon

When developing the Spectral:ON, agility was the top priority. To achieve this, Canyon have a special trick to keep the chainstays as short as possible. The Shimano motor is mounted at a slight angle in the frame to make room for the main pivot of the rear linkage. By doing so, the Spectral:ON has the shortest chainstays in the entire test field at 430 mm.

Size	XS	S	M	L	XL
Seat tube	420 mm	430 mm	440 mm	480 mm	520 mm
Top tube	582 mm	597 mm	616 mm	638 mm	660 mm
Head tube	100 mm	95 mm	100 mm	113 mm	125 mm
Head angle	66.0°	66.8°	66.8°	66.8°	66.8°
Seat angle	73.3°	73.8°	73.8°	73.8°	73.8°
Chainstays	430 mm	430 mm	430 mm	430 mm	430 mm
BB Drop	20 mm	33 mm	33 mm	33 mm	33 mm
Wheelbase	1,151 mm	1,161 mm	1,183 mm	1,208 mm	1,233 mm
Reach	405 mm	425 mm	445 mm	465 mm	485 mm
Stack	605 mm	618 mm	622 mm	634 mm	644 mm

The Spectral:ON 9.0 on the trail

The riding position of the Spectral:ON is comfortable and thanks to the proprietary saddle developed specifically for eMTBs, it also stays comfortable on long rides. We were impressed with the bike’s balanced and agile handling on smooth, flowing climbs. However, the slack seat tube angle and extremely short chainstays are at a disadvantage on steep terrain. You have to physically shift your weight forward to keep the front wheel on the ground, robbing you of precious energy. With your weight forwards even the 2.8″ wide MAXXIS Minion tire on the rear reaches the limits of its grip. Going uphill, the Spectral:ON doesn’t make use of the full advantages that mixed wheel sizes offer, losing ground to its latest rivals.

Looks matter: the external battery on the Spectral:ON makes it look outdated.

The Spectral:ON’s climbing capabilities can’t keep up on technical, steep terrain

With your centre of gravity low and secure behind the bars, together with the reliable stopping power of the brakes, the Canyon Spectral:ON 9.0 instils you with confidence on the descents. The balanced weight distribution and the extremely short 430 mm chainstays give the Spectral:ON almost the same agility as its non-motorised counterpart. The suspension offers enough mid-stroke support to nimbly change direction or bunny hop while still making good use of the available travel on harder hits. However, rather than going at full tilt or hitting big jumps, the Spectral:ON feels most comfortable on natural singletrack. Here, it handles with precision and nimbly weaves around obstacles. It’s only the bulky saddle that gets in the way of your legs on steep descents or whenever you want to shift your centre of gravity back or forth.

Few bikes are as agile and playful on the descents as the Canyon Spectral:ON

Tuning tip: Aggressive riders will want to swap the rear tire out for something with a sturdier casing and better puncture protection

Conclusion

The design principle of the now somewhat outdated Canyon Spectral:ON is resolutely form follows function. Canyon’s efforts to make the Spectral:ON 9.0 handle as much as possible like a non-motorised mountain bike on the descents have compromised its looks and climbing capabilities. It’s a good choice for those who live for the descents and where climbing is only a means to an end but unfortunately, it’s no longer enough for the Best Value Tip.

In March 2020, Canyon launched the new Spectral:ON CF. Find out in our first review what’s new and whether they considered our criticism.

You can find out more about the Canyon Spectral:ON 9.0 at canyon.com.

The test field

You can find everything you need to know about our test for the best eMTB of 2020 right here!

All bikes in test: BULLS SONIC EVO AM 6 | Cannondale Moterra 1 | Canyon Spectral:ON 9.0 | COMMENCAL META POWER 29 TEAM 2020 | CONWAY XYRON 927 Carbon | CUBE Stereo Hybrid 160 HPC | FANTIC XF1 180 Race | FOCUS JAM² 9.9 DRIFTER | Giant Reign E+ 0 Pro | Haibike XDURO Nduro 10.0 | Liteville 301 CE MK1 | MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 10K | Moustache Samedi 27 Trail | Norco Range VLT C1 | NOX Hybrid Enduro 7.1 | Orbea WILD FS M-LTD | Pivot Shuttle 29 | Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Carbon 90 Rally Edition | ROTWILD R.X750 ULTRA | SIMPLON Rapcon Pmax | Specialized Turbo Kenevo Expert | Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo | Trek Rail 9.9 | Whyte E-180 RS V1 | YT DECOY CF Pro Race

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Words: Felix Stix, Robin Schmitt, Jonas Müssig Photos: Finlay Anderson, Robin Schmitt, Felix Stix, Markus Frühmann