Canyon Spectral:ONfly first test – Electrified do-it-all bike?

With the new Spectral:ONfly, Canyon introduce their second ‘light’ e-mountainbike. According to the German manufacturer, it’s the “do-it-all bike” in their portfolio, featuring a TQ HPR 50 motor system and 160/150 mm of travel. But is the Spectral:ONfly truly a companion for all occasions?

After introducing their first light eMTB in spring 2024, the Neuron:ONfly, Canyon unveil yet another light-assistance mountain bike, the Canyon Spectral:ONfly, which is meant to bridge the gap between the analog Spectral and the “full-fat” Spectral:ON. Whether analogue or electric, the Spectral has always been Canyon’s “do-it-all bike”. The new Spectral:ONfly features a full carbon frame, 160/150 mm of travel (f/r), and a mixed wheel setup with a big 29″ wheel at the front and smaller 27.5″ wheel at the rear. Moreover, it’s Canyon’s first e-bike featuring the K.I.S. steering stabiliser. Pricing starts at a comparatively affordable € 5,599. We tested the LTD flagship model, which retails at € 8,999 and tips the scales at just 18,6 kg in size M. Read the full review to find out how it performs on the trails and what else it has to offer!

The 2025 Canyon Spectral:ONfly in detail

Is it an eMTB? Is it not? With the Spectral:ONfly, one of Canyon’s development team’s major challenges was to integrate all the components of the motor system seamlessly into the frame. Despite the massive challenge they faced, they did an excellent job, and the new Canyon Spectral:ONfly looks almost identical to its analog counterpart at first glance. The TQ HPR 50 motor, which delivers 50 Nm of torque and 300 watts peak power, is seamlessly integrated into the carbon frame and almost impossible to spot. Only the display on the top tube reveals the electric nature of the Spectral:ON.

This shows all basic riding data, like the speed, battery charge status and current support mode. Canyon’s engineers replaced TQ’s standard support levels with customised ones, increasing the maximum power output of the Eco, Mid, and High modes significantly compared to the standard settings. At the same time, they reduced the assistance level slightly to achieve a more natural ride feeling. Switching between modes can be done either directly via the display or the minimalist handlebar remote.

The motor draws its power from a 360-Wh battery, which is permanently integrated into the down tube and can’t be removed for charging. You have the option of mounting a 160 Wh range extender on the down tube using a special FIDLOCK holder, which is then plugged into the easily accessible charging port on the top of the down tube directly behind the head tube. If you want to know more about the TQ HPR 50 motor system and its features, and see how it compares to the competition, you should check out our big motor comparison test.

The Canyon Spectral:ONfly relies on the same design language as its analogue counterpart, and is distinctly recognisable as a Canyon. The shock is mounted horizontally and merges seamlessly into the seat stays. The Spectral:ONfly LTD version we tested comes in a sleek black paint job with white dots. A generously sized chainstay protector prevents paint chips and chain slap, ensuring a quiet ride on the trail. Canyon also throw in a chain guide, which prevents the chain from falling off. However, it’s the less evident features that really testify to Canyon’s attention to detail: for example, the replaceable threaded inserts on the swingarm and protective film that comes standard on every frame.

The K.I.S. steering stabilizer, which was developed by Canyon in close collaboration with Syntace, now comes standard on all Spectral:ONfly models. It’s housed under the display in the top tube and relies on a weaker spring than its predecessor. Given that the K.I.S. system takes up a considerable amount of space, the cables are routed through cable ports behind the head tube rather than directly through it.

The spec of the 2025 Canyon Spectral:ONfly CF LTD

The Canyon Spectral:ONfly LTD flagship model we tested comes equipped with the finest components. Let’s start with the FOX Factory suspension, which consists of a FOX 36 fork with the high-quality GRIP2 damper and matching FLOAT X Factory air shock. Both suspension elements offer countless adjustment options and deliver an excellent performance on the trail. Thanks to the new Canyon Connected app, you can receive recommendations for the ideal air pressure and suspension settings based on the rider’s weight. This app feature will only be available for the Canyon Spectral:ONfly for the time being, but is expected to roll out across the rest of Canyon’s MTB and eMTB portfolio over the next season.

An electronic SRAM XX Eagle Transmission drivetrain ensures precise shifting, even under load, and relies on a direct-mount rear derailleur. SRAM also supply the CODE Ultimate Stealth four-piston, which, together with the 200 mm rotors front and rear, ensure powerful, reliable deceleration even on long, steep descents. Canyon’s in-house G5 dropper post offers 200 mm of travel in size M, ensuring plenty of freedom of movement on the trail – excellent! The German manufacturer also relies on its own components for the cockpit, combining a Canyon G5 stem and 780 mm wide G5 alloy handlebars.

Canyon also rely on high-end components for the rest of the spec, including the premium Reynolds Blacklabel Expert carbon wheelset. The rims are paired with MAXXIS DHR II tires at the front and the rear, both in the harder MaxxTerra rubber compound. Unfortunately, Canyon rely on the puncture-prone EXO casing at the front and slightly more robust EXO+ casing at the rear, which are both a threat to the expensive carbon rims. We recommend upgrading the front tire to the more durable EXO+ casing to protect the rim and switching to the softer MaxxGrip compound for more traction.

Tuning tip: Upgrade to a more durable EXO+ casing with the softer MaxxGrip compound for improved trail performance.

Additional spec variants of the 2025 Canyon Spectral:ONfly

Alongside the Canyon Spectral:ONfly CF LTD flagship model there are three additional spec variants, Which all share the same carbon frame and TQ HPR 50 motor system.

The Canyon Spectral:ONfly CF8 entry-level model retails at € 5,599, which makes it one of the most affordable eMTBs with a TQ HPR 50 motor. It comes equipped with a RockShox suspension Lyrik Base fork and Deluxe Select+ shock. Shifting is taken care of by a Shimano DEORE 12-speed drivetrain, while SRAM CODE R four-piston brakes do stopping duties.
Next up is the CF9 variant, which costs €6,299 and comes equipped with a FOX 36 Performance fork and FOX DPS air shock. Shimano supply the 12-speed XT drivetrain and matching XT four-piston brakes, which both deliver a solid performance on the trail.
The Canyon Spectral:ONfly also comes in a special CLLCTV edition, which sets itself apart from the other models through its unique ‘Stadtwald’ paint job and strong focus on trail performance. This version features a beefy 38 Performance fork with the high-end GRIP2 damper and a matching FOX FLOAT X Performance air shock. It’s also the only model that features a MAXXIS ASSEGAI tire at the front. Unfortunately, both tires still come in the thin EXO and EXO+ casings and hard MaxxTerra rubber compound. Shifting is taken care of by an electronic robust SRAM GX Eagle Transmission drivetrain. To own the CLLCTV special edition, you’ll have to fork out €7,299.

The geometry of the 2025 Canyon Spectral:ONfly

The Canyon Spectral is available in four sizes, from S to XL, offering a suitable option for riders between 163 cm and 200 cm tall. Like all Canyon bikes, the Spectral:ONfly relies on a slightly different sizing concept. Size M frames are intended for riders around 180 cm, and reach values have been modified slightly across the range. Chainstay length is 440 mm, which is neither excessively long nor short, and remains consistent across all frame sizes. At 415 mm in size M, the seat tube is relatively short and yet allows you to insert a 200 mm dropper post all the way into the frame, thus ensuring plenty of freedom of movement on the trail – excellent!

Size	S	M	L	XL
Top tube	594 mm	621 mm	648 mm	675 mm
Seat tube	400 mm	415 mm	445 mm	455 mm
Head tube	105 mm	115 mm	125 mm	135 mm
Head angle	64°	64°	64°	64°
Seat angle	76.5°	76.5°	76.5°	76.5°
Chainstay	440 mm	440 mm	440 mm	440 mm
BB Drop	31 mm	31 mm	31 mm	31 mm
Wheelbase	1,221 mm	1,251 mm	1,280 mm	1,309 mm
Reach	445 mm	470 mm	495 mm	520 mm
Stack	620 mm	629 mm	638 mm	647 mm

The 2025 Canyon Spectral:ONfly on the trail

As soon as you swing your leg over the saddle, the Canyon Spectral:ONfly places you in a comfortable yet slightly sporty pedalling position, which allows you to embark on epic backcountry expeditions without having to book yourself in with a physio the following day. Uphill, the Canyon Spectral:ONfly feels more like a traditional MTB than a powerful eMTB. The TQ HPR 50 motor delivers a very natural ride feeling, pushing you uphill with a gentle breeze of artificial tailwind. The motor requires you to work a little harder, but perfectly complements the sporty nature of this bike. Thanks to the custom riding modes, you always feel adequately supported. The rear suspension works efficiently, generating good traction on loose terrain while rendering the climb switch superfluous on long trailhead commutes.

When gravity takes over, the Canyon integrates you deeply between its wheels, making you feel at ease from the get go. This position inspires huge amounts of confidence and encourages even beginners to keep their fingers off the brakes for a tad longer. The Canyon Spectral:ONfly is tons of fun and slaps a massive grin on your face, especially on flowing trails. With its playful handling and mullet wheel setup, it carves through corners effortlessly, while the firm suspension allows you to generate speed by pumping through rollers and berms. Want to pop off a ledge for some airtime? No problem! Even with botched landings, the suspension offers plenty of reserves. As the trail gets rougher, the Canyon strikes an impressive balance between composure and agility, making it easy to spontaneously switch to a high line. The weight is evenly distributed between the front and rear, meaning that you don’t have to actively weight the front wheel to keep it tracking in flat corners. The Canyon Spectral:ONfly feels at home on both flowy and rough, technical enduro trails, proving a versatile companion for countless riding scenarios.

Who should take a closer look at the 2025 Canyon Spectral:ONfly?

The Canyon Spectral:ONfly is a great match above all for riders who want a sporty, lightweight eMTB with a sleek design. It’s a strong all-rounder and suitable for a wide range of trail types, as long as you’re willing to put in a bit more effort on the climbs. If you’re looking for a shuttle replacement, you might be better taking a closer look at one of Canyon’s full-power eMTBs.

Our conclusions about the 2025 Canyon Spectral:ONfly

Sleek design meets top trail performance. The Spectral:ONfly inherits the outstanding all-round qualities of its analogue counterpart and successfully fills the gap in Canyon’s eMTB portfolio. Except for minor inconsistencies in the spec, the Canyon Spectral:ONfly offers a well-rounded package at a fair price, which appeals to riders of all skill levels.

For more information, visit canyon.com

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Words: Mike Hunger Photos: Markus Greber