The best e-mountain bike of 2025? Canyon Spectral:ONfly CF LTD On Test

Undercover! With its compact TQ HPR 50 motor and 360 Wh battery, the Canyon Spectral:ONfly CF LTD doesn’t even look like an eMTB. Now the question is: is the sleek German the eMTB many have been waiting for?

This bike is part of our big group test: The Best E-Mountainbike of 2025 – Featuring the 30 Most Exciting E-MTBs of the Year. Click here for the full intro, key takeaways, and all the bikes we tested.

Canyon entered our 2025 eMTB comparison test with not one, not two, but three eMTBs: the brand-new Neuron:ON AL 9, the Spectral:ONfly CF LTD, and the more affordable counterpart of the latter, the Spectral:ONfly CF 8. Both Spectral models rely on a light-assistance motor rather than a full-power drive, offering 160/150 mm of travel, and the K.I.S. system integrated into the top tube. Tipping the scales at just 18.54 kg in size M, the Spectral:ONfly CF LTD is the second-lightest bike in this test, right after the Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo SL, which weighs in at an unbeatable 18.2 kg. At €8,999, the Canyon s is also relatively affordable. If you want to spend even less, you should take a closer look at the Spectral:ONfly CF 8, which is a very budget-friendly alternative at around €5,600. But how does the Canyon Spectral:ONfly CF LTD stack up against the competition?

What Sets The Canyon Spectral:ONfly CF LTD Apart From the Competition?

With the Spectral:ONfly CF LTD, Canyon proves that they can build light eMTBs that are pretty hard to tell apart from analogue trail bikes at first glance. The compact TQ HPR 50 motor is discreetly integrated into the bottom bracket area and delivers 50 Nm of torque along with 300 watts peak power. The motor draws its power from a permanently integrated 360 Wh battery, which can be charged via a conveniently positioned charging port on the top of the downtube. With an average charging speed of 2.7 Wh/min, the Canyon has one of the slowest charging rates in the entire test field, requiring 139 minutes for a full charge. For longer rides, you can expand the internal battery with the optional 160 Wh range extender, which can be secured to a practical rail system on the downtube, and bumps the total battery capacity to 520 Wh. The motor system can be controlled either via the wired handlebar remote or directly through the seamlessly integrated top tube display, which provides a rather basic overview of ride data, like battery charge status, current speed, and power output from both the rider and the motor (in watts). As usual, the three support modes can be customized via the companion app, although the TQ motor system offers only a limited range of connectivity features beyond that.

The sleek motor system integration is complemented by the well-thought-out cable routing, which both ensure a clean, minimalist look. To the delight of all home mechanics, Canyon forgo a complex headset cable routing system. Instead, all cables are routed internally and disappear into the frame through conventional cable ports behind the head tube, only to reappear shortly before their destination. A generously sized chainstay protector prevents chain slap, ensuring a quiet ride on the trail. Practical bonus: essential trail tools can be conveniently stored using the tool mount on the underside of the downtube.

As an additional feature, Canyon now equips the Spectral:ONfly with their K.I.S. steering stabilizer as standard. Developed in collaboration with Syntace, the system uses a spring inside the top tube that tightens when the handlebars turn, which is meant to improve stability – especially when cornering. During our test session, we rode the system in the weakest setting, as we found it offered no real benefit for practical trail use. Despite the relatively moderate price, Canyon relies on high-quality components for the Spectral:ONfly CF LTD. FOX supplies the FOX 36 Factory fork and matching FOX FLOAT X Factory shock. The fork relies on a GRIP2 damper, which delivers a tremendous performance on the trail. For the cockpit and dropper post, Canyonrely on their in-house G5 components. The dropper post has 200 mm of travel, ensuring plenty of freedom of movement on the trail – and the travel can be adjusted in 5 mm increments up to 25 mm. Shifting is taken care of by an electronic SRAM XX AXS Eagle Transmission drivetrain, which relies on a direct-mount rear-derailleur and delivers precise, butter-smooth gear shifts even under load. SRAM CODE Ultimate Stealth brakes with 200 mm rotors front and rear provide powerful, reliable deceleration. The Reynolds Blacklabel Expert carbon mullet wheelset is paired with MAXXIS Minion DHR II tires, with the thin EXO casing at the front and the more robust EXO+ casing at the rear– both in the harder MaxxTerra rubber compound. For more traction, we recommend upgrading to a front tire in the softer MaxxGrip rubber compound and the thicker EXO+ casing for added durability.

Tuning Tip: When the first tire change is due, upgrade to the softer MaxxGrip rubber compound and more robust EXO+ casing at the front.

How Did the Canyon Spectral:ONfly CF LTD Perform in this Test?

When making your way to the trailhead, the Canyon Spectral:ONfly CF LTD requires slightly more physical effort than its competitors. The TQ HPR 50 motor provides a natural ride feeling but isn’t- overly powerful when climbing. While full-power bikes like the Focus JAM² 6.0 and the AMFLOW PL Carbon Pro effortlessly cruise uphill at the 25 km/h limit, the Spectral:ONfly demands more effort. As a result, it reaches the summit last, alongside the Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo SL, and simply runs out of steam on steep, technical climbs.

The Canyon Spectral:ONfly CF LTD features high-end components, including a FOX Factory suspension, SRAM XX AXS Transmission drivetrain, and Reynolds carbon wheels.

When gravity takes over, the Canyon Spectral:ONfly CF LTD places you in a well-balanced, central riding position, with the weight evenly distributed between the front and rear. The low system weight and direct, intuitive handling make it incredibly agile, inspiring confidence within just a few meters. Quick direction changes? No problem! The Spectral:ONfly effortlessly carves from one berms into the next, launching smoothly from one side of the trail to the other with minimal effort. The playful character opens up new possibilities on the trail, turning even the smallest bumps into kickers and encouraging an active riding style. The firm suspension perfectly complements the Spectral:ONfly’s direct nature, allowing you to generate impressive amounts of speed by pumping through rollers and berms. Only the Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo SL delivers a similar level of playfulness and fun on the trail.

As the trail gets rougher, the Canyon Spectral:ONfly CF LTD demands more precise line choices. In rock gardens and technical sections, it lacks composure, and requires you to slow down. Here, bikes like the YT Decoy SN and the Santa Cruz Vala have the upper hand, tracking more smoothly and plowing through rough terrain with more confidence.

The more affordable Spectral:ONfly CF 8 retains the fun DNA of the LTD model but makes compromises both in terms of suspension and braking performance. The RockShox Lyrik fork doesn’t quite match the high trail performance of the top-tier FOX 36 Factory. Similarly, the SRAM CODE R brakes generate noticeably less braking torque, especially when you need to scrub speed in tight corners 😉. That said, the CF 8 remains an incredibly fun bike, maintaining almost the same agility despite being slightly heavier. However, when the terrain gets really rough, it’s best to take it a little easier.

Light, agile, and playful! The Canyon Spectral:ONfly feels right at home on flow trails.

Who Should Take a Closer Look at the Canyon Spectral:ONfly CF LTD?

The Canyon Spectral:ONfly CF LTD is built for riders seeking a lightweight, playful eMTB that allows them to fully showcase their skills. With its intuitive handling and agile character, it’s suitable for riders of all skill levels, delivering plenty of fun on the trail. However, those looking to charge through rough, technical terrain or power up climbs with maximum assistance will be better off with a full-power eMTB.

Conclusions about the Canyon Spectral:ONfly CF LTD

The Canyon Spectral:ONfly CF LTD combines lightweight construction, agility, and direct handling to create one of the most fun eMTBs in this test. With its natural power delivery, it’s by no means a shuttle replacement but rather a light-assistance eMTB that boosts your own strength without overpowering it. On flowing trails, it fully plays to its strengths, while in rough terrain, you’ll have to slow down a little. For those looking for a playful light eMTB that delivers maximum riding fun, this is the perfect choice!

Tops

• Very high fun factor
• High agility
• Super intuitive handling
• Silent motor support

Flops

• Limited motor power
• Lacks stability in rough terrain

More info at canyon.com

The test field

For an overview of the test field head to our “Best E-Mountainbike of 2025” comparison test – 30 of the most exciting trail bikes in our 2025 group test

All bikes in test: AMFLOW PL Carbon Pro, Canyon Spectral:ONfly CF LTD, FOCUS JAM² 6.0, GHOST E-RIOT LTD, Haibike HYBE CF 11, MERIDA eONE-SIXTY SL 10K, Orbea WILD M-LTD, Orbea Rise LT M-Team, R RAYMON Tarok Ultra, Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay SL, Santa Cruz Vala X0 AXS RSV, SCOTT Patron ST 900 Tuned, Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo 4, Transition Regulator CX XT, UNNO Mith Pro, YT DECOY SN MX CORE 3.

Words: Benedikt Schmidt Photos: Peter Walker