Affordable alternatives: All Specialized Levo and Canyon Spectral:ON models in overview
Winning the lottery – almost everyone’s dreamt of it. There is so much you could buy with the money, like the € 11,299 Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo that won our group test! But it’s unlikely that we’ll ever win the lottery, so we’ve compiled a list of the most exciting lower-cost alternatives to our group test winners.
The bikes in our group test are at the absolute forefront of eMTB development. These are the flagship models in the manufacturer’s portfolio, with only the best and finest components, guaranteed to have an instant “must-have” effect. Of course, they offer the best possible riding performance, but you don’t always need to ride the most expensive model to enjoy a big grin on the trail. Before we recommend other more affordable models from the winning Canyon and Specialized range, we’ve got a few basic tips to consider before buying an affordable eMTB.
The heart of an eMTB is not its rear derailleur
There are many riders and dealers who look first at the drivetrain or the motor when choosing an eMTB. Buzzwords such as “Shimano XT” or “Bosch” are often still the deciding factors. But having fun and feeling confident on a bike doesn’t depend on the rear derailleur! What matters is the frame and the overall concept. The interplay of the frame with functional componentry significantly determines the handling of a bike, the riding position and how much fun you’ll have. Therefore, you usually can’t go wrong with one of the cheaper alternatives to one of our test winners – but there are some details that you should pay attention to nonetheless.
What’s the difference between an affordable and an expensive eMTB?
Bike brands bring down the price of a bike by saving on certain parts and making compromises. One example, is the frame material: while some of the flagship models have carbon frames, cheaper models rely on an aluminium frame. The differences usually show up in the weight, appearance and stiffness – but in general, there’s nothing wrong with an aluminium frame. The more affordable bikes also have cheaper components, which is usually noticeable with regards to the weight, but in some cases also results in decreased performance and durability. While a slightly higher weight and a cheap drivetrain are negligible on an eMTB, saving on the suspension, the brakes or the tires can have a detrimental effect on the handling. Cheap wheels, for example, are a false economy, the weight of an eMTB can be very hard on the wheels. Finally, compare the battery and the motor, seeing as some manufacturers spec batteries with less capacity or cheaper motors.
It doesn’t always need to be the high-end model, you can have just as much fun with a more affordable spec. On the following pages we walk you through all the available models of the Specialized Levo and the Canyon Spectral:ON.
