Buyer's guide Know How

Affordable alternatives: All Specialized Levo and Canyon Spectral:ON models in overview

The Canyon Spectral:ON portfolio in detail

The Canyon Spectral:ON 9.0 secured itself the Best Value Tip in our group test. With a price of € 6,199 and only the best components, it’s the top-end model of Canyon’s product lineup. Since all Spectral:ON models have the same motor, identical battery capacity and the same frame, you can save a lot of money here with a cheaper componentry.

Canyon Spectral:ON 9.0

Fork FOX 36 Factory 150 mm
Shock FOX Float DPS Factory 150 mm
Motor/battery Shimano Steps E8000/Shimano Steps 504 Wh
Drivetrain SRAM X01 Eagle
Brakes SRAM Code RSC 200/200 mm
Seatpost FOX Transfer Factory
Wheelstz DT Swiss HX 1501 29″/27,5″
Tires Maxxis Minion DHF/DHR II 2,5″/2,8″
Price € 6,199

At the bottom of the range is the Canyon Spectral:ON 6.0 for € 3,799, and there are no significant compromises to speak of even here. The bike has grippy Schwalbe Magic Mary tires, reliable and powerful Magura MT Traill brakes, good RockShox suspension, a dropper post and a big-range Shimano SLX drivetrain. Although the components are all lower end, fundamentally the bike still performs perfectly fine on the trails.

Canyon Spectral:ON 6.0

Fork RockShox Yari RC 150 mm
Shock RockShox Deluxe R 150 mm
Motor/battery Shimano Steps E8000/Shimano Steps 504 Wh
Drivetrain Shimano SLX
Brakes MAGURA MT Trail Sport 203/203 mm
Seatpost Kind Shock Lev SI
Wheelstz DT Swiss H 1900 29″/27,5″
Tires Schwalbe Magic Mary/Nobby Nic 2,6″/2,8″
Price € 3,799

For € 500 more, the Spectral:ON 7.0 offers an improved riding performance, especially on demanding trails, thanks to a higher quality FOX Performance 36 fork with improved damping. On top of that, it scores points with the Shimano XT brakes and drivetrain. If we had to choose a bike with the perfect value for money ratio, we would grab this € 4,299 model!

Canyon Spectral:ON 7.0

Fork FOX 36 Perfromance 150 mm
Shock FOX Float DPS Performance 150 mm
Motor/battery Shimano Steps E8000/Shimano Steps 504 Wh
Drivetrain Shimano XT/SLX
Brakes Shimano XT 4-Kolben 203/203 mm
Seatpost Iridium Dropper
Wheelstz Shimano XT/Alexrims EM 29″/27,5″
Tires Maxxis Minion DHF/DHR II 2,5″/2,8″
Price € 4,299

With the two other models, the € 5,199 Spectral:ON 8.0 and the flagship 9.0 model for € 6,199, you’re mostly paying for a more precise shifting drivetrain. In terms of performance, the differences are significantly less pronounced than the jump from the 6.0 to the 7.0. Rationally speaking then, the Spectral:ON 7.0 is the most exciting bike in Canyon’s product range. However, if only the best will do, and you do go for one of the more expensive models, you won’t go wrong.

Canyon Spectral:ON 8.0

Fork RockShox Lyrik RC2 150 mm
Shock RockShox Deluxe R 150 mm
Motor/battery Shimano Steps E8000/Shimano Steps 504 Wh
Drivetrain SRAM X01 Eagle
Brakes SRAM Code RSC 200/200 mm
Seatpost Iridium Dropper
Wheelstz DT Swiss H 1700 29″/27,5″
Tires Maxxis Minion DHF/DHR II 2,5″/2,8″
Price € 5,199

Like Specialized, Canyon also has two women’s specific models on offer. As with the unisex models, the € 3,799 Spectral:ON WMN 6.0 already has everything it needs to make the hearts of female riders beat a little faster. But for an extra € 800, the Spectral:ON WMN 7.0 will get you even better performance and reliability.

More information at canyon.com


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