When not riding he can be found at the climbing wall, in his garden or cooking up culinary delights. And if you havent already, make sure you subscribe to ourYouTubechannel, and sign up to ourFacebookpage andInstagramfeed so you can keep up to date with all things Flow! The geometry details below are for the carbon bike in its low setting. The Spectral 125 aluminum frame has a claimed weight of 3,000 grams (no shock). For marketing purposes, we share some of this data with third parties such as Google, Facebook, and Instagram. I have a 2014 spectral, great bike it replaced a spicy 150mm travel and a 120mm ex8. Current bike: 2016 Giant Talon 2 (XL) 27.5". I habe a brief summery of spectral vs strive: Size of wheels Inner tubing of cables in case of Strive, outer for spectral, but covered Frame suspension has shape shifter in case of strive, For riding the main differences: In both you sit very well, Strive: more fun when it is going steeper/faster. Whether youre after long, epic rides out in the mountains or are more interested in shuttling all day to dial it in on the downhills, theres a Canyon e-mtb for you. Canyon has yet another new trail bike, the Spectral 125. I still think personally although great value a lot of euro brands like canyon lag behind a bit when it comes to modern geometry and progressive design. Jumps are all pretty simple, and only a few blue/black drops. The rear linkage depends on the Three Phase Kinematic developed for the Sender to properly engage the rear shock and compensate for the bikes weight. Both the Neuron:ON and the Spectral:ON utilise powerful motors, long-lasting batteries and modern geometries that will please beginner and expert e-mountain bikers alike, but which one is right for you? This time were giving you the chance to win a pair of snazzy Shimano ME7 shoes courtesy of Freewheel. Which mountain bike wheel size is right for you? My general impression of the handling is that itunsurprisinglyleans stable and predictable. The aluminum version of the Spectral 125 frame is not an exact copy of the carbon frame rendered in a different material, but is optimized for aluminum production, Canyon says. Id like to offer more feedback on this bike, but when a full suspension bikes rear tune is off by quite a bit, as it seems to be in this case, it makes almost everything else about bike hard to evaluate. Picking out your first e-mtb or upgrading to one of our new, flagship models, deciding on an e-mountain bike can be hard. Short chainstays make it playful and easy to manoeuvre while a long wheelbase and slack head angle keep it stable on big drops and at high speeds. The result is increased control on bigger hits, but also ample support when you push your weight into the bike, giving it plenty of pop. I ended up buying a 2016(new)camber650B from rutland cycling instead. And though there is overlap, the Spectral 125 is its own animal. In the Spectral corner, I think it's a more appropriate bike for the riding I like - gnar. The size-large bike has a reach of 486mm, which is as long as many larger enduro bikes. After all, the. At the very least, however, the Spectral 125s flat head angle lets you know its not designed to be, nor will it ride like, an XC-adjacent bike. The front end is therefore long, which should give ample high-speed stability, while the compact rear end will hopefully keep handling relatively sharp. Sign in to manage your newsletter preferences. About me: I'm Australian (Victoria), a big guy (100kg, 184cm), 41 years old, been mountain biking for 18 months or so, but rode a lot as a youngster. All bikes get the same EXO casing, MaxxTerra compound, 2.4in-wide Maxxis Minion DHRII and Dissector tyres front and rear respectively, as well as DH-spec Canyon G5 componentry. Thats why sizes M to XL use 29 wheels while XS and S use 27.5. Thanks! My current bike isn't made for this in any form, but I still send it! Most of the frame details are the same in either material, though the aluminum frames geometry is slightly different. Not that Strava means much, it's just an indicator. There are two frame variants: An aluminum frame for lower priced bikes, and carbon frame for the higher priced versions. The collaboration with DT Swiss brings some serious Swiss flair to the Neuron line, with a DT Swiss suspension package, bumping up to a 140mm travel fork, high-zoot XMC 1200 wheels and a fairly reasonable price tag considering the spec. Ive discussed this with Canyon and they too seem puzzled by my experience and floated the possibility is theres something wrong with the shock on my bike. Let us know in the comments below. The topic Canyon Neuron or Spectral is closed to new replies. Strive is faster, more for racing, but you have to be a bit more active while driving. As is now customary, long, low and slack applies here. The Spectral 125 carbon comes in at about 2,500 grams for the medium frame with no shock, or about 100 grams lighter than the Spectral 29 carbon. Lysterfield has next to no real downhill. At just under 2.6 kg and its placement at the bottom bracket, your downhill performance will be improved thanks to a lower centre of gravity. Twice a month I ride Red Hills or Silvan Reservoir. Canyon says the Lux Trail is for those looking for light weight and speed uphill, while the Neuron gives the best balance between climbing and descending performance, for a comfortable all-day trail ride. But the rear end tune feels off for trail riding. The team at Canyon leaned into the fact that shorter travel bikes are livelier, quicker feeling, and have more pop than bikes with more travel. So while theres nothing too new, the pricing is as sharp as ever, interestingly the top model is more modest than in the past. Those familiar with the Canyon line-up might ask how it fits into the brands family of bikes. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. As we saw with the longer-travel Spectrals launched late last year, such as the, All bikes get the same EXO casing, MaxxTerra compound, 2.4in-wide. Beate Kubitz Classic Ride Print #117 Duddon Valley, Beate Kubitz Classic Ride Print #124 Isle Of Wight, Premier Partners for Singletrack issues & exclusive subscriber perks, Metcheck MTB Weather Forecasts At A Glance. The new Spectral 125 fits into Canyon's lineup belowin travelthe Spectral 29 that launched in late 2020. Both the 504 Wh and 630 Wh batteries are all but sure to last a day's riding and the intuitive control system will keep you moving uphill or down at up to 25 km/h. This is the site of the 2006 Commonwealth Games XC course and is pretty mild riding. This innovative setup was Inspired by motocross bikes and it works. As the name suggests, its closely related to the, Those familiar with the Canyon line-up might ask how it fits into the brands family of bikes. So the Spectral 125 gets not just more anti-squat than the 150mm Spectral, it gets a generous amount, period. The stroke provides a stable platform through the middle phase before ramping up so you can really go big. The result is increased control on bigger hits, but also ample support when you push your weight into the bike, giving it plenty of pop. Even the intended purpose of the two bikes is very similar: all mountain riding, all trails, all day. But with less travel and a different approach to the 125s rear-suspension tune, the character of the Spectral 125 is distinct from the 150mm Spectrals. Let's take a look at the pros and cons! Which seems almost identical to the Spectral 125. Anti-squat is said to be high early in the stroke to give that pedalling performance, before dropping off considerably later in the stroke so you dont get too much kickback. He has a particular focus on mountain bikes, but spends plenty of time on gravel bikes, too. The shorter travel bike is more playful, quicker feeling, and skips across bumps rather than flowing through them. Bikes should be available now, though our US readers will likely have to wait until early spring for carbon bikes to arrive, with alloy coming later. Despite having travel like the Neuron, the Spectral 125s feel, handling, and purpose has a lot more in common with the 150mm Spectral. I agree re colours, I want a black one really. The fact you say youll use it for easy dh makes me think youd be better off with the spectral or something similar. This topic has 7 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated. How we test gear. Canyon says suspension feel is key to how a bike rides, and despite having less travel, it appears the Spectral 125 should still be able to handle the hits. Canyon also says it has built the bike with a little more playfulness than the 150 and 160mm bikes, thanks to more progressive suspension, additional anti-squat and a bit of weight saving. The Spectral 125 seems to overlap with two of Canyons existing bikes. But I've never ridden 29er, and being big maybe something burlier would be better. After all, the Lux Trail has 120mm of travel, while the Neuron has 130mm. Its another $1k for the strive with similar component level and while the suspension setup looks sweet Im thinking Spectral is more my thing. Foxs 36 fork adds a stout finish to three of the five builds RockShoxs trail-oriented Pike sits on the other two builds. You asked, we listened! Get a Snycros iS Couple bottle cage when you subscribe to Mountain Biking UK today! The Spectral 29 features 150mm rear travel with a 160mm fork, but other than travel, the two Spectrals are similarvery similar. Conditions were crazy this week! You've been subscribed to our newsletter. Canyon has, however, avoided the new Spectral ramping up too quickly, because that can feel harsh. Then theres plenty more to check out on Flow Mountain Bike, including all our latest news storiesandproduct reviews. For 2021 the Spectral remains much the same, just with two new colour options and an update for the 2021 spec lineup. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. That 64 degree head angle especially stands out among other 120 to 130mm trail bikesit is difficult to find anything in its class that is slacker. We take a closer look at the latest Shimano motor and what it means for E-MTB riders. Its geometry uses a more linear rear shock progression to improve comfort in the saddle as well as offer solid sensitivity over smaller obstacles. Minion DHR IIs make for a decent front tyre. The CF 8s build is good overall, but I collected a list of annoyances. The 125 has more than 100-percent anti squat in all gears at the recommended 25-percent sag. Check your inbox to confirm your subscription. First Look | The 2023 Canyon Lux World Cup is claimed to be one of the lightest XC bikes going, The 2023 Canyon Spectral:ON receives all-new carbon frame and two battery options, Flows Fresh Produce | Specialized launches new Ambush 2 & Camber helmets, Canyon adds spice to the Spectral lineup with the new Spectral 125, This website requires Javascript for optimum viewing purposes. As a cost saving measure, the aluminum frames pivot bearings are single sealed, not double sealed like the carbon frames bearings, and the aluminum frame does not have ISCG tabs, nor is there a way to add them. Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. The aluminum frame does not have tunneled internal routing and instead uses foam liners inside the main triangle, while the rear triangle is externally routed. The neuron has a pretty steep head angle by todays standards. Already have an account with us? The alloy frames are also EWS-rated, and come in at a claimed 3,000g. Id probably say the same about being over-biked on both(its my first fs) but I mainly ride at Cannock and when I went round on the camber I remember thinking that the spectral wouldve flattened everything out too much for me at the speed Im riding right now. This is kit designed to be raced at World-Cup level DH, so Canyon hasnt scrimped on strength. (Medium CF 8). It also includes Canyons new G5 dropper post, which has 25mm of adjustability in stroke length, all done via a stepped guide within the post, and changeable at home. The responsive suspension is stable for easy climbing and supple enough to take big hits moving quickly through the mountains! Enjoyed that article? Much like the frame, the Spectral 125s suspension details are influenced by the 150mm Spectral 29, but rethought to provide a ride experience that transcends the travel difference in the bikes. Carbon bikes get a geo flip chip to steepen the bike by half a degree and add eight millimetres to the bottom-bracket height. One is the 130mm Neuron and the other is the 150mm Spectral 29. The spectral is still really fun even on tamer trails. So, if those two bikes are all about getting from A to B as quickly or as comfortably as possible, the new Spectral 125 has other intentions. Canyon sent my bike with its own cargo mount with matching bag and an adorable mini toolI found all of them excellent and I plan to forget to send them back with the bike. Standard EXO casing is perhaps our one question when it comes to speccing does a bike like this deserve tougher rubber. But agree 100% on Lystey. The size-large bike has a reach of 486mm, which is as long as many larger. A cycling community enthusiastic about mountain biking and all things related. To manage what kind of cookies Canyon may use, select Manage Cookies. With a good dose of aggressive parts, 27.5in wheels, 150mm of travel and some models running a 160mm fork its a bike built for a good trail thrashing. Canyon has, however, avoided the new Spectral ramping up. Does anyone have either of the above? Essentially, it is the 150mm Spectral, but with a bit more snap and pop, and a more connected feel. Spectral. The Spectral:ON uses 150 mm of burly front and rear suspension to give you the confidence to properly attack the descent. Released in its current format back in 2018, the Spectral has received a few tweaks over the years, weve seen it creep up in travel and rowdiness. Ill update this review if I get a different shock. Itll mainly be used for hacking around trails and some easy dh stuff but nothing extreme. By subscribing to our newsletter, you are agreeing to our, By choosing Accept Cookies you allow Canyon to collect device and browser information. Creating more compliance, especially in the rear triangle, helps to make up for some of that traction you lose from going down in suspension travel. Only had chance to ride it once so far, but its perfect for me right now. Red Hill and Silvan are weekend/day off only. With 130mm travel out the back and either 130 or 140mm up the front it strikes a balance between the cross country race-ready LUX and longer travel Spectral. Carbon frames come with double-sealed frame bearings, replaceable threaded inserts and fully guided internal cable and hose routing. Id build my dream bikean Evil Followingthe same way. Lot's of tree roots, and the downhills have some chunky braking divots. Theyre not currently shown in Canyons USA store, but they should land there soon. Many of the frame details are shared with the regular Spectrals, so for more detail on the process of designing the carbon and alloy bikes read our news story linked in the first paragraph of this article, or our review of the 2021 Canyon Spectral CF 29 8.0. Despite being lighter and less stiff than the 150mm Spectral, the Spectral 125 still meets the category 4 testings standards of Canyons longer travel and enduro race frames. I cant decide whether to go for the longer travel Spectral or the more climbing oriented Neuron. So to help you out we broke down the differences between our two award-winning models: the Neuron:ON and Spectral:ON. The dropper post had rattled so strongly that I thought I had I had a loose headset or sloppy fork bushings until I finally chased down the source. That results in the aluminum frame getting some harder edged, less organic shapes. But it's probably more bike than most my riding warrants. Opinions? SUMMER SALE | Try 3 issues of Cycling Plus magazine for 5 + Get a pair of Lusso cycling socks! So I'm leaning towards the Spectral, but I'm not sure this is a rational decision. Im in the market for a new mtb around the 2k mark. This short travel all mountain bike has a lot to love, but the extra-firm tune of our review bike's rear suspension left me puzzled. I do find Foxs Float X is firmer-feeling (but much better overall) than the outgoing DPX2 shock, and, with 27-percent progression, the 125's suspension is decidedly more progressive than most in the category. Also didnt like the colour of the lower-specced spectrals. So, if those two bikes are all about getting from A to B as quickly or as comfortably as possible, the new Spectral 125 has other intentions. The real world looks extend to paper, where the shorter travel bikess geometry and dimensions, excepting travel of course, are very similar as well. Will versatility add up to a useful tool? When I think about how smooth riding some of my favorite bikes with similar travel arethe Following, a Spot Mayhem 130, Yetis SB130, Treks Fuel EX, the Santa Cruz Tallboy, the Ibis Ripley AFand other bikes Ive sampled with similar travel like the Marin Rift Zone and Norco Optic, Im a bit puzzled by Canyons decisions because it feels like they built a 125mm bike with suspension tuned for huck-to-flats, not riding trailseven rowdy ones. When it comes to putting down some power, whether thats on the flat or uphill, Canyon says the new bikes anti-squat numbers have been bumped up a touch compared to the longer-travel bike, giving it a slightly more peppy feel. Geometry, suspension kinematics, chassis strength and stiffness all contribute to how a bike feels, as much as how far the rear wheel is free to travel. With lots of anti-squat, I wasnt surprised to find the Spectral 125 pedaled well, though the firm shock likely plays a role as well. Anti-squat dictates how the suspension will act under pedalling forces. Canyons engineering team also reduced frame stiffness slightly which, not only cut some weight, also refined the ride said Leo Malmeryd, the Spectral 125s carbon engineer. DH World Cup Round 6 Snowshoe delivers drama! Here are a few highlights from the new 2021 range, which were told are all now available on the World Wide Web via your friendly courier. Canyons trail and long-travel trail bikes, Neuron and Spectral receive a refresh for 2021 while retaining the same frame, here is what to expect for 2021. With its head angle a touch more than 64 degrees (in low mode), 437mm chainstays, generously long reach, top tube, and wheelbase dimensions, and plenty of BB drop (35mm) the Spectral 125s geometry looks a lot like that of a longer travel bike. This means that despite having less travel, the Spectral 125 still has an aggressive, low-slung shape and suspension thats similar, but not identical to, those bigger bikes and thus should be more than capable on steep, gnarly tracks. My motorbike is about to sell (fingers crossed) which means I can now invest in my latest passion. 27.5", 29er or mullet bike setup? Canyon is launching the bike with five models, the AL 5 and AL 6, and then the CF 7, 8 and 9. 125mm rear travel with 140mm forks and medium-duty builds, Prices start at $2,899 and top out at $6,199 for the five complete options. Three of the seven are aluminium, the top four using a carbon frame. Five models will be offered at launch. Prices range from $2,349 for the Young Hero and run up to AUD 8,749 for the top model with the fancy SLX carbon frame, CF SLX 9. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. The pivot bearings are double sealed and filled with a proprietary grease. Press J to jump to the feed. The days of clunky e-mtbs are gone and while battery life and pedal assist are essential, its the handling that makes the real difference. With more than twenty years of mountain biking experience, and nearly a decade of testing mountain and gravel bikes, Tom has ridden and tested thousands of bikes and products, from super-light XC race bikes through to the most powerful brakes on the market. Then there is the Neuron, a 29er trail bike with 130mm rear travel and a 140mm fork. Comparing Canyons Spectral, Strive, and Torque ranges. Snowshoe, scene of some of the most dramatic DH racing of recent times but always in the dry. With 130 mm of front and rear travel, the Neuron:ON makes the perfect companion for a long rolling day of ascending and descending where comfort is key. I love my Canyon roadbike so am pretty keen to get another Canyon as I dont see such good value elsewhere. It employs the 64.08 degree head angle and lower BB position of the carbon frame in low mode, but uses the 76.5 degree seat angle of the carbon frames high position. The posted blacks are most really blues, and the biggest climb is under 150m. Keeping in theme all come with 30mm internal width rims and 2.4 Maxxis tyres, now for 2021 will be the new Ergon SM10 saddle. That should make it fun to hit jumps on, or exit berms with tons of speed. We like to keep the front end stiff, but in the rear triangle especially we were really precise to tune the flex and stiffness how we wanted it. The Spectral 125 also gets a much different suspension tune than the 150mm Spectral, which I break down in the suspension section below. For example, the Neuron runs Fox 34 forks while the Spectral 125 gets a Fox 36. This is paired with a slack 64-degree head angle, but relatively short 437mm chainstays. Two least expensive models use an aluminum frame with the more expensive models using carbon. Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. Compared to Bright and Maydena downhill, its a green. Sign up as a Singletrack Member and you can leave comments on stories, use the classified ads, and post in our forums, do quizzes and more. Would you like to receive offers, updates and events from BikeRadar and its publisher Our Media Ltd (an Immediate Group Company)? And from what I can see, I can get a Canyon with X01 componentry for 2k less than any other brand I could find. And I'm looking at Harcourt (I work in Bendigo every month or two) and of course the others you mentioned. The new Spectral 125 comes in five variants: two with an aluminum frame and three with a carbon frame. It will suit my twice a month rides much better, and often think of my regular rides as fitness/training, and my less frequent rides as the real fun. Since they both use the lightweight EP8 motor, they're more differentiated by their handling than they are by kilograms. A gear editor for his entire career, Matts journey to becoming a leading cycling tech journalist started in 1995, and hes been at it ever since; likely riding more cycling equipment than anyone on the planet along the way. When it is getting to fast for spectral the fun for strive begins, feels more secure. Rock Salt at Red Hill is listed as a blue and it's far harder than anything at Lystey except maybe Granite Link. International pricing is to be confirmed. Are you more of a rowdy Spectral rider, or suiting an all-rounder like the Neuron? The carbon frame does not have ISCG tabs from the factory, but you add them with an optional plate. Bicycling participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. But the distinction lies in the nuances. Buying your first electric mountain bike can be overwhelming with the ever-expanding range available. Alloy bikes get the slack head angle and low BB position of the low setting, but the steeper seat angle of the high setting the best of both worlds, perhaps. Alternatively, if you like a bruiser of a bike but dont live somewhere with big hits, and thus rarely push your suspensions o-rings to the end of the shocks shaft, Canyon reckons this might be ideal. Theyre probably both a bit over biked for me but the same could be said for most stuff I own phone, car, pc all capable of more than me! The Spectral 125 drops into a rowdy little pond with the likes of the Evil Following, Trek Fuel EX, Spot Mayhem 130, Guerilla Gravity Trail Pistol, Yeti SB130 , RAAW Jibb, Reeb Sqweeb ST and a few others. This set of Shimano XT disc brakes also (sigh) had strong case of wandering bite point, though, surprisingly I didnt hear the pads rattling. On the list of pluses, Canyon once again offers buyers a strong value. That should make it fun to hit jumps on, or exit berms with tons of speed. The opening price for a Spectral 125 is $2,899 with the most expensive model ringing in at $6,299. Though it is heavily influenced by its longer travel sibling, the Spectral 125s frame is lighter than the 150mm Spectral 29 with a shorter shock. As far as water and tools go, and all sizes fit a small bottle inside the main triangle, and there's a set of bosses under the top tube for a tube/tool cargo mount. Canyon Copyright 2022 Canyon Bicycles. (SPOILERS). But ultimately I wanted to like it more than I did. You dont get the replaceable threaded pivot inserts, but instead steel inserts are integrated, which are said to be virtually indestructible, and replaceable by a trained mechanic if needed. Price: $5,199 (CF 8, tested)Weight: 30.5 lb. Canyons reps say that the Spectral 29 frame came out so light, there wasnt much weight to cut when designing the Spectral 125the shorter travel frame is just 100g lighter than the 150mm Spectral. Id like to see Canyon add a flexible adhesive flaplike Pivot usesto keep debris out of this area. Tom Marvin is a technical editor at BikeRadar.com and MBUK magazine. And, before anyone asks its not a downcountry bike! Its still built around 27.5in wheels and 150mm of travel and various models come with either a 160mm travel Fox fork or 150mm RockShox fork. Other cookies allow us to personalize what marketing materials you see and monitor website performance. In fact, its more progressive than some enduro and downhill bikes designed for coil-spring shocks. I'm not pro, but I'm far from slow. Canyon is introducing seven new unisex models into the Spectral lineup for 2021, including two womens specific models. Thanks for popping by - why not stay a while? This is thanks to a steeper, more progressive suspension curve, meaning the bikes suspension should ramp up earlier in its stroke to help meter out the travel in a controlled manner, without blowing your ankles off the pedals when you bottom out. Weve had plenty of experience riding the Neuron, Wil recently tested the aluminium version of the bike when it was launched earlier this year, take a look at Wils in-depth review and video right here. I also noticed that the bike had a few places that liked to collect mud, especially around the main pivot, and between the main pivot and front triangle. I'm torn between the Canyon Neuron CF 9.0 SL and Spectral CF 9.0 models. Plus there are some new colours and new specs like; 10-52 range cassette and new Schwalbe Super tyres. Canyons thinking here is its a costly pain in the butt to replace an entire front triangle if you strip out a shock mount. I'm top 5% in Strava on most the downhill segments at Lysterfield, and have a few top 1% segments too. Get a Syncros iS Coupe bottle cage when you subscribe. Instead, the aluminum frame uses replaceable steel thread inserts (AKA Helicoils). Tom has written for BikeRadar, MBUK and Cycling Plus, and was previously technical editor of What Mountain Bike magazine. Delivery up to 8 weeks. And while the 125 has a lot to offer and a lot of potential, the suspension tune on the rear of our review bike held it back. The whole system is compact, lightweight and integrates well with the bike's dynamic design. Latest news, tips and exclusive offers directly into your inbox. When I pulled this bike out of the box and saw the Fox 36 fork, Minion tires, the DT-Swiss 1700 wheelset, the wide bar, the four-piston brakes and big rotors, and its obviously rangy cockpit and wheelbase, I got really excited. Our buyers guide has everything you need to know to help you decide which Canyon e-mtb is for you. Canyons new 125mm Spectral 125 looks a lot like the 150mm Spectral launched in December of 2020. In fact, its almost identical to the geometry of the 15omm (with 160mm fork) Spectral 29. Canyon doesn't want you to assume less travel means a lack of rowdiness. Even after removing the volume spacer from the shock, I came up well short on using full travel; and I did much of my ride testing of this bike in Moab. Longer, slacker, more travel: The Spectral:ON is built for the most technical terrain you can find flattening out rough singletrack climbs, and smashing big descents at will. But after so many years of testing, my ass is pretty well calibrated and its telling me that my Spectral 125 is too firm and too progressive, even considering that its designed for aggressive riding. Snipe, CGT downhill, Follow Me and Wallaby are fun, but even on my 100mm 70 degree hardtail they aren't a challenge. The 29in-wheeled 125 is said to be a rowdy trail bike that excels on technical descents yet climbs better than its longer-travel siblings. Red Hill and Silvan are far more what I want to be riding.