2022 Canyon Spectral 125 CF 7 REVIEW | Enduro geo trail bike

[@erikhenriod5272]

I own the 125 AL 6 and I love it , it really is a all around mtb

[@GregDawson]

I have three bike park trips and one uphill ride on my new Spectral 29 AL 6. I'm older-ish and this is my first full suspension bike ... what a huge difference from my Trek Roscoe 8 hardtail. I know, two completely different bikes for two different purposes. :) I felt a little squirrelly on my first ride down the mountain, but was feeling pretty dang good by the end of the day. All of the suggested settings out of the box worked well and loving it more and more each day.

[@MTBs]

Great to hear such positive news from an actual owner! Love the Spectral 125, looking forward to test the Spectral 29 at some point.

[@MYnextDIYbikePROJECT]

I’ve missed you! Great vid! 😃👍

[@MTBs]

Needed to take a break for a while, didn't really have any interesting bikes to review. But now I am back with at least 3-4 new very interesting bikes in the next videos! 💪

[@MYnextDIYbikePROJECT]

Great to hear!

[@jacuist3339]

Great video, it actually was part of the reasons why I bought it, its super fun bike. Do you remember the suspension set up? I see in the video that you take a good jump. I haven't bottomed but think that I am Very close to doing it. Thanks

[@MTBs]

Thanks! Don’t remember the susp setup tbh. It’s usually around 25-30 % sag. I think the rear ramps up nicely, but it’s still only 125 mm of travel. No bottoming out for me either. Glad you like the bike!

[@pukki34]

Great bike but the chain slaps on the chainstay near the chainring

[@arneldumanas1471]

Nice bike....great vid....

[@pukki34]

and the headset aluminium spacer was replaced on warranty with a plastic one

[@johanrr4]

Seems like a good trail bike for more enduro-style riding but I must say that I'd rather have something like a Stumpy that would pedal better and feel more lively, at least where I live. I also have to say that 125mm in the rear is definitely trail numbers and not downcountry. Downcountry is a beefed-up XC bike and not a low-travel trail bike.

[@MTBs]

Funny you should mention the Stumpy. I plan to do a comparison video with this bike and the Stumpy shortly. Many DC-bikes have 120 in the rear and many trailbikes have 130, so let's meet half-way! 😜

[@johanrr4]

@@MTBs I look forward to that video. The new carbon Stumpy with the flex stays would really be the perfect bike for me. It's a shame that they're priced so high. I still wouldn't really call a 120mm bike downcountry but if there would be a limit that would probably be it imo

[@Grudon]

Would you buy the 125 al 6 or the cf7? I dont realy trust Carbon

[@MTBs]

I get your trust issues, but there is a 6 year guarantee on the frames which should ease your nerves a bit. The AL6 seems to have very good components though at a lower cost even, but my issue with the AL6 is that it's 1.5 kg heavier than the CF7which is quite a lot on a trail bike. Tough call! Unfortunately I haven't ridden any AL version so I can't help you any further.

[@Grudon]

@@MTBs so, you would pick the cf7?

[@MTBs]

I don't know since I haven't ridden the AL6. But those 1.5 kg...

[@Mhirsch85]

How tall are you? What size bike did you test here? Would you change sizes?

[@MTBs]

Hi! I'm 185 cm (6'1) and I tested a size Large bike. It fit me perfectly and i wouldn't change size. My brother at 182 cm (6') also liked size Large.

[@TRISHYXX]

Do you have any input on this vs a ibis ripmo? I've been thinking between these 2 bikes

[@MTBs]

Sorry, I haven't ridden the Ripmo. But this weekend I will publish a video where I compare the Spectral 125 with the Stumpjumper (which I have tested).

[@damacknificent151]

Can a 135mm shock be installed? Also can it be converted into a 27.5?

[@MTBs]

Interesting thought, but I don't think there is a mullet link or similar available for this bike.

[@douglasmelo7212]

I am about to buy this bike or the YT Capra Core 2 GX what I am wondering is about the pike 140mm and 125mm on the back and the YT has fox 38 170mm front and fox 170mm on the back! I don’t do big jumps, only normal trails with small jumps and drops and I’m 6ft(1.83) tall and 94kg weight, if you could give me your option I would much appreciate it! Thanks a lot

[@MTBs]

Two VERY different bikes there. The Capra is a bike park bike and would probably be rather sluggish/slow/boring on the flats and ups. The Spectral 125 is more of a trail bike that you occasionally can take to the bike park. Haven't ridden the Capra, but of the two the Spectral 125 is the more versatile bike. I'm sure the Capra is absolutely wonderful in bike parks, though.

[@douglasmelo7212]

@@MTBs much appreciate your option, I live in Ireland and there is only one bike park but far from me and my goal is more trails around the woods. The trails over here has a lot of rocks with hard decents and as Im a heavy weight 94kg I was concern about the fork and mainly the shock with only 125mm! So looks like the canyon will be better for me as it will be rare when I will go to bike park! Mate I really appreciate your time to answer me, keep up the great work !

[@MTBs]

The Pike is pretty sturdy, but there is a version with a Fox 36 too. Difficult to bend the Fox… The Pike is fine though. It’s not that much travel either. The rear travel is what it is. I notice the limitation when I go fast over chunk.

[@douglasmelo7212]

@@MTBs understood, I thought canyon should at list used 140 also on the shock but the bike is amazing, i have to loose some weight ! hahaha I saw it but it is the 125 AL 6 has FOX 36 Rhythm 140mm or the Spectral AL 5 FOX 36 Rhythm grip with 160mm ! Thanks a lot mate you have been helping me a lot with your precision opinion, I really appreciate it !

[@BennetJW]

If you would run the normal spectral with more air in the suspension, wouldn't it feel like the 125?

[@MTBs]

I see what you are trying to achieve, but no I don't think so. Too much air pressure will only make a shock stiff and harsh. It's like cranking up the compression lock. Good for pedaling, but you will lose traction. The 125 has also got a different leverage ratio and is designed for better pedal response (e.g. different anti squat). The 125 will have better traction than an over pressurized 150 mm shock.

[@BennetJW]

@@MTBs Thank you mate👍was looking everywhere for that information

[@landonowens9336]

What is the main things you would upgrade on this bike

[@MTBs]

Nothing really. I would be happy to ride this bike as is. It's the rear end that is the week spot on this bike due to it's limited travel, so that's where I would put in some money. Depending on where you ride you might want (not need) to look at a piggyback shock for better consistency, maybe thicker casing on the rear tyre. A hub with a faster engagement if you're into that. The wheels are actually quite ok despite being a budget option.

[@andreypopov6286]

Which size of frame on this video?

[@MTBs]

It's size L. Perfect for my 185 cm.

[@Accu53Mation]

So basically...Everyone reviewing the 125 CF7, is receiving the very same bike. A day or two of riding a test-rig is not worthy of reviews. Hence the big problem with KZbin reviews. And carbon rigs cannot be as "Popular," as KZbin makes'em. Due to the lack of many real-owner reviews.

[@MTBs]

Don't really understand what you say to be honest. I had this bike for a month and of course you will not get a long-term review out of that. The only thing I can do is to say what the bike is like to ride. I think the CF 7 will be a very popular version. A few years back, pre-pandemic, the top end versions of any bike brand didn't sell well at all but all that has changed. Now the more expensive versions in a range are selling in much larger volumes.