Canyon Spectral 125 - Was It The Right Choice?

[@newbiemike]

I just bought a Spectral 125 AL5 a couple of weeks ago. After doing a lot of research, I landed on the 125 AL5 because it seemed like the best bang for the buck as my first full suspension bike. Even though I felt confident I made the right choice, I've been watching a lot of review videos after the purchase to validate I made the right choice. So far this video has proven to be the most informative for me and the type of riding I expect to do. I'm not new to mountain biking but I've been away from the scene for such a long time. The bike that the 125 is replacing is my old '91 Cannondale "Beast from the East" with a Manitou fork. Back in the day my riding consisted mostly of very technical single track in the Santa Cruz mountains and suspension was more of a novelty than a requirement. Now I'm quickly approaching 60 and don't expect to be riding like I used to but it's nice to know that I made a wise purchase for a quality bike that can help me get back into shape.

[@rmbtd]

I love silent your bike is. I have the 125 CF7, and I still get some type of rattling noise coming from the cockpit area. But otherwise, I love the bike, it's an awesome machine.

[@ShadLife]

Did you see my short about the creaking coming from the plastic piece behind the bottom bracket where all the cables go through? I seeped some lube around the edges of the plastic piece and it got quiet.

[@ricardosalcedo2824]

I've got the AL6 and I really like it too. It's my first full sus. I had nice bikes before but that was in the early 2000's. It's crazy how good bikes are now! Thanks for the cool ride review.

[@joshhall6531]

I was on the fence between this and the Neuron. I think you sold me on the 125, thanks!

[@greg1083]

Thanks Shad for the reveiw. I have been looking at the Spectral 125 CF after I bought their fat bike ,The Dude. That fatty at that price and then riding it I was super impressed . Seems like good value overall on their bike lines. Canyon I found out as been around for awhile in Europe so not fly by nighters.

[@ShadLife]

Yep, Canyon is a legitimate brand. They are direct-to-consumer and thus some people don't think they are legitimate.

[@nealart]

Interesting comment about sidewall stiffness.

[@ShadLife]

I like lighter tires. But these particular ones side flex more than I like. Victoria Mazza tires with trail casing are about the same weight and don't flex as much...🤷‍♂️

[@painterabc123]

Shad. I know you bike quite a bit at Wirth and are also on the Morc board. I saw a cyclist get into an accident with a car at the main intersection at the Wirth Trailhead. A road cyclist was on the bike path and traveling away from Olson Hwy approaching this intersection. This is a downhill stretch. The cyclist was really moving. A car was pulling out from the small parking lot closest to Wirth Trailhead. Then the biker hit the hood of the car and went flying into the intersection. I am wondering if there should be some flashing lights or something that alert cyclists and drivers of the need to pay extra attention at the intersection. Just a suggestion, of course.

[@ShadLife]

This would be something to bring up with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. Also, the bike trails do have a 10 MPH speed limit. It is a bit too slow, but I do see road cyclists going extremely fast through heavily congested areas all over the bike path system in Minneapolis. Greenway, Lakes, Minnehaha Parkway and so on. I suggest riders slow down where there are road crossings and a lot of pedestrians. It's hard to blame the car because if a cyclist is going super fast a driver can't predict their speed or even see them when they are farther away so they pull forward thinking they are in the clear. I saw a road cyclist t-bone a kid on the Greenway a few years ago. The cyclist blew past me at well over 20 MPH in a congested area of the Greenway. A little kid, I would say 6 or 7, came out onto the Greenway from a side entrance trail right in front of the road rider and bam! The kid was fine but the road rider had a cracked helmet and bleeding head. I provided first aid (I was First Responder Trained at the time) until the ambulance arrived. Bike paths are not the best place to be getting your Strava times in...😉

[@TheTrev2014]

Just ordered the 125 cf 8 😬

[@ShadLife]

Enjoy! It's a fun bike!

[@manofintegrity8828]

Big question from is…. Do you prefer it over the Rustler?

[@ShadLife]

That's a tough one. They feel a little different. The Rustler was a bit more agile due to its 66ish degree head angle and 27.5 wheels as well as 15mm less reach. For jumping I have definitely sat on the rear wheel on my Spectral with the 29 inch wheels. So I have to be aware of that when tucking and nosediving. For the slower speed tighter stuff the Rustler was definitely better. But as the speed increases, especially on the downhills, the Spectral becomes much more stable and easier to push harder. Since I have my Esker Hayduke Titanium hardtail, I don't mind not having the Rustler anymore because if I want a quick handling lightweight bike I just grab that...🙂

[@joshhall6531]

Did you go with the suggested sizing from Canyon?

[@ShadLife]

I never go by what the manufacturer recommends. I am always on the cusp between a small and medium. I generally choose the smaller size. I base my sizing mostly on the reach measurement. For me that is usually between 420mm and 440mm, although 440mm seems a bit too long for me. That being said, Canyon does suggest a small for my 5' 7" height and 30 inch inseam.

[@joshhall6531]

I do the same, based on the geo it looks like they have me in the right size as well at medium.

[@stevewilliams4323]

What trail system are you riding?

[@ShadLife]

Theodore Wirth

[@hammertime7740]

The spec on that bike is insane for the price. How are you liking those dt Swiss wheels?

[@ShadLife]

I upgraded to the 54t ratchet and they have been excellent so far. Surprisingly lightweight for a stock wheelset.

[@paddyleather5434]

How much was it ? Like almost 4 K?

[@ShadLife]

I luckily got mine for $2899 when they were on sale. The retail price is $4099.

[@painterabc123]

The Canyon prices on the website are changing all the time. I bought the same bike as Shad. Bike was $3099 without tax and shipping. I added an Ethirteen bash guard + ISG05 plate adapter, a Ridewrap frame wrap kit and a front fork mudgaurd. I am guessing I have like $3600 into the bike all costs included.

[@painterabc123]

I am glad you still like the bike. I bought the same bike - though medium frame in red - after doing internet research on it … which consisted of watching video reviews on KZbin! lol. It is understandably difficult to get a good sense of a bike when you can’t really ride it in-person or see it in a bike shop, but only have access to reviews on the internet. But the consumer direct-buy approach by Canyon really does allow for incredible cost savings. It is a trade-off, I guess.

[@DavidKrajcovic-o5s]

Good call to not trust the carbon bars, I personally wouldn’t trrust anything Canyon in Carbon Fiber. Their OCLV process sucks as is their well documented rear triangle failures. Stick with name brands and LBS support.

[@ShadLife]

Canyon is a name brand...🤣 It's been one for quite some time. Yes, they had a rear triangle issue and have, like any company that has issues with their frames they have fixed it. All the major brands have had certain issues from time to time and most of them resolve those issues.