Canyon Spectral 150mm Vs Spectral 125mm | What Is Faster?

In the first episode of our What is Faster? series, Neil Donoghue is out riding in the Forest Of Dean comparing the new Canyon Spectral 125mm Vs the Canyon Spectral 150mm in a battle of speed!! Which bike will Neil be fastest on? Will the suspension travel and wheel sizing make a big difference to his time?
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[@JoeAQuinn]

some say he’s broken more bones than he’s had hot dinners

[@daltonsmith9879]

… or that he rides an e bike uphill…with a dead battery.

[@gmbn]

Haha! 😂😉

[@mmodtomic7119]

Some say...when he slips a pedal, it's the bike that bleeds...all we know, is he's called...

[@jaridevries5769]

All we know, he is called the Stig

[@barneyisourhero]

This could be the start of a 'star on a reasonably priced bike' idea. Get a famous rider in, stick them on a stock bike, let them have two runs and stick them on a leaderboard.

[@Cheapsh0t247]

Also get the racers (current and retired) to compete, with i beat the Dom trophy up for grabs

[@David-mk2cx]

Love this series and what it was inspired by. Can't wait for more. Keep up the great work!

[@core-i7413]

I would like to see more of this series, would be entertaining how two, very similar bikes fare. Especially if it's about the travel or some other specs (such as tire size.)

[@ggaattzz]

This "What is Faster" new series will be great!! Can't wait to see how the recently released bikes fare on this test trail and leaderboard. 😋 (Would be very interesting to see if more trail bikes get faster lap times than enduro bikes' (e.g. this Canyon Spectral 125 faster than Orbea Rallon?!) More 'time attack' and soon please! Cheers!

[@gmbn]

We're so stoked you loved this one! This series is going to be super cool! So, stay tuned! 👊

[@dumwee]

Now they should add some stars to show on not-so-good-mtb and time them down the trail!

[@Mr80p]

How about Giga vs Mega vs Megawatt vs Reactor? Could go silly and do all the wheel size combos too.

[@gmbn]

We'd love to find out how fast all the Nukeproof Bikes are!

[@86309]

I love the head to head "controlled" tests. you guys are doing it right. It's great to see and helps folks looking to purchase. Try the newest POLE 180/180 Stamina, then the KTM Prowler Exonic, 160/150r 29er.

[@ocbyn]

Nice series. That POV stuff looks super fast and furious. Love it.

[@Tonycalves]

Was rooting for the 125. Looking to make that my next whip. Looking forward to more of these.

[@bananaboat7950]

Just the video I’ve been waiting for 😍😍😍

[@marcianodemidof7135]

Finaly. You've done it. Testing bikes TopGear-like. ✌🏾

[@JAvellino669]

Love this series, especially with the total leaderboard at the end!

[@aneczka2114]

Can't wait to see more of these

[@miffmaff1]

Great format, would love to see more of this! Overall weight would be interesting to add to the stats.

[@theonlyDougBlack]

Great series. Really appreciate the breakdown at the end explaining why one was faster.

[@luisfilipelopes2900]

Great way of making a new type of videos. Congrats

[@TCK71]

Great idea for a series!

[@jyzzzy]

This is great series! What is faster, how do they feel, how is it in different weather conditions etc. Like in that "favourite" motoring TV-show. Super interesting!

[@TheDoctor46vr]

Yessss I want more! What is faster videos... I know it's about the experience you have but at the end of the day we are more likely to end up in a race with a mtb than our cars. Yet when you look at car reviews they are always comparing what's faster.... So if anything I'd like to think that with KOM and enduro races. We would have more clocked head to head tests of mtbs comparitively to cars. Keep the timed testing coming please!!!!

[@saimen1024]

I found your comment very interesting where you've mentioned that in the rough section with not enough gas in your tank, you didn't manage to keep yourself light and easy on the bike! Very helpful whilst considering either the 125 or the bigger brother... and as usual Neil: highly entertaining!

[@BatkoBrat]

It all depends on your riding style and the type of trails you normally ride. I got the 150mm spectral and it works great for the rock gardens which my country is full of. While the 125mm will be better for less techy and more flowy trails with more uphills

[@dvazquez28]

Nice video and beginning of these series, I would love to see how the specialized status 160 runs against the stumpjumper Evo or the enduro

[@davidziemelis1593]

I love how Neil is so fast that he accidentally got a KOM

[@gmbn]

Speed machine! 🚵‍♀️

[@MBC-vz4hm]

very excited for this

[@gmbn]

We hope you enjoyed!

[@leannehenley418]

For a following episode you should do the trek slash vs trek remedy ( if don’t already have plans) keep up the good work!

[@ShitStefanShoots]

excellent idea!

[@tomac7]

Love this!

[@Antjan46]

Great video. Massive hands 🙌🏽 Wouldn’t mind seeing a comparison between Specialized Status 140 vs Specialized Status 160 (climbing and decent). I’m thinking of buying the 140 so it would be nice to hear your views on their pros and cons.

[@TubbyMTB]

Great idea. Be good to see the entire Orbea range on the track, Rise, Occam, that new E hardtail they’ve released, smash that out Neil!

[@kyboy9730]

Opening day for snowshoe is this weekend y’all. Please come out and see us

[@rascal3398]

yes! more stuff to compare please!

[@derekbrotherton3462]

This is great Neil!

[@ectopicgrain]

What if it was like the top gear power laps? Get a big board in the back of the dirt shed with all the times.

[@westvideos]

Great comparison. I would be even more reliable if more (like Rich and Blake) are doing the same trail on the same bikes. And make it a grand bike competition

[@superawesomefuntimego]

I have to say, I have the CF8 version of the 150mm Spectral 29 and that bike is surprisingly fast pretty much everywhere. It has most my fastest times on more flatter more XC like terrain, beating out my 2021 Stumpjumper that was over 2lbs lighter and on faster DH enduro like trails, it often matches and sometimes beats out my V3 Wreckoning (super gnarly stuff the Wrecker still feels more in control though).

[@stormcycling]

And is this good for climbing?, I've been thinking about using it as an all rounder...

[@superawesomefuntimego]

@@stormcycling I have found it to be a good climber, the rear end has solid pedaling kinematics. Appreciably faster up hills than with my Wreckoning. Not XC bike fast up a hill, but still quite good.

[@AdamAllaker]

Be good to see how a Whyte T160 stacks up? Very little exposure for Whyte on the channel so would be great to see how they compare to some of the bigger brands

[@PavelMetodiev]

Hi, thanks for the great video. Could you please make a comparison video between Santa Cruz Tallboy and Canyon Spectral 125?

[@englishforya]

Fantastic💕🙏

[@abneriidelacruz6705]

I like the new series. Would you be able to try a specialised enduro or even the new santa cruz megatower or the santa cruz bronson 2022 mx? I am just curious if that will be possible and it would be good to compare how fast they can go versus the bikes already ridden.

[@mauriceperry2165]

As said by others - great format. Not an exact science but it's still worthwhile for viewers and potential buyers.

[@pierrebroccoli.9396]

Late to the party but here to watch Neil ride. Hey - maybe take a Trek Slash through there.

[@Aazeyl199]

Whats glove r those?looks sick🔥🔥

[@easty-stage-4-fighter.]

keep including how they felt, because fun factor is as important as speed and ability

[@troymortimer3487]

This is great, as mentioned please added the weight of the bike, I thought the rrp of the bike would be good, however that seems be different around the world. Split times would also be really cool 😎

[@umarrk3082]

You should also test entry-level hardtail mountain bikes like Trek Roscoe and Marlin which beginners like me can afford. Most of us buy new ones instead of Ebay.

[@shanerty80]

I'd like to know which of these bikes are faster going uphill.

[@kedrickperkins331]

Comparing the Rallon and Occam LT would be interesting

[@andyperry2973]

Great test, could you test them riding back up too so we have an idea which is best for normal riding?

[@christianmuckensturm1789]

Ben oui, si le SPECTRA 125 monte mal,il n'a aucun intérêt !!!

[@Cheapsh0t247]

Would interested in how the eBikes compare, to their analog counterparts. Also Your Levo SL vs a Kenevo

[@markwebster9455]

You have the best job in the world!😀

[@Squirrel_Rides]

On paper, that CF 125 looks like my dream bike. Might have to take a closer look!

[@johnmulcahy1872]

Mega Vs Reactor next!

[@just_dadam]

would be good to see the cheaper versions of the same bike so like a spectral 125 al6 etc

[@mrvwbug4423]

As the trail doesn't look particularly pedally, I wonder how much faster a full on DH bike would be vs an enduro bike

[@trevorcaldicott3541]

Would be interesting to see a specialised Kenevo expert fatty 2019

[@zufrisally4941]

Guys, the only two bikes we (the general public) know and are familiar with are the Stumpjumper and the Giant. Can you please do a review on popular trail bikes ? Canyon Spectral Trek Fuel Scott Spark Giant Trance X Specialized Stumpjumper Polygon Siskiu T8 Which all have similar specs ? This would be the greatest review ever !

[@Paganiproductions84]

Can you one with 29er xo hardtail travel whit 100mm 110mm en 120 mm travel forks on the same course maby a somewhat more tecnical course

[@ish474]

do the stumpy vs stumpy evo and see whether most people need that extra slack extra long and low or whether a trail bike still has a place

[@PUK1SVA]

What's the point of 125 Spectral? OG Spectral is good in everything, so why choose something that's the same but has less travel?

[@danielbragottobertanha8078]

Please consider the Specialized Stumpjumper in the tests

[@shaunlayland8366]

I think you should try the Merida One-Sixty 400 against a Cube Stereo 160

[@stephenmaskiell3253]

Yes!

[@klstrucker930419]

Can you now bring any 29" full blown dh rig with 200mm of travel to the same track?

[@HenrikiTullstorp]

Is ground clearance a problem on the 125 version?

[@davidwelge]

I would suggest the Giant Trance X 29er to put up against the list!

[@radominchev920]

How about the different GG bikes?

[@miloskozar9323]

what's the music while 2nd ride with normal spectral? couldn't find in the playlist... :(

[@adrianwilkinson2547]

The Random Tandem HAS to post a time on the board, Martin up front and Neil death gripping behind! 🤣❤️🌎🌈

[@Antjan46]

With Pilgrim on the Tandamn! 👏🏽

[@Notion8]

Can you do a old bike with 26 inch wheels. From the years 2000's. I Just got a trek ex7 from 2005 and im rebuilding IT for fun and cant wat to ride IT. But i want to see you on such bike and see your time on An old thing like that!

[@GeriB1234]

What Garmin-Mount did you use on the 125??

[@mirage2231]

In Australia we get the 160mm spectral with 150mm in the rear on 29ers

[@Pienimusta]

Bike on video is "old" model. 2022 models all come with 160 fork. It used to be 1-2 years ago that you were basically able to choose between 150 RS or 160 Fox fork.

[@THRENO82]

A bike is measured by rear travel 150mm

[@Pienimusta]

@@THRENO82 In the video you can see how it says 150mm pike.

[@sonofawil]

I feel like there should be a climb added to the test. That’s where short travel trail excels.

[@christianmuckensturm1789]

C'est évident !!!! Alors il monte comment ?????

[@TheSamwhyte]

Doesn’t come close to our favourite car show until you get Kristen Scott Thomas involved! 😉😅

[@KSGMTB]

Take the Orbea Rise down the same track see how does. Good video

[@TeftStormblessed]

You should run Blake's Nukeproof Scout. Let's see how much faster/slower that would be.

[@andrewpearson3351]

You definitely need to get a white outfit and dark shades 🕶 how about testing these new fangled high pivot bikes like the dreadnought and GT ?

[@jamlarna]

Can you try Blake's nukeproof scout next please 🤔 bet that thing will blast down there 😃

[@radoslavstoev4550]

I think Blake should ride it though. He is the hardtail master

[@SionOfTheAzureFlame]

How about some cheap bikes? Decathlon full suspensions like 530s ?

[@thsaintful]

i'd love to see a Scott Spark on that list

[@jafamils1]

yt capra 27 cf pro 2019 question is this good bike for all day riding, how it is on climbing and flat ride, cause the more i watch yt more idk :D

[@j00sth22]

Neil. Can you compare the new Canyon Torque 29 with the New Canyon Strive. My money is on the Torque 29!

[@twinshock175]

Neil must have done a few runs on each bike, as in the passing shots (past the camera) as there was no chest harness with camera seen (obviously from in the POV shots), either that or just a selected placement for the passing shots without the chest mounted camera. Would have been interesting to see all times stated, not just the fastest. climbing comparison would have been nice as an overall review of each bike, as manufacturers are blurring the lines again.

[@CaveaD]

can you do this on the Neuron?

[@OldAZMountainBikerInMA]

When you were joking about the haters, if I closed my ideas I could have sworn your Neil from The Young Ones. Broomshanka

[@bananajam3699]

Downhill bike u should try

[@TiMoLoToV]

Im interested in a good versus-revieuw of the Orbea Occam and the Santa Cruz Tallboy

[@cliffsangelsphotography]

Both are great bikes. I've ridden both

[@TiMoLoToV]

@@cliffsangelsphotography wich do you prefer as a do-it-all one bike? Im afraid the occam will be over travelled, but the tallboy is heavier...

[@cliffsangelsphotography]

I prefer the Occam, particularly in 140/140 travel for everyday trail riding. Orbea's are strangely comfortable at climbing, on par with Ibis bikes. I found the handling to be agile at 66°, and suspension was surprisingly plush and stayed glued to the ground. The Tallboy can still climb pretty good, it just felt like I had to put slightly more effort. On the DH, the Tallboy feels like a short travel Hightower or Megatower. It just plows with good stability. One thing to consider is BB. I recall Orbea use Press Fit whereas Santa Cruz uses Threaded. Ultimately I didn't buy either and went with an Ibis Ripley.

[@Pienimusta]

New Strive vs new Torque?

[@snat6299]

Nice, love it, does it have any climbs in the track or is it mainly down hill? Love to see how they compare in normal up and down MTB trails. I know in the mountains we ride its climbing and descending that counts.

[@hellzz8585]

GBU is a dh track, for climbing/all around ability they would need to test on the verenders/freeminers xc trails at fod

[@sionjones1675]

I suspect the folk who complain like you mention at the start "but you knew the track better the second time, DUUUH!" also think you film these in just two continuous takes, and presumably have an army of cameramen and sound guys littering the trail from top to bottom! Of course it's all a bit of fun

[@alexcox2104]

Confirmed The Don is The Stig.

[@gmbn]

"Some say... "😂

[@jarek3573]

Almost perfect, but I'd love to have a bike that I can go for a ride in the woods and go jump kinda dirt jumps. I think this Spectral with 27' wheels and some way to put 26' on it would do the job. btw. why do all bikes have to have these 29' now? 🙄

[@TheButlerNZ]

You should also go back and ride the earliest slowest bike to make sure track familiarity hasn't played a part in the quicker runs..

[@paulwiltshire3101]

Neil should try the giant fathom 2,. I bet you it way faster than the Voodoo hoodoo

[@rassexd1377]

Off topic but someone tell me what multitool i should get i only have leatherman and not that much money preferably some bike specific stuff bcs my dad has basically every basic tool yk but he dont have any bike specific tools and multitools

[@Kcducttaper1]

For sizing reference, how tall is Neil? I've been looking at the Spectral and I'm torn between a small and medium. My Giant Anthem is a medium and it fits fine, but the Canyon site is very insistent that, at 5'6" with a 31" inseam (with shoes), I'm a small.

[@dropmatty]

Hey - wondering if you ever decided on a size? I am in the same boat as you, 5'7" with shoes on and 32" inseam. I crunched the numbers and small really does seem to be similar to the size medium bikes I've owned in the past

[@willalm830]

Why not components tiers wheels etc pressures, carbon v ally and group sets

[@philmyerscough1]

Would be good to put the random tandem up against the rest! 😂

[@mmodtomic7119]

How 'bout a couple budget full sussies, like Polygon or Marin?

[@xoseruy7326]

Hello Neil . Kona process 134 vs Kona process 153 ?

[@puresailing1]

Trek Fuel Ex vs Remedy

[@piotrekkociuba5929]

What is the name of the song in 4:18???