Canyon Spectral 29 CF 7 Trail Bike Review | Let Down by Spec Choice But So Close!

[@bikeradar]

Thanks for all your comments! It seems the jury is out for the definition of a trail bike, do you think the Spectral 29 CF 7 is a trail or enduro bike? Tom has put the bike firmly in the trail bike category but what do you think? 👇

[@SamDWilliams]

Anyone who’s ridden one will agree that it’s a beefy trail bike not an enduro bike. I’ve had mine since it’s release and it’s by far the best bike I’ve ridden.

[@Lutze3D]

100% trail bike! Enduro starts at 170 for me. This is 150, so clearly an other category. I own the CF7 since release. I‘ve never ridden such a fast, playful and quiet bike before. I love it! By the way.. in some shots you‘re running these silver spd pedals with this huge platform.. what brand/model are they?

[@bikeradar]

@@Lutze3D Thanks for your comment, great to hear your enjoying the CF7! Tom's using the Nukeproof Horizon CL pedals 💥

[@Lutze3D]

@@bikeradar many thanks 😎

[@jormol]

Guess it's an all-mountain, sitting in between a trailbike and an enduro bike.

[@bikeradar]

Do you think it should have won this years test? What do you think of the CF 7's spec choices? As always, let us know in the comments!

[@kuma_score7536]

I fail to see how an enduro bike would win a trail bike test

[@Flexo_l]

I think that spectral is the worst bike in canyon lineup for price/performance. But I still believe that is one of the best bikes to pick as allround do it all machine :D

[@Flexo_l]

@@kuma_score7536 it has pike fork and 150mm travel. Look at new capra with ZEB fork and 170mm. That is enduro bike ;)

[@terraphyrma1373]

@@kuma_score7536 I fail to see how your comment is relevant. It's already been well-established that the Spectral climbs & handles more like a Trail bike than an Enduro.

[@RLICGNT]

Should have 🏆 won. This bike is sweet

[@James-il3tq]

I'm 180 cm with 91cm inseam and got my medium Spectral 29 CF 8 yesterday. I typically ride large/XL but went with Canons recommendation of medium. It's definitely too small. Ignore Canons "perfect positioning system" and go with size you typically ride.

[@xiaoliuwu8539]

Notice the same thing. I am 172 cm tall with 78.5cm inseam. Pretty much every other brands will put me on a medium. But Canyon wants to put me onto a small. There’s another KZbinr posted a video about this as well.

[@Steph.98114]

Yeah, I was lucky and was able to try a mates medium 2.75 and it was too small

[@888_p3t3r]

You don’t check geometry and compare for yourself?

[@PeterPhinney]

@@888_p3t3r i'm sure now he does. though seems a few folks have the opinion canyons sizing charts deviate from an expect norm

[@stevec505]

@@xiaoliuwu8539what did you end up going with? I’m similar height and inseam and usually a medium, but canyon recommended the small.

[@falafelraffel8140]

I am currently waiting for my Spectral 29 CF7 to arrive. Normally, I´d have bought a YT Jeffsy Core 2, Radon Slide Trail 9 or a Rose Root Miller 2/3. But due to the lack of availability, I went for the Spectral, wich will arrive latest June 29. Also, the Spectral is not a trail bike! To me, it´s a All Mountain/Enduro bike, as I´ll not only upgrade the poor Pike to a 160mm of travel, but also, it is officially intended for occasional bikepark use. The spec seems alright, and as this bike will be my first full sqish, I don´t recon feeling the diffrence between a Pike RC and a Pike 2.1 Charger. In the medium term, I´ll probably replace the fork with a Lyrik, wich will at least accomplish a 2.1 Charger, maybe it will even turn out to be a Lyrik Ultimate. But thats a thing i´ve got to worry about earliest in one year.

[@trentvlak]

How could you hate on the suspension? Those trails are smooth enough for my cx bike.

[@meteormedia7021]

Wow, this exact bike is sooo much cheaper here in Germany. Compensated for the different values of GBP and €, the bikes costs 900€ less over here.

[@Will99x]

It sucks, this thing is very similar spec to my Vitus Escarpe CRS, albeit a bit lighter but £3600 vs £2700 for the vitus is a no brainer

[@zvocnikk]

We live in strange times..150mm front and rear, 64.5 HT angle, and this is trail bike??

[@oskarstaudte]

i own the cf8 spectral 29, actually put that in the high position as the low position was causing way too many pedalstrikes. Also for my local terain going from 64 to 64.5 deg of HTA was a benefit as my trails are not the fastest in the world. I'd recommend everyone who owns this bike to try both, I really like the high one!

[@th_js]

Yup, no matter which setting we're talking about, you should always try different setups to gain information on how it affects the bike's performance. I personally think that pedal-strikes are something you can avoid with good technique, but on the other hand I do like the feeling of a high BB, since it makes the bike very easy to lean into corners and the Spectral is a trail bike so it might not need the 64° HTA if you already have a bigger bike to take care of the gnarlier stuff.

[@oskarstaudte]

@@th_js Yep, I was also too lazy to just get the right technique dialed haha. Also its my biggest bike, for bikepark use I put it in the low position :)

[@oskarstaudte]

@MightyShtuff I noticed it quite a bit. Not too much on the steering angle side, though it helped a bit with cornering. Didnt feel less in control on the fast stuff though. The higher BB for less pedalstrikes and a bit better climbing was noticable too! Just try both when you recieve yours! I can also promise you will love it in both settings :D

[@joeblack4026]

love the low one on my cf8 :)) BB height around 338mm :)

[@joeblack4026]

Ive got cf8 with x2 perfomance elite and hands down it is the best bike I have had (my bikes so far, kona process 111, YT jeffsy, YT capra27.5) and the frame take full 65mm stroke, so It can be build as a 160/160mm

[@slimracer1553]

Good to see that Canyon has revamped the frame and gone with a threaded BB. Now build a version in aluminium and watch it fly of the shelves! Great to see manufacturers adopt practical features like threaded BB, external cable routing, universal derailleur hangers etc. The bike should be nice to look at but at the end of the day, its a tool built to perform a task. Practicality and maintainability should be at the top of the list!

[@Kcducttaper1]

I've been eying the Strive and now Spectral for quite some time. I really wish there were some demo shops to try one out.

[@christieclaypool7667]

Order one, try it out for a month, return it if the fit isn't right or you don't like the geometry. 🤷‍♀️ That's my plan. According to the people I spoke to at Canyon the return shipping is free.

[@SpencerBaum]

Everyone who's saying it's an enduro bike, I don't think it actually is. It's definitely in between a trail. Bike and and an enduro, but it's definitely closer to a trail bike than an enduro. We definitely don't need another bike category so let's just call it a trail bike

[@jormol]

There is an existing category for that, it's called "all-mountain"!

[@joeblack4026]

cf8 is an enduro bike for sure! its build like a tank front to rear and with sub 64 HA its a shredder

[@georgegande1779]

Here’s a surprise - brexit’s made bikes rlly expensive 😡

[@Skipperdilex]

have you wrecked at all? I wanna get it but the only thing i’m scared of is cracking the carbon frame. granted I haven’t wrecked in like 2 years, but yk always gotta be careful I mean I hit double blacks, jump trails and everything

[@stonksrgud7645]

To people who say its an enduro: yes it has alot of travel but it doesnt have a downside to it in climbing for example, which all enduro bikes have. A bike is a trailbike as long as it has the capabilitys of a trailbike, everything better/ is just extra!

[@exhibitD79]

Most modern enduro bikes climb just fine. If you are going to say ''ah but the weight'' then you could argue that a trail bike has a downside compared to an XC bike for climbing.

[@zxtenn]

Thinking of the 9.0 LTD for 6 grand USD, lots of top end parts included. I sold my 2019 RM Instinct BC a while ago and thinking of another bike, for 6 grand its hard to beat

[@sm-qw9mj]

The G2 brakes I own are actually very good. There isn't a noticeable difference to the power of code rsc's.

[@marantechevybleubenitoq374]

Thinking of buying a canyon spectral

[@edwin7150]

that’s considered a trail bike now? i have a giant reign advanced 0 with pikes rct3 and monarch plus rc3, both 160mm travel i would call it a all mountain/enduro

[@daniil1204]

I think it’s the fact that pike is a trail fork.

[@edwin7150]

@@daniil1204 pikes are all rounders i would say, anything above 160 travel or even 150 would be all mountain or enduro

[@edwin7150]

@@daniil1204 pikes have short travel options making it a trail fork

[@davidabbs4459]

I know this is controversial but I want to be able to go uphill and downhill, will this go uphill, everyone just seems to care about going down.

[@edwin7150]

it’s most definitely good for uphill there’s a lockout for the shock, 52 tooth cog and the flip switch to adjust the geometry for techy climbs, i would call this a all mountain bike because of the long travel, so this is definitely capable for uphill

[@davidabbs4459]

@@edwin7150 Thanks, im torn between one of these and a spectral, ad will use it for all mountain/trails and long rides it wont just be going down hill all the time.

[@edwin7150]

@@davidabbs4459 if a huge majority of your riding is uphill and mostly flat off roading, i’d suggest a less travel trail bike, but if the smaller amount of downhill trails you do are more gnarly and super techy, or bike parks, then this bike might just do it all as you won’t be underbiked when the time comes, just use that lockout switch and i’m sure this bike would be amazing uphill, if you feel the need for a easier gear for uphills then you could get a 28t or 30t chainring for 20-60£ depending on the quality for a slight difference.

[@davidabbs4459]

@@edwin7150 thanks for the advice I suspect the shorter travel bike will be better for me.

[@AaronSchroder]

@@davidabbs4459 if you are after an all rounder then also consider the Trance Adv X 29. It's a great option.

[@robwilkins304]

What is the height of the rider in the video?

[@kuma_score7536]

the spectral isn't a trail bike, it's more of an all mountain or enduro bike then anything.

[@fazza2104]

No it’s definitely a trail bike

[@benborrie2221]

Curious what you think the Jeffsy is then, and then the Capra

[@kuma_score7536]

@@benborrie2221 I go by travel so if it's between 120mm and 140mm rear I'll in most cases call it a trail bike unless it has something really out there like a 64 degree head angle and DH breaks

[@jormol]

@@kuma_score7536 Indeed roughly and simplified: 120-140mm: trail bike --> Neuron 140-160mm: all-mountain --> Spectral 160-180mm?: enduro --> Strive

[@TomMarvin1]

Hey, we put the Spectral in the Trail Bike category for a number of reasons. Many modern trail bikes have 150mm of travel, without the penalty of pedalling sluggishly now, making them ideal all-rounders. The bike's kit has a number of trail-bike orientated components - lighter weight tyres (i.e. not DD/EXO+ casing), the Pike fork (rather than Lyrik) and G2 brakes rather than Codes. As I noted in the video, there is a 160mm forked version, with overall burlier components (Fox 36, tyres) and I feel that wouldn't have sat quite as well in the Trail Bike category. Of course, lines are blurred, and certainly in the UK the Spectral wouldn't hold you back in an Enduro race, but it'd not be my choice for taking to an EWS, for example. It's also worth noting that in the UK, All-Mountain isn't a term particularly in use. The Spectral wouldn't have held up too well in our Enduro Bike of the Year test, and, in my experience, neither would the Neuron in the Trail bike test - compared to the other bikes in the test. Hope this helps.

[@angelrios3504]

Would you recomend the al 6 build?

[@LuLeBe]

There a completely different bike. I have the AL 6, it's a 27.5in and love it but it really is something much different in terms of Geometry. Much more oriented towards being fun than being fast.

[@BicMichuM]

CF means carbon frame?

[@mikepopstar]

How is it for normal trailriding, not down? All reviews just talk about downhill riding

[@Flexo_l]

In europe it's much cheaper. But for us UK bikes will be more expensive. So it depends where you live. Brexit sux for everyone!

[@HelplmAlive]

I love how they say a 150mm rear travel is a trail bike.

[@SpencerBaum]

I mean, it is tho. The stumpjumper Evo is also 150mm but I don't think anyone would consider it an enduro bike

[@conman1395]

The fact is, there's 2 kinds of trail. People who live in Squamish BC and people who live in Kansas have completely different terrain in their local trails. People need to stop looking at suspension numbers and start looking at suspension curves/kinematics. That's the difference between a trail and enduro bike.

[@TomMarvin1]

Hey, we put the Spectral in the Trail Bike category for a number of reasons. Many modern trail bikes have 150mm of travel, without the penalty of pedalling sluggishly now, making them ideal all-rounders. The bike's kit has a number of trail-bike orientated components - lighter weight tyres (i.e. not DD/EXO+ casing), the Pike fork (rather than Lyrik) and G2 brakes rather than Codes. As I noted in the video, there is a 160mm forked version, with overall burlier components (Fox 36, tyres) and I feel that wouldn't have sat quite as well in the Trail Bike category. Of course, lines are blurred, and certainly in the UK the Spectral wouldn't hold you back in an Enduro race, but it'd not be my choice for taking to an EWS, for example.

[@joeblack4026]

It take full 230/65mm stroke so you can easily get 162mm stroke from the frame as it is. That is more AM/EN teritory

[@terraphyrma1373]

@@conman1395 It's so refreshing to read a truly thoughtful comment! 👍

[@williamkern7803]

I can possibly got L or Xl. I am 189 cm. Trying to decide. Any suggestions y’all?

[@TomMarvin1]

I'd be tempted by the XL 👌

[@James-il3tq]

I'm 180 cm with 91cm inseam and got my medium Spectral 29 CF 8 yesterday. I typically ride large/XL but went with Canons recommendation of medium. It's definitely too small. If you're 9n the fence and have a longer inseam ignore Canons "perfect positioning system" and get XL.

[@williamkern7803]

Thank you for the reply. I ended up getting the large. After a few rides I realized that even with the seat slammed all the way back my knees are about 1-2 inches forward of the pedal axle. I don’t know how I missed this initially, in hindsight I wish I went with the XL.

[@Alfonso_111]

@@williamkern7803 I'm 189 and have a large on order. Unfortunately I have only just seen these comments. Too late now.

[@williamkern7803]

@@Alfonso_111 spectral have a phenomenal return policy. You can return no questions asked within 30 days. So if you don’t mind the wait you can exchange it for the XL.

[@bigmikeshooter]

It's a great enduro bike....

[@hannesnohl8627]

No

[@falafelraffel8140]

@@hannesnohl8627 why isn´t it

[@fazza2104]

@@falafelraffel8140 because it’s a short travel trail bike

[@hannesnohl8627]

@@fazza2104 I wouldnt say short travel, but its definitely a trailbike.

[@toki2356]

Short travel trail bike with 150/150 or 160/150 ??? 🤦‍♂️

[@pedromiguel1389]

The paint job looks super cheap, sorry to say. And why no traditional tapered headtube?

[@vishnus4482]

Anybody sponsor a cycle😔

[@mosescerodosnocity6387]

😍😍💪👍

[@comeguerin7680]

this bike is out of stock

[@kookiethebear]

Too much blah blah blah about the specs we can read on Canyon's site. Less news room presentation and sanitized background. In other words, RELAX and be you!

[@sergvegas5446]

Not available anywhere😂 shitshow covid19🤮