Canyon Spectral 29 Review...Pros and Cons

Wanted to give a review of the Canyon Spectral 29 and discuss all the things pros and cons of the bike, and buying direct. What I like about the bike, how it rides, as well as some comparisons.

[@RomansDowntime]

I baby’ed my bike for a while when i first got it. After the first paint chip, i was bummed out, and at the same time it was a relief. The baby phase is over. Sick bike bro!

[@jg8273]

Use race tape for frame protection

[@thatcherkirkpatrick3241]

Just ordered my size small spectral 29 cf 7. I have been waiting for months and I finally got it. Can't wait to see this beast in action.

[@gatord0g]

Me too! Have fun dude!!

[@nachoelcacho]

Thanks ... totally agree with you... and thanks for the 1 month review.!! Cant wait to get mine .!!

[@BryceBetts]

Nice dude. Next video try to put some of your riding footage over the talking points and I think that will make it feel more dynamic

[@mtbberta7872]

Thanks man, learning more and more about editing and getting better at it.

[@AceGoodheart]

I wish I had waited one more month before buying my bike. Now I wish I had gone with the Canyon Spectral 29 CF 9 instead of my TREK. Nothing wrong with my TREK, but I think I would have gotten more quality components with the Spectral and more travel on the suspension.

[@BladeBarn]

thoughts on the spectral CFR? looks like they got it in other countries and its coming to usa in a. few months

[@nachoelcacho]

Guys .... FYI the canyon spectral cf 8 is I know its the shred version, available in size M.... Earlier today size S was available but not anymore...

[@louiludog]

3700!? Holy shit thats such a good deal considering how high the prices are now

[@bert3566]

It used to be 3600 now it’s 4300

[@HankDaDank]

just bought it for 3k on cyber monday sale im really excited

[@tinman8888]

Mate I am really interested in this bike so enjoying the informative vids. With the flip chip does the reach change when swapping from the Low to High Setting or does it stay the same, and just the head / seat angles go up or down together accordingly. Cheers

[@mtbberta7872]

I am unsure about reach but I know the BB drops 8mm in low compared to high and a 0.5 ht and st angle change variant

[@bluedot1395]

nice jump on the bonner log, waiting for the small Spectral to be available on Canyons website but torn on getting a 29 or a 27.5...any advice?

[@petesahad3028]

And now they have a mullet😁

[@eddolous]

Nice storage shelves

[@jeromep4148]

I just sold my 2019 Strive and am looking at getting the new model Spectral. I am 5’ 11 1/2”. The recommended size in 2019 was size Large. Now in both Strive and Spectral the recommended size for my height is M. The main complaint for me with the Strive was I felt like I was riding a school bus - it just felt so damn long - so the size M is very intriguing. Any thoughts on overall size of the bike and the playfulness of Strive vs Spectal? Did you “size down” with your purchase?

[@mtbberta7872]

I would say with the medium you are right at the middle on both based on your height. I would say worst case with the large you can always go to a shorter stem. Let me know what you choose.

[@robgraham3430]

Hey So currently own a 2020 strive but considering the spectral 29 as you had a strive could you do a real comparison of the 2 the pros the negatives and what one you honestly prefer as unsure to keep my strive or upgrade any info would be greatly appreciated Cheers

[@mtbberta7872]

Absolutely Rob not a problem! Thank you for asking.

[@Kcducttaper1]

@@mtbberta7872 +1 on this request. I've been considering between buying a Strive or Spectral and would be interested to hear pros/cons of both bikes back-to-back.

[@TheMCVillage]

Hey question, did you swap out that rear shock for a different shock or were you just removing it to service or something?

[@mtbberta7872]

I swapped it with my ultimate off my last bike. Same size 230x60

[@christieclaypool7667]

I'm 5'9" with a 32 inch inseam. Do you think the size small would be the right size for me? I saw somewhere in the comments that you are also 5'9". Thanks in advance!

[@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. Go with medium bro, ignore Canons "perfect positioning system".

[@christieclaypool7667]

@@James-il3tq I have the Medium. It fits perfectly for my height and inseam. I agree, the Canyon sizing is off.

[@ulisake1899]

nice

[@kzlindsay1]

Thanks for the review! I have a few questions: - How tall are you? You said you're riding the small and I think that’s my size too but could be between sizes. - As a pretty novice mtb rider coming from an aluminum 2015 Specialized Enduro, do you think the upgrade in components will be noticeable enough for me to want to go with the CF 8 over the CF 7? - I am in Utah so we also have loose terrain, so the tire suggestion was great. What are the other immediate upgrades you'd suggest for the CF 7?

[@mtbberta7872]

Hey Kyle no problem man, I am 69” and the small fits me great even buddies have hopped on it and are like this is huge for a small. As for the bang for your buck I think the CF 8 is worth it for the build. The CF7 color is what got me, the build I thought was to be expected for most entry level bikes but the 8 hits all the boxes on a top notch build! A simple Ratchet swap on the hubs and that thing is a beast just like the CF9

[@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.

[@thatcherkirkpatrick3241]

My friend has a neuron and just got the spectral 29 cf 8. Both these bikes have lots of creaking noises coming from the front of the bike near the headset. Do you have this problem with the cf 7? I’ve been looking to buy the cf 7 for a while and I don’t want to have that creaking issue.

[@mtbberta7872]

No creaking, any creaking should be resolved by greasing and maintaining the pivots or the headset. Best thing you can do for any bike. I did this when I first got the bike and usually do a monthly tear down.

[@Kcducttaper1]

There shouldn't be any creaking noises at all. My first suspicion would be the headset. I'd remove the bars, clean up the stem bearings, re-grease them, and be sure to snug it up to spec properly when putting it back together. If that's more than you're comfortable with, your local bike shop should be more than willing to give you a hand.

[@thatcherkirkpatrick3241]

@@Kcducttaper1 Thanks!

[@thatcherkirkpatrick3241]

@@mtbberta7872 Thanks will do

[@benh7338]

@@thatcherkirkpatrick3241 I had exactly the same issues with my Spectral 29 CF 8. Greased the headset, everything is fine now.

[@alex_sede]

What bike you prefer strive or spectral

[@mtbberta7872]

Honestly I would say for what I do I like the spectral more for the slacker front end. It climbs just as good as the strive did, maybe even better but the fun factor is so much better on the spectral. The strive is a true race bike and built for it. I love speed but I also like playful and poppy, which the spectral has and it is still a bike that begs for good pumping and aggressive riding.

[@jg8273]

How did you get one? I haven’t seen them in stock yet for USA.

[@mtbberta7872]

They were literally in stock 1 maybe 2 days at the end of February. I was checking the site 2-3 times a day since December. I got super super lucky.

[@RLICGNT]

Check Canyon website frequently. I registered for in-stock notifications, and never got one; and even called when I noticed the expected available dates change frequently. They said they had no more info than what was on the site, but I checked the website at midnight and there were some available (CF 8), put in my order, and the bike arrived in like 3-4 days. Super impressed with it overall.

[@LuisBaca96]

Didn’t know the notifications didn’t works :( I’ll be updating the page then.

[@BikesRPG]

​@@RLICGNT Thanks! I'll just keep checking the website then, I signed up but never received anything and keep seeing the dates get changed. Maybe those are returned ones?

[@RLICGNT]

@@BikesRPG always a possibility, but looks brand spanking new to me.

[@paul_hd1875]

Fuck yeah... a bro (not a brit) reviewing Canyon LOL. Have had my eye on this MTB. Sub'd. Cheers from NorCal. EDIT: lol. appears to be a dead channel... year since last video...

[@BladeBarn]

fucking 4300+100 shipping + tax now!

[@mirkomalisan5467]

Are you coming from a Strive 27.5?

[@mtbberta7872]

Had a strive 29. I am fully committed to 29er or mullet now. I did have a 27.5 first gen Jeffsy for my first bike.

[@zxtenn]

I am 5 feet 8 with a 30 inseam and Canyon suggests a small, you dont feel cramped on a small? I sold my 2019 RM Instinct BC size M a while ago and thinking of the Spectral 9.0 LTD, seems the Spectral is much better than before with threaded BB, internal cables, etc. I had a 2018 Spectral 6.0 and that bike had 175 cranks so i got LOTS of pedal strikes even on intermediate trails which is about my safe skill level

[@mtbberta7872]

I am 5’9 on a small and it comes with 165mm stock, but I threw 170mm on. I ride in the high setting primarily with hardly ever any strikes even on rocky terrain. I did put a 50mm stem on though. The medium is right near my size as well but I like a smaller playful bike honestly.

[@zxtenn]

@@mtbberta7872 thanks for the reply. Lots of top end parts of the 9.0 LTD for 6 grand, good to know its a good fit for you, i am 5 ft 8 inches myself so i dont want to order then have to return.

[@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 normally ride.

[@zxtenn]

@@James-il3tq Hello and thanks for the informative reply, you're not the 1st person to not be satisfied with their system. My 1st full susp. bike was a 2018 Spectral 27.5 and they suggested a S but i still bought a M. That sucks for you having to pay to return and wait providing they have your size now in stock.

[@tylertinsley9463]

Let’s see some raw rides! Line choice! Fullll seennnnnnndddd boi! Otherwise you nailed it. The pandemic has made the bike industry swamped and a backorder nightmare!

[@EvansMTBSaga]

You raw dogger!

[@mtbberta7872]

Plenty of rides coming on this thing, maybe even some channel collaborations.

[@tylertinsley9463]

@@mtbberta7872 hell yes!

[@tylertinsley9463]

@@EvansMTBSaga you know buddy!!! Haha

[@TheDoctor46vr]

Hey bro, would you describe this bike as agile or cumbersome?

[@skmeedle]

I own the bike and I would say it’s pretty agile, it does weigh a little more than some other carbon bieks i’ve rode but it’s definitely not cumbersome

[@TheDoctor46vr]

@@skmeedle enduro MTB rated it right in the middle between cumbersome and agile, I don't know what they are smoking because others have said it is agile. Now I don't know, I just got told so many people have had cracked frames :(

[@mtbberta7872]

Agile for sure, I did eventually over fork it and it lost some of the agile nature of it but still a blast to ride.

[@DM-hw4cr]

Con= Press Fit BB

[@mtbberta7872]

No it’s a Euro external

[@waynepatton689]

I wish they’d offer it in an alloy frame.

[@Alfonso_111]

It's available in alloy now. Looks pretty sweet.

[@stonksrgud7645]

no offence but we like seeing the bike more than we like seeing your face :P

[@unknowrider1803]

i like the 27 much more

[@endeavour5316]

u need to wash that bike man need some maintenance