Canyon Spectral CF 8.0 | Almost Brilliant, But There's a Catch | Trail Bike of The Year

Top frame and killer suspension, but let down by tall head and seat tubes. Launched in late 2017, the Canyon Spectral impressed with its quality suspension and very decent kit for the price. The 2019 Spectral gains 10mm in travel at the front and rear compared to the previous model, giving it a more aggressive stance, which makes it look more like a little enduro bike than a full-on trail bike.
In addition to the extra travel, the 2019 Spectral ditches the previous model’s 2.6in tyres for a more ‘normal’ 2.4in width. This is a good shout because the narrower tyres help to make the bike feel a little more precise.
Canyon has made a cracking frame with a carbon front and alloy rear triangle, and the finishing touches - from the down tube protector that doubles as a semi-internal cable routing guide to the hidden seat clamp bolt - demonstrate great attention to detail.
What do you think of the Canyon Spectral CF 8.0? Let us know in the comments.
Read the full BikeRadar review here: www.bikeradar....
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[@bikeradar]

What do you think of the Canyon Spectral? Should it have won, or do the sizing quirks make it just a contender for our 2019 Trail Bike of The Year?

[@andreaslundindotcom]

I had the same issue in 2018. Ended up with a large as I could not fit the XL for the seat tube. After a year riding what I consider a too small bike I am selling it for a larger reach bike. Other than that it has been brilliant as a trail bike.

[@joeblack4026]

How does it hold in comaparision to the new jeffsy mk II?

[@andreaslundindotcom]

joe black I have no idea as I haven’t ridden nor seen a Jeffsy.

[@martybee6648]

Andreas Lundin so the bike runs small ?

[@andreaslundindotcom]

Marty Bee I wouldn’t say that. I got odd proportions. 190 cm tall but short legs. Large was great for seat tube but short in the reach. XL would be good for reach but not seat tube. Canyons PPS system put me medium to large due to my short legs 😂 I agree that short seat tubes are the way to go to suit more riders, especially with today’s long droppers.

[@ADAP7IVE]

That DT protector is a great idea. Wish we saw it more often on other frames.

[@LuLeBe]

Well IT was too good apparently. Love it on my Spectral but the new 29er ditched it. Such a weird decision.

[@ob08]

I absolutely love my '19 spectral. Best bike ive ever ridden. Extremely capable in all situations.

[@andreabottegal92]

Can you tell you could even ride in dh parks with a bike like this? Im concerned about what bike to buy if an enduro or a spectral like this.

[@ob08]

@@andreabottegal92 it can definitely handle a dh trail. It really is an ALL mountain bike. It is very competent in just about every situation, and feels very solidly built. I routinely ride black diamond trails and it's handled them all with no problem. It'll descend faster than a xc and climb better than an enduro. I love mine...

[@th_js]

I couldn't be happier with the front end height of my Spectral, suits me perfectly. Other bikes that have low front ends just feel horrible to me.

[@chadrides914]

I agree completely. I don't have the spectral, but I always add at least 1/2" of spacers to bring the bars and stem up a considerable amount. Makes a world of difference.

[@txhookey5608]

This likely will be my next bike as long as they keep the higher front end. The problem with most reviews is they are all focused on on the same geometry. Not everyone likes the exact same geometry on every bike. I have a selection of riser bars and stems that end up going on to get the bike to fit me right. I do agree that there are several bikes out there with seat tubes that are to long. I hope every manufacturer doesn't give in to the single minded review criteria and keeps making shorter chainstays, moderate reach, and higher front ends for their all mountain bikes. That makes for a fun agile bike that still can handle the downhills. To me, that is the definition of all mountain, instead of enduro light.

[@jsv438]

@@txhookey5608 Totally! Couldn't have said it better. Doesn't it start to look like ALL the bike manufacturers are chasing the same review from the same spec seekers? I love the advancements in tech over the last few years, BUT they're all going toward pleasing the same rider demands, NOT the vast differences that riders (consumers) are seeking. I'm a riser-stem-riser-bar guy myself. Always need that extra because I don't plant my face in the front wheel like street bikers lol! ~JSV

[@Pienimusta]

A bit too much travel for my liking and riding needs so went with Neuron. Couldn't be happier. Climbs insanely well and descents great. For the price these "lower end" Canyons are a steal.

[@m1chaelsc]

Pienimusta love the look of the neuron it wasn’t out when I bought my 2018 cf spectral

[@th_js]

I got the 2018 AL 6, 140/150 mm travel, awesome

[@Pienimusta]

@@th_js 150/160mm a bit too much for light forest trails. 140mm would be perfect!

[@th_js]

@@Pienimusta Yeah, I love it. Not too much and not too little travel.

[@davidlex8900]

@@th_js Well I'm late to this game but I have the Neuron 6.0, and I LOVE it. It was a game changer, starting out on a hybrid Trek Dual Sport. Night and day. Highly recommend, this bike is very underrated.

[@luisseidl2671]

i use my spectral as a enduro and i love the playability that bike has , i was able to be faster on it riding the leogang worldcup track then with my trek session

[@Tschesslee]

I am 6.5 and always have the problem that I need to run my droppers at the absolute limit of insertion. It is the main buy criterium for me nowadays... Sad to but true. So I see this positiv from Canyon!

[@chelboed]

You're crazy in regards to head tube/seat tube length. Look at the Bronson. Size small stack height is 584. XL is 625mm. That's barely over an inch difference from a tiny little 5'0" person to someone 6'6". We're talking 18 inches difference in height... Likely 28" inseam vs 36-38. Excessive stem spacers are ugly...3" rise bars are silly on a trail bike. The test rider on this video is 6 feet tall. I'm 6'2" with a 35" inseam. With long legs, the saddle must go up then the bars must go up to compensate. On a size extra large Stache, I still need to run an inch of spacer plus a 38mm rise deity bar to get good grip height. (Approx an inch taller than my saddle) Everything that the test rider is complaining about is exactly what I love about the Spectral. You want a shorter bike, get one...but don't try to influence companies to make shorter bikes for taller people. It makes all the sense in the world for the spectral to have stack from 588-655mm ranging from Sm-XL. That just makes plain sense.

[@sunesnigel]

So you're 6'2" and run an XL? I'm 190 cm and my inseam is a bit over 35" and my main concern is the seat mast when bunny hopping and such, will it be a problem? I think I can live with the high front end. I'm choosing between Al 6.0 XL and Jeffsy 29 XL CR Comp and I'm sort of stuck.

[@Matt-dx3wo]

Couldn't agree with you more! screw these shorties trying to get stack lowered on larger sizes!!!! as is, that stack is too low for me at 6'4" and they really should have a XXL with longer chainstays as well. Hey bike radar, I live in the Bristol area - why don't you invite someone legitimately XL to test as well?

[@sunesnigel]

I got the Spectral in XL and i love it. Sizing is perfect and i don't feel seat mast is an issue at all.

[@jcsn2161]

@@sunesnigel hi mate if im 176cm tall in spectral cf 2017 size s is still good? Or i should pick size m ?

[@sunesnigel]

@@jcsn2161 I'm very sorry man i don't know if I'm off any help. I'm 190 and i went for an xl 6.0 AL. I feel the sizing is good for me, the seat post is not an issue at all. The front is however a little high, it bugs me a little bit but it's not a deal breaker. It's good on the steep stuff.

[@MD-uu5nt]

I've owned one for the last year and this sums up my experience with the bike very well. The high head tube is definitely an issue and I immediately felt more at home on a Trek Slash I tested. Maybe it's time for me to change it.

[@bikeradar]

Thanks for watching and for sharing your experience. BikeRadar.

[@ryanmurtagh4065]

Hey, I am considering this bike. I like to do xc but also visit DH parks. With 160/150 it's fair to say it will be good for DH but is it capable of XC? Nothing too serious, maybe a 2 hour ride with ups and downs. All I'm really asking is if it can climb.

[@pregardt]

@@ryanmurtagh4065 probably you need more of an all mountain 29er bike with 140 to 150mm travel

[@Taylor86879]

As a 1,96m Rider im so happy the seatpost ist that long on the spectral :D

[@msnataliamilk]

awesome painting!

[@gr8fulride]

Excellent review! The xl will probably be set up perfect for me .

[@WildOutdoorLiving]

The reach sounds perfect to be honest and at 5'11 I cant even use more than 150mm of drop. So that wouldn't bother me as long as I could actually get my seat low enough. The extra stack does sound concerning though.

[@MauriceG85]

Which frame size are you using?

[@crenshaw4372]

I have the 2018 Spectral CF 8.0 with 140/150mm of travel. Bought the 160mm piston for the Pike (going to swap it soon) and I have to remove a 5mm shim in the shock to go from 230x60 to 230x65 so i'll have the same specs as the new 2019 Spectral! Can't wait to see the difference...

[@MD-uu5nt]

This is my exact set up now, I just put a DVO Topaz 230*65 shock on and it definitely feels good. Just like the reviewer, I have an issue with the stack height and I'd love if I could lower the bars more. Gonna persevere with it now for a while that I've put a fresh shock on it.

[@mdtrx]

I have the 2018. Love it, but the high seat tube is definitely an issue. I'm one of the lucky ones with the seat post as low as possible and it's perfect. I imagine you could fix the fit with stem and shorter seatpost, but that is a valid point for losing the #1 spot. Grips and saddle could be better out of the box.

[@pregardt]

How tall are you? and what size did you get?

[@bennytn5518]

It was designed to be a PLUS bike when the whole industry was moving that way. But the Plus movement suddenly died. And Canyon put on a slightly longer to maintain the BB height despite going to smaller tires. Nice save, Canyon!

[@fwmtb]

A slightly longer what?

[@tomasz-nowak]

I have M size frame and seat on the factory 150 mm dropper post all way down into the tube was ~4 cm (!!!) to high for me. I had to swap it to 125 mm Bike Yoke Revive which has also a shorter collar. Now the bike fits me well but I wish I shouldn't have to spend extra 360 EUR on this bike.

[@NotTheLarryDavid]

How tall are you and what’s your inseam?

[@chadrides914]

I just had the same experience with a new Stumpjumper purchase in medium. Came with a 150 dropper and at max height the thing is about 2cm too tall for my comfort. Gonna have to spend a lot now to replace it. Ugh. Such is life. Love the bike.

[@Greystone1111]

Just forget about the travel, if you do just a little offroating. This bike, is sooo composed, agile and fun. Pedal bob is barely noticeable. Im 176 cm, and running a size M. Perfect for me:-). My bike, is the Spectral CF7 2019. It´s stock, but with Minion DHF 2,5WT upfront, and a fastrolling 2,35 Forekaster, on the back

[@abrand305]

I'm about the same height. Any pedal strikes. How's the BB height on it ?

[@dinoXAs2]

So what are your heights and more important inseam number? It would be nice in reviews to have bike size, rider height and inseam. Im 180cm (5.9ft) and have 85cm (2.78ft) inseam. Spectral AL 6.0 frame calculator gives me L-size with that inseam. Is 150mm dropper a problem to me?

[@NotTheLarryDavid]

Dogs Del exactly the same measures as myself. If I deduct a cm from the inseam, Canyon’s recommendation becomes an M. I contacted their support and they told me in those cases they recommend the smaller model. Did you order either? If so, what’s your experience?

[@fabiandolcean7122]

Dogs Del i’m 177cm and I rock an Large. Still need 1 more cm to fit in this category but i love it

[@NotTheLarryDavid]

Fabian Dolcean cool, I got the M and feel like it’s a perfect fit. It makes the bike so nimble and fun to ride, jump, etc.

[@superspecky4eyes]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, great bike is great. More importantly, where are you riding? It looks fantastic!

[@vote47]

Looks like Finale Ligure

[@TomMarvin1]

yep - Finale Ligure - highly recommended

[@TrailPOV]

I'm so confused why everyone keep banging on about huge reach numbers. I have a large Scott Genius with 450mm reach that came with a 60mm stem and I swapped it out for a 35mm stem just to get me even further back on the bike. Why would you want a 480mm reach?...seems like the worst thing for going downhill

[@LaVale-]

Trail POV I love this new longer and slacker bikes. They just seem to fit my body and style better. I think it's also a matter of body geometry

[@TrailPOV]

@@LaVale- Longer, lower, slacker I'm all for....by raking out the front end to a 65 or 64 degree head angle and dropping the BB you accomplish that, but that doesn't necessitate a huge reach such that your body is pulled over the front axle and the back is very bent rather than upright. Am I missing something or does Vancouver just have really unique riding that a long reach isn't a good thing imo?

[@Coerced]

@@TrailPOV long reach doesn't have anything to do with being over the front end of the bike. A long stem puts you over the front end though, yes. Chainstay length, stem length, headtube angle and to some extent seat tube angle+height and stack height all determine your position on the bike. Long reach only gives you more room and you'll be less upright.

[@MD-uu5nt]

@@TrailPOV You are confusing stem length with reach. They aren't the same thing.

[@RichardHasal]

Interesting your thoughts on the geometry shirt comings as I feel their road bikes have a “mismatched “ feel as well regarding geometry VRS size.

[@d-mattik7088]

I have a size small and the headtube height is significantly shorter than a large where as most brands there is only a minor difference

[@vault-boydan4984]

Thanks for another great review 👍, but now I really don't know which one to pick spectral al 6.0 or cf 7.0, jeffsy cf 27 comp or remedy 8 🤔.

[@clutch081]

Remedy 8 would be the last one I would get

[@vault-boydan4984]

@@clutch081 I'd really appreciate a detailed explanation why not Remedy.

[@dukeofmtb]

@@vault-boydan4984 So which one did you eventually buy?

[@Paolo-xn3po]

@BikeRadar you say that the new spectral has one of the best rear suspension on test. could you please tell us the other bikes that are better in this way or similar? thanks! Cheers!

[@The_Real_JN]

That's a big jump from 1st to 2nd in the cassette

[@timpfastatfifty6493]

What is it with bike companies and head tube/sizing issues? I am tall and ride an XL Enduro. The head tube is too short and the bike comes with a steerer cut too short. Its costly to change the bars for a higher rise and although I have done so, a 50mm rise would be better. Even with a 38mm ride bar and a 180mm piston in the fork, the bars remain too low.While I get what you're saying about the Canyon and shorter riders, on a trail/enduro bike, having a too low front end can really hinder the bikes descending ability and isnt that easy to solve.

[@pawebrak9860]

Great price easy to set up.

[@samhinchcliffe1504]

Would the bikes geometry be good for large downhill jumps in a Medium size? Im worried about being too high up and feeling out of control / twitchy on the bike when going down.

[@thechampion1671]

If smaller riders want to ride a large but it's the wrong size just ride the medium, don't change the geometry of the large.

[@javic79]

I’m 5.6 what size should I get ? Thinking on getting spectra cf 7.0 I ride medium size on specialized Thanks

[@4ndyr0g3r50n]

I'm 5'6" too and have just ordered the size small. I looked at the geometry of what I already ride and decided on what I would like from a new bike - in my case something small and agile, I'm not a fan of this modern long and slack trend.

[@marvinjordan9987]

Gday. Nice review, just a question, can this frame fit a 36t chainring? Thank you.

[@sebastiankunstmann1723]

Yes, I had the Spectral AL 7.0 from 2018 (same frame as the one shown here) using 2x11 XT with 36/26 chainrings. Mind though that this frame is not the current one available for sale.

[@kevinmorgan2179]

Canyon are killing the bike trade. Your review is immaterial as the direct to consumer market nullifies the best points of bicycle retail. S congratulations on helping to kill the bike trade

[@TheAtikalz]

Not everyone has a dealer around. I am dependent on direct to consumer brands

[@user-ws9di5kp9h]

is the one in the video the woman's frame? cant find that paint finish in any models

[@G_Dawg]

Cf 7.0 comes in that colour.

[@marvinjordan9987]

Hi. What is the max size chainring that will fit on this frame? Can it fit a 38t? Thank you

[@Binocularify]

If I'm 6'5 are the negatives of this bike diminished?

[@MrMJJ23]

what’s wrong with having dropper all the way into the seat tube?

[@tamasvarga67]

Nothing wrong with that but if you have shorter legs than the guy tested the bike and you prefer the longer size L then you'll be out of luck.

[@TrailBreaker]

MrMJJ23 I think the point is at 6’ he was JUST able to make it work all the way slammed. Most riders will be slightly shorter making full extension too tall and too high on descents retracted.

[@user-180-mand90]

@@tamasvarga67 This is why you can shim OneUp dropper posts. I agree with MrMJJ23 though...if the toptube has enough clearance for your bits, I'd rather have a dropper all the way in versus out. If your legs are too short to fit on a slammed dropper, you should size down anyways. Bike reviewers nowadays are so reluctant to increase stem size to accommodate a longer reach - they always try and size up the frame first.

[@gavinsorenson461]

@@user-180-mand90 Theres a reason for that, longer stems affect the steering performance while lengthening the bike does not, or at least not nearly as much. Thats one of the main reasons companies dont put long stems on bikes anymore.

[@sp00n]

If it just fits fully slammed in you might run into problems if you change your pedals, cranks, saddle or even shoes. All of those can change your effective seat height, and you'll be limited in your options if you can't go in either direction.

[@athermedia91]

whats the climbing like ? heard they arnt the best

[@stevem3308]

I'm not a fan of Canyon's "first come, first served" mentality when they get inventory. I really wanted to buy a Spectral and offered Canyon a deposit to hold one since they tend to sell out on the first day. Canyon refused and said just to keep checking every day. No thanks, so I bought a Giant Trance Advanced 1 and have been super happy with it.

[@samdanin4125]

Strive or Spectral?

[@testtesttesttesttest884]

That seat tube angle is old school no?

[@villimagg]

74° vs 77° on the YT Jeffsy. Personally I would want to go for anything above 75°.

[@sp00n]

The whole geometry is basically old school. Slack seat tune angle, long seat tube length, average head tube angle.

[@lHawkee]

Can we get a review for the YT Capra 2019 ?

[@TeamCykelhold]

They will but not it doesn't fit in the trailbike category.

[@aMilling]

I might be baised, but I don't like that they went with 2.4 tires instead of 2.6

[@realNAKAMI]

why?

[@jostlevicnik7348]

What size should i get i am 5'8½?

[@joeblack4026]

canyon has always a nicely priced ,super well equiped bike , but there always is a catch of some sort. : /

[@johnnylawrence.]

The catch is, their entire customer support department consists of three people.

[@fatdanoff]

@@johnnylawrence. Yea that's putting me off buying one, it's a gamble...

[@MaQuGo119]

Where is the Beginner Bike of the Year?

[@obi-wankenobi9871]

There is no good or bad beginner bike.

[@dinoXAs2]

@@obi-wankenobi9871 Oh there is always bad bikes.

[@notbaymax5499]

My wallet is begging for mercy

[@bigg746]

I know how you feel ...just got the 9.0cf

[@stonksrgud7645]

Big746 my wallet is screaming:”DONT buy the cf 9.0” My mind is thinking different about it

[@caelenfry3321]

@@bigg746 how I it? I may buy the new 2021 model but it has same geometry.

[@bigg746]

@@caelenfry3321 great I really like it even on the climb you never feel like you don't have enough gears and the tires it came with have save me more times than one when I was going a little to fast

[@caelenfry3321]

@@bigg746 cool thanks for the info hope its worth my savings :)

[@DM-hw4cr]

If it's press fit bb, no thanks

[@henryalfaro9125]

Finally somebody speak up! I don't understand what's the deal of Canyon and those ,#&@ seats so @&# high . I was all in to buy the new Neuron , I check the geometry and know happens that for some stupid reason 1.72 is too short for a size m 29r. !! and 27.5 is a big NO No . I hate you Canyon !!!!

[@mariusburada01]

youtube is dominated by british channels .. i heard they like it long and slack

[@phantombigballs8165]

Better than short and fat I guess....

[@allyw7405]

Sounds like it’s designed for the female form

[@arturoreyes1688]

Yeah, but bikes are so expensive

[@stonksrgud7645]

Relative to other brands they are not

[@willbennett7107]

It’s nice but it’s not my trek

[@notbaymax5499]

John Bennett what trek u have?

[@willbennett7107]

Remedy 9.7 best bike I have ever ridden

[@notbaymax5499]

John Bennett nice👍

[@ronaldtartaglia4459]

Bike is hideous, that shock placement, hurl.