My "Dream Bike" was a fail, so I bought this Canyon Spectral 125.

After buying my "dream bike" and being severely disappointed, I've been searching for the best value bike for me. Enter, the Canyon Spectral 125 AL 6.
I have no affiliation with Canyon and purchased the bike at full price.
Link to the bike - bit.ly/3sg5pqb
Gear I wear:
Fly Racing Super D Jersey & Maverik Shorts - www.flyracing....
6D Helmets ATB-2T - www.6dhelmets....
So become a Channel Member to support future projects!! (and video sneak previews & exclusive access)
Polygons on sale right now!
Click here - bikesonline-us...
For business inquiries: [e-mail]

[@Jacob99174]

We need to help Evan make waaaay more money, so he can make waaaay more of these reviews!

[@cloud6074]

Agreed

[@bigboibeluga5033]

So true

[@bigboibeluga5033]

EVRYBODY SUB

[@Jeseryhesery88]

Fax

[@lb0538]

True but jt think he is very negative about the yeti. Which is nonsense because the yeti itself is an incredibly stof bike and just not Made for evan because it is more of an xc/dc bike, where this spectral is more towards a playfull enduro. I

[@NH-il6uc]

I had a 2018 Canyon Spectral. LOVED IT. Would still have it, but it broke. But Canyon took really great care of me. They didn’t have any replacement frames in stock, so they gave me a full refund. Yeah, FULL REFUND. After riding the bike hard for 3 years they wrote me a check for a full refund inclusive of tax and shipping. They also offered me a 10% discount on a new Canyon but unfortunately didn’t have any in stock and wouldn’t for months. So you have a great bike backed by a great company with awesome customer service.

[@randommtbridr]

Thats great! I’ve heard that some people get ignored.. but I feel like it may not be true

[@user-fn5ng2fm6h]

Its amazing how much better rider you are on this bike. so steezy dude 🤘

[@rmhfpv9225]

I LOVE that you are honest with the negatives or rather pros and cons since every parts choice is a compromise somewhere. So many channels hype everything up and act like the product has no compromises. For example when you mentioned how the slacker head tube feels like it wants to jack knife in sharp turns. you could probably do a whole series of each geo feature and talk about the pro and cons and situations it's designed for and has issues with.

[@emilivarsen3209]

Really great to see appreciation for lower end builds. Even though they look nicer, high end parts are more nice to have, rather than need to have. I have tried both low, mid and high end. Mid end is definitely where you get the most for your money, which it is clear Canyon have gone with

[@Deplated]

3500 lower end? :) good one

[@thedublintrail]

Kinda ridiculous that 3500 is considered low end 😂 bought a used bike for 1400 and that is high end for me

[@julianrime8544]

@@Deplated It really is because "high end bikes" are 7000-10000

[@thedublintrail]

@@julianrime8544Its just the sad truth

[@Jeseryhesery88]

I am a huge fan or your videos, keep up the good work!🎉

[@phoenixkellah-nash4351]

Hi, man. Tbh I saw it coming with all your problems with your 'dream bike' but I'm stoked to see you on this one!

[@leiste_2679]

I have the spectral 160mm 27,5 version, it’s a great do it all bike. From trails to bike parks. Really playfull bike.

[@EvansMTBSaga]

Yeah I worked on one on a Sad to Rad episode. I didn't know Canyon had affordable aluminum builds

[@derekhawkins5174]

Canyon spectral gang 🤙

[@hambo76]

@@EvansMTBSaga It seems no-one else does either! All I see are reviews of the carbon models while the AL gets ignored. I can't wait to see you lighten this thing up - Pike Ultimate fork, non-reservoir rear shock, OneUp bars, Berd wheels..

[@mrmatthewking]

Bought me one of these as my first MTB! Good to see other similar opinions on it. Hammers downhill, the suspension feels so capable. The weight, wheelbase and head angle make climbing a challenge (not helped by the rider...) but if you can set up the right line it seems to just grip and motor through, as long as you can keep pedalling.

[@joebikes]

Great video Evan! 🤠I agree with Jared, that longer wheelbase provides a more confident and stable ride. I prefer that myself, being a big guy... the long bikes just feel better for me. Looks like the Spectral is a winner for Bentonville trails!

[@EvansMTBSaga]

Such a winner and I can't wait to lighten it up. You're super tall!

[@JaredRMorgan]

Yeah bro the bikes sick. Lean enough for bentonville, but burly enough to take on stuff like DTH.

[@jacuist3339]

I was hesitante Just because of you i am buying this bike, i will follow your upgrades!

[@dimimtb]

Welcome to the short travel gang, the Spectral 125 is super similar to my Norco Optic, at 5'10", the large fits me perfectly and not far off the Medium Spectral. These new school short travel bikes are a lot of fun!

[@EvansMTBSaga]

Yeah I'm pumped on the new school geometry. So rad the MTB industry keeps pushing the envelope

[@benphillips1149]

@@EvansMTBSaga i wanna see u on an enduro, u got the skill i reckon u would be a beast on a long travel.

[@EvansMTBSaga]

Working on getting an Enduro by the end of the month

[@dimimtb]

@@EvansMTBSaga Sounds awesome, I'm up in Ontario and an Enduro here would be overkill although Quebec, right next store, would be perfect for one. Curious to see what you're getting.

[@tracymcmanus550]

Those wheels held me back not due to the weight but the hub. With only 18pt of engagement it made it difficult to clear some really chunky stuff. Switch to a higher engaging hub (72 pts) and it’s made a difference

[@dsrtrcr77]

The effective top tube would be the room for your knees when pedaling, the reach would be when standing.

[@christopherhurst4224]

So stoked that you got this bike to review. I also purchased the Canyon Spectral al6. I’m a year into riding mtb and love this new wip. Can’t wait to see the upgrades you out in the Spectral.

[@silvan2217]

My bro I literally saved up 2 years for a mountain bike and when I finally had the money this beauty came out. I decided to buy it. Got it 3 months ago, literally the exact same model, exact same size and color. I am so happy with it. Pretty cool!

[@petedog9581]

Sweet ride. I still ride a 2013 Stumpjumper 29er alloy w a 68 headtube and 72 seat tube. The reach and wheelbase are shorter but the bike is 150mm fork and 130mm rear. Why I keep upgrading it is exactly what you noticed... Weight. My bike is 30# packed w tools, tube, and water bottle. It jibs great and rides stable at 25 mph. I live in OH so you rarely have extended downs for higher speeds. I have demoed LLS bikes and they just don't cut it on my steep twisty climbs. This is the bike I would get if I were to go modern and ride parks. Great review. I have about $4K into my bike over the years. Lol.

[@kult9569]

this is my first time watching Evan in quite a while and to see how much he's grown in the past year really makes me happy; keep at it man! love the new content too!

[@EvansMTBSaga]

Oh man where did you go!!

[@NewDoughs]

So I have a canyon 125 in a size Large (I am 6'1 200lbs). I agree with this whole video! first thing that felt a bit off for me was the head tube angle and how the bike wanted to "jackknife" when turning. I am used to it now but initially, it felt a bit odd. I also agree with the weight, its a bit heavy so I could see the carbon wheels being a really nice addition! I don't really mind it though. My only wish is I wish I could make it a mullet for a bit more playfulness. Overall its a great bike and I am surprised how capable it is for its low travel!

[@chrisburns460]

It’s amazing how much more confident you look on this bike, so much more steeze!

[@EvansMTBSaga]

It's the fit I've been searching for! Man how many bikes has it taken to finally find the right size

[@jeff_gut]

How tall are you? I'm 5'9" thinking about ordering a medium (same bike as you).

[@jeff_gut]

​@@EvansMTBSaga ^^

[@flyman_0]

Great video mate! The tendency for the fork to want to roll to the side at slow speed is caused by the slack HTA, and is certainly a tradeoff for the stability at speed. Something to consider for those who do a lot of slow/techy climbing.

[@hambo76]

I have a 65 degree HA hardtail and you get used to it. You just need to hoist the front end and pull it round a bit.

[@dash0173]

hell yeah. glad to see you on something that suits you so much better. your riding style seemed too aggressive for the yeti. i got a norco optic, which is a very similar bike to this one and i gotta say short travel bikes can be lots of fun, especially when coming from a 170/160mm bike. long travel is where my heart lies but i have a special place in my heart for short travel bikes that ride like long travel bikes

[@JWMTB_]

I personally would have opted for the 160mm spectral al6 but that is one nice bike

[@JohnBowl14690]

Agree, nice bike but did you check out the Canyondale Spretral 125 yet? You will love it.

[@southeastmtb816]

This is a sick build. For some reason I was thinking it was 150/150 but that’s the perfect amount of travel 🔥🔥🔥

[@wellscarter17]

The normal version of the spectral is 160/150

[@evolusd]

This is like the PBS version of mtb reviews, so nice and wholesome 😅 big fan, new sub 👍

[@Accuracy158]

Canyon bikes always seem to give really good value for the price. I got my Orbea Occam for the same price with a 150mm fox 36 and 140mm fox float x but it was on sale and didn't come with 4 piston brakes.

[@junseokkim7673]

Spectral 125 looks perfect for your riding style. Congratulations!

[@EvansMTBSaga]

Thanks Mr. Kim!

[@gerrygadget]

Responding to Yeti carbon frame being flexy, my Fezzari Delano Peak (135 DPX/150 Fox36, ShimXT) is carbon and doesn't feel flexy at all. And total weight with pedals when I first got it, no upgrades, was 32lbs. Paid 4600. Love it.

[@EvansMTBSaga]

Yeah not all carbon is equal that's for sure

[@n8guy]

My Yeti SB140 Turq doesn’t feel flexy. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@onmissionmtb9722]

My home trails are in Kenya, Africa hoping to ride NW Arkansas late next spring!

[@EvansMTBSaga]

Very cool! How are the trails there? I've never heard about riding in Kenya

[@jstechbro3232]

Hi Evan! You had to do a video of unboxing and assembling you new bike. It's very awesome!😍😍😍❤. Im looking forward for another video on your channel.

[@stephdiesel2110]

THIS WAS SO GOOD!! Thank you thank you thank you for the time and effort and love you put into these videos!!

[@hail_plankton1511]

Ayo that's crazy I got a polygon d7 because of you a month ago then felt like I needed an upgrade and got a canyon torque al 5, keep the canyon videos comin🤟🤟

[@topspot4834]

Those trails look amazing ... binging your channel, you've really progressed in a short time and I love the content! I know the feeling of getting a fancy, expensive bike, then realizing is not really everything you wanted. I got an X01 built on my enduro, and quickly realized I don't like carbon cranks or handlebars. And a lot has to do with what you're riding ... Like my trail bike, I might prefer drivetrain and wheels over suspension and dropper post. Or durability might come at the expense of weight on my enduro.

[@cstavrou74]

Another good video Evan. I've been watching you from the beginning and it's great seeing how you've progressed and your videos keep getting better and better. Your earlier stuff convinced me to purchase a Vitus Mythique which I loved. When I decided to upgrade again I seriously looked at the spectral but decided to go with the new all carbon Vitus Escarpe instead....the frame is outstanding...better bang for the buck than canyon in my humble opinion. You should check it out!

[@hambo76]

It is great value but only if it's in stock which it barely is.

[@lukmanbinyahya]

I love the way you reviewed it. Straight and kinda reveal the bike's potentials. Your Indonesian fan 🤘

[@aidansrc2724]

super helpful that my favorite mtb channel reviewed the bike i was planning on getting

[@EvansMTBSaga]

Dude that's so cool!

[@chrisjones7281]

How awesome to live near all of that. Congrats on the move. You made a comment before about the Yeti not feeling as good as the Modified D5 as well. the Suspension of the Canyon looks similar to the Siskiu with different Geo :)

[@mtbberta7872]

Hands down the best I have seen you ride a bike you have gotten bro! Look forward to see what you do with it! Bentonville looks amazing! Love seeing you do some old BMX skills with your manueling and taps!

[@EvansMTBSaga]

No one knows about the tap 😂

[@Gabiclou_]

Love the musics you use !!! Amazing bike and amazing video ! I have the Canyon Spectral CF8 2020 and it is the best bike I ever rode!

[@pryan05p71]

Those trails are smooth enough for a rigid bike. Cool vid

[@EvansMTBSaga]

did you not see the rock garden clips?

[@JaredRMorgan]

Crispy edit man! Love it, and I’m taking notes! 📝

[@TopToBottomMTB]

The teacher becomes the student!🤓 You the one behind the camera on this one Jared?

[@JaredRMorgan]

Sure am! Lol.

[@TopToBottomMTB]

@@JaredRMorgan Nice work bro!🎥

[@hikesbikesbrews]

You should check out Fezzari, I think you would really enjoy their bike (value for price) plus the customization of it all. Happy to help if you have any questions about them or the process

[@ETERNLedits]

Thank you for trying so hard on your videos you always make them the best

[@Twentykixx]

Make the fork progressive and on the stiffer side and it’s a winner. I have a Scott Genius that has 140/130 @11kg. It’s a winner and the twin-lock is the icing on the cake! Happy riding.

[@n8_vel868]

Yeah I can definitely tell this bike feels more at home for you. You were definitely doing better on it than the yeti for sure🤘🔥

[@lexusstefan927]

Time to try a 160/160 Enduro with a coil shock, now that's what you really need 🤣

[@chichikov617]

love the 80s style music, reminds me of those old coming-of-age BMX movies.

[@baronvonrichthofen2021]

80’s style action show synthesizer music at the end, nice!

[@javonoso24]

Next bike should be a Rocky Mountain Instinct (Short travel enduro/all Mountain)

[@stevepadilla9729]

With tight switch backs, and a slack fork angle, you need to go with the flow and always pedal well going up. Once you stop pedaling, gravity seems to take over with a fork angle like that. But so Fun, my Son was riding one of the Canyon bikes that have the 170mm travel and that new pedal power lock on the shock system that makes the bike feel less like a enduro bike and more like a trail bike, just with a push of a button. But that bike is just over 7k. The good thing is he said was he didn’t need to buy two different bikes to ride. He is in California now from Colorado riding my 25 year old DH bike, but now testing out that Canyon, he may be heading there to San Diego to pick one up this next week. My bike now feels like a dino 🦖 to him 😢 haha

[@drewstreet4178]

Love short travel bikes, my 1998 GT Timberline All terra has a whopping 48mm travel😎😂 it's spot on around the trails where people regularly take 140mm travel upwards bikes🤦‍♂️

[@cheddaknottz8486]

Sounds painful, but I agree ... I've seen people do some wicked things on bikes that, on paper, should have no business doing what they do.

[@bellarogers7202]

Nice video. Glad you and Jared @Curecycling can catch up and make a great video. Big fan of both channels.

[@EvansMTBSaga]

He's a great dude and knows soooooo much more about mountain bikes than I do.

[@Thomas-je3wg]

Omg I am legit looking into buying this bike, thank you so much for showing me it’s capabilities

[@ryabbikers4724]

Sick new bike man!! What are you going to do with the yeti? Do you have plans on using some of the parts on the yeti on the canyon?

[@dirtyboxr]

Love the new bike! Glad you made it to bentonville, ill be moving there in 6months! How are the trails compared to the desert we are used to?!

[@hansonwang2121]

Can’t think of a better place to own a short travel trail bike. It also reminds me of my optic.

[@99Harbo]

Just grabbed this on the trail sale for $2300. Can't wait for it to come in.

[@phillevin6651]

Good choice, big Canyon fanboi. I ride the Spectral CF7 ebike, mullet setup w 150mm front and rear. Absolutely love the bike

[@EvansMTBSaga]

I'm a canyon boi now! 😂 Have you personally had any issues with frame cracking? I've heard all about that today

[@phillevin6651]

@@EvansMTBSaga Nope, my frame is fine, just over 1000 miles on it so far, and I’m no lightweight (sadly😜).. 240lbs.

[@MrSupermugen]

The new spectral platform rides amazing, but the Current debacle over the CF frames and the BB shells failing is getting dumb as hell. - nearly every frame is affected. The alloy ones have been holding up great... which is weird as most brands alloy frames suck these days.

[@MarcJacobPacifico]

Been watching u for quite some time, it looks that you’re more confident with this rig than the last one. 🤙🏼

[@brandonh1133]

Great video!!!! Considering buying this bike!!! I like the 80s music at the end lmao😂. Makes me feel like a kid again!!

[@liamhemmings9387]

One of the best riding videos so far 🤌

[@slick-riq]

Wow, just stumbled across this video/channel. Really well produced! The 34lbs weight is oddly heavy for a bike of that category.

[@beckamdrake7606]

Hey Evan I think you should really try out the trek top fuel it feels like an Enduro bike on the downhills but feels like a cross-country bike on the up hills. Plus the bonuses of having a great progressive platform. In my opinion this is a great bike but considering I use it for my cross-country bike says a lot so I would recommend the trek top fuel. Now it’s not the best budget bike but its amazing if you get the right one.

[@brendangilesmtb]

100% agree, I love my top fuel (2020). It’s great for everything I’ve podiumed xc races and won enduro races on mine 🤙

[@shwndh]

Also agree. Have a 2022 and it's amazing how good it feels descending. I got it for XC but I'm pushing it like an enduro bike.

[@lforgue8]

Man Evan your vids have gotten so much better and produced! Great Job! And that bump manny jump you did was sweet! Bmx move for sure!

[@EvansMTBSaga]

Glad you noticed! In BMX it's called a tap manual.

[@lforgue8]

@@EvansMTBSaga lol When I raced BMX in the 90's it was bump jumps but sweet none the less

[@TopToBottomMTB]

Evan!! You’re gonna need a lawyer for that case!! JK😂 Nice work brother! Hope you’re settling in well in your new town! 🤘🏻

[@citizensauto]

🤣🤣

[@marlonwhitehead1072]

You should get the 2023 Scott genius and I bet you will have nothing to complain about.

[@worgle123]

My gosh, this is my dream bike too! Shame I will never be able to afford one.... I'm about a year into trying to buy a Polygon T8.... 😅My Trek Marlin 5 is really depressing me. It holds me back every single time. The only time I get a real ride is when somebody is able to lend me their own bike 😞.

[@TonyVsEarth]

Love the 80's movie theme music in the back!

[@miyamotosan972]

Nicr vid. It'd be really really awesome if you'd show some longer travel enduro bikes like canyon strive canyon torque or trek slash and so on.

[@EvansMTBSaga]

Working on it!

[@2minus1_Shredder]

You should do like fan ride one day with your viewers In Bentonville. Let the locals show you some of the gems around here!

[@endoalley680]

What was the dream bike that failed? My short travel bike is an Ibis Ripley, with a 1 degree headset slackener. 120mm/140mm. Cant say enough good about it. This Canyon seems similar.

[@LowEffortRiders]

Nice choice! You really can't go wrong with Canyon 2022 models, happy Torque owner here. Those G5 stem and handlebar are pretty heavy, so you can shave off some weight by upgrading them to something you prefer.

[@EvansMTBSaga]

I really don't like the look of the stem, so that was definitely coming off asap haha

[@LowEffortRiders]

@@EvansMTBSaga Yeah it has very bulky look and the weight of the stem is 176 grams. The 780mm wide G5 AL handlebar weighs 398 grams. 😯

[@ondrasynek9572]

We can already seethe progress💪🏻

[@mrcackman]

Welcome to the Canyon Family! 👏👏👏

[@tori-sigma]

Great color on this bike Evan! Great review. My ripmo af is on the way and this has me amped. They had slx option but I had to go with the red savina color deore. I want to know which commenters would choose, ripmo af or spectral al6?

[@EvansMTBSaga]

Red Deore! 😍 I prefer Deore over SLX, such a solid groupset. Nice choice! I need to try out an Ibis!

[@kahoycrafts]

Nice riding! 👏Like the focus on value.

[@cheddaknottz8486]

I'm still on a 2018 Yeti Sb4.5. Imo, it's the greatest short travel bike ever made. 140/115. Plus I got it back when you could get bikes on sale, it was 35% off, just a bit over 4k. Oh, those were the days....

[@EvansMTBSaga]

Those older models look pretty cool, I'm gonna keep my eyes open for one. Thanks Chedda!

[@yeabuddy6070]

This video gave me so much "RAD" the movie vibes. Loved it.

[@griffmtb]

Just got back from Bentonville yesterday, the Castle had some great trails!

[@EvansMTBSaga]

Right! Which one was your favorite? I'll be able to tell what kind of riding you like to do 🤔

[@ruelmaquirang9310]

I have the same bike and using it for almost six months and i love it.

[@IsraelMagalit]

Great vid. Those are some awesome trails!

[@jinavl]

Gotta canyon strive and im going on 3 1/2 years and thousands of miles on it and cant replace it just yet..that shapshifter works so well and i use it every time i climb and descend..killer bike

[@EvansMTBSaga]

My friend had a strive and that shape shifter thing was a trip!

[@MrSupermugen]

You've progressed so much in your riding since i started watching... that was waaaaaay back haha

[@Icy_101]

i have the exact same bike adn i love it i think you will like it even more if you keep riding it it takes a while to get used to (by the way i love your videos) :)

[@notjimbeam689]

And again I see why US is the heaven for mountain biking, I can agree with the video it's not an expensive bike, but the places where it can be ridden on are so diverse and fun.

[@qingwenwang4345]

Thanks for your finding on this bike. How do you compare this Canyon bike with Poygon T8. I don't know which one is better. Thanks for your reply.

[@mdaniel1210]

I have a YT Izzo core 2 (130/130) I have been very happy with! Be interested in what you would think about it in comparison. Exact same price but with a carbon main frame 👍

[@kentb3175]

Similar price spec to my orbea occam h20 I just purchased but mine has 150mm travel both ends.

[@EvansMTBSaga]

Nice! That'll be a fun ride

[@sportstombayanmtb3180]

Another great video Evan! Huge fan here 🤙

[@willdevries8378]

Not gonna lie the trek slash has great geometry as well. Canyon spectral geometry is great too, especially the mullet ones.

[@davidavester]

I would always take the normal Spectral 29. You get nearly the same geo and weight but get way more travel. Get a Suspension with lockout and you are better off in all ways.

[@EvansMTBSaga]

Oh man I don't care for lockouts cuz I always forget to switch it back to open!

[@Digital_Gangster]

I really like the middle/trail position on a Fox CTD. It's kinda like reducing the travel in half.

[@LithicKing]

You lose some of that snappy playfulness the longer the travel gets. That's fine for some trails, but I personally definitely prefer the feeling of the mid-travel 130/140 modern geo bikes. Bigger travel does not inherently equal better.

[@youngshredder5011]

He’s trying to say that his yeti is a bad bike to do any drops etc😂😂

[@EvansMTBSaga]

It's definitely not what I wanted it to be

[@jacobanderson2078]

@@EvansMTBSaga it’s basically an xc bike it’s obviously not going to to be any good

[@jameswhyte3834]

@@EvansMTBSaga should’ve gone with an sb150

[@jimbobjoe4696]

just an excuse for another bike. I would have probably said the same 🤣

[@nocrustracing]

Looking mad stylish out there my dude :)

[@urobos1]

I remember reading in “import tuner” or “super street” why spend all the money to build what you want? When you can just buy it. Article was about an s15.

[@80sAudiSport]

Interesting! Got myself a Canyon "this year" as well, pretty happy overall. :)

[@TwowheeledadventureVT]

That's a SUPER heavy 125mm bike, with that it will feel stable downhill, but you'll be pulling a boat anchor uphill...

[@surf6446]

I've had the same mtb for 3 months (black/White) - I love it😍. Will we see upgrades on the bike again in the future? In Germany I got it for 3000 euro it is about 2.9 k usd😅

[@ShreddySteve]

I can really see Evan's progression as a rider over the past year. The way he does the jumps is so much more natural now. Way to go! Definitely a good motivation for me to keep on pushing my limits and improve!

[@evanmtb4511]

Hey Evan! Are you gonna be at the sedona MTB festival this year? It's a blast!

[@EvansMTBSaga]

Nope. I didn't go last time either. I went in 2020 and it was alright. I wasn't the biggest fan of the HiLine trail

[@stevsadventures8535]

My man, how tall are you? I'm currently riding a L frame, but I've heard that Canyon's run a little bigger and the sizing chart puts me at a M size. I'm 5'10".

[@EvansMTBSaga]

5'9" for me