Liam's Canyon Spectral CF8 | off.road.cc Staff Bikes EP.01

As people who test bikes and components for a living, we get to test the best and the worst kit on the market. With that, we often get asked, "well what do you actually ride?" To answer that question, we're bringing you a new series where each of off.road.cc's staff show off their very own bikes while explaining why they've chosen it, and what they've specced it with.
We're kicking off the series with Liam's Canyon Spectral CF8.
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[@geko2011]

Hi, thx for the review. You are using a 32T oval chainring. Do you think a 30T oval chainring would fit? How much space do you have to the chainstay if the chain is on the smallest pinion/highest gear? Canyon told me a 30T round would fit but they never testet a 30T oval... Thx :-)

[@offroadcc]

I don't see why one wouldn't fit. It's got clearance for a 32t so it'll have clearance for a 30t. As for the chainstay, let me check and get back to you!

[@xsingami]

Hi! Great review. Maybe I missed it, but how tall are you? And what is your feelings on L compared to M?

[@offroadcc]

Thanks very much! I'm 5'10" and I got on with the medium well, as I mentioned, I rode it for a little more than a year before sizing up. Even though its a 460mm reach, its wheelbase is reasonably long so it's stable and reasonably confident at speed and when things get steeper. But it was mega agile too. The large leans more towards stability and I'm generally more comfortable on the bike when pedalling. It's not quite as agile, as so be expected but it's still easy to whip about. I was concerned about the taller stack height but in reality, it's something I've gotten used to. I don't regret moving up a size.

[@xsingami]

@@offroadcc Thanks! How M and L feel on steep descents? Does not L feel too long?

[@xsingami]

Hi again! Forgot to ask that question, but what spring rate do you use and how heavy are you in riding gear?

[@offroadcc]

I'm not 100% sure at the moment, I've been swapping springs around a lot as well as shocks and I think I'm on a 500 and I weigh 90kg all in.

[@Kamza_]

How's that coil working for you? I've got a coil on spectral and it feels like a progressive coil would run better.

[@offroadcc]

I'm loving it and I've not gone back to air since I made the change a year and a bit ago. You'll probably agree that the coil makes it a bit more capable, and helps the rear wheel track better. I went to coil to reduce some of the progression as I felt the rear end could be a little too lairy through rock gardens or seriously lumpy sections with an air shock. I can't comment on a progressive spring though, I've not tried one yet but I can't help but think that it'll defeat the purpose of moving to coil a little. Again, I can't comment properly!

[@floriancella7242]

Hi! Did you put a 34t chainring? or is it a 32t? Just wondering if a 34t oval chainring rubs against the frame of your Spectral (Canyon says that it can accept 34t ROUND chainring). Thks

[@offroadcc]

Hi! Mine's a 32t but at its widest point it's at the equivalent of a 34. There is space to go bigger but with a 34t oval being the equivalent of a 36 at its widest, it'll likely hit the frame.

[@floriancella7242]

Thanks for your feedback! Have a great day!

[@TheWeardale1]

love canyon... got a 2021 Neuron:ON 8 and it's a great bike, just a shame i had to get a new motor after 2262 miles (and 18 months)..

[@offroadcc]

That is a shame! Perhaps a good argument for non ebikes.

[@TheWeardale1]

@@offroadcc yes indeed, because parts on non ebikes never fail..🤣😂🤣

[@MrSupermugen]

What? Canyon said themselves That wasnt a paint crank lol