Review - Canyon Spectral 29 CF 8 | Great geometry meets great suspension

[@johnrobertson4517]

I have been loving my spectral, in the US same "build" came a bit different with lyrik and super deluxe, sram drivetrain. Paid $3699 but now price has bumped up to $3999. Have been loving it, came from Meta AM 29, so no more trophy trucking for me but still very capable.

[@topwater4427]

This is really tempting. I ride a neuron AL 7.0 but I keep looking at this one. I wish I could test ride it first to get an idea before buying it

[@offroadcc]

Keep an eye out for Canyon's test days. They do pop up and have already been at a couple of locations in the UK this year.

[@floriancella7242]

Hi! How tall are you? The modern sizes (even if you compare reach and stack with "old bikes" from 5 years ago) are difficult to compare. It is like you have to learn biking again... M size seems to be very short and L seems to be very long... Am I wrong?

[@offroadcc]

Hi, I'm around 5'10" and you're kind of right. The medium has a reasonable reach for its size but the large frame is quite the jump in length. Though, the medium frame has the same wheelbase as a medium Mondraker Foxy which has a longer 475mm reach. The Canyon is just slacker and that something I've really gotten on with.

[@mudskipper3650]

@@offroadcc Agreed. Bought a Medium as the jump up in reach to the large was too much. 470mm reach for the Medium would have been nice.

[@BladeBarn]

Can you just slam the stem and run a flat bar to effectively lower it????? do you think that would fix it 100% for us large riders?

[@offroadcc]

Absolutely. You can also get stems with a negative rise which will lower the front end further. It must be said that I straddle the line between medium and large so the taller head tube should suit larger riders better.

[@davidpalmer521]

I’m just under 5’7 or about 168 cm. Can’t decide if I should get the small or medium...thoughts? Thanks

[@andyruiz5720]

Same dimensions bud I got the small and it feels like I was molded on to it with carbon.

[@offroadcc]

Hi, I'm 5' 10" and the fit is ideal for me. Canyon has a handy size calculator on the website which should help more.

[@stok-ed70]

ordered mine just now at small

[@obalili]

Go for the small. I am just as tall as you, and love my S size

[@dandantillthen588]

Im 170cm and I got the medium 😬🤐

[@hambo76]

Would you go for the 29 or 125 for slower technical trails and flowy downhill? I like the idea of more travel but I'd worry that it would be more cumbersome and boring compared to the 125.

[@offroadcc]

The 125 is definitely incredible fun and I've ridden it everywhere I would ride the 29 CF 8. The 29 CF 8 just makes faster and more technical sections a little bit easier, and when you're tackling long descents, it fends off fatigue better. The biggest pro of the 29 CF 8 is that it's simply more forgiving which is why I own and race one. It's still an incredibly fun bike. I can't say that it's cumbersome but it's definitely not boring. If you're riding flow most often, you'll benefit from the 125, however. It's better on the pedals and you don't exactly need the travel of the bigger bike.

[@hambo76]

@@offroadcc Sounds like the 125 is the one to go for then! It would be interesting if you could get your hands on the aluminium versions to see how the different frame material and added bike weight makes a difference to how the bike feels. Canyon only seem to want to send out carbon bikes! PS. Thank you for replying! It's rare to see that on a video over a year old..

[@esa4141]

Is the BB too low for getting cranks hitting ground on techy (roots and rocks) undulating terrain rides

[@offroadcc]

Hi, pedal strikes are rare for me on this bike.

[@SodergrenWoodWorking]

hi! Have you guys test or try'd the Merida one-forty 400? Greetings from Sweden!

[@offroadcc]

We have! You can find our written review here - off.road.cc/content/review/bikes/merida-one-forty-600-review-6235

[@MrTikdo]

i want one with fox front and back but dt swiss rims like u have there but on threre site i get the rock shock one why ? i live in new zealand

[@GTJUSTY]

In the US the CF8 came in all black with the Fox Suspension.

[@rjurban101]

I'm currently riding the 2021 Cube Stereo 120 (well at least until 2 weeks ago when I broke my leg and completely tore my ACL). And since I won't be able to ride for quite some time, I've decided to sell the Cube and get something with more modern geometry for my return to riding. I'm leaning towards this bike and my question is about sizing. I'm 6ft even (183cm) but with a slightly longer upper body in comparison to lower body. Would you recommend the Large? I certainly feel a bit "boxed up" on my Cube, as it has rather shorter reach. Thanks and greetings from Eichstätt, Germany!

[@offroadcc]

Sorry about the injury Ryan! Sounds like a very nasty one. I certainly would recommend a large. I'm 5ft 10 and ride the medium frame, though I believe I'm very much in between both sizes. What's great about the newest 2022 models is that they come with a dropper post with adjustable travel. So if it's too tall for you at full extension, with a turn of an easily accessible shim inside you can limit the dropper post's extension, allowing yourself to fit over the bike properly. Hope that helps!

[@rjurban101]

@@offroadcc Great, thanks!

[@henriquegarrido2322]

@@offroadccso would you change over to a L frame or not if given the change ? Are you happy how the M size climbs (are your legs close to the handlebar on the up stroke) ? Thx for the video btw

[@Faabioo9080]

Don’t know which should I pickup. The spectral cf8 or the jeffsy core 3. in Germany the spectral is at 4299€ and the jeffsy 4199€. Which one would you prefer ? And what’s the difference between the Triple phase Suspension at the spectral and the V4L suspension technology at the jeffsy. Thanks

[@offroadcc]

Hi F dp, I actually liked the Spectral enough to buy it for myself. I've not tried the Jeffsy yet though.

[@picard120]

Jeffsy weigh 1lb a bit heavier than spectral. I picked up the Jeffsy and it is quite heavy. Jeffsy use aluminum chainstay

[@tinman8888]

With the flip chip does the reach change or does it remain the same and the head and seat tube angles go up and down together accordingly.

[@offroadcc]

Hi, it doesn't say so on Canyon's website but I would imagine that the reach shrinks marginally in the low setting.

[@bikingfix4366]

Which trails are these?

[@offroadcc]

Hi. All riding footage in this video was filmed on the Quantocks.

[@IanMartinezF]

i have a canyon neuron 5 and im thinking about upgrading to Spectral, is it that much of a gap?

[@offroadcc]

There's not so much of a gap per se, the Spectral will just be more capable downhill thanks to a more aggro geometry and a bump up in suspension travel. It's still a really good pedaller though, so while you'll lose a bit of efficiency compared to the Neuron, it won't be too much.

[@waynepatton689]

Will they be offering these in an alloy frame?

[@offroadcc]

Hi Wayne, at the moment there's no word on an alloy bike but keep an eye on our site, off.road.cc for a press release when/if they announce one. That way you'll know as soon as we do! Thanks for watching.

[@petesahad3028]

They do now😁

[@waynepatton689]

I want this bike.

[@dandantillthen588]

What is your Height and bike size? :)

[@offroadcc]

Hi, I'm 5"10 and this bike is a medium.

[@denzze23ob16]

value compared to other brands is verry good, what are you talking about srsly wtfk