Technology More Hated Than an eMTB? Canyon Spectral KIS Review

#mountainbike #loamwolf
We've had the Canyon Spectral with KIS (Keep It Stable) Technology for most of the year and have learned quite a bit about it. We've had four test riders pass it around and put miles on epic backcountry pedals, bike park laps and flow trails. This is a truly versatile mountain bike that packs a punch in the value and performance departments.
Check out the written review here:
theloamwolf.com/2024/02/09/re...
@CanyonBicycles Spectral CF8 KIS
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CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction
00:48 About the Bike
04:04 Ride Impressions
09:17 Final Impressions

[@symmetricon1982]

People hate/hated on 1x12sp, dropper posts, wide bars, 29", full squish, Ebike, ect ect. There are a lot of vocal elitists in this sport that like to hate on stuff unjustly imo.

[@TheLoamWolf]

We would agree with you there.

[@piciu256]

I mean, those were hated for being "unnecessarily completed" etc. but this thing is just unnecessary period, I mean I do believe that it does change how the ride feels, if it didn't I'd be surprised- it's a spring that tries to center the handlebars for you, but I'm still certain it doesn't bring anything really to the table, you just get used to it and that's that, plus it's annoying when riding slowly.

[@gpearce11]

​@@piciu256 I'd agree, except that half a dozen people that literally ride bikes for a living just said the exact opposite.

[@piciu256]

@@gpearce11 where though? All I hear is "it feels more stable, and if you disable it, it feels less stable", of course it will feel different, but I haven't seen anyone compare times for example... Just because it's different, doesn't mean it's better, I don't need handlebar self centering for anything, and as mentioned by everyone, it is a bit distracting in some situations, plus it's another thing to fix up after a crash, so imo the tradeoffs are not worth the small change in feel.

[@gpearce11]

@piciu256 Except they didn't just say it "felt different." They all said that they preferred it. If a bunch of experienced riders try something new and all agree that it was better to have it than not, that doesn't sound "unnecessary" to me. Sufficiently necessary to spend an extra few hundred? That's an entirely different question, but all here of them seem to agree that if offered two identically specced and priced bikes, they'd take the one with K.I.S.S.

[@oliviano]

I'd call it spec'd with a sense of proportion. The lyric select+ with charger 3 has everything from the lyric ultimate except the larger bushings and buttercups. So i'd say its still very competitive.

[@harrie205]

The statistic I made up says that 99% of all KIS hater have never tried it.

[@sandy_knight]

In my experience (anecdotal admittedly) 99% of riders who hate KIS want to do bar spins and tail whips. (I'm not saying the *do* bar spins, just that they want to)

[@superawesomefuntimego]

I find the KIS tech interesting. When I road raced motorcycles (long time ago) we used steering dampers that made a tangible difference on the track. I could for sure see some benefit's in KIS and would imagine it would help in various situations. They need to implement a clutch mechanism so it can be flipped on and off instantly without tools. All that said, the Canyon Spectral is a fantastic bike, I had a Spectral 29 CF8 for a while and that thing was such a rocket and so capable. I ended up swapping over to a Strive CFR, which is a better bike for when things get fast and rowdy, but I'd concede that that Spectral is the better bike on a wider range of trails and still can attack steep and rowdy trails with confidence when needed.

[@TheLoamWolf]

Thanks for sharing.

[@SpencerBaum]

A damper is a very very different thing than the spring that's in the KIS system

[@LaurentiusTriarius]

Well ​@@SpencerBaum it's not that different in principle for motorcycles the oil filled damper is there to add resistance it's not a shock damper like in the steering column of automotive applications...

[@topchoice1621]

As a spectral owner all I want to say is that this kIS system can’t hurt to have on your bike

[@franzkarl1297]

I’ll be interested to see if others like Scott pick up KIS like systems

[@finroddd]

I could confirm that the Spectral is indeed very good bike! I have the alloy version and liked it instantly. My opinion is still standing. At its price point it was the best bike on the market. Changed only the bars and grips, everything else is stock. I has no KIS but it will trickle down someday.

[@hambo76]

Me too (AL 5). I'm 6'5" so I put on a Chromag 50mm riser and Ergon GA2 Fat grips. Also nicer wheels (base model came with HG driver basic wheels)

[@tybaltlobenstein9426]

I tested a spectral 125 AL and also instantly noticed the handelbars feeling weird. Good review, id like to try out the KIS at some point

[@TheLoamWolf]

Thanks for sharing.

[@clivem25]

Great review, thank you. Would have been interesting to hear how each rider preferred to have K.I.S. adjusted. It's not an on/off system as I understand it.

[@TheLoamWolf]

Great point! We liked it best somewhere in the middle-ish of its tension rage.

[@grrlewis1]

What’s the issue with Canyon stem/handlebar? Was about buy both off ebay & then watched this.

[@LaurentiusTriarius]

Ive been using friction stack steering dampers and now hydraulic ones on my dirtbikes and sports bikes since a long time they really are ass savers for steering kickbacks and they make a HUGE difference in precarious situations where soil condition are not favorable to equilibrium if you catch me 😂 it's a proven tech, the springy bit they use here is pretty simple it will probably be super reliable

[@AppleJack76]

If I am not mistaken, Syntace owns the patent. Canyon had exclusivity for one year. Hopefully we'll see it on other brands.

[@TheLoamWolf]

That’s correct it is a Syntace licensed feature. Time will tell if more use it!

[@bjorda2870k]

It seems really simple to me. You can reduce slack, which improves steerability and tight corners while Increasing stack height AND, you get the same stability as a slacked out downhill bike. Everybody should be building KIS into their systems..

[@nickjones5728]

Needs to be hydraulic like most steering stabilizers are. you need the resistance both ways that only hydraulics can do. Springs don’t make sense at all. I had a hydraulic steering stabilizer on a race Quad and dirt bike 13:25 that was very necessary and made a huge difference on handling.

[@a.m.wright3819]

We understand bad grips but what, exactly, is wrong with the bar & stem???

[@brunolaberge3214]

This could be great on kids bike to help them.

[@DirtlovR]

Is it hated though? I remember when it was announced and people were like "meh, whatever" at worst and "cool, it might be interesting" at best. Basically everyone agreed that it a minor feature that might or might not improve riding experience but not a game changer/the next big thing.

[@TheLoamWolf]

If you read some comment sections when it came out, yes, we’d say very much so!Everything from telling people they should just work out more to get stronger, to what’s next bikes that ride themselves and so forth haha. It is interesting, but agree, not a must have. It does have some merits though.

[@Pienimusta]

If Specialized or Trek had brought this to market, it would have been best thing since sliced bread according to the fans.

[@BankBoy21]

I dont Think so.

[@SpencerBaum]

Lol, that's just not true. Remember when one reviewer's chain dropped off the new trek slash and the everyone bashed that bike to hell

[@ThunderStruckMTB]

This 'tech' will be gone faster than a flex stem and headset routed cables.

[@zwingler]

I think the main reason why everyone hates it is the unwillingness to accept that no one has asked for this. They hoped it will be something that youll regret missing but in the end its just unneeded complexity on bikes that are already complex enough. They should KIS's (Keep it simple [Stupid]) Instead of this.

[@TheLoamWolf]

Thanks for sharing your opinion! It’s certainly an interesting feature and time will tell if it sticks or quits!

[@hambo76]

I'd like more stability during slower technical climbs. Just that no-one knew they could ask for something.

[@johndef5075]

Im more into the Keep It Simple Stupid technology.

[@jeffreydzialo]

Just keep it simple instead.

[@lifebehindbarsonemansstory2189]

Motors lol that is where you draw the line! Otherwise probably just hating!! And I’ve found the SDE in Mtb is crazy, lots of kids that always got picked last 💯🤔🫡😂