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First Look: 2019 Canyon Spectral – All build variants in comparison

Finally, the time has come! Many of you have been waiting more eagerly for the introduction of Canyon’s 2019 Spectral range than for your next raise. Canyon has introduced its new Spectral lineup, so read on to find out which new models of the coveted trail bike will be available next season.

Less than a year ago Canyon introduced the completely redesigned Spectral. The cleverly designed trail bike was able to convince all of our testers, securing the best in test in our group test of 7 trail bikes up to € 3,000. Our test riders also had the chance to hit the trails on the lightweight Canyon Spectral WMN 9.0 SL. For 2019, Canyon is adding a whole series of new build variants to its popular line of trail bikes. You’ll have a choice of five carbon and two aluminium unisex models. Regarding the wheels, Canyon is sticking to 27.5″. Canyon increases suspension travel front and back by 10 mm, resulting in 160 mm up front and 150 mm of travel in the rear. There will be five additional women’s specific WMN models in carbon and aluminium to choose from, sporting 150/140 mm of suspension travel. We studied the catalogue to find out the most important differences and shed some light on the huge variety of models.

The 2018 Canyon Spectral CF 9.0 already delivered: Best in test!

The € 2,099 entry-level Canyon Spectral AL 5.0 is outrageously well priced and undoubtedly going to give the competition a run for its money. Out of the box, it’s an extremely sensibly specced aluminium bike with a 160 mm travel fork and 150 mm of rear travel, ready for almost any trail action. At the other end of the spectrum, you’ve got the € 6,999 Canyon Spectral CFR 9.0 LTD. What you get is carbon everything. The front triangle, rear triangle, wheelset, cranks and cockpit are all made of that lightweight material. Components such as the ENVE M 630 wheelset and SRAM’s high-end XX1 drivetrain will undoubtedly make all weight-weenies drool. Only the two top models with the suffix CFR get a full carbon frame. All other CF carbon bikes feature an aluminium rear end.

The first ride impression was already great

The WMN models are not for all women

Using the slogan “Made for More”, Canyon introduced women’s specific Spectral models in March. Instead of pink and light blue decals, the direct-to-consumer brand relies on adapted geometry and kinematics, including small sizes up to 2XS. In addition to the two aluminium models for € 2,099 and € 2,499, there are three carbon bikes available from € 2,799 to € 4,999. But smaller ladies will have to do without the super light full-carbon models. The choice is also limited when it comes to travel. All WMN models come with a 150 mm travel fork and 140 mm of travel at the rear.
Tall ladies with an aggressive and active riding style should take a look at the “unisex models”. An increase in reach offers more room on the bike. Also, the suspension offers more support for increased pop and for hard landings.

The 2018er Spectral WMN 9.0 is a light and efficient trail rocket

How long do I have to wait for the new Spectral?

Some of the new Spectral models are already available to order online. For the other models, you’ll have to wait until December or February. Unfortunately, some models don’t yet have a fixed delivery date. The exact dates for each size and model can be found on Canyon’s homepage.

Overview of all 2019 Canyon Spectral models

Canyon Spectral CFR 9.0 LTD

Frame Canyon Spectral CFR Carbon
Fork FOX Factory 36 FIT 4 160 mm
Schock FOX Float DPX2 Factory 150 mm
Brakes SRAM Guide Ultimate
Drivetrain SRAM XX1 Eagle
Seatpost FOX Performance Transfer
Stem Canyon G5 50 mm
Handlebar Caynon G5 Carbon 760 mm
Wheelset ENVE M630 Carbon
Tires MAXXIS Minion DHRII 27.5″ x 2.4″
Price € 6,999

Canyon Spectral CFR 9.0 SL

Frame Canyon Spectral CFR Carbon
Fork FOX Factory 36 FIT 4 160 mm
Schock FOX Float DPX2 Factory 150 mm
Brakes Shimano XTR 4-Kolben
Drivetrain Shimano XTR 12
Seatpost FOX Performance Transfer
Stem Canyon G5 50 mm
Handlebar Caynon G5 Carbon 760 mm
Wheelset DT Swiss XMC 1200 Spline
Tires MAXXIS Minion DHRII 27.5″ x 2.4″
Price € 5,499

Canyon Spectral CF 9.0

Frame Canyon Spectral CF Carbon/Aluminium
Fork Rock Shox Pike RCT3 160 mm
Schock Rock Shox Super Deluxe RCT 150 mm
Brakes SRAM Guide RSC
Drivetrain SRAM X01 Eagle
Seatpost RockShox Reverb Stealth 150 mm
Stem Canyon G5 50 mm
Handlebar Caynon G5 Carbon 760 mm
Wheelset Reynolds T307 Carbon
Tires MAXXIS Minion DHRII 27.5″ x 2.4″
Price € 3,999

Canyon Spectral WMN CF 9.0

Frame Canyon Spectral WMN CF Carbon/Aluminium
Fork FOX 34 Factory 150 mm
Schock FOX FLOAT DPS Factory 140 mm
Brakes SRAM Guide RSC
Drivetrain SRAM X01 Eagle
Seatpost Fox Transfer Performance
Stem Canyon V12 50 mm
Handlebar Canyon HS23 Rise CF 740 mm
Wheelset DT Swiss XMC 1200 Spline
Tires MAXXIS Minion DHRII/Forekaster 27.5″ x 2.4″/2.35″
Price € 4,999

Canyon Spectral CF 8.0

Frame Canyon Spectral CF Carbon/Aluminium
Fork FOX 36 Performance Elite 160 mm
Schock FOX FLOAT DPX2 Performance Elite 150 mm
Brakes Shimano XT 4-Kolben
Drivetrain Shiman XT 11S
Seatpost FOX Transfer Performance
Stem Canyon G5 50 mm
Handlebar Caynon G5 760 mm
Wheelset DT Swiss M 1700 Spline
Tires MAXXIS Minion DHRII 27.5″ x 2.4″
Price € 3,499

Canyon Spectral WMN CF 8.0

Frame Canyon Spectral WMN CF Carbon/Aluminium
Fork RockShox Pike RCT3 150 mm
Schock RockShox Deluxe RT3 140 mm
Brakes SRAM Guide RSC
Drivetrain SRAM GX Eagle
Seatpost FOX Transfer Performance
Stem RaceFace Aeffect 50 mm
Handlebar RaceFace Aeffect 740 mm
Wheelset DT Swiss XM 1501 Spline One
Tires MAXXIS Minion DHRII/Forekaster 27.5″ x 2.4″/2.35″
Price € 3,599

Canyon Spectral CF 7.0

Frame Canyon Spectral CF Carbon/Aluminium
Fork Rock Shox Pike RC 160 mm
Schock Rock Shox Super Deluxe RCT 150 mm
Brakes SRAM Guide R
Drivetrain SRAM GX Eagle
Seatpost Iridium Dropper 1X Remote 150 mm
Stem Canyon G5 50 mm
Handlebar Caynon G5 760 mm
Wheelset DT Swiss M 1900 Spline
Tires MAXXIS Minion DHRII 27.5″ x 2.4″
Price € 2,999

Canyon Spectral WMN CF 7.0

Frame Canyon Spectral WMN CF Carbon/Aluminium
Fork FOX 34 Performance Elite 150 mm
Schock FOX FLOAT DPS Performance 140 mm
Brakes SRAM Guide R
Drivetrain SRAM GX Eagle
Seatpost Iridium Dropper 1X Remote
Stem RaceFace Aeffect 50 mm
Handlebar RaceFace Aeffect 740 mm
Wheelset DT Swiss M 1900 Spline
Tires MAXXIS Minion DHRII/Forekaster 27.5″ x 2.4″/2.35″
Price € 2,799

Canyon Spectral AL 6.0

Frame Canyon Spectral AL Aluminium
Fork FOX 36 Rhytm 160 mm
Schock FOX FLOAT DPX2 Performance 150 mm
Brakes SRAM Guide R
Drivetrain SRAM GX Eagle
Seatpost Iridium Dropeer 1X Remote
Stem Canyon G5 50 mm
Handlebar Caynon G5 760 mm
Wheelset DT Swiss M 1900 Spline
Tires MAXXIS Minion DHRII 27.5″ x 2.4″
Price € 2,499

Canyon Spectral AL 5.0

Frame Canyon Spectral AL Aluminium
Fork FOX 36 Rhytm 160 mm
Schock FOX FLOAT DPS Performance 150 mm
Brakes SRAM Guide T
Drivetrain SRAM NX Eagle
Seatpost Iridium Dropeer 1X Remote
Stem RaceFace Aeffect 50 mm
Handlebar RaceFace Ride 760 mm
Wheelset Sun Ringle Duroc 35
Tires MAXXIS Minion DHRII 27.5″ x 2.4″
Price € 2,099

Canyon Spectral WMN AL 5.0

Frame Canyon Spectral WMN AL Aluminium
Fork FOX 34 Rhythm 150 mm
Schock Fox Float DPS Performance 140 mm
Brakes SRAM Guide R
Drivetrain SRAM NX Eagle
Seatpost Iridium Dropper 1X Remote
Stem RaceFace Aeffect 50 mm
Handlebar RaceFace Aeffect 740 mm
Wheelset Sun Ringle Duroc 35
Tires MAXXIS Minion DHRII/Forekaster 27.5″ x 2.4″/2.35″
Price € 2,499

Canyon Spectral WMN AL 4.0

Frame Canyon Spectral WMN AL Aluminium
Fork FOX 34 Rhythm 150 mm
Schock Fox Float DPS Performance 140 mm
Brakes Shimano SLX
Drivetrain Shimano SLX 2×11
Seatpost Iridium Dropper 1X Remote
Stem Iridium 50 mm
Handlebar Iridium WMN FlatBar 740 mm
Rims/hubs Mavic EN427/Shimano Deore
Tires MAXXIS Minion DHRII/Forekaster 27.5″ x 2.4″/2.35″
Price € 2,099

Geometry of the Canyon Spectral

Size S M L XL
Top tube 579 mm 605 mm 633 mm 661 mm
Head tube 92 mm 116 mm 147 mm 170 mm
Head angle 66° 66° 66° 66°
Seat angle 74.5° 74.5° 74.5° 74.5°
Chainstay 430 mm 430 mm 430 mm 430 mm
BB Drop 27 mm 22 mm 22 mm 22 mm
Wheelbase 1141 mm 1172 mm 1204 mm 1235 mm
Reach 419 mm 440 mm 460 mm 482 mm
Stack 588 mm 605 mm 634 mm 655 mm

Geometry of the Canyon Spectral WMN

Size XS S M
Seat tube 385 mm 425 mm 440 mm
Top tube 548 mm 567 mm 594 mm
Steuerrohr 88 mm 88 mm 112 mm
Head angle 65.9° 65.9° 65.9°
Seat angle 74° 74° 74°
Chainstays 430 mm 430 mm 430 mm
BB Drop 22 mm 23 mm 19 mm
Wheelbase 1102 mm 1123 mm 1160 mm
Reach 390 mm 409 mm 430 mm
Stack 581 mm 581 mm 600 mm

More info at: canyon.com


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Words: Photos: Canyon, Christoph Bayer, Trevor Worsey