They say you can’t get everything you want. Well, that’s bullsh@t. The all-new Spectral:ON delivers the two things in life that actually matter—berm-busting, cackle-inducing ride quality and the power to ride right off the map and back. Say hello to the all-carbon, ultralight brawler of an e-bike that has no rivals when it comes to miles per charge.
WE JUST BROKE THE MOLD
The Spectral:ON boasts an all-carbon chassis that holds up to our brutal “Category 4E” torture tests. This bike is designed to be rallied hard on the roughest tracks yet boasts a fighting weight that makes other eMTBs envious as hell.
RANGE ANXIETY SUCKS… SO WE KILLED IT.
RANGE ANXIETY SUCKS… SO WE KILLED IT.
Motor
Shimano EP8
Range
60 Miles
6,994 feet of elevation gain
Battery Capacity
900 Wh*
The Spectral:ON quadruples your power and gives you the torque (85 Nm) to easily summit the steepest climbs again and again.
*900 Wh subject to spec
BOMBPROOF CARBON
The Spectral:ON boasts an all-carbon chassis that holds up to our brutal “Category 4E” torture tests. This bike is designed to be rallied hard on the roughest tracks yet boasts a fighting weight that makes other eMTBs envious as hell.
SPECTRAL:ON CF
Starting at $5,999
• 7.01-pound carbon frame
• Shimano EP 8 Motor
• XT drivetrain
• RaceFace and Sun-Ringle alu. wheelsets
SPECTRAL:ON CFR
Starting at $10,500
• 6.34-pound carbon frame
• Shimano EP 8 Motor
• Top-tier (XTR) component spec
• Reynolds carbon wheelset
SPECTRAL:ON CF
Starting at $5,999
• 7.01-pound carbon frame
• Shimano EP 8 Motor
• XT drivetrain
• RaceFace and Sun-Ringle alu. wheelsets
SPECTRAL:ON CFR
Starting at $10,500
• 6.34-pound carbon frame
• Shimano EP 8 Motor
• Top-tier (XTR) component spec
• Reynolds carbon wheelset
COMING SOON. SIGN UP TO GET NOTIFIED.
All-new Spectral:ON start showing up in May.
The Mountain bike experts
Spectral:ON FAQ
WHAT KIND OF E-MTB IS THE SPECTRAL:ON?
Like its namesake, the Spectral, the Spectral:ON is a “one bike, any trail” kind of machine. The Spectral:ON can tackle seriously chunky terrain thanks to its 155 mm of rear suspension, dialed chassis stiffness, low center of gravity, and steeze-enhancing mullet wheel setup.
Now, having said all of the above, the Spectral:ON is not the longest, slackest bike in the world. Frankly, we weren’t trying to create a dedicated E-Gravity or Enduro bike. Those bikes are well and good (in fact, they are a lot of fun), but we wanted to build a bike that you could take anywhere – from relatively mellow singletrack to a legitimately hairball bike park run – and have a good time. While this new Spectral:ON is, indeed, longer and slacker than its predecessor, it still rocks a very balanced geo that works well beneath a lot of different riders and on a lot of different types of terrain.
CANYON RELEASED A NEW SPECTRAL:ON IN 2021. WHAT MAKES THIS LATEST VERSION DIFFERENT?
Everything. We’ve essentially made the Spectral:ON more capable and boosted its range. More impressive still, if you compare our new 720 Wh Spectral:ON models with the equivalent 630 Wh versions from the previous generation, you’ll find that we achieved all of this without also gaining overall bike weight.
We’ve created an entirely new, full-carbon chassis with two frame platforms: CFR and CF – all of which:
Feature slacker head angles, steeper seat angles, and slightly longer chainstays;
Have lighter frames than their predecessors,
Withstand even greater levels of stress on the trail, and
Boast new, larger 720 or 900 Wh batteries.
WHAT WAS CANYON AIMING TO ACHIEVE WITH THE NEW SPECTRAL:ON?
Our primary goal was to give riders the ability to ride further and faster, without imposing any weight penalties on them. That meant increasing the Spectral:ON’s range without simultaneously increasing the overall system weight. It was an ambitious target considering that adding more range inherently requires adding more batteries ... and adding more batteries inherently means adding more weight.
Thanks to clever engineering, we were able to increase range by 15 % with 720 Wh batteries while actually reducing overall bike weight. For instance, our flagship 2021 model, the XTR-equipped Spectral: ON CF 9, tipped the scales at 22.5 kg (size M). By contrast, our new XTR-equipped Spectral:ON CFR is 610 grams lighter than its predecessor despite being equipped with our larger 720 Wh battery.
When equipped with our massive 900 Wh battery, the new Spectral:ON CFR weighs just 350 grams more than its predecessor, yet boasts a 42 % boost in battery capacity.
WHAT SETS THE CANYON SPECTRAL:ON MODELS APART FROM OTHER E-MTBS IN I TS CLASS?
The thing that truly sets the Spectral: ON apart is its ride quality. It’s not easy to make a full-power E-MTB feel playful. Let’s face It – bikes with this much power and range simply weigh more than their analog counterparts. And yet, the Spectral:ON captures a lot of the nimble ride quality of a pure-pedal bike. The Spectral:ON’s relatively short chainstays, mullet wheelsize combo, and balanced geometry make it a blast to ride on a wide variety of terrain ranging from steep, technical descents to flowy singletrack.
The Spectral:ON also delivers an uncommonly high degree of “bang for your buck”. For starters, all Spectral:ON models feature full (front and rear) carbon frames. You even get full carbon frames at prices normally reserved for aluminum E-MTBs. And then there’s the question of range – the Spectral:ON is class leading on that score. Our base-level 720 Wh battery offers riders more ride time and range than plenty top-tier offerings from other brands. What’s more, Spectral:ON riders looking to log maximum miles can upgrade from 720to 900 Wh batteries, which simply isn’t an option on most E-MTBs.
CANYON IS OFFERING BOTH CFR AND CF LEVEL SPECTRAL:ON MODELS? WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE, ASIDE FROM THE LETTER “R” IN THE NAME?
What ultimately sets the CFR and CF frames apart is weight. A size Medium CFR frame weighs 2,880 grams (6.34 pounds) – that’s 300 grams less than a Medium Spectral: ON CF frame. Stiffness, durability, and core frame features are the same across both the CFR and CF frame platforms. We achieved the weight savings on the CFR models purely through material and layup differences.
HOW MUCH DOES THE SPECTRAL:ON CFR FRAME WEIGH?
2,880 grams in size Medium (6.34 pounds).
HOW MUCH DOES THE SPECTRAL:ON CF FRAME WEIGH?
The new size Medium Spectral:ON CF frame weighs 3,180 grams (7.01 pounds).
DID YOU HAVE SPECIFIC FRAME STIFFNESS AND STRENGTH GOALS FOR THE SPECTRAL:ON?
The new Spectral:ON benefits from increased stiffness and reliability. While we encountered no reliabilityissues with the previous generation of the Spectral:ON, we always aim to push performance further. Riders are constantly raising the bar on their riding and bikes need to keep pace with this evolution towards more and more aggressive riding. In this case, we realized greater rear-end stiffness and durability by evolving the pivot bearing design. The new Spectral:ON features significantly larger, 15 mm pivot axles and larger ball bearings. The end result is even better durability and handling in the roughestof conditions.
WHAT ARE THE LIMITS OF THE SPECTRAL:ON CHASSIS?
We designed the Spectral:ON to be incredibly versatile – a bike you can take on long singletrack expeditions as well as the occasional bike park foray. Bottom line, it needed to be tough. While the previous Spectral:ON was tested to our Category 3 standard, we raised the bar with this new model.
The new Spectral:ON meets the same demanding strength and impact resistance standards as our Enduro race models, but with a slight twist – we subject the Spectral:ON to more testing cycles than normally called for in our Category 4 testing standard. We call this “Category 4E”. We’ve developed this more stringent testing standard for E-MTBs in recognition of the greater stresses that E-MTBs experience. Both CF and CFR models meet this new, higher strength and durability standard.
EASY MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN A DRIVING FACTOR IN THE DESIGN OF RECENT CANYON MODELS, SUCH AS THE SPECTRAL. WAS MAKING THE NEW SPECTRAL:ON SIMPLE TO MAINTAIN ALSO A FACTOR IN ITS DESIGN?
Absolutely. Ease of maintenance was a driving influence on this redesign. If we can simplify a product and have it function as well as (or better than) a more complex version of that same product, then it’s inherently a better product. Fewer components ultimately mean fewer things the rider has to maintain over the years.
You can see this logic manifested in how we designed and arranged the wiring harness on the new Spectral:ON. There are just three electrical wires routed within the entire bike now. One wire runs from the HMI (the display unit) through the downtube and connects directly to the motor. The second wire runs from the motor to the battery. The third wire connects the motor to the speed sensor. That’s it – just three wires. Most e-bikes (including the previous Spectral:ON) feature a much more complex wiring configuration. Simple is good.
CAN I PUT A COIL SHOCK ON THIS THING?
No. We designed the Spectral:ON’s kinematics with the spring curve of an air shock in mind. Moreover, coil shocks are not ideal in designs that use clevis mount shock extensions and rockers. The forces transferred (in such a design) to the smaller diameter damper shafts used in coil shocks is quite high and can lead to shock failures. Air-sprung shocks are better suited to this design because they utilize larger diameter damper shafts that better withstand those forces and thereby increase shock life.
WHAT’S THE ACTUAL SUSPENSION TRAVEL?
The Spectral:ON features 155 mm of rear suspension which we’ve paired with 150 mm travel suspension forks.
CAN I PUT A LONGER-TRAVEL FORK ON THIS THING? I F SO, HOW LONG CAN I GO?
The Spectral:ON is rated and approved for forks with up to 160 mm of suspension travel.
WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM DROPPER POST LENGTH THAT YOU CAN RUN ON THE SPECTRAL:ON?
This new generation of the Spectral:ON sports a shorter seat tube than its predecessor. As a result, size Large and X-Large frames are equipped with 170 mm (RockShox) and 175 mm (FOX) dropper posts. Mediums run 150 mm droppers. Size Small bikes feature 125 mm (FOX) and 130 mm (RockShox) droppers.
THE SPECTRAL:ON USES A 29-INCH FRONT WHEEL AND 27.5 REAR WHEEL. WHY? WHAT’S THE BENEFIT OF A “MULLET” SET UP?
The mixed wheel size configuration allows you to have a shorter rear center for playful handling, while the 29er front wheel gives you stable handling and the ability to roll over anything that gets in its way. For an aggressive trail bike, it’s an excellent combination of traits.
CAN YOU CONVERT THE SPECTRAL:ON TO FULL 29ER?
No. The Spectral:ON is designed around a 27.5-inch rear wheel. Attempting to fit a larger (29-inch) wheel on the back end of the Spectral:ON would adversely affect the geometry and reduce handling control. Moreover, since we designed the tire clearance around the smaller 27.5-inch wheel, attempting to use a larger (29er) rear wheel could also damage the frame.
WHAT TIRE SIZE DO YOU SPEC ON THE SPECTRAL:ON?
All Spectral:ONs are equipped with29 x 2.5 front tires and 27.5 x 2.6rear tires.
WHAT’S THE MAXIMUM REAR TIRE SIZE (WIDTH)FOR THE SPECTRAL:ON?
27.5 x 2.6
THE SPECTRAL:ON USES A SHIMANO EP8 MOTOR. WHY DID CANYON CHOOSE TO GO WITH THE SHIMANO SYSTEM?
Shimano’s system has a number of advantages. For starters, it’s proven very reliable. That’s vital. And in the rare event that riders actually need spare parts or assistance for either their motor or battery, Shimano has an extensive support network around the globe. In short, it’s a good choice from the rider’s point of view.
There are also benefits to the Shimano system from an engineering standpoint. The motor is quite light (2.6 kilograms) and relatively small, which gives our engineers more flexibility to design the best-handling bike possible. But perhaps the trait that we find most compelling in the Shimano motor is its actual ride feel. Shimano’s motor has a very smooth and natural feel at the pedals. And when it comes to integration – the switch and display– Shimano makes one of the cleanest and easiest-to-operate systems available.
Last but not least, choosing Shimano opened up the opportunity to equip the Spectral:ON with the largest possible batteries – giving riders the greatest range per charge possible.
WHICH BATTERY DOES THE NEW SPECTRAL:ON USE?
The Spectral:ON is available with both 720 Wh and 900 Wh Canyon batteries. Canyon’s batteries are part of the Shimano Steps Service Program. This means consumers can order replacement batteries or get warranty support through bike shops that are Shimano dealers.
WHY DID CANYON CHOOSE TO DEVELOP ITS OWN BATTERY?
Ride quality and range. Developing our own battery allowed us to give riders more miles from every charge while also improving the Spectral:ON’s center of gravity and weight distribution. In short, going with our own battery opened the doors to providing riders with what they want most – outstanding ride quality and the ability to get out and ride all day long.
HOW MUCH DOES THE 720 WH BATTERY WEIGH?
3.84 kg
HOW MUCH DOES THE 900 WH BATTERY WEIGH?
4.75 kg
HOW DO THOSE BATTERY WEIGHTS COMPARE WITH A STANDARD 630 WH SHIMANO BATTERY?
Shimano’s 630Wh BT-E8036 battery tips the scales at 3.7 kg.
HOW MANY MORE MILES (COMPARED TO THE STANDARD 630 WH BATTERY) CAN RIDERS EXPECT TO GET FROM FULL CHARGES ON THE 720 WH AND 900 WH BATTERIES?
It’s impossible to give a single prediction of how many miles any one rider will get out of a full battery charge, from any bike brand. Your mileage on any E-Bike is impacted by your weight, your cadence, your usage of different power settings, the steepness of your climbs, the ambient temperature during the ride, and much more.
But the question of how far you can pedal any E-MTB is entirely valid. So where does that leave us? Well, given the sheer watt-hour increase (from a standard Shimano 630Wh battery), we can say that the 720 Wh battery provides a 15 %boost in capacity while the 900 Wh battery offers a 42 % increase.
Moreover, we’ve also submitted the new Spectral:ON to independent range testing in which the Spectral:ON CFR was subjected to the “Standardized Range Test R200”. Created in 2018, R200 is an E-Bike range test developed by Bosch and ZIV (Germany’s bicycle industry association) with cooperation from Shimano, the Accell Group, and several other bike brands. The goal of the R200 standard is to create a more objective and transparent way of communicating how far you can ride on a single battery chargeon any given bike. In other words, R200 can give riders a more “apples to apples” comparison between different E-MTB models.
The R200 standard sets forth clear and repeatable test protocols that aim to replicate real-world riding conditions. We could seriously write a technical white paper on the R200 standard alone, but since we don’t want to bore you, we’ll getstraight to the point. Here’s how the Spectral:ON CFR fared, when equipped with both the 720 Wh and 900 Wh batteries.
900 WH
97.2 km 2,132 m elevation gain
720 WH
77.7 km 1,681 m elevation gain
77.7 km 1,681 m elevation gain
70 W Rider Power
200 % support of the motor: 140 W
Total Weight: 100 kg (Spectral:ON CFR: 22.2 kg and Rider: 77.8 kg)
WHICH MODELS IN THE NEW SPECTRAL:ON LINE GET 720 WH BATTERIES AND WHICH MODELS GET 900 WH BATTERIES?
All size Small Spectral:ON models are limited to 720 Wh batteries, due to the size of their down tubes. All Medium through X-Large Spectral: ON models can fit either 720 Wh or 900 Wh batteries.
In the United States, the Spectral:ON CFR and Spectral:ON CF 8 are offered only with 900 Wh in size Medium through X-Large, while the Spectral:ON CF 7 will be equipped with 720 Wh batteries on all sizes.
Riders in America will, however, also have the option to upgrade M–XL Spectral:ON CF 7 models to the 900 Wh batteries while supplies of the bigger batteries last.
IS THIS NEW SPECTRAL:ON ALSO COMPATIBLE WITH THE EXISTING SHIMANO 630 WH BATTERY?
No.
IS THIS NEW SPECTRAL:ON COMPATIBLE WITH ANY OF THE OTHER EXTENDED-CAPACITY BATTERIES THAT ARE PAIRED WITH SHIMANO EP8 MOTORS ON OTHER BRANDS’ BIKES?
No.
WHERE CAN RIDERS GET WARRANTY SUPPORT OR PURCHASE REPLACEMENT 720 WH AND 900 WH BATTERIES IN THE FUTURE?
Canyon’s batteries are part of the Shimano Steps Service Program. This means consumers can order replacement batteries or get warranty support through bike shops that are Shimano dealers.
CAN YOU CHARGE THE BATTERY WITH IT EITHER ON OR OFF THE BIKE?
Absolutely. The new Rosenberger-style magnetic connector makes charging the battery “on board” the bike even easier than before. Removing the battery and charging it separately is also incredibly simple, merely requiring that riders unscrew two fixing bolds and then slide the battery out of the downtube. In that latter case, a helpful charge indicator on the battery housing lets riders now how much charge remains in their battery.
CAN YOU USE A SHIMANO BATTERY CHARGER OR DO THESE BATTERIES REQUIRE A UNIQUE CHARGER?
Standard Shimano battery chargers are not compatible with the new Spectral:ON batteries. Consumers will need to use the battery charger delivered with their Spectral:ON. Canyon battery chargers will also be available on canyon.com.
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