Test / E-MTB: The Canyon Spectral:ON CFR dares a balancing act between large battery, huge range and low weight at the same time. In addition to the light Shimano EP8 drive system and the clever integration of the 900 Wh battery, the frame is primarily responsible for the low weight. We were out and about in the demanding terrain of Lake Garda to put the bike, which is quite expensive at 8.499 euros, to the test.
When buying a new E-MTB, you usually have to make a compromise: Do you want the lowest possible weight, would you rather have a long range or a powerful motor? Everything does not exist (yet?) - but manufacturers have been able to push the boundaries more and more in recent years. On the one hand, of course the increasingly popular light E-MTBs, which are very light, but make compromises when it comes to engine performance. On the other hand, however, also with E-MTBs like the new Canyon Spectral:ON CFR.
Gigantic 900 Wh battery capacity on a full-suspension E-MTB - that in itself is a real announcement from the direct seller from Koblenz and is almost unique on the market. Together with the extremely low weight of only 22,8 kg (for frame size L and without pedals) - measured in terms of drive and battery - the Spectral:ON CFR can cement its special position on the market on paper.
Light drive system and adapted battery
This balancing act between range and weight is also made possible by the drive system used. In the past, the Shimano EP8 has been able to prove again and again that it is ideally suited for constructing light E-MTBs. This is shown by bikes like the Bulls Sonic Evo AM SL or the Rotwild RE 750. It is therefore not surprising that Canyon also opted for the Japanese motor to give the Spectral:ON CFR its built-in tailwind. With 2,6 kg for the bare motor, you save a few hundred grams compared to most of the drives from the competition.
Of course, the Shimano EP8 does not come without compromises either. In terms of maximum power, like most of the competitors, it is specified as 85 Nm, but in extreme situations the compact powerhouse lacks the torque that is known from a Bosch CX or a Brose Drive S Mag, for example. This can be felt and shown in practice every now and then also our measurements on the test bench. However, one should not forget that the EP8 is by no means "weak"; the deficit mentioned is particularly relevant in the limit areas and the motor is still significantly more powerful than all the systems that are used on a light e-MTB.
Battery integration and range
Another factor for the low weight is the self-developed battery, which is stowed in the voluminous down tube. Thanks to the open system from Shimano, Canyon were able to adapt the energy storage perfectly to the bike's concept. However, the wheel must be turned upside down to remove it. The battery then appears under a flap on the bottom bracket secured with an Allen screw. An integrated loop allows it to be pulled out of the down tube like a hose. This is a bit more cumbersome than the well-known flap on the down tube that is used on most other E-MTBs. However, you have to give Canyon credit for the fact that the battery can be removed at all. Other manufacturers (e.g. Norco, Orbea or Mondraker) install the battery permanently in order to keep the weight low with a large capacity.
However, caution is advised when removing the bike: If you turn the bike on the handlebars on a hard surface, such as asphalt, you will have to accept unsightly scratches. Therefore: It is better to remove the battery on the meadow or on a mat. Incidentally, due to the construction, only a battery with 720 Wh is used in frame size S, since the shorter down tube simply does not offer enough space for the large energy storage device. But the Spectral:ON CFR in size S is also a little cheaper.
The range that is possible with the 900 Wh battery depends heavily on the area of use, the rider's weight and the support level. However, if we take the consumption values for the EP8 measured on the test bench as a basis and convert them to the 900 Wh battery, we get a remarkable 187 km on the flat and a gigantic 2.570 vertical meters on the mountain, each in the highest support level. These should be top values for an E-MTB without a range extender.
High quality CFR frame
Of course, the drive system alone is not responsible for the fact that the scales remain below 24 kg. The frame of the Canyon Spectral:ON CFR, which unsurprisingly is made of carbon, also plays a no less important part in this. Incidentally, this also applies to the Spectral:ON CF, which uses a somewhat simpler layup and therefore weighs a few grams more. Otherwise, the two versions of the bike are identical: 150 mm of travel at the front, 155 mm at the rear, plus a mix of mullet wheel sizes with large 29ers at the front and voluminous 27,5-inch tires at the rear. The goal: good rollover behavior at the front, high comfort and, above all, a lot of grip at the rear. In addition, the bike remains a bit shorter overall, which should improve agility.
Geometry Canyon Spectral:ON CFR
When it comes to the geometry, the latest Canyon E-MTB is right on trend and on the one hand offers few surprises, but on the other hand it should appeal to the tastes of many e-mountain bikers. Provided you are looking for a sporty bike, because a 65,5° steering angle and over 480 mm reach in frame size L want to be actively moved on the trail. The chainstays are rather long for a bike with a small rear wheel at 440mm, but this should be beneficial for the uphills.
S | M | L | XL | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Reach | 435 | 460 | 485 | 510 |
Stack | 634 | 643 | 652 | 661 |
Seat tube length | 420 | 440 | 460 | 480 |
top tube length | 589 | 613 | 637 | 663 |
Head tube length | 115 | 125 | 135 | 145 |
Steering angle | 65.5 | 65.5 | 65.5 | 65.5 |
Seat angle | 76.5 | 76.5 | 76.5 | 76.5 |
Chain stay length | 440 | 440 | 440 | 440 |
bottom bracket drop | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 |
wheelbase | 1194 | 1223 | 1252 | 1281 |
Canyon Spectral:ON CFR: Also interesting in the middle class
In the test we had the Canyon Spectral:ON CFR for 8.499 euros. Above that, Canyon has added a "Limited" version, which at 10.999 euros demands even more financial sacrifices - but with electronic shifting and electronic RockShox Flight Attendant suspension it offers the best components currently available. Anyone who can do without absolute high-tech should be just as happy with the equipment we have used; If you don't want to dig that deep into your pocket, you should take a look at the Spectral:ON CF models, which are available for less than 5.000 euros.
Drive: Shimano EP8
Battery pack: 900 Wh
Landing gear: RockShox Lyrik Ultimate FA / Super Deluxe Ultimate FA
Circuit: Sram XX1 Eagle AXS
brakes: Ram Code RSC
impellers: DT Swiss HXC 1501
Weight (manufacturer information): 22,85 kg
Price: € 10.999
Drive: Shimano EP8
Battery pack: 900 Wh
Landing gear: Fox 36 Factory Grip2 / Float X Factory
Circuit: Shimano XTR 12-speed
brakes: Shimano XTR M9120
impellers: Reynolds Carbon
Weight (manufacturer information): 22,75 kg
Price: € 8.499
Drive: Shimano EP8
Battery pack: 900 Wh
Landing gear: Fox 36 Performance / Float X Performance
Circuit: Sram GX Eagle AXS
brakes: Sram Code RS
impellers: DT Swiss H1900
Weight (manufacturer information): 22,9 kg
Price: € 6.499
Drive: Shimano EP8
Battery pack: 900 Wh
Landing gear: Fox 36 Rhythm / DPS Performance
Circuit: Shimano XT/SLX 12-speed
brakes: Shimano SLX M7120
impellers: Sun Ringle Duroc
Weight (manufacturer information): 23,04 kg
Price: € 5.499
Drive: Shimano EP8
Battery pack: 720 Wh
Landing gear: RockShox Lyrik Select / Deluxe Select R
Circuit: Shimano Deore 12-speed
brakes: Shimano Deore M6120
impellers: Race Face AR30/Shimano MT400
Weight (manufacturer information): 23,04 kg
Price: € 4.799
Equipment of our test bike
In terms of component selection, our test bike really left nothing to be desired. This applies to the Fox Factory chassis with 36 Grip 2 fork at the front and Float X damper at the rear as well as the Shimano XTR components for the gears and brakes. Wheels with carbon rims are also not a matter of course on an E-MTB in this price range, in the case of the Spectral:ON CFR from Reynolds.
frame | Canyon Spectral:ON CFR |
suspension fork | Fox 36 Factory Grip2 150mm |
Power Type | Shimano EP8 |
Battery | 900 Wh (720 Wh in size S) |
Suspension shocks | Fox Float |
Wheels | Reynolds TR 309 E/TR 367 E |
Tire VR | Maxxis Assegai MaxxTerra Exo 2,5" |
Tire HR | Maxxis DHR II MaxxTerra Exo+ 2,6" WT |
derailleur | Shimano XTR |
Gear levers | Shimano XTR |
Crank | Shimano steps |
Front derailleur | ohne |
Brake | Shimano XTR BR M9120 |
Brake discs | Shimano XTR 203/203mm |
Seat post | Fox Transfer Factory |
Saddle | Fizik Terra Aidon X5 |
Stem | Canyon:ON ST0031 45mm |
Links | Canyon:ON HB0057 780mm |
Canyon chose a pair of Maxxis tires with the proven DHR II at the rear and the beefy Assegai at the front. With the Exo carcass on the front wheel and the more stable Exo+ on the rear, you should be well prepared for many areas of use. If you want to really let it rip and like to drive “creative” lines, you should think about a tire with a DoubleDown carcass or a comparably stable model from other manufacturers, at least at the rear.
We also liked the fact that Canyon didn't make unnecessary cuts when it came to the add-on parts. Fox Transfer post in factory design, sporty saddle from Fizik and grips from Ergon could also be used on a noble custom bike.
The Canyon Spectral:ON on the trail
Okay, so on paper the Canyon Spectral:ON CFR pretty much does everything right. But what does practice say? To answer this question, we spent a few days on our bikes (and a few other E-MTBs) on Lake Garda. In terms of drive, the bike is exactly what we know from other EP8 E-MTBs, for better or for worse. In any case, the great operating concept consisting of a simple control unit and a compact but easy-to-read display is positive. Shimano still sets the benchmark for sporty E-MTBs, even though Bosch and Co. have recently been able to catch up.
The engine is just as convincing in terms of general handling and controllability off-road. The latter, together with the very well-balanced seating position, make the Spectral:ON CFR a great bike for technical climbs, provided you can sacrifice a few percent of the power compared to the direct competitor drives. That brings us to a small disadvantage of the drive, even if this will not be relevant for all e-mountain bikers. The same applies to the background noise of the engine, which is unfortunately just as audible on the climbs as on the descents. While the sometimes more, sometimes less loud humming can be quickly faded out on the climb, the characteristic rattling of the engine does affect the fun of driving a little on the descent. This is especially true for the Canyon Spectral:ON CFR, since the bike is otherwise whisper-quiet - a pity!
Apart from the drive, the bike is an all-rounder as it is written in books and is especially fun when you can pick up the pace. The excellent chassis, the balance between agility and smooth running and the overall impeccable component package mesh like small cogs and make the Spectral:ON CFR an incredibly fun trail machine. Again and again we catch ourselves driving the curve a little faster, setting the braking point a few centimeters later. Honestly, just two years ago, so much trail fun with an E-MTB with a 900 Wh (!) battery would have been unthinkable. Chapeau Canyon!
Manfred Ensinger says
I recently bought exactly this E-MBK and can confirm the impressions of your presentation 100%. From the first meter I was enthusiastic about the driving fun that the bike conveys.