Hey mate, I'm surprised you insist on going for the CF 9, alluding to the bike feeling heavy. When many bike reviewers these days generally say that if you have a steep seat tube, climbs are a lot easier. So I guess you'd think the AL 6 would be a tank. I don't think i have CF 8 money let alone CF 9. ps. I've got the Calibre Bossnut V2, about 14.6kg (L) without pedals and no dropper (kept stock as a rock) So the AL 6 at 15.3kg (M) without pedals, might not give me much grief compared to what I have right now. Heavier, with more modern & higher spec bits. pps. Would love to see you review the YT Jeffsy Core ( and the AL 6 haha ) Love what you do, you and Alan Muldoon are the best in the business in my book.
Sorry, I certainly didn't mean to insist, just suggest. If you have the money anyway. Having ridden the 9 the lower weight makes a big difference. The Canyon alloy bikes are actually pretty light compared to the carbon ones though and in your case the 29er wheels would definitely close the rolling speed gap with the Bossnut. I'm hoping to get a run of YT's including the Jeffsy. After more alloy bikes too as the prices on everything is getting daft now. You scored a great one with the Calibre though, such a shame they let that whole range come apart when Sports Direct bought Go Outdoors. Mike the designer is at Whyte now so we'll hopefully see more affordable bikes coming from them soon. And yes, Al is a legend was chatting to him this afternoon as I'm doing some reviews and an opinion column for MBR again now.
@@GuyKesTV okay sorry I didn't mean to put words in your mouth. Thank you for your review of the Bossnut with bikeradar that was one of my favourites and the first time I came across your work. Yeah a definite shame, oh that's good to know where he is cheers! I greatly appreciate that you allow the public to have access/communication with you, but I do which Al allowed the same. Would be amazing to pick his brain too, but it's all good he's a busy man.
Sorry Adam, I only just saw this comment. The Neuron I tested has been replaced and I've not ridden the latest version so don't know if it's any stiffer which was my issue with the first one. It should be noticeably lighter than the Spectral though but I'd also have a look at the Canyon Lux. The Fox shock versions though, the RockShox version I tried was really poor.
I would be worried that 160/150 would be too much travel for an all day pedaller but you seem to be having a heck of a lot of fun! My trails are mainly technical hardpack with loads of roots, berms, switchbacks and pinch climbs. Would this (looking at 29 AL 6 version) still be a good fit for that kind of riding?
Hi I'll try and answer your question. I have the AL6 29 and got it at the end of March this year. I'd say it's more enduro than trail if that makes sense. I live in Calderdale where it is steep gnarly tech. You need to really push the bike which has given me loads of confidence but you need the trails for it to come alive. I rode Jacob's Ladder a few months ago and the bike just plowed through and I was like meh this trail is so easy haha. On flattish trails it's a bit boring even with roots and rocks thrown in. It has more of a downhill geometry which is good if you have the long descents. You'd probably be better off on a 27.5 for switchbacks as the bike tends to want to go straight rather than do sharp corners with the 29er wheels, so you have to either really slow down (which messes up your balance) or just overshoot the bend. Or find a really high berm.... So if you like long steep gnarly natural trail descents it's a great bike, if you live somewhere where it is flatter groomed trails without much chonk then you may be overbiked.
I'd actually say the Evo felt more poppy and playful just because the frame feel is a little more lively/springy. The CF8 is really solid and planted in feel and so accurately damped it just sticks down and rails rather than goofing about. The CF9 is the Spectral you want for a more pedal responsive and dynamic ride as it's significantly lighter (especially the wheels) and the Pike is a livelier fork than the 36.
@@GuyKesTV In the US the 9.0 [LTD] had the fox 36 Factory, DT XMC 1501 carbon wheels, XO 10-52, etc. I am looking at that now to replace my 2019 RM Instinct BC which in my opinion was an amazing bike and FAR superior to my 2018 Spectral 6.0 AL 27.5. You're in GREAT shape BTW for an older guy, i will be 66 soon and out there but that trail looks at bit too much for me
Yes, Spectral 125 would have no issues here as there's no big ugly jumps/drops or high speed rock gardens. I'm still not quite sure what you gain from the short travel Spectral though as it's no lighter than the longer travel bikes.
Hey mate, thanks for the review. Sizing wise do you think the L will be a good fit for a rider at 182cm with an inseam at 87cm. It’s quite long reach so interested in your thoughts on size.
Nice review. You've had this one in the can for a while unless there's been a recent cold snap up in Yorkshire recently :)
Yeah it’s been Patreon only for about 6 months 🤣
Bought one of these yesterday. Cant wait for it to arrive! Great timing on the video!
Hey mate, I'm surprised you insist on going for the CF 9, alluding to the bike feeling heavy. When many bike reviewers these days generally say that if you have a steep seat tube, climbs are a lot easier.
So I guess you'd think the AL 6 would be a tank. I don't think i have CF 8 money let alone CF 9.
ps. I've got the Calibre Bossnut V2, about 14.6kg (L) without pedals and no dropper (kept stock as a rock)
So the AL 6 at 15.3kg (M) without pedals, might not give me much grief compared to what I have right now. Heavier, with more modern & higher spec bits.
pps. Would love to see you review the YT Jeffsy Core ( and the AL 6 haha )
Love what you do, you and Alan Muldoon are the best in the business in my book.
Sorry, I certainly didn't mean to insist, just suggest. If you have the money anyway. Having ridden the 9 the lower weight makes a big difference. The Canyon alloy bikes are actually pretty light compared to the carbon ones though and in your case the 29er wheels would definitely close the rolling speed gap with the Bossnut. I'm hoping to get a run of YT's including the Jeffsy. After more alloy bikes too as the prices on everything is getting daft now. You scored a great one with the Calibre though, such a shame they let that whole range come apart when Sports Direct bought Go Outdoors. Mike the designer is at Whyte now so we'll hopefully see more affordable bikes coming from them soon. And yes, Al is a legend was chatting to him this afternoon as I'm doing some reviews and an opinion column for MBR again now.
@@GuyKesTV okay sorry I didn't mean to put words in your mouth. Thank you for your review of the Bossnut with bikeradar that was one of my favourites and the first time I came across your work. Yeah a definite shame, oh that's good to know where he is cheers! I greatly appreciate that you allow the public to have access/communication with you, but I do which Al allowed the same. Would be amazing to pick his brain too, but it's all good he's a busy man.
@@GuyKesTV Doesn't the Bossnut live on as the Polygon Siskiu T range?
Nice review. How does the pedalling efficiency of the Spectral compare to that of the Canyon Neuron you tested?
Sorry Adam, I only just saw this comment. The Neuron I tested has been replaced and I've not ridden the latest version so don't know if it's any stiffer which was my issue with the first one. It should be noticeably lighter than the Spectral though but I'd also have a look at the Canyon Lux. The Fox shock versions though, the RockShox version I tried was really poor.
I would be worried that 160/150 would be too much travel for an all day pedaller but you seem to be having a heck of a lot of fun! My trails are mainly technical hardpack with loads of roots, berms, switchbacks and pinch climbs. Would this (looking at 29 AL 6 version) still be a good fit for that kind of riding?
Hi I'll try and answer your question. I have the AL6 29 and got it at the end of March this year. I'd say it's more enduro than trail if that makes sense. I live in Calderdale where it is steep gnarly tech. You need to really push the bike which has given me loads of confidence but you need the trails for it to come alive. I rode Jacob's Ladder a few months ago and the bike just plowed through and I was like meh this trail is so easy haha. On flattish trails it's a bit boring even with roots and rocks thrown in. It has more of a downhill geometry which is good if you have the long descents. You'd probably be better off on a 27.5 for switchbacks as the bike tends to want to go straight rather than do sharp corners with the 29er wheels, so you have to either really slow down (which messes up your balance) or just overshoot the bend. Or find a really high berm.... So if you like long steep gnarly natural trail descents it's a great bike, if you live somewhere where it is flatter groomed trails without much chonk then you may be overbiked.
How would you compare this bike to the Stumpjumper Evo? Canyon a better pedaler/ poppier, SJ Evo more stable/planted?
I'd actually say the Evo felt more poppy and playful just because the frame feel is a little more lively/springy. The CF8 is really solid and planted in feel and so accurately damped it just sticks down and rails rather than goofing about. The CF9 is the Spectral you want for a more pedal responsive and dynamic ride as it's significantly lighter (especially the wheels) and the Pike is a livelier fork than the 36.
@@GuyKesTV Thank you! I really appreciate it.
@@GuyKesTV In the US the 9.0 [LTD] had the fox 36 Factory, DT XMC 1501 carbon wheels, XO 10-52, etc. I am looking at that now to replace my 2019 RM Instinct BC which in my opinion was an amazing bike and FAR superior to my 2018 Spectral 6.0 AL 27.5.
You're in GREAT shape BTW for an older guy, i will be 66 soon and out there but that trail looks at bit too much for me
Was wondering…. Would you ride the Spectral 125 of a trail like this one?
Yes, Spectral 125 would have no issues here as there's no big ugly jumps/drops or high speed rock gardens. I'm still not quite sure what you gain from the short travel Spectral though as it's no lighter than the longer travel bikes.
@@GuyKesTV thank you so much! Great stuff as always!
Will they offer these in an alloy frame?
Hey mate, thanks for the review. Sizing wise do you think the L will be a good fit for a rider at 182cm with an inseam at 87cm. It’s quite long reach so interested in your thoughts on size.
I am 183cm with 83cm inseam and I ordered a medium. Based on your measurements canyon would still recommend a medium I believe
@@matttaylor6996 thanks Matt, I have previously had issues with Canyon sizing me on small bikes so tricky to judge on this longer reach bike!
@@thefloydtube ah right, it’s a shame you can’t go and sit on one at a shop in the uk!
I’m 180cm tall, 83cm and this is a large. Fit was spot on for progressive riding/long reach but go medium for a more conventional fit 👌🏻
@@GuyKesTV awesome. Ordered Large!
First !!