I run a DMR Bolt with 125 out back and 150 up front. So far nothing has stopped it and I've yet to find the bottom of the shocks. Shorter travel also opens up those tighter trails because you can have a shorter bike with the furthest mass closer to the rider further improving the handling.
I've started enjoying these short travel bikes. Ever since I got my Ibis Ripley AF, it feels like I'm back on a BMX bike: thrashing and popping off features with finesse
125 is plenty. Transition scout has been my favourite bike for years. I have the mk3 now which has gone up to 140mm rear. However have been hitting doubles for 5 years now on the mk 1 and 2 I had running 125 and 130 respectively. Set up right is plenty. Happy to see canyon doing this kind of bike now. It’s all about fun for me and playful bikes do it for me. Love to try this bike.
Love the idea, it will suit a lot of people. and not many of us really need longer travel now that the geometry has moved on so much. In fact I've just bought a Vitus FS Rapide - also a long, low, slack, light frame, but XC weight and only 100mm travel. As I don't do rock gardens and tihs combo is great for me, and surprisingly feels more plush than my 5-yr old Commencal meta.I would love someone to review it!!
This checks off more marks than any other bike out there for me, and the Propain hugene was my top choice so far. The downside with the Propain Hugene is no Shimano offerings, and I also don't like any of the colors they offer. The Canyon Spectral 125 CF8 in the big bamboo color works well for me. Geometry, specs, color all checks out in my eyes. I'd only change handlebar, stem, grips and saddle. Then out to hit the trails.
Such an Interesting bike given current state of short travel bikes. This bike addresses many of the complaints of short travel riders- more aggressive geometry at the head tube with most importantly bigger stantions, which is a response to those who complained about the lack of stiffness in bikes with the fox 34. This stiffer 36 coupled with the more aggressive geometry is not the same as other short "down country" bikes equipped with 34's, these are true short travel bikes for downhill focused riders. In a way, it is a different category of its own given this, which just obfuscates the short travel category more. Those that complain that some down country bikes need more stiffness or capabilities downhill should be completely satisfied with this. If suspension is tuned correctly, it should be the best short travel bike ever made for those who prioritize downhill over climbing. It addresses all of the complaints of those other bikes.
exactly what i thought when i saw the thumbnail. looking for an optic to test or buy has been quite difficult lately ,so the fact that canyon came up with a similar bike, in a much affordable price segment, really gives us an opportunity to buy a good affordable bike of this category !!
Actually the optic is just a near copy of the Reactor and Escarpe...and made in the same factory. This is slacker and longer than those bikes... arguably more aggressive.
@@johnnnewmex who cares! I don't ride a Reactor or Escarpe so I'm not going to compare them. I ride an Optic and it's rad! This Canyon looks rad too. This kind of bike is awesome and don't care who did it first or if 1 has 5mm more here .05 deg less there. I just like to ride my bike!
I really like the idea of this bike and the XT build looks like the sweet spot, however I am disappointed that it does not come with the performance elite float X or the carbon bars that it's 150mm sibling comes with at the same $$. Also, the 100g frame weight savings is not a ton and with the rest of the components matching, I wonder how much more sprightly it really is than the bigger version.
How are the progressive shock qualities & increased anti-squat mentioned in this video accomplished? Is that part of the frame design or did they modify the shock itself? Here's what I am curious about... If I bought the bike that comes with rockshox & eventually decided to upgrade the shock to a Fox Float X, would it behave the same as one of their bikes that comes with the Fox Float X already installed? Or did Canyon tweak that stuff in the shock itself?
also looking forward to learning more about the suspension (progressiveness and anti squat) really loved my 2019 Intense Primer but its really stiffened up under power making climbing tech more difficult. actually cleaned several rocky lines with ledges on my massive and heavy Privateer 161 that I could not on my Primer.
Yeah I just want a shock with LSC adjustment & I wondered if it's possible to achieve similar properties by changing the low speed compression dial on an upgraded shock (OR if the internals would have to be rebuilt.)
I feel you, but If you look into many of the forums with short travel riders-, the biggest complaint I see is lack of stiffness in the 34. I have an izzo and 90% of the discussion online is those that wish it had 140mm and that the fox 34 sucks. Which basically tells you that people are stretching the capabilities of the 34. So while it seems counterintuitive it actually addresses a niche in short travel riders that need a little more beef In the front fork. Yeah, it's heavier, but the DNA in this bike based on the specs tell you it's meant to be pointed down rather than uphill, in which the weight won't actually matter all that much. If it's a big deal, canyon would point you towards a neuron, which has a 34. This is aimed at a different demographic
new Neuron 2023 or the Spectral 125, im thinking for tweed valley, GT and Golfie, lake district and uk trail centres blue red and black. Opinions needed as i cant decide.
I ride a Tallboy myself and love it. But the top end CF9 is incredibly well priced. Add up the price of the fork, suspension, wheels and drivetrain and you could throw away the frame and still be ahead…
Meine Erfahrungen mit dem Spectral 125 CF LTD sind extrem negativ. Der SRAM Flight attendant funktioniert seit Auslieferung nicht. Die Federgabel wird nicht gesteuert. Auch nach 8 Wochen ist keine Aussicht auf Behebung des Schadens.
Why would anyone want a bike which feels like long travel bike without the actual long travel so you dont keep bottoming out non stop once you start riding it hard
Specialized raised the price of several models with over 1500£ compared to last year some even has worse specs. Canyon only raised their spectral cf 8 by 250£
Yeah, that's not true. Don't know which models you're taking about but torque cf7 went up 500€ over night, spectral cf7 also more expensive and worse specs. The alu spectral is only 100€ more but as I said looks a bit outdated, the frame. It's all a bit frustrating, I'm thinking of buying a motorcycle.
What do you think about the shorter travel Spectral 125? Is it all the travel you need? 👇
I run a DMR Bolt with 125 out back and 150 up front. So far nothing has stopped it and I've yet to find the bottom of the shocks. Shorter travel also opens up those tighter trails because you can have a shorter bike with the furthest mass closer to the rider further improving the handling.
Might be fun on flowy trails and jumps, but otherwise this bike is just marketing.
Looks great.. though they say no tapered steerer on fork?? Is this true?
@@ronlind1757 It has a tapered steerer.
@@th_js Thanks Tomi. Found clarification.. as the head tube is straight, but the steerer is tapered.
I've started enjoying these short travel bikes. Ever since I got my Ibis Ripley AF, it feels like I'm back on a BMX bike: thrashing and popping off features with finesse
This bike is far from the Ripley geometry...and even more aggressive than the Ripmo. But yeah nice to see more aggressive short-mid travel bikes.
125 is plenty. Transition scout has been my favourite bike for years. I have the mk3 now which has gone up to 140mm rear. However have been hitting doubles for 5 years now on the mk 1 and 2 I had running 125 and 130 respectively.
Set up right is plenty. Happy to see canyon doing this kind of bike now. It’s all about fun for me and playful bikes do it for me. Love to try this bike.
Love the idea, it will suit a lot of people. and not many of us really need longer travel now that the geometry has moved on so much. In fact I've just bought a Vitus FS Rapide - also a long, low, slack, light frame, but XC weight and only 100mm travel. As I don't do rock gardens and tihs combo is great for me, and surprisingly feels more plush than my 5-yr old Commencal meta.I would love someone to review it!!
We now have two in for testing - a CF7 and CF8 - we'll bring you reviews as soon as we can!
This checks off more marks than any other bike out there for me, and the Propain hugene was my top choice so far. The downside with the Propain Hugene is no Shimano offerings, and I also don't like any of the colors they offer.
The Canyon Spectral 125 CF8 in the big bamboo color works well for me. Geometry, specs, color all checks out in my eyes. I'd only change handlebar, stem, grips and saddle. Then out to hit the trails.
Such an Interesting bike given current state of short travel bikes. This bike addresses many of the complaints of short travel riders- more aggressive geometry at the head tube with most importantly bigger stantions, which is a response to those who complained about the lack of stiffness in bikes with the fox 34. This stiffer 36 coupled with the more aggressive geometry is not the same as other short "down country" bikes equipped with 34's, these are true short travel bikes for downhill focused riders. In a way, it is a different category of its own given this, which just obfuscates the short travel category more. Those that complain that some down country bikes need more stiffness or capabilities downhill should be completely satisfied with this. If suspension is tuned correctly, it should be the best short travel bike ever made for those who prioritize downhill over climbing. It addresses all of the complaints of those other bikes.
Canyon made an Optic! If they did as good of a job as Norco it will be rad!
or even better :) its going to be a lot stiffer in back compared to Norco.
exactly what i thought when i saw the thumbnail. looking for an optic to test or buy has been quite difficult lately ,so the fact that canyon came up with a similar bike, in a much affordable price segment, really gives us an opportunity to buy a good affordable bike of this category !!
I cannot even imagine how the optic feels when I own a fluid FS2 and I can’t seem to feel underbiked, it’s amazing what 120 in the rear can do today
Actually the optic is just a near copy of the Reactor and Escarpe...and made in the same factory. This is slacker and longer than those bikes... arguably more aggressive.
@@johnnnewmex who cares! I don't ride a Reactor or Escarpe so I'm not going to compare them. I ride an Optic and it's rad! This Canyon looks rad too. This kind of bike is awesome and don't care who did it first or if 1 has 5mm more here .05 deg less there. I just like to ride my bike!
Finally something better than the Neuron
The first canyon after years im maybe intrested nice!
they really up their game from 2020 on .. spectral line up is awesome, new torque as well and this is just icing on a cake
Cannot wait for the 137.5 mm Spectral in 2024!
Have you guys got your hands on the new Torque yet?
Dang, that red on black looks niiice!
I really like the idea of this bike and the XT build looks like the sweet spot, however I am disappointed that it does not come with the performance elite float X or the carbon bars that it's 150mm sibling comes with at the same $$. Also, the 100g frame weight savings is not a ton and with the rest of the components matching, I wonder how much more sprightly it really is than the bigger version.
Great video! Spectral has no tapered fork?? Thanks
135 or 140 rear travel would be perfect if you ask me
How are the progressive shock qualities & increased anti-squat mentioned in this video accomplished? Is that part of the frame design or did they modify the shock itself?
Here's what I am curious about... If I bought the bike that comes with rockshox & eventually decided to upgrade the shock to a Fox Float X, would it behave the same as one of their bikes that comes with the Fox Float X already installed? Or did Canyon tweak that stuff in the shock itself?
also looking forward to learning more about the suspension (progressiveness and anti squat) really loved my 2019 Intense Primer but its really stiffened up under power making climbing tech more difficult. actually cleaned several rocky lines with ledges on my massive and heavy Privateer 161 that I could not on my Primer.
Yeah I just want a shock with LSC adjustment & I wondered if it's possible to achieve similar properties by changing the low speed compression dial on an upgraded shock (OR if the internals would have to be rebuilt.)
Just bought one!
That red looks good
Fox 36 on a 125mm travel bike seems overkill. Why not go with a 34?
Cuz it is "The rowdy one" 😎👍
I feel you, but If you look into many of the forums with short travel riders-, the biggest complaint I see is lack of stiffness in the 34. I have an izzo and 90% of the discussion online is those that wish it had 140mm and that the fox 34 sucks. Which basically tells you that people are stretching the capabilities of the 34. So while it seems counterintuitive it actually addresses a niche in short travel riders that need a little more beef In the front fork. Yeah, it's heavier, but the DNA in this bike based on the specs tell you it's meant to be pointed down rather than uphill, in which the weight won't actually matter all that much. If it's a big deal, canyon would point you towards a neuron, which has a 34. This is aimed at a different demographic
new Neuron 2023 or the Spectral 125, im thinking for tweed valley, GT and Golfie, lake district and uk trail centres blue red and black. Opinions needed as i cant decide.
you got one of them?
very excited as well. Go shred!
Why is it as heavy as the normal Spectral, too?
What's the brand/name of the gear bag mounted under the top tube?
I think it's the one called "Canyon LOAD Framebag Short Bracket"
1.5h from a box and you aready tell us how it rides while showing a slideshow from marketing materials. How about getting out to try and ride it?
I ride a Tallboy myself and love it. But the top end CF9 is incredibly well priced. Add up the price of the fork, suspension, wheels and drivetrain and you could throw away the frame and still be ahead…
@bikeradar When is your review coming out? I can' t wait no longer ;-)
I love it ...
They gave a trail bike downcountry treatment J/K….Nice to see manufs filling in the voids between bike genres, good job Canyon!!!!
I wonder if this will replace the Neuron
,👏
Wtf do they mean it doesn't fit a coil. Looks like a CC Inline would fit as the float x is a pretty big shock.
Meine Erfahrungen mit dem Spectral 125 CF LTD sind extrem negativ. Der SRAM Flight attendant funktioniert seit Auslieferung nicht. Die Federgabel wird nicht gesteuert. Auch nach 8 Wochen ist keine Aussicht auf Behebung des Schadens.
Anyone know the shock size on this bike?
What's the length of the dropper on a size M?
dropper lengths are adjustable with their G5 dropper - 125-150mm in 5mm steps - easy to do, even on the trail.
@@TomMarvin1 so 200-175mm drop on the Large, but only 150-125mm drop on a Medium, is that what your’re saying?
@@MrAskPetersen sorry - listed at 170mm for the Med, not sure if thats 150-175 or 175-200 - i'll ask
So, it’s DOWN COUNTRY?
Nah, definitely not downcountry!
upduro for sure
Why would anyone want a bike which feels like long travel bike without the actual long travel so you dont keep bottoming out non stop once you start riding it hard
The reviews say they rarely if ever bottomed it out
good
Im really hating living in canada, everything is stupid expensive here. 2500 for most places.. 3400$ ( Edit: 3400 for the AL5 ) in canada.. >.
This regular Spectral is a better value than the 125 but this is still good value compared to most other brands in Canada besides Giant.
looks a playful steed
Is Canyon preparing to ditch alu frames? They've gotten much uglier lately.
I also think no other brand's raised the prices as much as they did.
Specialized raised the price of several models with over 1500£ compared to last year some even has worse specs. Canyon only raised their spectral cf 8 by 250£
Yeah, that's not true. Don't know which models you're taking about but torque cf7 went up 500€ over night, spectral cf7 also more expensive and worse specs. The alu spectral is only 100€ more but as I said looks a bit outdated, the frame. It's all a bit frustrating, I'm thinking of buying a motorcycle.
Every brand has raised their prices somewhat. Canyon is one of the few who did it reasonably.
@@nultianeks but 500€ increase is nothing compared to other brands, so I don’t understand your hate.
Funny you used the word "Hit*er" for a German bike
After down country we see cross countrail
trailduro? durail? endail?
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