New Spectral:ON 2022

Randy

Member
Apr 23, 2020
56
37
Henley on Thames
At least there are a few brands doing the fucking obvious and ditching the boat anchor Shimano motor BATTERY and not cutting all the integrity out of the down tube.
 
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Mike Malanowicz

New Member
Feb 8, 2022
26
21
Warsaw, Poland
At least there are a few brands doing the fucking obvious and ditching the boat anchor Shimano motor [..]
Shimano is going to release an updated motor this year, probably it will fit to current bike frames. Also with Bosch you would not be able to offer a custom battery as here. So for some manufactures it is easier to go this way - and for us the most important thing is to have a choice.
 

Peaky Rider

E*POWAH Master
Feb 9, 2019
821
520
Derbyshire Dales
At least there are a few brands doing the fucking obvious and ditching the boat anchor Shimano motor and not cutting all the integrity out of the down tube.

Little harsh. Some of us quite like the Shimano motor.
I have a Rail with the Bosch and a Focus and Canyon, both with the old E8000 (the Focus and Canyon combined, which I bought in 2018 and 2019, cost less than I paid for my Rail 7 last autumn. Those were the days). I far prefer the feeling that my legs are stronger than they really are that I get from the Shimano motors rather than the "Oh, I've got a motor doing all the work" that I get with the mighty Bosch. And you've always got the magic of Stunlocker with Shimano.

I don't understand what you mean by your second point.
 

InRustWeTrust

E*POWAH Master
Mar 9, 2020
509
730
Sweden
I'm a little worried that they build the rear triangle in carbon instead of aluminum to reduce the weight due to the weight of the larger battery.

feels like it could be a weak spot that will give up.
canyon themselves say that it is reinforced and should last, but we know that they have had problems with other models that the rear triangle cracks
 

Randy

Member
Apr 23, 2020
56
37
Henley on Thames
Sorry - did a typo, meant to say boat anchor battery! The EP8 is a good bit of kit in my eyes, bit more power than e8000 and 300g lighter. Not as powerful as others but if you're riding any distance you don't want to kill your range running full power so who cares. The stock 630wh battery, however, completely wrecks the setup, its way heavier kg/wh compared to the old 500Wh external pack in itself and because of the way it mounts, the down tube of the bike needs the middle cutting out of it, so requires reinforcement and adds more weight. All the EP8 bikes with the stock battery are 2kg plus heavier than the previous gen bikes - what a backwards step.
 

antoinelc

Member
Feb 25, 2022
17
5
FR
I'm a little worried that they build the rear triangle in carbon instead of aluminum to reduce the weight due to the weight of the larger battery.

feels like it could be a weak spot that will give up.
canyon themselves say that it is reinforced and should last, but we know that they have had problems with other models that the rear triangle cracks
This
 

TKB

New Member
Apr 28, 2022
85
35
Norway
Have to say that I quite like the spec of the new ON CF8, really would like to see a review of it before placing an order. I'd guess that will come in a few weeks when they release the CF versions!

What contenders are there in this class (>800Wh removable battery, min 150mm travel, max 24kg, and with ok spec from factory so one doesn't have to change tires/brakes from day one)?
 

Timochka69

Member
Jan 31, 2018
142
99
Helsinki
I just took a very short (ca. 20 min) ride on this Spectral:ON CF. It was great to see that range estimate on boost was 78 km, my bike gives 74 km on eco at full battery.
I cannot really comment much on the ride, because the bike was not set up for me and the ride was so short. I am not used to Shimano gears nor the brakes that were on the bike. However, the bike felt good on the local trails, ones that I ride almost daily.
Sorry about the photo, taken with a potato.
1652458641676.png
 
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oettam20

Member
Mar 3, 2021
72
58
Lugano
I just took a very short (ca. 20 min) ride on this Spectral:ON CF. It was great to see that range estimate on boost was 78 km, my bike gives 74 km on eco at full battery.
I cannot really comment much on the ride, because the bike was not set up for me and the ride was so short. I am not used to Shimano gears nor the brakes that were on the bike. However, the bike felt good on the local trails, ones that I ride almost daily.
Sorry about the photo, taken with a potato.
View attachment 88015
Thanks for the review. Is this a CF version that is still to be presented? Where did you get it? Do you have any more images?
 

Timochka69

Member
Jan 31, 2018
142
99
Helsinki
Thanks for the review. Is this a CF version that is still to be presented? Where did you get it? Do you have any more images?

Yes it was the upcoming model. I was able to visit a Canyon demo day and they happened to have 2 of the yet unreleased ones.
No other photos, because I wanted to ride it and not faff with the phone 😁

IIRC, the spec matched CF 8 on the press kit table that Knut released in the news article on this site. The local Canyon employee told me that there may still be changes to final specs before release, or later during the year, due to parts availability problems.
 

TKB

New Member
Apr 28, 2022
85
35
Norway
Canyon launched the SpectralON CF sales, and the CF7 seems to be great value at about 5500 Euro and I just ordered it!

Any thoughts on the spec and any necessary upgrades?

Also, I went with the 900Wh battery to have an easier life. Only costs 300 Euros more than the standard 720Wh battery. Would you say that it is better to stick with the 720Wh (which probably is plenty enough) and save 1kg in weight?
 

eMullet

Active member
Mar 28, 2021
149
171
Planet Earth
A slight downgrade on the part spec compared to 2021 model

Casette SLX->Deore
Derailleur XT->Deore
Shifter SLX->Deore
Brakes SLX->Deore
Brake rotors EM600 -> EM300 (No compatible with metal brake pads!)
Wheels DT Swiss H1900 ->Shimano MT hubs with raceface ar rims

But In contrast, the 2022 model gets bigger battery and updated frame geometry.

I think the 720Wh is plenty but really depends on the riders needs. And there are no "necessary" upgrades. But If I would upgrade something, its somewhat in this order:

Wheelset
Shifter (XT)
Brake rotors and pads
RC2 Damper upgarde to the fork
Rear shock upgrade

I haven't ridden the 2022 model so this is pure speculation on the upgrades.
 
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Timochka69

Member
Jan 31, 2018
142
99
Helsinki
Canyon launched the SpectralON CF sales, and the CF7 seems to be great value at about 5500 Euro and I just ordered it!

Any thoughts on the spec and any necessary upgrades?

Also, I went with the 900Wh battery to have an easier life. Only costs 300 Euros more than the standard 720Wh battery. Would you say that it is better to stick with the 720Wh (which probably is plenty enough) and save 1kg in weight?

I'd get the 900 Wh and buy a 720 as second one, if you really are looking to save weight
Upgrades:
Contact points, as you need
Shock upgrade
Lyrik damper upgrade
Wheels, when they get trashed
Brakes, maybe
Tyres when they wear out or get trashed
Drivetrain when it wears out
 

TKB

New Member
Apr 28, 2022
85
35
Norway
Thanks for the input guys!

I wasn't aware of the slight downgrade compared to 2021 bikes but the new geo and batteries are more important. The derailleur is however still XT.

Tim, what do you mean with upgrading the "contact points "?

And everyone, I'd like more thoughts on going for the 900Wh or 720Wh battery?
 

Timochka69

Member
Jan 31, 2018
142
99
Helsinki
I wasn't aware of the slight downgrade compared to 2021 bikes but the new geo and batteries are more important. The derailleur is however still XT.

Tim, what do you mean with upgrading the "contact points "?

The grips and maybe saddle if they do not fit you.

BTW, the CF 8 spec with the smaller battery costs almost exactly twice what I paid for my 2019 one and has the same suspension.
Is it better?
Well yes, certainly, but is it twice as good?
 

TKB

New Member
Apr 28, 2022
85
35
Norway
Yeah, unfortunately mtb's have had a dramatic increase in price. My Canyon Spectral CF9 from 2015 cost 2500 Euro and now 6000!

And thanks Tim for the clarification.

Any other thoughts on the new SpectralON CF 7, 8 and 9?
 

Timochka69

Member
Jan 31, 2018
142
99
Helsinki
Yeah, unfortunately mtb's have had a dramatic increase in price. My Canyon Spectral CF9 from 2015 cost 2500 Euro and now 6000!

And thanks Tim for the clarification.

Any other thoughts on the new SpectralON CF 7, 8 and 9?

I would buy the CF 7 with 900 Wh battery and see how it rides before spending any money for upgrades. I tested CF 8 and while it was very nice, it was not light years ahead of my 2019 model.

I suspect that my first major upgrade to the CF 7 would be the rear shock. Price difference to CF 8 is 850 euros here that I could potentially use for upgrading and end up with a better or not much lesser spec compared to CF 8.

IMHO, ride it first for a few weeks and then see if you feel like something needs upgrading.
 

TKB

New Member
Apr 28, 2022
85
35
Norway
I'm going to use the bike for winter commuting (with studded tires) as well so having a bigger battery is probably better. And the relative battery degradation will be less since the range is so good that I don't have to charge to 100% very often.

And yes, I'll definitely ride it out this season before deciding on any eventual upgrades.

Last thing, I'm not completely happy with the color on the CF7. I ordered the "infinit red" but wonder if it will appear too pink for me...
other available colors are too boring (white and black)
 

TKB

New Member
Apr 28, 2022
85
35
Norway
I agree, don't like boring colors as well. Just hope I'm man enough for the slightly pinkish appearance ;)
 

TKB

New Member
Apr 28, 2022
85
35
Norway
Hmm doesn't look to be possible to order the new Spectral with the 900wh battery now
Checked as well and you're correct. I'm glad I already have an order with the 900Wh battery! I guess it will be available again but who knows when!
 

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