If you're happy waitings while and buying direct and not through your local shop, then Canyon's Spectral AL all-rounder is stunning value - if you get the sizing right.
The frame
The Spectral's classic FSR style four-bar suspension
platform and bolted 142x12mm axle rear end, curvaceous hydroformed mainframe
and smoothly 3D formed rocker linkage mean the chassis is impressively light
and stiff. A mix of internal and external cable routing keeps things tidy, and
detailing is immaculate. The bearings on our test bike are fine despite it
taking a hammering The geometry is bang-on for flat-out trail riding or enduro
racing, but with one important glitch.
Once you've allowed for the super-short 50mm stem and
the inline seatpost inserted into the steep 74.5-degree seat tube, the frame
can come up a touch on the small side. A medium fits like a small, a large fits
like a medium and there's no XL. because Canyon reckon bigger riders should go
for the bigger wheeled Spectral AL 29 instead. That means there's no proper
large option on the 650b bike.
The kit
If you ignore Canyon's online sizing suggester, the
kit you get for the money is unbelievable. The Renthal cockpit connects to a
top-of-the-range RockShox Revelation fork, with a Monarch Plus shock
controlling the 140mm (5.5in) of rear travel. SRAM also provide the excellent
X01 11-speed transmission, with extra chain security courtesy of an e*thirteen
upper chain guide.
Super-light yet wide SRAM ROAM 50 rims keep weight to
a minimum and acceleration to the maximum. The only thing we'd potentially
change is the Continental Trail King front tyre, as it's prone to sudden
sideways slips in corners. Switching it to the rear seems to help though.
The ride
Presuming you get the right size, the handling feels
every bit as sorted as the 67-degree head angle and Renthal and Revelation
equipped front end would lead you to expect. As long as the tyres stay
connected, the 32mm-legged fork feels nearly as stiff as the 34mm Fox 34 used on a lot of bikes in this
category, but it's 300g lighter.
There's plenty of stiffness in the frame for pushing
hard through corners, and it hits and holds lines with an easy and confident obedience.
The back end is impeccably neutral in suspension terms too, barely changing the
way it reacts whether you're pedalling, braking or coasting, and letting it
just suck up the hammer.
It's worth spending time
getting the fork and shock set up right though, as it took us a while to iron
out a clattery, slightly hurried feel to the rear end across bouldery trails.
Compared to some of the cheaper dampers you get on bikes at this price, the
overall control levels are night and day better though.
FRAME Hydroformed
alloy. 140mm(5.5in) travel
FORK
RockShox Revelation RCT3 Solo Air 150mm (5.9in) travel
SHOCK
RokShox Monarch Plus RC3
DRIVETRAIN SRAM XC1 w/e*thirten XCX+ chain guide
WHEELSET
SRAM ROAM 50 wheels, Continenlal Trail King 27.5x2.4in front tyre, Continental
Mountain King II 27.5x2.4in rear tyre
BRAKES
Avid Elixir 7Trail, 180/160mm
BAR/STEM
Renthal Fatbar Lite. 740mm/Rentha Duo. 50mm
SEATPOST/SADDLE RockShox Reverb Stealth/SDG Circuit
WEIGHT
12.46kg/27.47lb (without pedals)
PRICE 4050$ (complete bike, including shipping)
