FIRST LOOK: Canyon Spectral CF 9.0 SL
Canyon have rejigged the Spectral and many suggest it is the ideal 27.5" trail bike.
Canyon have only been available in Australia for a few years but they have made a big impact. With quality bike designs, intelligent parts spec and sharp pricing thanks to their direct to customer model, it's no surprise the German brand has found favour on our trails.
What does direct to customer mean, anyway?
Well, Canyon build the bike at their factory in Koblenz, Germany, and test ride it there. Then they take the pedals off, the front wheel and the bars, and box it up in a secure way where there is no scratching, no damage.
Where do Canyons come from? We found out: At home with Canyon.
It means a box arrives at your place with a bike that is almost ready to ride – just follow the instructions and used the provided tools to get it ready.
We have found that it will usually be best to have some brake hoses and cables trimmed to get your bike as neat and tidy as possible, but there are no tricks in the process. Canyon look after import duties and everything, all in the price you see online.
Late last year Canyon announced their new Spectral. Pairing 150mm up front with 140mm out back, the 27.5" wheeled trail-tamer has been rejigged to work with 2.4-2.6" tyres (with the right rim width to account for the size). Geometry changes see the head angle drop to 66 degrees and the seat angle lift to 74.5 degrees.
The frame is weather proofed to aid in bearing and component life, and the spec on the CF 9.0 SL we have on test is dialled. From Fox Factory 34 Forks, to a Float EVOL shock, DT Swiss XMC wheels and a SRAM Eagel X01 drivetrain – it's not really leaving us wanting for anything.
But will it be too slack for an all-day trail bike? Is 150/140mm too much on Australian trails away from the European Alps? We're testing the Spectral to find out – don't miss our next issue for the full review.
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