The alloy frames are also EWS-rated, and come in at a claimed 3,000g. The frame profile and suspension design are the same, the geometries are close, the build kits are very similar, and the bike weights are similar as well. As the name suggests, its closely related to the, Those familiar with the Canyon line-up might ask how it fits into the brands family of bikes. All-new for 2021 is the Neuron CF LTD, limited to only 100 available worldwide. Canyon has, however, avoided the new Spectral ramping up. Press J to jump to the feed. So I'm leaning towards the Spectral, but I'm not sure this is a rational decision. Price, claimed weight, and build details for all models can be found below. As a cost saving measure, the aluminum frames pivot bearings are single sealed, not double sealed like the carbon frames bearings, and the aluminum frame does not have ISCG tabs, nor is there a way to add them. Even so, Canyon says the Spectral 125 is optimized for an air shock and a coilover is not recommended. DH World Cup Round 6 Snowshoe delivers drama! For more information, see the, Neuron:ON vs. Spectral:ON // Photo: Canyon.com. In fact, its almost identical to the geometry of the 15omm (with 160mm fork) Spectral 29. You've been subscribed to our newsletter. I still think personally although great value a lot of euro brands like canyon lag behind a bit when it comes to modern geometry and progressive design. Alternatively, if you like a bruiser of a bike but dont live somewhere with big hits, and thus rarely push your suspensions o-rings to the end of the shocks shaft, Canyon reckons this might be ideal. Thanks! Would have to pay 2300 for the colour I liked. SUMMER SALE | Try 3 issues of Cycling Plus magazine for 5 + Get a pair of Lusso cycling socks! The days of clunky e-mtbs are gone and while battery life and pedal assist are essential, its the handling that makes the real difference. It will suit my twice a month rides much better, and often think of my regular rides as fitness/training, and my less frequent rides as the real fun. Theyre designed from the ground up too, with their own tube profiles and shapes, rather than being attempted as a copy and paste of the carbon bikes shape. The bike I received for review and shown in my images is the CF 8 which sells for $5,199. I do find Foxs Float X is firmer-feeling (but much better overall) than the outgoing DPX2 shock, and, with 27-percent progression, the 125's suspension is decidedly more progressive than most in the category. First Look | The 2023 Canyon Lux World Cup is claimed to be one of the lightest XC bikes going, The 2023 Canyon Spectral:ON receives all-new carbon frame and two battery options, Flows Fresh Produce | Specialized launches new Ambush 2 & Camber helmets, Canyon adds spice to the Spectral lineup with the new Spectral 125, This website requires Javascript for optimum viewing purposes. Whytes 120mm bike is 3 degrees slacker for instance. This guarantees consistently agile handling across the entire range. For context, Canyons Sender downhill race bike has 29-percent progression. Instead, the aluminum frame uses replaceable steel thread inserts (AKA Helicoils). The carbon frame has a threaded bottom bracket plus, replaceable aluminum thread chips for the suspension bolts and axles. The carbon frame does not have ISCG tabs from the factory, but you add them with an optional plate. Anti-squat dictates how the suspension will act under pedalling forces. Here are a few highlights from the new 2021 range, which were told are all now available on the World Wide Web via your friendly courier. Both the Neuron:ON and the Spectral:ON utilise powerful motors, long-lasting batteries and modern geometries that will please beginner and expert e-mountain bikers alike, but which one is right for you? Thanks for popping by - why not stay a while? Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. The opening price for a Spectral 125 is $2,899 with the most expensive model ringing in at $6,299. Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. Some of these cookies are necessary for the website to function properly (e.g. Another week, another chance to win! If youre excited for long days in the saddle riding over mixed, rolling terrain, then the Neuron:ON is for you. Conditions were crazy this week! Canyons thinking here is its a costly pain in the butt to replace an entire front triangle if you strip out a shock mount. 29 wheels hold speed well while a shorter wheelbase keeps steering snappy on both up- and downhills. The responsive suspension is stable for easy climbing and supple enough to take big hits moving quickly through the mountains! You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, 30-Minute Indoor Cycling Workouts to Get Fit Fast, How Tour de France Femmes Riders Handle Tough Days, After Sudden Diagnosis, She Turned to Cycling, An Abs and Glutes Workout to Help You Crush Climbs. Canyon Copyright 2022 Canyon Bicycles. That results in the aluminum frame getting some harder edged, less organic shapes. Are you more of a rowdy Spectral rider, or suiting an all-rounder like the Neuron? For the 2021 season the Neuron scores a new top-level limited model, and the Neuron CF 8 scores a longer 140mm travel fork. For marketing purposes, we share some of this data with third parties such as Google, Facebook, and Instagram. Now coming every Monday: new stock, available to order! Essentially, it is the 150mm Spectral, but with a bit more snap and pop, and a more connected feel. Id build my dream bikean Evil Followingthe same way. Be sure to take a look at Wils in-depth review and video of the Spectral AL 6 here. The aluminum Spectral 125 does not have the flip chip and has slightly different geometry than the carbon frame. Geometry, suspension kinematics, chassis strength and stiffness all contribute to how a bike feels, as much as how far the rear wheel is free to travel. This short travel all mountain bike has a lot to love, but the extra-firm tune of our review bike's rear suspension left me puzzled. Canyon is introducing seven new unisex models into the Spectral lineup for 2021, including two womens specific models. Let us know in the comments below. Five models will be offered at launch. Canyons trail and long-travel trail bikes, Neuron and Spectral receive a refresh for 2021 while retaining the same frame, here is what to expect for 2021. Though Canyon states they tried to ensure it wasnt too progressive because, If the suspension ramps up too quickly on a short-travel bike, things quickly stop feeling awesome and start feeling harsh. Canyon did not offer a progression percentage, but based on eyeballing the charts provided, it sits around 27-percent, which is a lot (a Canyon rep later confirmed my estimate is correct) For contrast, a Norco Optica similar bike with the same travel figures as the Spectral 125has about 17-percent progression. I ended up disregarding the neuron as it was described as twitchy(not in a good way) going downhill and I ending up thinking the spectral would be over-biked for what I wanted to do with it. Other cookies allow us to personalize what marketing materials you see and monitor website performance. As is now customary, long, low and slack applies here. Ill update this review if I get a different shock. This topic has 7 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated. But the distinction lies in the nuances. Strive is faster, more for racing, but you have to be a bit more active while driving. I think bikes of the Spectral 125s ilk are often overlooked because theyre not a lighter weight XC oriented trail bike like the Trek Top Fuel, but neither are they a bigger trail bike like the 150mm Spectral. Thats at least what Canyon claims. Its another $1k for the strive with similar component level and while the suspension setup looks sweet Im thinking Spectral is more my thing. My current bike isn't made for this in any form, but I still send it! But the rear end tune feels off for trail riding. So to help you out we broke down the differences between our two award-winning models: the Neuron:ON and Spectral:ON. Tom has written for BikeRadar, MBUK and Cycling Plus, and was previously technical editor of What Mountain Bike magazine. Try 3 issues of Cycling Plus magazine for just 5! As we saw with the longer-travel Spectrals launched late last year, such as the Spectral CF8 CLLCTV mullet, both carbon and alloy versions will be available. Here's the crme de la crme of Canyon's 2020 offerings. Lot's of tree roots, and the downhills have some chunky braking divots. Prices range from $2,349 for the Young Hero and run up to AUD 8,749 for the top model with the fancy SLX carbon frame, CF SLX 9. He has a particular focus on mountain bikes, but spends plenty of time on gravel bikes, too. The new Spectral 125 comes in five variants: two with an aluminum frame and three with a carbon frame. security, shopping cart features, and login). When you go down in travel its quite obvious that you lose traction from the suspension. Red Hill and Silvan are far more what I want to be riding. When it is getting to fast for spectral the fun for strive begins, feels more secure. Minion DHR IIs make for a decent front tyre. (Medium CF 8). Only had chance to ride it once so far, but its perfect for me right now. Id like to see Canyon add a flexible adhesive flaplike Pivot usesto keep debris out of this area. Canyon says the Lux Trail is for those looking for light weight and speed uphill, while the Neuron gives the best balance between climbing and descending performance, for a comfortable all-day trail ride. If you prefer a bit more of the quickness, a flip-chip in the rear adds 0.5 degrees to the head and seat angles, and raises the bottom bracket eight millimeters. So Im not imagining things. Two least expensive models use an aluminum frame with the more expensive models using carbon. With its head angle a touch more than 64 degrees (in low mode), 437mm chainstays, generously long reach, top tube, and wheelbase dimensions, and plenty of BB drop (35mm) the Spectral 125s geometry looks a lot like that of a longer travel bike. He is also a regular presenter on BikeRadars YouTube channel and the BikeRadar podcast. Then there is the Neuron, a 29er trail bike with 130mm rear travel and a 140mm fork. Comparing Canyons Spectral, Strive, and Torque ranges. The steering feel is calm, and the bike is a rock at higher speeds, but the pop and support offered by the rear end offsets any sluggishness the geometry might portend. Most of the frame details are the same in either material, though the aluminum frames geometry is slightly different. I also noticed that the bike had a few places that liked to collect mud, especially around the main pivot, and between the main pivot and front triangle. The rear linkage depends on the Three Phase Kinematic developed for the Sender to properly engage the rear shock and compensate for the bikes weight. Carbon bikes get a geo flip chip to steepen the bike by half a degree and add eight millimetres to the bottom-bracket height. The spectral is still really fun even on tamer trails. The Spectral:ON is the lightest in our range of E-MTBs but only by a mere 1.5kg and this is largely due to its carbon frame. The fact you say youll use it for easy dh makes me think youd be better off with the spectral or something similar. For example, the Neuron runs Fox 34 forks while the Spectral 125 gets a Fox 36. Delivery up to 8 weeks. I'm top 5% in Strava on most the downhill segments at Lysterfield, and have a few top 1% segments too. A cycling community enthusiastic about mountain biking and all things related. Like with any mountain bike , when selecting your new e-bike you should think about the kind of riding youre going to be doing. Check your inbox to confirm your subscription. Those familiar with the Canyon line-up might ask how it fits into the brands family of bikes. Longer, slacker, more travel: The Spectral:ON is built for the most technical terrain you can find flattening out rough singletrack climbs, and smashing big descents at will. Having said that, there is some stuff I won't do on my bike (Granite Link and one of the drops on Follow Me) that I will on the new bike. Red Hill and Silvan are weekend/day off only. And my bike does ride like a bike that was fitted with the wrong shock. But I find the combination of enduro-influenced geometry with the pop and feedback of a shorter travel bike is a magic combination, which is why some of the bikes I listed above are my favorite mountain bikes available today. And though there is overlap, the Spectral 125 is its own animal. Which mountain bike wheel size is right for you? Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We like to keep the front end stiff, but in the rear triangle especially we were really precise to tune the flex and stiffness how we wanted it. The Spectral 125 also gets a much different suspension tune than the 150mm Spectral, which I break down in the suspension section below. (SPOILERS). The shorter travel bike is more playful, quicker feeling, and skips across bumps rather than flowing through them. Its geometry uses a more linear rear shock progression to improve comfort in the saddle as well as offer solid sensitivity over smaller obstacles. Despite being lighter and less stiff than the 150mm Spectral, the Spectral 125 still meets the category 4 testings standards of Canyons longer travel and enduro race frames. A short 435mm seat tube, thats steep at around 77 degrees, means riders should be able to size up or size down, depending on how they like their bikes to feel.