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Today’s DealsSpectral:ON CF 9
A 29″ / 27.5″ carbon frame full suspension enduro e-bike with ultra high-end components.
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Manufacturer Price
$9,000| Weight | 50.5 lbs |
|---|---|
| Frame | Carbon |
| Suspension | Full, 150 / 150mm |
| Fork | Fox Factory Float 36 |
| Shock | Fox Float DPX2 Factory |
| Wheels | 29″ / 27.5″ Carbon |
| Drivetrain | 1 × 12 |
| Groupset | XTR |
| Motor | Shimano 85Nm mid-drive |
| Battery | Shimano 630Wh |
| Brakes | Shimano XTR Hydraulic Disc |
| Seatpost | Dropper |
< 5'9"
5'7" – 6'1"
5'11" – 6'5"
6'3" +
None yet.
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Summary
The Canyon Spectral:ON is a versatile and capable enduro e-MTB that excels in technical terrain and offers a playful ride. It features a low center of gravity, excellent suspension performance, and the option for a large battery capacity to address range anxiety. While it shines in downhill performance and handling, some reviews note issues with motor noise and suspension bottoming out.
Low center of gravity improves handling
Proprietary 720 Wh and 900 Wh batteries address range anxiety
FOX 36 Factory fork with GRIP2 damper and FOX Float X Factory shock provide excellent suspension
Dynamic and lively ride feel
Excellent weight distribution
Suspension bottoms out too frequently
Pronounced rattle from the motor region
Chain drags along the chainstay protector in the smallest sprocket
Under-steering out of corners on flatter, less-supportive terrain
Motor and crank clearance on technical terrain
An eMTB with a low centre of gravity that is much easier to handle than its on-paper numbers would suggest.
The impressively low-weight, fast-rolling tyres and high-capacity 900Wh battery meant the Spectral:ON was remarkably quick when pointing uphill.
The suspension is absolutely superb, managing to offer comfort and grip over rough terrain, while being more supportive on both the climbs and on the descents.
Feedback?
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Jul 2023 · Jeremy Benson
The redesigned Canyon Spectral:ON CF 8 is a high-value electric mountain bike with an excellent well-rounded on-trail performance. With a carbon frame...
Reasonably priced
Great build for the price
900Wh battery-massive range
Well-rounded performance
Confident descender
Motor/battery bulge reduces clearance
Non-e-bike specific fork
Should come with beefier tires

Jun 2023 · Alan Muldoon
There aren’t many e-bikes designs that can boast the gen 3 tag, but because Canyon was in on the ground floor of e-bike development the Spectral:On is one such model – even if Canyon does not make a big deal about it. And oh my, but does its performance impress; so much so that it takes the crown of 2023 MBR Direct Sales Electric Mountain Bike of the Year and makes it into our shortlist of the best electric mountain bikes. Need to know: Bigger pivot bearings and hardware combined with better sealing increased overly durability of the Spectral:On frame Standard battery delivers 720Wh, but the frame has capacity to for a 900Wh upgrade Wireless SRAM GX AXS shifting reduces cable clutter on the bike, but adds an extra charger Canyon pairs a 150mm travel Fox 36 fork with Float X shock and 155mm rear travel But before we get into the current round of revisions that have transformed the Spectral:On into the sleek e-bike we see today, let’s take a closer look at the non-negotiables. First and foremost the Spectral:On has always been billed as a trail bike, Canyon has the Torque:On if you want something bigger hitting. All three generations have rolled on MX wheels, and while tyres widths have changed a touch over the years, the concept has proved a sound one – fit a 29in wheel up front to enhance roll over, paired with a smaller 27.5in wheel on the rear to increase wheel strength and prevent the chainstays getting too long. And since its inception, Shimano Steps has been the motor supplier of choice, first E-8000 now EP8. The big change then is that Canyon now has a custom battery. The Spectral:On CF 9 ships with a 720Wh battery but has space inside the thin-from-the-side, fat-from-above, downtube to take the massive 900Wh unit that’s available after market for £1,084.95. We’ve ridden the CF 9 with both batteries, and it’s safe to say that YOU are more likely to run out of steam long before the 900Wh battery goes into the red. The weight difference in the batteries is 900g, and because the extra weight of the bigger battery sits right behind the headtube, if you swap between them you’ll also need to change the pressure in the Fox 36 fork to account for the increased weight. And the battery capacity isn’t the only difference, the full carbon frame is altogether burlier than before, with a focus on improved durability too. Canyon has also changed how you remove the battery. It now slides out of the bottom of the down tube, rather than having a door cut in the underside, like on the YT Decoy and Vitus E-Sommet. Credit where credit is due, this approach was pioneered by Specialized and it allows for a lighter frame construction. It’s one of the key reasons why the Spectral:On CF 9 weighs only 22.34kg, and that’s with a bottle cage fitted. Canyon has also eliminated the wired in power …Continue reading »
Dynamic handling
Brakes lack bite

May 2023 · Knut Nes
Canyon just can't stop. Three new bikes last week weren’t enough, now they release another one. But is it really new? Look closer. Even closer... No? The new Spectral:ON has a longer fork! That's not much of an update. And I find it a bit...

Apr 2023
Thanks to a huge geometry overhaul in 2022, Canyon's Spectral:ON CF8 naturally excels when the terrain gets steep and technical. It’s one of the lighter e-MTBs around and this has resulted in it being a lively yet well-mannered bike and a genuine segment contender among the best e-MTBs. However, it is lacking in one area: its uphill behaviour.

Mar 2023
Testing Canyon's most exclusive eMTB, featuring SRAM AXS, RockShox Flight Attendant, and a high-end set of DT Swiss carbon wheels.

Aug 2022
The new Canyon Spectral:ON boasts more range and capability, but has it lost the magic that made the old model such a fun e-MTB?
Superbly balanced suspension is both poppy and plush
Updated geometry has improved high-speed stability
Excellent weight distribution
Terrifically fun & agile for a full-powered e-MTB
Battery options offer enormous range potential
Grippy, versatile tyre spec
Not the quietest bike
Charge port door could be more robust
Would prefer a longer dropper
Headset cable routing complicates maintenance

Apr 2022 · Jessie-May Morgan
We had a shot on the 2022 Canyon Spectral:ON CFR on the Trail Brothers' stunning singletrack around Massa Marittima, Italy

Apr 2022 · Dan Roberts
The new electric Spectral is available with a 900Wh battery that should minimize any range anxiety.
| Frame | Canyon Spectral:ON, Carbon front triangle, aluminium rear end, 150mm of rear suspension, award-winning Triple Phase Suspension design, internal battery, Boost 148 rear spacing, post-style brake mount (203mm) BB Standard: STEPS, Press Fit Hanger Standard: UDH Color: Shades of Shades |
|---|---|
| Fork | Fox 36 Factory Grip2, 150mm, 150mm of front suspension, 29er fork, Boost 110 spacing, 36mm stanchions, Kashima coat, air bleeders, floating axle, EVOL Float air spring, Grip2 high and low-speed compression damping adjuster, rebound damping adjuster Travel: 150mm Spring Type: Air |
| Shock | FOX FLOAT DPX2 Factory, 230x60, 150mm of rear suspension. Kashima coat, 3-setting switch (Open, Medium, Firm), low-speed compression adjuster, rebound adjuster, piggyback design resists overheating Travel: 150mm |
| Bottom Bracket | STEPS, press-fit |
| Stem | Canyon:ON ST0031, Canyon E-MTB stem. Length: 45 mm. Fork shaft diameter: 1 1/8"., Clamping Diameter: 35,0 mm |
| Handlebar | Canyon:ON HB0057 Riser bar, Canyon-developed E-MTB handlebar for top control levels on the trail., Clamping Diameter: 35,0 mm, Width: 780 mm, Rise: 30 mm |
| Saddle | Canyon SD:ON, Perfect for long rides in a seated position or on steep climbs, extra padding around sit bones, additional rear support prevents you from sliding backwards on steep climbs, chromoly rails, durable nylon composite shell, 290 g |
| Seatpost | FOX Transfer Factory, FOX Transfer Factory dropper post provides 150 of seat heigh adjustability, Kashima coating for extra durability, 30.9mm diameter, 456mm length. Type: Dropper |
| Grips | Canyon Lock-On |
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano XTR, 12-speed, High-end 12-speed shifting system. |
|---|---|
| Crank | Shimano STEPS HOLLOWTECH e-MTB crank arms, Designed for the rigors of E-MTB riding and featuring Shimano's Hollowtech crank arm design, 24mm spindle, 165mm crank arms |
| Shifters | Shimano XTR, 12-speed, Rear derailleur shifter, 12-speed, Textured rubber lever pad, Multi-Release, 2-way release, I-Spec EV clamp allows 14mm lateral adjustment and 60-degrees rotation adjustment, 127 g |
| Cassette | Shimano XTR, 12-speed (10-51), Lightweight cassette with a 10-51 gear range. |
| Chain | Shimano M9100 XTR Chain, SIL-TEC treatment for extended offroad durability, HYPERGLIDE+ shift technology, quick link for easy connect and tool-free assembly |
| Brakes | Shimano XTR 4-piston front brake, Shimano's premier 4-piston brake, 1-piece caliper for maximize rigidity, ceramic pistons, reach adjust, quick pad retraction, banjo-type connection, ICE TECH brake pads, 385 g | Shimano XTR 4-piston rear brake, Shimano's premier 4-piston brake, 1-piece caliper for maximize rigidity, ceramic pistons, reach adjust, quick pad retraction, banjo-type connection, ICE TECH brake pads, 385 g Type: Shimano XTR Hydraulic Disc |
| Rims | Reynolds TR 309 E, 29er, Front wheel made for the demands of E-MTBs. Features Reynolds Tre front hub, Boost 110 spacing, 32 Sapim E-Lite spokes, carbon TR rims, 30mm inner width | Reynolds TR 367 E, 27.5", Rear wheel made for the demands of E-MTBs. Features Reynolds Tre rear hub, Boost 148 spacing, 36 Sapim E-Lite spokes, carbon TR rims, 30mm inner width |
|---|---|
| Tires | Maxxis Minion DHF, 2.5", EXO casing, Tubeless Ready design | Maxxis Minion DHR II, 2.6", EXO+ casing, Tubeless Ready design, 3C MaxxTerra tread compound |
| Disc Rotors | Shimano XTR front rotor, 203mm, Shimano's top-end rotor, ICE TECH FREEZA design reduces heat build-up and brake fade, center lock mounting for quick installation/removal | Shimano XTR STEPS rear rotor, 203mm, Specifically designed to work with E-MTB speed sensors. ICE TECH FREEZA design reduces heat build-up and brake fade, center-lock mounting for quick installation/removal |
| Motor | Shimano Steps EP8 Motor |
|---|---|
| Battery | Shimano BT-E8036, 630 Wh |
| Display | Shimano Steps SC-EM800 Display |
| Charger | Shimano STEPS - Battery Charger, Shimano's E6000 charger plugs directly into your Canyon e-bike and charges your SHIMANO STEPS battery. Adapter (available aftermarket) allows you to also charge the battery when removed from bike. |
First added August 1
Last updated January 22
Not listed for 1,234 days