Spectral 29 CF 9 — US
A 29″ carbon frame full suspension enduro bike with high-end components.
Manufacturer Price
$5,999Weight | 30.0 lbs |
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Frame | Carbon |
Suspension | Full, 150 / 160mm |
Fork | RockShox Lyrik Ultimate |
Shock | RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate |
Wheels | 29″ Carbon |
Drivetrain | 1 × 12 Electronic |
Groupset | GX Eagle AXS, X1 |
Brakes | Hydraulic Disc |
Seatpost | Dropper |
For This Bike
< 5'10"
5'8" – 6'1"
5'11" – 6'4"
6'3" +
None yet.
Do you have this bike? Help other riders make a decision about which size will work for them by sharing your own size and fit notes.
May 2023
We put the Canyon Spectral CF 8 KIS to the test to see how the new steering stabiliser works, and how it impacts your riding.
Improved cornering performance on loose terrain
Significantly reduces wheel flop on the climbs
Simple & lightweight
Adjustable slider is useful for different terrain
KIS system adds cost & complexity
There are notable quirks on the trail
Price of entry is relatively high
Jan 2023 · Leon Poultney
With shorter travel and a lighter frame, the Canyon Spectral 125 CF 9 is designed to rip on a multitude of terrains.
Great handling
Plenty of adjustment
Sweet components
Not much weight saving over 150mm version
Carbon frame prone to chipping
Fair amount of initial set up
Jul 2022 · Simon Kohler
The Canyon Spectral 125 CF 9 combines little travel and a progressive geometry. How did it fare in our 2022 trail bike group test?
Feels as if it had more travel and thus inspires confidence
Direct handling and firm suspension
Pedal-neutral rear suspension uphill
Tires don’t do justice to the potential of the bike
Requires an experienced rider
Jun 2022 · Alan Muldoon
Take a cursory glance at the new Spectral 125 and you could easily mistake it for the full-blown 150mm Spectral. Make no mistake though, the Spectral 125 is a unique bike in its own right. And not just unique; the performance is impressive to count it among some of the best mountain bikes we’ve tested this year. Need to know: A 125mm travel 29er designed to tackle big terrain CF models use a full carbon frame with tube-in-tube internal cable routing All models use 140mm travel forks with a 64º head angle in slack/low setting G5 dropper post can be adjusted internally in 5mm increments, with a 25mm adjustment range Alloy Spectral 125 bikes available from £2,449 Canyon Spectral 125 frame and geometry The most telling difference is that the head tube is 15mm taller on the 125, it also has a 20mm shorter seat tube and the seat stay assembly is longer too. Other than that, the geometry is nigh on identical. In fact, the 125 CF carbon frame is only 100g lighter and meets the exact same safety standards, so you know it is designed for hard charging. Canyon offers three carbon versions, where the Spectral 125 CF 9 tested here is the top-end bike. There are also two alloy bikes, the entry-level AL 5 costing £2,399. The carbon bike gets a hi/low flip-chip that adjusts the BB by 8mm and the head angle by 0.5º. The alloy version forgoes the geometry adjustment and combines the slacker head angle with the steeper seat angle for a best of both worlds approach. Other neat features on the CF 9 include tube-in-tube cable routing and extra seals on the pivot bearings to ensure that the bike spends the minimum amount of time in the workstand. It also has mounts under the top tube for attaching tools or Canyon’s Load frame bag. Canyon has missed a trick with its chainstay protector though, because chips in the carbon swingarm right beside the chain ring indicate that the rubber protection falls just short. Canyon Spectral 125 suspension With 125mm of rear travel but geometry fitting of a 150mm bike, it makes sense that the shorter travel Spectral has more progressive suspension than its big brother. It also has more anti-squat, which combined with the reduced travel makes the bike feel tighter and more reactive when you get on the gas. Yes, the rear suspension can feel a little too progressive at times, so we found that running the bike in the high geometry setting, with a lower spring pressure gave us the best response. Another option would be to remove the biggest of the two volume spacers from the Fox Float X shock and keep it in the low setting. To balance vertical wheel travel front and rear, Canyon fits a 140mm Fox 36 Factory fork. The Grip 2 damper provides plenty of support, and riding the Spectral 125 back-to-back with the longer travel version really highlighted just how stable the geometry is …Continue reading »
Tight responsive handling that rewards riders who want to engage with the terrain. Top quality build kit. Low-slung frame design looks killer. Niche never looked so mainstream
Needs an EXO+ casing rear tyre. Not much lighter than a 150mm bike
Feb 2022
The Spectral 125 is Canyon’s newest offering in the busy, short-travel category. It’s a trail bike with 125mm of rear wheel travel matched to a 140mm travel fork, with geometry matching the newly updated Spectral 150 long-travel line.
Oct 2021 · Travis Engel
When just releasing an aluminum version simply won't do.
Aug 2021 · McCoy
The rider most likely to fall in love with the Spectral is one who wants it all at a price you can’t beat
Frame | Canyon Spectral CF 29 BB Standard: BSA, 73mm, Threaded Color: Exhaust Black |
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Fork | RockShox Lyrik Ultimate RC2 Travel: 160mm Spring Type: Air |
Shock | RockShox Superdeluxe Ultimate Travel: 150mm Spring Type: Air |
Bottom Bracket | SRAM BSA DUB |
Stem | Canyon G5 Stem |
Handlebar | Canyon G5 Carbon Riserbar, Material: Carbon, Rise: 30 mm |
Saddle | Ergon SM10 Enduro Comp |
Seatpost | G5 Adjustable Dropper Post Type: Dropper |
Pedals | None included |
Grips | Canyon G5 Grips |
Rear Derailleur | SRAM GX1 Eagle AXS |
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Crank | SRAM X1 CF Eagle |
Shifters | SRAM GX Eagle AXS Controller |
Cassette | SRAM GX Eagle, 12-speed (10-52), Cassette size: 10-52T, Gear range: 520% |
Chain | SRAM GX Eagle 12-speed, Flowlink inner plate design reduces friction, solid pin construction, PowerLock tool-less master link. |
Chain Guide | Canyon GP0293-02 |
Brakes | SRAM Code RSC Type: Hydraulic Disc |
Rims | DT Swiss XMC 1501 | DT Swiss XMC1501 29", Internal rim width: 30 mm, Axle dimensions: boost,12 x 148 mm |
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Tires | Maxxis Minion DHRII 3C MaxxTerra EXO 2,4x29“ | Maxxis Minion DHRII 3C MaxxTerra EXO+ 2,4x29 |
Disc Rotors | SRAM HS2 |
Last updated January 29
Not listed for 454 days