The Spectral CF8 goads you into going big
and 510mm on the XL. Where Canyon has arguably messed up is the seat tube lengths, which are too long on the L and XL and restrict the ability to size up should you want to ride a longer bike.
Just like Don Johnson in Miami
Vice, this Spectral CF8 CLLCTV is a one well-dressed mullet. Suspension duties are handled by Fox’s excellent 36 Performance Elite fork, with fourway adjustable damping, paired with the DHX Performance Elite shock. Effectively it’s the top-of-the-range
Fox 36 minus the fancy gold legs. That affords you total control over the spring curve and damping, plus you get the oil-circulating channels up the back of the lower legs and the bleed buttons to allow excess pressure to be released after a long descent.
The DHX shock has rebound and compression control as well as a pedal platform switch that’s within easy reach while riding. Kudos to Canyon for supplying three different-weight springs with every bike, too, meaning that you’re basically guaranteed to find your perfect set-up.
Wheels are sourced from the DT Swiss range – the durable XM1700S – and shod with my favourite tyre combo – a Maxxis Assegai up front and Minion DHR out back, both in Maxxterra compound and a tougher Exo+ casing for the rear.
We’ve had consistency issues with Shimano’s XT brakes in the past, but the four-piston set fitted to my Spectral CF8 worked perfectly and delivered stacks of power. Sure, they come on a bit strong in the initial phase for some people, but there’s no doubting the power on tap. The only things I’d change are the rattly and unnecessary (in the UK) finned Ice Tech brake pads.
Shimano also supplies the drivetrain. There’s a mix of SLX (cranks and cassette) and XT (r-mech and shifter), but it’s a solid and effective combination with a shifter that lets you dump several gears at once on the way into a descent. Canyon also fits a small but useful chain guide for extra security.
The rest of the parts are in-house G5