1ST IMPRESSION
components, which might sound boring but are actually well-designed and boast some neat features. The grips use a file tread that offers stacks of purchase with or without gloves and enough padding to make them comfortable without feeling bulky. The G5 stem is chunky and stylish and clamped to a G5 780mm bar with a decent rise and sweep. Out back, the Ergon saddle is fixed to a G5 dropper post with a clever internal travel adjustment similar to the system used by PNW Components. Simply loosen the seatpost collar by hand and rotate the stepped spacer inside to customise the drop in 5mm increments. The only thing that lets the post down is excessive play between the shaft and the lower tube.
HOW IT RIDES
Despite the hyena wheels, the Spectral is undeniably a handsome machine.
The muscular, sculpted tubes and sharp details make this a bike you look over your shoulder at as you’re walking out of the shed. Fortunately it’s also a bike you want to shred as hard and as often as possible.
Once I’d checked the sag (a twoperson job), I ended up at 25% with the stock 450lb spring fitted. Fitting the supplied lighter or heavier spring should account for most variations in body weight at the average height for each frame size.
Let’s get the boring, but unexpected part out of the way first – the Spectral CF8 CLLCTV is a very effective climber. Any preconceptions that the coil shock would rob me of energy and bob uncontrollably when pedalling proved completely unfounded, as the Spectral rose uphill with almost swan-like serenity. There’s such a stable pedal platform that I eschewed the actual pedal platform on the shock as it took away some of the extra traction provided by the coil spring’s suppleness on technical sections.
Likewise, hard bursts of acceleration were matched by unflinching stability and drive. All this can be traced back to the Spectral’s high levels of anti-squat at, and above, the sag point. But equally Canyon has nailed the riding position too, so that I was well placed to balance weight through the wheels on steep climbs, but didn’t feel too far forward on rolling singletrack and mellower fire-road ascents.
Remember though, that this was running 25% sag. Set the Spectral up softer, and those characteristics will change. And because you can’t just attach a shock pump to get the sag where you want it, you may need to spend a little more time setting up this bike than others.
For me, running less sag seemed to suit the bike perfectly, as it provided plenty of support, just the right amount of bottom-out events and a stable pedal platform but I still got to enjoy the extra sensitivity of the coil shock.
And on the descents it really came alive, giving that ground-tracing ride that makes coil shocks so irresistible. Because Canyon has tuned the antisquat to fall away as you move deeper into the travel, pedal kickback is totally acceptable too. I noticed the pedals tugging at my soles a couple of times during testing, but not to a level that really jarred.
One thing I couldn’t get to the bottom of was a rattle coming from the rear end while coasting down certain trails. Considering the Spectral is wellwrapped in rubber protection tape, this was surprising. Further investigation is required to trace the cause, but I’ll update you if we find out more.
The Spectral CF8 has loads of pop and ample support too, so you can use the terrain to gain speed, and while it’s harder to check maximum travel on a coil shock, by looking at the grease marks on the shaft after every trail, it was plain that I was only getting near the bottomout bumper on hefty landings.
The Spectral CF8 CLLCTV goads you into going big, too, as the frame is rock solid in the rough. It’s never harsh or brittle, but slam it into a berm or rut and it doesn’t flinch. That 27.5in rear wheel definitely assisted me when trying to hit an inside line or tuck into a turn.
With superb, highly-tunable suspension, a burly, chiselled chassis and fun-loving wheel mix, the Spectral CF8 CLLCTV is a thrilling bike to ride at a decent price. But it’s no onedimensional party animal – as much as it loves to go nuts on the descents, it’s also a reliable partner for getting the job done on the way back up.
HIGHS
Sturdy carbon frame. Addictive handling. Sensitive suspension. Taut climbing.
LOWS
Seat tube is too tall. Seatpost rattles.