Canyon launches a 29er version of the Spectral with either 150mm or 160mm of front wheel travel.
Canyon has finally launched a 29er version of the popular Spectral trail bike. The new model boasts a completely redesigned frameset, more travel, updated suspension and a choice of either 150mm or 160mm of front wheel travel.
We’re not going to go into the full ins and outs of the 2021 Spectral 29 here, because I’ve already tested the bike and have gone into great length on the updates which you can all read here (there’s even a video to enjoy), but I will quickly mention a few of the details.
First of all the Spectral 29 uses a new carbon fibre frame that has been designed to be stiffer than the 27.5in bike while not adding much weight. To achieve the stiffness, Canyon has employed a new carbon layup and revised tubing shapes along with refining a few of the Spectral details to bring it up to date.
The new frameset is lower, longer and slacker than the 27.5in bike meaning it no longer needs a steering knock block system to protect the carbon tubing in a crash. The Spectral 29 also has fully guided internal hose and cable routing, a threaded BB, and you can fit an optional ISCG chain guide mount if you wish.
Riders who like to work on their own bikes will be pleased to see that all pivot bolts can be accessed from the non-drive side of the bike and that all pivot bolt threads come on replaceable alloy inserts, so if you were to strip a thread it won’t be the end of the world.
Geometry has been revised to give the Spectral a 65-degree head-angle and 77-degree seat tube angle when running a 150mm fork. There’s a flip-chip on the frame to slacken things out by 0.5 degrees, and if you opt for the Fox equipped bikes you will get a 64-degree front end. Of course, the new Canyon is longer – a large measures 485mm – and lower thanks to a shorter seat tube length and revised top tube position. On top of these changes, the Spectral 29er has had an increase in chainstay length for improved stability at speed.
Another feature that home mechanics are going to love is the double-sealed bearings. While it’s far too early to tell how long these bearings last, Canyon claims that its prototypes are still on the original bearings after 18 months of harsh riding and naughty pressure washer cleans.
In addition to the changes in frame construction and geometry, the new Spectral 29 has the similar 3 phase suspension platform with a few revisions to help the bike climb even better while retaining its poppy and progressive nature.
2021 Canyon Spectral 29 FAQ
Can I run the Spectral 29 as a mullet?
- Canyon says that while they appreciate the idea of a mullet the Spectral 29 hasn’t been designed with mullet application in mind.
Can I run a coil shock?
- Canyon hasn’t specifically made the Spectral 29er to be coil ready, but they have said that there is enough progression in the frame that it could work.
How heavy is the Canyon Spectral 29 frame?
- The carbon frame weighs 2598.1g.
What category is the Spectral frame?
- Canyon has specified the Spectral as a category 4 frame meaning that it’s designed for aggressive riding and racing.
How much travel does the Spectral 29 have?
- The frame offers 150mm of travel while the front travel varies from 150-160mm depending on the bike specification.
Is the Spectral 29 a Strive replacement?
- The Spectral is a trail bike whereas the Strive is an Enduro race bike. The Strive still offers more travel and the Shapeshifter so it’s more suited to Enduro racing, but that said the Spectral 29 isn’t far off.
What is the biggest chainring I can fit?
- 34t is the largest chainring you can fit to the new Spectral
What’s the max tyre width the frame will take?
- 29 x 2.5 or any tyre up to a width of 66mm.
What’s that little bolt for under the top tube?
- That’s an accessory mount. Canyon will launch a range of tools and accessories that will bolt there for convenience.
Is there an alloy version?
- Not at this time.
Is Canyon still making the 27.5in Spectral?
- Yes.
How much is the 2021 Canyon Spectral 29?
- Spectral 29 CF 7.0 – £3,449
- Spectral 29 CF 8.0 – £4,149
- Spectral 29 CF 9.0 – £5,199
- Spectral 29 CF LTD – £6,199
Canyon Spectral 29 Geometry
Canyon Spectral 29 CF 7.0 Specifications
- Frame: Canyon Spectral 29 CF
- Suspension: RockShox Pike Select RC 150 mm Rockshox Deluxe Select+
- Brakes: SRAM G2
- Wheels: DT Swiss M1900
- Tyres: Maxxis Minion DHF/Dissector
- Drivetrain: SRAM GX EAGLE DUB 32t
- Gear ratio: 32t – 10/52t
- Drivetrain: SRAM GX EAGLE
- Cockpit: Canyon G5
- Saddle: Ergon SM10 Enduro Comp
- Seatpost: Canyon Iridium
- Colours: Stealth, Red/Black (X-Ray Green–USA) S, M, L, XL
- Weight: 14.16 kg
- Price: £3,449
Canyon Spectral 29 CF 8.0 Specifications
- Frame: Canyon Spectral 29 CF
- Fork: Fox 36 PE Grip2 160 mm
- Shock: Fox DPX2 PE
- Brakes: Shimano XT M8120
- Wheels: DT Swiss XM1700
- Tyres: Maxxis Minion DHF/DHR II Shimano XT M8120
- Gear Ratio: 32t – 10/51t
- Drivetrain: Shimano XT M8100
- Cockpit: Canyon G5
- Saddle: Ergon SM10 Enduro Comp
- Seatpost: Canyon Iridium
- Colours: Stealth, X-Ray Green (Stealth USA) S, M, L, XL
- Weight: 14.44 kg
- Price: £4,149
Canyon Spectral 29 CF 9.0 Specifications
- Frame: Canyon Spectral 29 CF
- Suspension: RockShox Pike ULT RCT3 150 mm Rockshox Deluxe Ultimate
- Brakes: SRAM G2 RSC
- Wheels: DT Swiss XMC1501
- Tyres: Maxxis Minion DHF/Dissector
- Chainset: SRAM X1 CF EAGLE DUB
- Gear ratio: 32t – 10/52t
- Drivetrain: SRAM X01 EAGLE
- Cockpit: Canyon G5
- Saddle: Ergon SM10 Enduro Comp
- Seatpost: ONEUP Components V2
- Colours: Stealth, Red/Black (Red/Black–USA) S, M, L, XL
- Weight: 13.42 kg
- Price: £5,199
Canyon Spectral 29 CF LTD Specifications
- Frame: Canyon Spectral 29 CF
- Fork: Fox 36 Factory Grip2 160 mm
- Shock: Fox DPX2 Factory
- Brakes: Shimano XTR M9120
- Wheels: DT Swiss XMC1200
- Tyres: Maxxis Minion DHF/DHR II
- Chainset: Raceface Next SL
- Gear Ratio: 32t – 10/51t
- Brakes: Shimano XTR M9100
- Cockpit: Canyon G5
- Saddle: Ergon SM10 Enduro Comp
- Chainset: ONEUP Components V2
- Colours: Stealth, X-Ray Green (not available USA) S, M, L, XL
- Weight: 13.57 kg
- Price: £6,199
Comments (2)
Comments Closed
Nice engineering details there. Glad to see they have a shorter seat tube. I almost sent my 27.5 Spectral back because the seat was too high, but by taking out an external Oring I managed to make it fit.
Comparing the Geo to the YT jeffsy 29, it’s literally within a few mm on every single measurement (slightly slacker HA on the Spectral). And apart from the seat tube brace on the YT, the frame is incredibly similar too!! And even the same “all pivot bolts accessible from the same side” YT must be flattered!