In a time of ultra-adjustable frames with increasingly intricate tech, Canyon’s latest Spectral AL strips back the complexity and complications from your riding.
Its aluminium construction, lack of flip chips and internal frame storage, industrial bearings and reasonable retail prices for the three-model range should appeal to those sick of puzzling over whether their bike setup is performing perfectly.
Starting at £2,249 / €2,299 for the Spectral AL 5 and rising to £3,749 / €3,999 for the Fabio Wibmer signature bike, this 150mm front, 140mm rear-travel bike represents the excellent value for money we've come to expect from the German direct-sales brand.
The geometry figures are bang-on for a bike of this ilk. The five-size range (XS to XL) runs a 64-degree head tube angle, 76.5-degree seat tube angle and 437mm chianstays.
But just because the bike lacks complexity, that doesn’t mean Canyon hasn't paid plenty of attention to the details.
Canyon’s Spectral AL frame is packed with details
Simplicity doesn’t have to mean basic – and the Spectral AL proves that.
Along with the usual things – think SRAM’s Universal Derailleur Hanger and plenty of chain-slap protection – the Spectral AL’s also got some neat features.
The internal cable routing channels have foam linings to reduce rattling. There’s protective tape to reduce heel rub on the chainstays.
The bike has anti-rock-impact protection on the down tube, too. A straight, steep seat tube means long-travel dropper posts – up to 200mm on the M and L sizes and 230mm on the XL – should quench the appetite of the riders with the longest legs.
Each of the pivot points runs on industrial bearings and they're filled with Canyon’s special grease to help them run smoother for longer.
The pivot hardware – the bolts – screw intro steel helicoil inserts, rather than directly into the frame’s alloy. In theory, this should reduce the chances of stripped threads and make fixing them if they do strip much easier.
Forgoing internal frame storage might be a deal-breaker for some and, if it is, Canyon has thought about you. Accessory mounts on the underside of the top tube can holster either Canyon’s own accessory bag or storage solutions from other brands.
Honing things in further, the bike’s front and rear ends have been tuned with stiffness and compliance in mind respectively.
Add in the one-piece rocker link, which is designed to isolate lateral loads from the rear end impacting shock performance, and there’s plenty of tech behind this simple frame.
Trail bike geometry with no adjustments
Despite forgoing the CF model’s flip chip, the Spectral AL can be run in either a mixed-wheel (29in front, 27.5in rear) or full-29in configuration.
However, the consumer needs to decide which wheel size they want when they buy the bike because the entire chainstay is different.
Canyon alluded to the fact it’s more efficient (cost, time, manufacturing, design) to have two different rear ends than build in flip chips.
Canyon Spectral AL mixed wheel size geometry chart
| Spectral AL Mullet | XS | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BB drop rear (mm) | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 |
| Chainstay length (mm) | 437 | 437 | 437 | 437 | 437 |
| Head tube angle (degrees) | 64 | 64 | 64 | 64 | 64 |
| Head tube length (mm) | 100 | 110 | 120 | 130 | 140 |
| Reach (mm) | 425 | 450 | 475 | 500 | 525 |
| Eff. seat tube angle (degrees) | 76.5 | 76.5 | 76.5 | 76.5 | 76.5 |
| Seat tube length (mm) | 375 | 400 | 415 | 445 | 455 |
| Standover height (mm) | 744 | 749 | 757 | 761 | 762 |
| Max seatpost insertion (mm) | 259 | 279 | 309 | 309 | 339 |
Bar a few differences dictated by the smaller rear end, the 29in and mixed-wheel (mullet) bikes share their figures.
There’s a 64-degree head tube angle, 76.5-degree seat tube angle and 437mm chainstays.
The 29in bike is only available in small to extra-large, while the mullet bike has an additional XS size.
Canyon Spectral AL 29 wheel size geometry chart
| Spectral AL 29 | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BB drop rear (mm) | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 |
| Chainstay length (mm) | 437 | 437 | 437 | 437 |
| Head tube angle (degrees) | 64 | 64 | 64 | 64 |
| Head tube length (mm) | 110 | 120 | 130 | 140 |
| Reach (mm) | 450 | 475 | 500 | 525 |
| Eff. seat tube angle (degrees) | 76.5 | 76.5 | 76.5 | 76.5 |
| Seat tube length (mm) | 400 | 415 | 445 | 455 |
| Standover height (mm) | 749 | 757 | 761 | 762 |
| Max seatpost insertion (mm) | 279 | 309 | 309 | 339 |
Reach figures start at 425mm and lift to 525mm. The medium size is closer to other brands' large bikes, at 475mm.
The Spectral AL is a trail bike through and through.
Canyon Spectral AL models, specfications and pricing
The three models in the new Spectral AL range share their aluminium frames, but each has increasingly luxurious specs.
Prices start at £2,249 / €2,299 for the AL 5 and rise to a very reasonable £3,749 / €3,999 for the Spectral AL CLLCTV FW.
Canyon Spectral AL 5
- Frame: Spectral AL
- Shock: RockShox Deluxe Select+
- Fork: RockShox Lyrik
- Drivetrain: Shimano Deore
- Brakes: Shimano Deore
- Wheels / tyres: Race Face AR30 / Maxxis Minion DHRII Maxx Terra 2.4in (front and rear)
- Price: £2,249 / €2,299
Canyon Spectral AL 6
- Frame: Spectral AL
- Shock: Fox Float X Performance
- Fork: Fox 36 Performance Elite
- Drivetrain: Shimano SLX
- Brakes: Shimano SLX
- Wheels / tyres: DT Swiss M 1900 / Maxxis Minion DHRII Maxx Terra 2.4in (front and rear)
- Price: £2,799 / €2,999
Canyon Spectral AL CLLCTV FW
- Frame: Spectral AL
- Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate
- Fork: RockShox Lyrik Ultimate
- Drivetrain: SRAM S1000 AXS Transmission
- Brakes: SRAM Maven Silver
- Wheels / tyres: DT Swiss XM 1700 / Pirelli Scorpion Race Enduro M (front) T (rear)
- Price: £3,749 / €3,999
