Probably the biggest news out of Canyon’s wide Spectral family launch is really the updated alloy range with three much more affordable aluminum all-mountain models, with the same 150/160mm travel, same capable modern geometry, and either 27.5 or 29″ wheels now – just like the carbon bikes. Plus, the new Spectral YH adds an even smaller aluminum Young Hero edition youth trail bike that dials suspension travel back to 140mm to get more standover clearance over proper 27.5″ wheels.
2022 Canyon Spectral AL aluminum all-mountain trail bikes
Canyon had a 27.5 aluminum version of the previous generation, shorter-travel Spectral. But now, matching the latest carbon bike geometry with the choice for either 27.5 or 29″ wheels, this 150/160mm Spectral AL is just as capable of tackling technical trails and a bit of enduro riding like the latest carbon bikes.
Tech Details
Canyon says they even optimized new manufacturing tech to get the most stiffness out of the thinner-walled, shaped alloy tubes vs. the prior generation. While they often try to recreate the same look of the carbon bikes in aluminum, the Spectral AL necessitated a rethinking, prioritizing performance & weight over aesthetics. Canyon says, “in the end, our AL and CF bikes have never looked so different, yet been so close in ride quality“.
Final frame weight hasn’t changed much since the last 140mm/27.5 generation at a claimed 3000g, yet it is stiffer, longer travel, and gets the improved suspension kinematics & progressive geometry dialed-in on the Spectral CF 29. Plus, adding less than half a kilogram over the standard CF carbon frame, AL alloy frame buyers pick up a light enduro-capable trail bike on a much tighter budget, saving at least 28% vs. the cheapest carbon Spectral.
Pretty much the only major outward function difference between the Spectral AL and its CF counterparts though is the lack of a flip-chip at the lower shock mount. Aiming to keep price & complexity down for the AL, the bike opts for a middle ground – getting the slacker 64° LO headangle to shred downhills and the steeper 76.5° HI seat angle to climb back to the top. Rounding it out, the bottom brackets sit in the lower setting for a more planted ride feel.
The alloy bikes also get steel threaded inserts for ‘virtually indestructible’ suspension pivots that spin on sealed bearings packed with the same proprietary long life grease as the CF bikes, all manageable with simple 5 & 6mm hexes.
2022 Canyon Spectral AL – Pricing, options & availability
The new alloy Spectral AL frameset is available in two main complete bike builds – each of which is available with 27.5″ wheels for size XS-L and 29″ wheels for sizes S-XL.
The 3000€ Spectral 6 is the top build at a claimed 15.0kg, with RockShox Lyrik Select+ fork & Super Deluxe Select+ shock, a SRAM GX Eagle 32 x 10-52T drivetrain, Code R brakes, and 30mm internal DT Swiss aluminum wheels built to 370 LN Ratchet hubs.
The 2500€ aluminum Spectral 5 is a more affordable entry point with the same 27.5 or 29 frameset, at a claimed 15.7kg complete weight. It is built up with a Fox 36 Rhythm fork, Float X Performance shock, a complete Shimano Deore 32 x 10-51T groupset, and 30mm internal Race Face AR30 alloy rims on MT510 hubs.
Both alloy Spectrals get Canyon’s own Iridium dropper seatpost with longer travel for larger frame sizes – 125mm XS, 150mm S-M, 170mm L & 200mm XL – plus Canyon G5 alloy bar, stem & Ergon saddle.
Some color, frame size & wheel size combinations are available now, while some will have you waiting until at least mid-December. If you see the bike in stock that you want, it might be best to ‘buy it now’. Or at least stay up-to-date on Canyon’s thoughts on supply chain delays.
Spectral Young Hero alloy 27.5″ trail bike
Adding a new smaller aluminum 27.5 option, the Spectral YH – Young Heroes edition – adapts the Spectral down to one more XXS-sized frame for kids 145-160 cm tall. It’s essentially a reshaped update of the previous generation Spectral (like seen recently on the CF WMN), taking advantage of old tube shapes, but with much lower standover than had been offered before, suspension kinematic tweaked for lighter riders, a steeper seat angle, and (presumably) the ability to run a longer 150mm fork.
Canyon described the Spectral YH to us as a 150mm fork/140mm rear travel bike (just 10mm less than the adult bikes), but their website still shows it with a 140mm fork for the time being.
The 1800€ Spectral YH comes spec’d with a RockShox Recon Silver (150mm?) fork, a Deluxe Select+ shock (140mm), a SRAM SX/NX Eagle 32 x 11-50T drivetrain, Guide T brakes, a 25mm internal RaceFace AR25/MT400 wheelset with 2.3″ Maxxis Minion DHF/Aggressor tires, and a 125mm Canyon Iridium dropper – all at a claimed 14.7kg complete.
The Spectral Young Hero is available to order now, with delivery expected at the end of November/early December.
