C
CanyonSpectral:ON / Spectral:ONfly
e-mtb3899–9499 USD
01
Origin
The Spectral:ON was Canyon's first production e-MTB, launched in 2018 as the electrified version of the popular Spectral trail platform. It defined Canyon's e-MTB approach: take a proven trail bike, fit a high-torque motor, and tune the suspension kinematics around the added battery weight rather than just bolting a motor to an existing frame. The current generation runs 150 mm rear travel paired with a 160 mm fork, uses mixed-wheel (mullet) geometry with a 29-inch front and 27.5-inch rear, and has standardised on Shimano's EP801 motor (with the EP600 on entry builds) rather than Bosch — a deliberate choice for the natural pedaling feel and tunability via the Shimano E-Tube app. The lightweight Spectral:ONfly variant uses TQ's HPR 50 motor for a sub-19 kg trail e-bike that rides closer to a regular MTB. Battery capacity tops out at 900 Wh on full-power models. The Spectral:ON is positioned as an aggressive trail / light enduro bike, not an XC tool.
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Specifications
- Frame
- Carbon — Spectral:ON CF full-carbon monocoque main frame and rear triangle (~3597 g frame, CF 8); Spectral:ONfly CF uses a lighter carbon layup. Mullet (29F/27.5R) architecture, removable 800 Wh battery on ON, internal 360 Wh on ONfly.
- Weight
- kg
- Drivetrain
- Spectral:ON: Shimano Deore M6100 1×12 (CF 7), Shimano SLX/XT 1×12 (CF 8), SRAM GX Eagle AXS Transmission 1×12 wireless (CF 9), Shimano XT Di2 / SRAM XX AXS (CFR). Spectral:ONfly: SRAM GX Eagle 1×12 (CF 8), SRAM XX AXS Eagle Transmission 1×12 wireless (LTD).
- Brakes
- Spectral:ON: Shimano 4-piston front / 2-piston rear (Deore M6120 on CF 7, SLX M7120 on CF 8, XT on CFR), 203 mm rotors. Spectral:ONfly: SRAM Code R (CF 8) / SRAM CODE Ultimate Stealth (LTD) 4-piston, 200 mm rotors.
- Wheels
- Mullet 29" front / 27.5" rear. Spectral:ON: DT Swiss HLN350 30 mm e-bike alloy wheelset (15×110 front, 12×142 rear). Spectral:ONfly: DT Swiss alloy (CF 8) / Reynolds Blacklabel Expert carbon (LTD).
03
The verdict
+Strengths
- Outstanding value after the 2025/26 relaunch — a carbon e-MTB with EP801 + 800 Wh battery from under €4,000 (Velomotion: 'like looking for a needle in a haystack').
- New 800 Wh Darfon aluminum-housing battery (IP57, removable) resolves the 2024 recall and leads the class on energy density while being ~150 g lighter than the old 900 Wh pack.
- Confident, composed mullet trail/all-mountain handling — 160/155 mm travel, 65.5° head angle and 29F/27.5R wheels balance climbing efficiency with downhill security.
- Spectral:ONfly offers a genuine lightweight option (~18.5 kg) with the silent, natural-feeling TQ HPR50 — one of the most fun, playful e-MTBs in its test field.
- Strong, modern componentry across the range (FOX 36/38, DT Swiss e-wheels, 4-piston brakes, AXS/Di2 options on higher trims).
−Weaknesses
- Shimano EP801 produces an audible metallic clack/chatter on rough descents (Velomotion) — characteristic of the EP8/EP801 platform, not a defect.
- Full-power Spectral:ON CF is heavy at ~24-25 kg, more than some rivals running smaller 720-750 Wh batteries.
- Spectral:ONfly's 360 Wh battery is the smallest in its class — limited range and weaker on long/steep climbs unless the optional 160 Wh extender is fitted.
- Geometry dates to the 2022 platform and was left unchanged in the relaunch — competitive but no longer cutting-edge (Velomotion).
- Canyon Direct only — no local Baltic dealer, so warranty and service mean shipping back to Koblenz; mullet-only with no 29" full option.
- 2024 battery recall history means used pre-2025 stock carries reliability/resale risk unless the battery was replaced under the program.
04
Who it’s for
Trail / all-mountain riders wanting EP801 power for long climbsBig-day adventure riders needing 800Wh rangeRiders 165-195cm (S-XL sizes available)Mullet-wheel preferers (steep descents + tight turns)Buyers prioritizing value-per-spec (post-relaunch pricing)ONfly variant: trail-bike purists wanting subtle assist + lightweight feel
05
Buyer’s notes
№ 01
Always verify battery is the new 800Wh aluminum-housing Darfon battery (BT010) — pre-2024 stock with 900Wh plastic-housing battery was recalled. Ask seller for battery serial / production date.
№ 02
If you're 165-175cm and value agility — strongly consider Spectral:ONfly over full-power Spectral:ON. Same price tier on entry trims, 6kg lighter, much more playful at the cost of less assist on big climbs.
№ 03
CF 9 at €4,999 with GX AXS Transmission is the strongest value point in the lineup — wireless drivetrain on a carbon e-MTB at this price is rare.
№ 04
Mullet-only — if you strongly prefer 29" full setup, Spectral:ON is not for you. Consider Strive:ON or Torque:ON depending on travel needs.
№ 05
Canyon Direct only — no local dealer in Baltics. Plan ahead for warranty pickup logistics (shipping back to Koblenz). Canyon offers 6-year warranty on their parts + 30-day return.
№ 06
EP801 on Spectral:ON makes audible 'clack' on rough descents (Velomotion noted) — not a defect, characteristic of EP8/EP801 platform. If motor noise bothers you, ONfly TQ HPR50 is silent.
№ 07
Used market: pre-2024 Spectral:ON CF with 900Wh battery is selling cheap due to recall fear. Confirm battery has been replaced under Canyon's recall program before buying — get replacement documentation in writing.
06
Generations
Gen2 Vs Gen3
Spectral On Vs Spectral Onfly
07
Versions & builds
Every official build side by side — differences highlighted.
| Spec | === SPECTRAL:ON (full power, Shimano EP801) === | Spectral:ON CF 7 ($3,899-$3,949 / €3,999 — EP801, 800Wh, FOX 36 Rhythm, Deore M6100 12s) | Spectral:ON CF 8 ($4,499 / €4,499 sale — EP801, 800Wh, FOX 38 Rhythm, SLX 12s) | Spectral:ON CF 9 ($4,949 / €4,999 — EP801, 800Wh, GX Eagle AXS Transmission) | Spectral:ON CFR ($6,949 / €5,999-€9,499 — EP801, 800Wh, FOX 38 Factory, XT/Di2) | === SPECTRAL:ONfly (lightweight, TQ HPR50) === | Spectral:ONfly CF 8 ($4,499 — TQ HPR50 50Nm, 360Wh, RockShox Lyrik) | Spectral:ONfly CF CLLCTV ($5,599 — TQ HPR50, FOX 38 Performance Elite) | Spectral:ONfly CF LTD (€8,999 — TQ HPR50, FOX 36 Factory GRIP2, SRAM XX AXS) | Spectral:ON CF 7 2026 | Spectral:ON CF 8 2026 | Spectral:ON CF 9 2026 | Spectral:ON CFR 2026 | Spectral:ONfly CF 8 2025 | Spectral:ONfly CF LTD 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frame | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Canyon Spectral:ON CF carbon | Canyon Spectral:ON CF carbon, 3597g frame weight | Canyon Spectral:ON CF carbon | Canyon Spectral:ON CFR top-tier carbon | Canyon Spectral:ONfly CF carbon | Canyon Spectral:ONfly CF carbon LTD |
| Drivetrain | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Shimano Deore M6100 12-speed | Shimano SLX/Deore mixed 12s | SRAM GX Eagle AXS Transmission 12-speed wireless | Shimano XT Di2 12s (some markets) / SRAM XX AXS Transmission | — | SRAM XX AXS Eagle Transmission 1x12 wireless |
| Brakes | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Shimano Deore M6120 4-piston front / 2-piston rear, 203mm rotors | Shimano SLX M7120 4-piston front / 2-piston rear, 203mm Shimano RT64 rotors front+rear | Hydraulic disc 4-piston, 203mm rotors | Shimano XT 4-piston, 203mm rotors | SRAM Code R 4-piston, 200mm rotors | SRAM CODE Ultimate Stealth 4-piston, 200/200mm rotors |
| MSRP | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | €3,999 | €4,499 | €4,999 | $6,949 | $4,499 | €8,999 |
| Purpose | Value | Balanced | Performance | Flagship | Value | Flagship |
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Tags
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