I'm 5'11 with 32in inseam. I am looking to buy a Canyon Spectral:ON for trail riding and the occasional bike park trip. I know Canyons run large. The site says I should buy a Medium. But I feel like I'm missing something given this specific bike's geometry. Medium reach is 460, it comes with a 150mm dropper. Large is 484 and it comes with a 170mm dropper. Both bikes have 65.5 HTA.
I currently ride a bike with 480 reach and a 170 drop, it feels like it fits reasonably well. Other brands (ex. Orbea Wild) have bikes with ~485 reach on their size large, and recommend size large for people my height. I know the current gen analog spectral and spectral:onflys are longer and slacker that the Spectral:ON CF7, following the general trend of bikes getting bigger.
Should I aim for the Large with 484 reach or get a medium with 460? I don't mind a smaller feeling bike, but I want a bike that can tackle whatever I ride, as it will be my only FS bike. I am also trying to avoid buying and returning the bike, it's a pain in the neck and annoying for Canyon.
Link to bike:
https://www.canyon.com/en-us/electric-bikes/electric-mountain-bikes/spectral-on/spectral-on-cf/spectral-on-cf-7/3533.html
Thank you!
by donnytelco
3 Comments
I’d say large is right for you, I have a small and I’m 5’7” but I like smaller bikes
Most newer Canyons tend to be longer size-per-size, but the Spectral:On is a 2022 frame. The various geo lengths and angles (except travel) are closer to modern downcountry bikes than allmountain ebikes. The Shimano motor is also quite old and not keeping up with other brands like DJI or Bosch.
My guess is they had a more modern frame in the pipeline for quite a while, but the battery issues threw a wrench in their plans. So now they’re pricing them quite aggressively to finally get them out of the warehouses.
I spent a long time looking at the canyons (but ultimately went for a trek due to a good deal). I am a similar size to you and their online guide always had me as either Medium and Large and said to decide based on how I wanted the bike to ride.
If you ride bikes similar to the large and like how they ride for you, then go for it.