150 millimeters of travel, Shimano E8000 drivetrain, an interesting frame shape: these are the boring key data of the Canyon "Spectral:ON". On closer inspection, things quickly become much more interesting: At the front of the Koblenz-based company's first e-mountainbike is a 29er wheel and a 2.5 tire on a 30 mm rim, while a 27.5 wheel with a wider 2.8 tire is mounted on a 35 mm rim at the rear. According to Canyon, this combination provides maximum precision in corners and plenty of grip when climbing. With the exception of the XS size, the "Spectral:ON" works with a 27.5 mm front and rear wheel.

The Steps E8000 drive ensures agile handling with its compact design, which ensures a short chainstay at 430 millimetres. Canyon is not following the mini trend towards extremely short cranks on E-MTBs, but the slightly shorter 165 millimeter cranks are installed in all models and ensure that pedal contact is prevented when things are particularly steep. When it comes to the brakes and wheels, Canyon don't let anything go to waste either: Four-piston models are commendably installed on all models. The wheels are DT Swiss models from the hybrid series, which are also precisely matched to the many kilometers and higher bike weights of e-mountainbikes.

Canyon relies on partial integration for the battery. The conventional battery pack is significantly more compact in size than its fully integrated counterpart and is easy to handle: the battery is quick and easy to remove and its lowered position in the down tube ensures a low center of gravity.

You don't have to suffer from thirst on the "Spectral:ON": Even the XS frame size has space for a specially developed bottle cage. Another in-house development is the saddle, which is curved upwards at the rear to provide better support for the rider when e-thrusting uphill. Further detail work has gone into the motor protection plate: this features an integrated tacco to protect the chainring.

There is also a geometry adjustment on board, which has a pragmatic technical solution. All you have to do is loosen a 6 millimeter Allen screw on the damper lever and then adjust the damper position. The adjustment changes the steering and seat angle by around one degree and the bottom bracket moves around 10 millimetres higher and lower respectively.

In the downhill-friendly position, a slacker steering angle of 66.8 degrees and a lower bottom bracket are available; alternatively, a pedaling-friendly Geo is available with 67.6 degrees and a higher bottom bracket.

The "Spectral:ON" is now available in four men's and two women's versions.

www.canyon.com

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