As inconspicuous as a stealth bomber, the Spectral is made primarily from aluminum. In fact, the frame is not made of carbon, which is almost reassuring given the abundance of carbon fiber on the market. Anodized in black, it has a rustic, simple but stylish look. However, caution is advised with the voluminous down tube. The wall thickness is not too thick, which is why the tube dents easily. Built up with Sram's X0 drivetrain, Avid X0 Trail brakes, Fox Factory suspension elements, as well as the Race Face Turbine control center and 27.5-inch DT Swiss Spline wheels, the specification is also solid and classy.

When you look at the bike, the steep head angle and compact dimensions are striking. These suggest a playful riding experience. At 581 millimetres long, the top tube is actually rather short for a medium frame. The seat angle, on the other hand, is 74.5 degrees steep, which also suggests good climbing characteristics. The only pity is that the rear wheel has a thru-axle without a quick-release mechanism. This makes handling a little more awkward in several situations.

The first impression on the test ride is positive, because the Spectral is comfortable and can be pushed up the mountain without much effort. The Turbine handlebar from Race Face also sits comfortably in the hands. Together with the Turbine stem, this results in a stiff steering combination that is equally impressive both uphill and downhill. If you wind your way up steep trails, the front wheel starts to rise slightly. With a twist of the Talas lever on the fork, it can be lowered and the front wheel stays firmly on the ground again. Thanks to the short front end, it is easier to maneuver on more technical climbs. This characteristic also comes into its own on flowing trails. When corner after corner is lined up, the all-mountain bike can literally be chased through. The rigidity of the frame and the wheels also play a key role here, as both translate powerful acceleration into acceleration.

On the descents, the bike once again impresses with its agility. Steep and choppy passages or hairpin bends are easy to master without the feeling of having to choke the bike around corners. Thanks to its agile character, the Pure Cycling bike offers a lot of fun on the trails. However, it is just as easy to ride passively. Only in high-speed sections does the Spectral "AL 9.0 SL" become a little unsteady.
On the other hand, the suspension is calm when you're riding through rough terrain. The shock absorber and suspension fork, each tuned with 20 percent negative suspension travel, do a very good job and iron out a lot with the 140 millimeters of travel on the front and rear wheels. Both suspension elements also impress with good travel utilization, but still offer sufficient progressiveness, which is very helpful when braking hard, for example. The Continental tires, which match the specification and area of use, also make a good impression. With the "Mountain King II" model, Pure Cycling uses a solid all-round tire with good grip on the Spectral "AL 9.0 SL" right from the start.

Conclusion: With the Spectral "AL 9.0 SL", the Koblenz-based bike manufacturer Pure Cycling* has created an all-round solid all-mountain bike at a good price. From the frame to the equipment, there are only small things to complain about and if you can do without high-speed records, this bike is a good choice.

Specifications

Manufacturer: www.purecycling.ch

*Since September 1, 2010, Canyon is no longer allowed to deliver bicycles and accessories to Switzerland under the name CANYON for trademark reasons. The company therefore offers bikes and accessories specifically for the Swiss market on the website www.purecycling.ch. These products are identical to the Canyon Bicycles GmbH products sold outside Switzerland under the CANYON brand.