Canyon's Spectral:ON e-MTB range has evolved significantly since it was first launched in 2018. But despite a host of changes over the years (frame materials, wheel size, battery integration and more), this do-it-all trail bike has maintained a reputation as being a riot to ride. Tech ed Guy gave the second gen Spectral:ON four out of five stars back in 2021 and called it, "a really rounded, good-looking and fun e-trail bike that’s well specced for the money, but it’s not without its quirks".
2022 saw the Spectral:ON get a full update – the big news being a new frame and redesigned geometry, lighter full carbon frames across the range and beefed up battery capacity with 720 and 900Wh options. The recently launched 2023 Spectral:On line-up saw the bikes continue with the same frame and many of the components but switch up from a 150 to 160mm fork and get a motor upgrade from Shimano STEPS EP8 to the brand's latest model – the EP801. Here we're reviewing the 2022 CF 8 model, but aside from the extra fork travel, a change of wheels and the motor upgrade, the rest of the bike is the same, though we will flag up any other differences as we go.
