The Canyon Spectral gets less suspension for 2024
Now rocking 140mm of squish, the bike also gets K.I.S as standard.
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Canyon's all-mountain/trail bike, the Spectral, has been in its current guise for a few years now which means it's due for an update. Today, the German brand has done just that, taking away some of its suspension travel, and equipping it with the controversial K.I.S system to name just a few of the updates. Here's everything you need to know about the 2024 Canyon Spectral.
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The new Spectral gets a whole new frame that's built around stiffness and compliance, and where both characters sit on the frame. Pleased with the rigidity of the front triangle, the rear triangle has been slimmed down by two to three millimetres which introduces more compliance, as well as boosts heel clearance. Joining the two is a new one-piece rocker link that's promised to reduce lateral loads transmitted to the shock. The new stiffness-to-compliance ratio is then said to inspire confidence while feeling consistent. However, this frame still complies with the Category 4 strength rating as the previous bike.
2024 canyon spectral ffr bridge.jpg, by Liam Mercer
Canyon also wanted to improve the potential quality of life with the new bike, so the pivot hardware has received a bit of a change. Now, there's simply less of it because the spacers and seals have been combined, so reassembling the frame should be much less of a juggling act. Of course, there are replaceable pivot thread inserts and the internal cable routing ports have gotten a new look. There's also a neat mud flap at the main pivot which stops mud from making its way between the front and rear triangles.
2024 canyon spectral news mudflap.jpg, by Liam Mercer
The list of frame features continues as the Spectral now benefits from internal frame storage with a door found on the downtube. It uses the same knee-lever mechanism that's used for tool boxes and flight cases for clamping security and it's complete with brass bottle bosses in a bid to remain corrosion-free. With this new storage solution, Canyon is offering a tool bundle that includes a CO2 canister, tube, inflator and tyre levers as well as a compact rain jacket that's said to also fit inside the frame.
A geometry-adjusting flip-chip has been a staple of the Spectral platform for a while now and this new bike doesn't go without. However, it gets a second flip-chip found on the chainstay that allows riders to choose a full 29-inch wheel setup, or a mixed wheel size as they please. This chip adjusts the chainstay length by eight millimetres while keeping the angles and bottom bracket the same across each wheel size.
2024 canyon spectral news cs flip.jpg, by Liam Mercer
On the subject of geometry, it has changed a little on this new Spectral. Many numbers stay the same, such as the 64-degree head angle but it gets the steeper seat tube angle found on the current alloy Spectral frames as well as longer reach measurements across the board. So a new-gen Spectral in a large size now gets a reach of 500mm. Effective seat tube angles with the saddle at max height range from 76- to 76.2-degrees and the chainstay sits at either 429mm or 437mm depending on whether it's running mixed or 29-inch wheels respectively. There's also a shorter seat tube that's wider in diameter at 34.9mm, so the Spectral now comes with a very generous 200mm dropper post on a large frame.
With less suspension travel (140mm rear, 150mm front) comes a redesigned leverage ratio. When designing the new suspension kinematic, Canyon wanted to retain capability but add a bit of the character found on the Spectral 125 to boost versatility even further. As we saw on the new Privateer Gen 2 bikes, this one's leverage curve is more linearly progressive, so its ramp-up is smoother but not as progressive as before, without being completely linear. Anti-squat has also been dialled back a touch to improve suspension response for greater traction when climbing but anti-rise is unchanged.
2024 canyon spectral news fork.jpg, by Liam Mercer
If the reduction in suspension travel wasn't a big enough change, perhaps the biggest upgrade to the new Spectral is the inclusion of K.I.S, or Keep It Stable as standard. This system, introduced on the Spectral a year or so ago is a steering stabilisation system that's fully integrated into the bike's top tube. The idea of this system is to improve steering and control by introducing a self-centring force that encourages the front wheel to track straight. This is said to stabilise steering and increase front-end predictability through chunky sections or at speed.
2024 canyon spectral news kis 2.jpg, by Liam Mercer
For this particular bike, Canyon has given the system a bit of a tweak, gracing it with a lighter spring than before and now, it's mass-produced. And now, it's included on all Spectral CF bikes as standard, without a price markup. But if this bit of tech isn't for you, K.I.S is removable and the brand includes blanking plates in the box.
There are five Spectral CF models available that offer RockShox and Fox suspension options, as well as Shimano and SRAM drivetrain choices. As we saw introduced on the last iteration of the Spectral, there's also a coil shock-equipped CLLCTV build for those looking to ride a little harder.
As for prices, they range from £3,300 and go up to £6,700.
Ahead of the launch, we managed to get some time in on the brand-new Spectral, so for some early ride impressions, make sure you read our Canyon Spectral CF 9 first ride review.
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