Canyon Spectral: ON CF 8 Electric Mountain Bike: Great for beginners, under $5,000

Shimano XT/SLX drivetrains and brakes are very popular in the eMTB market. You don’t get the lightest technology, but they are reliable workhorses. The suspension uses a FOX 38 Rhythm fork and Float X shock absorber, and like the drivetrain and brakes, it performs well. With 160mm of travel in the front and 155mm in the rear, this provides good support for rough, technical descents while remaining efficient on longer rides and mixed terrain.

Also included here is Canyon’s internal Iridium dropper, which is a 30.9mm internal cable routing with 125 to 170mm of travel, depending on your frame size. It’s sturdy, reliable and easy to use, although I did find it rather slow to return to position. It’s not a big deal, though. The DT Swiss HLN350 (15 x 110 30mm) tires are very much in line with the rest of the bike – a trustworthy eMTB option that, while not flashy, performs well and lasts well.

All the components come together to create an impressive electric mountain bike that’s a lot of fun to ride. It doesn’t have the same eye-catching features as the Specialized S-Works or Trek Rail, but at $4,500 it’s hard — no, almost impossible — to argue with that. Beginners will get more out of it than pro-level riders, but to me that just adds to its broader appeal.

However, it does weigh 54.5 pounds. Even in the full power electric mountain bike category, this is a heavy bike. When not riding it, it’s an absolute beast and I sympathize with those who have to carry it up stairs or out of ditches. It’s also a bit bulky if you’re cruising over technical terrain at low speeds, but once you pick up the pace, the low-slung battery and friendly geometry turn it into a track-gnawing, mud-surfing cruiser.

ride

Photography: Chris Haslam

The Canyon Spectral:ON CF 8 devoured my local singletrack, dirt trails, and tight tree lines. The 64-degree head tube angle is quite slack, but it works for my riding level and terrain. It was stable and I felt like I was in control on steep, fast descents. It feels very stable and encourages me to ride harder and find more technical trails. Traction in corners is excellent, and the geometry should appeal to the widest range of mountain bikers. Beginners will gain confidence from the effort required to get over the handlebars.