This Cannon Spectral Ebike Is Perfect for Weekend Warriors
Against my better judgment, my old ass has been into mountain biking for the last few months. It’s a fun hobby, but I find the uphill part of mountain biking to be less fun. It’s even a pity.
It’s not just hard on my body. It breaks my heart to realize how out of shape I am. So I’m grateful for my own personal deliverance: Canyon’s Spectral:ON CF 7. This all-carbon electric mountain bike takes the pain out of the sport, giving riders the ability to enjoy life and/or fear for their lives even when they don’t. In great condition.
However, the CF 7 isn’t really a beginner’s bike, so to get a better understanding of it, I asked OG mountain biker and mountain bike instructor Colin Wedel to put the CF 7 through some more challenging testing. Details are below, but overall both the newbie and the bell ringer were impressed.
Canyon CF 7 e-mountain bike review
About the mountain bike continuum. At one end are cross-country bikes designed for pedaling uphill. On the other hand, there are downhill bikes, “that’s what lifts are for.” The CF 7 sits in the middle, a trail bike that aims to go all out in terms of geometry, suspension, weight and flex – it’s designed to get up and down hills with (relative) ease.
Rather than go into detail about how smooth the gear shifts are or how well the brakes perform, I’ll just say this: The CF 7 features high-quality components and is built by a company that’s been making mountain bikes since the 1990s. At $4,000, it’s not the most expensive bike on the market, but it’s a serious ride by any means, and everything about it matches the level of performance you’d expect at that price.
How the Spectral:ON CF 7 rides: an experienced look
Collin Wedel is a mountain bike instructor who has been riding both analog and e-mountain bikes all over the west coast for decades. He recently took the Canyon CF 7 for a day trip into the mountains above Simi Valley and reported back. “When you first look at it, you think, ‘Man, that looks like a bulky bicycle,’” he said. “But when you get on it, it feels very nimble, very maneuverable and very playful. It seems much lighter than it actually is.”
“He just comes alive on the track,” Wedel added. “It feels great in fast traffic and corners phenomenally . Damn, it just eats up corners. You can really sit and press on them, especially the slanted corners really take on very well. I even did a big jump of 20 feet and it was just perfect.”
Regarding the more technical sections of the track, Wedel noted: “On the shaky sections, there is too much vibration in my hands. fork, so I can probably adjust it with some fine tuning in terms of air pressure.”
How the CF 7 drives: a beginner’s view
I was pleased with this bike’s ability to pull me uphill, but that’s essentially what I expect from the “e” part of any e-bike. What was surprising was how much fun I had going down.
The CF 7 feels like a beast compared to lighter mountain bikes I’ve ridden. Even though it’s all fiber optic, it still weighs over 50 pounds (mostly the battery). I expected a bike this heavy to feel unwieldy and difficult to control on descents. But when I first pressed the CF 7’s saddle down button, stood on the pedals, crossed myself, and descended, those fears disappeared. It feels like something is clicking into place and you are in a stable, controlled position where the weight of the bike disappears. You realize, “Oh, it was made for this,” and you relax into the ride. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still scary, but not nearly as scary on this bike.
Are you a newbie? I know $4000 is a lot for a bike, but if you can handle it, it’s a great learning ride. This is only the second mountain bike I’ve ridden in a while, and the difference between my decent but nothing special hardtail and this one is night and day, mainly in terms of how safe it is. The CF 7’s 160mm front fork and 150mm rear suspension are not only great for burly warriors hitting big jumps, but you’d be forgiven if you’re like me, white-knuckling over rocks and obstacles and praying you don’t. . break your neck. Getting down the highway in one piece will be much easier if your suspension smooths out your mistakes.
The bike is responsive in corners and holds traction well even if you’re lacking in technique. Like most new riders, I tend to hit the brakes too hard on descents. Although I didn’t get to ride any black diamond trails on it, the traction and control I felt on the gravel descents and fire roads I frequented was excellent.
The “electric” part of this electric mountain bike.
I may not have much mountain biking experience, but I have ridden a lot of electric bikes and the Shimano EP8 CF 7 motor is excellent. The torque-based mid-gear assist system provides 400% pedaling assistance so smoothly that it feels like the motor isn’t helping you as much, as if your legs have suddenly become super strong.
In keeping with the “it’s a mountain bike” vibe, the full-color screen is unobtrusive, small, and displays “just the facts.” It tells you how fast you’re going, what level of pedal assist you have, and how much battery power you have left. There’s also built-in GPS tracking to protect against theft, and your bike can be connected to the Canyon app.
The battery is removable but integrated into the downtube to maintain weight balance and center of gravity. This is a minor issue, but I found it difficult and inconvenient to remove. I did this exactly once, then loaded it without removing it. I’m so lazy.
There’s no throttle – this isn’t a ride for commuting – but the bike’s five levels of assistance mean you can add as much assistance as you like, from a ‘just a little bit more’ eco mode to a ‘carry my bike’. fat ass climb this mountain for me” turbo mode. How long the battery will last depends on how you use it, of course, but it provides enough power that your legs will likely tire out before the battery does.
Overall: A fun bike for anyone.
Colleen says the ideal rider on this bike is a “weekend warrior,” someone who is not a pro but still wants the performance of a high-end bike. I’m aiming for weekend warrior status, but I also think this is a great bike for beginners. With quality riding, the learning curve becomes less tortuous, especially since you don’t have to pedal uphill.
Pros and cons of Canyon’s Spectral:ON CF 7
pros
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Powerful motor will conquer any hill
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Solid components
Minuses
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Removing the battery is a pain
Characteristics
Price : US$4,099.
Motor : Shimano Steps EP8, 250 Wh.
Battery : Shimano STEPS 720 Wh.
Charging time: 3-4 hours
Maximum speed: 20 mph
Drive : Shimano Deore M6100.
Brakes : SRAM DB8.
Fork : Rock Shox Lyric Base
Rear shock: RockShox Deluxe Select, 230×60, 150mm travel.
Frame : Canyon Spectral:ON carbon fiber.
Rims : SunRingle Duroc SD42 12×148.
Tires : Maxxis Minion DHF 29×2.5 inches Maxxis Minion DHR 27.5×2.6 inches
Weight : 51.3 lbs.
Sizes : S, M, L, XL