I've been on the hunt for a decent full suspension trail bike and I am really close to pulling the trigger on buying one of these bikes, but I'm really on the fence about which one I should go for:
They both cost exactly the same so cost is not the issue, and they have them in stock in my size (Small, I'm 170cm). Canyon have this guide right here trying to explain the difference, but I'm still slightly lost.
Bit of background about myself, I got into biking again last year, and have been riding a CF Corratec Hardtail. It's ok, but I realised I need a full suspension and dropper post as soon as I hit the first trail.
I've never attempted jumps, but would like to give it a try. In my country, the terrain is very hilly and rocky (loose rock, dirt) and we don't have any bike parks so I'll be riding natural trails mostly, with plenty of climbs and fast-ish descents (although I do plan on some trips to a bike park in the future
Back to the bikes, aside from the obvious difference in travel and components, what should I be looking out for? The Spectral comes with the K.I.S. system, which apparently gives the rider a lot more confidence going downhill, but at the same time advertises the Neuron as being more beginner friendly. The Spectral is also being sold as a 'if you're gonna have 1 bike, this should be it' type of bike, and a very capable all-rounder, but on the Canyon guide it also suggests that it might be more difficult to control at low speeds because of the head angle difference, but I don't know how much of a difference in practical terms.
I don't know how big of a difference the 10mm in travel in both front and rear will actually make, and the biggest difference seems to be in weight (the Spectral is 2.6kg heavier) The Neuron has wireless shifting which sounds nice but don't know if it's a gimmick.
I was leaning more towards the Spectral, mostly because of this quote from their guide –
“as I'm road-y, gravel, long distance bikepacking sort of person coming into mountain biking, riding a Neuron felt like a first step in the right direction, it was a great first full suspension bike or for someone who just wants and easy ride. But then I also feel like I outgrew the Neuron. There was a point where there were certain trail features that, sure, I could do on my Neuron, but a Spectral is the better bike. Since I started riding my Spectral I’ve seen a lot of progression on technical features, but also an increase in confidence in so many ways since I got it. That said, if I was going on a trail riding adventure, or doing bikepacking, then I would still go for a Neuron instead of a Spectral.”
Canyon are making it sound that the Spectral is the better bike, but the fact that it seems to be aimed at more advanced riders and the 15.84 kg weight vs the Neuron's 13.1 kg are giving me second thoughts.
Any help is much appreciated!
by drums_mt
13 Comments
I mean that’s a pretty comprehensive guide. I’m not sure anyone here will be able to give you better advice. As simple as I can make it: neuron will do everything well and comfortable, but if you try to push the boundaries of skill you likely will find the bikes limits before yours.
The spectral won’t be as comfortable and simple basic trails but if you like doing stupid adrenaline stuff (I don’t mean small jumps) but like gnarly steep things and rocks and big jumps, it will still be able to keep up.
I mean that’s almost exactly what they tell you. I would suggest to new and average riders the neuron is the bike or get. It will do everything you want and some. And only in the craziest of situations will you wish you had something different. Likely situations you’re not looking for yet.
My thought is, if you don’t know if you need angles and extra suspension for the spectral, you probably don’t.
In 2016 I got myself a bike that was very similar to the neuron, was an amazing bike I loved it, handled everything well. Until I was riding double black diamond gnar north shore in the pnw of North America. Doing that I decided I needed more bike and got a longer travel bike. But it took me a few years of riding and crazy trails before I out grew it. Now I have a long travel enduro bike and a short travel bike like the neuron because it’s still just so fun to ride.
You can go into all kinds of science on why they are different, 10mm of suspension is quite a bit, 2 degrees hta is a ton. Etc. but when it comes down to it get the bike you will have more fun on. And with how you describe yourself, coming off a hardtail without a dropper, you should get the neuron imo.
TLDR: get the neuron, if you out grow it get the spectral next time.
Neuron is the bike that is ment to go equal amount up and down. Spectral is the same except it goes slightly better down and slightly worse up.
My path was hardtail -> Canyon Nerve (now it’s called Neuron) -> Canyon Spectral (just got it 2 weeks ago) but it really depends on what you want to do, Specrtal is clearly no easy climber (I’m looking for a smaller chainring myself) but boy it’s so agile and fun going downhill. For a less experienced rider agile could spell harder to control which means less fun. If I were you I’d get the Neuron and when you’ve taken it to its limits, go next level :).
Ridden both and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the Spectral over the neuron.
Feels much more stout and planted- and it is even better on the ups and downs IMO
I chose a Spectral over a Neuron because I like to jump and ride questionable stuff.
I bought the Nerve (predecessor to the Neuron) as my first ‘proper’ full-sus bike in 2016 when I started getting more into Mountain Biking. It’s still a pretty good bike, although the geometry is showing its age now.
I’ve recently upgraded to a more Enduro-focused bike, and there is an obvious jump between the two. The new bike feels much more stable and planted when going downhill. However, the Nerve is still surprisingly capable, and the Neuron will have come a long way since its 2016 older brother.
I would say get the Neuron and build up your confidence and experience until you find you’ve overtaken the bike’s capabilities.
I’m on my second month of waiting for a replacement GX axis transmission derailleur after mine failed due to a really common power pin issue that basically is just a full replacement on the derailleur….the T type stuff is great when it works but fucking hell it’s a nightmare having to deal with the RMA process – all through canyon too….I’ve bought 3 bikes from them so far and I’m not sure I ever would again after this experience. Had the bike less than 12 months…and not able to use it at all for the last month and a half – the derailleur costs 360-450 euro so buying a spare ain’t exactly feasible.
If you google pogo pin sram you’ll get an idea of how common the issue is.
I love my Neuron but I’ve never ridden a Spectral. The wireless shifting is not a “gimmick”, it’s truly great but there are certainly arguments that it’s not necessary. My first Neuron had mechanical shifting and it was great. Second one is AXS and is even better.
My take is the Neuron is more all around while the Spectral slightly favors doing more downhill (and might be slightly harder to pedal up to do the downhill).
I don’t do jumps but that’s mostly because I’m old and can’t afford the risk, but I still tackle tech stuff and steep rolls no problem. The Neuron is not the limiting factor.
Got a Neuron 7 a few Weeks ago. First Full Sus after riding a Hardtail the last 10 years. Had similiar Thoughts as you.
My Son got a Cube One55 a month ago.
So he can do the more crazy Stuff like bigger Drops, Jumps, Tables and so on.
I have to be “more on the Ground” but i dont like Airtime. So no Problem for me. I prefer an more technical Trail over Jumplines or Flowlines.
AND i can do an Alpcross with the Neuron, my Goal within the next 2 years. And it is more comfortabel an longer Trails.
So it depends on what you want to do with the bike. Even with an Neuron you can do Bikeparks, there is always a way around too big Drops/Jumps.
Canyon Neuron’s sizing and geometry is pretty dated.
430mm reach, 1170mm wheelbase, and 27.5 wheels for a 170cm rider is really stuck at 2018 levels, most manufacturers recommend 445-460mm reach with 1200-1215mm wheelbase.
If you think you want a Neuron, I’d search for other short travel trail bikes that may be nearly as efficient but much better on downhill.
edit: if you’re not married to Canyon, give Propain Hugene a look. It’s lightweight, efficient and capable downhill. Other options include Stumpjumper (2021 ver), YT Izzo, Transition Smuggler, Santa Cruz 5010, Revel Rascal, etc. I personally think Neuron is just not the best trail bike you can get… It’s pretty behind other models in downhill capability.
I had first the Neuron, now the Spectral. I miss the light and playful character of the Neuron but when it comes to steeper trails with big rocks and little drops I don’t want to miss the Spectral. On every ride I bottomed out the Neuron, never happens with the Spectral. The Spectral is still a very good climber and I also did three day tours with two friends that had Gravel Bikes, both with the Neuron and the Spectral. I don’t feel a huge difference in efficiency but the Spectral might feel a bit boring on tamer / slower trails. But lots of fun on speedy trails or technical steep ones. The Neuron feels more playful, easier to wheelie or J hop. If you’re in between sizes I would go for the smaller one on both bikes, but that’s preference I guess.
The new Spectral is a pretty all around trail bike. The only thing that’s weird about this one is the coil. Which is fine, it’s just not a common spec on a 140mm bike. It sounds like it would serve you well.
Look into the Spectral 125 if you haven’t already. Itll be somewhat of a mix of the regular spectral and the neuron. There are carbon fiber options too. I love mine and don’t feel limited on it at all.