Earlier this year saw the release of the brand new 2024 Canyon Spectral. Whereas the previous version had been produced in specific 27.5in, 29in and mixed wheel options, the new bike has narrowed things down a bit by building wheelsize adaptability into the frame itself. This gives riders the option of setting up the Spectral as a full 29er or as a mullet with a 27.5in rear wheel.
We initially tested the new bike in its mullet configuration, and you can see our Canyon Spectral CF 9 review for the full rundown.
Since then we’ve gotten our hands on a matching 29in wheel and tyre to test out the Spectral in full 29er mode. Here we’ll be discussing what’s involved, how the two setups perform on the trail, and which one might be best for you.
An overview of the 2024 Canyon Spectral
Fully redesigned for 2024, the Canyon Spectral is an aggressive trail bike that features a 150mm travel fork and 140mm of rear travel. Currently the new frame is only produced in carbon fibre, with the cheaper alloy models carrying over the old frame design.
In addition to downtube storage and updated kinematics, the new carbon Spectral incorporates a chainstay flip chip that allows the frame to accommodate a 27.5in or 29in rear wheel. The exception is the X-Small and Small sizes, which can only be set up with a 27.5in rear wheel due to clearance limitations. For the Medium, Large and X-Large however, riders are given the choice.
For most Spectral CF models, Canyon offers the complete bikes in both 29er and mullet configurations. The price and spec are identical, with just the size of the rear wheel differing between them. Regardless of which one you end up purchasing, of course you’re still able to change the wheelsize down the track as you like.
What do you need to change wheelsize?
Thanks to the nifty chainstay flip chip, all you need is your preferred wheel and tyre when changing between the 29er and mullet setup on the Canyon Spectral. This differs to the likes of the Specialized Stumpjumper EVO, Orbea Rallon and Norco Sight, which require a different link or shock yoke when changing wheelsize.
As mentioned earlier, our starting point was a Canyon Spectral CF 9 with the mullet setup. To go full 29er, we’d need a 29in rear wheel with Boost 148x12mm hub spacing and a SRAM XD freehub body. We ended up sourcing a DT Swiss XM 1700 wheel, which is identical to what comes on the CF 9.
With the aim of minimising variables for the test, we sourced a 2.4in wide Maxxis Minion DHR II tyre. Aside from the different diameter, this tyre shares the same EXO+ casing and 3C MaxxTerra rubber, making the two wheel setups basically identical.
Once we had the 29in wheel and tyre, all we needed to do was to swap over the brake rotor and cassette from the original wheel.
Flipping the chips
Changing wheelsize on the Canyon Spectral is as straightforward as it gets. You’ll only need a 5mm hex key to adjust the flip chip, which is comprised of a bolt and two alloy inserts on each side of the chainstay. Thankfully there are no additional washers, making for fewer small parts to fall out and get lost on the workshop floor.
The oblong shape of the alloy inserts means the flip chip has quite a big effect on the pivot location, helping to correct the BB height and frame angles when switching between wheelsizes.
After orienting the inserts into position, it’s a case of torquing the bolts to spec and fitting the 29in rear wheel.
What happens to the geometry?
According to Canyon, the geometry of the Spectral is maintained when switching between a 27.5in and 29in rear wheel and adjusting the flip chip into its requisite position.
The only difference between the two setups is the chainstay length. With a 27.5in wheel the rear centre length sits at 429mm, and grows to 437mm with the 29in setup.
It’s worth noting that further adjustability can be had via a secondary flip chip in the Spectral’s lower shock mount. This two-position chip offers HI and LO settings, which changes the BB height by 8mm and tweaks the angles by 0.5°.
With the flip chip in the HI position, we measured the BB height with both wheelsizes at 340mm off the ground. This then drops to 332mm in the LO position.
Based on those measurements, it would appear that Canyon’s claim regarding the Spectral’s geometry is indeed correct. This was verified during riding, as we found no changes were required to either the saddle angle or handlebar when switching wheels.
This isn’t always the case. The latest Trek Fuel EX and Pivot Switchblade are claimed to be mullet compatible by using in-built flip chips, though these only lift the BB height by 6-7mm. This isn’t quite enough to accommodate for the change in diameter when fitting a smaller 27.5in rear wheel, resulting in a lower BB along with slacker head and seat angles. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it may require adjustments to the saddle position and bar height to accommodate the change. In some cases you might even want to fit shorter crank arms to claw back some ground clearance.
Testing the Canyon Spectral in 29er mode
With the 29in rear wheel fitted, the first thing we noticed out on the trail was the Spectral’s improved rolling speed.
There is a slight increase in weight, which means the initial acceleration from standstill is marginally slower. However, that’s more than made up for once you’re at cruising pace.
As you’d expect, the bigger rear wheel rolls smoother and doesn’t get hung up as much on roots and rocky ledges. This was particularly apparent when heading uphill, with the 29in tyre offering better grip and tracking. On technical climbs the 29er setup offered a noticeable advantage, and it was also more comfortable on longer trail rides across undulating terrain.
The improved traction and momentum was beneficial on rowdier descents too. We found the Spectral could hold its speed more easily thanks to its ability to manage square-edge impacts. Braking bumps were also less of an issue, and the whole bike just felt smoother overall.
High-speed stability also received a boost thanks to the longer rear centre, which increases the length of the overall wheelbase. The Spectral felt calmer and more planted, allowing you to steamroll descents with greater confidence.
This was especially noticeable when fatigue sets in. The mullet setup requires more accuracy when it comes to line choice, as it really benefits from you choosing smoother lines and finding the backsides of rocks and roots to help pump through rougher sections of trail. In comparison, the full 29er setup allows you to be less picky. If we were signing up for some enduro racing on potentially blind trails, the 29er setup would be the way to go.
What does the mullet setup do better?
While the improved grip and rollover of the 29in wheels proved beneficial when riding the Canyon Spectral on rougher and rockier trails, we did find ourselves missing some of the playfulness and agility of the mullet setup.
The smaller rear wheel and shorter chainstays make it easy to initiate corners, with less input required up at the handlebars to lean the whole bike over. It feels natural to tip in, and carving turns is an absolute joy.
A somewhat unexpected benefit of the mullet setup is its improved agility through uphill switchbacks. The shorter rear end allows you to pivot off the back wheel, helping you to thread the bike through tight corners.
Really though, it’s all about the grin factor on flowy jump trails. Whipping through successive berms, connecting doubles and pumping the terrain feels effortless aboard the Spectral in mullet mode. It loves to pop up the front wheel and manual through rollers, encouraging you to play and work the terrain.
When jumping and hitting bigger features, the added clearance thanks to the smaller 27.5in wheel gives you greater freedom of movement. This was particularly noticeable on steep descents, with our Medium-sized testers encountering far less arse-buzzing on the rear tyre. It makes it easier to get your weight back, and the shorter chainstays also put less weight on the front wheel. For carving loamy turns down steep off-piste trails, the mullet setup is hard to beat.
Flow’s Verdict
It’s been quite a fascinating process testing the Canyon Spectral in both mullet and 29er configurations.
Of course it’s all made possible thanks to the well-executed chainstay flip chip. It’s nicely engineered, and unlike some other flip chips we’ve utilised on competitor bikes, it genuinely maintains the effective geometry between the two setups.
As to which wheelsize is best? Part of it comes down to rider height, and indeed Canyon already makes the decision for shorter riders who are restricted to the mullet setup on the X-Small and Small frames. Here the added clearance, shorter chainstays and improved cornering performance make a load of sense.
At the other end of the scale, taller riders are more likely to gel with the dual 29in setup and longer chainstays. This helps to balance weight distribution, and bigger riders are less likely to have issues when it comes to overall agility.
For riders in the 175-185cm height range however, the answer is less clearcut. Really it’s going to boil down to your personal riding style and preferred terrain.
If you’re frequenting steep trails with loads of tight turns it’d be hard to go past the mullet. It’s ripping fun to ride along flowy jump trails, where it makes the Spectral feel especially flickable.
There’s no denying that the full 29er setup rolls smoother though, with the big wheel offering more grip and stability at speed. It carries better momentum on rougher terrain, and it’s also the more comfortable option for long distance trail riding.
Which ever way you decide to go, we love that Canyon has baked this wheelsize adaptability into the Spectral frame in the first place. Sure you still have to source a wheel and tyre to change setups, but it’s a damn sight cheaper than buying a whole new bike.
