Canyon introduces the most powerful electric bike in its history: a Chinese 1,500 W eMTB that is very lightweight and has a huge battery.
18/10/2026 10:00
Updated to
18/10/2026 10:00
Canyon has made a significant shift in its mountain e-bike strategy with the new Spectral:ON. The German brand abandons its previous Shimano motor in this model and opts for the Avinox M2S, developed in China, capable of reaching 1,500 W of maximum power and 150 Nm of torque. It is the most powerful e-bike Canyon has ever marketed, but also one of the lightest in its category: the upcoming LTD version weighs only 20.8 kg. In Europe, it maintains a nominal power of 250 W with assistance limited to 25 km/h.
This change is particularly significant because Canyon had previously followed a philosophy that kept it relatively away from the race to offer ever-higher power figures.
The new Canyon Spectral:ON shows that this strategy is changing.
From 600 to 1,500 W of maximum power
The previous generation used the well-known Shimano EP801, paired with an 800 Wh battery. Now Canyon has opted for the Avinox M2S, the latest iteration of a system that is rapidly gaining traction among European electric bike manufacturers.
The difference on paper is enormous. The maximum power rises from around 600 W to 1,500 W, while torque increases from 85 Nm to 150 Nm in Boost mode. However, there is a crucial detail: those 1,500 W refer to peak power, not continuous nominal power.
The system’s manufacturer specifies that the M2S has a nominal power of 250 W and electronically adjusts its assistance to meet each market’s regulations. In the European Union, it stops providing assistance at 25 km/h, thus remaining within the standard category of assisted electric bicycle (e-bike).
A smaller battery to reduce weight by over 3 kilograms
Canyon has also not focused solely on increasing power. The Canyon Spectral:ON uses a 700 Wh FP700 battery, 100 watt-hours less than the previous model’s 800 Wh battery, but with higher energy density. According to Canyon, it can provide up to 144 kilometers of range in Eco mode, though actual range will vary significantly depending on terrain, elevation, weight, and assist level.
With the optional 12 A fast charger, it can go from empty to fully charged in less than two hours. The most noticeable improvement is in weight. The previous Spectral:ON CFR weighed 23.9 kg, while the new LTD version that will follow weighs as little as 20.8 kg, a reduction of 3.1 kilograms despite the significant increase in power.
6,999 euros for the first version
The new generation retains its Trail-Enduro focus, featuring 160 mm of front suspension travel and 155 mm at the rear, a carbon frame, and a mullet configuration as standard: a 29-inch wheel in the front and a 27.5-inch wheel at the rear.
A flip-chip system also allows installation of a 29-inch rear wheel. The first model available is the Spectral:ON CF 9 AXS, priced at 6,999 euros in Spain, equipped with Fox Factory suspension, SRAM X0 Eagle AXS electronic shifting, and SRAM Maven Silver brakes. Its declared weight in size M is 21.7 kg.
Additional models will be released between November 2026 and January 2027, including that LTD model weighing 20.8 kg.
Beyond the numbers, there’s another interesting insight from this news: a propulsion system developed in China is making its way into some of Europe’s most prestigious bicycle brands, precisely because of the areas where China is also pushing advancements in automobiles—power, batteries, electronics, and the balance between performance and weight.