tsmax17 Posted September 24, 2018 Share Posted September 24, 2018 I recently got a Canyon Spectral AL 6.0 (150mm front 140mm rear), but after exchanging it once for frame/welding defects and the new frame having the same problems plus a dent, I'm done with Canyon and looking for something else. The few times I rode the Spectral before noticing the issues I never used all the travel, and it felt a bit heavy, although it did destroy descents. This makes me feel like I should maybe shoot for something with less travel, and that's how I ended up finding the Whyte (130mm front and rear). So, how does it fair for Austin riding? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidingAgain Posted September 24, 2018 Share Posted September 24, 2018 (edited) Careful now... You might be told to go out and test one yourself and not take advantage of the experience others may have had. The above silliness aside... From my own research, I think the T-130S should do the job. But I know there are far more knowledgeabe riders out there. Edited September 24, 2018 by RidingAgain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsmax17 Posted September 24, 2018 Author Share Posted September 24, 2018 2 minutes ago, RidingAgain said: Careful now... You might be told to go out and test one yourself and not take advantage of the experience others may have had. I would, but I'm not sure where I could. I was hoping that somebody on here would be open to allowing me to test theirs out. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntonioGG Posted September 24, 2018 Share Posted September 24, 2018 Thanks for posting your experience on the Canyon bikes. I had actually been looking at several of their bikes. Probably not the mountain bikes but definitely looking into their gravel grinder and road bikes. Do they have a bad reputation for quality in general? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsmax17 Posted September 24, 2018 Author Share Posted September 24, 2018 (edited) On 9/24/2018 at 12:31 PM, AntonioGG said: Thanks for posting your experience on the Canyon bikes. I had actually been looking at several of their bikes. Probably not the mountain bikes but definitely looking into their gravel grinder and road bikes. Do they have a bad reputation for quality in general? I've only had experience with this company with my Spectral, but I have heard great things otherwise. The frame quality of the aluminum spectral isn't great. The weld lines are uneven and aren't very confidence inspiring. The first frame i got had 2 holes in the weld connecting the seat tube and bb shell, and the transitional piece of aluminum from the top tube to the seat tube was welded angled a few degrees to the right. The process to exchange the frame-and I had the choice to refund or exchange-was fine and customer service was nice, but every time they gave me an estimate of time for something to happen (frame replacement, processing time) it always took twice what they said. I got the new frame back to find the same misaligned weld at the seat tube and top tube junction, but cocked to the left, plus a dent in the seatstay. Disappointing. I have seen other people mention this online so unfortunately it isn't only me experiencing these problems. I think that these welding issues are mainly exclusive to the aluminum Spectral frames (maybe that's why they are such a steal?), as I haven't heard of anything like this on their other aluminum or carbon frames. I'd say do heavy research on frame quality on whatever bike you are going to buy, but Canyon in general still seem to have good quality, just not with the Spectral. And at least in the US, their customer service is average for a direct-to-consumer brand, but I guess I'll see if that is still the case when I request a refund. Edited September 25, 2018 by tsmax17 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBaron Posted September 24, 2018 Share Posted September 24, 2018 Photos? I'd love to see these imperfections. -CJB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsmax17 Posted September 24, 2018 Author Share Posted September 24, 2018 28 minutes ago, CBaron said: Photos? I'd love to see these imperfections. -CJB Here you go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsmax17 Posted September 26, 2018 Author Share Posted September 26, 2018 (edited) As an update to this, I called canyon today about refunding the bike. I was expecting some conflict, but when I called them they said I could get a refund or send it back again and they would give me a carbon frame since I was having trouble with their aluminum ones. Needless to say I'm going to stick with the canyon and get the carbon frame instead od the Whyte, even if I may be a little over biked. Good customer service! Edited September 26, 2018 by tsmax17 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notyal Posted September 26, 2018 Share Posted September 26, 2018 8 hours ago, tsmax17 said: As an update to this, I called canyon today about refunding the bike. I was expecting some conflict, but when I called them they said I could get a refund or send it back again and they would give me a carbon frame since I was having trouble with their aluminum ones. Needless to say I'm going to stick with the canyon and get the carbon frame instead od the Whyte, even if I may be a little over biked. Good customer service! "over biked"? Is this a real thing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsmax17 Posted September 26, 2018 Author Share Posted September 26, 2018 3 minutes ago, notyal said: "over biked"? Is this a real thing? I mean typically you're going to want a bike that represents what kind of trails you ride. You don't want to try DH on a 24lb XC bike or XC on a 35lb DH rig. Or maybe you do, it just won't be as fun/'safe' as a bike built for that purpose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrMentallo Posted September 27, 2018 Share Posted September 27, 2018 Yeah, but your example isn't really indicative of your situation. You are looking at the carbon version of a bike you already have. That is in no way being over biked. I'd take the upgrade and be happy about it! I know I'd be ecstatic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsmax17 Posted September 27, 2018 Author Share Posted September 27, 2018 26 minutes ago, MrMentallo said: Yeah, but your example isn't really indicative of your situation. You are looking at the carbon version of a bike you already have. That is in no way being over biked. I'd take the upgrade and be happy about it! I know I'd be ecstatic. Yeah I was really happy when they offered that, and the way I see it it's either my bike or $500 more for one equally specced but with 20/10mm travel. Theyre both good bikes so I shouldn't worry about it. More of an excuse to shred the gnar I guess 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notyal Posted September 27, 2018 Share Posted September 27, 2018 Yeah, I was looking at the "over-biked" comment from a "this bike is nicer than I should have for my skill set". Not a "this bike is not suited for my preferred terrain". I don't think the first example exists. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fontarin Posted September 27, 2018 Share Posted September 27, 2018 Yeah, the only time overbiked comes into play is if you're riding a bike not suited to terrain. You can certainly ride a 150mm travel bike at someplace like Double Lake, but you'll likely have more fun on a quick XC bike. The only time I've ever thought 'I wish I wasn't on my nice bike' is during races when it starts raining, especially at those places that eat bike parts (like Rocky Hill). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsmax17 Posted September 27, 2018 Author Share Posted September 27, 2018 4 minutes ago, fontarin said: Yeah, the only time overbiked comes into play is if you're riding a bike not suited to terrain. You can certainly ride a 150mm travel bike at someplace like Double Lake, but you'll likely have more fun on a quick XC bike. The only time I've ever thought 'I wish I wasn't on my nice bike' is during races when it starts raining, especially at those places that eat bike parts (like Rocky Hill). Yeah that was my main issue, but I travel enough to justify it even if I will be slow on xc stuff around here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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