I've just taken delivery of my new Canyon Spectral CF 8.0 Ex.
Coming from a 160mm SB6, I hear ya from a climbing (and non-decending trail) perspective.
I was chasing that sweet spot of ~67 Deg HA and 74 Deg SA as I reckon that's the go for 90% of the riding that I do.
I already feel quicker on general, fast flowing single track, switchbacks and AM type trails as well as the climbing aspect. Not as much wandering with the slacker HA (65.5) on the Yeti.
That said, the pedalling platform of the Yeti is better, and I have noticeably more pedal bob on the Spectral when chomping on the pedals.
I can also definitely feel the difference in stability between the Spectral and the SB6 on rougher, more technical decents, but that's the 10% (or less) of my riding that suits the Yeti.
Finish is not quite as good on the Canyon as the Yeti either, but for a factory mass produced frame that's 1/2 the price I wasn't expecting a boutique finish.
As for sizing, I'm a solid Medium in everything. @173cm with a longer torso and shorter legs, the Canyon is more cramped than the Yeti. Saying that, the Yeti is a long Enduro bike. Canyon (with the shorter cockpit) is a lot more flickable and responsive to rider input.... and I'm really loving that.
I'm surprised you say you're a medium on a SC, they're size up pretty small!
Overall, I'm really happy with the Spectral. A little more time to get it set up and dialled in, I'm sure it'll have more to give.
I cant comment on the Strive as I've never ridden one, but It does have the shapeshifter that can tighten everything up. I decided that I don't actually need a Enduro race bike to enjoy riding (having been thought that by riding my hardtail more).
The Switchblade is also an interesting bike, but you're looking at a different price bracket in comparison to the Canyons (unless you go all out on the Team Race specs), and if I was spending that kind of money, I'd buy a Yeti SB5.5
Mate thanks so much for your advice, I think you are right I'd be a Large at 179cm - even though they recommend an M for my dimensions when you enter it into their site.
I've been exactly the same, really my decision came down to a few bikes:
SPECTRAL 9.0 EX - amazing build kit, unique company doing something different,
NORCO SIGHT C7.1 - missed out on the last of them in Large, but similar geo/build to 2016 spectrals.
YETI SB5C - The XT build is $9700, and the Eagle build is $10,500!!!! WTF!!!
PIVOT SWITCHBACK - something different perhaps? a Do it all rig? but with a price tag!
I know that the SB5C is probably the bomb, but at $4k more than the Spectral for the same build, I just can't justify it, let alone owning a $10,500 bike that'll never be able to be sold for anything over $6.
I'm chasing the sweet spot too, my last bike (the Intense Tracer 275C) was 160/160 with 66.5 HA 74.5 SA, but the 160 was really overkill for all the riding I do.
And I ride all over BC Canada, north america, buller, etc. I love shredding DH trails, long alpine descents, and big days in the saddle,
HOWEVER I pedal to get to them, and rarely ever ride a Bike Park or hit jumps.
I like steep, flowy, techy tight singletrack - and coming off a 160/160 bike I realised the 160 up front is rad, but I don't need it in the rear.
It made for a sloppy slow bike going through up & down techy terrain, getting caught up in the travel.
So hence, I think the Spectral 150/140 type bike would suit me well.
I recently rode with a guy in Whistler who did a Heli drop with me, he was shredding on the 150/140 Norco Sight and killed it - so That's where I'm at.
I think the big "enduro" bikes are a blast going down, but man I love feeling light and punchy on the climbs as much as descending so there needs to be a balance for me.
