I'm also ready to pull the pin on a new bike and looking at the Spectral, Strive, & Pivot Switchblade.
Just coming off an Intense Tracer Carbon 160/160 travel bike, I loved descending on it, but climbing even with it's 145mm adjustable rear pin it still felt like a pig to climb on.
Anyone in a similar boat or have any suggestions?
I also am not sure on size, i'm in between an M and L in Intense, L in lapierre zesty, L on specialized, M on Bronson...
179cm tall, 83kg.
Thanks heaps!
Jimmy
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