Canyon Strive:ON - Testing the bike for initial impressions

A year ago today, I got the Spectral:ON, my first e-bike, in size Large. While I enjoyed it, the frame felt a bit small since I'm 190cm tall and fall between sizes. Following Canyon's advice, I opted to size down. Recently, as I rode the same trails on the Spectral before shooting this video with my new Strive:ON, it finally hit me - the bike was too small for me. So, I decided to sell the Spectral and order the recently released Strive.

Given the sizing issue with the Spectral, I closely studied the geometries of both bikes. Several reviews about the Strive:ON were already online, and they all recommended sizing down due to its reach number (500mm on size Large). However, I questioned whether to follow the reviewers' and Canyon's advice (size down to L) or trust my own experience with the Spectral (size up to XL). Was the Strive significantly bigger in sizing than the Spectral?

After careful consideration, I chose to trust my gut feeling and look at the Strive:ON's geometry as a whole. The head tube angle was slacker, and the seat tube angle was steeper, indicating that the handlebar and saddle would be closer together, making the reach number less significant. Thus, despite the 15mm longer reach on the XL Strive compared to its Spectral counterparts, I believed the Spectral could feel even bigger due to its steeper head tube angle and slacker seat tube angle.
With some nerves, I placed an order for an XL Strive:ON CFR Underdog.

Now, with 200km of riding behind me, here are my key findings and differences compared to the Spectral:
The Strive is designed for gnarlier terrain, evident in the fork and shock travel. The longer fork travel stands out, and the rear shock setup was straightforward, no need for fiddling with LSC/HSC & LSR/HSR. The Fox 38 Rhythm Grip fork performs well, and the Fox Float X Evol shock has been excellent so far.

The geometry and BB-height are perfect for aggressive enduro-style riding, as expected from Canyon's first e-enduro. The slack head tube angle and generous fork & shock travel allow fearless charging against obstacles. The bike devours rough sections, drops, and jumps. The higher bottom bracket reduces pedal strikes, and the Bosch motor's extended-boost feature maintains momentum even during stops in rock gardens. This extra push was missing on the Spectral.

Transitioning from the Shimano EP8 motor on the Spectral, I found the well-liked Bosch motor interesting. While I couldn't initially notice significant differences, over time, the Bosch motor's power delivery felt more imminent. The extended boost feature proved helpful in rough patches and climbs. The motor noise is slightly louder, but you get used to it quickly. The 750WH battery range still needs further testing, but it's likely less than the 900WH battery I had on the Spectral.

In summary, the Strive feels like the bike the Spectral should have been for my riding terrain. It excels on rough, non-groomed enduro trails, offering superior climbing and descending performance. The higher bottom bracket and more powerful motor make the Strive faster to ride.