In 2014 YT launched the Capra setting the benchmark for performance at a bargain price. The current YT Capra Elite continues that trend offering the hottest components on the market for thousands less than competitors. In today's video I'll give you and in depth long term review of the YT Capra enduro mountain bike.
FIRST IMPRESSION:
Out of the box you get a bike worthy of bragging rights at the trailhead. The YT Capra Elite comes with 170mm of travel front and rear boasting a Fox 38 Factory fork, Fox X2 Factory rear shock, matching Kashima coated Fox Transfer Post, 50 mm Renthal stem, Renthal carbon Fatbar handlebar, E13 LG1 Race carbon wheel set, SRAM Code RSC 4 piston brakes with 200mm rotors front and back, and the SRAM XO1 drivetrain with E13 chain guide/bash guard. Additional parts added to this Capra build include the oil slick Ergon SM Enduro Comp saddle, Crank Brothers Stamp 7 pedals, oil slick titanium bolts from Better Bolts, and bolt on Fox 38 Bolt-on Mudguard. After adding all of these parts to the Dark Slate colored carbon frame, you have a jaw dropping MTB masterpiece.
THE LAB:
You can look at the entire geometry chart on the YT website, but I just want to point out a couple key measurements here. The YT Capra is on the small side with the size XL reach measuring 480mm, compared to other extra larges like the Trek Slash XL with a 516mm reach. This compact more agile front end with longer 440mm chain stay length, compared to Slash XL 437mm, gives the Capra a much more lively and responsive feel. No sluggish big bike delay here, just quick and snappy with 170/170 travel to smash anything in your way.
THE DIRT:
Take a look at my previous videos, and you’ll see the YT CAPRA flying over road gaps on Mt. Shasta, hitting huge jump lines in Bend Oregon and even climbing technical steeps on my local trails. After pushing my riding to the limits, I came to one conclusion. The YT CAPRA will handle anything I throw at it and ask for more!
CLIMBING:
The Capra handles climbs surprisingly well for a 170mm enduro bike. YT’s award-winning Virtual Four Link (V4L) design offers a high amount of anti-squat that keeps the rear suspension neutral and improves pedal efficiency. The updated 2021 Fox X2 rear shock has an open/close switch, which firms up the rear suspension for those longer climbs. The latest SRAM X01 Eagle drivetrain with 10-52 t cassette ensures the widest range of gears are available. The Capra also includes a flip chip giving you the option for a 0.5 degree steeper head tube, and higher BB for more ground clearance. All this adds up to an enduro bike that can easily get you to the top where the real fun begins.
DESCENDING:
Tome to pin it! This gravity focused enduro bike accelerates quickly off the line and maintains composure during high speed descents. Its balanced stance and stiff carbon frame allow you to corner harder, and accelerate faster out of turns. The beefy Fox 38 form and E13 carbon wheels plow through chunky terrain with minimal effort. YT’s award-winning V4L suspension design provides a nice pop to get you airborne with ease, and the 170mm suspension absorbs hard hits like nothing. The SRAM CODE RSC brakes are powerful, easy to modulate and are sufficiently reliable with 200 mm rotors. Descending on the YT Capra is truly a confidence-inspiring experience that leaves you feeling indestructible.
MINOR GRIPES:
The bike comes with Maxxis tires EXO/EXO+ tire casings. These casings simply won’t handle the type of terrain this bike was designed for. After blowing out my rear tire, I am now running MAXXIS DHR II, DD casing in the rear and ASSEGAI, EXO+ casing up front. I feel this is the lightest casing option you should run on a bike like this, and you may even want to step up to DH in the rear and DD up front for super gnarly terrain.
No bottle cage! Now this could be a deal breaker for some, but I usually ride with a pack or leave a water bottle at the bottom of those bike park laps.
Last Word
If you’re looking to push your enduro riding to the next level, the YT Capra Elite was design for you. This bike nails the sweet spot between EWS race ready and DH capable. Yet even with that DH capability, the balanced geo and slightly shorter reach give this bike a quick snappy feeling on corners and jumps. It does pedal efficiently enough to get you up the mountain, but there’s no doubt this bike was built for those gravity focused downhill chargers. With the best industry components at a direct sales price, the YT Capra Elite leaves most competitors in the dust.
Bike - YT Capra Elite
Price: $5,999
Website: US.YT-INDUSTRIES.COM
Gear:
Gopro Hero 9 Black
Chest Mount - hsushop.com/
Windslayer - hsushop.com/
Discount Code - JAREDHOFFMAN
Pads - Sam Hill 7iDP pads, elbow/Knee pads
Shoes - Ride Concepts Hellion Elite
Helmet - Troy Lee Stage Helmet w/ MIPS, Custom stealth American flag decals
Trail: Brown Mountain, SECRET MTB Trail
9 сен 2024
