Why I Sold My YT Capra After 3 Months | 2020 YT Capra Pro 29 

Straight to the point. The 2020 YT Capra Pro 29 feeds on gravity. Accelerating out of corners and/or in the straights is its weakness. I’m looking for a long travel smasher with the pedaling efficiency of a trail bike (or close to it).

TLDR: buys enduro bike, complains it’s not a trail bike

Gets rid of a bike that's best for his "local' trails...because it wasn't the best for that one trip? o.O

In 3 months "selling my bike to go back to the Capra"

Both bikes are the wrong bikes for the trails and riding style imo. You, imo, should be on a trail bike. Enduro bikes are for enduro trails with aggressive pilots. Love my Jeffsy. Still has head room for my progression.

This is why I chose a Jeffsy as an enduro / park bike and not the 10mm more of the Capra.

3 things I did that really improved the speed and feel of my Capra when going uphill, in order of impact. 1, replaced the rear tire with something that rolls much faster (this was huge, felt like I could pedal one gear higher everywhere). 2, Decrease rear sag a few percentages (going from 30% to 25% rear sag made a very big difference in feel). 3, use an elliptical chainring (really cuts down on that feeling of the rear of the bike getting 'hung up' when making steep slow speed climbs over roots). After all these changes the bike still feels like a Capra, but the lap times show I've gained a lot of speed up hill and only my fitness is keeping me from catching my riding buddies on the climbs. Downhill I don't feel like I've lost anything.

Heck yeah congrats man! Killed it on those skinnies too dude! 👊🏼 Stoked for the review on that Firebird! 🔥

And dude the dw link is awesome. The Ripmo Af is magic and I gave a ton in riding buddies on the 29er 🔥 🦅

i don't think you ever needed a capra dude. capra is a beast. can't imagine you'd push the limits of the jeffsy cs pro comp with 160 front and rear. glad you sold capra. prob shouldn't have ever bought it

Awesome bike cant wait to hear your reviews on your new bike

I got the same build as you about a week after. In fact was encouraged to see your video then. I ride in SD as well and can relate to the pedal bob. But with lockout it’s not been a deal breaker. Capra is a beast

Love the straightforward review. I'm looking at the Capra for a bike park whip, so the bob doesn't bother me. Thanks for the video.

Happy for you man! I considered the Firebird before getting my Ripmo. A friend of mine has the Capra and just like you, loves the DH but says the bob on the climbs is awful. Looking forward to hearing your stoke on the Pivot! ✌🏼🤟🏼

Something anout my capra just hits different its so freakin good on geometry. it fits so perfect. When i developed a "Find everyfeature and make it fun" type of style no trek can do that for me i wanna try a santa cruz but the canyon's look sick too!

Can't wait to hear your review of the new Firebird ! That's awesome that you get to try so many bikes for a period of time and share it with all of us. Thanks and keep it up.

I agree with the pedal bob while climbing uphill. Other than that it's a phenomenal bike. It didn't work for me through the mountains and trails of Fort Ord California.

I’m curious to see how your new Rig works out for you. I have been on a Capra Shred for about a month now. So far, so good but it all comes down to preference, right? I love the vids and I look forward to your review of the replacement.

Keep safe mate and awesome choice of getting the FireBird... Liked and Shared as always

Congrats man, I think you will like this one🤞🏻

I love my 2017 Spesh E29, seated pedaling no significant bob, it climb technical trails better then my XC bike, out of corner acceptable not sloppy, it's my do-it-all "old-tech" 4 bar machine 👍

The jeffsey is where it's at. Climbing beast, playful AF and great flying down!

Bike just needed dialed in, Flip your stem transfer a couple spacers above the stem (maybe 10 mm longer stem) lock out the shock. I guess you know what’s best for you

Sorry to hear you had to move on from the Capra but I’ve heard great things about the Firebird. I ended up buying a Yeti SB150 and man, what a fantastic bike. I had some reservations about it’s pedaling efficiency but that SW infinity link works beautifully on climbs. And while it’s no XC bike on twisty tight sections or climbing, it still has almost no bob. And can it ever descend! I found a great deal for very very lightly used 2020 at The Pros Closet.

Great video! I just picked up the Evil Wreckoning and I am taking it to flow trail next week. I have not noticed the pedal bob that you describe, but I am wondering how that beast will handle on the Flow Trail and Braille.

No way Milton! I did not expect you would get the firebird. Great bike and welcome to the world of boutique brands 😃👍 Ride safe always and God bless! 😃

Man what a surprise! The Firebird29 🔥🦅 I’m Glad the YT Capera helped you reach new heights in confidence and DH control. That said.. the Firebird29 should only add to that from my opinion & experience riding one ☝🏼 Light weight long travel 29, with an XC pedaling style & platform = Gains for sure! One of my all time favorite bikes right there, even for flow! It will be cool to see your thoughts over time as you grow and learn from the new bike & I’m stoked to see how she does long term 🙌🏻🚲💨😜

Really interesting! Glad I grabbed a patrol instead of a Capra when I was looking at both. I wonder if a different compression tune on the shock would have helped. Some more low speed compression might have been the answer, but then again, Ive heard that the bike is not a good pedaler from basically everyone who owns it

This is the dilema I'm facing now. I love the capra on steep, rocky tech and its amazing at the bike park. But it is depressingly sluggish on tight or windy trails with lots of climbing. Even on flat stuff it struggles to keep up. Btw, where did you sell your Capra? Pinkbike or ebay?

Have fun that nice bike

Maybe you should take a look at the Orbea Occam. Sounds like it would fit perfect for you. I can definitely recommend it. It's incredible fast downhill and uphill it's a beast. 😁

The problem with the YT Bikes is the suspension is a basic four bar linkage which has been around since the 90s and has never been known having a pedalling platform, but provides great bump absorption and active suspension under braking. Bikes like the vpp Santa Cruz and Intense and DW link Pivots and Ibis feel so much more snappy under power and have very little pedal bob in comparison, whilst only giving away a little bit in plushness to the YT. I’d love to try a Forbidden Druid as the high chain line should be the best of both worlds.

The Firebird is a great choice and an efficiency upgrade by far.

Hec yeah! Pivot Firebird!

What you could have done to reduce pedal bob would be to use a smaller chainring, like 30t non-elliptical one, that would have pedalled alright. I used a 30t elliptical and it was fine, and to make up for the reduction in chainring size I used a 9-46 e*13 cassette. The problem was when I came to the conclusion that these cassettes wore out too quickly for how much they cost, and to go with a 10 teeth alternative I would have to use a 34t chainring, and that's what actually motivated my change of bike to something with a higher anti-squat, that could take a larger chainring without creating pedal bob.

I’m having the exact same problem with my Capra, when your friends are pulling away from you up the climbs & you can’t catch a break it’s not nice. Thinking about going yeti next heard great reviews that they are great climbers even on the SB150

Yep, I sold mine to a month or so ago. I don't have the legs for it.

I agree with you there is pedal bob, but minimal. I was about to pull the trigger on the Firebird myself a year ago after a demo day. Then I asked myself was the problem worth 3k more to me. No, not for me it wasn’t, instead I went with Capra and had the tractive tune and hc97 added, lost ten pounds probed solved. To each their own. With plenty of money left over.

Transition Patrol great bike! Bang for your buck!

The firebird 29 is a good bike..minus the water bottle placement....hope you enjoy it.

Pedal bob is correlated with anti-squat. More anti-squat means less pedal bob. If you want to reduce pedal bob, you'll need change chain ring to 30t or even 28t. Smaller chain ring increase also pedal kickback. High pedal kickback results more active, lively suspension. Low pedal kickback and anti-squat result in plush ride.

Ripmo climbs like a beast ... it’s such an easy choice

my capra shred arrived last week, i couldnt agree more about accelerating on burms and hitting anything i throw at it but fuck me on straights im dying to speed up

Sick! Looking forward to what you think of the new bike! In the Capra's defence... you were chasing BikeSomm who is like a flow trail specialist... :P

I own a Capra myself. Here in southern Germany we have Elevation of +/- 1000ft altitude for the most trails. At the beginning, climbing with the Capra was a pain. Meanwhile it feels okay, since my Body and legs got used to it. I now ordered a Santa Cruz 5010 and will keep the Capra as my Park-Bike.

I own the capra and the pivot, capra outperforms on decents ..added the 38 fox and the push 11/6 to the pivot and now there's no comparison going up or down

Ever considered Scott Ransom with the Twinloc (the remote lockout trigger on the handlebar for climbing?) I ride a Scott Spark and I find that feature really convenient. As I progress and switch to more challenging trails, I might consider a Ransom for more travel. Nice video as always 👍

To each their own. I don't mind the climb on my capra. I even increased the travel front and rear from 160mm to 170mm rear and 180mm front. I also take advantage of the climb switch. The Capra is a downhill bike that can go back up as well. That's at least my opinion on it, and exactly what I was looking for.

Nice..now we got the same bikes.lol. FB29 pedals and climbs like a goat, but there's gonna be some pedal kick back on flat or rough hard hits though. It noticeable mostly when i practice bunny hops on flat surface. Looking forward to your review..

Scanned the coments but couldn't find if you were running in high or low position? I hated pedeling my 2019 Capra LTD in low but in high it was actually fun to get out of the saddle. Either way its a big bike to pedal around and collects dust in lieu of a Ripley AF, but love it for the ground huggy downs

You would love the Ripmo v2, super plush downhill but lively, snappy, and it just surges uphill. I've found that bike puts a smile on your face while climbing. Is that even possible?

I have 1. The pivot firebird is the best Enduro cut n dry....

My local trails are greer and skypark. I also spend a lot of time at snow summit. I'm trying to decide between the capra and jeppsy. Did the capra suffer that much in the climbs to the top at greer and skypark.

The Capra has a flip switch that literally changes the geometry for climbing, No? Or am I wrong?

Hi Bro. Its been a while since I watch your vids. What happened with the Meta? I do bought one same as yours at same time. I still have it and I still love it. Why did you sell it? Any problem?

Where exactly were you riding in this vid with the dishes? Near San Jose, ca?

This is going to be a very interesting swap. I feel like the firebird could be more aggressive than a Capra.

I can't handle pedal bob either, which is why I've stuck with hardtails all these years. I dabbled with full suspension, but the weight and the rear-end bob just annoys the hell out of me.

Whateversville 🙄 love my Capra ❤️💯🇺🇸

welcome to the Pivot family, in case you forgot I ride a Pivot Firebird, 27.5

I don't know bro, you were killing it on the video. Santa Cruz is fun, but everywhere south of that is janky rocky trailsurfing. I ride my Anthem(100mm) at demo to keep it exciting, but I like travel when it gets real.

Stay safe!

I bought the Canyon Torque, basically YT Capra's closest competitor. The reason why is a good contrast to yours; and it might help people get closer to what they want in a bike. Wanted a downhill bike initially, but after people telling me stories about owning DH bikes, and riding one... I knew a downhill bike wasn't the route. But i still wanted a bike that can monstertruck stairs and do some gnarly (street) drops. I also expected to visit bikeparks and do 'some' pedalling locally. Glad to say it all worked out. I got a Canyon Torque with Fox perf. so it has the climb switch, i run very high pressures in both shock, fork, and tires.. Not even sure if i have tokens. I guess none in the fork, maybe some in the shock. And i have to say; even with Maxxis Minion DHR II max terra exo+ tires (most DH ready from what i can tell), it covers miles pretty impressively. For someone with my stamina. Needless to say i don't do many miles, and might get something faster-rolling in the rear. But it's exactly what i needed initially, and it'll be fine for a while to come. Now i also want a mid-low travel and a DJ, lol.

Well. I have a coil on mine... I feel what your talking abt on the climbs. But as I ride it more it gets easier. Maybe you just need to get into shape and eat right.....

hey curious, the opening shot with the radio tower behind....that's not Mira Mesa is it? Near black mountain...

In my opinion you only had to replace the shock with something with a pedal switch. I have the cf pro race with an X2 on the back, and honestly, when i put the switch on pedal, she almost climb like my xc Scott Spark in most of the situations. Cheers

Long travel horst link and single pivot bikes aren't known for their great pedaling. Dual link bikes tend to offer better balance between uphill and downhill,which I think is what you're finding.

Sitting here with Gwin, he said its because those damn Mexican calves bro. He said to swap the calves vs the bike. LMAO

This bike will be up 4 sale soon too. Dude changes bikes like it's going outta style.

what size did you get and how tall are you? im kinda stuck between getting large or XL...

Its good to have 2 bikes though. Keeping my sc megatower for sure for gnarly double black trails and my yt izzo for all day ride and flow trails... perhaps u should also check out the evil wreckoning it pedals well for an enduro bike.

Sold my Capra after 8 months of varied use. It's a great shuttle ride type bike for Downieville, but not that great for all day rides with a mix of climbing and descending.

On a Pivot Mach 6 right now. I might go Capra.

Couldve just upgraded the shock if you were truly in love with that bike?

I’m thinking of selling my 2020 Norco optic because I just find myself bottoming out the rear way to much and want more travel for bike park. Only problem is I can sell it but you can’t buy any new bikes right now haha so I don’t wanna wait to buy another one. Thinking norco sight

Propain tyee 29er is way better. 77° seat angle. Almost no bob due to their unique suspension design, i don't have to "lock out" the shock uphill, it's not that plush but i like it. I Ride it as aluminum version all coil, rock shox coil rear 165mm, marzocchi coil 170mm front. Alutech-cycles is also a good german mtb brand, but propain-bikes gives you customization in your built.

Hello, what’s the name of these bike trails? Thank you so so much.

Some bikes can't do it all. If it does it's going to be a 27.5 or 29er. You got to have both, and the 29er that has a flip chip, to go mullet. This solves almost any problem. Even if you go 27.5+, it's not the same. The Firebird is a great bike!

I love canyon strive

Pedal bob is related to the shock tune. Low and high speed compression need to be adjusted accordingly. Too slow or too fast of low speed rebound will make it feel even worse. Not really a fault of the bike. However, I have ridden my bros Capra and I will say climbing on that bike is rough due to the long wheelbase and long travel, and the suspension is very active. I'm not sure what shock you had, but perhaps it was the shock and not the bike.

Have you tride the Fezzari LA SAL Peak, its so good for downhill and so giod for climbing as well...

Demo is a spot you can ride with a 100mm bike; and a lt bike would suck regardless if you ride at demo all the time, or at greer; get a 130-150 bike instead if you value your climbs.

This bike is designed to pedal through rough terrain. I’m a smooth pedaler so IV never noticed it being a problem. Yes pedaling technique is 75 percent of pedal bob.

You think it could have been better if it's a 27.5?

I heard these bikes bob really bad until you dial that rear shock in just right, may have been worth it to try before selling it. Ride flow trail on a hardtail!!!!

Where do you ride

So is the firebird an all around bike? It’s a good climber and descender?

Should have kept your Commencal lol.

Sold it because it bobs on the climb, guess you weren't able to find the lockout on the shock! That's what you get with ground hugging suspension, anti-squat pedal efficiency translates to pedal kickback when you're hooning it downhill. You can't have both, personally I prefer a rear end that works without me feeling it and my feet bouncing off the pedals

Well, PROPAIN TYEE CF 650 or 29er would have been the weapon of choice! Better in climbing, better in price with whole SRAM GX Group and as good as the Capra in descending...

It says that Capra is a gravity based bike

evil wreckoning. sorted.

Have you tried the new Trek Slash?

Pyga slackline all the way

you're not really riding anything demanding though, a shorter trail bike with 150mm would have handled all of that fine with room to spare. from what you showed 0:08 was the most demanding piece of trail for the bike, and a trail bike would have smashed that comfortably and probably only used 70% of the travel.

Shoulda bought a jeffsy???

ill give it another 3 months. lol

Capra is a great bike but it has the nickname YT Crackra because so many of the carbon frames have broken. Good thing you sold it before you joined the Crackra Club. Great bike but the frames tend to crack a lot.

I wish i also had a gold pooping duck.

Typical Horst-link bike, they are great when going downhill, but they bob going up. I knew I didn't want another Horst-link bike, so I considered VPP, Switch Infinity and DW-link, I too got a Pivot, mine happens to be the Mach 5.5 no regrets.