It’s interesting trying to read between the lines of these review videos. Multiple reviews seemingly wishing the chainstay was longer? One of other review videos straight called out wishing they could swap for the larger size chainstay and almost requiring running 29 vs 27.5 rear just to get enough length out back.
I guess that´s true to a degree, but it really depends on the background and mindset of the tester as well as they location and the way the test is structured. YT obviously was trying to balance this bike between winning WC races and providing fun to 16 year olds doing party laps on bikepark jumplines. Bikes like the last gen Commencal Supreme are impressive speed machines, which inspire frightening confidence in rough sections at speed, but they sacrifice the fun and carefree handling for it. And with longer chainstays finally seeing a lot more acceptance in the community in the last year, i guess journalists are finally catching on that long chainstays are a good thing for a confidence inspiring bike. It´s something that´s not only noticeable in this test about the YT. It was also apparent in the Intense review that they started discerning between these all out speed machines and what we would have called a "big bike" in the past. With that said, i don´t think it´s correct to assume they´d necessarily wish for the chainstays to be longer. We have to remember this is a comparative test, not a single bike being tested as is often the case. This naturally leads to comparissons (duh!) between the bikes. And with modern downhill bikes having evolved to be very very specialized and very similar overall, that´s what we end up with as a resume. I don´t think the YT will lead any of its owners to believe they need more chainstay length and there will never be a situation where you think "oh god, that bike is sketchy". The only time you´ll notice is after riding another well setup bike through a specific section of trail, but that´s something that´s also true in reverse. If you were to compare the Tues to any high pivot model on a flowy jumpline or while riding a more technical park trail, you´d likely come to the conclusion that the YT performed better and the chainstays are perfect. And with the multitude of bikes testers go through, it´s imho inevitable for them to start blurring the lines a bit. Also, Enduros have come so close to dh bike territory, it seems inevitable to start asking the question why the YT feels a bit like an Enduro, but at the same time that doesn´t really devalue the YT because there´s now so much overlap. So in essence, what they´re doing is nitpicking on bikes which have elvolved into incredibly capable machines in order to try and establish some sort of defining characteristic, but in reality they´re just all very comparably bikes which swing oh so slightly in two different directions. As i´m currently also evaluating the market for a new ride, i´ve come to the conclusion that you really get to pick your poison now. There´s simply no bad bikes left, only bikes that fit your riding profile a bit better than others.
UCI DH Events are literally won by seconds or fractions of... some new riders like Roane and Jackson have shown promise in elevating the game. The new bikes are slacker/longer and suspension tunes adapt to terrain.. but I wonder how it translates to a you or me. I do wonder how much more advanced and useful is the suspension of a Fox40 or Boxxer than it was on the older 26/27.5 days just 10 years ago to a you and me.How much more capable overall has the super long geo made them? Even if this YT Tues is more playful, I still don't think its a consumer 'free-ride' bike. I know there isn't a format for manufacturers to compete in such a domain, but I and the adrenaline crowd would be more attracted to something that is plush (forgiving) and yet playful... Maybe thats what the Devinci Chainsaw and the SB165 is? I recently rode a Norco shore and didn't like how it was basically a DH bike with a single crown fork.
Interesting, i find it to be the opposite. As a free rider i prefer a bike that can plow-- which with todays bike tech, practically every bike that is somewhat slack and big travel can do quite well-- but also to be able to throw around my bike for the sake of style and playfulness/agility that can be needed when riding more natural terrain rather than a groomed trail. The "steepness" of this yt i feel allows a great balance so that you are able to plow through technical terrain and still pop the bike and flick it similar to a dirtjumper or Bmx. Just my 2cents, I feel this sensation of playfullness when riding my capra. Also, if it comes to the point that you are truly freeriding natural terrain and you feel that the slackness of your bike is holding you back... isnt that the whole point? Freeriding is cool because its pushing boundaries and can be felt by the rider when doing so. If we keep having slacker and slacker bikes dedicated solely for plowing you lose that sensation and the bike becomes much less playful leaving the rider feeling as if they are just along for the ride rather than actually controlling their bike and using it as a tool to conquer the terrain/trail.
Before advertising their bikes everywhere YT should make sure that they are available first... Since the first press release ive seen on MTB-News it was never available on the website.
For $150 this bike is just worth it. Any more than that and you buy an electric bike. There are more than 100 electric bike manufacturers selling them for less than $600. Want to got 80 miles at 40 miles per hour, all on electric? $1100.
Dawg, it’s a Dh bike, not what it’s for, try and competitively race an ebike of any kind, it ain’t happening. You can’t even climb Dh bikes in general you need either a lift or a shuttle.
Considering YT or Canyon or Commencal for my first DH bike....YT seems to be the more affordable....often great deals...what do riders ride most 27.5 or 29" ?
