YT Jeffsy 27 - First Ride

Feb 15, 2017
by Olly Forster  


For a brand as entrenched in the world of gravity racing and freeriding, it should have come as no surprise that YT's first foray into the trail bike market was going to leave its mark. Since its release last year, YT's Jeffsy 29 went on to win its fair share of fans, but YT were not oblivious to a simple fact; not everyone wants or needs a 29er.

Looking back, the Jeffsy 29's successes are hard to ignore, yet it very nearly wasn't to be with a 27.5" varient gracing the design studio walls long before 29" wheels were being touted as the wheel size of choice for their new trail bike platform. But after a fact-finding trip to the UK, the opportunity to do something unorthadox was too hard to pass.
Details• Intended use: trail riding
• Travel: 150mm & 160mm
• 27.5" wheels
• 12x148mm Boost rear (standard front)
• 66°- 67° adjustable head angle
• Carbon and alloy build options
• Six options in the range
• YT's Virtual 4-Link System
• Adjustable BB drop +/- 9mm
• External and internal cable routing
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL
• CF One weight: 29.04 lb (13.41kg), size large weighed
www.yt-industries.com

Influenced by what they witnessed on that trip (blame Steve Jones) they decided to defy categorization and make some noise with a rad 29er. Born in the UK and engineered in Germany, the Jeffsy 29 packed fun loving attributes into a balanced and easy to ride package and set the tone for YT's arrival on the trail bike scene. While the Jeffsy 29 did an amazing of job of introducing YT to a new demographic, while simultaneously converting many riders to the benefits of big wheels, it didn't appeal to everyone.

There is, of course, a large group of riders out there who are looking for a fun loving trail bike and who were put off by a lack of choice in the wheel size department from YT. It may come as no surprise that 29" wheels are not universally popular across the world so the arrival of the Jeffsy 27 was never far behind that of its larger sibling. And almost one year later, here it is.

YT Jeffsy 27 First Ride 2017
YT's latest slogan says "size doesn't matter" and with a range of 29ers and now 27.5 options to choose from, all similarly specced and priced, it's up to you to just pick the wheel size you want and not to be a dick about it.

Frame Design

There's no escaping how similar the Jeffsy 27's frame is to the Jeffsy 29 and at a glance, it's easy to confuse the two especially as YT have deliberately homogenized the paint and graphics across both bike lines for 2017. Similarly, the layout of the proven Virtual 4-Link System (V4L), which is YT's take on the Horst Link system, directly follows on from the Jeffsy 29, but now runs a 230mm metric shock delivering 150mm of rear travel—10mm more than the 29er. While YT's engineering mastermind and CEO, Stefan Willared, confirmed that the metric sizing did little to boost suspension performance, the metric RockShox Deluxe shock did play a crucial part in the Jeffsy 27's development. Thanks to it's 'modified' behavior, dishing out enhanced sensitivity at the start, support at the sag point and stability as it ramps up towards the end (all YT's have progressive curves I may add), it ultimately defined how the Jeffsy 27's kinematics were achieved.

YT Jeffsy 27 First Ride 2017
The proven V4L suspension system returns as does Jeffsy's geometry adjusting 'flip chip' which helps to fine tune your set up for your needs.
YT Jeffsy 27 First Ride 2017
Hate wearing a pack all the time? No problem with the 'Thirstmaster 3000' compact (1 pint) water bottle and cage to help you on short rides.

But all is not as it seems in the suspension department as there is a black sheep, or should I say a 'Liquid Metal' sheep, in this family. The all-singing and all-dancing, silver and black Fox equipped CF Pro Race option, sports 160mm of travel, front and rear. YT achieved this by increasing the shock stroke length on the custom Fox Float-X shock by 5mm, going from 60 to 65mm. Adding the 160mm travel Fox 34 Float Factory forks up front to balance things out, they also rake the head angle out by one degree, going from a more trail friendly 67 to a more aggressive 66-degrees.

YT Jeffsy 27 First Ride 2017
The CF Pro Race not only sports a top spec livery but a 66-degree head angle and 160mm travel, front and rear too.

This configuration will appeal to riders who regularly frequent portions of trail where a bit more travel and a slacker head angle wouldn't go amiss, yet a full-on enduro machine like YT's imitable Capra, would be equivalent to taking a gun to knife fight. Indeed, comparing the two bikes side-by-side reveals just how burly the Capra is and just how different these two bikes are with the Capra's hardware being a whopping 3mm bigger (which is significant) on average and that's just for starters. Adding this 160mm option within the Jeffsy 27 range was intended to help bridge the gap rather than blur the lines between an enduro bike and a rock-and-roll trail smasher like the Jeffsy 27.

YT Jeffsy 27 First Ride 2017
The CF Pro Race is the only Jeffsy in the range to come with a chainguide, with the 'CF Two' and 'AL Two' offering 2X transmissions. They all utilize the E-Type interface which helps to boost frame integration and keep things neat and tidy.

YT Jeffsy 27 First Ride 2017
The RockShox Deluxe shock handles damping duties.
YT Jeffsy 27 First Ride 2017
Like it or loath it, Boost is here to stay...

With internal routing throughout, unlike the Jeffsy 29 which only catered for a dropper post and the portion of gear cable through the chainstay, the Jeffsy 27 strikes a more refined look. If you're still not sold on 1X drivetrains, there are two Jeffsy 27s with front derailleurs, one carbon, and one alloy option. While most of us have long since moved on from such setups, others haven't and believe it or not, there is still demand within this sector for bikes with a 2X system. Out back, the 12x148mm Boost enabled dropouts help with additional stiffness while similarly aiding in a clean chain line. A BB92 bottom bracket shell means you're still faced with a push-fit interface, but this smaller push-fit standard does, however, go some way to quash many of the issues which surround its larger sibling, the dreaded BB30.

Geometry and Options

YT Jeffsy 27 First Ride 2017
YT Jeffsy 27 First Ride 2017

When comparing the Jeffsy 27's geometry to that of the 29, the reach numbers have grown, equating to an average extension of about 15mm across the size spectrum, which is a welcomed sight. The 67° head angle and 430mm chainstays also equate to a bike that's designed for pedaling and mile munching as much as it is slapping turns and popping jumps, although the slacker CF Pro Race does have a more appealing head angle, residing at 66°.

The 341mm BB height is also a nice touch and while some would say it could be lower, let's not forget this a trail bike and not an enduro bike and clearance is key, especially if you ride natural trails. While the headtube grows by a welcomed 10mm per size, so does the seattube height which grows by an average 40mm per size, which I think is excessive given that we have dropper posts like the RockShox Reverb for example, with travel options ranging from 100mm to 170mm. I'll touch on this later in the article, but aside from that, the Jeffsy 27 has some solid numbers in the geometry department.

YT Jeffsy 27 First Ride 2017

With six bikes in the range sporting a variety of specifications and price points, the team at YT aimed to deliver six uncompromising packages for each bike. When asked if they could go even cheaper, they said it was possible, but at the cost of the riders experience as each component is carefully chosen to exceed expectations while also fulfilling budgetary criteria.

Prices - EUR / USD / CAD / GBP:
• CF Pro Race: €4499, $5599, $6999, £3799
• CF Pro: €3999, $4799, $5999, £3399
• CF One: €3599, $3999, $4999, £2899
• CF Two: €3399, $3999, $5099, £2899
• AL One: €2599, $2999, $3799, £2199
• AL Two: €2099, $2599, $3199, £1799
Colors:
• CF Pro Race: Liquid Metal
• CF Pro: Coral Red / Rawe and Rawe / Jet Black
• CF One: Snow White / Rawe and Rawe / Jet Black
• CF Two: Snow White / Rawe and Rawe / Jet Black
• AL One: Jet Black / Coral Red
• AL Two: Jet Black / Snow White






The rugged hills above Malaga and the Spanish Costa del Sol would play host to the launch and throw a multitude of terrains in our path over the two days we were there. From the region's iconic loose and marble-like surfaces to Utah-like slick rock and good old Mediterranean hard pack. While the January weather behaved itself for one day, it didn't last, quickly being replaced by freezing temperatures that brought snow and rain to this mostly sun-kissed part of the world. While the weather did its best to dampen our spirits, the Jeffsy 27 did its best to do the opposite, picking up the "good times" mantle of every YT before it—these guys really do make fun bikes.

Settling on the RockShox sprung CF One, with its SRAM X1 drivetrain, Guide RS brakes, e*thirteen TRS wheels and Maxxis High Roller II rubber, the scene was set. Thanks to the simplicity of the RockShox dampers, initial set up was a breeze with only a little fine tuning required as the day progressed. Our first port of call, shuttling the trails of El Chorro to get a feel for the Jeffsy 27. From steep, loose, and off camber sections to mellow singletrack with undulations that were prime for creative interpretation, the Jeffsy 27's personality didn't take long to show its face.

YT Jeffsy 27 First Ride 2017
The fun loving temperament of the Jeffsy 29 hasn't been lost on its smaller wheeled sibling, helping to induce a multitude of special facial expressions that were hard to fight back.

Having ridden the Jeffsy 29, one of my only criticisms rested on the somewhat cramped reach numbers which thankfully haven't been brought to the Jeffsy 27. The extra room was a welcome addition, allowing for a quicker transition and a greater focus on the Jeffsy 27's other attributes. Dropping into one of the main trails at El Chorro, you're immediately into some rough chatter followed by a series of compressions that did little to throw off the Jeffsy's descending prowess. The unnecessarily high seattube was a minor issue, at least for myself, decreasing stand over and impeding my ability to man handle the bike in certain scenarios, but it was something I quickly adapted to.

Pointing the Jeffsy 27 down steep portions of trail and maintaining your line choice was similarly easy although the slacker 160mm travel CF Pro Race would have yielded greater stability in such scenarios. YT did a lot of testing before settling upon the 67-degree head angle and didn't want to go any slacker, potentially compromising the ride feel on less than gnarly trails. With El Chorro's trails giving us a taste of just about everything that the Jeffsy 27 was designed to handle, we decided to push the envelope and made our way to 'Happy Days', an iconic DH track nearby that's packed with loose, steep corners and sizeable hucks…

YT Jeffsy 27 First Ride 2017
Diving into steep corners and...
YT Jeffsy 27 First Ride 2017
slapping them on the way out was a lot of fun aboard the Jeffsy 27.

Dropping into Happy Days you're immediately into a series of tight banked corners loaded with loose stones that promote a heightened degree of conviction on the anchors and holding your line. As you progress down the hill, it's not long before you're staring down the barrel of some sizable drops and doubles. Taking the Jeffsy from a location and a series of environments it was designed for and to a track like Happy Days, which funnily enough was where I first rode YT's Tues DH bike back in 2015, would highlight its behavior in environments that pushed the limits. To say I was impressed is an understatement, as the Jeffsy 27 continued to prove how capable and indeed, versatile, it could be.

But this isn't a DH bike, and on day two it was time to pedal. Ditching the trucks, we climbed the mountain behind Happy Days to access a series of singletrack trails that would take us back into town. The drop in temperature and random (for Malaga) weather that followed made for an interesting day, but a day in the saddle would introduce us to a series of differing trails and climbs, with each one putting pay to any doubts that the Jeffsy 27 is anything but a superbly versatile machine. From flat out, rock-strewn trails to one of the gnarliest trails I've ever ridden in Malaga and back up again, the Jeffsy 27 proved to not only be the right tool for the job but one of the most fun in the toolbox.


bigquotesAn adept climber and a fun loving descender, the Jeffsy 27 felt like the culmination of both the Jeffsy 29 and indeed, the Capra, when confronting a variety of wildly contrasting terrain types. While distinctions must be made between the Jeffsy 27 and the Capra, the versatility to tackle aggressive terrain will suit those of us who spend most of their time extracting the fun from the kind of trails where a Capra would be nothing short of overkill, but similarly, like to push personal boundaries from time to time. It's this very penchant for fun and creative interpretation of the trail that hit a chord for me and one I've felt before, most notably on just about every bike these guys make. It's not perfect, but at this price point, all six of them, YT have endeavored to produce a bike that gives way more than it gets, and in doing so will put a smile on your face. - Olly Forster






MENTIONS: @YTIndustries



Author Info:
ollyforster avatar

Member since Jun 8, 2005
78 articles

298 Comments
  • 117 14
 "While the headtube grows by a welcomed 10mm per size, so does the seattube height which grows by an average 40mm per size, which I think is excessive given that we have dropper posts like the RockShox Reverb for example, with travel options ranging from 100mm to 170mm."

Why, oh why, do manufacturers insist on sticking seattubes up our behinds?! My current bike has a 500mm seattube and I can just about use a 150mm dropper post but even then I find the saddle height can be intrusive when slammed on steeper decents. Looking at the geometry chart for this bike (and for all other YT bikes...and Santa Cruz...and a whole lot of others) I would want the XLs length but at 520mm the seattube is way too long! If it's been extended by 40mm then it would have sat at 480mm, which would have been fine! Sort it out! However, I am glad to see that the chainstays are lengthened on the L & XL sizes. As a taller rider I've grown sick of feeling like I will loop out everytime my weight shifts rearwards because of tiny chainstays!

Rant over.

Bike looks great, sounds fun and I would seriously think of buying one...if they cut down the seattube on an XL for me ;-)
  • 24 12
 What they have done is actually they made medium size for medium guys. I am a medium guy with long legs and I could not ride M sized Kona for example without having 170mm dropper post. This is especially important for the trail bikes, because going one size up to the large is cool for enduro, but not so cool for slower speeds and just having fun. Longer bikes are more stable, but they need a lot of speed to have fun, otherwise they are overkill.
  • 43 6
 @lkubica: Why did you need a 170mm post and not use a 150mm post 20mm further out of the seat-tube?
  • 11 1
 Take a look at the Kona Process line or the Pole bikes.
  • 12 4
 @Racer951: Because seatposts are not infinite? And you cannot always move it 20mm further (or you can but you violate minimum insert for frame and post)?
  • 19 36
flag driftmonster (Feb 15, 2017 at 5:37) (Below Threshold)
 thats why i ride a nomad #notmyjefsey
  • 13 2
 I ain't complaining about the sea tube length. I'm a big b*stard. 6 foot 7 and 36inch inside leg
  • 5 2
 I am in the same boat as you my long legged brethren... I'll take a tall seat tube any day at 6'7"! Now to find size 15 shoes....
  • 4 0
 So, i'm looking at the Geometry on YT site and the seattube length is the same for the 29er and 27.5, they both say 480mm for the L.
  • 15 2
 @lkubica: If you max out a 150mm dropper post in a medium frame you need to think about getting a large.

The Reverb I have here has 100mm of post length before max insertion not including the 150mm drop allowing you a 250mm post length total - You seriously need a longer post than 250mm?
  • 5 1
 good call on the seat tube comment... Its one thing to buzz your seat because you have it slammed and didnt do the proper homework, but i think it actually takes more away from the riding experience when you cant get into full attack mode on steep terrain due to some extra fashionable seat tube. Follow up rant over.
  • 9 1
 As a fellow tall person, I am more confused by the fact that the XL on the 9 is smaller in TT and reach than the XL on the 7 . . . . an XL 29er should be 20" seattube, 26" TT, 26" stack, and 19" reach . . . I am on Pinkbike so I know everything
  • 20 4
 Well it appears that 35+ people agree with @buckley and only 3 people agree with @lkubica. @YTIndustries and all the other manufactures, listen to the voice of the people! Make seat tubes shorter! Reverbs add at least 2" of length and for people (35+ of them) that ride technical descents are tired of having their asses slammed by the saddle. Drop that shit down at least 1" and that will do wonders for the majority of the people here.

@SramMedia and all the other manufactures, make an option for @lkubica and his three buddies to have a longer tubed seatpost dropper. Or just keep making the 170mm post. That will work just fine for him and then he can ride steeper stuff without eating shit.
  • 10 2
 I'm in the same boat, short legs. I had a hard time with the length of the seat tube on the Altitude when I demo'ed it. It's going to be really hard to replace my Process (very short seat tube).
  • 5 2
 @lkubica:

Just checked it out, your right. As an individual who has been sizing up for Large's for a few years now, but only able to run a 125mm dropper because of my shortish inseam I am glad to see the reach on the medium is 440mm, whereas my current two bikes are 445mm and 450mm reaches, both in Large.

I am seriously considering a YT as my next bike. Keep it up guys.
  • 22 2
 Oh the woes of us tall folk! As another fellow tall person at 7' 7", I just remove the drivetrain completely from my bikes and run them as XXXL Strider bikes.
  • 3 2
 So, what will it be? The capra or the 27 jeffsy? If santa will give you one tomorrow.
  • 4 2
 Agreed!

I ride Large as I'm 6', but my current bike has a 468mm seat tube and the Jeffsy 27 is 480mm, yet my 150mm on my bike only sticks out like 8mm with my short legs/long torso so I'd have a hard time fitting a 150mm on the Jeffsy, yet would love to run a 170mm if I could!
  • 5 7
 @dirtworks911: You want YT and the industry to listen to you and 35 of the other Pinkbike nutters, right yea.....
  • 9 0
 @dirtworks911:
@buckley you have my vote....my XL mega goes up 50mm on ST for a 20mm reach increase based on a Large.....it's 20"/508mm and hinders a bike capable of steep gnar......i am eyeing up my hacksaw
  • 11 0
 Growing seatubes is strange, especially 2017 when many more 160+ droppers coming out.
  • 5 0
 I gotta disagree with you there, Your seat height is dependent on your leg length and 2 people of the same height with different builds will probably have different leg lengths... my seatpost is almost as high as its minimum insertion allows, ive ridden people's bikes (they being the same height as me) and found the seat way too low because all my height is in my legs.

its all about compromises, unfortunately your legs are just too far on the stumpy side of the range of your current bike! maybe consider getting one of them super long bikes (like a mondraker) so you can have the length you want on a smaller size that allows for the seatpost you want.
  • 10 8
 Well how's that fair? I'm 6'4 and want a long seat tube. That's how bike frame sizes are measured, length of seat tube, not reach of bike. Longer seat post = bigger size of the frame. An XL frame with the seat tube length close to a large is a large, not XL. If you find XL frames too high, then get a L and stop trying to ruin biking for people that actually need and want the height of an XL. That's why they went with XL, not for people that ride large frames to start riding XL because it became cool.. You want better reach? Find a large frame that's longer, and understand not all bikes will work for all people.
  • 2 1
 @burnadette: you might want to see how high they run their seats at the DH WC..
  • 7 2
 @Allmost: yes, and this measurements come from road biking which has in common with mtbing the fact that we pedal. That's it. Unless you're an addict xc rider, the most important position (fun one) will be standing on the pedals, not seating. Therefore reach makes sense, seat tube length is just a stupid heritage.
Also what about having a longer seatpost on your short seat tube? Problem fixed!
Si short seat tubes and long travel dropper for everyone !
  • 2 0
 A tall seattube definitely puts me off. If you can't move around on the bike it kills the fun for you. The way it is now is probably the consequence of catering for people wanting to run tall dropper posts and a bottle. Droppers with much travel need a long outer tube for the long stanchion (or whatever you call it with a dropper) to slide into. So that's what defines the length of the straight section of seat tube. They couldn't extend it past that kink because that would interfere with the bottle.

So yeah this bike isn't for me but I definitely recognize that people wanting a bottle cage inside the front triangle and also want to run their modern long travel dropper post will be happy with a bike like this.
  • 5 0
 I 'think' of buying every bike, but then I remembered I am financially impaired.
  • 4 0
 Well, I certainly wasn't expecting to provoke such a response and I get that people are of varying height and limb length. A little more background maybe to my rant may help those countering my argument see my point of view:
I'm 6' 2" and my legs / torso are of a reasonably even ratio - I'm not lanky and I don't have stumps for legs either. My current bikes have reach / top tube numbers that are in the ballpark of the XL of the Jeffsy 27, so if I wanted to buy one, that's the size I would want as the L would feel cramped. That's where the issue of the seattube comes in, and as I said, it's not just YT who seem to do this but almost every other brand. @driftmonster commented about a SC Nomad - that bike is shorter in XL than my current bike so no point and I could buy a complete bike for the price of a frameset alone. Mondraker has been mentioned a couple of times but let me put it to you like this: Top spec Jeffsy CF Pro Race 27 is £3799... Top spec Mondraker Dune Carbon XR (Yes I know it has a coil shock and is more of an enduro bike but I went for same 160mm travel as the Foxy XR only has 140mm) is £7399... Why should I have to pay £3600 MORE for a bike that fits me?! I could buy 2 YTs! All YT needed to do was keep the seattubes shorter and provide longer dropper posts... OR... give the option of what length of dropper you need... under 6'4"? You'll take a 150mm dropper... over 6'4"? Take a 170mm... At 6'2" I fall on the crossover point between the L and XL on YT sizing chart and I'm not within an uncommon height range. Sort it out!
  • 2 0
 @buckley: Would a Kona Process give you enough room? The seattube is still tall but there is a bit more room in front of it. Maybe the Alutech ICB2.0 could be interesting as well. I don't necessarily need rear suspension so that makes matters a whole lot easier. Currently very interested in the Kingdom Vendetta 2. I'm about 6" and always went for relatively small bikes because I wanted that top tube low (at the expense of reach). Things got better now, at least with the bikes I mentioned here. But yeah, if you want to cater for those who want a long travel dropper post and a bottle mount it is going to compromise your cockpit.
  • 1 2
 @EnduroManiac:
Except a long dropper on a short seat tube does not ride the same as a proper seat tube length with a 150mm or 170mm dropper. If it was just about adding seat tube length via a dropper they could all make just one size frame and add up to a 400mm dropper. But the ride characteristics change.
  • 4 0
 @wheelburnin: How would the ride characteristics change minus a small amount of seatpost flex and a saddle that can get out of the way when you need it to?
  • 3 1
 @wheelburnin: apart from the flex, I don't really see what change would occur. That could be limited by real steep seat tubes, and not pseudo steep like on this bike. An offset to compensate the flat seat tubes has several issues:
_ for taller riders, at real ride height, the angle will still be flat and weight seriously biased towards the rear making uphill rides a pain like my Slayer of 10 years ago
_ it makes inconsistent position depending on your size (not just weight biase)
_ it puts more stress on the dropper post.

Put real steep and short seat tubes and the world will be better. Well almost Wink
  • 2 0
 @metong: I think I'd still have to go with a capra. Even with the high end Jeffsy at 160mm front and back, the HA is just too steep to be a do-it-all bike. I think The capra hits the sweet spot with the 170 for and the 65 degree HA. It can do almost everything except for the super XC stuff.
  • 1 0
 @rpartlan: agree.
  • 89 20
 Should have gone 130 or max 140 travel!! way too similar to a Capra!! Pointless!!- i have a burly Enduro bike and was hoping to this was going to be more "trail"oriantated! Still too much bike for flowy trail rides with climbs! Its a Capra with a thinner sanctioned fork! WHY???
  • 34 5
 Exactly what I was thinking. Should have just kept the jefsy as a 140mm platform across both bikes. Would make way more sense.
  • 65 3
 They're next bike: a 29er version of the Capra with only 140mm travel
  • 20 6
 Water Bottle.
  • 11 2
 @graeme187: hydration bag
  • 6 11
flag drjohn (Feb 15, 2017 at 6:23) (Below Threshold)
 I know a dude who knows a dude... I heard some rumors... that the Capra as we know it... anyway. I do say that the source I heard the rumors from is pretty reliable...
  • 7 1
 @drjohn: What do you mean? It's going to go away or is it coming as a 29er?
I need to know! Would love a 29er Capra, actually.
  • 14 1
 It seems like trail bikes have been shifting toward all-mountain lately. This bike in 130 would have really interested me. But I do think this still is significantly different from the Capra.
  • 10 1
 @JLutzy: and a tues with 160mm of travel... why not just make every bike in your lineup an enduro bike yeti got away with it. Not dissin just joking guys
  • 8 7
 Cocacolakev-you post reads EXACTLY like Trump tweet,hahaha. #terrible #tremendous #sad#unfair!Wink
  • 7 0
 Well, it makes it pretty clear that the capra's going to get a huge reboot and they still think a lot of people want a 150mm/66-67 degree 27.5 bike.
  • 5 0
 @thedeathstar: Maybe they were trying to go for a Bronson vs Nomad kinda thing. Would be interesting to see a side by side test though I don't anticipate too much of a difference.
  • 5 2
 Someone doesn't understand geometry.
  • 4 2
 @Takeshi194: I don't think everyone here understands geometry. On paper, the travel size is not that different, but how this bike rides would be. Also, it's 20mm difference not ten like all these kids are saying.
  • 9 0
 @ehvahn: You may not understand hyperbole.

I agree with the Bronson / Nomad thought. Some of us think this should be more of a 5010.
  • 7 0
 The Capra is a much more aggressive bike in terms of travel and geometry. I think a Capra would be overkill for me, but this is about right. I think it's a good move.
  • 4 0
 @ehvahn: I gotcha but I forgot to say a Capra/Jeffsy 27 test not a 27/29
  • 8 3
 @scary1:

Nooooo!!! (the last peron i wanted to sound like was Trump!!!) lol....thanks for the heads up!, i'll try and be less presidential next time!
  • 1 0
 @drjohn: 27+ Boost for monster-truckin.
  • 1 0
 preach
  • 6 4
 SOLUTION: don't buy the bike if you don't like it. It's not that great of a deal if you consider that most good shops will discount a similar specc'd bike to be just as cheap.
  • 2 1
 @bvwilliams: I still want a 66-67 degree 27.5 bike, after riding a lot of slacked out bikes and going back to a 67.5 HA I find I have a lot more fun and and can pick my lines better on the 67.5 HA. The slacker angles are good for bombin DH runs but not so fun on local twisty trails.
  • 3 0
 If you want a less capable trail bike with likely the same pedaling capabilities then by all means get one. This is the all mountain bike most people are looking for. That 2cm of travel difference is only going to make descents more fun without sacrificing pedaling performance. YT makes bikes for riding big and if that's not you go buy the steep headtube angle low travel bike you want.
  • 1 1
 @cocacolakev 10mm less travel and 1 degree steeper fork, should have just named it the 'Capra lite'. No doubt a re-designed Capra with 180mm travel is next.
  • 2 0
 I ride a Capra 50% DH/Park, 50% Trail. The extremely progressive suspension is there for you at higher DH speeds, but at lower trail riding speeds I don't get more than about 140 mm of travel. So, my Capra has the feel of a slack trail bike at trail speeds.

I assume the Jeffsey 27 will have a similar feel: all 150mm of all mountain travel on fast & aggressive terrain, but more like 130mm at lower trail speeds.
  • 1 0
 @mountaincross: interesting
  • 32 4
 Like it or not, these are some seriously nice looking bikes!
  • 29 9
 The only reason people hate on YT is ether because they have been previously burned by poor warranty or usually because they are a little pissed that they spent twice as much on a 'premium' brand that maybe doesnt even ride as well.....
  • 6 24
flag TheRaven (Feb 15, 2017 at 6:41) (Below Threshold)
 @Racer951: I'm a "YT hater"...which simply means that I won't buy YT until they have a reputation worth spending new-bike money on.

...and I really like the CF Pro Race frame. I'd totally rock that...

...in a year or two when I can get it on the used market for $600 and not care if it breaks.
  • 6 0
 @TheRaven: The problem with your reasoning is that they are not priced at 'new bike money' when compared to most other brands.

For the Spec of the YT you would be upto closer to $9000 from the 'big fashionable' brands like Santa Cruz, Intense and Yeti.

You could buy and end of year YT, bin the frame and probably still get decent value for money out of the build kit.
  • 2 0
 I don't care about YT one way or the other, but that CF Pro Race frame is the nicest looking bike I've seen in ages! Man, that looks slick!
  • 3 1
 @Racer951: $6000 is new-bike money. Hell, $3000 is new-bike money as you can get a new bike from even the big names for that price.

Conversely, $2000 will get me just about anything I want two seasons used. Picked up my like-new 2014 Enduro 29 Expert for $2200 in fact. So that's "used-bike" money.
  • 6 1
 @TheRaven: Yeah they have only been around for about ten years, that's not long at ALL! Not like they are proven or anything with almost no complaints for the past few years! Not like they don't have a great warranty and customer service! You are so ignorant bro.
  • 4 3
 @TheRaven: You don't have to purchase the highest cost model though - they have plenty in the range and I imagine a new lower-end YT with a warranty (however you may feel about that due to internet talk) is a better purchase than a battered 3 year old specialized - Will probably ride nicer too.

$6000 is also used bike money if you shop for a Yeti / Santa cruz etc.....
  • 10 4
 @Racer951:
The YT (US Pricing) value proposition is just not quite as good as I think it needs to be for me to buy a direct to consumer bike.
I mean look at the Basic Jeffsey CF model vs a Stumpjumper FSR Comp Carbon 650b...the YT build is just slightly better for the same price.
Jeffsey CF vs TRANCE ADVANCED 2 = same story... giant is $125 more than the YT..similar builds YT a bit better.
Jeffsey CF vs Trek Fuel EX 9.7? Trek gives you a really good build here for $4000...virtually the same as the YT and the pricing is the same.

I am looking at the basic Carbon Trail bikes from all four companies here and I just dont see any significant savings or Major component upgrades. There is a slight component upgrade with the YT in all cases, but really not much better than the bikes that will have local support.
  • 3 2
 @ehvahn: It's not long, at all. Especially when their competition has been around 3-4 times as long. Almost no complaints? Do you even read bro? Ignorance indeed.

@Racer951: I only used the highest cost model because I happen to really like that one...it has nothing to do with the components though, just the frame. I'm not comparing any YT to any "battered 3 year old Specialized", cause I agree the YT would be a smarter buy in that case. There are plenty of virtually new condition 2014-15 Spec/Trek/SC/Intense/etc bikes available in the $1500-$2500 range even just here on Pinkbike. Those are bikes that retailed in the $5-8k range new. THOSE are a better buy, to me, since being the first owner of a bike carries no weight for me whatsoever.
  • 3 1
 @dman7777: I forget that YT is one of the few brands where you guys in the USA get shafted on price compared to the rest of the world - In the UK (I know my location is wrong...) we get the top of the line model for £3800.

In comparison for around that money you get the Stumpjumper Expert carbon for £4000 which is has a spec similar to the £2800 YT Jeffsy.

US Dollar prices usually translate to our prices in GBP so you can see how some things are really quite expensive here.
  • 8 0
 @dman7777: You're out to lunch man. I cross shopped the Jeffsy strongly against the competition you listed before getting the Jeffsy. The Fuel 9.7 has a Fox Rythm, GX drivetrain and Deore brakes. For $500 less, I got the Pike RCT3, all XT and Raceface components. Even if I'd paid full price, the build is much better.
  • 13 0
 @dman7777: I might not be looking at the same thing you are.
But it sure looks to me that a YT is a better value than the Stumpjumper.
Both the basic carbon models are $4000.
I think you would save sales tax also on the YT.
Stumpjumper comes with a Yari, GX, Monarch RT
Jeffsy comes with a Pike RCT3, X1, deluxe RT3.
That seems like a lot more for the money to me.
  • 1 7
flag Snowsed341 (Feb 15, 2017 at 16:10) (Below Threshold)
 @acali:

For the top end model. I could build myself a similar specc'd Evil Calling. 130/140 travel bike with a super deluxe and metric sizing. Pickup up a Fox 34/36 for around 600.00 on Ebay. Pickup a great Wheelset for around 700.00. Etc.

IMO no question what the choice is!!! Nobody pays retail for parts anymore.

YT needs to drop the prices 1000.00 per model to get me to buy. The 5600.00 model should be 4600.00. How can the high end model not even have Eagle? I can build an XTR drivetrain with an E.13 9-46t cassette for around 600.00.

I really like the bike and would love to own one but not at this pricing.
  • 2 7
flag TheRaven (Feb 15, 2017 at 16:33) (Below Threshold)
 @acali: The YT does have a better component spec than the comparably priced Stumpy (not ALOT, but definitely better). But it's not enough to make up for everything that comes with a bike made by a company on the level of Specialized. You're comparing a legend that's been at the top of the game for 20 years to a brand new bike. I'm sure there are plenty of guys that couldn't care less about brand reputation, but the vast majority do. It's like comparing prices on the new (Hyundai) Genesis brand to Cadillac, BMW, Mercedes and Audi and trying to argue that the Genesis is clearly the better buy because it's $8000 cheaper.
  • 1 4
 @SirNotAppearing: I didnt notice it was a rythm. so thats a valid point, as far a deore brakes vs sram? deore brakes are pretty dam good. GX drivetrain is pretty good too. overall I dont think XT is even better than GX.... I guess the raceface cranks are cooler..but you dont get to test ride your bike, and If something breaks your shipping it back to god knows where.

I am sure you are happy with your bike, I just dont think the value proposition is a screaming deal. plus its not $500 less unless you are talking about a clearance bike which you equally likely to find with the major brands
  • 5 1
 @TheRaven: My neighbours' Hyundai's are never in the shop. My buddy's Cadillac and other buddies' BMW's are. And they cost a lot more to repair. So, based on that comparison, get the YT.
  • 2 2
 @rrolly: So because you know a couple good examples and a handful of bad examples that's enough to define a brand? Nevermind that there are benchmarks for this stuff...nationally Hyundai is ranked like 20-something out of 34. Cadillac and BMW? 2nd and 3rd respectively. That's not a diss on Hyundai though, as Mercedes Benz, Land Rover, and Jaguar are far worse.

This argument is really getting old.
  • 3 2
 @dman7777: Just wanted to point out, subjective evaluations and fanboyism aside:

XX1/XO1 = XTR
X1 = XT
GX = SLX
NX = Deore

So yes, XT is better than GX.

I don't disagree with you on your overall opinion though - the YT has to be ALOT cheaper to be competitive, and in every case that i've seen, it's not.
  • 39 17
 Thank you YT for actually calling it 27", the size which is truly is, and not the marketing "exactly in the middle" BS 27.5", which it's not.

It's exactly 1" bigger than 26" and nearly 2" smaller than 29".
  • 11 13
 According to their website the wheels are 27.5" in the specs but they just call it the 27. I thought it did have 27.5 inch wheels?
  • 51 9
 A 650b rim measures 584mm which is actually 22.99 inches. Its all lies.. Smile
  • 16 4
 Confused
  • 27 1
 @jamesbriancrilly: The outer diameter of a 650B wheel with a pretty standard 2.3 inch tyre is roughly 702mm/27.6 inches though - keyassets.timeincuk.net/inspirewp/live/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2015/04/Wheelsize.jpg

It's all estimates and rounded up or down..
  • 49 4
 @DirtyDee: You're rounded up or down...
  • 19 1
 @jamesbriancrilly: wheel sizes are measured at the outer diameter of the tyres, not the rims
  • 16 0
 26" isn't 26". It's all very vague and dependant on various things such as rim, tyre, whether the guy with the tape measure is cross eyed...all been discussed ad nauseam. YT aren't doing anyone any favours, 27 is just catchier than 27.5. If you care, 27.5" is actually about 27.5" but 26" is about 26.5" with the tyres we use most commonly these days. I don't care. Honest.
  • 3 0
 @buckley: I know, just poking fun at the non-standards. But actual overall diameter like @DirtyDee has said is subjective to the construction of the tyre. No tyre will measure 27.5 outer exactly.
  • 2 3
 @jamesbriancrilly:
And 29" wheels are 700C ;-)
  • 9 0
 'Size doesn't matter'
  • 6 0
 Actually that is a misnomer. With a mtb volume tire a 26" measures 673mm (26.49"), a 27.5" measures 698mm (27.48") and a 29" measures 736mm (28.98")...so truth is 26" is incorrect...we've been lied to all along! Smile
  • 2 2
 @buckley: Exactly.its why bike manufacturers say the bikes have 27.5 wheels not 27.5 rims
  • 36 0
 When is metric wheelsizing finally coming?
  • 9 0
 @DirtyDee: The wheel size measurement is an old measurement which goes back to the time when mtb had 2.0" wide tyres.

If you look at the measurement with 2.0" tyres you will see:
26x2.0 = 660.6mm = 26.0"
650Bx2.0 = 685,6mm = 26.99"
29x2.0 = 723,6mm = 28.49"

(source: www.bikecalc.com/wheel_size_math)
  • 4 0
 @jamesbriancrilly: "No tyre will measure 27.5 outer exactly."

Dammit, he's right - mine measure up at 28"..!

That's it - I'm going tubeless immediately so that I can let some air out.
  • 2 0
 @JakeWI: it's how you use it if you don't know how to use it size does not matter
  • 65 1
 Oh boy, this thread is going to be really upset when they find out the real dimensions of a 2x4 piece of lumber...
  • 3 0
 Just sayin I don't really think that's the reason they're calling it "27".... "27" rolls off the tongue much better than "27.5" or "650b" its no like there's another wheel size in the 27 inch range... also lets not pretend that 650b is something new anyway its been around for the better half of a century but in the last ~20ish years it was near extinct before the mountain bike industry adopted it.
  • 4 0
 So its a short travel 275 version of the short travel 29er version of the long travel 275 uphill version of the Tues? I'm confused.
  • 2 0
 @ryanandrewrogers: I'm pretty sure that it is indeed the reason to call it 27" because it rolls easier off the tongue. But I like where this change is going that more and more people are starting to call it 27", since it's actually the truth and not some marketing lie.
  • 2 1
 @medievalbiking: I notice nobody actually gave you a simple answer to this.
The wheels are 27.5/650b, YT just calls it something different.
  • 1 0
 @JakeWI: Said no one ever!
  • 1 2
 @Mattin: as has been said, 650b/ 27.5" wheels ARE roughly 27.5" dude. If you want people to call a spade a spade then 27.5" is quite accurate. I get where you're coming from and you're right that a 27.5" wheel is only an inch bigger than 26" but that's because what we call 26" is actually 26.5" - not the other way around. 26" wheels were so named when smaller tyres were in popular use and that's why there's this weird discrepancy issue that none of us should care about. If things were to be properly accurate we ought to have renamed 26" to 26.5" back when we started using bigger tyres. Then Trump would have never got in.
  • 6 0
 So a 29er is actually a 26er? 26" is not dead! 26" has arisen! Hurrah! All praise the rebirth of 26"! Which is really 29"... just go with me on this one...
  • 5 0
 What's an inch or two between friends anyway?
  • 1 0
 @bikeryder85: and 27.5" conti trail king 2.4's actually measure 28.3" on my Sram roam rims..... just ride it....
  • 1 0
 @Deadskittles: or 2x12 throw them off even more lol
  • 15 1
 I feel that this was a good write up,it finally answered that one question I have when I read any review, that seems to not get answered...I hear a lot of the same phrases ( descends great, climbs well,suspension performance exceeds its travel,blah blah!! but I never know if it's a good bike for me, Like most young adults, I have a child,so majority of my rides are One hour blasts around the local single track which is very hard packed undulating Terrain(fast) and then I like to go to the bike parks when I can get away for a day! I'm not rich.. see above..but I need one bike to do that. I never know if the bike under review is capable of that...Good work guys
  • 6 0
 Wait until you have 2! But you are right about this, parenting dictates money and time going elsewhere so having the ability to have a great bike to do it all is a fantastic "compromise."
  • 2 0
 @Rube305 ditto here, been thinking of committing sacrilege and just going to a hardtail for that 'one hour' reason
  • 5 0
 @twozerosix: I went with a Honzo and have not looked back.. Best decision ever for my limited time rides. The reality is, a hardtail is a great way to get out and play without the concern of having the extra cost of full suspension maintenance. No rear shock or bearings to be worried about...
  • 1 0
 @bkchef2000: ...And probably a little less weight on the hardtail to counteract the 40+ year old beer gut. I got on my SB66 for the lunch power hour yesterday and of course the rear shock is going smoosh smoosh smoosh b/c I haven't even looked at the maintenance records in forever.
  • 15 5
 160 is too much. i was pumped until I saw that. If you are getting something with that much travel you might as well get the Capra. I think 140 would have been a better number.
  • 25 1
 Only the top-end CF Pro Race is 160, the rest are all 150 front and rear.
  • 7 0
 All but the race on have 150 travel
  • 2 1
 @PaoloMo: That's a bit better. It may just be the area I live in that makes me thinking 150-160 is too much. I live in Oklahoma USA, and we don't have a whole lot of chunk. Mostly flowy single track with the occasional rock garden and roots once in a while. Not a ton of super steep climbs either. The bike I ride right now as 130 front and back and I think it's just about right, but we have the Southern Enduro Series kicking off soon and I tend to think 130 wouldn't be enough. Bottom line... I need a new bike.
  • 3 2
 @dbarnes6891: lots of new bikes pedal better than their older, shorter travel past. What bike are you running?
  • 5 6
 @atrokz: and of a lot of new bikes with shorter travel pedal better than new bikes with more... what's your point?
  • 4 3
 @j-t-g: and hardtails pedal even better! what great logic. You know what pedals even better? A road bike. get cracking.

The point was to see what bike he has (the question I asked), and to mention that a 150mm bike now, might pedal as well or better than his 130mm bike, which might help with a decision when it comes to a trail bike. What's YOUR point, other than pointing out that road bikes pedal really well?
  • 1 0
 @atrokz: I'm riding a 2015 GT sensor right now. It pedals really well, but I'm not sure how much I'm willing to give up.
  • 2 1
 @dbarnes6891: yea those are *supposed* to be half decent at pedaling and it's still fairly new. I guess it's a give and take for your environment or pedaling style. Maybe shock tune/setup would help with pedaling. Going from a float to a inline helped a lot for me on my process 134 that barely pedaled better than it's 150mm sibling.
  • 1 0
 @atrokz: Yeah I really do like the bike. I wish it were a little lighter, but it's hard for me to justify thousands of dollars to save around 2lbs. I am looking at a lighter crank which will probably happen. When you say inline do you mean an inline shock like the cane creek DB inline?
  • 2 0
 @dbarnes6891: You could just up fork the sensor.... remember the sensor X with a 150 fork on the front? At least bump the front up to 140 if you're on the fence for a new rig. Try it out for a year.
  • 2 1
 @dbarnes6891: Yes, the CCDB Inline. helped with pedal bob, as I was running a larger front ring. I'll be switching to a DVO Topaz soon for 2017. The stock fox float has an issue with the inital stroke of travel amounting to high leverage (www.pinkbike.com/photo/11920895), which @VorsprungSuspension made a fix for with their corset. The sag numbers would fool you, and you'd end up running lower pressures than required if you weren't aware. Made for some poor pedaling or super harsh feeling setups. May be worth looking into if you have one, and don't feel it pedals well.
  • 2 0
 @WasatchEnduro: I ran it with 140 up front last year but it was with a 32mm stanchions fork. I have a pike now. I may bump it up again and see how I feel about it with the stiffer fork.
  • 1 0
 @atrokz: I'm not running a float. I have a monarch xx with remote lock out right now but I've been considering changing. I rarely use the lock out. One of those things where I thought I'd use it all the time and I've only touched it a handful of times.
  • 1 0
 @dbarnes6891: nice. Doing the same on my Stumpjumper. Just went from Revelation to a Pike. Now gradually increasing the Pike's travel to see how it handles at 150, then may try 160.
  • 2 0
 @WasatchEnduro: The bigger stanchions make such a big difference and the weight penalty is nearly nothing. Totally worth it.
  • 3 0
 @dbarnes6891: Best thing I ever did was go from a Revelation to a Pike. Negligible weight penalty, huge difference in descending capability. Won't ever go back to a skinny stanchion fork again. Probably only RS35 or Fox36 in the future.
  • 14 3
 Can anyone tell me why you would pick this over a Capra then?
  • 6 1
 Oops, Wrong props. Yeah why have 2 27.5 160mm travel frames?
  • 4 0
 That's what I'm curious to know too.
  • 26 3
 Capra = Tito Ortiz. Flattens everything in its path.

Jeffsy 27 = Connor McGregor. Bobs and weaves then strikes like a mofo.

2 different personalities.
  • 1 1
 A little steeper head angle and a bit less travel I'm guessing. I was hoping for a slacker 150mm frame.
  • 5 0
 Yeah I just thought the whole point of an enduro bike was to create a true do it all mountain bike. It seems they have two do it all bikes that do it all differently.
  • 6 0
 This one comes with a water bottle.
  • 1 0
 only one of the builds is 160 mm
  • 1 1
 Longer reach, lighter, modern, could be less prone to develop frame cracks, etc
  • 3 2
 Capra going 160 mm 29er?
  • 3 7
flag graeme187 (Feb 15, 2017 at 5:31) (Below Threshold)
 Water Bottle
  • 4 0
 These bikes have similar travel, but different personalities. Think Bronson vs. Nomad.
  • 1 1
 Just been on the website. £100 more for the entry level Capra. Better rear shock and a better looking bike (in my opinion) I just can't see myself choosing this. The problem with making a bike that will make people question which one of your bikes to get is it gets them doubting straight away and could push them to another manufacturer.
  • 3 0
 @l0key: The capra is actually 165 or 170 in most cases and has more capable geo but I get your argument for sure. I have a capra and I can say that if you want to push limits and shred the bp it's a perfect bike.
  • 5 1
 @Paul7189: I completely agree. Already sold on the Capra to sit alongside my DH bike, now I'm questioning it and thinking Canyon.
  • 6 0
 The Capra is a full on enduro bike with 170/170mm of travel with heavier duty suspension linkage. Basically is slacker, more travel, and haevier duty in areas needed. YT's line up is directly competing with Specialized's line up being the Stumpjumper and Enduro. The Jeffsy and Stumpjumper are ideal bikes for aggressive trail rides, while the Capra is for more aggressive trails rides with bigger jumps, drops, and steeps, but not quite being a full on downhill bike that will still allow you to climb. The Jeffsy is a better choice of bike over the Capra if you don't plan on aggressively riding really steep trails, drops, bigger doubles, or park laps.
  • 3 0
 @tetonlarry: My man, putting it perfectly.
  • 3 0
 @ehvahn: Agreed, my 2016 Stumpy (650b, 150mm) makes for an awesome trail bike that will happily take on a day in the mountains, and the Jeffsy 27 is the same, though I do like the shorter chainstays on the Stumpy. However, when I crack my carbon frame I'll get another one within a week (from experience), you break your YT and you'll be months without it (from experience).
  • 1 0
 The Capra makes a downhill bike (almost) superfluous.

My plan was actually to have the Capra as quiver-of-one bike since I don't go at mach speed or do more than 6feet drops in the bike park. Thus the Capra is enough and often more fun even in the park.

But then I couldn't resist and added a new DH bike (solid strike evo factory) just for it's beauty.
  • 1 0
 @auzb: I hope so.
  • 6 0
 It's a bit like with kids in class: you're getting used to Santa Cruz for being mingy for their specs, you're used to Giant being conservative in terms of geo but not cheap, and you're used to have @Canyon-PureCycling & @YTIndustries for being the mighty gifted and generous. But you're actually more mad at them for not being perfect because, well, they're so close.

Here for the YT 27, so close, so so close:
- A boost standard up front would allow buyers to resell and re-buy a pair of wheels more easily, here believe me it's a nightmare,
- Threaded BB wouldn't cost them much and would be mechanically more convenient and durable,
- ISCG05 would be very, very nice for agressive riders
- You did it, the frame is metric now, but trunion mounts?
  • 6 0
 YT Keep the sweet bikes coming and keep the awesome prices! Why pay bike shop's mark up when the internet has all the tests, reviews and specs we need. Its an archaic system that has to evolve. Please bike manufacturers, put your bikes online!
  • 1 0
 Agree. Take cars for example. You look at prices online, buy it at the dealership, then probably repair it elsewhere
  • 9 1
 This is awesome, but was really hoping for a 130/130 trail bike. I love less travel, but then again I'm also not racing world class tracks
  • 6 1
 What I don't get is that if the Capra is built so much burlier, why does it weigh virtually the same as the Jeffsy? So the differences are now about half a kilo of weight, 1 or 2 degrees steeper and 20 (or 10mm) less travel. I'm all for a less burly Capra with trail friendly geometry, but did YT forget to make the frame hollow or what?
  • 13 0
 I think what this bike tells us is how the new Capra will be...
  • 1 1
 water bottle... thats the best thing about this bike vs the capra. Is it weight including water bottle?
  • 4 0
 what I understood is that the 29 is already a LOT of fun.
Could you precize in which part the 29 could be "superior" and which part the 27 could be superior, please.

It could help a noob like me to decide between the two models.
thanks in advance
  • 4 2
 If you enjoy going flat out on fast rough terrain pick the 29, slow tight terrain pick the 27.5. 29 wheels are less stiff so if your rough or love a rut pick the 27.5.. easy as that ha
  • 5 4
 Also I still question the strength of 29 wheels, having trashed several I'm thinking of going 27.5 next bike simply because rebuilding trashed wheels gets old
  • 2 1
 @graeme187: The first time I saw a 29" wheel taco from merely falling over on a turn I thought to myself..."I'm keeping my 26" wheels forever". Then I tried building my own 26" wheels and found that 26" wheels can taco easily too if built poorly. At least I cased a decent sized double to do the damage on mine though. I'll try 27.5 on my next bike but will not build them myself.
  • 13 0
 29er should roll over stuff slightly better, stay more stable at speed by a minor amount, and make things seem smoother. it will also carry speed a bit better, and be more stable jumping. In theory it has more contact patch, but tires play a large roll there so we'll leave it out.

27.5 will accelerate quicker due to size and weight, transition from corner to corner quicker, be slightly easier to move around in the air due to less gyroscopic force. it will also provide stiffer, stronger wheels all things being equal. The wheels also end up lighter, all things being equal. They also generally have more travel which may be an advantage depending on your riding.

Both sizes win Enduro races. both sizes win XC races. Don't let people fool you into thinking one is significantly better than the other, race data proves this isn't true, and it also proves lots of pros use the "smaller" size to win gold medals at the highest level of every mtb discipline including XC as recent as last year. So yea, pick either size, don't expect huge advantages but rather a give and take. If one was a significant advantage, Rude wouldn't have won the enduro overall twice. Sam Hill wouldn't have won an event. Graves wouldn't have won the overall. Nino wouldn't have won the overall (prior to the switch). Pick a size that suits you, ride it, enjoy it. Then post here an argue about it, it's the PB way!
  • 2 5
 Well the 27 Jeffsey has 160mm of travel.... but I mean they already have an enduro bike in their lineup if you like 160-ish travel and 27.5 wheels.... I'm not sure what this bike has over the Capra
  • 4 2
 29r faster in every area as the next gen geo makes them more agile then in the past, some riders opt with 275 as it suits there ride style.
  • 4 0
 Is very similar to the Specialized Stumpjumper; and yes I can see its slightly longer, but a slacker seatube angle?! I admit my Stumpy probably wasnt as good downhill, but when I put a 160 on the front, it was amazing up and down, and the lower BB I prefer.

I do admit though, prices of the YT are better, as per.
  • 2 0
 Graves agrees about the stumpy
  • 1 0
 @enduroFactory: what's he said?? Not seen anything by him
  • 1 0
 @harrisonwright: graves prefers the stumpy with longer fork then a spesh enduro.
  • 1 0
 @harrisonwright @enduroFactory: Graves likes the stumpy because it fits him better than the enduro...the reach of the stumpy is shorter than the enduro. Keene is the opposite...he likes the enduro better than the stumpy. Again the fit.
  • 1 0
 @kwapik: yes graves likes the pop and efficiency of the stumpy is another factor.
  • 1 0
 @enduroFactory: Ive got them both, Stumpy 29 and Enduro 650b, and I personally always lean towards my Stumpy for tracks i know and are generally faster, but the Enduro does give me confidence and love chucking flat pedals on it
  • 6 0
 Would love to hear some feedback from YT riders. How do you like your bike? What do you like about it? What did you ride before YT? Did you demo your YT prior to purchase?
  • 5 0
 Love it, great customer service and a great bike. I rode a trek, which fit me a tad better, but you can smash way harder on YT with a better price.
  • 5 0
 I was able to demo a Jeffsy for 3 hours in Squamish, BC before purchasing. I live in nearby Vancouver so it was worth the short drive. I just received by Jeffsy last week and we just had a snowstorm so I haven't ridden my model yet. It was great on the demo ride I had though. The customer service at YT was superb. My bike was a little late shipping from europe and their rep drove it right to my house from Squamish and didn't charge me shipping.
  • 1 0
 @ehvahn: Thanks for the feedback
  • 1 0
 @gbeaks33: Thanks for the feedback
  • 2 0
 I bough a 2014 Capra CF used in the summer (2016) and love it! it pedals great up and handles everything down. The suspension really ramps up through the travel and rarely bottoms. Super playful. I rode a giant trance, reign and devinci cf wilson before and sold them all and couldn't be happier. I tested a SC Nomad before i bought the capra, it was a nice ride but the parts spec kinda sucks for the price and I couldn't justify that for the beautiful paint job. Since then I bought a Capra AL for the wife and would think about the pro race this year. Good value for the money and a great ride. So far service through the company has been good.
  • 2 0
 I've had many MTBs - including Giant and Canyon, I have a 2016 YT Jeffsy also, I love it, one thing - it's heavy, it's heft will make you quicker. Especially on long climbs - it offers more grip than all other mtbs I've owned and I can live with that additional weight. Thing is - the bike is much better than I am - I can feel it come to life when I get my 'go faster' brain on, in that respect it's probably the most fun and capable bike I've owned. I like the sizing at 5'10.5" large is perfect.
Of course confirmation bias is a hard thing to rule out, but Strava seldom tells lies. . . it's faster than any other bike I've owned

& oh yeah, because it's heavier - when I get out on my road bike!!! it's blisteringly quick (once more - thank you Strava)
  • 11 5
 If size doesn't matter why mention it, and where's the 26" ha ha. Smile marketing blurb again! nice bikes though.
  • 2 0
 Lets build a new fork. it will have 110 mm spacing but use a 15mm diameter axle we will call it boost. its going to turn the industry on its head.
  • 1 0
 @pmorgan: can it be tapered too?
  • 7 1
 CF Pro Race is incredible value for money when you compare it to other brands, looks stunning as well.!!
  • 3 0
 Great attention to detail concerning the different framesizes,growing chainstays is not common at all. seattube could be a tad shorter, tough - but keep in mind there are still people running regular seatposts at leat in Germany)
  • 3 0
 How does geometry for these modern wheel sizes relate to 26"? My ten year old Cannondale Prophet with 140/150mm front and 140mm rear has a 67deg headtube angle. It was also designed for a purpose similar to the bike mentioned here. But I'm reading all these reviews going how modern trail bikes are so much more "aggressive" (which, I suppose, implies stable) compared to bikes from five year ago. So that makes me wonder if the difference is perceivable. I do understand that the larger wheel size already makes a bike more stable. If that is true, doesn't a steeper shorter travel 29" Jeffsy eventually end up behaving the same as this Jeffsy 27?
  • 6 0
 They made the seat tubes taller!? Wtf YT.
  • 2 3
 probably something to do with there carbon not being strong enough and needing some extra help to avoid cracking up.
  • 5 0
 so much hate, who gives a two shits its a bike. if you don't like it don't buy it
  • 1 0
 I love it. These bikes are so rad
  • 7 1
 Its not born in the UK if it has a press fit BB.
  • 4 2
 Personally I think they've missed a trick. Trying to find a half decent 27.5 140mm FS is nigh on impossible if you ask me. The only decent one I can think of is an Intense Recluse for stupid money. Sure you could have a Giant or Cube perhaps but they're not exactly awe inspiring. Whyte have a great bike 130mm in the T130. A 150mm 67 HA just doesn't make sense to me on this bike. A 160mm 66 HA makes even less sense. My 2015 Capra is 160/165 with 65 HA. This all quite baffling?
  • 4 1
 santa cruz 5010 with 130mm is hell of a fun
  • 2 0
 @funkzander: IMO, that what the Jeffsy 27 should be, 140mm just like the Jeffsy 29. For a company with limited amount of bikes they need differentiation among models.

The new Evil Calling, SC 5010, Spec Camber 27.5 are a few in that range. The Evil sure looks sweet.
  • 3 0
 The Canyon Spectral (27.5/140mm) looks good to me... and doesn't require stupid money.
  • 2 0
 @mtbracken: Playful little bike, test rode my buddy's and it seems to be a better companion to the Capra than a 150/160mm bike like the Jeffsy.
  • 2 0
 Banshee spitfire
  • 1 0
 Kona Process 134?
  • 1 0
 @conv3rt: amen, already saving for one...but I'm gonna use the 26" dropout with 27.5" wheels for the shorter chainstay length.
  • 1 0
 @Warburrito: I did exactly that and lost some speed on climbing on the steep ups. If I were to do it again I would go 650b drop outs. I still dream of my spitty. On to an NS Snabb E now which is also stellar but not what people call a "trail bike". I still break the rules and ride it on trails.
  • 2 0
 Banshee Spitfire
  • 2 0
 I'm actually looking at buying an alloy Capra this week and had a little change of heart when this beauty came out today. I mainly ride around the outside of London, Aston Hill, PORC, Chicksands and Bracknell Forest with a few uplift days throughout the year. The weight is so similar that I think the Capra is just a better package as neither will ever be uphill racing snake XC bikes. So making assumptions from this thread will this be the future of YT 27 Enduro bikes and the Capra will move to 29???? I best get a Capra quickly then
  • 2 0
 Am I the only one who thinks the Fox Float 34 is a bit of an odd choice? Wouldn't most people going for a 150 and especially a 160 forked bike want at least a Pike, if not a 36 or Lyrik? The Pike is kinda between the 34 and 36 (both obviously at 35mm but also in actual stiffness etc). Just seems like an odd choice. Same with the 29er jeffsy, seems like a mismatch to have a piggyback shock and a 34. Maybe I'm crazy.
  • 8 2
 But but but.....ah sod it, take my money
  • 7 2
 as whiny as it sounds, i will not buy because of press fit bb. home mechanic hatred.
  • 2 5
 Or.... you could just go to a bike shop.
  • 7 0
 @ehvahn: part of the fun is working on bikes yourself.

also bringing in a bike that was purchased from a direct to consumer brand to a bike shop is a sure fire way to get charged more. it has happened to me. it is a slap in the face to them. i dont want to buy a bike from you but i want you to do the hard repairs for me.
  • 4 3
 super easy to press in BB92.
  • 1 0
 @adrennan: that's wack! Your bike shop is clearly behind the times - I'd tell them to cry me a river and take my business elsewhere. The owner of my LBS complimented me on my YT and even went on to say that he opened his shop with the realization that smart consumers will more and more be buying their bikes consumer direct.

What I'd do is call a few bike shops ahead and get quotes prior to even bringing your bike in. That way they can't stiff you when they see what kind of bike you roll into the shop.
  • 1 0
 @tbevinator: way to revive a year old thread.

this did happen to me a couple years ago before yt, canyon, etc had really gained mainstream acceptance in colorado. most shops have been chill about it.
  • 1 0
 @adrennan: LOL, no kidding. I was just poking through this article on a lazy Friday work afternoon and saw that there were new comments! I'll add that this was one of a few reviews onthe 27 that helped me decide to get mine. Glad I did, its a fun bike!
  • 7 3
 Please try the 29er Jeffsy first. While I can see the mass appeal of a 27 Jeffsy, the future of Enduro is 29
  • 4 1
 Agreed. I actually am thinking of swapping trends, got a '17 Enduro 29 for long-travel, but now thinking of getting a second bike as a short-travel 27.5 for play, quick rides and general fun. Too bad this bike isn't in the 130-140mm range.
  • 2 0
 No one has mentioned ISCG mounts!!! The 29 doesn't have them because this was a way to differentiate it from the Capra.... but they are on the 27. Annoying as I own the 29 and want ISCG mounts.
  • 1 0
 I just bought a Jeffsy 27 AL Comp and love everything about the bike thus far other than two important details: For one, I'm 5'9" and bought a medium with the help of the sizing guide. Since my height was at the higher end of the spectrum (5'5" - 5'10"), I didn't foresee having any problems with the 150mm seatpost being too high. That certainly wasn't the case, in fact it was about 40mm too high for me. I've never encountered this problem before as my legs definitely aren't short for my height. I contacted YT about the issue and they basically said, "sorry bro, you'll have to sell it and buy a new one". So now I'm out $300 until I can sell this seatpost... lame. That detail will definitely resurface next time I consider buying a bike online. Also, not sure why they wouldn't put a tubeless ready tire on a tubeless ready rim... that didn't make much sense to me.

Besides those issues, I still really dig the bike and look forward to riding it a ton this coming year. From what I can tell it seems to be excellent quality and value for my money. Oh yeah, and my LBS could care less that I bought it from a consumer-direct company like YT.
  • 4 0
 There is a small error, the shock on the picture is not a Super Deluxe (with piggyback), just Deluxe.
  • 1 0
 We spotted @Archimonde!
  • 2 1
 I have the Jeffsy 29. Surprised a 27 version was released but whatever. I'm more interested in 29ers, personally. I guess that means it's selling well and they're giving riders more options. I thought for sure there'd be a plus version before a 27.5 dedicated bike. I'm a little jealous of the longer reach on the XL, but in my extensive demo testing I "felt" that longer reach bikes on 27.5 bikes felt the same as shorter reach bikes on 29ers.
  • 4 0
 They've nearly made an XL worthy of the tag.
  • 3 0
 Looks like you don't have to bring a gun to a knife fight anymore, they offer you a machete instead!
  • 2 0
 Different length chainstays for each size. Yes! See, Santa Cruz this can be done. Totally dig that YT now has longer reach numbers also
  • 3 3
 Anyone ever notice how flexy the rear end is on YT's? There is nothing connecting the seatstay/shock yolk to the main frame. Enduro MTB mag did a shoot out between the high tower and the jeffsy, and said that the Santa Cruz was much stiffer, but they blamed it on the wheel difference. Having ridden both, I think the YT four bar is a flawed in that the rear end is much less responsive than many of the other bikes on the market.
  • 3 3
 YT is publishing rubbish geometry figures. How can a BB height change, along with fork angle- and keep the reach and stack the same? it might be a small change- but which numbers are true? Lazy engineering and copywriting. I have little faith in the numbers when they cannot add up. If the bike can be adjusted in 2 ways, the only way to show the correct numbers is to have 2 lists. otherwise it is just convenience and laziness on YTs behalf.
  • 3 0
 finally, now all i have to do is wait new years eve when they go on sale and pick one right away Big Grin
  • 1 0
 I'm so confused. I still don't understand the difference between trail and enduro. I live in the French Alps, and have a DH rig - but need an all mountain bike. Capra of Jeffsy?!?!
  • 3 0
 The Capra is just more DH oriented geometry wise.
If the goal is to make it all climbing/descending, i think the Jeffsy is a better choice, considering you already got a DH bike !!
  • 5 3
 Trail=120-150mm
Enduro=150-180mm
  • 4 1
 Capra's like a mini-DH bike, Jeffsie is a true trail bike that can climb well.
  • 1 0
 Ah thanks all! Appreciated Smile
  • 2 2
 Agressive XC = 1??-1??mm
All Mountain = 1??-1??mm
  • 5 1
 I'm holding out for the 26"!#notinthehype
  • 3 0
 And I thought 160 was enduro and 130-140 trail. But no. Now enduro is 170 and 160 trail. OK, I've had enough of this.
  • 2 1
 Why a HA of 67 on a bike with 150mm travel?

Been thinking of downsizing a bit to 150mm but not convinced 10mm is actually going to make any difference.
  • 2 0
 With the flip chip you can slack it out to 66 degrees.
  • 2 0
 "For a brand as entrenched in the world of gravity racing and freeriding"

They made their first downhill bike 6 years ago?
  • 5 0
 The first Tues was made in 2009, shows you how far YT has come in terms of design..
www.bike-magazin.de/uploads/tx_saltnews/79/79b8d43a6ba032e7b26d4647f9208f0f132481ce.jpg
  • 1 0
 Damn. That is a good looking bike. I hate seeing new bikes that look great when I just bought a new bike a couple months ago...
  • 3 0
 I'd be very curious to get a comparo between this and a Stumpy 650....
  • 1 0
 "YT achieved this by increasing the shock stroke length on the custom Fox Float-X shock by 5mm, going from 60 to 65mm"

Proprietary shock?
  • 1 0
 I was thinking the same thing, but actually you could also use the longer edition in a number of other bikes. And you possibly could use the normal edition in YT also, so no, not really proprietary. What is bad however, is, that you don't get an X2.
  • 1 0
 @mazze: If the X2 would fit would be no deal to switch it! But who do you sell the Float X too as most say it's no good?!

More interesting would be a 29'' front wheel and a 36 up front in the CF Pro Race to make it the ultimate Enduro weapon!
  • 3 0
 solid review. just ordered it. hype
  • 2 0
 Finally the reach is in the "Long and slack" region! Wish they get this for the 29er too!
  • 2 1
 Great to see YT mixing it up. This will continue to push the rest of industry. AND....most importantly one step closer to a Capra 29er!
  • 3 0
 With how similar the new Jeffsy 27 and Capra are I think a revised Capra has to be in the works, just further back in their product release. I realize the HTA and other geo numbers lend the Jeffsy towards trail instead of enduro racing. But with two bikes with such similar travel numbers on a small range of bikes it may be hard to justify.

I imagine a new Capra as a 180 27.5 and/or a 160-170 29er
  • 2 0
 @Nizhoni: fascinating... pick you Jeffsy 27 or 29 and pick your Capra 27 or 29? That would be epic.
  • 4 1
 The CF RACE PRO should come with a Fox 36!
  • 4 0
 And an X2!!
  • 3 0
 It's unneeded.
  • 2 0
 @ehvahn: yet desired.
  • 2 2
 Has YT not updated its EUR/USD exchange rate in the excel model lately? And have these European bike companies failed to realize that they don't need to charge American buyers VAT? This USD pricing is whack.
  • 2 0
 They are not sold/shipped from the EU, but directly from the USA. So shure, they do charge VAT.
  • 2 1
 @Morrrice: They should not charge American buyers VAT, that's my point.
  • 1 2
 YT Jeffsy linkage design looks a lot like the cotic droplinks, and Kingdom Hex\...they all have a single pivot with a set of links to stiffen the suspension...again, they have placement of said parts in their own spots - but the actual components of the frame are all shared across the board.
  • 2 0
 Kinda sucks that the cf pro is the only 160mm travel jeffsy. Would have liked more options
  • 3 4
 The bike industry is like any other full of Greed and BS. I have a 26' bike and was faster down our local trails than my mate on his 27.5. My old 110mm fork with 20mm axle did not explode on the way down either. There are some genuine improvements the Dropper post gearing 1x11. lighter stronger frames. But this f*cking joke of a boost fork and 27.5 /29 is just to sell more bikes. The prices of these bikes now are nuts too. you can buy a half decent car for the price of a new top end MTB. People should get together and send the industry a message. don't buy anything for a year. world wide.
  • 2 0
 I just compared the geometry to the Radon Slide 150 and 160 and apart from being longer, they are strikingly similar.
  • 2 0
 So......wait........you can get a FOX 34 with 160mm of travel??? Thought only a 150mm was available?
  • 4 3
 im a bit lost here.. so they do a capra with virtually the same travel, why have two bikes capable of the same thing?
  • 2 0
 Maybe they plan to bump up the travel on the next Capra.
  • 2 1
 @AlexS1: So then you'd have a TUES
  • 3 0
 @twelve02: Not that far. 175 /180 maybe. The freeride aka superenduro slot like the spindrift /uzzi maybe...
  • 1 0
 looks a lot like what the spectral is to the strive, similar travel, but not as aggressive.
  • 2 0
 I love my Capra, but would really be tempted my a Capra 29!!
  • 1 0
 So what they need to do now is to change geometry (66 front) and rear shock on their 29er model and it would be perfect IMO!
  • 2 0
 Honestly can't understand why you'd want this over a Capra.
  • 1 0
 More playful and climbs better than Capra. Just a guess, I've never owned a capra
  • 1 0
 @kobld:
Capra has 10-13%* more travel but has a 25% more progressive leverage curve.
Both bikes weight pretty much the same.
So what are you basing your guesses on playfulness and climbing performance between the two on?


* depending on the shock
  • 1 0
 @G-A-R-Y: Hmm. Guess that's a good point. I got one because the capra felt like a DH bike to me. I wanted a trail bike for more mellow stuff
  • 1 0
 @kobld: Biggest surprise when I got a Capra was that it's actually more playful and has more pop than my 120mm slopestyle bike and climbs better than my hardtails. Doesn't ride like any DH bike I've ever had. Although add a set of dual ply tyres and a coil shock/fork and it'd be a lot closer.
  • 1 0
 @G-A-R-Y: I'd imagine with tubeless and DH tires you'd roll way slower than your slope bike
  • 2 1
 and the jeffsy looks like a 29" Capra
  • 1 2
 This is a really nice bike, but wish it had internal cable routing. I guess when you compare cost, it makes sense however, to do without.
  • 2 0
 The 27 has.
  • 1 0
 @Stevoldinho: This is not clear on the photos even on YT's web site : photos shows only the 27 AL with internal routing, others such as CF or 29 seems to have only external rouing.
And web site doesn't have it clearly written neiter.
  • 1 0
 That's a fine looking bike.
  • 1 0
 Have they sorted out the bottle cage issue? I.e. It doesnt work at all lol
  • 1 1
 god...all these reviews sound so boring now....they all say the same thing...good climber, fun descender, blah blah blah...
  • 2 0
 It's a good time for being a mountainbiker
  • 1 0
 Yeah, just means a lot of good bikes are on the market... it just happens that YT and Commies are the cheapest
  • 1 0
 Just buy the bike for Christ's sake. Or not. Go outside.
  • 3 2
 I can't un-see the water bottle on the bike
  • 1 1
 The whole water bottle craze is dumb to me. Just wear a camelbak if you need water...
  • 1 0
 Would love to see a frame only option.
  • 1 0
 Kashima dropper would look good on the cf pro
  • 1 0
 That Pro Race is drop dead sexy Drool
  • 2 1
 I'm excited!!! Big Grin
  • 1 0
 This could be fun
  • 1 0
 super nice.
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