First Ride: YT Tues MK4 Downhill Bike

To accomplish that, the Tues MK4 offers a massive range of frame sizes, each with the ability to run either rear wheel size; 27.5” or 29”. There is 5mm of chainstay length adjustment to choose from on each size, as well as a head angle/BB height flip-chip, so finding your ideal fit and balance shouldn’t be a stretch.

YT’s direct to consumer model introduces the Tues MK4 with two carbon-framed models; the Core 2 at $3,999 USD and the $5,999 USD Core 4.

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Frame Details

Condensing the number of bikes in the Tues lineup was another goal for YT. Before, the Tues MK3 had two bikes with equal wheel sizes; 27.5” or 29”. Now, all frame sizes use a 29” front wheel and have the option to run either a big or small rear wheel. There are no limitations regarding which frame sizes can use a 29” wheel either. For example, the larger rear wheel can be used on the small size frame even in the short chainstay setting.

Making those adjustments isn’t a hassle either. They can be switched in a matter of minutes with basic tools and don’t require any additional parts. By flipping the chip in the link and swapping the two-piece rocker link to the opposite side, the geometry and shock rate remain the same, regardless of the wheel size. The chainstay length flip-chip also works with the UDH component in either position. Furthermore, all of the frame hardware threads into replaceable nuts.


YT is another brand switching up their downhill bike's rear hub specifications to 148mm Boost. Not only does this improve heel clearance around the dropout, but it opens the possibility of borrowing a wheel from an enduro bike in a pinch.

Noise cancellation and cable management was focused on improving and simplifying. Even more rubber coverage was added to the underside of the seatstay and integrated fork bumpers ensure the fork stanchions never impact the frame.

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Suspension Design

Don’t fix what isn’t broken was the theme of the Tues MK4. Considering YT wanted to retain the Tues’ versatile nature, it’s hard to knock a four-bar, Horst-Link suspension design. The lower shock mount is placed on the seatstay and is controlled by the two “wings” that make up the rate control link. Towards the dropout, a pivot lies on the chainstay to help isolate the braking forces from the suspension action.

The progression has been toned down on the Tues MK4 to give the rider more control through low-speed body inputs. YT also worked to keep the travel and kinematics virtually identical across all of the possible geometry and wheel adjustments.

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Geometry

Shaping the Tues MK4 into a flat-out race bike wasn’t YT’s desire. They wanted the bike to ride well everywhere whether that’s a high-speed race course or freeride jump park. Five frame sizes is a wide range for a bike company to cover, even in the trail or enduro categories, let alone a downhill bike. Riders who might have had issues finding an appropriately sized downhill bike might be in luck with the Tues.

The reach on the smallest size starts at 430mm in the “regular” BB height and moves up 20mm per frame, to 510mm for the XXL. If you add in the option of using an aftermarket +/- 10mm reach adjust headset, that covers the sizing gaps nicely. On the rear end of the bike, a chainstay flip-chip allows for 5mm adjustments. The small and medium frames can be tweaked from 438-443mm, the large from 440-445, and the XL and XXL measure 450-455.

More adjustments are found on the lower shock mount to alter the head tube and BB height between 63.5 degrees and -25mm, to 63.2 and -30mm, which doesn’t make the Tues particularly slack. As mentioned, changing rear wheel sizes has no effect on geometry.

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Models and Pricing

YT ships the size small and medium frames with MX wheels, whereas the large, XL, and XXL frames come stock with dual 29” wheels. The metallic green paint of the Core 2 starts at $3,999 USD while the white and orange Core 4 goes for $5,999 USD.

Currently, there are only carbon versions of the Tues MK4 frame but we wouldn’t be surprised to see aluminum models appear shortly.

The Core 2 receives a full SRAM package using a Boxxer Base with rebound and low-speed compression adjustments, plus a Super Deluxe Coil shock that includes a hydraulic bottom-out control. The rest of the components are all aluminum, including wheels from Crankbrothers, a bar and stem from Race Face, and Sram Descendant cranks. A 7-speed GX DH drivetrain and Maxxis Assegai Maxx Grip tires are staples to finish off the build kit.

$2,000 more will score you the Core 4 model with Fox Factory suspension, TRP DH-R Evo brakes, a Sram X01 DH drivetrain, and the same rims and tires as the Core 2, except with Industry Nine 1/1 hubs. Finishing off the build are Renthal and SDG components in the cockpit zone.

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Ride Impressions

Mixed-wheeled downhill bikes (29” front, 27.5” rear) have become more common on the race circuits today. Given the opportunity to swap back-and-forth between the two and rear wheel sizes back to back on the same test track led to a surprising preference - the 29” rear wheel provided greater balance by adding substance to the back half of the bike.

There’s an admirable sense of being tucked in the bike - like you’re hovering close to the ground. Combine that with a relatively low weight and conservative head tube angle, the Tues doesn’t struggle to whip around tight corners or pop over obstacles when needed.
All of that brings a stable yet agile blend of character to the Tues, which is exactly what YT aimed for. It doesn’t have a limousine-length wheelbase which can drag down other downhill bikes on groomed jumpy, flow trails.

Mechnically, the Tues looks to be sound as well. Even through unusually wet conditions, the California sand didn’t pose any creaks from the flip-chips. In other areas, the chain and cables remained reasonably calm too.

The Tues isn’t the slackest or longest downhill bike, which isn’t necessarily a terrible thing. In its stock form, the Tues might not be the one downhill bike to rule them all in terms of flat out racing, but it could be the one downhill bike to do it all.

It will be interesting to see what changes the YT Mob racers make to adapt the bike to World Cup tracks. I wouldn’t be surprised to see angled headsets called to action and the longer chainstays from the XL frame fitted to those on the size L Tues. Conversely, to make the bike smaller, I bet you’ll find some freeriders reverting to a 27.5” front wheel for big flippy, spinny tricks.

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Reviews and Tech First Rides YT Industries Yt Tues