This January, the direct sales brand out of Forchheim, Germany, made the move across the big pond. So far, the Canadian market was handled directly via US-partner Cam Zink, today a web shop with an additional service center in Canada is being launched.
Jean Martin Gagne, who recently was in charge of the distribution of BOS mountain bike suspension in the USA and Canada, will now take over the customer service for YT in Canada. "
JM is familiar with the market and he knows our bikes as well as we do. That is one reason why we brought the 38-year old on board. Another reason is that we also want to be able to offer an uncomplicated service in Canada, which is only possible if we are on site", says Markus Flossmann, founder, and CEO of YT Industries.
Back in 2008 CEO Markus Flossmann literally established YT out of his garage. His aim was to produce good bikes for talented upcoming young dirt jump and slopestyle bikers. Unlike many other bike companies, during these 7 years YT has managed to become one of Europe’s most popular bike brands.
The ingredients: high technology and quality products at fair prices, the direct-shipping principle, which omits the profit margins of distributors, and a reputation which is unrivaled. Not to forget the world-class team riders, which YT has been able to sign over the last few years.
Nowadays the core product range is made up of cream of the crop downhill and enduro bikes, which are awarded by the industry with renowned prices on a regular basis.
As of now, YT is an employer of more than 60 people worldwide, with a growing tendency. Meanwhile, it has built up sales structures in the US, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and Asia.
Check out the
Canadian YT site here.
MENTIONS:
@YTIndustries
www.devinci.com/bikes/scategory_167
High-end carbon
Spartan Carbon RR $7,700CAD vs. Capra CF Pro Race $7,000CAD
Capra is 10% ($700) cheaper, comes with BOS suspension vs. Rock Shox (or save $200 with the Lyrik/Monarch combo), Mavic Crossmax Enduro wheelset vs. DT Swiss E1700 (this is a tie I think). Rest is comparable - so I agree with you, the YT is not enough of a discount vs. the advantage of getting a Devinci from an LBS.
For the cheapest carbon models, Devinci seems to offer better value as well. On the aluminum front:
Spartan RS $3,900CAD vs. Capra AL 1 $4,000CAD
Capra is $100 more for a Pike RCT3 vs. Solo Air RC, same shock, YT has DT Swiss E1900 wheelset vs. Formula hubs/DT Swiss 483D wheels so YT wins that, both have Guide R brakes but YT has X1 drivetrain vs. GX on the Devinci.
Conclusion: Capra doesn't offer significantly more value than Spartan on component spec. Whether it is a better bike/suspension design is another question.
On the Tues DH front:
High-end carbon
Wilson 27.5 SL $7,700CAD vs. YT Tues Pro $6,100CAD
Rock Shox World Cup/Vivid coil vs. BOS air suspension on the YT, Easton Havoc wheelset on Devinci vs. e13 LG1r on YT, Guide Ultimate on Devinci vs. RSC on YT, X01DH drivetrain and cranks on both.
So here you pay $1,600 (21% savings) and get arguably better suspension with roughly same spec otherwise, that is a lot of money.
Mid-level aluminum:
Wilson 27.5 RC $5,700CAD vs. YT Tues AL Comp $4,645CAD
Same suspension, DT Swiss 533D on 350 hubs on Devinci vs. DT Y2020 on YT (dunno that model, guessing the 350 hubs are better - Devinci wins), same brakes, same drivetrain/cranks, slightly nicer finishing kit on the YT with Race Face.
So here $1,055 cheaper for the YT (19% savings) for a better bike.
Entry-level aluminum:
Wilson 27.5XP $4,300 vs. YT Tues AL $3,600
Same fork, Vivid coil vs. Kage (Devinci wins), X7 vs. X9 drivetrain (YT wins), Formula hubs on DT 533 wheels vs Kore Tension, same brakes, rest is comparable.
So here $900 (21% savings) for a slightly worse spec on the YT.
Conclusion: In Canada, the Tues offers superior value on component spec to the Wilson, both in carbon and aluminum frames at all price points, often coming with better parts for 20% less money. For the Spartan vs. Capra, the price and spec are quite close which is not enough as Devinci gives a better warranty and support.
I'm with you on the Capra/Spartan. The Capra would have to be 20% cheaper (at least) before I would get it. On the DH side, I would seriously consider a Tues although not having local support on a bike that takes a beating is a bit scary since I can only do basic stuff myself (so I'd be worried about replacing frame bearings for example). Then again, it's a huge difference in $$.
I'm seriously looking at the 2016 Troy and would love to own a Wilson someday as well. Canadian company and lifetime frame warranty = win.
Would save over $1000 by ordering a bike off the Euro site compared to the CDN site. I assume now with both USA and CDN distribution the ability to purchase oversea bike is no longer there.
I haven't heard any stories about BOS forks coming apart. I have a BOS Void on my DH bike. So far I like it. Better than the RC4 it replaced. BOS products are very nice, almost replaced my 40 RC2 w/ Idylle but decided against it. The forks are open bath and the oil is really expensive. Take that as you want. I wouldn't not purchase a complete bike with BOS products on it but unsure if I'd actually pay more for an Idylle compared to a FLOAT 40
Also, correct me if I am wrong but aren't YT and other direct sale bikes shipped assembled other than front wheel, pedals and bar off? If I was buying one I would get a torque wrench to check the bolts and probably look at fork oil etc.
On the Euro vs. CAD pricing, it looks like the difference is around 16-17%, so I'm guessing it's the 13% complete bike import duty plus a few percent margin for local support of YT Canada?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCoxnf59j5U
About the only two things i wouldn't mess with on a new bike (and only because i dont have the bespoke tools) are pressing in headset cups, and pressing in a BB. Anything else requires absolute minimal wrenching skill.
I'm sure there are some very good bicycle mechanics who do it just because they love bicycles, but can we be honest for a moment? Most guys at your LBS turn wrenches there because they're not good enough to do it on something more complicated.
The ears need to go.
So take the Capra top model, 4995.00 USD * 1.36 exchange rate = 6795.00 CDN + 189.00 Shipping = 6984.00$ * 1.13 duty = 7891.92$ total.
Buying it from Canada is gona land you anywhere between 500 and 800$ cheaper, on top of the fact that these bikes are really well equipped considered to other similar options.