Review: YT Capra 29 CF Pro Race
The YT Capra made waves when it was first launched back in 2014, a brute of a bike that hit the mark when it came to balancing value and performance. Four years later, YT debuted the next iteration, giving the new Capra more travel, updated geometry, and increased standover clearance. A 29” version was also added into the mix, with either 160 or 170mm of travel depending on the model.
There are now a total of four 29” Capra models, with prices ranging from $5,199 for the CF Pro Race that's reviewed here, down to $2,499 for the aluminum-framed Capra 29 AL. Looking for the all the squish? You'll need to shell out the dough for the CF Pro Race in order to get that 170mm of travel – all of the other options use a shorter stroke shock and have 160mm of travel.
There are now a total of four 29” Capra models, with prices ranging from $5,199 for the CF Pro Race that's reviewed here, down to $2,499 for the aluminum-framed Capra 29 AL. Looking for the all the squish? You'll need to shell out the dough for the CF Pro Race in order to get that 170mm of travel – all of the other options use a shorter stroke shock and have 160mm of travel.
Capra 29 CF Pro Race Details
Intended use: enduro
Travel: 170mm
Wheel size: 29"
Frame construction: carbon fiber
Head angle: 65º
Chainstay length: 435mm (M-L), 440mm (XL-XXL)
Sizes: M, L, XL, XXL
Weight: 31 lb (14.1 kg) size large, w/o pedals
Price: $5,199 USD as tested
More info: www.yt-industries.com
Intended use: enduro
Travel: 170mm
Wheel size: 29"
Frame construction: carbon fiber
Head angle: 65º
Chainstay length: 435mm (M-L), 440mm (XL-XXL)
Sizes: M, L, XL, XXL
Weight: 31 lb (14.1 kg) size large, w/o pedals
Price: $5,199 USD as tested
More info: www.yt-industries.com
Highlights of the Pro Race build kit include a 170mm Fox 36 Factory fork, Float X2 shock, e*thirteen's carbon TRS Race wheels, and SRAM Code Ultimate brakes.
 | it was on the high speed, smoother trails like Dirt Merchant and A-Line where the Capra felt best. The rear suspension ramps up quickly, which means there's plenty of support for getting a little extra 'pop' off the lip of a jump, or to maintain speed by pumping over a series of rollers. |
The headtube has been reinforced in order to make it dual-crown fork compatible.
Construction and Features
The Capra didn't undergo a drastic revision as far as looks go, but the frame does have a cleaner, sleeker aesthetic than the original. The standover height has been lowered, and the brace that used to extend from the seat tube to the top tube is nowhere to be seen. Unfortunately, there's still no place to hold a water bottle – maybe that will finally happen in version 3.0.
Other updates include the switch to carbon rather than alloy chainstays, and some extra reinforcement around the head tube. That reinforcement is there just in case you feel like running a dual crown fork – the bike is designed to be able to handle it. In fact, YT tested the Capra to the same standards as their Tues downhill bike.
The derailleur, brake, and dropper post housing are all now hidden inside the frame, where molded carbon tubes keep things from rattling around. Downtube protection is in place to save the frame from rock damages, and YT even went as far as to color match the protectors to the frame.
![YT Capra 29 review]()
![YT Capra 29 review]()
The Capra didn't undergo a drastic revision as far as looks go, but the frame does have a cleaner, sleeker aesthetic than the original. The standover height has been lowered, and the brace that used to extend from the seat tube to the top tube is nowhere to be seen. Unfortunately, there's still no place to hold a water bottle – maybe that will finally happen in version 3.0.
Other updates include the switch to carbon rather than alloy chainstays, and some extra reinforcement around the head tube. That reinforcement is there just in case you feel like running a dual crown fork – the bike is designed to be able to handle it. In fact, YT tested the Capra to the same standards as their Tues downhill bike.
The derailleur, brake, and dropper post housing are all now hidden inside the frame, where molded carbon tubes keep things from rattling around. Downtube protection is in place to save the frame from rock damages, and YT even went as far as to color match the protectors to the frame.
The brake and derailleur housing are routed through tubes molded into the frame.
A flip chip allows for two different head angle and bottom bracket height settings.
Geometry & Sizing
The Capra's geometry numbers slot right into what has almost become the norm for this category – there's a 65-degree head angle, 75.5 degree seat angle, 460mm reach for a size large, and 435mm chainstays for the medium and large sizes. The XL and XXL sizes actually get longer chainstays in order to preserve the balance of the bike, which is always nice to see – they grow by 5mm, up to 440mm. There is a flip chip that can be used to steepen things up by .5 degrees, but I have a feeling most riders will stick it into the slackest setting and call it good.
Suspension Design
The Capra still uses a Horst Link suspension design (YT call it Virtual 4 Link), but the rocker link position has moved rearwards, and now extends behind the seat tube. The Capra has always been known for having a very progressive suspension curve, but in this case YT took steps to modify that curve. According to Stefan Willard, YT's CTO, that lower ratio allows riders to run less pressure and creates a more sensitive beginning stroke. The amount of end-stroke ramp-up has also been reduced by approximately 8% to allow riders to make the most out of the available travel.
Specifications
![YT Capra 29 review]()
| Specifications | ||
| Price | $5199 | |
| Travel | 170mm | |
| Rear Shock | Fox Float X2 230 x 65mm | |
| Fork | Fox 36 Float Factory 170mm | |
| Headset | Acros AZX-203 | |
| Cassette | e*thirteen TRS+ 11-46 | |
| Crankarms | e*thirteen TRSR carbon | |
| Chainguide | e*thirteen TRS+ | |
| Bottom Bracket | e*thirteen BB92 | |
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano XTR | |
| Chain | Shimano HG601 | |
| Shifter Pods | Shimano XTR 11-speed | |
| Handlebar | Renthal Fatbar Carbon 35 800mm | |
| Stem | Renthal Apex35 40mm | |
| Grips | ODI Elite motion | |
| Brakes | SRAM Code Ultimate | |
| Wheelset | e*thirteen TRS Race | |
| Tires | e*thirteen TRSr 2.35" | |
| Seat | SDG Fly MNT | |
| Seatpost | Fox Transfer, 31.6mm, 150mm | |
Test Bike Setup
Other than taking a few minutes to trim the Renthal bars down to my preferred width of 780mm, getting the Capra set up and ready to roll was hassle free. I set up the Float X2 shock with 30% sag, which equated to 185 psi, and inflated the fork to 73 psi.
The Capra has two possible geometry positions, but it remained in the slackest position for the entirety of the test period, due to the fact that I never felt the need to try out a steeper head angle and higher bottom bracket.
Testing began as the late spring rains gave way to a dry and dusty summer in Bellingham, Washington, and including my usual local test laps, along with a few trips up to the Whistler Bike Park for some lift-served trail smashing.
Other than taking a few minutes to trim the Renthal bars down to my preferred width of 780mm, getting the Capra set up and ready to roll was hassle free. I set up the Float X2 shock with 30% sag, which equated to 185 psi, and inflated the fork to 73 psi.
The Capra has two possible geometry positions, but it remained in the slackest position for the entirety of the test period, due to the fact that I never felt the need to try out a steeper head angle and higher bottom bracket.
Testing began as the late spring rains gave way to a dry and dusty summer in Bellingham, Washington, and including my usual local test laps, along with a few trips up to the Whistler Bike Park for some lift-served trail smashing.
Mike Kazimer
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Age: 35
Height: 5'11"
Inseam: 33"
Weight: 160 lbs
Industry affiliations / sponsors: None
Instagram: @mikekazimer
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Age: 35
Height: 5'11"
Inseam: 33"
Weight: 160 lbs
Industry affiliations / sponsors: None
Instagram: @mikekazimer
Climbing
YT claim that the Capra “provides unheard-of propulsion on those grueling climbs.” That sure sounds impressive, but despite my best efforts, I never found myself gliding effortlessly uphill. Yes, the Capra checks in at a reasonable weight, and its geometry creates a very comfortable climbing position, but it's still the type of bike where climbing is more of a task that needs to be done before the fun really begins. Those meaty e*thirteen tires didn't really speed things up either, further solidifying the Capra's downhill inclinations, although I don't think there were any doubts to begin with.
That being said, the Capra is a very manageable bike, especially considering that you're sitting on top of 170mm of travel. The steepish-seat angle deserves some credit here, along with the fact that the Capra's front center and head angle numbers aren't too extreme, which makes it easier to get through tight, slower speed sections of trail without feeling like you're the sleep-deprived driver of an eighteen-wheeler.
The Capra doesn't have the super-snappy handling typically found on a shorter travel bike, but it's also not a gooshy mess – there's enough support to keep it from wallowing too deep into its travel, although there was still enough suspension movement that I regularly used the blue dial on the Float X2. That lever is more necessary than it is on a bike like Pivot's Firebird 29, although the Capra does pedal better than the Commencal Meta 29.
![YT Capra Review]()
YT claim that the Capra “provides unheard-of propulsion on those grueling climbs.” That sure sounds impressive, but despite my best efforts, I never found myself gliding effortlessly uphill. Yes, the Capra checks in at a reasonable weight, and its geometry creates a very comfortable climbing position, but it's still the type of bike where climbing is more of a task that needs to be done before the fun really begins. Those meaty e*thirteen tires didn't really speed things up either, further solidifying the Capra's downhill inclinations, although I don't think there were any doubts to begin with.
That being said, the Capra is a very manageable bike, especially considering that you're sitting on top of 170mm of travel. The steepish-seat angle deserves some credit here, along with the fact that the Capra's front center and head angle numbers aren't too extreme, which makes it easier to get through tight, slower speed sections of trail without feeling like you're the sleep-deprived driver of an eighteen-wheeler.
The Capra doesn't have the super-snappy handling typically found on a shorter travel bike, but it's also not a gooshy mess – there's enough support to keep it from wallowing too deep into its travel, although there was still enough suspension movement that I regularly used the blue dial on the Float X2. That lever is more necessary than it is on a bike like Pivot's Firebird 29, although the Capra does pedal better than the Commencal Meta 29.
Descending
Getting accustomed to the Capra's handling on the descents didn't take long at all, largely due to the fact that YT didn't go crazy with the geometry numbers. That 65-degree head angle has been the norm for all-mountain / enduro bikes for the last couple of years, and the reach and chainstay length are fairly typical as well. Those numbers give the Capra a familiar feel, despite the fact that until recently there were barely any 170mm 29ers on the market. Could YT have pushed things a little further? More than likely, especially considering that this is a 170mm bike, with a frame that's approved to run a dual crown fork – I don't think anyone would have minded if it were even slacker and more DH-oriented.
I rode the Capra on everything from flowy jump lines to the chunkiest, most blown out trails in the Whistler Bike Park. Somewhat surprisingly, it was on the high speed, smoother trails like Dirt Merchant and A-Line where the Capra felt best. The rear suspension ramps up quickly, which means there's plenty of support for getting a little extra 'pop' off the lip of a jump, or to maintain speed by pumping over a series of rollers. Anyone who still believes that “29ers can't jump” should head out for a lap on the Capra – this bike will have you singing a different tune in no time.
However, on the rougher sections of trail the Capra wasn't nearly as plush as I'd expected. I was using all 170mm of travel, but the amount of ramp up at the end of the stroke made those big hits feel a bit jarring. Going faster and pushing harder helped, but there was still more feedback than I would have liked, especially when faced with repeated hard impacts. YT did decrease the progressivity of the Capra compared to the prior model, but I think they could drop it even further in order to help make it feel even smoother on the really rough stuff. A coil shock could also be the ticket here – I have a feeling that would erase some of that feedback, while also increasing the amount of traction.
Getting accustomed to the Capra's handling on the descents didn't take long at all, largely due to the fact that YT didn't go crazy with the geometry numbers. That 65-degree head angle has been the norm for all-mountain / enduro bikes for the last couple of years, and the reach and chainstay length are fairly typical as well. Those numbers give the Capra a familiar feel, despite the fact that until recently there were barely any 170mm 29ers on the market. Could YT have pushed things a little further? More than likely, especially considering that this is a 170mm bike, with a frame that's approved to run a dual crown fork – I don't think anyone would have minded if it were even slacker and more DH-oriented.
I rode the Capra on everything from flowy jump lines to the chunkiest, most blown out trails in the Whistler Bike Park. Somewhat surprisingly, it was on the high speed, smoother trails like Dirt Merchant and A-Line where the Capra felt best. The rear suspension ramps up quickly, which means there's plenty of support for getting a little extra 'pop' off the lip of a jump, or to maintain speed by pumping over a series of rollers. Anyone who still believes that “29ers can't jump” should head out for a lap on the Capra – this bike will have you singing a different tune in no time.
However, on the rougher sections of trail the Capra wasn't nearly as plush as I'd expected. I was using all 170mm of travel, but the amount of ramp up at the end of the stroke made those big hits feel a bit jarring. Going faster and pushing harder helped, but there was still more feedback than I would have liked, especially when faced with repeated hard impacts. YT did decrease the progressivity of the Capra compared to the prior model, but I think they could drop it even further in order to help make it feel even smoother on the really rough stuff. A coil shock could also be the ticket here – I have a feeling that would erase some of that feedback, while also increasing the amount of traction.
YT Capra
Commencal Meta 29
How does it compare?
The Capra's value has consistently helped it stand out from the crowd – after all, there aren't too many companies offering a full-carbon bike, complete with carbon wheel and high-end suspension for this price. Commencal has taken a similar route, although their consumer direct path isn't paved with carbon – all of their bikes have aluminum frames. The different frame materials means there's a significant price difference between the Meta 29 and the Capra Pro Race reviewed here, but it's still worth taking a moment to see how they compare on the trail. And yes, YT does make an aluminum Capra, but I haven't had a chance to give one a try.
Climbing: The Capra takes this one, largely due to the weight difference – the aluminum Meta is nearly 4 pounds heavier, which means it takes more effort to get it to the top of the hill. The Capra also has a livelier feel on more rolling terrain, where the Meta 29 doesn't really come alive until gravity takes over.
Descending: The geometry numbers between the two bikes are quite similar, but the Meta's coil shock gives it a more ground-hugging, low slung feel. I'd rather be aboard the Meta if I had to plow through a rock garden, or if my typical trails were rough and natural. The Capra is easier to jump, and it's also less likely to use up all of its travel on a rough landing, although it does transmit more feedback to its rider.
YT took a different route when it came to selecting drivetrain components, pairing a Shimano XTR derailleur with an e*thirteen cassette.
The Fox Transfer post worked perfectly, but I didn't have as much luck with the SDG MNT saddle.
Technical Report
SDG Seat: Seat are obviously a matter of personal preference, but I didn't get along with the shape of the SDG MTN Fly at all, and swapped it out after one ride. The profile is more curved than flat, which meant that the center portion of the seat applied pressure exactly where I didn't want it.
DT Swiss RWS Skewer: I had the RWS Skewer come loose twice during testing, despite having securely tightened it down beforehand. Rough bike park laps are a great way to rattle things loose, but the last thing you want is to have your rear wheel barely secured to the frame. I'm not sure the exact cause, but I have a hunch that it's some combination of wheel and frame flex that's the culprit. In any case, it's certainly something to check before every ride. Ideally, the Capra would come with a bolt-on thru axle, which would also have the added benefit of making the back end a little narrower.
e*thirteen cassette / Shimano XTR derailleur: YT did things a little differently by spec'ing e*thirteen's 11-speed, 9-46 tooth TRS+ cassette paired to a Shimano XTR derailleur and shifter. I didn't have any trouble with the shifting performance – it's not quite as smooth as a full-Shimano setup, but it's a minor difference. I did experience some intermittent creaking, typically when standing up and climbing, something that I've experienced before with e*thirteen's cassette design. Personally, I would have rather seen a full Shimano or full SRAM setup.
Renthal Fatbar Carbon: Not all 35mm carbon bars are created equal, but Fatbar was extremely comfortable, with the perfect amount of compliance and vibration damping to take the edge off of high speed chatter bumps.
![YT Capra Review]()
SDG Seat: Seat are obviously a matter of personal preference, but I didn't get along with the shape of the SDG MTN Fly at all, and swapped it out after one ride. The profile is more curved than flat, which meant that the center portion of the seat applied pressure exactly where I didn't want it.
DT Swiss RWS Skewer: I had the RWS Skewer come loose twice during testing, despite having securely tightened it down beforehand. Rough bike park laps are a great way to rattle things loose, but the last thing you want is to have your rear wheel barely secured to the frame. I'm not sure the exact cause, but I have a hunch that it's some combination of wheel and frame flex that's the culprit. In any case, it's certainly something to check before every ride. Ideally, the Capra would come with a bolt-on thru axle, which would also have the added benefit of making the back end a little narrower.
e*thirteen cassette / Shimano XTR derailleur: YT did things a little differently by spec'ing e*thirteen's 11-speed, 9-46 tooth TRS+ cassette paired to a Shimano XTR derailleur and shifter. I didn't have any trouble with the shifting performance – it's not quite as smooth as a full-Shimano setup, but it's a minor difference. I did experience some intermittent creaking, typically when standing up and climbing, something that I've experienced before with e*thirteen's cassette design. Personally, I would have rather seen a full Shimano or full SRAM setup.
Renthal Fatbar Carbon: Not all 35mm carbon bars are created equal, but Fatbar was extremely comfortable, with the perfect amount of compliance and vibration damping to take the edge off of high speed chatter bumps.
Pros
+ Very manageable, especially considering the amount of travel
+ Never met a jump it didn't like
+ Excellent value
Cons
- No room for a water bottle
- Not super plush in rough terrain
- Limited availability
Is this the bike for you?
The Capra 29 CF Pro Race is a good match for riders in search of a 29er that can handle regular bike park usage without being too much of a beast to pedal around on longer, non-lift assisted rides.
The Capra 29 CF Pro Race is a good match for riders in search of a 29er that can handle regular bike park usage without being too much of a beast to pedal around on longer, non-lift assisted rides.
Pinkbike's Take
| It wasn't that long ago the idea of a 170mm 29er would have seemed farfetched, but times have changed, and we're seeing more and more entries into this category. The Capra Pro Race may not be the plushest option out there when faced with really chunky sections of trail, but it's easy to handle on a wide range of terrain, especially when it comes to boosting jumps and railing berms. The consumer-direct pricing makes this an attractive option for riders looking for a bike that can be used for lift-served and longer pedal-powered missions... Just don't forget your hydration pack. |
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On the other hand, taking them off the rim sucks so much @ss
Ey?
Heard the tires aren't too bad, but I would never put any of their stuff on my bike. You WILL end up replacing it unless you just ride a lot of mellow shit and not a ton of vert. I've seen a lot of e13 this past year as well, because they are stock on Transitions. Call Transition and ask them why they stopped putting e13 on their frames this year...
I got really tired of being getting slaughtered on the climbs so I moved all the parts over to a Santa Cruz HTLT and couldn't be happier.
One thing I'd like to comment on is the lack of customer support, at least in the Canadian market. I realize this is part of going customer-direct but honestly, YT's Canadian support is exceptionally poor. I had a number of warranty issues with the bike and it took months to rectify some of them. Many of these issues were E13 related and some were solely due to the lack of due diligence on YT's end. All avenues to contact YT Canada go to one guy's phone and unfortunately, this is where many of the problems arise. He sometimes gets back to you immediately but other times it can take weeks to get an answer. For instance, it took me almost 3 months to get a replacement cassette (the one shipped on the bike was broken). They REALLY need to double or triple down on support staff for their Canadian operations. I obviously can't comment on support for their other markets but I implore any potential buyers to ask around before pulling the trigger on a YT. I'm guessing they sold a ton of bikes and their one customer support guy is just overwhelmed. I hope for YT's sake these are just growing pains that will be rectified in short order.
As for the quality of the product... I'm not sure what to say. Don't expect build quality to be on par with the likes of Santa Cruz, Ibis, Pivot, or any of the primo brands but they are fairly solid. I had la number of warranty issues but I know other people with the same bike who haven't had any.
Personally, I won't go customer direct again. Paying an extra 10-20% for a shop to take your bike to, where they own the issues, is worth it, IMHO.
Do you have any idea how much a HTLT with that spec comes at? More like 100% difference
If you compare to average priced brands, that 10-20% starts to make a lot more sense.
I fundamentally completely disagree with you when it comes to build quality. Can you name 3 things tbat you had which are issues? I’ve had my Jeffsy for 1.5 years, and bar component replacements (pads), it’s been great. If I compare that to my Lapierre (last bike), EVERYTHING broke on it. I know some have mentioned paint quality lately - I’ve got an 18 Tues Pro Race and have a small chip on it where someone launched a multi tool at it, but that’s all I can recall.
I get your complaints with warranty, without a doubt. But the cost difference of a Santa Cruz is... obscene. It’s twice the price in Europe. A top of the range SC with equiv spec is TWICE the price. Each to their own, but I’m stoked on my Jeffsy and Tues.
Warranty issues:
-cassette shipped broken. was rectified in ~9 weeks
-BB creaked immediately, was rectified in ~ 2 weeks
-Rear shock seals bad, Fox built mine before they introduced a new seal kit (Obviously not YT's fault). I had to get the shock rebuilt. YT sent me the wrong address so package got held up a few days after I paid for express shipping
-bracket on rear axle linkage fell out (luckily when I wasn't riding it). I solved this with lock-tight and frequent re-torquing
-I snapped the bolt on the shock mount when re-installing my shock. it snapped @ 10NM but torque spec is 12NM.. go figure, rectified immediately
When you take the bike apart you kind of have to muscle a lot of it back together. I noticed this a lot and you need to retorque the linkage fairly frequently, relative to other bikes I've had. It doesn't just fit together seamlessly like my Santa Cruz or my old Norco Range.
IMO they should scrap E13, go with a threaded BB, and spend a bit more money on frame hardware.
For the record, I'm not saying "don't buy a YT"... just be aware that you could have some issues and they might not be solved as quickly as one would expect.
If sending pads is so hard, they could have just given a small credit. 5 minutes not 3 months to do this.
Buyer advise: Buy only if you can do your own maintenance and are ok with not having a useful warranty, then you will get a great bike and deal.
Fully agree about issues with YT Canada though, that guy really needs to hire some support staff. Been lucky with my Jeffsy thankfully.
I have had a bad experience but it's good to hear others have not.
The customer-direct business models have changed the industry but I'm still not convinced it is the way to go. Up here in Canada our riding season is short and issues like the ones I have detailed really are annoying. Every day you can't get out and ride because your new bike is broken, is a frustrating day.
So true! I have broken every possible e13 part lol.
Broke a e13 carbon crank on my first dh day in Whistler
That being said, e13's customer service was great. If you have an issue with one of their components, contact them directly, not YT. They replaced that part for me for free, no questions asked. Didn't even ask for a receipt from when I bought the bike.
For any future issues (Ill send you a PM if you have current ones yet to be resolved), please reach out to us directly at support@bythehive.com. We do global warranty and tech support from that address (or support.eu@bythehive.com for our euro brothers and sisters).
It looks like you have reached out to us in the past already inquiring about crank boots and your inquiry was answered the same day. This is generally the type of service and support you can expect when contacting us directly.
Sorry again about that experience. Drop us a line directly if you need any support in the future and we will be sure to get you sorted right away.
I usually steer people to Commencal as their customer service is way better in Canada.
Thanks again!
agreed the quality of a SC is higher than a YT... but lots of riders prefer a horst link over vpp and lots of riders are looking at the value proposition.
i might just cream my pants tho once the HTLT is updated with the new nomad/bronson design. dayum!
My friend had an issue with his rear monarch shock. Heard back the next business day and had to send it in to get warrantied but ended up upgrading his shock anyway. If a shop has to send in a part for warranty it takes the same amount of time.
Stuff on bikes breaks. Fortunately the customer service from YT in the US has been good for me and I just recently bought a Jeffsy that I’m really liking for like half what people are paying for a similar spec’d bike. Carbon looks cleaner and better and the bike was properly built.
Right on.
www.amazon.ca/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=dog+hiking+pack&tag=h0a61-20&index=aps&hvadid=174582325569&hvpos=1t1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1012398830307031847&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001545&hvtargid=kwd-302991238538&ref=pd_sl_7rotogq4d9_e
Weight is better on the body than on the bike (true)
Easier to drink
Can carry the tools and other stuff
Protect your back
Clean water
etc..
When I look at people that posts rides on PB, most of them go on 4-5 miles rides.... or "long" 10-15 miles... they do not need a backpack... they just need to ride the bike more to understand the use of a backpack. Or what it means to ride a bike.
jerry but it’s not like that. I can climb just shy of 3k’ xc, access the bike park on the ski mountain, and ride back down to my truck. I know it’s a bit picky to exclude all bikes that don’t include bottles, but that’s the beauty of our well developed mtb market. Like the anti- 1x guys, or the people who scoff at giant cassettes, there’s a market for it.
As for set up and value out of the box it is good. But not as good as a top shelf Pivot, Santa Cruz etc.
The e13 cassette 46t bent on ride 5. Easy warantee thanks to e13. Will get Eagle next season.
The hubs are good but the rims are made of cheese. I put them on my trail bike and got some DT Swiss xm481 wheels for this bike
Race Face BB lasted one month. Replaced with Wheels Mfg.
It needed an angle set- got the Works -1.5. Now 63 degree. Mucho Better
With the coil, all in I’d say I’m near the price of a well outfitted Yeti, but I have EXACTY what I want. And it is the best bike I’ve ever been on.
Also, Google shot back some fun results when I entered "Diaz Suspension". Apparently smoking green and being in the UFC is a big no no! The more you know!
Found 'em though. "Website coming soon" so hopefully they're not slammed or on a hiatus or anything.
Thanks for the tip! That's what...oh nevermind. I'll see myself out.
I have been looking into the Capra 29 because I just am in love with the red on red paint. Most reviews I've read say the 27 is better though... but then they are also comparing a float x2 to a dpx. I would probably put a dhx2 on it if I got one. Good to know it goes well on the 29.
prefer the 27 wheels though, helps keep the weight down and the playful up. .
So what you’re saying is you were bottoming it out but you wish it bottomed out harder
Or a coil combined with a quite progressive LR.
How not to do it for proper handling on jumps and big hits: Foxy on a coil. X2 Air on a Capra.. PDS on KTM dirt bikes (linear LR & linear coil spring). all dirt bikes pre progressive linkage ratios before 1981.
Any suggestion? Kona process or yt Capra AL comp?
Appreciate quite a niche reviewing 170mm 29ers!
This bike (along with lots of others) has very slack seat tube.
Making the bike with short head tube and measuring the seat tube angle at the horizontal plane above the head tube could make one bike have effective seat tube angle at riding height drop from 76 to 66 degrees.
Likewise, reach measurement could drop a lot when you raise the bars with few spacers in order to avoid aero like position that's closer to TT bike than a MTB, especially if head tube angle is very slack.
If your handlebars are 60mm above top of the head tube (which is nothing really considering that just the stem raises them by 1/3rd of it's lenght), your reach is going to be 20mm shorter.
In contrast, bike with say 30mm taller head tube is going to provide you with 10mm more reach all things being equal.
And it's dual crown compatible! ; )
I love YT but they have lost the plot with all this E13 and SDG crap.
linkagedesign.blogspot.com/2018/02/young-talent-capra-29-2018.html
Wonder if its hitting a wall of progression 2/3 of the way through the travel and makes it transmit a lot of feedback on medium sides hits? Seems like a great candidate for a coil. I never understood why people match linear bikes with coils, and super progressive bikes is air. Anyway, another excellent review Mike! One of the few reviewers I trust.
Sincerely,
A Suspension Geek
As a consumer and 29er fan I am confused with what fork offset is best. I just built up a Wreckoning and opted for a 44mm offset. Figured its worth a shot. I am also in the market for a short travel 29er and the fork offsets between brands is confusing. Intense offers the Sniper in 100 and 120mm, The 100mm bike comes with 44mm, but the 120mm bike with 51mm. Yeti specs the 120mm SB100 with a 44mm.
I know you guys have done some back to back fork testing on longer travel 29er, but what are your thoughts for these short travel bikes?
Cheers!
For me, I've found that head angle has a much more noticeable impact on how a bike handles. Offset is getting a lot of hype because it's another part of the geometry equation that hadn't been considered that much before, but it's not anything to lose sleep over.
I have spent every weekend on the bike since May including 2 weeks at Morzine, 2 weeks at Whistler for the EWS and is still riding strong without any mechanicals so to speak, just your avarage consumables.
I also have elite VIP bottle mount on the downtube.
I ride a lot of flat trails and pedaling all the time. The new Capra is actually shorter than the new jeffsy.
Can I get the capra and still be happy in the climbs?
I have a Jeffsy w/ the XTR e.13 cassette and although I don't care for it as much as my XX1 stuff on my last bike, it gets the job done and doesn't impede my fun. You are correct though in that it's an odd match and finicky at best. I'll probably put a GX 12spd drivetrain on when this cassette dies.
I also have a Tues and the SRAM 7spd drivetrain + e13 mini cassette is pretty solid.
Sometimes a 29er will be faster, sometimes a 27.5 will be faster.... this is not complex.
I know, sounds insane, right? Now you can stop being a dick about your prefered wheelsize. Thank you
I’ll get downvoted for saying that I bet by the anti 29er crew. They have lots of downvotes in their arsenal.
Bruni's a fkn wizard! Black magic!
Your marketing worked. I just saw a +$5000 bike and thought it was cheap.
Doesn't handle rough sections that well.
At least your honest.
Yes this suspension set up is great for fast flows trails.
At a compromise when riding gnar.
Yet the frame is built to handle a dual crown fork.
I would set up the suspension as a plush mini DH bike.
I wonder if the progressive nature of the shock linkage would prevent the bike from behaving like a DH bike?
The leverage curve is regressive at the end stroke.
I prefer a liniar leverage ratio.
A coil will feel better but I'm talking about the kinematics of the suspension.
And he states in an answer to a question that if the leverage curve was more liniar it would react better to small and meadium obstacles.
So thanks proof of my observation.
A progressive leverage curve is what?
It's a leverage that progressively gets lower as the rocker travels forward.
TOO MUCH Progression is the problem.
I've stated twice now a more liniar leverage ratio or less progression is what this frame needs.
More liniar less progressive leverage ratio.
The author and the link I read both make the same observation.
Your prize is you are a parrot stating the same irrelevant fact over and over again.
The author stated and erased about the regressive end stroke.
So I and the author assumed the regressive end stroke.
Which has nothing to do with too much progression.
Nothing to do with having a more liniar leverage curve.
The bike has too much progression in the leverage curve!!!!!
So please mention the non existent regressive curve at the end of the stroke again .
Want a cracker?
Poly.
Seems weird to review a bike that can't be purchased. (but maybe they are still available somewhere else? allocate by country or something?) I assume they are waiting for the 2019 production runs to stock bikes again since they have no dates on any of the carbon capra 29's. But likely the parts spec will change and you'd likely want to review it again...
Makes sense they were available somewhere if they did a review. Weird that they don't "transfer" some of the unsold stock from one country to the next so they can get sales??
www.mtb-news.de/news/2018/09/04/enduro-bikes-test-2018
In the end you can´t trust just one guy writing something in the internet, I´m sure that the people testing on most of the bigger sites are really good riders, and everybody has his/her own opinions and preferences which you as a potential consumer have to filter through.
And then there are the people telling you "29ers can´t win races" or whatever.. come on we have so many options, how can anybody start a fight over gear?? Its like the camera fanbois now that every company is jumping on the mirrorless train "hue nikon owns canon, fuji sucks" etc. Calm down and just do fun stuff.
Even despite this, I haven't got any issues using all of the travel in landings. (30% sag)
Pass.
As for customer support I think it really depends on where you are and if you can talk to YT direct. In the UK we can talk to YT directly in Germany and my 2 experiances with them over the 4 years of owning YTs' has been superb. One time the mechanic @ HQ called me while working on the bike to discuiss the issue I had raised. He had the bike infront of him in the stand as we went through it, and the bike was returned to me within 1 week. In comparison to the utterly painfull shop-distributer-manufacturer-distributer-shop .. communication Ive had to endure with other brands it was much much better.
Another thing: since when lack of water bottle mounts is a problem when you have so much alternative options for hydrating yourself?
www.outdoorgearlab.com/reviews/biking/enduro-mountain-bike/yt-capra-29-cf-2018