Sport And Biking Talk: 2018 YT Capra released

The 27.5 kept blind, steep rollers uneventful on our test rides

What is it?

The YT Capra is one of the most important bike introductions we have seen in our 20 years in the bike industry. We dub it as the ‘perfect storm’, the culmination of many evolving bike technologies, standards, business models that have evolved over the last decade. The Capra ties them all together into one package that is so compelling but one that is difficult to wrap one’s head around.

This will be a two-part feature, first this piece which describes the bike and its many permutations. Then in part two, we’ll describe how it rides as we got a chance to ride both wheel sizes for many days in the world-class trails near Lisbon, Portugal.

The Capra is an enigma, available in two wheel sizes and seven color schemes.

It’s a downhill bike that you can pedal up. It is a 29er with trail eating prowess and a 27.5 with aerobatic abilities. It’s a bike with 180mm of front and rear travel but it’s also a bike under 30 lbs. It’s a consumer-direct bike but from a revered brand with some of the best racing athletes in the world. It’s purpose-built bike available in array of sizes and seven color schemes. It is a dream bike that can be had for half the price of exotics. It is a goat, an enigma of a bike indeed.

A downhill bike that can climb

Over the last few years, we’ve benefited from trail bikes and all mountain bikes that can climb. This new Capra pushes that envelope even farther with a bike that delivers a huge sweet spot.

The Capra merges true downhill bike performance with the climbing abilities of a trail bike. The geometry with short chainstays, steep seat angle and a slack headtube angle unite the best of two worlds. The new CAPRA delivers a combination of trail bike agility and traction at that was only found in downhill bikes not too long ago.

The Metric 250/230 (27/29) shock delivers the solid suspension travel of the CAPRA with a low leverage ratio that delivers a performance that’s hardly ever seen away from downhill courses. Also, the CAPRA has to pass the same tests the TUES downhill bike has to pass during its development and is delivered with a full-on bike park approval. That’s why the CAPRA’s operating range starts exactly where the JEFFSY 27 hands over: aggressive enduro racing.

75 degree seat angle and 65 seat angle slot it the modern all mountain geometry mold perfectly.

27 or 29 – the most difficult choice of all.

We love 29ers. These bikes have the big wheel advantage and in the last couple of years, have benefited from the latest geometry to deliver trail dominating performance. But having ridden both wheel sizes of the Capra, we are now torn between the two. YT pushed the envelope for 29ers once again but they did not leave the 27.5 behind. It is right there, trading blows with on the roughest terrain and delivering maximum airtime at every opportunity.

Because both CAPRAs are dialed with a combination of aggressiveness, speed, agility, and handling, there’s no obvious ‘right’ answer. Riding style, preferred terrain, and – last but not least, personal preference are the deciding factors.

The CAPRA 29 offers control and stability on fast downhills while being an efficient climber on the uphills. Planted low between the axles you become one with the bike that offers uncanny confidence. Thanks to the slack headtube angle, the long wheelbase and those tall, capable wheels the CAPRA is the tool to conquer the Downieville or Megavalanche while at the same time delivering pedaling efficiency over long distances with plenty of ups and downs. The grip provides unheard-of traction on those grueling climbs and thanks to the FlipChip the geometry can be perfectly adapted to your needs.

The 11-speed E-thirteen cassette is a brave, innovative choice.

The CAPRA 27 is for all of those looking for the playful agility of an enduro bike combined with the gravity genes of a downhiller. The extra suspension travel ensures it doesn’t give any ground when dealing with rough terrain or soaking up botched landings. The slack headtube angle and long wheelbase ensure perfect traction while the extra short chain stays make the bikes insatiably fast and addictively engaging – on the ground and in the air. You will ride longer and crazier than ever – and will never need a lift again. Geometry Our focus in the development process has always been to create the perfect weight distribution and optimum rider position. The seat angle of the new CAPRA is perfectly adjusted to a well-balanced pedaling position, allowing for maximum riding efficiency and pedaling prowess. The slack headtube angle and short chainstays, which again are adapted for each frame size, deliver the most advanced combination of trail bike agility and traction at downhill standard.

This is a lot of bike indeed. But if you have the terrain and the spirit, our mantra is “Why not?” Suspension travel is a luxury that can save your body when you get in over your head or run out of talent. And at under 30 lbs with an efficient pedaling platform, why not?

YT Capra 27 Geometry

YT Capra 29 Geometry

YT Fit

For 2018, YT Tailor Made is taking things a step further. Throughout all CAPRA bikes sizes, YT offers a low seat post height in combination with seat posts, that are specifically matched to each of the bike sizes. Thus, riders can now choose between two to a maximum of three different frame sizes for their body height. Whether the rider prefers a moderate or long reach – he/she now have true freedom of choice. By opting for the longer reach, experienced riders can adjust the weight distribution more precisely while the standard reach will give your bike with a little more pop out of corners. Rider style is now truly a factor when selecting a size that fits because the seat tubes out of the way, allowing choice in reach and wheelbase.

The Fox X2 will handle rear damping duties on the Race models which sport more travel

Sizing

For model year 2018 onwards, YT offers five frame sizes (S-XXL). Thanks to the smaller size increments, all riders will be able to find just their right fit. The 29er will be available from size M on and, according to their size recommendation will fit people of 5’4″ and taller. For shorter folks the front wheel leverage weighting of a 29er might be too high, that a 27 will definitely fit better and deliver more fun. Also, the higher stack of the 27.5 will be more convenient for all riders north of that threshold.

The 29er Capra enjoyed flight time as well

Frame – the heart of the system

For the new generation of the CAPRA, YT fine-tuned the Virtual 4 Link suspension system even further. They adopted the downhill principle due to the low leverage ratio and thus created the characteristics of V4L: an off-the-top sensitivity, more mid-stroke support than before and a progressive ending stroke. V4L not only gives the confidence to hit big gaps and rugged terrain at speed, it also makes pedaling super-efficient. Additionally, YT optimized the kinematics to further reduce the influence of pedaling forces. The result is an outstanding climbing efficiency with optimum climbing position and neutral riding behavior.

YT had to sacrifice the water bottle mount to achieve this since it uses that space to host the bar that guides the rear travel on its designed path. It is a compromise indeed but YT opted to pursue suspension performance at all costs. Get your hip packs and hydration packs ready because this is the cost of an assault in long travel suspension performance.

YT Capra Weights

The choice towards the e*thirteen TRS cassette

This is the spec choice that will garner the most attention not only because the rest of the components are dialed but also because it is a huge divergence from the popular 1×12 Eagle.

511% With a 511% gear range, the new cassette from the California crew one-ups Eagle’s 500%. That 511% also means that with its 9-46 teeth sprockets, it makes the front derailleur truly superfluous – without giving up any robustness in chain width and derailleur height.

The 11-speed E-thirteen cassette is a brave, innovative choice.

It is a brave and controversial choice to bet the cassette on a small company indeed. But it is compatible with any of Shimano’s 11-speed cassettes, opening up an array of options on this wear item.

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