Issue #042, Review - October 30, 2020

2020 YT CAPRA Elite 29 on test – Out of the box, onto the racetrack!

“Out of the box, onto the racetrack,” is the motto of the recently introduced YT CAPRA Elite 29. This build gives racers almost everything they want. Find out what we upgraded and how the bike compares.

In our introduction of the fastest enduro race bike on test you can’t just find our most interesting findings and our overall conclusion, but a good view on all bikes tested.

YT CAPRA Elite 29 | 170/170 mm | 15.4 kg in size L

No other bike on test was as close to the production model as the YT CAPRA Elite 29. The € 5,999 bike comes with almost everything that racers want. Up front is FOX 38 Factory fork, which currently sets the gold standard, which is complemented by an X2 Factory shock on the rear. The SRAM CODE RSC brakes are powerful, easy to modulate and are sufficiently reliable with 200 mm rotors.

If you like the E13 LG1 Race EN carbon wheels, you should replace the standard MAXXIS ASSEGAI/Minion DHRII EXO+ tire combo with the Doubledown or DH version for more puncture protection, which is what we did for the test. It’s also worth upgrading the 150 mm FOX Transfer dropper post to something with more stroke. The cockpit consists of a 50 mm Renthal Apex stem and FatBar carbon handlebar. We recommend shortening the latter from 800 mm to around 780 mm. The build is completed by a SRAM X01 Eagle drivetrain with a large 10–52 t cassette, which makes easy work of even the nastiest climbs.

**Quick response**
The moment FOX presented the new 38, YT offered it on their CAPRA Elite build. If you want the latest components, you’ll get them here.

**Down to the last detail**
YT rely on Renthal for the cockpit, speccing a 50 mm stem and 800 mm wide carbon handlebar. We would shorten the latter to 780 mm.

**Good combo**
The SRAM CODE RSC brakes and 200 mm rotors deliver a convincing performance. It’s good that YT don’t compromise here.

YT CAPRA Elite 29

€ 5,999

Specifications

Fork FOX 38 Factory 170 mm
Rear Shock FOX FLOAT X2 Factory 170 mm
Seatpost FOX Transfer Factory mm150
Brakes SRAM CODE RSC 200/200 mm
Drivetrain SRAM X01 32 (10-52)
Stem Renthal Apex 50 mm
Handlebar Renthal Fatbar Carbon 800 mm
Wheelset E13 LG1 Race EN Carbon
Tires MAXXIS Assegai/Minion DHR II 2.5"/2.4"

Technical Data

Size M L XL XXL
Weight 15.4 kg
Wheelsize 29"

**Race-ready**
Thanks to the chain guide and bash guard, the chain never comes off and the chainring is nicely protected. Brilliant!

**Too slack and too short**
Experience has shown that the seat tube angle of the CAPRA is too slack and the adjustment range of the dropper is too small – this shows the bike’s age.

**Upgrade**
If you want to let rip with the YT, you should replace the thin-walled EXO+ tires with a pair of Doubledown models

The geometry of the YT CAPRA Elite 29

L or XL – that was often the question in our previous reviews of the YT CAPRA. Thanks to the short seat tube, you have a choice here. Based on past experience, we went for the smaller of the two, although it must be said that YT’s size L is more like a size M for other manufacturers. Our test bike has a reach of 460 mm, a head angle of 65° and a chainstay length of 435 mm. This results in a wheelbase of 1,227 mm. Combined with a bb drop of 25 mm, the geometry is still modern, though not extreme. Our only criticism goes to the overly slack 75.5° seat tube angle.

Size	M	L	XL	XXL
Seat tube	420 mm	445 mm	465 mm	490 mm
Top tube	584 mm	621 mm	645 mm	667 mm
Head tube	95 mm	105 mm	115 mm	120 mm
Head angle	65.0°	65.0°	65.0°	65.0°
Seat angle	75.5°	75.5°	75.5°	75.5°
Chainstays	435 mm	435 mm	440 mm	440 mm
BB Drop	25 mm	25 mm	25 mm	25 mm
Wheelbase	1,203 mm	1,227 mm	1,256 mm	1,279 mm
Reach	440 mm	460 mm	480 mm	500 mm
Stack	621 mm	630 mm	639 mm	644 mm

**Helmet** Troy Lee D4 | **Goggles** Smith Squad MTB | **Back protection** POC VPD System
**Jersey** Troy Lee Sprint Jersey | **Pants** Troy Lee Sprint Pants | **Shoes** FiveTen Kestrel

“Stay off the brakes!” The CAPRA seems to scream at you. With it’s compact geometry, the bike never feels cumbersome either.

Fast, plush, balanced – three adjectives that perfectly describe the CAPRA!

Climb aboard the YT CAPRA and your confidence immediately goes up. The riding position on the bike is nicely integrated, while the tall front end and oversized tubing of the frame make you feel indestructible. This feeling is underlined by the bike’s plush suspension and composed handling. The YT securely holds its line and motivates you to stay off the brakes. On high-speed sections, the YT is one of the most confidence-inspiring bikes on test, combining high stability with high precision. The suspension gives the impression of having endless reserves and only passes the hardest hits on to the rider. It absorbs everything else.

Fast, plush, balanced – three adjectives that perfectly describe the CAPRA!

Through corners, the CAPRA Elite feels very good-natured and balanced. It responds to steering input immediately and the weight distribution between the wheels is spot on. There are more agile bikes but the compromise that the CAPRA settles on is great. When racing against the clock and looking to gain fractions of seconds, added support from suspension could allow you to generate more speed through compressions. The bike isn’t the fastest at exiting corners either and it accelerates less willingly than the best bikes on test, despite its light tires and wheels. It falls behind on the climbs too and we missed having a bottle cage.

How does the YT CAPRA Elite compare to the competition?

The YT CAPRA Elite is one of the most balanced bikes on test. Compared to the RAAW Madonna, it is shorter and therefore slightly more agile. The rear ends of both bikes seem to have endless reserves and provide tons of traction. The YT is a bit more agile and versatile on the descents while the RAAW is more comfortable on the climbs. Compared to the Yeti, the YT doesn’t accelerate as fast and won’t generate as much speed through pumping but it’s generally more comfortable.

Differences from the standard bike

Doubledown instead of EXO tires

Conclusion

Out of the box, the YT CAPRA Elite is an almost perfect race bike. It’s fast, with good suspension and extremely balanced handling. If you want to race, all you’ll have to do is swap the tires and, if necessary, the dropper post. You only notice the CAPRA’s age when looking at the slack seat tube angle and the missing bottle cage. Otherwise, it’s still great!