First Ride Review: YT CAPRA 2018 – 27.5″ or 29″?
The YT CAPRA is undisputedly the most successful model of the popular German direct-sales brand. This time around it has been entirely revised and like its little brother the JEFFSY the CAPRA is also now available in two versions with either 27.5” or 29” wheels. After testing both versions we are ready to give you all the important info and tell you which one we prefer.
Like its predecessor, the brand-new YT CAPRA was mainly developed for one thing: uncompromised riding fun on the way down! As well as updating the spec YT has radically revised the geometry and the entire rear-end in a bid to maximise riding fun and performance. Just like the popular JEFFSY the new CAPRA comes in both 27.5” and 29” wheel-sizes and the option of either aluminium or carbon frames.
Aesthetically the new CAPRA perfectly suits YT’s portfolio maintaining its trademark look even after an extensive overhaul. YT still relies on their trademark V4L rear linkage which features 170 mm of travel on 27.5” models and 160 mm on their 29ers. As with the JEFFSY the new CAPRA CF Pro Race-model sports an additional centimetre of travel both at the front- and rear-end (180 mm for the 27.5”/170 mm for the 29”).
Unlike its predecessor, the new aluminium model doesn’t feature carbon seatstays but YT successfully managed to make the aluminium frame look surprisingly similar to its carbon counterpart. To produce the aluminium frames YT follows an Air Forming Process which relies on very high temperatures and air-pressures to shape the tube sets.
All CAPRA frames are compatible with dual crown forks but unfortunately, a water bottle cage is still not an option.
We have increased the initial transmission ratio to achieve an even more sensitive response”, says CEO Markus explaining the revised suspension linkage. “As a result, you will get more support in the midstroke. In addition, we shaved off 8 % from the final progression. In our calculations, we took into account all the crucial characteristics of new-generation-shocks to achieve maximum performance in our frames. – CEO Markus Flossmann
The geometry of the YT CAPRA
YT deliberately opted for a short seat tube and low standover to allow riders to choose between different frame-size-options. Now you will find your perfect fit by looking at the length of the frame (reach) and not its height.
In order to achieve a perfect riding balance YT not only adapts the length of the chainstays to the respective wheel sizes (27,5” and 29”) but also varies it by 5 mm depending on the frame size (27,5” S, M, L = 427 mm / 27,5” XL, XXL = 432 mm / 29” M, L = 435 mm / 29” XL, XXL = 440 mm).
As you’d expect it from a bike like the CAPRA the frame is long (reach 455–460 Gr. L), the head angle slack (65–65,5°) and the seat angle nice and steep (76°). 29er models feature a flip-chip which allows you to adjust the geometry by 0.5° and adapt the bottom bracket height. There is no flip chip on the 27.5” versions.
The axle-crown-length of the CF Pro Race-models sits one centimetre higher than on the other models with the same wheel size. As a consequence, the whole geometry of the bike slackens by 0.5°. Depending on wheel size the new CAPRA is available in five different frame sizes and allows both very short and very tall riders to find their perfect fit.
We wanted to keep the seat tube and standover height of the new CAPRA as low as possible. This gives our customers absolute freedom when choosing their frame size. Someone who would normally ride on an L frame can now also opt for an XL or XXL. The seat tube and standover are no longer the limiting factor. – CEO Markus Flossmann
YT CAPRA 29 CF PRO RACE
| 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°/65.5° | 65°/65.5° | 65°/65.5° | 65°/65.5° |
| Seat angle | 75.5°/76° | 75.5°/76° | 75.5°/76° | 75.5°/76° |
| Chainstays | 435 mm | 435 mm | 440 mm | 440 mm |
| BB Drop | 25 mm/15 mm | 25 mm/15 mm | 25 mm/15 mm | 25 mm/15 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1203 mm | 1227 mm | 1256 mm | 1279 mm |
| Reach | 440 mm | 460 mm | 480 mm | 500 mm |
| Stack | 621 mm | 630 mm | 639 mm | 644 mm |
YT CAPRA 29 AL
| Size | M | L | XL | XXL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Tube | 420 mm | 445 mm | 465 mm | 490 mm |
| Top tube | 583 mm | 619 mm | 642 mm | 664 mm |
| Head Tube | 95 mm | 105 mm | 115 mm | 120 mm |
| Head angle | 65.5°/66° | 65.5°/66° | 65.5°/66°° | 65.5°/66° |
| Seat angle | 76°/76.5° | 76°/76.5° | 76°/76.5° | 76°/76.5° |
| Chainstays | 435 mm | 435 mm | 440 mm | 440 mm |
| BB Drop | 28 mm/19 mm | 28 mm/19 mm | 28 mm/19 mm | 28 mm/19 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1199 mm | 1223 mm | 1252 mm | 1274 mm |
| Reach | 445 mm | 465 mm | 485 mm | 505 mm |
| Stack | 618 mm | 627 mm | 636 mm | 640 mm |
YT CAPRA 27 CF PRO RACE
| Size | S | M | L | XL | XXL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Tube | 400 mm | 420 mm | 450 mm | 470 mm | 490 mm |
| Top tube | 572 mm | 594 mm | 617 mm | 639 mm | 661 mm |
| Head Tube | 97 mm | 109 mm | 120 mm | 130 mm | 135 mm |
| Head angle | 65° | 65° | 65° | 65° | 65° |
| Seat angle | 75° | 75° | 75° | 75° | 75° |
| Chainstays | 427 mm | 427 mm | 427 mm | 432 mm | 432 mm |
| BB Drop | 8 mm | 8 mm | 8 mm | 8 mm | 8 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1169 mm | 1194 mm | 1219 mm | 1248 mm | 1271 mm |
| Reach | 415 mm | 435 mm | 455 mm | 475 mm | 495 mm |
| Stack | 597 mm | 607 mm | 617 mm | 626 mm | 631 mm |
YT CAPRA 29 AL
| Size | S | M | L | XL | XXL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Tube | 420 mm | 420 mm | 450 mm | 470 mm | 490 mm |
| Top tube | 569 mm | 593 mm | 615 mm | 637 mm | 659 mm |
| Head Tube | 97 mm | 109 mm | 120 mm | 130 mm | 135 mm |
| Head angle | 65° | 65° | 65° | 65° | 65° |
| Seat angle | 76° | 76° | 76° | 76° | 76° |
| Chainstays | 427 mm | 427 mm | 427 mm | 432 mm | 432 mm |
| BB Drop | 11 mm | 11 mm | 11 mm | 11 mm | 11 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1164 mm | 1190 mm | 1215 mm | 1244 mm | 1266 mm |
| Reach | 420 mm | 440 mm | 460 mm | 480 mm | 500 mm |
| Stack | 593 mm | 604 mm | 614 mm | 623 mm | 627 mm |
The spec of the YT CAPRA – 11 speeds and a mighty “Hallelujah!!!!”
When looking at the spec of the new YT CAPRA most of you might be wondering why none of YT’s bikes come with a 12-speed transmission. And this is the answer Markus gave us:
On all CAPRA models, the E13 TRS+ cassette is always combined with a Shimano rear-derailleur while the cranks are from Race Face. The rest of the spec is also very well thought-through. All models feature powerful SRAM CODE brakes, a dropper post in various lengths to suit different frame sizes, grippy tires and high-end suspension.
The new 1×11 E*thirteen TRS+ cassette with a 511 % range outperforms any conventional 12-speed cassette by a solid 11 %. It’s also easier to adjust and significantly more robust. The 9–46 setup makes it the optimal choice for aggressive trail riding and full-on racing. – CEO Markus Flossmann
On the next page you’ll find an overview of all spec options.