YT CAPRA 29 CF Pro Race 2019 review
The YT CAPRA 29 CF Pro Race already looked pretty damn good last year, but for 2019, YT has turned up the dial yet again. With its subtle stealth optics, the looks of this bike radiate understatement – but looks can be very deceiving!
For an overview of the test fleet head to: The best enduro bike you can buy
As a customer, you are spoiled for choice with YT. If you know your budget and thus the build spec you can afford, you still have to choose between 27.5″ and 29″ wheels and two colours options, as well as the frame size. Due to short seat tube, you’ve usually got a choice between at least two sizes with the CAPRA. At a rider height of 180 cm, we were faced with the choice of L or XL and ultimately chose the larger version with 29″ wheels. For extra tall riders, the bike is also available in XXL. The € 5,299 carbon bike comes with only the finest components – typical YT. As in the previous year, the direct-to-consumer brand relies on a combination of Shimano XTR and E13 components. The tires and wheels also come from E13. For the suspension and dropper seat post, only the best will do – the finest FOX Factory components convincing us with outstanding performance. The package is rounded off by a Renthal cockpit, which matches the look and the dimensions of the bike perfectly.
The YT CAPRA 29 CF Pro Race in detail
Fork FOX 36 FLOAT Factory GRIP2 170 mm
Shock FOX X2 Factory 170 mm
Brakes SRAM Code RSC
Drivetrain Shimano XTR/E13 TRSr
Seatpost FOX Transfer Factory 150 mm
Stem Renthal Apex 40 mm
Handlebar Renthal Fatbar Carbon 800 mm
Wheels E13 TRS Race 29″
Tires E13 TRSr/TRS+ 2.4″
Weight 14.54 kg
Price € 5,299
There are no limits to the rear suspension of the CAPRA. No matter how big and fast the blows that hit it, it flattens everything out.
The Renthal cockpit convinces with excellent ergonomics, but YT also thinks about the details. While many brands rely on hard, cheap grips, the direct-to-consumer brand specs quality ODI items.
You won’t find any rattling cables on the CAPRA. The clamp at the cable port effectively keeps everything taut.
The low drawn top tube gives most riders the choice between at least two frame sizes. If you like your handling agile, you better go for the smaller size; for maximum stability, bigger is better.
The geometry of the 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 |
The YT CAPRA 29 CF Pro Race on the trail
At 180 cm tall, you’ll have plenty of room on the XL CAPRA. We felt super integrated between the big wheels and were instilled with confidence from the start. Unlike most other manufacturers, YT doesn’t shy away from the additional costs of sizing specific geometry, matching the chainstay length to the frame length and nicely balancing the handling of the long front triangle (Reach 485 mm).
The CAPRA is a high-end Enduro racer for a very fair price!
In open corners, the weight distribution of the bike is spot on, ensuring plenty of grip on both wheels. However, the tread profile of the E13 tires is very square, making for an unpredictable breakout point. In tight sections, the YT demands a lot of input from the rider. However, there is little that will slow it down on fast, demanding sections, impressing our test team with its enormous stability. The plush and sensitive suspension easily absorbs obstacles of any size, helping the CAPRA stick to the ground. The tuning of the progression is very good, allowing you to effectively use all of the available travel without harshly bottoming out. If you want to launch off ledges or rollers, you will need to work hard to get the bike airborne though – it isn’t very playful. The CAPRA is a comfortable climber, but amongst other things, due to the high rolling resistance of the tires, you won’t be claiming KOM’s any time soon.
Conclusion
The YT CAPRA 29 CF Pro Race eats the toughest trails for breakfast. It impressed our test team with its enormous stability and it carries tons of speed through the most demanding terrain. The component spec and workmanship are high-end, and the value for money is good too. If you like going fast, this is the bike. If you’re stuck between sizes and you’re the kind of person that prefers agility over stability, you should choose the smaller size.
Tops
- Unstoppable in rough terrain
- Plush suspension
- Top spec and workmanship
- Good value for money
Flops
- iCumbersome in size XL
- Unpredictable limit of the E13 tires
Uphill
Downhill
Stability
Agility
Value for money
For more info head to: yt-industries.com
For an overview of the test fleet head to: The best enduro bike you can buy
All bikes in test: Bold Unplugged | Canyon Strive CFR 9.0 Team | Commencal META AM 29 SIGNATURE ORANGE | Giant Reign Advanced 0 | Lapierre Spicy Team Ultimate | Nukeproof Mega 275c RS | Orbea Rallon M-LTD I9 | Pivot Firebird 29 Team XX1 | Pole Machine EN | Santa Cruz Nomad CC | Scott Ransom 900 Tuned | Specialized S-Works Enduro 29 | Trek Slash 9.9