Issue #050, Review - December 22, 2021

YT Capra Uncaged 6 2022 – Ladies and gentlemen, enjoy your flight!

RockShox’s new electronic and fully-automated Flight Attendant suspension system does the thinking for you and dramatically increases the climbing performance of your bike. Together with SRAM’s wireless AXS components, it reduces the mechanical components of YT’s limited-edition Capra Uncaged 6 to the bare minimum. What advantages does this setup offer? And does it actually make the Capra any better than its opponents?

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best enduro bike of 2022 – 11 models in review

YT CAPRA UNCAGED 6 | 170/165 mm (f/r)
14.86 kg in size XL | € 8,999 | Manufacturer’s website

With their Uncaged series, YT offer an alternative to their standard models and take the freedom to create something extraordinary. Limited to just 200 units worldwide, the Capra Uncaged 6 features RockShox’s new Flight Attendant suspension system and rolls exclusively on 29″ wheels. At € 8,999, the youngest member of the YT family is also the most expensive bike ever in German direct-sales brand’s portfolio. With its fully-automated RockShox Flight Attendant suspension and wireless SRAM AXS components, the YT Capra Uncaged 6 goes fully-electronic and does most of the thinking for you. Using a smart algorithm and several sensors hidden inside the fork, shock and crank arm spindle, the suspension system recognises the riding situation and automatically adjusts the compression damping of the fork and shock. The control unit uses the sensor data and decides which damping setting on the fork and shock (Open, Pedal, Lock) suits the current riding situation best, significantly broadening the Capra’s range of application on climbs and long days in the saddle. Moreover, the electronic setup allows YT to reduce the cable ports on the frame to the bare minimum. Don’t worry though you’ll still get all the fancy features like the tool-strap mount, bottle cage and Universal Derailleur Hanger. The Uncaged 6 also comes with an extensive seat and chainstay protector and replaceable down tube protector and is delivered as standard with protective tape covering the chainstays, which prevents your shoes from rubbing away at the paint.

Your personal flight attendant: The spec of the YT Capra Uncaged 6

There’s not a single cable to be seen on the new YT Capra Uncaged 6 apart from the hoses for the SRAM Code RSC four-piston brakes, which YT pair with 200 mm rotors front and rear. Needless to say, the electronic setup ensures an incredibly tidy look. In fact, the Renthal cockpit, with an 800 mm carbon Fatbar handlebars and a 35 mm Apex stem, is the tidiest in the entire test field. Each brake lever is connected via a Matchmaker to a SRAM AXS paddle shifter. These control the SRAM X01 12-speed drivetrain, the AXS Reverb dropper post and the RockShox Flight Attendant suspension, which consists of a Flight Attendant ZEB Ultimate fork and Flight Attendant Super Deluxe shock.

**More lights than an amusement park**
The LEDs of RockShox’s Flight Attendant suspension system light up in different colours depending on the riding mode. The control module on the fork serves as the command centre of the entire system.

**Ring a bell?**
SRAM hat den bekannten AXS-Schalthebel gespiegelt und so lassen sich an der linken Lenkerseite nicht wie zuvor nur die Sattelstütze, sondern auch das Fahrwerk verstellen.

**Rendered superfluous**
Like all Capra models, the Uncaged 6 has a flip chip in the shock mount. However, with this specific model the flip chip is rather pointless, because the Flight Attendant system ensures that the suspension works efficiently and always sits high in its travel..

YT CAPRA UNCAGED 6

€ 8,999

Specifications

Fork RockShox ZEB Ultimate Flight Attendant 170 mm
Rear Shock RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate Flight Attendant 165 mm
Seatpost RockShox Reverb AXS 170 mm
Brakes SRAM CODE RSC 200/200 mm
Drivetrain SRAM X01 Eagle AXS 1x12
Stem Renthal Apex 35 50 mm
Handlebar Renthal Fatbar Carbon 35 800 mm
Wheelset Crankbrothers 11/I9 Hydra 29
Tires MAXXIS ASSEGAI/Minion DHR II 2.5/2.4

Technical Data

Size S M L XL XXL
Weight 14.86 kg

Specific Features

flip chip
tool mount

**All taped-up and padded**
YT complement the massive chainstay protector of the Capra Uncaged 6 with a generous amount of protective tape.

**Like walking on eggs**
The flimsy EXO+ casing of the MAXXIS tires is very prone to pinch flats, which could easily turn into a disaster in combination with the stock carbon rims. An expensive one at that…

**As you can see, there’s nothing to see!**
With a mechanical drivetrain, there would be a rear derailleur cable exiting the frame on the bottom-right side of the seat tube. With the wireless AXS components YT dispense with cable ports altogether.

For the tires, YT fit a MAXXIS ASSEGAI 2.5” in the MaxxGrip compound at the front and Minion DHR II 2.4” with the slightly harder MaxxTerra compound at the rear. Both tires feature the flimsy EXO+ casing, which offers poor puncture protection and little support, requiring higher air pressures to prevent pinch flats and irreversible damage to the stock Crankbrother Synthesis carbon wheelset. The latter consists of a compliant front wheel and stiffer rear wheel tuned to take abuse. The basic idea behind this concept is to reduce weight while providing a similar riding experience to an alloy wheelset. YT are one of the few brands in this test to deliver their bike with a chain guide and bash guard as standard. Our Capra Uncaged 6 hits the scales at a very reasonable 14.8 kg.

**Self riding?**
With RockShox’s Flight Attendant system, you can focus on the gnarliest climbs without having to worry about the suspension settings. The system ensures the optimal compromise between traction and propulsion.

The geometry of the YT Capra Uncaged 6

The new Capra is available in a total of five frame sizes, S–XXL, offering a suitable option for riders from 154 to 202 cm tall. But watch out: at 487 mm in size XL, the reach is relatively short compared to the other bikes in this test – we strongly recommend upsizing. That said, choosing the frame size based on your desired reach is rather difficult with the Capra, because the long seat tube, which measures 470 mm in size XL, heavily restricts the freedom of movement on the bike. Unfortunately, the stock 170 mm SRAM AXS dropper post doesn’t make things any easier, with the tallest stack height in the test meaning the saddle gets in your way on descents. Like all other Capra models, the Uncaged 6 has a flip chip in the shock mount. However, we recommend running the low setting like we did, because the Flight Attendant already ensures that the suspension sits high in its travel, effectively rendering the high setting superfluous.

Nimble, playful and snappy, the YT Capra Uncaged 6 flies through the trees. However, on very steep trails the long seat tube gets in your way and restricts freedom of movement.

Size	S	M	L	XL	XXL
Seat tube	395 mm	420 mm	445 mm	470 mm	495 mm
Top tube	563 mm	586 mm	606 mm	629 mm	652 mm
Head tube	100 mm	110 mm	110 mm	120 mm	130 mm
Head angle	64.2/64.5°	64.2/64.5°	64.2/64.5°	64.2/64.5°	64.2/64.5°
Seat angle	77.7/78.0°	77.7/78.0°	77.7/78.0°	77.7/78.0°	77.7/78.0°
Chainstays	438 mm	438 mm	438 mm	443 mm	443 mm
BB Drop	27/22 mm	27/22 mm	27/22 mm	27/22 mm	27/22 mm
Wheelbase	1,204 mm	1,228 mm	1,248 mm	1,277 mm	1,302 mm
Reach	427 mm	447 mm	467 mm	487 mm	507 mm
Stack	625 mm	634 mm	634 mm	643 mm	652 mm

**Helmet** 100% Altec | **Glasses** 100% S3 | **Jersey** 100% R Core | **Shorts** 100% R Core
**Kneepad** 100% FORTIS | **Shoes** Five Ten Hellcat Pro

A very helpful flight attendant: The Capra Uncaged 6 on the trail

As you might have already guessed, the Flight Attendant makes the Capra Uncaged 6 one of the strongest and most efficient climbers in this test – only the Specialized S-Works Kenevo SL with its electric motor pulls past the YT on climbs. Here we recommend using the automatic suspension mode (and a high Bias Adjust setting), which offers the optimal compromise between maximum propulsion and traction. On level terrain, the electronic suspension system usually switches to pedal or lock mode, allowing the shock to sit high in its travel. This makes for an upright pedalling position, which puts a little pressure on the hands on flat trails but places the rider centrally on the bike uphill.

The Rock Shox Flight Attendant suspension system turns the YT Capra Uncaged 6 into a mean climbing machine, always finding the sweet spot between traction and efficiency.

**Nimble, playful and snappy.**
With the Capra, the trail becomes a playground.

Point its nose downhill and the otherwise silent Capra gives off a faint hissing noise to tell you that the suspension has opened up the compression damping and is ready to get rowdy. The YT is intuitive and easy to ride, even with an average riding technique. The agile and predictable handling allows you to thread your way through the trees on narrow forest trails while the playful character enables quick changes of direction and spontaneous jumps. Together with the Pivot Firebird and Santa Cruz Bronson, the Capra is one of the most playful and agile bikes on test. However, on rough and fast descents it lacks a little smoothness. Despite generating excellent traction, the rear suspension lacks progression – an extra volume spacer will make a huge difference here. On steep trail sections, the Capra doesn’t inspire a great deal of confidence, which is primarily due to the long seat tube and its limited insertion depth, which significantly restricts freedom of movement on the bike. The Capra Uncaged 6 is great fun on flowing and moderate tech trails and encourages you to shift up a gear on climbs.

Tuning tips: tires with more robust casing i.e. MAXXIS DoubleDown | add volume spacers to the shock

Riding Characteristics

Uphill

sluggish
efficient

Agility

cumbersome
playful

Stability

nervous
confident

Handling

demanding
balanced

Suspension

harsh
plush

Fun Factor

planted
poppy

Value for money

terrible
very good

Intended Use

XC

Trail

Enduro

Downhill

Conclusion

The YT Capra Uncaged 6 benefits enormously from RockShox’s fully-automated Flight Attendant suspension system, which broadens the range of applications of the bike and dramatically improves its climbing performance. Together with the electronic SRAM AXS components, it also ensures a very tidy look and a quiet ride. The Capra is extremely agile and cheerfully playful, with its intuitive handling making it easy to ride, especially on flat and narrow trails. Only on very steep trails and at high speeds does the Capra lack stability and fail to inspire confidence.

Tops

Flight Attendant suspension system broadens the range of applications, especially uphill
very nimble and agile on the trail
very quiet

Flops

long seat tube and limited insertion depth limit freedom of movement
tires don't do justice to the intended application

You can find out more about at yt-industries.com

The test field