Review: YT Industries Tues
Tues overlooking the Santa Cruz mountains (click to enlarge). Photo by Christopher Berthiaume
Intro
Do it: the mindset enabled by and direct translation of YT Industries’ downhill offering, the Tues. This is the second bike Mtbr has reviewed from Cam and Howie Zink, YT Industries’ North American representatives. Like the Capra, the Tues (pronounced, “two-ezzz”) has received stellar reviews, holding its own against significantly more expensive bikes. Both YT bikes have a similar confidence inspiring and playful feel while descending, with the Tues preferring the meatiest trails.
This article will cover the bike’s specifications, build options, assembly and ride. A one-bullet summary for each of those items are:
- Carbon 27.5” downhill bike
- Loaded builds
- Fast and easy assembly
- Very capable bike, fun ride
With YT’s direct sales model, cresting the driveway and seeing a massive YT box at the front door is an excellent way to arrive home. After about 30 minutes of wrenching, you’ve got a DH bike ready-to-ride!
YT Tues, as it arrives (click to enlarge). Photo by Christopher Berthiaume
Geometry
The Tues is a bike that feels instantly familiar, putting the rider in a relaxed yet active position that is very comfortable. Its head tube angle is 63.5 degrees, yet doesn’t feel quite that slack while riding – steering is more responsive than expected. The riser bars provided in the stock build increase the upright feel, which makes the bike very easy to control through the rough stuff. Chainstay length is 435mm, when combined with the reach, really lets the bike rip out of turns. The seat tube is fairly steep, at 74 degrees. The bottom bracket height is moderately low, sitting about 5mm higher than my Demo8 26” bike. This might not sound like much, yet I experienced far fewer pedal strikes than with my Demo8, running the same crank length with much stiffer springs. Sizing recommendations for the Tues are similar to the Capra. I’m about 6’ tall, so chose the large and found the dimensions to fit me quite well.
Tues geometry chart and diagram (sourced from YT Industries). Photo by Christopher Berthiaume
Frame Details
The Tues is available with two different frames – carbon and alloy. Our test sled was the carbon Comp build. Alloy removes about $800 from the price tag and adds a little over two pounds. The suspension uses YT’s V4L suspension linkage, which keeps forces linear during mid-range, and quickly ramps up deep in the travel. This allows for running less high speed compression damping, while reducing bottom out for large hits. Pairing this progressive geometry with a linear spring seems like an excellent idea, so we were anxious to take a ride. The carbon frame is paired with carbon seatstays, while using alloy chainstays for durability. The frame is fitted with a PF30 bottom bracket and has a tapered head tube. The frame, chainstay and seatstay have integrated protectors to reduce damage from chain slap and roosted rocks.
Frame, chain stay, seat stay protectors & cable routing (click to enlarge). Photo by Christopher Berthiaume
Cable routing is mostly external, with the derailleur cable routed inside the seatstay.
Builds
The Tues has three different builds and two frame options. The middle build tier is available in both carbon and alloy. We will focus on the two carbon options here. The Pro build uses BOS air suspension with 208mm travel front and rear, while the Comp build uses Rockshox coils with 200mm front and 208mm rear travel. The other differences between the builds are mostly component details.
Bars, fork, shock (click to enlarge). Photo by Christopher Berthiaume
Mtbr’s test bike is the Comp, which includes: RockShox Vivid R2C 208mm coil shock and BoXXer Team 200mm coil fork, e*thirteen LG1+ chain guide, SRAM X9 derailleur, SRAM PG-1050 10spd 11-28t cassette, SRAM Guide RS brakes, SRAM Truvativ cranks, SRAM GXP pf30 bottom bracket, DT Swiss YT2020 wheels, Maxxis High Roller II 27.5”x2.5” tires, Race Face Atlas DM 35 stem and 800mm bars, Sensus grips, weighing in at ~36.5lbs.
Rear end and non-drive side (click to enlarge). Photo by Christopher Berthiaume
Upgrading to the Pro build changes the following items: BOS DH Void 208mm shock and Idylle RaRe 208mm fork, SRAM X01 DH rear derailleur, SRAM X01 7spd 10-24t cassette, SRAM Guide RSC brakes, e*thirteen LG1r cranks and wheelset, e*thirteen PF30 bottom bracket, Renthal Intgegra II stem and Fatbar Alu bars, weighing in at ~34.8lbs.
Both of these builds are very capable, with primary differences being suspension manufacturer/spring style. Personal preference would be the Pro build with Rockshox suspension.
Prices for the carbon builds are, Pro: $4,895; Comp: $4,295; with alloy builds at, Comp: $3,495; and, base: $2,695.
Full build-outs and up-to-date pricing can be found on the YT website: https://us.yt-industries.com/cat/index/sCategory/261
Continue to page 2 for assembly, riding impressions, plus an extended photo gallery »
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