While mixed-wheel bikes may not take over the MTB market, there are more brands offering their new frames with dual 29″ or mixed (MX) options. This latest Decoy e-bike from YT Industries can be had with two 29″ wheels and a 150mm fork, followed by a 145mm rear-axle path, or an MX build with a 170mm fork and 165mm of travel out back. The Shimano EP8 motor is backed up by a 540 watt battery.
The top Decoy Core 4 MX bike comes with a Fox Float 38 Factory Ebike+ fork and a Factory X2 shock, while the 29er is outfitted with a lighter Float 36 Factory fork and Factory DPS shock, and both bikes have a Shimano XT drivetrain, SRAM Code RSC brakes, and a set of Crankbrothers Synthesis alloy wheels. This MX build weighs in at a reported 21.7kg, and the 29er is scant heavier at 21.9kg, both with full carbon frames. The Decoy MX bike retails for €7,499 or $7,999, and the Decoy 29 Core 4 build is priced at €6,999 or $7,499.
Mid-level Core 3 builds use a carbon front triangle and alloy rear end, and drop the drivetrain components to the SLX level, and the brakes to SRAM Code R, with all suspension components losing their Kashima coating in favor of the Performance Elite black. The alloy adds a little weight, with the MX and 29er frames weighing a reported 22.9 and 23kg respectively. Pricing for this build is €6,499 or $6,999 for the MX bike, and €5,999 or $6,499 for the larger wheels and lower travel.
The base Decoy Core 2 bikes both weigh a reported 23kg with carbon front triangles and alloy rear. The MX version has a RockShox ZEB R fork and Super Deluxe Select shock, while the 29er takes a Yari up front. Both bikes in this build use Shimano Deore 12-speed drivetrains and SRAM Code R brakes. Weighing less than 2kg over the top build, the Decoy Core 2 retails for €5,799 or $5,999 with mixed wheels, and €5,299 or $5,499 with 29″ wheels.
YT seems to have slowed down the long/low/slack train of late, and this bike’s geometry looks a little conservative. Or, maybe they have found the sweet spot? While there are five sizes, none of them are particularly long or slack, which is surprising given the travel numbers on the MX model. The seat tube is also a fair bit slacker than a lot of newly released bikes, like the brand’s Izzo short travel machine. One surprising number is the 458mm-long chainstay on all 29er frames, keeping the rear-center measurement longer than the reach on both small and medium size bikes.
All bikes from YT that are ordered more than eight weeks from their delivery date can now be pre-ordered with a refundable 10% down payment. YT says that the bikes will be shipped according to when the pre-orders are submitted.
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May 29, 2021