Billed as the lightweight, short-range cousin of the wildly popular YT Capra, the YT Jeffsy 29 has been called “your best friend” to enjoy the ups and downs.
All but the entry-level Core 2 Jeffsy are shaped in the shape now synonymous with YT Industries, while the rest are carbon fiber.
The sinuous carbon fiber line is fully integrated with internal cable routing and is protected by a replaceable rubber downtube guard, as well as chain or suction guards on the seat stays.
Double sealed bearings are designed to keep out the toughest dirt, and an easy-to-turn flip-down plate in the lower shock mount allows for some geometric adjustment.
Since space in the front triangle is limited and the ability to carry a water bottle is now a big deal for many, YT has introduced its own short and durable 600ml Thirstmaster 4000 water bottle as an optional extra that snaps into place at the bottom. The elegantly positioned Fidlock system packs a punch.
It is modulated by YT’s Virtual Four-Link (V4L) suspension platform, promising all the usual buzzwords including sensitivity, mid-range support and progression.
With a mark just under 6 feet, I opted for a large one that goes up to 470mm.
The bottom bracket drops 32mm below the axle, allowing the track to pivot, although it can be raised to -24mm with a flip chip.
Given the bike’s DNA, the 66/66.5-degree adjustable head tube angle stands out on the steeper side.
The Jeffsy Core 3 is one of those bikes that needs few upgrades other than the tires, which I found stiff and unforgiving with the Maxxis Dual Compound rubber.
The Fox Float 36 Performance Elite fork with GRIP2 shock provides soft yet well-controlled suspension action, as does the paired Float DPX2 shock.
The wide gear range of the SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain is a welcome help on the hills, and in 12 months of owning the bike, shifting was nearly flawless.
Equally impressive are the DT Swiss M1900 Spline wheels, which, despite some wayward influence, don’t require much attention to the spoke keys.
YT’s Postman dropper post has proven to be reliable and painless for changing cables, but a longer dropper post on any size bikes would have made it better in my opinion.
Since this was the bike I tested last year for sister magazine BikeRadar UK Mountain Bike, I had the opportunity to test the Jeffsy Core 3 in a variety of riding styles and conditions.
Overall, he performed admirably, even when he unwisely crashed into a large jumper at the Welsh Bike Park.
It lacks a little more pedal turn than the rear needs, and the head angle is a little lower or so.
On a mid-range trail bike like this, climbing performance is paramount, so longer periods in the saddle don’t feel like a chore.
Overall, the Jeffsy can hit miles with ease, and the effective 77/77.5-degree seat tube angle allows you to sit well on the bottom bracket on most slopes.
The Maxxis Minion DHR II tires have enough traction to cut power on loose or muddy ground, while the firmer rubber compound, while not the best for downhills, avoids the overfamiliarity that comes with many powerful trail bikes, sluggish and enduro bikes. .
It seems like you are putting in more energy than you expected, and this is due to the hard work in the saddle.
The compromise of Jeffsey’s highly active V4L suspension appears to be a fairly pronounced squat under load, a feature that allowed me to click the Fox DPX2′s 3rd gear to “pin” almost all of the big climbs.
Luckily, shock lift bars made it an option, and in combination with the “Medium” mode, it was easy to get the settings for wavy climbs and long, grueling light frictions.
Speaking of wavy trails, I would welcome a longer seatpost than the 150mm travel YT Postman I have on my bike, especially when the seat tube has more than 200mm internal clearance.
In terms of fit, the SDG Belair 3.0 saddle is worth mentioning because it is very comfortable (at least in my opinion), offering the best balance of flex and support.
Hop on the bike and you feel like everything is where it should be, and the low bottom brace allows you to “get into” the bike with confidence so you have the confidence to throw it into corners from the start.
I ran the bike nearly 100% of the time in the two geometry positions offered by the flip chip, and while that was good in terms of center of gravity, it still made me want a looser head tube angle.
While 66 degrees isn’t cool, on a bike that’s designed for cross-country riding that encourages you to slow down when accelerating or on steeper surfaces, I’d like my front wheel to be more forward for stability. relief.
Of course, in reality, this becomes just one factor in the more extreme tasks of the motorcycle. For general utility bikes, off-road hubs, etc. The fast propulsion afforded by the compact geometry makes it a fast 29er suitable for the slow tech business.
It reacts from above and then moves up to deal with some pretty hard hits.
The Fox shock handles this well, and the independent high and low speed adjusters on the fork help increase fork support and prevent it from diving to further increase head angle.
I’ve always been a big fan of the Maxxis Minion DHR II tread pattern front and rear in terms of traction, but on the Jeffsy, the stiffer 2-component rubber compared to the 3C hardness I use looks a bit unsightly on the front. wheel Anticipate, look for obstacles instead of compliance and acumen.
It’s a good choice in terms of durability and rolling speed, but a softer composite front tire would be a welcome change.
The SRAM G2 R brakes, which have also been tested on descents, have crisp modulation and grip, and have plenty of power in most off-road situations, but feel underpowered in sustained gravity attacks.
As someone with a lighter stature, heavier riders will almost certainly notice it more.
While the tires can be a bit stiff and the seatpost travel tends to be a bit short, the build kit is very practical.
However, instead of leaning towards the enduro trend, the bike is positioned more firmly in the off-road/all-mountain category. Racers from a gravity-based background can accept my feelings about the slightly conservative head angle.
That being said, if you’re looking for a reliable all-day ripper that can eat just about anything you can throw at it, you can’t go wrong with the Jeffsy 29 Core 3.
Former UK mountain bike editor Ed Thomsett has a downhill passion at heart, but has ridden all types of bikes since childhood. He has raced nationally and internationally in downhill and enduro, and has spent several years in the Alps and Canada riding horses, traveling the roads and living an earthy lifestyle. Now Ed is showing off his years of cycling experience as a writer and commentator for MBUK and BikeRadar. He is also an avid trail builder, blazing many steep and challenging trails through the woods of his native North Yorkshire. These days, Ed is happy to take on any discipline and believes that the sign of a better week is that every bike in his shed is dirty by the end.
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Post time: Oct-29-2022