YT Industries have relaunched their Capra in both 27.5 and 29″ wheels with a terrifying mid-West horror film and an updated line up of bang-for-your-buck bicycles.
Beyond the creativity of the launch video, the Capra comes in two wheel sizes, two materials and sports more travel than most people will know what to do with.
Here’s our take on the all-new Capra from YT Industries.
The Goat.
Whether you’re a 27.5″ stalwart or a 29er believer, there’s no doubt that the new Capra is designed to take on some serious terrain. While it sits in the ‘bike park’ territory between the downhill pedigree of the TUES and the enduro chops of the Jeffsy, we’re sure that this could be slung at either should you dabble in a bit of downhill and enduro.
If you opt for the smaller hoops, you’ll have 180mm of rear wheel travel, dropping to a not insubstantial 170mm for the 29er.
You have the option of two wheel sizes, five spec options and two colourways on most models. Prices start at £2,299.99 for the Capra AL and rise to £4,699.99 for the Capra CF Pro Race.
Weights throughout the range are slightly higher for 29ers, but even the base Capra AL 29 comes in at a very sensible 31lbs (14.4kgs), with that dipping under the 30lb mark for the 27.5″ CF Pro Race in size small.
Angles.
There would appear to be nothing spectacular regards the geometry of the new Capra, in that, there’s no bargepole top tubes and pedal-clipping bottom bracket heights.
In fact, there’s an air of shortness, certainly in the reach department with 455 and 460mm on the Large size for 27.5 and 29 respectively. That said, seat tubes are noticeably short, so moving up a size to get the reach should leave you with plenty of room to move around.
Head angles are again, nothing crazy at 65 degrees on both bikes. This will likely feel very different on the 29er, again, leading our eyes towards what the bigger-wheeled machine might be capable of.
Which one to buy…?
Both bikes should be capable of seeing you through some massive jumps as well as any trail at any speed, regardless of wheel size. Ultimately it will depend on your riding style and what you’re going to use it for.
The 27.5″ offering will certainly offer plenty of travel and a lively ride for most riding situations, and more than likely for most UK riding outside the bigger peaks of Scotland, North Wales and the Lake District.
For all-out speed though, all roads must surely lead to the Capra 29. 170mm and 29″ wheels will need to be spun up to get the very most out of the bike, but when things get distinctly more Alpine, this bike will no doubt come into its element.
Despite the lack of a small size, the medium with a low standover (699mm) and short-ish seat tube (420mm) shouldn’t cause anyone any major concerns. Long travel and 29ers is going to be a seriously fast experience.
Capra 29 AL Comp.
Our pick of the bunch would be the Capra 29 AL Comp.
Why? The amount of very sensible bike for the price. £2,699.99 is two thousand pounds less than the top of the range CF Pro Race. At the very least, you could buy yourself a bike and a car, or a bike and a riding holiday.
Not only does an alloy frame give you infinite recyclability, the jump to the carbon frame doesn’t actually bring a massive weight saving.
Let’s assume for a second that you’re hell-bent on getting a Capra. Assuming also that the frame itself is sound, you get yourself a no-frills spec that isn’t going to detract performance.
Both Rockshox dampers RC and RTC3 versions, meaning you’ve the adjustability you need. Drivetrain is SLX-based with a RaceFace crank and E-Thirteen cassette. Wheels are DT Swiss numbers, which in past experience have been flawless. Brakes are the most excellent new SRAM Code RSs…
To cut a long story short, you don’t realistically need much more bike than this. If it breaks, it won’t be mad money to fix either. Plus, at the end of the day, you have a 170mm 29er. You’ll be going too fast to notice what spec your bike is sporting.
