YT have updated everything Pete would have changed on the previous model, so have they hit the sweet spot with the latest Jeffsy?
The outgoing version of the YT Jeffsy was just shy of full marks in our opinion, and the latest Jeffsy Core 4 has seen changes that address the short comings. Pete casts his initial thoughts on whether or not it’s hit the spot.
Key features:
- Rockshox Lyrik Ultimate 150mm fork
- Rockshox Super Deluxe shock
- SRAM GX AXS T-type 12-speed drive
- SRAM Code RSC brakes
- Crankbrothers Synthesis Enduro alloy wheels
- YT Postman dropper
- £4,999.00 RRP
- YT-Industries.com
Geometry
The Jeffsy is available in S, M, L, XL and XXL sizes.
Reach on the M, seen here, is 455mm with a seat tube of 410mm. Head angle is 65 degrees with a seat tube angle of 77.5 degrees. Chainstays are 437mm on the smaller of the three sizes with the wheelbase on the M of 1214mm.
Opening moves
I was a particular fan of the outgoing YT Jeffsy, specifically the Core 3 that arrived in its army fatigue green livery. It was a far more engaging ride I found compared to the Capra that I’d tested prior and was almost immediately going faster on it than I was on its bigger brother.
The 145mm 29er platform remains the same, with the kinematic only gaining some anti-squat and end progression adjustments. Small but noticeable geometry tweaks also help make the bike a better climber and descender too. The new Jeffsy comes in Core flavours 1 to 5 with the former kicking things off at £2,499.00 and the latter topping the range at £5,999.00.
The harder I pushed on the outgoing Jeffsy though, a few things started to show their face, things that would stifle the bike’s ability to continue charging. That being a slightly tall seat tube which was especially noticeable after getting off a bike like the Deviate Highlander II, the new Jeffsy has had its seat tube clipped so things have improved in this department.
The two other irks I had with the previous Jeffsy was the EXO casing tyres which just didn’t provide the protection a 145mm 29er requires. This combined with the SRAM G2 brakes that even with 200mm HSC rotors would fade far too quickly on any run of any real length. EXO+ tyres and Code RSCs remedy both issues.
After a quick car park setup, the usual sag, damping and brake fettling, we were off. Just as before, the Jeffsy covers the ground along and up much like its predecessor, especially with the fast rubber fitted. The bike just felt right from the get-go.
The only changes I would make from this point would be speeding up the rebound on the fork and dropping a couple of clicks of High Speed Compression off the shock. I have been impressed with all levels of the Super Deluxe shock recently and on this bike this is no different. Wonderfully supple on the small bumps and dealing with the big hits and compressions with composure. I’d love separate high and low speed adjusters on both dampers but such things don’t exist on Rockshox currently.
Code RSCs are a very welcome presence and immediately gave me the confidence to crack on early knowing that the bike would come back to heel as and when I dictated, something the previous bike could only dream of. This combined with the noticeably shorter seat tube meant that the saddle’s presence between my legs was no longer holding me back either.
From there it was just a case of getting used to what the Jeffsy could and couldn’t do. Mid-winter might not be the best time for a Minion DHF and DHR II combo, but they’ve been surprisingly good regardless. Personally, I’d opt for a MaxxGrip on the rear too, deal with the faster wear in exchange for more traction.
So far so good then. I’m looking forward to getting more time and confidence on the Jeffsy as it looks like it might well be a home run from here.
