New Decoy: happy owner!

[nickfrog]

Orderered a Base Decoy 2 weeks ago. Getting any reliable tracking has proven difficult but it eventually arrived today. Except it hasn't. I was the first stop of the day but the DHL guy can't find it as it has been loaded first and is under a mountain of seemingly heavy stuff. The guy will pop back when he has done a few deliveries. A £4k CF main framed bike loaded flat under a lot of weight doesn't bode well. Total incompetence from DHL to also load the parcel that goes in first at the back and at the bottom.

I bought on price and spec and in retrospect the amount of hassle pre delivery makes me regret my decision even before I have the bike.

I reckon if you spend £1500 the business model works but YTs dodgy execution makes me wonder if it works for a £4k more complex bike.

Time will tell but shop support is something I perhaps neglected from a logistical risk and warranty point of view.

 

[Fx1]

So how is it YT fault that DHL put the box down flat?

Also why would this be a problem until you see how it is packed?

 

[nickfrog]

Fair point. I will perhaps mellow when it is delivered and intact. As for YT, they appointed DHL as their provider. Loading a big box with fragile on it first when you know it's the first delivery is idiotic. As you say, let's see what happens later though.

 

[Pwrhungry]

I ordered mine but Smooth sailing doesn’t far. But I’m in Germany so maybe it’s just better here.

 

[Fatbap]

Did it arrive

 

[nickfrog]

DHL called me 2 hours after the driver left to say that the bike wasn't on the van anyway LOL. They ran out of space but didn't tell the driver so he came to mine for nothing. They offered to deliver tomorrow but they let me pick it up, only 25 miles away, probably safer. Sorry if I sounded pissed off. Probably because I was. Box was fine and assembly took 15mn. Charging now so will only declare victory when it's all charged up. The instructions show a row of LEDs to monitor progress but is that only when you remove the battery for charging?

 

[R120]

I have to say given current circumstances getting one with a 2 week lead time is a right result - most companies struggling to get bikes delivered in anything like that time frame right now.

 

[rb.]

DHL called me 2 hours after the driver left to say that the bike wasn't on the van anyway LOL. They ran out of space but didn't tell the driver so he came to mine for nothing. They offered to deliver tomorrow but they let me pick it up, only 25 miles away, probably safer. Sorry if I sounded pissed off. Probably because I was. Box was fine and assembly took 15mn. Charging now so will only declare victory when it's all charged up. The instructions show a row of LEDs to monitor progress but is that only when you remove the battery for charging?

Yes, you cannot see those when the battery is installed. When it’s finished charging the light will go green.

 

[nickfrog]

Thanks. It did turn green after 3 hours from 2 bars. Well built bike actually apart from the long hoses and outers. Slight issue is that the Postman seat post has a bit of play, similar to a Brand X but coming from a play less Oneup it's a slight shame. I went for XL at 6ft to get a similar reach to my Mondraker. That's the right size but the seat post is a bit high fully extended and even slammed and the rubber grommet removed. Again, not YT's fault before anyone says anything

 

[nickfrog]

Also, I don't dare putting the bike on a stand given the weight... Not sure the post will survive???

 

[Zimmerframe]

Also, I don't dare putting the bike on a stand given the weight... Not sure the post will survive???

I think you weigh more than the bike so if you imagine what you do to the post when riding, hanging it statically is nothing in comparison.

 

[Gavalar]

DHL called me 2 hours after the driver left to say that the bike wasn't on the van anyway LOL. They ran out of space but didn't tell the driver so he came to mine for nothing. They offered to deliver tomorrow but they let me pick it up, only 25 miles away, probably safer. Sorry if I sounded pissed off. Probably because I was. Box was fine and assembly took 15mn. Charging now so will only declare victory when it's all charged up. The instructions show a row of LEDs to monitor progress but is that only when you remove the battery for charging?

No matter, you'll lay it down at some point yourself when it bucks you off.

 

[rb.]

Also, I don't dare putting the bike on a stand given the weight... Not sure the post will survive???

I’d recommend one of these stands. Works great for the ebike.

 

[rb.]

Thanks. It did turn green after 3 hours from 2 bars. Well built bike actually apart from the long hoses and outers. Slight issue is that the Postman seat post has a bit of play, similar to a Brand X but coming from a play less Oneup it's a slight shame. I went for XL at 6ft to get a similar reach to my Mondraker. That's the right size but the seat post is a bit high fully extended and even slammed and the rubber grommet removed. Again, not YT's fault before anyone says anything

Get a oneup. You should be able to get more length out of it and it already seems like you were happy with their post in the past.

Also it is kinda YT’s fault that they designed their bike with such a long seat tube by today’s standards. Or it’s you fault for having short legs.

 

[nickfrog]

So the seat is now 20mm higher than on my Mondraker. But the cranks are 165mm vs 175mm. Now that the kinematics have settled in their travel, it's OK. Had first proper ride today. Would report back but how do I get the title of the thread changed to say "New Decoy: happy owner"? Mods perhaps?

 

[R120]

So the seat is now 20mm higher than on my Mondraker. But the cranks are 165mm vs 175mm. Now that the kinematics have settled in their travel, it's OK. Had first proper ride toady. Would report back but how do I get the title of the thread changed to say "New Decoy: happy owner"? Mods perhaps?

done

 

[nickfrog]

Cheers.

First proper ride today. 24 miles on the South Downs, including Steyning bike park up and down a few times.
This is my first emtb and my first 29er. Really impressed by the entire riding experience. It is a slightly different sport basically. It cuts the high heart rate spikes which is no bad thing as I am 51. I like my descending and I was very concerned about descending ability. Not worried now. It's fine, it didn't seem to make much difference apart from braking distance perhaps. I needed to be close to a 500mm reach to match the L Foxy so I went XL. Glad I did. Plenty of space to move about. My only criticism is that in very tight corners the front wheel is a bit lazy but I didn't recognise the usual inertia and lack of nimbleness often associated with that wheel size. OK it's not quite as playful as 27.5 but the margin is not significant. A day at BPW may change that verdict, who knows.

Really impressed by the value of the Base at £4k.

SLX 12 is a dream in shifting quality. Probably as good as 10 speed Shimano, who can now be forgiven for their mediocre 11 speed.

I will need to change the front spring to the new Debonair and go up to 160mm.

I just went down to the last bar as I arrived with a variety of Boost, Trail and a bit of Eco (all set to high).

The speed limit is too low, I will hack up to US limit.

 

[Russ2550]

Orderered a Base Decoy 2 weeks ago. Getting any reliable tracking has proven difficult but it eventually arrived today. Except it hasn't. I was the first stop of the day but the DHL guy can't find it as it has been loaded first and is under a mountain of seemingly heavy stuff. The guy will pop back when he has done a few deliveries. A £4k CF main framed bike loaded flat under a lot of weight doesn't bode well. Total incompetence from DHL to also load the parcel that goes in first at the back and at the bottom.

I bought on price and spec and in retrospect the amount of hassle pre delivery makes me regret my decision even before I have the bike.

I reckon if you spend £1500 the business model works but YTs dodgy execution makes me wonder if it works for a £4k more complex bike.

Time will tell but shop support is something I perhaps neglected from a logistical risk and warranty point of view.

It wasn’t much better for me here in the states via FedEx. When it came they stood it straight up despite the labels and there was a hole big enough I could stick my fingers through and touch the wheels. They also shoved the bike/battery kit inside the bike instead of sending it separately.

 

[Souphead]

Orderered a Base Decoy 2 weeks ago. Getting any reliable tracking has proven difficult but it eventually arrived today. Except it hasn't. I was the first stop of the day but the DHL guy can't find it as it has been loaded first and is under a mountain of seemingly heavy stuff. The guy will pop back when he has done a few deliveries. A £4k CF main framed bike loaded flat under a lot of weight doesn't bode well. Total incompetence from DHL to also load the parcel that goes in first at the back and at the bottom.

I bought on price and spec and in retrospect the amount of hassle pre delivery makes me regret my decision even before I have the bike.

I reckon if you spend £1500 the business model works but YTs dodgy execution makes me wonder if it works for a £4k more complex bike.

Time will tell but shop support is something I perhaps neglected from a logistical risk and warranty point of view.

 

[rmanalan]

I’d recommend one of these stands. Works great for the ebike.

View attachment 32384

Not so sure this works great. I have the Feedback Sports version of this. While the hole in the cranks can fit the rod from the stand, the Shimano cranks have a plastic preloader that gets worn down if you use this a lot. I tried it on my Decoy and it looks like the preloader has gotten a little bit worn out.

 

[YokoOno]

Not so sure this works great. I have the Feedback Sports version of this. While the hole in the cranks can fit the rod from the stand, the Shimano cranks have a plastic preloader that gets worn down if you use this a lot. I tried it on my Decoy and it looks like the preloader has gotten a little bit worn out.

Interesting. I've been using the Feedback Scorpion as well. I'll check for wear but haven't experienced any issues thus far.

I suppose the question is what impact wearing down the plastic preloader a little has - I'm guessing no impact since the main body of the spacer is unaffected and there would have to quite a bit of material loss from the inner spacer aspect to matter.

I did have quite a bit of repeated loosening of the stand at the single bolt. A one time application of red locktite solved that issue.

 

[rmanalan]

Interesting. I've been using the Feedback Scorpion as well. I'll check for wear but haven't experienced any issues thus far.

I suppose the question is what impact wearing down the plastic preloader a little has - I'm guessing no impact since the main body of the spacer is unaffected and there would have to quite a bit of material loss from the inner spacer aspect to matter.

I did have quite a bit of repeated loosening of the stand at the single bolt. A one time application of red locktite solved that issue.

I suppose you can just remove the preload cap since it's not really holding your cranks in. Hollowtech preload cap - required? - Cycling UK Forum