YT Decoy 2021rumors...

Stuckthrottle

Member
Jan 24, 2021
66
24
San Diego
Or ...

Oh man!
The problem for me becomes with availability and distribution in North America. The Husqvarna is rad too but i can't get it here.
I live a few minutes from the California YT Mill but ironically availability is also a problem but that's mostly just a temporary issue.
 

lokbot

Member
Jan 26, 2021
39
40
Oregon
New teaser up on the YT website today "Hang in there. We are getting as excited as you are about our upcoming bikes and can hardly wait to present them". Man I'm so waiting for the 2021 Decoy announcement. If they have EP8 motors and stock shimano batteries I'm ordering one the day they're announced. If not I'll probably be ordering a Commencal Meta Power SX.
 

Mydriaze

Active member
Jul 7, 2019
237
202
France
Is he? With a thread title as vague as "YT DECOY 2021RUMORS...", it seems to me that pretty much anything is fair game.
I don't get it to be honest. What the point to come here and whine? Which title do you want? Feel free to tell me and I will change the title straight away for a more accurate one. I just hope you will sleep better after this. :)
 

Stuckthrottle

Member
Jan 24, 2021
66
24
San Diego
To stir the rumor mill, I did a little digging and couldn't find anything about a new decoy but Markus did post something eluding to a new Capra back in Nov.
Screenshot_20210128-074158.png


The image from the home page; Wolf + Bear = WolfBear or Beowulf?

beowulf.JPG


Also, I believe that's Ace Hayden in the middle of that pic, his Insta has this rad roadie in it. Wonder if maybe the big announcement will include something like that.
yt roadie.JPG
 

akuria

Member
Patreon
Jan 30, 2020
135
58
san francisco
to me I think the new line up will be in about a week or so solely cause of the teaser marketing pic. usually they've followed up their marketing pics with official announcements a week or so after. at least the official announcement. availability, is another thing....
 

lokbot

Member
Jan 26, 2021
39
40
Oregon
Lol......That's what the Decoy is already.......

I hope they do:

EP8
shimano battery
and a light version similar to the Levo sl and Orbea rise.
Yeah I'd love to see a light emtb from any of the manufacturer direct brands. We really need to just pop the cherry on getting more of these bikes out there. I'd love to see someone drop a lighter big Enduro bike instead of a trail bike. Definitely not holding my breath.
 
Last edited:

brewoz40

Member
Jun 1, 2020
29
20
San Diego
And updated geo! Medium needs to be 64 HTA, 77 sta, and 450 reach minimum! If the geo isn't update, doesn't matter what they do. If all they do is ep8 and battery, I'm out! The geo needs to be updated! And a light version, 160/150, mullet, around 40lbs, updated geo, all in!!
 

R120

Moderator
Subscriber
Apr 13, 2018
7,819
9,190
Surrey
TBH when I look at the decoy the only reason it "needs" upgrading is if they need to say its got the latest motor and battery - I always thought the Decoy was well designed in the sense easy to size up or down depending on personal preference.

IMO what YT need to do is expand their EMTB line up, lightweight trail model, and maybe a heavy hitting super enduro bike.
 

lokbot

Member
Jan 26, 2021
39
40
Oregon
I'm looking to get a decoy. One of the main things that I'm drawn to is the geometry. Would you mind briefly explaining why you guys don't like the current config and what you would rather have instead? And also why you got the decoy in the first place?
R120 makes a great point that I could get closer to the numbers that I'm interested by buying an XXL instead of an XL. It's a bit of a nitpick, but I'd like to see 63.5-64 * for the HTA and another 30mm in wheelbase on a XXL. This has a lot more to do with my riding style and the fact that I'm buying an eMTB mainly for shuttling gnarlier DH laps. I would really like to see a bike land between the current Decoy geometry and the Commencal Meta Power SX geometry #s. Then again with the right spec : price ratio I could easily be lured into a Decoy this year even if they keep the same geo so maybe I'm just full of crap anyways.
 

R120

Moderator
Subscriber
Apr 13, 2018
7,819
9,190
Surrey
R120 makes a great point that I could get closer to the numbers that I'm interested by buying an XXL instead of an XL. It's a bit of a nitpick, but I'd like to see 63.5-64 * for the HTA and another 30mm in wheelbase on a XXL. This has a lot more to do with my riding style and the fact that I'm buying an eMTB mainly for shuttling gnarlier DH laps. I would really like to see a bike land between the current Decoy geometry and the Commencal Meta Power SX geometry #s. Then again with the right spec : price ratio I could easily be lured into a Decoy this year even if they keep the same geo so maybe I'm just full of crap anyways.
Yeah I agree in that I think the Decoy as it is (mullet version) is an aggressive allrounder, and there is room for a big hitter to sit above it - I think with all the marketing etc that people tend to think its a super aggressive gravity sled, but actually its a really good all round EMTB - I have had limited time on it and havent ridden one for a while, but I remeber when I first rode it it wasn't the beast I expected in a good way, far more agile than I was expecting.
 

Stuckthrottle

Member
Jan 24, 2021
66
24
San Diego
Yeah I agree in that I think the Decoy as it is (mullet version) is an aggressive allrounder, and there is room for a big hitter to sit above it - I think with all the marketing etc that people tend to think its a super aggressive gravity sled, but actually its a really good all round EMTB - I have had limited time on it and havent ridden one for a while, but I remeber when I first rode it it wasn't the beast I expected in a good way, far more agile than I was expecting.

As much as I would love a Tues based ebike, I'm guessing a jeffsy or Izzo based ebike might appeal to a wider audience (and more sales).
 

TransAmMan

Active member
Sep 18, 2019
154
142
Canada
I'm looking to get a decoy. One of the main things that I'm drawn to is the geometry. Would you mind briefly explaining why you guys don't like the current config and what you would rather have instead? And also why you got the decoy in the first place?

Hey all .. will throw in my 2 cents :cool:

I personally think the geo of the YT Decoy works VERY well. Manufacturers are following a "trend" of creating these LONG REACH bikes that require significant changes to the HA of the bike (slack) ..otherwise the stack height and handling is negatively impacted.

Remember handlebars .. same thing. 685 to 720 to 750 to 800 to 820 ... and what is the trend now ... most pro's running 780 ish. I doubt we will ever see a set of 840mm handlebars released ?. Why .. isn't longer better ??? Maybe its because we have already reached the "limit" of what works well based on human anatomy (unless our limbs magically grow longer)

Now back to the Decoy.

In 2019 the Decoy was launched with a 160mm fox 36. I always believed the bike was designed around a 170mm fork (since its 165 rear travel) and SURE ENOUGH .. in 2020 the decoy was launched with a 170 mm front end. The fox 36 e-bike version was NOT available in 170mm length (in 2019) as it uses a Fox 34 air spring inside.

Now .. raising the front end 10mm in height will result is a few notable handling changes and impact on BB height. The latest version of the TOP model decoy is using a Fox 38 fork in 170mm length BUT is also using a 51mm offset to compensate and drop the front end lower (mimic a geo between the 160 mm and 170mm fork)

So as far as "updated" geometry ... my personal opinion is a lot of bikes are going too far (just like handlebars). What's next .. a bike with 750mm reach ?? Simple math and body dimensions (arm length vs ape index, etc.) will set a "limit" on reach numbers (not to mention why bikes in 2030 are not going to resemble choppers due to obvious handling shortfalls)

So my prediction for the Decoy (as far as "updated geometry .. not motor or battery predictions) is:

The HA reduced to 63.5 or 64. This is NOT to follow trends but rather allow them to go back to using a 44mm offset Fox 38 fork (instead of relying on the 51 mm to drop the front of the bike a bit)

When you reduce the HA ... by default the reach shortens .. so you'll need to increase the reach number to compensate. Fair enough. The reach number is matched to the HA.

So while some would refer to these changes as "modern geometry" .. I think of it more as slight tweaks to integrate everything to work better together based on subtle geometry changes.

The Decoy is VERY balanced and I believe the only geo changes we will see (slight HA change and slight reach increase) are to accommodate a 170mm fork with a 44mm offset (in 2021). This will maintain a design that already works very well ! Why mess with a winning formula ? Slight evolution, not a revolution (like we saw 5-6 years ago)

Drastic reach numbers and super slack head angles are going to be just like handlebar width's .. eventually we will reach a limit .. before we realize what we were using works pretty darn good if not better.

Commencal is being really BOLD with their design changes for 2021. History will show if this approach is the 840mm handlebar launch. Has it gone too far ?? No idea. ? I guess we'll know the answer soon.?

As far as the predictions above .. I guess we'll know shortly. If you have a winning formula (like the Decoy and Capra have), it would be really an ambitious undertaking to change drastically.

I am excited to see the new offering either way. "I am a dangerous man with a credit card in my pocket" ..
 

lokbot

Member
Jan 26, 2021
39
40
Oregon
Hey all .. will throw in my 2 cents :cool:

I personally think the geo of the YT Decoy works VERY well. Manufacturers are following a "trend" of creating these LONG REACH bikes that require significant changes to the HA of the bike (slack) ..otherwise the stack height and handling is negatively impacted.

Remember handlebars .. same thing. 685 to 720 to 750 to 800 to 820 ... and what is the trend now ... most pro's running 780 ish. I doubt we will ever see a set of 840mm handlebars released ?. Why .. isn't longer better ??? Maybe its because we have already reached the "limit" of what works well based on human anatomy (unless our limbs magically grow longer)
You bring up some great points, but I think that there's a difference between the amount of R&D that goes into a brand's flagship bike frame geometry compared to making wider handlebars. We can extrapolate expectations with geometry performance based on other bikes that already have been made with bold geo #s such as the 2019 pole stamina. I don't think that it's necessary for the Decoy to be drastically overhauled, but I would like to see some incremental updates.

As far as Commencal goes I was pretty surprised with how much of a leap they made across their line, but they were pretty behind the times in 2020 with a 65.5 HA on their Enduro race bike. Really looking forward to seeing how they perform.
 

TransAmMan

Active member
Sep 18, 2019
154
142
Canada
As far as Commencal goes I was pretty surprised with how much of a leap they made across their line, but they were pretty behind the times in 2020 with a 65.5 HA on their Enduro race bike. Really looking forward to seeing how they perform.

Have to agree .. even the "trail bike versions" TR series are quite a radical departure from previous bikes ... no tweaks here :cool:.

I am a huge fan of Commencal bikes (own 3 .. wife has 1 and daughter has 2 .. dad has none :() and am curious to see the feedback on the 2021 offerings. (y)

I was VERY close to buying an analog Clash for resort riding in 2021, but an ETA of July 2021 was a killer for me (at one time they were estimating Sept .. some versions are still showing Nov 2021 for availability in Canada .. yikes!). Had they actually been in stock, I would have picked one up for sure (bought a YT Shred instead to compliment my Decoy)
 

lokbot

Member
Jan 26, 2021
39
40
Oregon
Have to agree .. even the "trail bike versions" TR series are quite a radical departure from previous bikes ... no tweaks here :cool:.

I am a huge fan of Commencal bikes (own 3 .. wife has 1 and daughter has 2 .. dad has none :() and am curious to see the feedback on the 2021 offerings. (y)

I was VERY close to buying an analog Clash for resort riding in 2021, but an ETA of July 2021 was a killer for me (at one time they were estimating Sept .. some versions are still showing Nov 2021 for availability in Canada .. yikes!). Had they actually been in stock, I would have picked one up for sure (bought a YT Shred instead to compliment my Decoy)
I have a 2018 Jeffsy 29er for my trail bike and a 2020 Clash for my enduro / park bike. I would love to replace my Clash with a bike new eMTB and fill it's park spot with a used DH bike. That way I'd have a trail bike for riding with friends, an eMTB for solo riding and getting laps in, and a DH bike for getting rowdy at the park.
 

leftside

Well-known member
Mar 26, 2020
489
321
Vancouver
Yeah I agree in that I think the Decoy as it is (mullet version) is an aggressive allrounder, and there is room for a big hitter to sit above it - I think with all the marketing etc that people tend to think its a super aggressive gravity sled, but actually its a really good all round EMTB - I have had limited time on it and havent ridden one for a while, but I remeber when I first rode it it wasn't the beast I expected in a good way, far more agile than I was expecting.
Yep. I let a couple of buddies do some short runs on it last weekend. They had never ridden an ebike before. Both commented that it feels super heavy if you try and lift it, and when you first get on it. But, as soon as you start pedaling the heaviness goes away. They loved their quick laps and both said "I could get used to this".

I feel the bike rides somewhere inbetween my old Capra and Tues on the downhill. Needs a bit more aggression/force/commitment for drops and cornering. We have a lot of technical climbing around here, and it's even pretty good at that (mainly because of the motor of course), high chip setting helps and you soon get used to the differences of riding technical uphill with an ebike.
 

MTB_MIKE

Member
Dec 20, 2019
98
95
Southern California, USA
R120 makes a great point that I could get closer to the numbers that I'm interested by buying an XXL instead of an XL. It's a bit of a nitpick, but I'd like to see 63.5-64 * for the HTA and another 30mm in wheelbase on a XXL. This has a lot more to do with my riding style and the fact that I'm buying an eMTB mainly for shuttling gnarlier DH laps. I would really like to see a bike land between the current Decoy geometry and the Commencal Meta Power SX geometry #s. Then again with the right spec : price ratio I could easily be lured into a Decoy this year even if they keep the same geo so maybe I'm just full of crap anyways.
My Decoy has a 63.5 degree HT due to 180mm fork and 2.5 DD tires. It’s brilliant Geo wise
 

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