YT Decoy first ride review: A brilliant ebike with outstanding performance

[Rob Rides EMTB]

Firstly, let me clear this up. The YT Decoy goes straight into the top few ebikes that you can buy right now. Looks? Stunning. Performance? Outstanding. But what makes this bike stand out from the huge amount of ebikes that have recently been released? Read on to find out exactly why I love this bike.



The all new YT Decoy. One of the most ambitious projects that the YT Industries team have released to date. I was invited to the launch of the bike in the south of France and spent a few days learning about the bike and riding it in the beautiful French mountains. So lets take a deeper look into the bike, the technology and design then take a look at how the bike performs.



YT Decoy Development



YT could have released an electric mountain bike a year ago. Easy. Just buy a motor and battery package from Shimano. Make some modifications to an existing frame (Capra / Jeffsy), bolt on the motor, pop the battery on the front triangle and ship it to the consumer. Job done, YT have...

Continue reading...

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

I've been itching to talk about this one!!

 

[cjm_wales]

That is a stunning bit of kit.

 

[Doomanic]

Where’s the spaff emoji when you need it?

Looks like another bike to add to the shortlist.

 

[R120]

I have made it as far as enter your card details page . . . . think I need to step back from the keyboard

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

That is a stunning bit of kit.

It really is.

 

[Mcharza]

Is this a Levo killer? But looking amazing

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

Is this a Levo killer? But looking amazing

The Levo would suit more trail oriented riding. The Levo has an excellent motor / integrated package. The YT is great for more gravity / enduro riding. Extra travel, slacker, more stable at higher speeds going down fast...

 

[simon b]

looks superb, you did well to keep that quiet!

 

[R120]

I really like the though they have put into maintenance and working on the bike, something that is a common theme with YT over recent years, to get everything so well integrated yet still accessible is a big plus.

Also at 5999 for the top model, that is a hell of a good price when compared to what else is out there

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

I really like the though they have put into maintenance and working on the bike, something that is a common theme with YT over recent years, to get everything so well integrated yet still accessible is a big plus.

Also at 5999 for the top model, that is a hell of a good price when compared to what else is out there

I agree, £5999, full carbon, Di2, carbon wheels, Fox Factory.

But I think the sweet spot is the Pro version at £4999. It has the Fox DPX2 & Fox 36 which are basically the same internals as far as i'm aware, just no Kashima coating, alu wheelset.

 

[Doomanic]

Any word on the price of a spare battery?

 

[ggx]

A budget alloy frame please

 

[Richt20000]

Rob - so what did the mismatched wheels feel like?
Thats the biggest disappointment I saw. I would have loved it to be 27.5x2.6 front and rear.

Value is incredible. Pro race is arguably better spec than an £10k S-works, and £5k pro is better spec than the £8k top end Norco...

 

[Tamas]

Is this a Levo killer? But looking amazing

If you compare what you get for the money the Levo looks like a joke... But the ebike market is still on the rise so I don't think any ebike will 'kill' any other ebike.

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

Any word on the price of a spare battery?

Thats a good one, let me ask...

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

Rob - so what did the mismatched wheels feel like?
Thats the biggest disappointment I saw. I would have loved it to be 27.5x2.6 front and rear.

Value is incredible. Pro race is arguably better spec than an £10k S-works, and £5k pro is better spec than the £8k top end Norco...

You don't notice that they are mismatched when riding it. Its likely that they went with a 27.5 on the back to keep the chainstay as short as possible. I did ask if you can fit a 29er, they wouldnt advise it. In fact, it wouldn't pass the CE testing with a 29er in it due to clearance.

 

[mark.ai]

Well done YT, looks awesome! Just change the display for an EW-EN100 and good to go

 

[Tamas]

Any word on the price of a spare battery?

"YT is planning to release a 700 Wh battery, which will also fit into DECOY. As soon as it becomes available, the bigger battery is said to be offered to all existing DECOY owners at a discounted price."
First Ride Review: YT DECOY – the new Specialized Levo Killer? | E-MOUNTAINBIKE Magazine

 

[James_MTB]

"I bloody loved it" haha, don't think I've ever read that in a mainstream website review

Which area of France was it (i know it says the South!)?

Thanks for keeping it real

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

"YT is planning to release a 700 Wh battery, which will also fit into DECOY. As soon as it becomes available, the bigger battery is said to be offered to all existing DECOY owners at a discounted price."
First Ride Review: YT DECOY – the new Specialized Levo Killer? | E-MOUNTAINBIKE Magazine

That’s cool. Stefan (YT CTO) mentioned in the vid that something like this would be possible.

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

"I bloody loved it" haha, don't think I've ever read that in a mainstream website review

Which area of France was it (i know it says the South!)?

Thanks for keeping it real

Haha. I’m just winging this shit!!

1 hour from Nice. I’ll try to find more specific details.

 

[Tamas]

Well done YT, looks awesome! Just change the display for an EW-EN100 and good to go

What's wrong with the E7000 display? It's nicely tucked in, what benefits the hanging/loose EN100 have over it?

 

[James_MTB]

Haha. I’m just winging this shit!!

1 hour from Nice. I’ll try to find more specific details.

Thanks Rob

I've ridden in Sospel about an hour south of Nice and the riding was awesome.

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

Thanks Rob

I've ridden in Sospel about an hour south of Nice and the riding was awesome.

Here: Aventures alpines | 1001sentiers The tour, Greg was just brilliant!

 

[jcmonty]

Any thoughts on how it compares to the Kenevo? Seems fairly similiar geo, with a bit more reach and steep seat tube (one of my minor complaints on the Kenevo). My guess is a smidge less capable on the steep, chunky DH - and probably a bit more everywhere else?

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

Any thoughts on how it compares to the Kenevo? Seems fairly similiar geo, with a bit more reach and steep seat tube (one of my minor complaints on the Kenevo). My guess is a smidge less capable on the steep, chunky DH - and probably a bit more everywhere else?

It's around 3KG lighter (If I remember correctly the Kenevo is around 25KG), it feels far more agile than the Kenevo.

 

[Topov]

Well done Rob another little scoop. Good review, keep them up

 

[Steven1980]

wow , awesome bike ,

YT have done it again ...

 

[Vandal]

ooh just seen the video @Rob Hancill you looked well stoked to be riding that, just a thought because someone will ask, can it take a set of fox 49 forks I wonder? I'm sure the Capra can so we just reduce them down to 180mm and you have an absolute weapon,
nice video too , do I want a Yt or a canyon mmn .........