Nearly a month in the past now YT launched an all-new Jeffsy, redefining their well-liked all-mountain bike as a path bike. Apparently, in a time of bikes getting slacker, extra progressive & longer journey overhauls, the brand new third-generation Jeffsy truly dials again its journey only a tiny bit to create a extra refined mountain bike, higher suited than ever for all-around path driving. Shred native singletrack daily, nonetheless with sufficient in reserve to have enjoyable if you enterprise into larger mountains or catching the occasional uplift…
Evaluate: 2023 YT Jeffsy Core 5 CF carbon path mountain bike
Simply earlier than the official Jeffsy launch, I received to spend a very good little bit of time driving in just a few several types of moist terrain within the UK on YT’s top-spec ultra-high modulus carbon path bike construct – the Jeffsy Core 5 CF, at a claimed 14.8kg (32.6lb). And I got here away pondering that is about as shut as you will get to the ‘one bike for all’ superb for the way a whole lot of trendy mountain bikers trip. My solely query is whether or not I might somewhat have a elaborate carbon bike construct or the super-affordable alloy choice?
Driving impressions, aka why a path bike needs to be your mountain bike
The brand new Jeffsy is a very succesful path bike. It pedals uphill as simply as you possibly can hope for, with agency help at its comparatively deep 30% sag. And the remainder of the 145mm of 4-bar journey feels lots succesful for descending a number of the roughest trails you might be prone to encounter. The one actual trick then, is dialing within the 150mm fork to supply the identical stability of flexibility and help.
That is the bike YT thinks is one of the best match for the way most mountain bikers truly trip. And I can definitely see the place they’re coming from. We used to easily name them mountain bikes. Then, possibly path bikes and after that, all-mountain bikes. Nevertheless it appears we’re all coming again round to path bikes once more. And I’m absolutely on board.
I’ve mentioned it earlier than and it bears repeating. When you don’t race cross-country or marathons, you in all probability don’t want an ultralight XC bike. When you aren’t always racing enduro, you in all probability don’t want a gravity sled, both. In between are mountain bikes for mountain bikers. Typically we race quick tracks, generally we race robust technical tracks. However largely we simply trip mountain bikes for enjoyable, and with associates.
And Jeffsy desires to be your pal. If you’re going to trip only one mountain bike, this can be a fairly strong bike to succeed in for.
So what’s new and why does it matter?
Whereas this third-generation Jeffsy has 5mm much less journey than gen 2, it makes up for that small discount in two methods.
First, the path bike will get one other geometry tweak, rising body Attain by 5mm and shifting to a level slacker 65° headtube angle. The remainder of Jeffsy’s geo is basically unchanged, and you continue to get the easy-to-use decrease shock mount flip-chip to tailor the bike to your private preferences.
The result’s a trip that’s confidently secure driving tough tracks, and joyful to be pointed downhill.
Second, YT’s V4L suspension has been considerably up to date with some refined remodeling of its linkage to extra dramatically change character all through the shock’s stroke. The suspension really feel could be very smooth and supple within the first quarter of journey. Then at 30%, it stiffens up fairly a bit to 105% anti-squat to supply a supportive really feel that doesn’t bob underneath your weight at sag. Subsequent, a fast lower in anti-squat permits the bike to maneuver by its journey with minimal pedal kickback. And eventually, a bit extra end-stroke development rises again to present that bottomless sense the place you all the time really feel like there’s a bit extra journey left in reserve for larger hits.
The result’s a motorcycle that feels planted on the path, floating easily over the small bumps, pedaling simply, and prepared for larger hits. It’s a quick, poppy trip really feel the place you kinda simply neglect how a lot suspension there’s out again.
I additionally really feel like the marginally much less journey is a greater match to the 150mm forks. With so many trendy mountain bikes getting extra succesful because of repeatedly refined lengthy and slack geometry, it’s simple to outpace what forks of the identical journey can deal with. If the brand new Jeffsy had stored 150mm of rear wheel journey with these refinements, it in all probability would have wanted to go as much as not less than a 160mm fork, and doubtless larger stanchions, too. That might have pushed it even nearer to YT’s enduro bike. And if you really want an enduro bike, why not go all-in and get a Capra.
New particulars
After all, we are able to’t neglect the truth that it provides an inside glove field. In-frame storage is en vogue as of late, and YT’s new Jeffsy will get in on that pattern. I’m personally a fan of strapping a multi-tool and tire-repair spares on my path bike so I can trip with out something on my again. So, on-frame and in-frame storage are nice additions in my guide.
And the carbon Jeffsy will get it each. Exterior, a easy pair of bolts underneath the entrance of the toptube means you possibly can mount a spares strap or a mini bolt-on instrument bag – to both the carbon or alloy Jeffsy body.
In-frame is properly thought-out too, with a safe and waterproof door that allows you to slide a few nylon & neoprene sausages filled with goodies into the body. I like that YT’s answer is separate from the bottle cage. And utilizing one bag that goes up and one which goes down within the body, there’s loads of room for carrying no matter you want for trailside repairs. Plus, it by no means made any rattling noise whereas driving. And as soon as I found out the glovebox door’s latch, it was simple to function and stayed securely locked.
Talking of that bottle cage, why does the Thirstmaster 6000 cage exit out to the left? And why am I so accustomed to pulling a bottle out of my bike with my proper hand (leaving my left hand to carry onto the bar)?
YT did it to allow them to get the bottle (an the 620g of water weight) extra-low within the body. So it wanted a left exit to maintain your arms away from the chainring, particularly whereas pedaling alongside. I’ve to confess on my giant check bike, it’s farther down than I’m used to reaching on my private mountain bikes. And it would require getting slightly extra versatile to get used to it.
Need to know extra concerning the new Jeffsy mk3? Learn my full launch-day breakdown right here.
All-new YT Jeffsy v3 parting ideas
My solely actual concern with the 2023 YT Jeffsy Core 5 CF that I check rode is its value. At $6500 / 6000€, this premium ultra-high-mod carbon bike isn’t precisely inexpensive. Even when it’s a respectable value for a motorcycle with a brand new direct-mount wi-fi SRAM X0 AXS transmission construct, Fox Manufacturing facility-level suspension, and worry-free Crankbrothers Synthesis Enduro alloy wheels with quick 90 POE Trade 9 hubs. However the magnificence right here is, the brand new Jeffsy household goes all the way in which all the way down to an entry-level-spec $2800 / 2500€ mannequin with an aluminum body. And that alloy mannequin options all of the suspension & geo tweaks that make the brand new Jeffsy need to be your finest pal.
If carbon is pricing you out of a brand new do-it-all carbon path bike, my private alternate decide could be the $3300 / 3000€ Jeffsy Core 2 AL. That’s actually 1/2 the worth of the carbon bike I examined, and nonetheless will get an excellent efficiency construct package that I wouldn’t change something on. Plus, it’s actually solely 700g heavier (the load of 1 full water bottle & cage), you’ll by no means must plug it in to maintain shifting, and it is available in a fairly great-looking Frost Blue. Go high-spec if you’d like, however you wouldn’t do badly with a less expensive Jeffsy both.
Extra refined as a path bike as an alternative of an all-mountain bike, the brand new Jeffsy might be, actually, extra succesful than ever. It appears like a motorcycle that’s faster when pedaling on the flats and uphill, but it clearly retains its gravity-inspiration.
It’s extra of an on a regular basis mountain bike, however it actually remains to be probably the most enjoyable to trip when going downhill. And that’s kinda simply how I need each mountain bike to really feel.
