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Jeffsy wants to shredThe new All Mountain from YT

Florentin Vesenbeckh

 · 11.01.2019

Jeffsy wants to shred: The new All Mountain from YTPhoto: Daniel Roos
Jeffsy wants to shred: The new All Mountain from YT
The Jeffsy from the Forchheim-based mail-order company YT Industries was one of the most popular all-mountain bikes. Now the bike has been revamped for 2019 and shows amazing versatility.

The Jeffsy 29 from YT Industries is now a good 2.5 years old. And a lot has happened in those 2.5 years. Especially when it comes to long-travel 29-inch bikes. Accordingly, the team led by chief developer Stefan Willared has drastically tweaked the geometry. "The Jeffsy was our first 29er back then, so we didn't have that much experience yet. That has now changed," says Willared with conviction. The objective for the second edition of the Jeffsy 29 sounds ambitious: Climb better - and descend better. The famous balancing act that every all-mountain bike wants to achieve.

The YT Jeffsy in its second stage of development. Here the top model CF Pro Race in 29 inches. Visually, the new Jeffsy is reminiscent of its enduro brother Capra.Photo: Daniel Roos The YT Jeffsy in its second stage of development. Here the top model CF Pro Race in 29 inches. Visually, the new Jeffsy is reminiscent of its enduro brother Capra. Attention to detail: The cables are held together accurately by means of clips, resulting in a tidy appearance.Photo: Daniel Roos Attention to detail: The cables are held together accurately by means of clips, resulting in a tidy appearance.

The facts about the YT Jeffsy

  • Full carbon frame
  • Choice of 27.5 or 29 inch
  • 140 (29er) or 150 (27.5) millimetres of suspension travel
  • Top models "Pro Race" with 150 (29er) or 160 (27.5) millimetres of suspension travel
  • Five frame sizes S - XXL
  • Space for a 600 ml drinking bottle
  • Weight: from 12.7 (27.5 inch) or 12.9 (29er) kilograms (size S, manufacturer's specification)
The special Fidlock bottle cage allows you to carry a 600 ml bottle. A normal bottle cage with a 500 ml bottle fits from frame size M.Photo: Daniel Roos The special Fidlock bottle cage allows you to carry a 600 ml bottle. A normal bottle cage with a 500 ml bottle fits from frame size M. Small part, big effect: The raised aluminium derailleur hanger is designed to protect the carbon at the dropout. This is intended to prevent the classic wear and tear that occurs when fitting and removing the rear wheel.Photo: Daniel Roos Small part, big effect: The raised aluminium derailleur hanger is designed to protect the carbon at the dropout. This is intended to prevent the classic wear and tear that occurs when fitting and removing the rear wheel. The chainstay protector is very solid. The seat stays are also well padded with rubber.Photo: Daniel Roos The chainstay protector is very solid. The seat stays are also well padded with rubber.
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The frame guard on the down tube is bolted on and is designed to keep the frame in good condition even under the most adverse conditions.Photo: Daniel Roos The frame guard on the down tube is bolted on and is designed to keep the frame in good condition even under the most adverse conditions.

Step one in making the Jeffsy the perfect all-rounder is a progressive geometry. The 29er Jeffsy has been massively modernised. A long main frame (470 millimetres reach in size L) meets a slack 66-degree steering angle and a very steep 77-degree seat angle. The latter positions the rider centrally on the bike when pedalling and does not make the riding position too stretched despite the long main frame. In combination with adapted suspension kinematics, the Jeffsy's climbing ability in particular is said to have been improved. "But don't worry, the bike is still a YT," interjects YT developer Willared. In other words, the main focus is on having fun on trails and downhill. Fittingly, the 29er top model CF Pro Race has been increased by one centimetre of travel.

More than just cosmetic changes: The Jeffsy 29 geometry has been massively revised for the new YT bike. Longer, flatter, lower. <a href="mountainbikes/all_mountain/test-duel-2018-commencal-meta-trail-v42-vs-yt-jeffsy-29/a38212.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">This is how the old YT Jeffsy fared in the BIKE test.</a>Photo: Hersteller More than just cosmetic changes: The Jeffsy 29 geometry has been massively revised for the new YT bike. Longer, flatter, lower. This is how the old YT Jeffsy fared in the BIKE test. The differences in geometry between the 27.5-inch Jeffsy and the "old" Jeffsy are more moderate.Photo: Hersteller The differences in geometry between the 27.5-inch Jeffsy and the "old" Jeffsy are more moderate.

Your choice: 27.5 or 29 inch

The Jeffsy will continue to be available alongside the 29-inch with 27.5-inch wheels. However, the focus is on the Jeffsy 29, as the geometry and character of the bike have been massively changed, while the "small" Jeffsy has undergone rather minor adjustments. The Jeffsy 29 comes with 140 millimetres of front and rear wheel travel, the Jeffsy 27 with 150 millimetres. The top "Pro Race" versions of both models each offer one centimetre more travel (front and rear) and a slightly slacker geometry. This transforms them into mini enduro MTBs that focus even more strongly on downhill riding.

YT Jeffsy: The geometry

The top-of-the-range CF Pro Race versions have one centimetre more travel, which also makes the geometry different. The angles are slightly slacker to match the extra travel. Good news for tall riders: the Jeffsy will also be available in XXL in the future, so riders around two metres tall should also feel comfortable on the bike.


Jeffsy 29 inch

The geometry of the YT Jeffsy 29 with 140 millimetres of travel. On the top Race Pro model with 150 mm travel, the reach is 4 mm shorter and the head and seat angles are 0.5 degrees slacker.Photo: Hersteller The geometry of the YT Jeffsy 29 with 140 millimetres of travel. On the top Race Pro model with 150 mm travel, the reach is 4 mm shorter and the head and seat angles are 0.5 degrees slacker.


Jeffsy 27.5 inch

The geometry of the Jeffsy with 150 millimetres of travel. The top version Race Pro comes with 160 mm travel, the reach is three millimetres longer and the steering and seat angle are 0.5 degrees slacker.Photo: Hersteller The geometry of the Jeffsy with 150 millimetres of travel. The top version Race Pro comes with 160 mm travel, the reach is three millimetres longer and the steering and seat angle are 0.5 degrees slacker.

YT Jeffsy 29: On the trail

We were able to test the top version of the new YT Industries Jeffsy 29 for two full days on varied trails in Portugal. With its 150 millimetres of travel, the newcomer has an enduro feel, but remains agile and easy to climb. A detailed laboratory and practical test will show how the bike performs in detail. Coming soon in BIKE.

Feels at home in rough terrain: the Jeffsy CF Pro Race gives you that enduro feeling when the going gets rough.Photo: Daniel Roos Feels at home in rough terrain: the Jeffsy CF Pro Race gives you that enduro feeling when the going gets rough. YT continues to rely on the 11-speed cassette from E-Thirteen for the top-of-the-range CF Pro Race model. Here in combination with a Shimano XTR rear derailleur.Photo: Daniel Roos YT continues to rely on the 11-speed cassette from E-Thirteen for the top-of-the-range CF Pro Race model. Here in combination with a Shimano XTR rear derailleur. E-Thirteen provides carbon wheels and the very grippy trs+ tyres on the top model.Photo: Daniel Roos E-Thirteen provides carbon wheels and the very grippy trs+ tyres on the top model.

YT Jeffsy: The equipment variants

All Jeffsys are available in either 27.5 or 29 inches. The top versions of the YT Jeffsy have one centimetre more travel. These CF Pro Race models are available for 5299 euros. Below this are two other carbon bikes CF Pro and CF Comp for 3899 and 3299 euros respectively. The Jeffsy aluminium bikes start with the AL Base for 2299 euros.

The 29-inch top version of the Jeffsy has 150 millimetres of front and rear wheel travel and costs 5299 euros. The suspension is provided by Fox top models with Kashima coating, Guide RSC brakes ensure deceleration and the drive is provided by Shimano's XTR with a wide-range 11-speed E-Thirteen cassette.Photo: Hersteller The 29-inch top version of the Jeffsy has 150 millimetres of front and rear wheel travel and costs 5299 euros. The suspension is provided by Fox top models with Kashima coating, Guide RSC brakes ensure deceleration and the drive is provided by Shimano's XTR with a wide-range 11-speed E-Thirteen cassette. The CF Pro models are available for 3899 euros.Photo: Hersteller The CF Pro models are available for 3899 euros. The cheapest Jeffsy bike with a carbon frame is called the CF Comp and costs 3299 euros.Photo: Hersteller The cheapest Jeffsy bike with a carbon frame is called the CF Comp and costs 3299 euros. It starts with an aluminium model, the Jeffsy Base AL, for 2299 euros.Photo: Hersteller It starts with an aluminium model, the Jeffsy Base AL, for 2299 euros. The top model Jeffsy 29 CF Race Pro in all its splendour. It goes for 5299 euros over the counter.Photo: Daniel Roos The top model Jeffsy 29 CF Race Pro in all its splendour. It goes for 5299 euros over the counter.
Florentin Vesenbeckh

Florentin Vesenbeckh has been on a mountain bike since he was ten years old. Even on his very first tour, he focussed on single trails - and even after more than 30 years in the saddle of an MTB, these are still the quintessence of biking for him. He spent his youth competing in various bike disciplines and later his cycling career was characterised by years as a riding technique coach. Professionally, the experienced test editor now focusses on e-mountainbikes. In recent years, the qualified sports scientist and trained journalist has tested over 300 bikes and more than 40 different motor systems in the laboratory and in practice.

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