Facts:
Weight: 15.6 kg
Suspension travel: 150/145 mm
Wheel size: 29"
Price: 3,149 euros
Frame material: aluminium
Facilities
Front fork / Shock absorber: Fox 36 Float Performance / Fox Float X Performance
Circuit / Bandwidth: Shimano SLX / 510 %
Brakes: Hayes Dominion A4 /203/203 mm
Wheels: DT-Swiss M 1900
Tyres: Maxxis Minion DHF 3C Maxx-Grip Exo+ Protection TR 29 x 2.50 WT /
Minion DHR II 3C MaxxTerra Exo+ Protection TR 29 x 2.40 WT
Seat post / travel: YT Postman V2 / 170 mm
Max. system weight: 120 kg
Warranty: 5 years
Total weight: 15.58 kg without pedals
Weight of wheels: 5,269 g
Impeller inertia: 4,143 kg x cm²
The storm of bankruptcy has passed, and the Gravity label from Forchheim in Franconia has weathered the storm – YT founder Markus Flossmann is back at the helm. That’s good news! Because ever since YT started shaking up the scene with its unconventional approaches back in 2008, we’ve always had great fun with their bikes – across the board. The range of non-motorised models stretches from the Izzo trail bike right through to the Tues, the World Cup downhill bike with a track record of victories.
The joker: Jeffsy
The All Mountain Jeffsy is the joker in the YT range. A true fun bike, which, with its much-praised comfortable geometry and intuitive handling, is a joy to ride almost anywhere and offers a remarkably wide range of uses – from trail rides on the flat to bike park adventures. YT offers the Jeffsy with a choice of carbon or aluminium frames, with five models in total. The entry-level Core 1 model, priced at 2,499 euros, is available exclusively in aluminium, whilst the Core 2 is available in both materials. We opted for the robust aluminium Jeffsy; it was delivered to us in the trendy colour Frost Blue – very stylish!
Amazing: the geometries of the Canyon Spectral and the YT Jeffsy are virtually identical. Who copied whom here? Coincidence? Deliberate? Regardless, the geometry is ‘spot on’, as they say these days, and delivers a brilliant sense of playfulness and agile handling – qualities that are particularly desirable in this category of bike. We’ve got no complaints about the Jeffsy’s spec either. The Hayes Dominion brake levers feel very comfortable in your fingers. They impress with their good modulation. You’ll need that, because the Jeffsy practically begs to be lifted onto its rear wheel for a wheelie at every opportunity. This happens even with just the slightest twitch of the wrists – thanks to the short rear end.
Match Race: YT vs. Canyon
The Jeffsy positions the rider right in the centre of the bike – which is an advantage when it comes to jumping. The bike feels particularly at home in the air and has everything it takes to take off. The suspension provides plenty of rebound. And pop. This makes it easy for the Jeffsy’s rider to launch over kickers and ledges. The bike feels lighter than its specifications suggest – particularly during rapid corner-to-corner transitions, it darts nimbly from turn to turn. For all-mountain riding, both the YT and the Canyon really let rip on the descents. Although the Spectral is fitted with a slightly higher-spec suspension fork, we didn’t notice any advantage from it. What we did notice, however, was the better front tyre on the Jeffsy – with its soft MaxxGrip compound. It provides significantly more traction. Whilst the Jeffsy may not be quite at the top of the overall rankings, when it comes to riding enjoyment, it sets the benchmark for us.
What went well?
+ Comfortable ride
+ Handling and fun factor
+ Versatile
+ Solid build quality
What wasn’t so good?
- not exactly easy
Conclusion by Dimitri Lehner, BIKE test editor
The Jeffsy is the sort of fun bike you’d hope for: comfortable geometry, a playful spirit and agile handling. Just hop on and off you go! The same goes for the affordable aluminium Core 2. Neither its hefty weight nor its carefully calculated spec can change that. In terms of pure fun, the Jeffsy was my favourite in the test.
Dimitri Lehner
Editor