Just like the big bike Tues (Do it!), the new trail bike from mail order company YT Industries a name derived from the phonetic spelling: Izzo therefore means nothing other than "Is' so". With the Izzo, YT is breaking new ground, so to speak. Until now, the heart of the Franconian company has beaten for the gravity and dirt sector.
With the exception of the one described as a "slip-up" Carbon hardtail Fast Forward from 2010, the new Izzo is the mountain bike with the shortest suspension travel in the line-up to date. The main surprise here is not the fork and rear suspension travel, which is limited to 130 millimetres, but the consistently light and efficient design of the trail bike. "We want to target new customers with the Izzo. It therefore makes no sense to simply reduce the suspension travel and use the same tyres and add-on parts as on an enduro bike with the same weight," explains Elmar Keineke, Global Marketing Director at YT.
YT Izzo: four carbon models from 2999 euros
With 12.35 kilos, fast-rolling tyres on lightweight carbon rims and even a remote lockout for the shock, the second most expensive model of the YT Izzo already makes touring bikers sit up and take notice. In addition to this Izzo Pro Race, which we tested for 5299 euros, there is also a model limited to 150 units for 6499 euros with electronic Sram AXS components. Two models for 3899 and 2999 euros, which all have an identical carbon frame, follow below.
As sharp as a samurai sword
The frame design of the Izzo was modelled on the Japanese katana sword. The bike has a similar silhouette and should be able to be manoeuvred over the trails just as quickly and precisely as the slim blade of the slightly curved longsword can be wielded. To create space for a large water bottle, YT is using a vertical shock for the first time, which is linked via an aluminium rocker link. The 850 ml bottle with Fidlock mount available from YT allows for extended tours. However, the bulky bottle is not particularly easy to grip.
The Izzo in detail
Additional seals have been installed to improve the durability of the rear triangle. The geometry of the Izzo is modern and comes with a flip chip that influences the steering angle by 0.3 degrees (66.2 - 66.5 degrees). The extremely steep seat angle (76.4 degrees) ensures an advanced centre of gravity, which makes climbing easier, but at the same time creates an upright, rather short riding position. At 470 millimetres in size L, the reach is normal. Positive: Compared to the Jeffsy (a point of criticism in the All-mountain test in BIKE 5/20) is narrower and leaves enough heel room.
First test of the YT Izzo in BIKE 6/20
In order to ensure that the Izzo can also take a beating downhill, it has to pass the same test standards as the Capra. A detailed The test with all laboratory data and measured values for the new YT Izzo is available as a PDF in the download area below.
Home visit to YT
Even before the presentation of the new Izzo, BIKE was able to gain a deeper insight into the development of the trail bike during a house visit in Forchheim. The impressions from the YT company headquarters can be found in this picture gallery:
