Maximum fun on the descent: with this premise in mind, the Forchheim-based direct mail order company YT Industries mountain bikes since 2008. And nothing will change in 2021. Although YT is not launching a completely new bike on the market, it wants to get the last bit of riding fun out of its well-known Izzo, Jeffsy and Capra models with its Blaze models. To achieve this, YT is reaching into the top shelf of suspension components at Rockshox and equipping the three models with suspension forks and shocks of the Ultimate variants. The frames of the three carbon bikes remain the same. However, the new Blaze versions are not regular, additional model variants. This is because the €3999 bikes are limited to 250 units (Izzo Blaze) and 150 units (Jeffsy Blaze 29 and Capra Blaze 29) for the European market.
YT Izzo Blaze
The Izzo trail bike presented in 2020 (>> to the individual test) gets a longer suspension fork in the Blaze version. Instead of a 130 mm fork, a Rockshox Pike Ultimate with 140 millimetres absorbs the shocks on the Izzo Blaze. This also flattens the head angle by half a degree and the latest version of the Izzo can also tackle more technical trails. YT also answers the calls for more downhill performance with the significantly more massive Maxxis Minion DHR II tyres in 2.4 inch width. The rear suspension remains at 130 millimetres of travel, which is managed by a Rockshox Deluxe Ultimate. The lockout that can be operated from the handlebars, which every Izzo model actually has, is omitted on the Blaze versions. In addition, YT has fitted a 10-52 cassette with more gear range to the Sram GX Eagle drivetrain. The 2545 gram carbon frame with flip-chip is available in frame sizes S-XXL. The Blaze model, which weighs 13.7 kilos (manufacturer's specification), may not be quite as light and strong as the "normal" Izzo models, but it closes the gap in the model range between the Izzo and Jeffsy.
YT Jeffsy Blaze 29
Same frame, same geometry, different equipment: even with the Rockshox Lyrik Ultimate fork and the Rockshox Super Deluxe Ultimate shock, the All Mountain from YT has 150 millimetres of travel. The geometry is therefore also identical to the familiar standard models of the 29-inch carbon bike. Compared to the 3900 euro Pro model (>> to the test report), the Jeffsy Blaze 29 comes with the higher quality suspension. Also different: The Maxxis Minion tyres (DHF in 2.5'' and DHR II in 2.4'') sit on DT Swiss M 1900 Spline wheels instead of round wheels from E13. The 1x12 Sram GX Eagle drivetrain with a large 52 sprocket is used. Even with the new equipment, the Jeffsy 29 with its 3195 gram carbon frame (size L) should not lose any of its downhill strength. On the contrary. Due to the downhill-heavy spec with a hard-rolling front tyre, the YT All Mountain is certainly not one of the strongest touring fullys. Downhill, however, it is probably one of the most potent bikes in this category and is already poaching in the enduro sector.
YT Capra Blaze 29
The 29-inch version of the Capra enduro MTB is also available as a Blaze model. The biggest difference to the Pro version (also 3999 euros) is the suspension. The Blaze comes with the new Rockshox ZEB fork in the Ultimate version and a Rockshox Super Deluxe Ultimate shock. The Pro model "only" has a Lyrik and a Super Deluxe as a Select+ version. As with the other two Blaze versions, DT Swiss provides the wheels (E 1900 Spline), a 10-52 cassette complements the GX Eagle drivetrain and the tyres come from Maxxis (Assegai and Minion DHR II).
