The YT JEFFSY 27 on the Trails
At the launch of the YT JEFFSY 27 we seized the two days to tear up the dry terrain and super varied trails down in Malaga. We rode both the YT JEFFSY 27 CF ONE as well as the slicker YT JEFFSY 27 CF PRO RACE. As you might guess from those geometry figures, our 180 cm-tall test rider picked a size L frame and gave an approving nod at the bang-on riding position between the wheels. The test loop threw us some short, but super techy and steep uphills, and the JEFFSY 27 wasn’t going to have it easy. Fortunately, it muscled its way up the climbs thanks to its steep 74.5° seat tube angle and riding position that ensures your weight is nicely distributed over the front. It generated some great traction too, although it’s definitely wise to flick that rear shock into trail mode as the JEFFSY 27 was noticeably more efficient afterwards.
Downhills pin a grin on the JEFFSY 27, which pulls out those classic YT attributes: agile, lively, responsive and super fun. It keeps super balanced even on steep sections and tight turns, largely thanks to those not-excessively-short chainstays. It loves to build up speeds while cornering and rides with great predictability. Each millimeter of the CF ONE’s 150 m travel is used efficiently. The progressive spring rate gives the rider as a lot of feedback and lends the bike some serious pop. Even though it’s only got an extra 10 mm of travel, the CF PRO RACE seems way more potent, and keeps its line on uneven, techy terrain. If you’re into your labels, then you could argue the JEFFSY 27 with 150 mm of travel is a great-performing trail bike, while the CF PRO RACE (with 160 mm) is a ready-for-anything enduro that’s straying into the territory of the Capra.
YT JEFFSY 29, JEFFSY 27 or the Capra – Which Bike is Right For Me?
Right now, this is surely a pretty rampant question. On paper, there are very few distinguishing features between the bikes, but they’re each a force unto their own on the trails, where those marginal differences come to the fore. While we didn’t directly compare all of the bikes during the press camp, we can still draw on the masses of trail time we’ve had with the JEFFSY 29 and the Capra. All being YT bikes, it’s not surprising that all of the trio have sorted geometry and great rear suspension that dishes out a ton of feedback.
You’d be wrong in presuming that those smaller wheels on the JEFFSY 27 will mean it’s a much more agile whip than the 29er – in reality, there’s little breathing space between the 27 and the 29 in terms of agility. With its longer travel, the 27.5″ JEFFSY has a touch more in reserve than the 29er, although the 29er comes with all the advantages that are inherent with that wheelsize. So if you ride long, then head for the 29er, and if you go short and fast on the trails then the JEFFSY 27 is a better bet. The high-end and longer-travel CF PRO RACE model of the JEFFSY 27 has wandered into the burlier territory of the Capra, but the JEFFSY is certainly livelier and more agile than the purebred enduro Capra. Tip the gradient uphill and the JEFFSY 27 CF PRO RACE is still able to inch ahead of the Capra, so if you’re considering signing up for some enduro races then the 160 mm full-sus JEFFSY 27 won’t go far wrong. If, however, your terrain is more about shredding and get loose, then the Capra is still the best choice.
Our Thoughts on the YT JEFFSY 27
If we’re being brutally honest, even we briefly wondered whether the JEFFSY 27 was necessary. Before we headed to Malaga, we were firmly in the ‘no’ camp, especially when you consider the strength and depth of YT’s other contenders. However, fast-forward to those test rides and we’ve now spotted exactly where the JEFFSY 27 slots into their line-up. By offering more travel in reserve than the 29er and bringing more efficiency to the trails than the Capra, it’s an interesting option with a super build spec and serious value for money. WE LIKE the new JEFFSY 27.
For more info head to YT-Industries.
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