A top-spec enduro bike for € 4,499? That’s exactly what YT offer with their Capra Core 4, which is the cheapest bike in the entire group test but also the heaviest, at 17 kg. But does the weight affect its riding performance? And how did YT’s bestseller fare against the competition in our 2024 comparison test?
17 kg in size XL | € 4,499 | Manufacturer’s website
YT is a popular direct-to-consumer brand with headquarters in Bavaria. The German bike manufacturer has long made a name for itself in the industry, partly because of their affordable bikes and race team sponsorships, and partly because of their outlandish video campaigns, which featured Hollywood legend Christopher Walken. With great riders like Jack Moir, Chris Textor and Vali Höll, the YT team are a familiar sight on the podium. Since its launch in 2014, the Capra has been YT’s enduro bruiser. Nicknamed the “GOAT” by YT itself, the German full-carbon ram employs a four-bar suspension linkage, generating 170/160 mm of travel front and rear. While YT might prefer to think of it as the “greatest of all time”, Capra is also Latin for Goat. The robust spec brings the total weight to 17 kg, making the Capra the heaviest analogue bike in the entire group test – yes, there’s also one eMTB in this test field, the Orbea Wild, for comparison’s sake. While we tested the MX variant, which relies on a mullet wheel setup, the Capra is also available as a full 29er. At € 4,499, the YT Capra is by far the cheapest bike in this test field.
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best enduro bike 2024 – 14 of the most exciting enduro bikes in our 2024 comparison test
The 2024 YT Capra Core 4 in detail
The YT Capra relies on a classic four-bar (or four-baaaa?) suspension design, with an eye-catching blue paint finish. There’s enough room in the main frame triangle to accommodate a big water bottle, though this sits very low on the downtube, and can only be accessed from the left hand side due to the additional cross brace on the right. There’s a tool mount on the top tube, and the Core 4 model comes standard with a strap for a spare inner tube, which includes a tire lever and plug. This prepares you for smaller punctures, and makes up for the lack of a storage compartment in the down tube, a feature which you’ll find in 6 out of the 13 competitors in this test. YT rely on conventional cable routing with cable ports on the frame, although the ports’ rubber covers tend to slip quite easily, potentially leading to rattling noises on the trail. However, a couple of zip-ties provide a cheap and effective remedy, ensuring a quiet ride. A generously sized chainstay protector prevents chain slap and paint chips, while a big TPU plate on the down tube shields the frame from stray rocks and nasty impacts.
The tool strap allows you to secure a spare inner tube directly to the frame and comes standard with a tire lever and small plug set. All you need is a pump!
The rubber plugs tend to get dislodged from the ports and slide down the cable, causing the cables to rattle against the frame.
The YT’s bottle cage is only accessible from the left hand side, due to the asymmetrical frame. The Thirstmaster 6000 bottle doesn’t easily let go of the cage.
The spec of the 2024 YT Capra Core 4
The 2024 version of the YT Capra Core 4 has undergone several changes, particularly to the component spec. This consists of high quality components and was chosen carefully to match the bike’s character and intended use. Rockshox supply the 170 mm ZEB Ultimate fork and matching, high-volume Vivid Ultimate shock, controlling 160 mm of travel at the rear. Both fork and shock offer countless adjustment options and deliver a tremendous performance on the trail. For the dropper post, YT rely on their in-house Postman which, at 170 mm, offers less travel than average in this test, and is slightly outdated for a modern enduro bike. On the bright side, the dropper remote is easy and intuitive to operate.
The combination of a long seat tube and YT’s short-travel, 170 mm Postman dropper post restrict your freedom of movement.
The new RockShox Vivid shock has an oversized air chamber and is designed to ensure consistent performance. In combination with the Capra’s rear suspension, it provides top traction and support on the trail.
SRAM Code RSC brakes with 200 mm rotors (f/r) ensure powerful and reliable deceleration. Shifting is taken care of by an electronic, 12-speed SRAM GX Eagle Transmission drivetrain, which relies on a direct-mount rear derailleur and delivers butter-smooth gear shifts even under load. An MRP chain guide prevents the chain from falling off and is complemented by a bash guard to protect the chainring against nasty impacts. For the wheels, YT rely on a Crankbrothers Synthesis alloy mullet wheelset and MAXXIS tires, combining an ASSEGAI in the soft MaxxGrip rubber compound at the front and a Minion DHR II in the harder MaxxTerra compound at the rear, both in the robust Doubledown casing – awesome! Except for the short-travel dropper post, the Core 4 offers a killer spec for a very fair price – excellent!
The price is right! For € 4,499, you’ll get a high-performance downhill package with only a few minor weaknesses in the spec. Upgrading the dropper post is a good idea.
YT CAPRA CORE 4
€ 4,499
Specifications
Fork RockShox ZEB Ultimate 170 mm
Rear Shock RockShox Vivid Ultimate 160 mm
Seatpost YT Postman 170 mm
Brakes SRAM CODE RSC 200/200 mm
Drivetrain SRAM GX Eagle Transmission 1x12
Stem Renthal 50 mm
Handlebar Renthal Alu 800 mm
Wheelset Crankbrothers Synthesis Alu 29"/27.5"
Tires MAXXIS ASSEGAI, Doubledown, MaxxGrip/MAXXIS Minion DHR II, Doubledown, MaxxTerra 2.5/2.4
Technical Data
Size S M L XL XXL
Weight 17 kg
Specific Features
Tool on top tube
Flip-Chip
Tuning tip: Zip-ties around the cable ports to prevent rattling noises
The geometry of the 2024 YT Capra Core 4
The YT Capra is available in five sizes, S to XXL, and both as a mullet bike and full 29er, offering a suitable option for riders between 154 and 202 cm tall. However, the Capra is relatively small by modern standards, which is why we tested a frame size XL, which has 484 mm reach. This corresponds roughly to a size L for most other manufacturers in this test. At 470 mm, the seat tube is the longest in the entire test field and, in combination with the short 170 mm dropper post, this rather restricts your freedom of movement on the bike. A flip chip in the lower shock mount eyelet allows you to adjust the head and seat tube angles by 0.3°.
| Size | S | M | L | XL | XXL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reach | 424 mm | 444 mm | 464 mm | 484 mm | 504 mm |
| Stack | 627 mm | 636 mm | 636 mm | 645 mm | 654 mm |
| Chainstay Length | 433 mm | 433 mm | 433 mm | 438 mm | 438 mm |
| BB Drop | 30 mm | 30 mm | 30 mm | 30 mm | 30 mm |
| Seat Tube | 395 mm | 420 mm | 445 mm | 470 mm | 495 mm |
| Head Angle | 64° | 64° | 64° | 64° | 64° |
| Seat Angle | 77.5° | 77.5° | 77.4° | 77.4° | 77.3° |
| Horizontal Top Tube | 564 mm | 587 mm | 607 mm | 630 mm | 653 mm |
| Head Tube | 100 mm | 110 mm | 110 mm | 120 mm | 130 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1199 mm | 1223 mm | 1243 mm | 1272 mm | 1297 mm |
The 2024 YT Capra Core 4 on the trail
The YT Capra Core 4 places you in an upright, comfortable pedalling position. Our test bike in size XL feels roomy, without stretching you out over the front end excessively. The rear end bobs slightly when pedalling, though this can be quickly rectified by reaching for the climb switch on the RockShox Vivid Ultimate shock. Despite being the heaviest analogue bike in this test, it ranks in the upper third in terms of climbing capabilities, keeping up easily with most of its competitors uphill.
When you drop into a trail to shred your way back down into the valley, the Capra integrates you centrally and deeply into the frame, making you feel at ease from the get-go with its intuitive handling. Jump on and feel good! The German all-mountain goat is in its element on narrow, winding trails, where its agile, nimble character makes it easy to negotiate obstacles. The active suspension encourages you to pop off tree stumps, and at the same time provides enough support to pump through rollers and berms and generate speed in the process. But doesn’t it get nervous at high speeds? The answer is no! While the suspension provides plenty of pop, this doesn’t translate into a harsh or jittery ride when the going gets rough. On the contrary, it feels composed while at the same time providing plenty of feedback from the ground. Only a handful of bikes in this group test strike a better balance between agility and composure. Despite being one of the older frame platforms, there’s certainly life in the old goat yet, proving to be very potent, very sporty, and very fairly priced. In fact, the YT Capra Core 4 only just misses out on our Best Buy tip.
Very few bikes in this test strike as excellent a balance between composure and agility as the YT Capra.
Who should take a closer look at the 2024 YT Capra Core 4?
The YT Capra Core 4 is a great choice if you’re just starting to ride mountain bikes, or you’re looking for strong trail performance on a budget. It’s also an excellent option for trail surfers who want to play with the terrain. The low price leaves plenty of room for upgrades, for example if you want to reduce weight. A top entry-level bike that delivers plenty of fun, whether you’re a newbie or seasoned trail veteran.
Our conclusions about the 2024 YT Capra Core 4
YT really mean it with the GOAT nickname – and rightly so? The Capra might not be the greatest bike of all time, but it’s certainly one of the best ones in this group test. Above all, it impresses with its well-rounded character, striking an excellent balance between agility and composure. With the new Capra, YT managed to deliver a reasonably-priced bike with first-class handling, which makes it suitable for a massive range of rider types – top!
Tops
- Excellent balance between composure and agility
- Top price/performance ratio
- Tool strap with tire plugs
Flops
- The combination of long seat tube and short travel dropper restrict freedom of movement
For more info, visit yt-industries.com.
The test field
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best enduro bike 2024 – 14 of the most exciting enduro bikes in our 2024 comparison test
All bikes in test: Bold Unplugged Ultimate (Click for review) | Canyon Strive CFR LTD (Click for review) | GIANT Reign Advanced 1 V2 (Click for review) | Ibis HD6 GX AXS (Click for review) | Norco Sight C1 (Click for review) | Orbea WILD M-LTD (Click for review) | Propain Tyee 6 CF MIX (Click for review) | RAAW Madonna V3 (Click for review) | Rocky Mountain Altitude C70 (Click for review) | Santa Cruz Megatower GX AXS RSV (Click for review) | SCOTT Ransom 900 RC (Click for review) | Trek Slash 9.8 XT (Click for review) | Yeti SB160 T3 (Click for review) | YT CAPRA CORE 4 (Click for review)
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Words: Julian Schwede Photos: Peter Walker Translation: Eric
