The sexy nude carbon frame and choice components of the Propain Tyee CF look like the ticket price should be twice as much. But is its beauty more than skin deep, or has the additional cost of a carbon frame compromised the build and performance?
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: What’s the best 2020 Enduro Bike under € 3,500 – 9 mountain bikes in review
The Propain Tyee CF in detail
The 14.8 kg Tyee CF is Propain’s hard-hitting enduro bike, with 29” wheels, 170/160 mm travel and Propain’s progressive PRO10 suspension system. When buying a Propain, the choice is completely yours. Using the online configurator you can choose from several upgrade packs to customise key components in one click, or you can dive deeper and make endless small changes to the suspension, brakes, wheels and more. For the sum of € 3,494, we scored a beautiful carbon frame and a 170 mm RockShox Lyrik Select+ fork. The good news continues with a RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ RT Coil shock, SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain, 150 mm KindShock LEV Si dropper and Stans ZTR flow wheels. We also chose Magura MT5 brakes with huge 203 mm rotors front and rear. To get all that braking torque onto the trail, Propain fit aggressive Schwalbe Magic Mary tires front and rear with the lighter TLE sidewall and grippy Addix Soft compound.
Without a brace on the super long seat stays, some flex can be felt in very hard turns. This results in some clunking on sideways landings as the pivots take the load.
The long 460 mm seat tube could perhaps be a few centimetres shorter, allowing shorter riders to size up for a longer reach.
The Magura MT5 are strong performers. Paired with 203 mm rotors front and rear, deceleration could only be slower if you rode into a tree.
Propain Tyee CF
€ 3,494
Specifications
Fork RockShox Lyrik Select+ 170 mm
Rear Shock RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ RT Coil 160 mm
Seatpost Kind Shock LEV SI dropper 170 mm
Brakes MAGURA MT5 200/200 mm
Drivetrain SRAM GX Eagle 1x12
Stem SIXPACK Vertic 50 mm
Handlebar SIXPACK Millenium 805 mm
Wheelset Stan’s NoTubes ZTR Flow S1 29"
Tires Schwalbe Magic Mary 2.6"/2.6"
Technical Data
Size M L XL
Weight 14.8 kg
Specific Features
On big hits, the bike ramps up firmly and feels happier popping over stuff than mopping up hard, square impacts.
The highly progressive virtual pivot suspension drives the shock from both ends. We found the RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ RT coil version superior to the air sprung option.
Unless you live somewhere super steep or muddy, we would change out the rear tire to something faster rolling like a Hans Dampf.
The geometry of the Propain Tyee CF
The size L bike we tested features a 471 mm reach with a 1253 mm wheelbase, but the bike feels stretched and longer, perhaps due to its low standover height. A very modern 64.5° and 77.1° head and seat tube angle promise good climbing performance and long 445 mm chainstays suggest good balance. The 460 mm tall seat tube means only a 150 mm dropper can be used by shorter-legged riders.
| Size | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube | 440 mm | 460 mm | 480 mm | Top tube | 595 mm | 618 mm | 640 mm |
| Head tube | 105 mm | 115 mm | 125 mm |
| Head angle | 64.5° | 64.5° | 64.5° |
| Seat angle | 77.1° | 77.1° | 77.1° |
| Chainstays | 445 mm | 445 mm | 445 mm |
| BB Drop | 26 mm | 26 mm | 26 mm |
| Radstand | 1.228 mm | 1.253 mm | 1.275 mm |
| Reach | 451 mm | 471 mm | 491 mm |
| Stack | 630 mm | 639 mm | 648 mm |
The exceptional mid-stroke support allows effortless preloading of the suspension, allowing you to pop into the air. Even the flattest trails become A-lines.
Pants FOX Defend Kevlar | Shoes ION Rascal
Firm is fast – The Propain Tyee CF on the trail
The riding position of the Propain Tyee CF has a very modern and racy feel and feels more stretched than the numbers would indicate with its low slung top-tube. The 64.5° head angle and steep 77.1° seat tube angle put you in an efficient position over the bottom bracket and the centre of gravity feels very low. Uphill, anti-squat is high and the bike sits tall when pedalling. Combined with the efficient position and lightweight, it’s the best climber in the test despite its draggy tires. The long chainstays keep weight on the front wheel and the supportive suspension encourages out of the saddle sprinting. When we first tested the Propain Tyee CF at its launch, we rode the bike with an air shock and found the combination of the highly progressive virtual pivot PRO10 suspensions system and air shock harsh. With the change to a RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ RT Coil, the feel of the suspension is greatly improved, with silky smooth sensitivity and a predictable (though still very firm) ramp up. The real highlight is the exceptional mid-stroke support, allowing effortless preloading of the suspension to pop into the air. Even the flattest trails become A-lines.
The trade-off for that support is that the Tyee does kick around a little when hammering through rock gardens or when full-travel is demanded –, better just to jump them then. Through the corners, however, the integrated riding position and long 445 mm chainstays provide sublime balance, allowing your to flick left and right with just a lively snap of your heels. The one-piece, asymmetric carbon swingarm is beautifully sculpted and the long, unbraced seat-stays allow some lateral flex of the rear wheel. That’s not a bad thing though, as it gives the bike lively pop out of corners. However, we did notice some suspension clunking when landing sideways with the counter-rotating linkages taking the load. It wasn’t a problem for us but very heavy riders may need to think twice. The Stans FLOW ZTR wheels feel great, balancing compliance and fast engagement, but we certainly felt the drag from the tractor-like twin Schwalbe Magic Mary tires. The Magura MT5 brakes are potent stoppers and while they lack modulation, they make up for it in raw grunt. Combined with 203 mm rotors front and rear, we had ‘stick in the spokes’ power. A highlight of the bike is the big RockShox Lyrik Select+ 170 mm fork which holds its line impeccably, helping you hang on in rough terrain and through tricky off-camber sections.
How does the Propain Tyee CF compare to the competition?
Compared to the hammer-like approach of the Ibis Ripmo AF and Nukeproof Mega, the Propain Tyee CF is like a surgical knife. It feels far lighter, peppier and more lively than the other bikes in this test, without any nervousness at all. The low-slung frame means you feel far more integrated with the bike than you do on the Giant Reign and Merida ONE-SIXTY – a bit like sitting astride a missile rather than on a horse. The very firm ramp-up of the rear suspension means the Propain is not as stable as the Nukeproof Mega on big hit terrain, but the long travel fork hangs in there if you have the skill. The best climber in the test by far, the Propain is the clear winner if you are looking for an all-rounder. It’s like the Trek Slash, but more modern with a better build kit.
Tuning tips:select a faster rolling tire for the rear when ordering | run a minimum of two tokens in the Lyrik fork to balance the firm ramp of the rear
Conclusion
With a low-slung frame and very progressive suspension, the Propain Tyee CF loves collecting air miles. It’s more than just a point’n’shoot bike though and the geometry is sublimely balanced. Looking a million dollars, as an all-rounder package, the Tyee CF is a very versatile bike that goes well up and down, whatever the terrain, taking our Best Buy award.
Tops
- looks and rides like it cost twice as much
- stable but playful handling
- build kit can be fully configured
Flops
- noise and flex from the rear end
- limited dropper post compatibility for shorter riders
- rear end still feels harsh on big hits
For more info head to: propain-bikes.com
The test field
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: What’s the best 2020 Enduro Bike under € 3,500 – 9 mountain bikes in review
All bikes in test: Canyon Torque AL 6.0 (Click for review)| GIANT Reign SX 29 (Click for review) | Ibis Ripmo AF Coil (Click for review) | MERIDA ONE-SIXTY 700 (Click for review) | Nukeproof Mega 290 Expert (Click for review) | Privateer 161 (Click for review) | Propain Tyee CF | Trek Slash 8 29 (Click for review) | YT Capra Comp 29 (Click for review)
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Words: Photos: Trev Worsey, Finlay Anderson
