RAAW Yalla! – In our 2025 downhill comparison test

Robust, easy to service, and unique-looking – RAAW’s aluminium bikes are making a name for themselves in the MTB scene. With its unmistakable frame details and countless adjustment options, the Yalla! is distinctly recognisable as a RAAW. But how does RAAW’s alloy downhill rig stack up against the competition?

RAAW might still be a small company, but their bikes are becoming a part of the furniture on the trails. If you hang out in bike parks, you’ll also see more and more Yalla! downhill bikes – and for good reason. With its 29-inch wheels and very reasonable 17 kg system weight, it’s no heavier than some carbon bikes in our comparison test. For around €7,500, you can get the Yalla! in the configuration we tested. However, it’s worth mentioning that RAAW’s DH bike is only available as a frameset and through the German manufacturer’s online store. The RAAW Yalla! generates 198 mm of travel at the rear and 203 mm at the front. Additionally, you can purchase numerous upgrade kits to customise the bike’s geometry to suit your needs and preferences.

Find an overview of this comparison test here: The Best Downhill Bike 2024 – Six exciting DH bikes in a comparison test

Specs and features of the RAAW Yalla!

With its unmistakable frame silhouette, the RAAW Yalla! is distinctly recognisable as a RAAW. The straight aluminium tubes and oversized main pivot ensure a beefy, distinctive look. In typical RAAW fashion, all cables are routed externally, making it easier to service the bike. However, the cables are routed neatly along the upper section of the down tube and are securely clamped to the frame, meaning that they don’t compromise the bike’s aesthetics.

The Yalla! comes equipped with Shimano XT brakes and 200 mm rotors front and rear. Interestingly, it’s the only bike in this test that doesn’t have a big 220 mm rotor at the front. Nevertheless, the brakes deliver sufficient braking torque, even on technical, demanding trails. Shifting is taken care of by a 10-speed Shimano SAINT drivetrain, which is paired with SRAM X01 cranks on our test bike.

Additional features like a downtube protector in the bottom bracket area and fork bumpers on the frame protect the bike from damage. The suspension consists of a FOX 40 Factory GRIP2 fork and an Öhlins TTX 22 M.2 coil shock. When ordering your bike from RAAW’s website, you can choose the appropriate spring rate – nice detail! A tool mount on the top tube allows you to secure a few trail essentials directly to the frame on long bike park sessions.

The Yalla! rolls on a DT Swiss FR 1500 alloy wheelset and MAXXIS tire combo, with an ASSEGAI in the grippy MaxxGrip rubber compound at the front and a Minion DHR II in the more durable MaxxTerra rubber compound at the rear, both in the tough DH casing. This is the ideal combo for riders who aren’t focused on clocking fast times and value reliable front grip and long-lasting rear traction.

Tuning tip: none

The geometry of the RAAW Yalla!

The RAAW Yalla! is available in only three sizes, M, L, and XL, with reach values ranging between 455 mm and 505 mm – our test bike in size L has 480 mm. Despite the limited size options, the Yalla! offers countless configuration possibilities, Toolbox Kit. This allows you to adjust the chainstay length, bottom bracket drop, head angle, and even the rear suspension’s end progression in three stages each. The bike comes standard in the middle setting, which, according to RAAW, ensures the most balanced handling characteristics. However, the kit is sold separately, so you can’t just change the chainstay length on the fly without buying the appropriate part.

In the standard configuration, the Yalla! Has 63° head angle, which can be steepened or slackened by one degree using special headset cups. Chainstay length varies depending on the frame size: 440 mm in M, 445 mm in L, and 450 mm in XL. By swapping the rear axle and brake mount, the chainstay length can be extended or shortened by 5 mm.

You can also adjust the BB drop to suit your preferences. Standard is 265 mm, but this can be adjusted by +/- 3 mm by swapping the lower shock mount. Likewise, the rear-end progression, which is set at 25% as standard, can be increased or decreased by 3% by swapping the same shock mount. Despite the extensive adjustment options, the Yalla! remains a purebred 29er. Officially, there’s no way to convert it to a mullet bike.

The RAAW Yalla! on the trail

Descent! When gravity takes over, the RAAW Yalla! Makes you feel at ease from the get go. In typical RAAW fashion, the Yalla! places you in a central, deeply integrated riding position, with the weight evenly distributed between the front and rear, which prevents you from having to actively weight the front wheel to keep it tracking. This position inspires huge amounts of confidence from the moment you swing your leg over the saddle, encouraging you to keep your hands off the brakes for a few more seconds. The Yalla! feels reassuringly balanced, making it easy to hold your line through nasty rock gardens and root carpets. However, the composed character comes at the expense of agility. As a result, the Yalla! feels a bit sluggish in tight corners, and requires a great deal of physical effort in particularly twisty trail sections.

With its 29-inch wheels and a weight of just 17 kg, the Yalla! is no heavier than some carbon bikes and still offers RAAW’s proven durability.

The Yalla!’s suspension generates plenty of traction and at the same time offers tons of support, with the rider sitting slightly lower in the travel. However, the shock doesn’t sink into its travel, and the bike remains dynamic to ride. Your ankles can relax too: even in the middle progression setting, it offers enough end progression, preventing unpleasant bottom-outs even with hard landings. A minor weakness becomes apparent on fast hits: When braking on brake bumps, the rear wheel can’t follow the ground and skips slightly, which brings along a slight feeling of instability. Additionally, the Shimano XT brake pads make a loud rattling noise, which can be annoying in the long run. On our timed test track, the RAAW generally finished in the middle of the test field. However, the bike’s performance depends heavily on the track itself: on fast, rough tracks where stability and security are key, the RAAW scores well; in narrow, tight trails, however, you lose some time.

The RAAW Yalla! is a bike for high-speed chargers who value high security on the trails, even if it comes at the expense of agility.

Who should take a closer look at the RAAW Yalla!?

The RAAW Yalla! is the ideal bike for alloy enthusiasts and those who appreciate a simple, functional design and ride a lot. It appeals particularly to home mechanics and tinkerers who enjoy working on their bike and experimenting with geometry settings. And those who don’t mind buying many new parts to do so. The Yalla! is perfect for high-speed shredders who value a high level of security on the trails and don’t want to flick the rear end from one corner to the next.

Conclusion about the RAAW Yalla!

With the Yalla!, RAAW remain true to their principles. The bike impresses with its classic look and, as usual, offers a high level of adjustability. On the trail, it’s just as solid as it looks. And while it might lack some agility, the Yalla! inspires huge amounts of confidence with its composed character, encouraging you to really open the tap on your way back down into the valley. If you’re looking for a bike that’s easy to work on and easy to control on high-speed descents, the Yalla! is a reliable companion.

Tops

• Very high stability
• Highly adjustable
• Easy to service
• Built for long-term durability

Flops

• Limited agility
• Conversion parts must be purchased

For more information, visit RAAW’s website.

The test field

Find an overview of this comparison test here: The Best Downhill Bike 2024 – Six exciting DH bikes in a comparison test

All bikes in the test: GIANT Glory Advanced (Click for review) | Pivot Phoenix V5 (Click for review) | RAAW Yalla! | ROSE Scrub DC 3 (Click for review) | Santa Cruz V10 DH X01 (Click for review) | YT TUES MK4 CORE4 (Click for review)

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Words: Simon Kohler Photos: Peter Walker