YT Capra.......anyone got one? Sizing question.
Discussion
Hi guys,been looking for something a bit more trail/enduro and these along with Canyon have caught my eye both for being fantastic value for money and getting superb reviews. The only trouble is,with them being direct order only it's impossible to even have a sit on them before hand.
I'm 5'11 and have always had a large in various bikes I've owned. YT only make three sizes listed on their website:
S: 5'3-5'9
M: 5'9-6'0
L: 6'0-6'5
According to this I would need a medium. Could it be that because they only do 3 sizes that each one is slightly bigger than most other bikes in general? I would imagine I could probably get away with either but would just like to know from anyone who has one how they compare generally in terms of size.
Also I've read that you can be waiting months before they actually arrive??
Thanks for any help.
I'm 5'11 and have always had a large in various bikes I've owned. YT only make three sizes listed on their website:
S: 5'3-5'9
M: 5'9-6'0
L: 6'0-6'5
According to this I would need a medium. Could it be that because they only do 3 sizes that each one is slightly bigger than most other bikes in general? I would imagine I could probably get away with either but would just like to know from anyone who has one how they compare generally in terms of size.
Also I've read that you can be waiting months before they actually arrive??
Thanks for any help.
They come up pretty short by modern standards, I would, without a doubt at your height be on a large, even then it's not a big bike (in terms of reach) for your height.
And yes, they seem to be a bit erratic when it comes to delivery. More concerning to me is the nickname they have suitable be tarred with - the Snapra
And yes, they seem to be a bit erratic when it comes to delivery. More concerning to me is the nickname they have suitable be tarred with - the Snapra
Thanks for the replies guys. I've been doing a bit more digging,comparing the geo with other brands/models and it does seem to be the case. Top tube length does seem to be quite short compared to similar large size bikes and is actually 19mm shorter than the Scott which I currently ride!!
Looks like a large it will be then.
Looks like a large it will be then.
Yea they do seem to be a bit on the small side. To be honest though,after joining the YT uk Facebook pace and doing a bit more reading here and there I am starting to have second thoughts about them. There seems to be just too many stories of cracked frames,certainly on the cf models which is what I was looking at but even the Al models have cf seat and chain stays which have also been failing. Not only that but reports of headsets becoming loose after only a couple of rides and also branded components,particularly forks and rear shocks developing faults straight away.
Of course this could be just a case of 'you only hear about the problems' and there could be thousands of happy owners out there who have had no problems whatsoever but I'm getting the feeling they have developed a bit of a reputation for being pretty unreliable.
I only got into mountain biking about 18 months ago and had my first 'proper' bike,a cf Scott spark around 8 months during which time it has covered over 800 miles including a dozen trips to Llandegla,two crashes and gets caked in mud every time it's used and the only issue I've had with it was a creaky bottom bracket which my local bike shop replaced for £40.
I don't really 'need' another bike but Its nice to treat yourself,I want something beefier with more travel just for trail centre use but the last thing I want is for it to spend most of its life in pieces while faulty parts are constantly being shipped back and forth to Germany and I've got a feeling the YT isn't going to live up to my expectations.
Of course this could be just a case of 'you only hear about the problems' and there could be thousands of happy owners out there who have had no problems whatsoever but I'm getting the feeling they have developed a bit of a reputation for being pretty unreliable.
I only got into mountain biking about 18 months ago and had my first 'proper' bike,a cf Scott spark around 8 months during which time it has covered over 800 miles including a dozen trips to Llandegla,two crashes and gets caked in mud every time it's used and the only issue I've had with it was a creaky bottom bracket which my local bike shop replaced for £40.
I don't really 'need' another bike but Its nice to treat yourself,I want something beefier with more travel just for trail centre use but the last thing I want is for it to spend most of its life in pieces while faulty parts are constantly being shipped back and forth to Germany and I've got a feeling the YT isn't going to live up to my expectations.
I'm about to buy one. Either a CF Comp or Pro.
I've read all the horror stories - most stem from the earlier frames. A Lot of the cracks are being OK'd as 'paint cracks'. I know a lot of people with CF frames from various other manufacturers that have had similar problems. From Giant to the beloved SC. It doesn't bother me. In fact, what buoys me is the people I speak to who say how good YT have been if there are any warranty issues. The cracked seat stays seem to be down to the early stay and hanger design, which were re done around 2015 IIRC.
I'm glad they aren't equipped with Bos stuff any more, so it seems the main concerns are paint cracking, and the Reverbs failing every few days. Other than that, I've got no concerns.
FWIW, I've had a number of ally bikes that have also cracked. In fact, the failure of one of those is why I'm about to buy a Capra!
Sizing wise, If you're anywhere near Nottingham, there's a demo day at Sherwood Pines this weekend, or there's one at Ft Bill soon as well IIRC.
Otherwise, the other options are to turn up at a trail centre where you'll likely find one, and ask for a sit, or the cheeky option is to find a Specialize dealer and sit on an Enduro. They are within a few mm in most of the key dimensions. I was actually looking at an Enduro Elite as a possible bike, and have had both a M and a large for a weekend. I'm somewhere between 5'10 and 5'11 and TBH I think I could ride either. The L seemed more 'serious' and better for longer hacks, but the M was definitely more lively and chuckable. More fun in the air, and still absolutely railed berms. I'm currently wavering towards a L for that extra stability in the wheelbase, but with the intention of chucking a 35mm stem on it.
They're not as short as everyone makes out. I rode a friend's L Transition Patrol at the weekend, a bike which is considered quite long and low, and it's actually only about 14mm longer reach than the Capra.
It's only when you compare the bike to things like the Mondrakers and Orbeas that they start looking a bit shorter.
End of the day, if they ride anything like the Enduro that I rode, I'm confident they are going to be an absolute crapload of fun!
I've read all the horror stories - most stem from the earlier frames. A Lot of the cracks are being OK'd as 'paint cracks'. I know a lot of people with CF frames from various other manufacturers that have had similar problems. From Giant to the beloved SC. It doesn't bother me. In fact, what buoys me is the people I speak to who say how good YT have been if there are any warranty issues. The cracked seat stays seem to be down to the early stay and hanger design, which were re done around 2015 IIRC.
I'm glad they aren't equipped with Bos stuff any more, so it seems the main concerns are paint cracking, and the Reverbs failing every few days. Other than that, I've got no concerns.
FWIW, I've had a number of ally bikes that have also cracked. In fact, the failure of one of those is why I'm about to buy a Capra!
Sizing wise, If you're anywhere near Nottingham, there's a demo day at Sherwood Pines this weekend, or there's one at Ft Bill soon as well IIRC.
Otherwise, the other options are to turn up at a trail centre where you'll likely find one, and ask for a sit, or the cheeky option is to find a Specialize dealer and sit on an Enduro. They are within a few mm in most of the key dimensions. I was actually looking at an Enduro Elite as a possible bike, and have had both a M and a large for a weekend. I'm somewhere between 5'10 and 5'11 and TBH I think I could ride either. The L seemed more 'serious' and better for longer hacks, but the M was definitely more lively and chuckable. More fun in the air, and still absolutely railed berms. I'm currently wavering towards a L for that extra stability in the wheelbase, but with the intention of chucking a 35mm stem on it.
They're not as short as everyone makes out. I rode a friend's L Transition Patrol at the weekend, a bike which is considered quite long and low, and it's actually only about 14mm longer reach than the Capra.
It's only when you compare the bike to things like the Mondrakers and Orbeas that they start looking a bit shorter.
End of the day, if they ride anything like the Enduro that I rode, I'm confident they are going to be an absolute crapload of fun!
Thanks for the imput. It's also a cf comp which I fancy. I've not ruled it out yet despite the horror stories as it seems to be exactly what I'm after and for the price nothing really gets close.
Looks like I'm going to have a bit more time to think about it though as my car has just decided to slap me with a £1800 repair bill for a burst shock absorber,couple that with the current 7 week wait on a Capra cf comp it will probably be a few months now before I'm in a position to buy.
Looks like I'm going to have a bit more time to think about it though as my car has just decided to slap me with a £1800 repair bill for a burst shock absorber,couple that with the current 7 week wait on a Capra cf comp it will probably be a few months now before I'm in a position to buy.
garylythgoe said:
Does anyone have a Medium Capra in the Cambs/Bucks/Herts/London area, that I could for size if possible?
Having a real dilemma about whether to choose medium or small @ 5ft 6 / 5ft 7 ish.
I've got one, but near Stratford upon Avon.Having a real dilemma about whether to choose medium or small @ 5ft 6 / 5ft 7 ish.
Edited by garylythgoe on Wednesday 6th July 17:01
Subsequent to my post above, I'm blown away by it. Incredible bike. Knocks the Enduro into the weeds, and an absolute truckload of fun.
garylythgoe said:
Does anyone have a Medium Capra in the Cambs/Bucks/Herts/London area, that I could for size if possible?
Having a real dilemma about whether to choose medium or small @ 5ft 6 / 5ft 7 ish.
My mate is in Norfolk with a Medium, we often ride at Thetford.Having a real dilemma about whether to choose medium or small @ 5ft 6 / 5ft 7 ish.
Edited by garylythgoe on Wednesday 6th July 17:01
garylythgoe said:
How tall are you buddy? What's the feedback on the sizing?
Upper edge of 5'10 
In the end, after much wavering, I went with the M.
I went to the Sherwood Pines demo day and rode both M and L back to back. End of the day, I would have been fine with both. However, for my riding (twisty singletrack, jumps, short course southern DH, Stile Cop and the like) the M was just more fun and flickable. I gave it a thorough workout the other weekend and didn't regret the sizing in my normal riding one bit. The L I road felt better on longer pedals, but that's not really me, most of my stuff is standing up and gravity assisted. IT felt more cumbersome in the air, and the extra wheelbase didn't feel quite right on tighter stuff.
If you're less bothered about the air side of things, like longer distance pedalling, or are into steep DH, I'd err on the larger side of stuff. If you are into jumps, tighter stuff, and things of that ilk, I'd go M.
I have to admit, I'd prefer a larger side for the few longer distance rides I've done, but if I'm honest, I'd actually prefer another bike for those!
It's a tricky one. TBH with you being right near the middle I'd be tempted to go for an M anyways.
Phenomenal bike though. I utterly adore it.
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