Why the provocative headline: "F*#ck U all!"? It shows the attitude of the new Decoy. Downhill, trails, jumps, drops, drops with landings, drops without landings, nasty uphill ramps, epic rides, short rides, rough rides, flowy rides ... it doesn't matter. The Decoy can handle it. Sounds like a press release? Maybe, but we've tried it out. But first things first.
The gravity specialist from Forchheim has renovated its full-assist EMTB Decoy. The YT Decoy has been around since 2019. Right from the start, the E-freerider made its mark and impressed in comparison tests. Over the years, YT has polished up its bestseller time and again, tweaking the angles and equipment and adding the latest motor to the bike. The original Shimano Steps 8000 became the tried and tested EP8 from the Japanese company. However, the new Decoy - contrary to all DJI rumours - was given the latest version of the powerful Bosch drive with up to 100 Nm torque. An 800-cell battery is designed to increase the range of the bike so that the rider is more likely to run out of juice than the battery cells.
Frame and drive
At the heart of all new Decoy models is a carbon frame with 170 millimetres of rear suspension travel. YT Industries has opted for a mullet configuration (29-inch front wheel / 27.5-inch rear wheel). According to the manufacturer (and in our opinion), this combination combines the advantages of both wheel sizes and creates agile handling with good rollover characteristics. The frame is available in five sizes from S to XXL.
The Bosch Performance Line CX is used as the drive in all variants. The motor delivers a torque of 85 Nm and a peak power of 600 watts - the power can even be increased to a maximum of 100 Nm and 750 watts via an app. Power is supplied by a Bosch PowerTube battery with 800 Wh capacity integrated in the down tube.
Super: Nothing "cups" - that's how we like to describe the hollow vibration that some eMTBs emit when you're blasting through the terrain. Nothing wobbles either, the new Decoy is solid, plush and compact as it tears through the terrain.
The Bosch Kiox 400C display with USB-C connection, ANT+ and Bluetooth connectivity and navigation function serves as the control unit.
How the new Decoy drives
The years go by, but the feeling remains: get on it and start shredding. Back in 2019, when the Decoy made its debut, we immediately wanted to head for the biggest drop to throw ourselves off - that's how potent the carbon racer seemed. Six years later, we feel the same way. No jump is too far, no root field too rough, no landing too flat - the full suspension of the Decoy (180/170 mm) is brimming with self-confidence and boosts the ego so that in every riding situation you come to the conclusion: It's not the bike! The new Decoy is a "moped" for tough missions, both uphill and downhill. The Forchheim-based bike supplier equips the E-Enduro with the powerhouse Bosch CX (max. 100 Nm torque) and a fat 800 battery. We rode the Decoy on jumptrails, enduro trails, technical trails, rough trails, flowing trails and had absolutely nothing to criticise about the full-assist bike - a bitter pill for bike testers.
Equipment variants
YT Industries offers the new Decoy in four equipment variants. The top model Decoy Core 4 has the top fork from Fox (38 mm) with 180 millimetres of travel. Shifting is handled by the wireless SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission with 12 gears. Braking is provided by SRAM Maven brakes and 220/200 millimetre brake discs.
The Decoy Core 3 is equipped with Öhlins suspension. Here too, 180 millimetres of suspension travel is used on the fork. The shifting group also comes from SRAM, albeit in the GX Eagle Transmission version. Deceleration is provided by TRP DH-R EVO brakes with 220/203 millimetre rotors.
On the Decoy Core 2, YT Industries uses RockShox suspension with a ZEB Select+ fork. A SRAM Eagle Transmission takes care of the shifting. The brakes are from TRP.
The entry-level Decoy Core 1 model is equipped with Marzocchi suspension. The gearing comes from Shimano in the form of the Deore groupset with 12 gears. Braking is provided by SRAM DB8 brakes.
All models have their own paint finish, but are also available in a discreet black colour.
Geometry and area of application
YT Industries has designed the geometry of the new Decoy for versatile use in the freeride, enduro and all-mountain sectors. The head angle in the regular setting is 64 degrees, the seat angle is 78 degrees. The geometry can be adjusted using a flip chip. In the low setting, the steering angle is reduced to 63.5 degrees.
The reach is moderate at 475 millimetres in size L (the 2019 Decoy had 455 mm in L). The chainstays measure a uniform 445 millimetres across all frame sizes. They have become longer for better climbing, but are still short enough to pull the bike onto the rear wheel. These geometry values are intended to enable balanced handling behaviour in technical terrain with a smooth ride on fast descents.
The geometry has been tweaked, compressed and bent to adapt the new Decoy to modern requirements according to the tried and tested motto: longer, flatter, lower.
Prices and availability
Prices for the new YT Decoy start at €5,999 for the entry-level Core 1 model, with the top-of-the-range Core 4 costing €8,999. In between are the Core 2 for €6,999 and the Core 3 for €7,999. According to YT Industries, the new Decoy models are available immediately via direct sales.
Technical specifications
YT Decoy Core 4
- Frame: Ultra Modulus Carbon Frame V4L, 170 mm suspension travel
- Fork: Fox 38 Float Factory 29", 180 mm travel
- Shock: Fox X2 Factory 230 x 65 mm
- Drive: Bosch Performance Line CX, 85 Nm, 600 W (via app 100 Nm/750 W)
- Battery: Bosch PowerTube 800 Wh
- Display: Bosch Kiox 400C
- Gear system: SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission, 12-speed
- Brakes: SRAM Maven, 220/200 mm
- Wheels: DT Swiss HXC 1500 29"/27.5"
- Weight: 23.2 kg (size L)
- Price: 8,999 euros
YT Decoy Core 3
- Frame: Ultra Modulus Carbon Frame V4L, 170 mm suspension travel
- Fork: Öhlins RXF38 m.3 29", 180 mm travel
- Shock absorber: Öhlins TTX22 m.2 230 x 65 mm
- Drive: Bosch Performance Line CX, 85 Nm, 600 W (via app 100 Nm/750 W)
- Battery: Bosch PowerTube 800 Wh
- Display: Bosch Kiox 400C
- Gear system: SRAM GX Eagle Transmission, 12-speed
- Brakes: TRP DH-R EVO, 220/203 mm
- Wheels: Crankbrothers Synthesis E-Bike Alloy Custom
- Weight: 23.8 kg (size L)
- Price: 7,999 euros
YT Decoy Core 2
- Frame: Ultra Modulus Carbon Frame V4L, 170 mm suspension travel
- Fork: RockShox ZEB Select+ 29", 180 mm travel
- Shock absorber: RockShox Vivid Select+ 230 x 65 mm
- Drive: Bosch Performance Line CX, 85 Nm, 600 W (via app 100 Nm/750 W)
- Battery: Bosch PowerTube 800 Wh
- Display: Bosch Kiox 400C
- Gear system: SRAM Eagle Transmission, 12-speed
- Brakes: TRP DH-R EVO, 220/203 mm
- Wheels: DT Swiss H1900 29"/27.5"
- Weight: 23.9 kg (size L)
- Price: 6,999 euros
YT Decoy Core 1
- Frame: Ultra Modulus Carbon Frame V4L, 170 mm suspension travel
- Fork: Marzocchi Bomber Z 29", 180 mm travel
- Shock absorber: Marzocchi Bomber Air 230 x 65 mm
- Drive: Bosch Performance Line CX, 85 Nm, 600 W (via app 100 Nm/750 W)
- Battery: Bosch PowerTube 800 Wh
- Display: Bosch Kiox 400C
- Gear system: Shimano Deore, 12-speed
- Brakes: SRAM DB8, 220/200 mm
- Wheels: WTB ST Tough 29"/27.5"
- Price: 5,999 euros
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Dimitri Lehner
Editor
