Last year saw YT debut the Decoy enduro E-MTB, as a mullet mountain bike with a 27.5″ wheel out back and a fast rolling 29″ wheel up front. Now, the brand have seen fit to bring back symmetrical wheel sizing, launching the YT Decoy 29, slotting into the e-bike line-up as an “all-mountain” E-MTB. As is true of the mullet Decoy, the 29er Decoy is equipped with 150mm of rear wheel travel, and a 150mm travel fork, but the geometry is somewhat less aggressive, said to offer the same exhilarating downhill performance but with even better climbing characteristics.
YT Decoy 29 all-mountain E-MTB
Aside from the fact that 29″ wheels roll faster, other factors that might contribute to those claimed improved climbing characteristics are presumably the steepend seat tube and head angles, shifting the rider’s weight forward for a more efficient seated position with respect to the bottom bracket, and a more responsive, less wandering front end. The head angle is just 0.5 degrees slacker than the Decoy at its slackest, at 66 degrees, while the effective seat tube angle sits at a steep 77/77.5 degrees. The E-MTB’s geometry is adjustable via the use of a flip-chip; changing both the seat tube angle and head angle by 0.5 degrees, while concomitantly changing the BB height by 7mm.
To account for the larger rear wheel, the BOOST 149x12mm YT Decoy 29 frame has a longer chainstay than its sibling mullet, measuring in at pretty lengthy 458mm, consistent across the S-XXL frame sizes. Such a long chainstay would, I imagine, also help to keep that front wheel firmly on the ground on super steep ascents. Tyre clearance is sufficient to seat 2.4″ Maxxis Minion DHRII tyres on 30mm internal width rims. With a 50mm stem, reach figures stretch out from 422mm in size small, to 502mm on the XXL.
Motoring the Decoy 29 E-MTB is the Shimano E8000 drive unit, paired with YT’s custom removable 540 Wh battery.
Two models of the YT Decoy 29 are offered; an entry-level Base model weighs in at 23.9 kgs, while the Pro build is a little on the lighter side at a claimed 23.3 kgs. The Base build features a Rockshox Yari RC fork, and Deluxe Select shock, Shimano’s SLX 12 speed drivetrain, DT Swiss H1900 Spline wheelset and SRAM’s Code R brakes with 200mm rotors, front and back.
In the upper echelons, the YT Decoy 29 Pro build suspension is serviced by FOX 36 Float Performance Elite EBike+ forks, paired with a DPX2 Performance Elite shock. The bike rolls on a DT SWISS H1700 Spline wheelset, driven in part by the 12 speed Shimano XT drivetrain, and stopping power is provided by SRAM’s premium Code RSC brakes, clamping 200mm rotors front and back.
Pricing and Availability
The YT Decoy 29 is available now direct from YT, with both models offered in the Black Magic colorway. The Base model will set you back $4,399 and is also available in Two Tone Blue while the Pro model Decoy is a pricier $5,599, additionally available in the Ghostship Green colorway.
