When a press email for a new gravel bike starts with “As you know, YT Industries has always been a gravity orientated mountain bike brand…” and both trim levels come with a Rockshox Rudy fork, it hints at what’s to come.
The new YT Industries Szepter gravel bike gets a slack 69.3º head angle, with a 40mm travel Rockshox Rudy XPLR in there to handle the bumps. Both builds get wireless SRAM AXS XPLR drivetrains, too, with WTB wheels and tires keeping it rolling.
A few special touches set the frame apart. Starting with mounts, there are two sets of two-bolt mounts under the top tube, plus multiple bottle cage mounting points and hardware on the seat- and downtubes. Surprisingly, there are none on the top of the top tube, though, and they left off rack mounts because it’s a bike focused on playful riding, not touring.
YT continues with their Fidlock appreciation by offering an optional bottle & mount to fill two of the three downtube mounts, either upper or lower position, or keep the cover plate to run a standard bottle. The seat tube bosses are standard bolts that thread into the frame.
A custom mud fender bolts into the back of the arched seat tube, creating a continuous arc that also provides splatter protection. They even made a matching custom fender for the Rudy forks, too.
The bikes fit a 30.9mm seatpost and have enough insertion to fit up to a 150mm dropper seatpost on larger frame sizes. Or, use the included shim to run a compliant 27.2mm seatpost for a lighter build.
Cable ports are present, suggesting future spec options may come, but for now both the Core 3 and Core 4 trim levels get wireless shifting.
YT Szepter pricing, specs & weight
The Szepter Core 3 comes in at a claimed 9.8kg (21lb 10oz, size small) and will retail for €/$3,299 (£3,199). Claimed frame weight for a size Large is 1,400g, and both models use the same frame.
The Szepter Core 4 upgrades with a Reverb AXS XPLR dropper seatpost and higher end drivetrain for €/$4,499 (£4,399). Claimed weight is 9.9kg (21lb 13oz, size small).
A dropped chainstay and curved seat tube help tuck the rear wheel in for a short-ish 425mm chainstay length. They say it’s snappy and pops forward under power, making climbs just as fast as the descents. Max tire clearance for the frame is 700×45, but the Rudy can take a 700×50.
