THE 2023 PROPAIN TYEE

Words by Robert Johnston | Photos & Video by Max Rhulen

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When word came down that a new Propain Tyee was in the pipeline, we began to wonder what exactly it would look like, what improvements would be made, and how much more we’d like it than the outgoing version. And if you’re wondering how much we liked that last version, check out the review here. Now, as much as we liked the last Tyee, demand from athletes, consumers and of course the competitive nature from within Propain’s design team meant that an evolution was inevitable. With some clever updates and modifications to the new Tyee, Propain’s flagship enduro bike line should have aggressive riders of all budgets looking hard. With models starting from $2,999, a choice of alloy or carbon frames with any combination of 29” and 27.5” wheels, plus a custom bike builder to fine tune the spec, the new 2023 Propain Tyee offers a lot of options so there will surely be a configuration to please just about every rider. In this Dissected feature we’ll dive into the details of what Propain have changed, why they changed it, and of course, hit the trails with some of Propain’s North American staff to see just how it performs where it matters most.

As with all of our Dissected Features, this is not intended to be a long term review or endorsement of a product but is instead a chance for our viewers and readers to get a deep dive look into some of the newest tech and products in the mountain bike space. We thank Propain Bikes for the opportunity to create this feature and getting you some valuable beta on this new Enduro machine.

Propain Tyee Dissected

GEOMETRY REFINEMENTS

The geometry on the previous generation Tyee was quite progressive and so doesn’t look completely out of place even now, but Propain wanted to refine it further to increase the capability. The reach numbers were tweaked as Propain either maintained or added 5-10mm to each size, as well as slackening the head angle by half a degree to 64.5 degrees with a 160mm fork. Riders can further rake out the front end by opting to run a 170mm fork, taking the head angle to 64.1° and adding even more hard charging potential in the process.

With riders trending towards longer dropper seatposts, Propain also took the opportunity to drop their seat tube lengths by 10mm, letting more riders run longer dropper posts and increasing the option for riders to size up if they prefer an even longer reach. Speaking of sizing, the Tyee is now available in an XS frame size option with 27.5” wheels on both ends, fitting riders down to 148cm (4’10”). Riders on sizes XS and S are given a pair of 27.5” wheels, size M can be run with 27.5”, Mix (29” F/ 27.5”R), or Full 29” wheels, and L and XL sizes can be purchased with Mix or 29” wheels. Propain considers these wheel sizes the most appropriate for the rider heights typically found at each of these frame sizes.

Propain Tyee Dissected

FRAME IMPROVEMENTS

Following feedback from customers and their athletes, Propain identified that a stiffer rear triangle would be beneficial, so they designed the new Tyee to have a 10% stiffer rear end. They also increased the tire clearance in the process, which should support the harder charging that the Tyee is designed for, as well as improved mud and tire clearance for the worst trail conditions.

A unique update is the choice to move the rear brake mount to the inside of the rear triangle. Riders can opt for either a 180mm or 200mm rotor fitting using the same 2-position post mount bracket. Similarly adjustable is the 2-position flip chip on the connection between the seat stay and upper link, which allows for the frame to be tweaked between a 27.5” or 29” wheel. The chip can also act as a geometry adjustment to give an extra low and slack position when using a 27.5” wheel, or to produce an extra-high and steep mode in the full 29” setup, if you’re that way inclined.

To ensure quiet running when attacking the trails, the cable routing has been optimized and now runs closely to the suspension pivots to reduce the growth as the suspension compresses, minimizing the excess cable length required and therefore reducing the chance of rattle. Soft TPR plastic protectors were developed for the chainstay and seat stay on the drive side, with air cavities designed to help to cushion any chain impacts and silence any noise or vibration that may otherwise be created.

CARBON AND ALLOY OPTIONS

Propain’s Tyee is still offered in both their Blend Carbon and Blend Alloy constructions, letting the customer decide between their preference of materials without sacrificing quality on either choice.

Propain Tyee Dissected

BLEND CARBON

The Blend Carbon fiber frame is made from multiple types of high-end carbon fiber materials, optimizing the stiffness, strength, weight and impact resistance around the bike to deliver the highest performance possible. With the increased rear end stiffness and all-round increased robustness of the Blend Carbon frame, the frame weight has increased by 100g to 2.9kg (6.4lbs), but in the process the performance has increased to justify the slight increase.

Propain Tyee Dissected

BLEND ALLOY

Like the Blend Carbon frames, Propain’s Blend Alloy Tyee uses a combination of multiple different alloys and manufacturing processes across the frame to minimize the weight and maximize the strength. Reducing the weight of the Tyee AL was a major goal of the Propain engineering team, while still hitting the targeted 10% rear end stiffness increase, and the result is an alloy enduro frame tipping the scales at 3.4kg (7.5lbs), some 300g lighter than the predecessor.

Propain Tyee Dissected

PRO10 SUSPENSION

Propain has utilized their PRO10 dual-link suspension design for some time, refining the characteristics along the way to deliver increased performance. One of the defining characteristics of the PRO10 system is the “Drive Neutrality” – that is, a stable chassis when pedaling without extreme harshness, so Propain ensures there is a healthy amount of anti-squat in the Tyee, sitting at 113% at sag. Progression has been tweaked to improve performance with both coil or high volume air shocks, avoiding any progression spikes at the end of the travel.

INTEGRATED CABLE ROUTING

A contentious point no doubt, but Propain was convinced by the benefits of internal headset cable routing during the development of the new Tyee, so worked together with Acros and Sixpack to integrate the cables into the headset while minimizing the impacts to the ease of maintenance or producing any serious drawbacks. The result is, in Propain’s eyes, a concept “superior to classic cable routing in all aspects”.

The cables run into custom designed clip-in split headset spacers, which cleanly integrate with the bottom of the Sixpack stem. This means the stem can be removed and handlebar height can be easily adjusted without messing with the cables. The cables then run through the upper headset bearing and into the frame, with a knock block stopping the bars turning past 90 degrees to prevent damage to the cables.

In order to reduce the need for maintenance on the system and further ease the potential drawbacks of the integrated cables, Acros stainless steel headset bearings are used on all models to resist any rusting from water that manages to find its way into the system.

Propain Tyee Dissected

BUILD OPTIONS

The direct-to-consumer model that Propain uses lets them offer spec customization at the point of purchase to let the customer dial in the build to their preferences and avoid the need to spend money on replacing components when the bike is first purchased. The Propain Bike Configurator allows for the selection of frame color between the three choices for each frame, and a range of different decal and headtube badge colors.

The configurator gives the option to go for a fully custom “Build your own” bike, with the Tyee AL beginning at $2,999 and the Tyee CF at $3,599 and rising as spec upgrades are selected. Propain also offers a choice of four standard builds on either of the frame options: Price2Ride for $600 extra; Shred2 for $1,485; Phantom for $3,110; or the top-spec Goldrush for $4,465 extra. Within each of these builds, items like the dropper post length, coil spring rates and saddle can be adjusted to get the bike ready to ride out of the box.

Q&A WITH PATRICK THOMAS
PROPAIN’S U.S. MARKETING COORDINATOR

TLW: HOW DID YOU MAKE THE DECISIONS ALONG THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TYEE? WHO WAS INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS?

Patrick Thomas (PT): Our pro riders are extremely valuable assets when it comes to developing and testing new products. Remy Metailler, for example, is an extremely calculated rider, and his precise riding style translates to meaningful feedback regarding frame design and geometry adjustments. We’re also always listening to our customers. Our award-winning customer service team does a great job of processing rider feedback, and a lot of that naturally gets funneled into the development process.

TLW: FOR CUSTOMERS WITH THE DILEMMA BETWEEN THE ALLOY OR CARBON FRAMES, HOW WOULD YOU SUGGEST THEY DECIDE? ARE THERE PERFORMANCE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE TWO THAT MAY LEAD SOME RIDERS TO PREFER THE FEEL OF THE ALLOY FRAME, OR IS THE CARBON BETTER IN ALL WAYS ASIDE FROM THE PRICE?

PT: The alloy and carbon models of the Tyee have the same geometry numbers, they are offered with the same wide variety of components, and they perform very similarly. The most notable difference in frame design is the alloy has traditional routing ports on the front triangle, so riders have the option to forego the headset ICR if they choose. Opting for alloy will save you a few hundred dollars over the carbon, but you will also gain about 500 grams in weight. We also offer 3 colors for each frame material, so 6 colorways in total. For the alloy model we have Raw Alloy Matte, Venomblack Matte, and Olive Gloss. In carbon, we offer Raw Carbon Matte, Safari Matte, and Deep Forest Gloss. Ultimately, this is another aspect that comes down to personal preference, but things like price, weight, available colors, and cable routing options are all things to factor in when making that decision.

Propain Tyee Dissected

TLW: FROM OUR INITIAL RIDE ON THE TYEE, IT’S CLEAR THAT IT’S A VERY QUIET BIKE. WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO REDUCE THE NOISE COMPARED WITH THE OUTGOING MODEL?

PT: Updated cable management is a huge contributor to the quiet ride. The new ICR solution prevents the cables in your cockpit from clanging against your headtube and one another, and the routing now leads cables above the bottom bracket as opposed to being corralled below the bottom bracket like in the previous iteration. We’ve also redesigned our chainstay protection with a new hollow camber design and a much softer rubber, keeping any chain slap totally silent while protecting your rear triangle from impacts.

TLW: BY ADDING IN THE FLIP CHIP TO CHANGE WHEEL SIZES WITH THE SAME FRAME, DO YOU FORESEE RIDERS SWITCHING BETWEEN A MIX AND FULL 29ER SETUP ON THEIR TYEE? WHAT KIND OF RIDER IS GOING TO BENEFIT FROM EACH WHEEL SIZE?

PT: I don’t think we expect riders to frequently swap between 27.5/29/Mix setups; most people find a configuration that works for them and stick with it. That said, riding styles and preferences change, and getting a feel for the setup that works best for you can take time. With the flip chip, you can experiment with these things without sacrificing geometry and more importantly, without investing in an entirely different frame. 27.5” wheels will result in a more playful bike; easy to maneuver in tight turns and feels right at home on the jumps. 29” wheels are generally faster with enough circumference to smooth out bumps that might slow down a smaller wheel. Overall, this results in a more stable ride, but there may be some loss in agility, and some riders feel that 29” setups are harder to manage on bigger jumps. The Mix wheel setup is the best of both worlds. You still get a lot of the stability and rollover capability from the 29” wheel in the front, but the 27.5” in the rear lends itself to a more playful ride. Some riders also find that the smaller rear wheel helps to prevent tire buzz on steep descents as well as on jumps. To sum it up, the answer really comes down to rider preference, and the flip chip makes this decision a lot less consequential for riders who haven’t decided what their preference is.

TLW: YOU OFFER THE TYEE WITH BOTH AIR AND COIL SHOCK OPTIONS. WHAT DOES EACH OPTION EXCEL AT, AND HOW WOULD YOU SUGGEST RIDERS CHOOSE THE BEST SHOCK FOR THEIR TYEE?

PT: Yes, we’re super excited to be offering coil shocks with the new Tyee launch and our newly expanded configurator! Our PRO10 suspension system offers a progressive platform that performs extremely well with both coil and air shocks, but there are a few factors that should be considered when choosing one over the other. A lot of riders choose coil over air because coil shocks are a bit more supple in the beginning of the shock stroke, allowing the suspension to react to small bumps more actively and providing a very planted feeling ride. This setup also makes the most sense for riders that regularly hit steep, technical, and sustained descents, as coil shock performance remains consistent even on long and gnarly runs. On the other hand, air shocks are great for riders who frequently hit more undulating terrain, or for folks who want the option of fine tuning their spring-rate on the fly.

THE WOLF’S FIRST IMPRESSION

In the first handful of rides we’ve had on the new 2023 Propain Tyee so far, there have been some clear take-aways but also some questions we’re yet to answer – you’ll have to wait until the long term review to see how those pan out.

Setting up our coil sprung Shred2 build proved to be an easy task, with Propain’s recommended spring rates putting us in a good ballpark for the sag in the rear. The bike was very well put together out of the box, with dialed gear setup and the Maxxis tires set up tubeless and ready to hit the trail. We experimented with the headset spacers, which were easy to use as Propain suggested thanks to their split design. Though it won’t be as easy to make trailside spacer stack switches unless you carry a normal and split spacer in your pack, workshop repairs are arguably even easier than a standard system as there’s no need to fully remove the stem from the steerer to add or remove a spacer underneath.

Hitting the trails, the first impression was the pleasant climbing manners that have remained in the Tyee from the previous generation. There’s little movement when pedaling seated, yet the rear end retains some sensitivity to prevent every little bump from being transmitted through the saddle. The seated position is upright and centered without being uncomfortable for sustained flatter stints of pedaling, striking a nice balance overall. Because Propain hasn’t opted to rake out the head angle as much as many, the steering retains a slightly more responsive feeling, but there’s no mistaking that it’s an enduro bike, just a well-mannered climbing one.

Propain Tyee Dissected

On the way down, there’s a great blend of sensitivity and support in the Pro10 rear end, and the Tyee sits solidly in the middle of the road in terms of stability and agility. That’s to say that it isn’t a bike that you can entirely take the back seat and let it plow down the hill, but instead one that’ll let you play a little on mellower terrain while still supporting some hard charging when it gets rough and gnarly. The Tyee runs exceptionally quietly, absent of any rattling or creaking and only emitting the slightest clunk of chain noise in certain compressions when the chain gets flung about the chainguide. A quiet bike makes a surprising difference to the ride quality on the way down the hill, and I can only assume a good part of the silence is thanks to those integrated cables. As much as I don’t love the idea of them, in practice they’re proving to have some undeniable benefits that may just have me convinced.

For those wondering, the question I’ve been left with so far is exactly how stiff the rear end is, as there have been a few moments where off-camber compressions and hard turns have produced a vague feeling that has me assuming the wheels are the culprit. The Newmen SL A.30 wheelset fitted to our test bike is strong, but certainly not the stiffest on the market, and ultimately had its work cut out in supporting my 220lbs mass pushing the bike as hard as I can. We’ll be fitting a different wheelset to the Tyee to get to the bottom of it as part of our long-term review.

Beyond the possible wheel swap for a 220lb aggressive rider, the spec leaves very little to be desired and it’s safe to say that Propain has done a pretty killer job at delivering a shredder with this spec level for under $4,500. The new Propain Tyee has undoubtedly succeeded in replacing its predecessor, offering a beautifully silent and composed ride with pleasant climbing manners and a happy blend of descending characteristics to make it a very well rounded enduro machine.