WE DIG
WE DON’T
ABOUT THE YT DECOY SN 29 CORE 4
The YT Decoy SN 29 is an All Mountain version of their Decoy SN MX, or a mid-power assisted Jeffsy. There’s 140mm of rear travel, a 160mm fork, and a pair of 29” wheels, backed by well-rounded geometry and a lightweight carbon fiber frame construction.
DRIVE UNIT AND ELECTRONICS | The Fazua Ride 60 drive unit features on the YT Decoy SN 29, producing 60 Nm torque and up to 450W peak power. Fixed inside the downtube is the new higher capacity 480Wh Fazua battery, which offers improved energy density and delivers 10% increased capacity for no extra weight.
The new Fazua Mode Control remote features a dedicated Nitro mode button, improving the ergonomics over the outgoing ring controller. This is wired into the eBike system, and the cable clips provided by YT were one element we’d love to see improved as they proved ineffective.
FRAME AND FEATURES | The YT Decoy SN 29 is constructed with their Ultra Modulus carbon fiber to provide the best strength to weight ratio, with further weight shaved thanks to the carbon fiber shock link. In this shock link, a two-position flip chip lets you select between a regular and low geometry position to obtain the handling characteristics you prefer. Improved over many YT bikes in the past, there’s room for a large water bottle. It would have also accepted the Fazua range extender, but it seems as if this will no longer become available for the system.
YT has the details well covered on the remainder of this eBike. Revised internal cable routing clamps the cables securely and ensured there were no rattles while descending. Protection is fitted to all the key areas, and clear protection tape is fitted to the most damage-prone spots to keep it looking fresh for longer. There are mounts for a tool on the underside of the top tube such as the Crankbrothers TS2 Tube Stash + fitted on our test bike.
SUSPENSION | The Decoy SN 29 utilises YT’s V4L Horst Link suspension system to provide the 140mm rear travel through a 57.5mm stroke shock. YT says their system provides the holy grail of initial sensitivity, mid-stroke support, and bottom out resistance. With roughly 27% of progression and a custom-tuned Fox Float X Factory shock, the rear end’s performance packed an impressive punch for its relatively short travel.
The pedaling performance is dictated by the Anti Squat combined with leverage characteristics. Fairly high anti squat of around 150% at sag in the climbing gears gives solid pedaling support regardless of the assistance level. This drops through the travel and down the cassette. Anti rise is fairly low as is typical for Horst Link bikes, sitting around 68% at sag.
GEOMETRY | With a size range spanning S-XXL and small 20mm reach gaps, most riders should be able to achieve close to a perfect fit. The general geometry is quite typical for a bike in this travel category, with a mid-length rear end and fairly centered seating position. The outlying figure is the low 333mm bottom bracket height thanks to 43mm BB drop in the low geometry flip chip position. This produced a notably integrated position in the bike that enhanced stability and confidence on the descents and made for excellent cornering performance, but required care when pedaling in technical chunky terrain.
BUILD SPECS | The YT Decoy SN 29 is available in a choice of four builds, with the new Core 1 starting from $/£/€ 5,499 RRP through to the Core 4 tested at $/£/€ 8,999. Most builds are offered in a choice of one unique color or in the black as tested.
The Decoy SN 29 Core 4 build tested left little to be desired but didn’t push too far as to become flashy for the sake of it. Very much a premium “riders build”, spec choices ensured there were no concerns with durability or expense invested in excessively boutique componentry. The price tag is still high of course, but felt quite reasonable compared with some of the competition. It’s important to remember this is a direct-sales brand though, and unless you live near a YT Mill location, any communications must be done through a phone or email.
The Core 4 utilized a Fox Factory 36 fork with 160mm travel, with a Float X 2-position shock controlling the 140mm rear end. Hayes Dominion A4 brakes were a welcome sight on the spec sheet, though proved unreliable with two faulty calipers during testing. SRAM’s X0 T-Type drivetrain is paired to a Race Face ERA Carbon crank to drive the Fazua Ride 60 drive unit. Also Race Face is the cockpit, with their ERA Carbon handlebar and Turbine R stem.
A DT Swiss HXC1501 wheelset is adorned with Maxxis Minion tyres in EXO+ casing. Rounding out the specs is a YT Postman V2 dropper post in long drop lengths that scale through the size range, which is topped with a SDG Bel Air V3 saddle.
On the scales, the size Large YT Decoy SN 29 Core 4 build weighed in at 45.6lbs (20.7kg)
THE DIRT
LET’S GET THE SH!T OUT THE WAY
Testing on the YT Decoy SN 29 wasn’t plain sailing by any means. When it was good, it really was good, but there were multiple rides cut short by two sources of failure.
First up, Fazua’s Ride 60 drive unit proved to be troublesome, intermittently cutting out power and requiring a full system reset to regain drive. A replacement drive unit was supplied and testing resumed, with improvements but still some bugs remaining. It’s frustrating to see these issues still present in the Fazua system, as I’m a fan of its power and delivery when it’s functioning as intended.
It’s disappointing to see that Fazua has cancelled the development of the long-promised range extender. The updated 480Wh battery should provide stellar range – though we can’t yet confirm – but for the biggest days out it would be great to have the option to add further capacity. That said, if it means they can commit more manpower to improving the reliability of the system, then perhaps it’s a worthwhile move.
Much to my surprise, the Hayes Dominion A4 brakes also provided some headaches. On the first ride a leak in the bleed port contaminated the pads and rendered the rear brake unusable. Following a caliper replacement, it took just four rides before one of the piston seals decided to fail. Of course, I had just fitted some Sinter brake pads to test, which were fully soaked in brake fluid and ended up in the trash along with the second caliper. We haven’t heard many reports of issues on these Hayes brakes in the past, so we’re hoping it’s a frustrating anomaly.
THINGS I LIKED ABOUT THE YT DECOY SN 29
I’m a big fan of how the YT Industries Decoy SN 29 rode. The geometry balanced the compromise of stability and agility well for general purpose riding. It felt more akin to a lightweight enduro mountain bike opposed to a trail bike. A large part of this was undoubtedly the low bottom bracket, giving the rider a low center of gravity and helping to feel safely integrated in the bike behind the bars. The mid-length rear end delivered a nice mix of front wheel weighting and balance between the wheels, without fully killing the playfulness and ability to snap around tighter corners.
When working, Fazua’s Ride 60 drive unit was a pleasure to use. The assistance was smooth, well controlled, and provided useful grunt that was competitive in the mid-power space. Range with the 430Wh battery we tested was solid if not exceptional, but it’s safe to assume the increased 480Wh capacity that production bikes will ship with is going to offer an appreciated boost.
The climbing position and pedaling characteristics of the YT Decoy SN 29 were also enjoyable. I was provided a comfortably centered position that only struggled for front end weighting when the limits of the Fazua drive system were being tested on the steepest of climbs. The suspension leaned towards the more efficient side than super comfortable, but still found sufficient traction to make loose and technical climbs manageable. This pedaling efficiency was much appreciated in lower power modes or when pedaling above the motor cut out speed, removing the feeling of energy being wasted by undesired suspension movement.
STRIKING THE DESCENDING BALANCE
When pushed hard, the wheel and tire spec combined to unsettle the Decoy SN 29 through the roughest terrain. The stiffness of the wheels in combination with the elevated tire pressures demanded by the EXO+ spec encouraged deflection rather than sticking to a line. However, on smoother terrain or in higher traction scenarios, they came into their own to offer precision and agility. So you must ask yourself as a rider, what are your preferred handling characteristics?
Seeking the answer as to where this YT’s descending capabilities really tapped out, I spent some time running burlier tires fitted to an alloy wheelset. In doing so, I achieved good improvements to the comfort and how planted the Decoy SN 29 was, albeit at the expense of a little peppiness. All of that to say that if you’re seeking a more enduro-style feeling, this is a machine that’ll let you get there with some component changes.
Technical climbing was great fun on this bike, where my own pedal power would still make a difference to the output at the rear wheel. This contrasts the experience of a full power eBike where you can soft pedal up just about anything. Instead, the ride experience is a little more engaging, albeit more exhausting. Pedal clearance wasn’t great, even with the 160mm crank spec, but thanks to the overrun in the updated Fazua system I was able to manage it for the most part.
YT DECOY SN 29 CORE 4 SPEC REPORT
The parts package on the Core 4 left very little to be desired. For a top-spec build, you get the feeling that it’s been put together by a serious rider rather than someone purely looking to show off flashy parts. A long travel cable-operated dropper, high rise and comfortable bar, and generally sensible componentry for the intentions ensure you could purchase this bike and ride it out of the box. Certain riders like myself may prefer a burlier tire spec, whereas others could push it further towards the trail end of the spectrum with faster rolling rubber.
I’d like to say the Hayes Dominion A4 brakes were a particular highlight, as I do enjoy how they perform, but having two faulty calipers left me with the sour taste of DOT fluid in my mouth. I’ve heard no end of good things about these brakes from other riders though, so it’s possible that it’s just my journalist’s curse.
SHOULD YOU BUY THE YT DECOY SN 29?
At RRP, I can’t say that the Decoy SN 29 offers quite the same impressive value that YT’s bikes did once upon a time. Compared to your Yeti and Pivot bikes in equivalent spec there’s a notable reduction in price, and the quality and attention to detail in the YT frame is solid, but you do forego dealer support unless you’re near one of the four YT Mill locations worldwide.
It would be a risk to purchase the Decoy SN 29 right now with the companies’ future uncertain. But with the price reduction on one of these well-performing lightweight eMTBs, it may be worth the risk for the right rider. You would imagine that the strength of the YT brand should carry them through this tough time, but it remains to be seen.
Although we don’t condone YT taking orders and not fulfilling them in the lead up to their restructuring process, we hope they can make it right with these customers and get back to business as usual. Not only do they make some excellent bikes at reasonable price points that have supplied some memorable good times, but they’ve also contributed to the culture and simply bring something with a cool edge to the industry that we’d be very sad to lose.
The Wolf’s Last Word
Issues aside, YT Industries has produced a stellar mid-power all mountain eBike in the Decoy SN 29. A lightweight eBike that delivers an excellent blend of riding characteristics, it’s a great shame that the performance has been tainted by issues with the drive unit and rear brake. We’re hoping both YT and Fazua will be able to resolve their respective issues. 
Price: 8,999 $ /£ /€ (Core 4 – tested)
Weight: 20.7kg (45.6lbs)
Website: YT-industries.com
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ABOUT THE WOLF
Robert’s habitat is the Tweed Valley, Scotland, which is renowned for its root-littered enduro mountain bike trails. Robert has been developing his bike handling skills for the last 16 years. Since he was a pup, he’s been riding everything from BMX through to enduro and downhill bikes. Combining a playful style with occasional speed-focused aggression, he favors supportive bikes, and does his best to push them hard.
Rank: European Tech Editor
Size: 6’2” / 189cm | 220lbs / 100kg
Social: @robert_johnston
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