THE ALL-NEW DECOY

July 24, 2025

Blending in while hiding its true intentions, a decoy signifies deception and the lure of a safe haven. But, unlike its predecessor, the plan here isn’t to deceive… the all-new DECOY’s true intentions lie clear for all to see. It’s here to hunt. Across the board its numbers go big: 180/170mm of travel combined with a high capacity 800Wh battery and Bosch’s 750W, 100Nm Performance CX motor grant access to all areas – on this bike, no terrain is off limits.

FRAME, DRIVE AND POWER

The all-new DECOY enters the fold as a hard-hitting, gravity-focused platform where performance and power are loaded, ready to go. The completely redesigned chassis uses YT’s highest-end Ultra Modulus carbon fiber across all frame elements – including the V4L linkage – and boasts 180/170mm travel for some serious big bike energy. New commanding geometry boosts rider confidence by utilizing increased reach, higher stack and a lower bottom bracket, which all improve the riders integration into the bike. Significantly shorter seat tube lengths and the slack 63.5-degree head angle aid the hunt for flat-out descents, huge jump lines, and technical enduro trails, highlighting this model’s access-all-area credentials.

Whilst turning every hill into a personal bike park, you’ll need to do some climbing – 445mm chainstay lengths combined with an effective 78 degree seat angle allow the scaling of the steepest pitches, maintaining traction in union with the tried and tested V4L linkage. Driving a 230 x 65mm rear shock, the revised kinematic retains YT’s signature supportive feel to draw speed out of the terrain, all while being progressive enough to evade the bottom-out bumper. Antisquat sits well below 100% for increased traction under braking, which in turn reduces pedal kickback for a calmer feel through the pedals.

Ensuring no trail is off limits, the latest BOSCH Performance line CX drive unit features from the German motor masterminds. Intuitive power delivery hits hard peaking at 750W and 100nm of torque, while six internal sensors team up to guarantee the 400% support translates to forward motion. Every DECOY packs serious firepower with an 800Wh integrated Powertube battery, keeping the weight low and the number of runs high, a Bosch Kiox 400C display (compatible with Komoot route planning, Strava auto upload), and a wireless mini remote.

The devil is in the details, and for YT, off-the-shelf solutions won’t cut it. An in-house designed charging port increases protection from the elements, and the team has created custom battery mounts with a bespoke bushing system to eliminate rattling. On top of this, the robust skidplate protects the motor while offering high airflow to prevent motor derating, keeping the performance consistent and reliable, even when outside temps climb.

MODELS

As the highest-end model, the CORE 4 leaves nothing to be desired. At this level, FOX’s latest 38 Factory fork features the highly tunable GRIP X2 damper, while the FLOAT X2 has been completely redesigned from the ground up to improve reliability. The SRAM X0 drivetrain has best-in-class shifting under power, excelling on technical climbs, and is hard-wired to the Powertube battery, so you’ll never forget to charge your derailleur again. 160mm cranks come as standard, reducing the chance of pedal strikes and improving flow as you make your way to the top. The new DT Swiss HXC 1500 wheelset utilizes their top-end 240 DEG hubs with a 90t rachet for rapid engagement, laced to new carbon fiber EXC 330 rims, keeping the durability high but the weight low, improving battery life on big days out. Award-winning MAVEN Silver brakes keep things in control with 220/200mm rotors, and a Renthal carbon FatBar bolted onto a 40mm Apex stem rounds out this dream build.

Channeling YT’s gravity DNA is the Öhlins equipped CORE 3, which utilizes the World Cup-proven TTX22 m.2 coil shock alongside the brand’s latest enduro fork evolution – the RXF38 m.3. Updates include a lower-friction stanchion coating and an increased volume negative chamber, as well as a lighter compression tune. The lifetime warranty Crankbrothers Synthesis 2.0 alloy wheelset pairs with a SRAM S1000 Transmission drivetrain, while Title provides the cockpit. Lastly, the MOB-approved TRP DH-R Evo brakes feature reach and bite point adjustment and offer extreme levels of power confident descending. You’ll find the same brakes on the CORE 2, which comes with a RockShox Select+ suspension package, DT Swiss H1900 wheels, and the new cable-actuated SRAM Transmission. The CORE 1 is the gateway to the range and sees a YT Cockpit, SRAM DB8 brakes, and WTB wheel setup paired with a Shimano Deore drivetrain. Marzocchi suspension headlines here with the Super Z fork and Bomber Air rear shock for reliable, easy-to-setup performance.

The DECOY is available in five sizes, and every model features a YT Postman V2 dropper post (150mm S, 170mm M, 200mm L – XL, 230mm XXL), custom MRP SL chain guide, and Continental Kryptotal tires, with the latest Super-Soft Enduro casing up front for ultimate traction.

THE WOLF’S FIRST IMPRESSIONS

With the help of the YT Team, I got the Decoy baseline setup dialed in quickly in Szczyrk, Poland, where they had brought select media together to put it to the test. Opting to run it in the Regular flip chip setting with 30% sag, I was able to hop on YT’s new eMTB and instantly feel comfortable.

Notable out-the-gate was the tall front end. Typically I’d be pleased to see a high rise bar fitted, however combining a relatively tall stack height with the 40mm rise bar meant that there were initial struggles with front end confidence on the flat, tight and slippery first trail of the day. The bars were slammed onto the wedge top cover to get some more weight onto the front wheel. Going lower would have required the flat headset top cover, but the option was there, and you could always replace the bar if you really wanted to get the front end down. Dropping tire pressures a little and being more deliberate with the pressure through my hands helped to remedy the struggles. Once we got into steeper terrain I was thankful that I hadn’t changed anything up too significantly, and quickly the Decoy felt at home.

Hitting a variety of trails blind while trying to keep up with YT’s pinner marketing guy, James Dart, I was thankful for the intuitive suspension characteristics and comfortable geometry the new Decoy possessed. Aside from the first trail’s struggles with traction – which we concluded was due to the brand new Continental tires which had yet to bed in – I was able to hop onto the new YT Decoy and charge.

We covered a wide spectrum of terrain, from steep and rough natural enduro trails through to groomed bikepark. Rough terrain was handled amicably, with great poise and a reassuringly solid feeling that encouraged pulling for natural gaps. In smoother terrain, there was a pleasant amount of pop that encouraged airborne fun and hid its long travel nature until it was called upon on the hardest landings.

This long travel eMTB didn’t blow me away with any particular handling characteristic. However, there was seldom a trail situation where I found myself wishing for a different eBike, which is impressive in itself. In the flattest sections above the motor cut-out, there were times where a little more platform and lighter weight would have been great, but on any sections with gradient the Decoy felt more spritely than expected. It ran quietly, stayed tight and true, and the Core 4 spec simply left nothing to be desired. Not one thing.

So far I’ve yet to find anything negative to talk about in the performance of YT’s new long-travel eMTB. Sure, some will complain about the non-removable battery; limited water bottle space and lack of range extender compatibility. But delivering the well-rounded performance that YT has with the new Decoy is impressive, especially at the price tags they’re coming in at. I’m not sure you can do better for an RRP of $9k for the top spec right now, but the long-term test will help to confirm, so stay tuned.

Ed: YT is currently going through a restructuring process that has left customers who placed orders before July 15 with concerns over order fulfilment. YT says that orders placed after this date will be fulfilled and as such the new Decoy should be delivered to those who order. We’re hoping that YT Industries are able to find a resolution with the affected customers, rebuild trust and move from strength to strength going forward.

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