New YT Szepter gravel bike points to downhill fun

Check out the first gravel bike from the consumer-direct mountain bike brand YT Industries, the Szepter.
Built as a mountain biker's gravel bike, the Szepter features a 40mm RockShox fork and, on the top model, a SRAM AXS dropper post.
The top model, the Szepter Core 4, costs $4,500 with SRAM Force eTap AXS XPLR while the Szepter Core 3 with SRAM Rival costs $3,300.
I got to test the bike for two days in Southern California from YT's North American home base in San Clemente. Also, a helicopter (!) was involved...

[@abdoullahmitiche8405]

"for kids, young and old", the best cycling line I heard all week! 😅 And the reviews production keeps improving, keep'em coming Ben! 🤜🏻

[@ColinLevitch]

It's the f*cking Catalina Wine Mixer!

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

I have been told I need to go watch Step Brothers. There is a gap in my cultural education.

[@ANiCKiN]

@@TheRidewithBenDelaneyDo it!

[@HardCorps88]

Loved Clemente.....was stationed right there in Corps!

[@Ben-td4vz]

Nice videos, especially the last couple, seems like you‘re enjoying youtube. 😃👍🏻 An interesting bike, it will find its fans, though it‘s too rowdy for me.

[@alanhill7965]

There are a few reviews for this bike that’s popped up on KZbin but as normal I go straight to Bens review , looks like a nice bike I think if I was in the market for a gravel bike I would get the Lauf meantime I’m quite happy with my Grail SLX

[@adamcurpier]

Great review! Just snagged a ‘23 model for the rough stuff!

[@derekkuhl]

Great content! Love the non generic opinions. Keep it up!

[@galenkehler]

That rear fender will do a great job of keeping the middle of my calf dry 😆

[@bradsanders6954]

What will smoke any gravel bike on a downhill, is a 24lb XC dual suspension bike, by a mile. And be right there on climbs.

[@LTBlightthebeam]

You're like David Arthur but with credibility.

[@ccapp3389]

Great content! My kit tip- try some Dirty Girl gaiters. Loved by backpackers everywhere. I haven’t had to dump gravel out of my shoes in years.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Will check those out. Thanks.

[@marcowalther7867]

Ben, some words on your impression of comparing this YT and the Argonaut would be nice. Looks like two very different interpretations of making a gravel bike more capable.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Two very different interpretations indeed. Maybe something as part of a year-end roundup, eh?

[@alolympic]

Not sure I am convinced. I have a Cannondale FSi which is 1500g lighter, with 100mm and tyre clearance for days.

[@mtba102]

Thanks for the review! I think this is going to be my next purchase but I don’t know if I would fit a medium or large better. I am 5’9”. Any advice?

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

You're welcome. I am 6' and am riding a large in this video. A medium would probably be best, but definitely check with YT for their advice.

[@DanielLucas-ly5ig]

I did pick one of these up on a sale a few months back and it's a lot of fun! I am a mountain biker though in my college days I raced road *due note I wasn't any good at racing but gravel on singletrack and on trails I typically take a mt bike on is fun, especially when I can pound more miles due to a lighter (barely) than my hardtail but lower rolling resistance and more aero position I go a lot further. I plan on racing this bike... no didn't buy it to win races but the gravel race scene is fun. I put some Roval Terra C wheels on it with Schwalbe G-One RS tires. I will say the WTB's that are spec'd on the bike aren't great but I will have my more offroad setup with maxxis shortly.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Glad to hear it. Thanks for sharing.

[@SergioCristancho]

the Aero geometry more particular the back wheel down tube shape... doesn't look like to go into the dirt side... there in no clearance, no room and if any can we learn is that minimum mud can stop you slow you and ruin your frame, and your rides... then... why they keep put this aero shape here?

[@tmayberry7559]

With a short stem is it normal for you hit your knees against your forearms while in the drops

[@DanielLucas-ly5ig]

Perhaps I almost do on my core 3 but it's still pretty easy and comfortable to get into an aero position on the bike.

[@garymason1697]

I can't understand why the bottom bracket is only a 61 mm drop when some others are close to 80. Keeps you high in the air somebody convinced me this is a good thing. But I can't see a reason other than clearance going over stumps or rocks like a mountain bike would be used for. I love the bike and the value but just can't pull the trigger yet!!!

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Yeah, low 70s seem to be the average. I keep a running geo tally of bikes I've tested, and only the Szepter, the Lauf True Grit and the BMC URS have less than 70mm of drop. An upside to a relatively higher bb is less chance of a pedal strike in corners or on off-camber terrain. I've certain smacked pedals in the dirt with lower-BB bikes like the Aspero, the Revolt and the old Diverge.

[@HardCorps88]

Did some training on Catalina Island....LOL

[@bloddyelbow8043]

Not my cup of tea wen it go‘s rough i ride my good ol Race hardtail and men you make funny Clips 👊🏼💥

[@user-xvikol-635]

Excuse me Ben, may I ask what kind of backpack are you sporting at the start of the video?

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Hi Erik. It's an old Chrome photo backpack. I don't recall the name.

[@phillipkrall8853]

Do they offer the frame only? I’d like to build a lighter version. Looks fun!

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

No, complete bikes only.

[@marcowalther7867]

I always thought that YT would make an aggro gravel bike at some time and there it is. As for the quality of YT, my Capra 1st gen was a piece of crap. I have never seen such a badly made carbon frame, with fibres sticking out in the head tube and heavier than an alloy frame. Maybe their built quality has increased by now. To me, YT as a brand is mostly marketing driven. But then, an awesome review as always from you.

[@mgoo1713]

You should look in to YT deeper, it's more performance drive.

[@marcowalther7867]

@@mgoo1713 I did, even went to their design office in Forchheim some years ago and had a chat with their head engineer (who I liked a lot). Still my experience with the bike was less than ideal.

[@doerrf]

@@marcowalther7867 What you describe changed a lot since the company is growing - so is the experience and level of know-how

[@marcowalther7867]

@@doerrf Good to hear. We all grow up eventually. I remember back in the day, YT had that sort of 'Fuck Yeah!' marketing that wasn't my cup of tea being the hippie I am.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

“We all grow up eventually.” Speak for yourself! 🤪

[@johnkeller101]

Nice edit at the end. 22lbs is about 7lbs too heavy though 😅

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

You need more than a 7lb handicap anyway, Keller.

[@noels8817]

My Roubaix is topping 22lbs, with 32mm wides, very stable, the weight to me is perfect, 15lb for a bike means caliper breaks, so 25mm max wide tires, or if disc, a light frame that snap easily like a pencil.

[@stephenshepherd5068]

Any word regarding a rigid fork option at purchase or aftermarket from YT?

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

No, just the two complete bikes.

[@mastaJaber]

Better do opposite - put 40 mm tire and standard carbon fork to YT trail bike 🙃 Same level of absurd....

[@toshman696969]

Just get a xc bike...

[@wakeawaken430]

Front suspension makes the bike looks ugly Plus, gravel bike must be full rigid, in my opinion Time is not the goal, fun is