The YT Decoy Electric Mountain Bike Quacks Like a Duck [eMTB Review]

[@nevh7707]

Mine to be dispatched next week after six months waiting. Beautiful beast.

[@singletracks]

It's definitely a good looking bike!

[@michaelb9940]

What’s your 7 months review NOWWWWWW? Hit me with it

[@Winchuff]

I really like your honesty and attention to detail. Great review. Thanks

[@michaelb9940]

No problem

[@garysmith7814]

Good review. I have had the same bike (Decoy 29er Core 4 in XXL size: I'm 6'5" wth 36" inseam) since the end of August and agree with all these observations. I would add that the EP8 motor is noisier than I would like (I have a Canyon Grail:On with a Bosch motor that is quieter) and I don't think Shimano's motor control software is as good as Bosch's software on the Canyon which is sublime, although perhaps less of a challenge to get right on an e-gravel bike compared to an e-MTB. The Decoy steering is an odd one - it definitely gives me much less confidence than I had on my Santa Cruz Tallboy MTB but I think it might be something i will get used to. I had trouble with the suspension when I first got the Decoy but it's much improved after a few tuning sessions. The lack of a normal bottle cage is an irritant - I use the Decoy bottle cage space for a spare tube. Overall it's a similarly strong recommendation from me.

[@singletracks]

👍👍

[@jeffriley2502]

Hmm.. I have the YT Decoy Elite with the 170frt. 165r. Fox 38 all factory suspension and post. Mullet with Carbon crankbrothers wheels. Love the bike.. Absolutely no regrets. would love to see your review on The Mx core 4. closer to mine. If you're not used to riding E-bikes, you will find some things are definitely different than regular mtb. Opening distance and climbing as big benefits. Weight can hinder certain riding but help on blasting rough chunky fast down hills, very planted.

[@singletracks]

Agreed!

[@alejandroruelas7816]

How many miles battery works. ?

[@drew5027]

Good detailed review! One suggestion: you mentioned the size of the bike twice (XL) but unless I missed it, you never stated how tall you are and/or how the bike fit relative to your size.

[@singletracks]

My bad! 6'3", 160lb

[@MarioNhampossa]

I’m 5’9” which frame size would you suggest “L”?

[@PinoyMTB_YTRider67]

Hi, I own a 2022 Yt Decoy core 29er, I feel like 2.4 rear tire is not wide enough to ride nice, When I ride it I feel not stable. I like to chnage the tire size .

[@octodadmtbmartyrichards2862]

Maybe the ploughing steering is because of the longer chain stays? Bike looks cool and subtle

[@singletracks]

Yes, that could be it! Good call.

[@silvsterify]

Great review. Very thorough. Thanks for this... really helped me to make my decision.

[@singletracks]

Glad it helped!

[@JoJo-yr6io]

If you could only have 1 for all your riding in 2023 would you go for the full 29er or the mx?

[@singletracks]

For me (Jeff), 29er. However if I were riding a medium or small, I would go with the MX.

[@JamesReyesNY]

Hey, thanks for the info! I am getting this bike this week. How tall are u?

[@singletracks]

Jeff here. I'm 6'3". At that height I'm right on the edge of XL/XXL according to the size chart. After testing the XL I probably would size up to XXL.

[@JamesReyesNY]

@@singletracks awesome. I am 6’1” so I should be good on xl. Thanks.

[@JamesReyesNY]

@@singletracks perfect fit!

[@796monster]

Hi , does the bike come shipped tubeless ?

[@singletracks]

Unfortunately I don't remember on this particular bike. Most bikes are shipped to consumers with tubes installed to avoid messes.

[@hanswalser6831]

Have you tried the mx (mullet) version? It might be more nimble?

[@singletracks]

I have not. I imagine it probably is a bit snappier...

[@joysassoon9003]

someone recommended one of the YT bikes for me, as I'm an xs rider, but I do love slow, twisty and techy singletrack. Inseam 28" I am interested in Orbea rise, but the Small is a little too big. I ride a liv hardtail now and a regular Kona process full suspension. Do you know if there's a YT for me here? If so, which? Thanks.

[@singletracks]

It looks like the size small Decoy MX is meant for riders 5'1" to 5'5". The mixed wheel Decoy (the MX) should offer a better fit than the 29er we tested. Definitely reach out to YT customer service to get a better idea of the fit.

[@edgarrazo6481]

What’s the range like with the 540 battery?

[@singletracks]

Hate to give you a non-answer, but it really, really depends on where and how you're riding it. Two examples from my test: On one test ride I climbed about 5,000ft over 20 miles with more than three hours of ride time, and ended the ride with about a quarter “tank” of juice left. On another ride, 18 miles long with about 1,600ft of climbing, I mostly kept the assist mode set at ‘eco’ and was left with about three quarters of a full charge.

[@edgarrazo6481]

@@singletracks thanks that gives me somewhat of an idea

[@germainessoh1]

Does this bike have a kickstand

[@singletracks]

Nah but you can add one if you want.

[@PaoloMTB]

This is my dream bike, i would buy it if it didn't cost like building a third and four floor lol.

[@singletracks]

Would be nice to see a more affordable version eventually, perhaps with an AL frame. The Core 2 build is priced at $5,500 in the US, so who knows how low they could go with a cheaper frame...

[@michaelb9940]

I’ll chip in $10 for you to make your dream come true 👍🙌

[@eaglefirediez1868]

I just ordered mine couple hours ago, the core 2 in on sale for $4700😊

[@emtbtrailrider539]

Not a Motor Bike, read the FEDERAL LAW and quit acting like it is, u can swap the dropper post remote with the power button because u actuate the dropper more often by the way

[@singletracks]

Sorry if that part wasn't clear. I should have followed that part in the video with this bit from the written review: "Yet the real world isn’t as black and white as either of those two phrases suggest. Sometimes a thing looks and quacks like a duck, but it’s actually a dog’s chew toy. Other times, a thing has a motor but it’s nothing like all the other motorized things."

[@DSP1337]

Motorcycles =/= Pedal assisted bikes. Thats just presumptuous 👎

[@singletracks]

Agree!

[@singletracks]

Meant for that part to be said sarcastically LOL.

[@robertdini1930]

Live Uncaged.

[@holzfreak13]

Bei Werbung ü 30 ist’s schon weg ….

[@elvingtonred]

THE WORST BIKE COMPANY EVER! I bought a Decoy in 2020, terrible service 5 weeks for a 'Stock' bike. One ride and rear hub made a loud noise. Turned out it didn't have any grease in! Had to borrow a wheel! The charger they sent Was a continental version! After 3 years the battery won't charge as 2 bolts mysteriously disappear. £500 for a new battery! I had Orange bikes for 15 years, brilliant service! So are Hope. I WILL NEVER DEAL WITH THEM AGAIN!

[@MM-tn3br]

terrible geo

[@singletracks]

Have you ridden one?

[@WilliamrikerNCC1701]

What a dumb intro, the looks like a duck thing then calling this a motorbike?

[@singletracks]

Oops! Sorry if it sounds like I'm calling this a motorbike. I actually meant to make fun of those who say if a bike has a motor, it's a motorbike. In the written review I wrote, "Yet the real world isn’t as black and white as either of those two phrases suggest. Sometimes a thing looks and quacks like a duck, but it’s actually a dog’s chew toy. Other times, a thing has a motor but it’s nothing like all the other motorized things."

[@WilliamrikerNCC1701]

@@singletracks Fair enough, thanks for clarifying that.

[@FreeOfTheLoop]

@@WilliamrikerNCC1701 dude, shut up