YT Jeffsy Core 1 Review: Very Capable, Excellent Value | 2024 Value Bike Field Test

Review - YT has always offered great value for money, largely thanks to their direct-to-consumer approach to selling bikes. The latest Jeffsy appears to offer a great frame and spec for the price, albeit it a slight weight penalty compared to our other test bikes. What did our testers think?
The 2024 Pinkbike Value Bike Field Test is supported by Ride Concepts:
rideconcepts.com/
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[@Itsallgud]

YT wins best bang for buck in trail, enduro and DH. Buying my Capra in 2020 has been life-changing.

[@TroyBertram]

I used to own a 2020 Jeffsy, loved that bike. Sold it and moved onto a Capra for a more travel, then a Canyon Lux for more speed. I often wish I kept my Jeffsy, such a solid all-around bike

[@petesahad3028]

I'm gonna tell you the secret, but you have to promise not to tell anyone... Keep several bikes 😂

[@jarnold1789]

@@petesahad3028 Ha if only! Some of us don’t have the money or the storage space to have a fleet

[@mikethompson148]

Got a new ~2022/23 MK2 Jeffsy from the YT outlet in March. $1649 for a Core 2 in my size. Definitely check the outlet frequently if you’re in the market for a YT, or any MTB.

[@Daiton1100]

Love this reveiw. After other videos I was prepared for another series of rides well but can also climb repeated 50 times over. I am nicely surprised by what feels like honest feedback and nice decription of what to expect from bike.

[@TeddyParker]

The blatantly best bike on test wins the field test, even in terms of value. Saved everyone the watch :)

[@ArkAngel_45]

No. I'm going to watch the video so they keep making them

[@TeddyParker]

@@ArkAngel_45 Given the number of bikes tested I'm scared field tests are... Eventually gonna be scrapped more or less. I hope not :( Especially the value test. It's the most relevant version. I don't really bother with the 10k vs 10k bike tests

[@ryandulaney48]

Ok boomer.

[@ArkAngel_45]

@TeddyParker then maybe we should watch the videos we want to see more of. Instead of leaving a comment "saving everyone the watch"

[@TeddyParker]

@@ArkAngel_45 its a lil joke. about the imbalance of the test bikes. is that ok? do you want me to rescind the joke? i can make it better for you

[@jeffe5264]

I bought this exact model a month ago snd I can't get enough of it. Hands down the most fun bike I've ever ridden, so much value. Highly reccomended.

[@juanmena6736]

stoked, just ordered mine!

[@metallicamaniac318]

Bought a 24 Core 2 back in February. Went to the YT mill here in SoCal and man they are some cool and helpful people. I came from a Diamondback hook (my first mtb) and I couldn’t be happier. The components on the Core 2 are incredible and seem to be top shelf at such an attainable price. Saved up enough and still managed to not need to sell my hardtail. I was between this and a Polygon Siskiu t8, glad I went with the Jeffsy. Only thing I changed was the headset as it’s a mix of plastic and aluminum, causing a lot of creaking (I’m about 220lbs). Swapped it to a wolf tooth ZS and creak be gone!

[@Robin887]

After few months of riding is the bottom bracket creaking or anything? Best Regards

[@metallicamaniac318]

@@Robin887 none at all. Bike has been a dream other than the creaking headset I mentioned. The bike has made me a better rider and I couldn’t recommend it more! Hope this helps! Cheers!

[@Robin887]

@@metallicamaniac318 Thanks a lot!

[@KlintonSilvey]

All a bike needs to be better than most bikes on test is a not-SX-level derailleur

[@kanevanlaare6001]

Nice job guys! Daria is a good addition

[@petehueyenriquez2638]

i am so stoked to used mine. its my first time to have a fulsuspension bike. i used to race enduro and been biking for 5 years and using a my budget hardtail. can't wait for the biked to be arrived here in my country in 2 months.

[@vlbz]

I know 2 people that got into the sport thanks to YT and an end of year sale. Otherwise they would have never moved up from the once a month on crappy bike level.

[@octodadmtbmartyrichards2862]

Saved the best to last ❤ Love my 2018 Jeffsy, lite, fast, strong 💪 and I have just started changing the fork 🍴 and shock ⚡️ to 150mm and 140 coil

[@richardokeefe2792]

I love you

[@E.T_rode_bikes_As_well]

YT delivers every time!

[@danielgrafik]

Awesome bike, one thing to note with YT, at least here in Europe, is that components like shock linkage bolts and such can be a bit hit or miss in terms of availability.

[@vrwgq3q]

Impressive from YT! - alot of people on the trails out here in Canadian's eastern rockies. Great value for dollar, and a good German brand, basically taking over ghost ;) - can't go wrong with any Lyrik to be honest, and you can upgrade parts of the NX as they wear, and add different damper to the rockshox suspension. Geo seems like pretty standard these days - 64-65 HTA, 76-78 STA, 470+ reach (size large) and

[@kawi-and-frozeen5474]

i have a problem with my yefssy core 1 it is new and there is play in the rear wheel

[@gezmason5067]

Great vid...what's tge intro tune??

[@ThePTChem]

I wonder how this bike stacks up against the Propain Hugene. It seems to be a very similar bike. Ignoring the difference in weight, this feels like the better value bike with similar overall performance.

[@Mansfield_Motors]

Some Anecdata here - 34m, been on two wheels since little but had taken time off mtb(hardtail olny) for about 5-7 years. I got the itch to pick up my first full squish to have some fun and improve my health. Went to a LBS and test rode the entry level specialized trail bike and was unimpressed by basically everything (for what I could afford). My neighbor is a Vet class MTB racer and turned me on to YT(he has multiple YT's) and the Jeffsy just made a lot of sense and was such a good bang for buck considering the components. I picked up a 24' YT Jeffsy Core 2 at a sale price of $2799, and I love the thing. Yeah, it's a little on the heavy side, but you get used to it, and the confidence you get from how solid the bike feels is not trivial. While I am happy with the bike, there are three slight annoyances. 1st - dropper post is finicky to get it back down - you have to get off the seat then hit it close to a 90* to the seat post to get it to go down smoothly. 2nd - front brake lever has a lot of travel before anything happens (but power is adequate for the riding I do). And 3rd, the shock does not have compression adjustments. The shockwiz was telling me to adjust compression, but I wasn't able to, so might be leaving some tuning on the table. The shock does actually feel fine though, so I'm not worried about it. I was considering the Core 1 version, but definitely happy that I went with Core 2 and I'd recommend anyone else to go straight to Core 2 or Core 3 if you have the cash to upgrade to the carbon frame(I wish I could have). I had a feeling the Jeffsy would review well. Shoot questions if you have any!

[@eon4444]

KZbin wont post my comment with the full kit number for some reason, but fox sells an upgrade kit for the float x performance shock. You basically add a small compression dial which turns it into the performance elite. You'll need a special grease, small pick tool and the upgrade kit which sells out pretty quick. Nothing crazy about the install, should only take 15 or 20 mins and fox has step by step documentation on their site. I have a core 2 jeffsy on the way, this upgrade will probably be the first one I do.

[@Robin887]

Can i ask what spec did you tested comparing with YT? I tested spec alloy and didnt like it at all but now have dilemma between YT core 1 and spec status 140. Best regards

[@imtheslothking]

Yt being the best bike EVERY YEAR is PROOF of greatness.

[@nikolaibohachevsky2301]

I noticed you guys positioned the dropper (170mm with this size L frame?) quite high out of the post. I’m guessing with the relatively low stand over height/short effective seat tube length that you’ve have to run it like that. I like a lower stand/over short seat tube frame as it allows you to run a long dropper so you can really slam it out of the way. BUT the insertion dimension is critical to run longer posts. What’s it like on this frame? Sure looks like you guys could have used a 200mm or even longer dropper, but I wonder if they accommodated for that with a long insertion depth in the seat tube? It appears that they may have as the pivot location for the rocker link looks to be well forward of the tube centreline? I wish manufacturers provided for seat post insertion dimensions in their geo charts as this is a critical decider for me.

[@brianbaker5694]

The frame is UDH as well so if the T type derailleurs become more prominent, its a simple bolt on upgrade

[@chriskeith3444]

How does this compare to the Izzo Core 1?

[@TheIggyTech]

I've owned a gen 1 2018 Jeffsy for a few years. Great trail/all mountain bike, and they've only refined the kinematics over the last two gens. It's definitely not the most efficient trail bike though, and I wouldn't get this as your only bike if you live somewhere flat and undulating. But if you have lots of technical descending and want to hit a bike park lap here and there, it's a fantastic value bike.

[@coflyer2949]

If you do live somewhere flat with some ascending and descending what bike would you recommend?

[@TheIggyTech]

@@coflyer2949 Depends a bit what someone wants to ride (and if they plan to travel to more elevation/tech) but I ended up choosing a Trek Top Fuel for my area. Great downcountry bike, 120/120, super efficient, and doesn't feel as twitchy as an XC Bike. I'll probably go 130 in the front soon. But yeah in the flats a downcountry bike (Top Fuel, Spur, Specialized Evo, etc.) or hardtail are great options imo.

[@portugalsud2924]

​@@coflyer2949Ibis Ripmo AF, it was more travel in the front, descends and climbs better.

[@sultanabran1]

i would've seriously considered the jeffsy is they had a shimano drivetrain. so i bought a canyon instead.

[@ItsMeHammie]

For the price point it's a decent competitor to the Ibis Ripmo AF. I loved my Ripmo

[@mikegeddie2263]

I got the ripley AF and that bike is ridiculous. Short travel ripper

[@samot1234]

Until some days ago this bike was sold in europe for less than 2k euros!

[@BrandinBowler]

Was going for 1800ish with Dylan Stark's code just a couple weeks ago.

[@dynadian118]

Just received my Jeffsy Core 1 a few days ago. Took it on its first ride yesterday. Beyond happy with my purchase.

[@IIISentorIII]

Awesome, happy riding and cheers from Switzerland

[@HardCorps88]

Agreed! Got my core 1 xxl black and 2 rides later loving it. Rain here in Kansas is killing me!

[@Robin887]

I know its just 3 weeks but you would stil recommend it? I am thinking also about 24 core 1 vs spec status 140. Best regards

[@dynadian118]

@@Robin887 100% recommend

[@fernandom6811]

What’s the after service like with these online companies?

[@IIISentorIII]

In Europe you get the Specialized Carbon Stumpjumper Comp for 2500 Euro. Cheers from Switzerland.

[@usbsol]

Where? :)

[@yakesbves3294]

Do you guys think going for the core 2 is worth the extra money ? In terms of specs and weight.

[@MrDefiant17]

i think yes, but if use it for wear and tear i would go on core 1

[@eon4444]

Yeah, core 1 to 2 is a decent jump in hardware. GX drivetrain and the fox float fork/shock. Core 3 has the same hardware but with a carbon frame. If its not in the budget though, you could buy the core 1 and just upgrade components over time as they wear out or you're able to.

[@jarnold1789]

Yes, I think so for sure

[@yakesbves3294]

@@eon4444 Budget is not really an issue but I don't like carbon frame and it's hard to find a ready to ride Alloy MTB with a really good spec at a reasonnable price. There's Commencal of course but I can get the same spec for half the price with a YT so.... Thanks for the answer!

[@kylerowland1227]

I think im sold

[@MidnughtMerauders]

This Jeffsy or Marin rift zone 2?

[@StructuredNoises]

can't decide. jeffsy or hugene?

[@MrDefiant17]

jeffsy bcs of less noise

[@aaronburela432]

Best for last

[@curtrobertson6799]

I had a Jeffsy but sold it. I got a new squeak or creek every ride. Drove me crazy.

[@MrDefiant17]

u had new 2024 jeffsy?

[@curtrobertson6799]

@@MrDefiant17 it was a 2023

[@portugalsud2924]

Where ? In the headset ?

[@curtrobertson6799]

Headset, bottom bracket, seatpost. I felt like I’d get one taken care of and get another one somewhere else. Drove me crazy. I wanted to like it but ended up selling it.

[@kiethpederson7558]

Dammit now I don't know if I should switch from the Izzo to the Jeffsy hasn't shipped yet so I still have time

[@ShitStefanShoots]

What do you ride? If you really go down more difficult stuff, the Jeffsy might be your choice, but if you are riding mostly blue trails and maybe a tad more here and there, the Izzo will be fine and pedal A LOT better uphill.

[@brandonreimer184]

Izzo is fast, and jeffsy is fun. If you have long downhills you enjoy, jeffsy is for you. If you like climbs or do any flat racing, then izzo is the weapon you want. If you want to race enduro jeffsy can handle it, but cappra is better out of the box.

[@TypicalGuy84]

I 2nd that. Well said

[@Mkondvar]

Me too. But i have 140mm fork on Izzo and there is not too much difference in geo between Izzo and Jeffsy. 65.5 vs 65 HA wheelbase +20mm for jeffsy. Only travel its different and if i will buy jeffsy i want him directly boost fork to 160mm.

[@kiethpederson7558]

Yeah I have a 14 mile stretch that I do the majority of it is an old flat railroad trail with paths breaking off on both sides which are pretty Rooty and Rocky which is typical here in New England. I did choose the Ezzo because it is a lot faster and sometimes I like to get the trails done quicker than other days. There are some minor short downhill that are pretty technical at times which which are not easy and not super hard to climb the other way. One other thing that would be nice is to offer all models in all core ranges and all colors meaning if you wanted a pink Jeffy or a pink capra or a core one in the blue that's offered in the core number four izzo etc.

[@Ivypoison23]

We just need the jeffsy in a mullet!

[@eon4444]

There’s a jeffsy mullet that just came out, called uncaged I think.

[@SylvestreFink]

only issue with this bike is availability: in Canada, only XL in yellow and XXL in black are currently available.

[@hrkx666]

They are often replenishing the stock so send them an inquiry and I'm sure they will contact you.

[@Peanutdenver]

This is nice commercial....well done YT!

[@stephankoehler800]

That’s a lot of bike for a beginner/starter. If you are new to mountain biking better off to buy a second hand hardtail and learn to ride smooth lines first.

[@schnurb5879]

“at this price point”

[@josereneducharme142]

Don't smile.

[@alexjose7069]

Why the guy at left talking like that , its annoying. Anyway thanks nice review

[@pm5k00]

WHY NOT MENTION THE ACTUAL COST OF THE BIKE INSTEAD OF JUST SAYING UNDER 3k ?

[@mmoore4456]

The price is on the video at 45 seconds : $2,799

[@mmoore4456]

And it's on sale right now, for $2,099.

[@Penofhell]

These guys talk like they just realized that the 50k Tesla they're being forced to review is 95% as fast as their 1.2mio Ferrari, and they can barely say it to the camera.

[@itz_Mrvince]

every like means that they will give me a free bike pls ❤

[@OtterMTBtech]

Can Henry STOP bubbling in with his voice over, while nonstop clipping the microphone

[@yomommastupid]

also their DH bikes are so well worth it....too bad there isnt much DH for me to ride where i live....

[@mikegeddie2263]

Too much travel lol. Gnarly trails are more interesting on a ripley AF

[@portugalsud2924]

Too much travel ? Ripley has more travel in the front so what is your reason ?

[@mikegeddie2263]

@@portugalsud2924 wait..the ripley is 130/120. You must be thinking of the ripmo. Anyway, gnarly trails are even better with hardtails. 😎🤘🏻