Tuesday 5 December 2023

Canyon Torque Mullet AL 6 Vs YT Capra Core 2 GX – Which is the very best direct-sales enduro bike?


For greater than a decade now, Canyon and YT have been locked in a tussle to determine who can provide the world with the very best direct gross sales bikes. The Canyon Torque Mullet AL 6 and YT Capra Core 2 GX proceed that nice custom, however which one is most deserving of your money?

Whereas prime finish bikes costing 5 figures aren’t unusual (£20,000 at some point quickly?), most of us are priced out. It’s to the Germans’ nice credit score then, which you can nonetheless get one of many greatest enduro/park bikes for £3,000 – that’s not nothing, however nice worth it most definitely is. 

YT Industries Capra Core 2 GX

Face to face: the YT Industries Capra Core 2 GX and Canyon Torque Mullet AL 6

What you get for that, on this check at the least, is a downhill bike you possibly can pedal. With round 170mm journey at each ends, mullet wheels, highly effective four-piston brakes and aggressive geometry these bikes are constructed for bike park laps, the steepest pure jank, or timed phases in opposition to the clock. And to return you to the highest with the least ache potential they each make use of steep seat tube angles, dropper posts, 12-speed drivetrains and lockout switches on the shocks.

Body development and weight

Canyon Vs YT

Similar, similar however totally different: Canyon Torque Mullet AL 6 and YT Capra Core 2 GX

The truth is, simply how comparable the Torque and Capra are is kind of extraordinary, till you take into account that every is designed with the opposite in thoughts. So like an off-road equal of Lidl and Aldi, these rival bikes have remarkably comparable merchandise gracing the cabinets. Each characteristic aluminium frames with four-bar suspension design. Each have Fox Efficiency degree suspension, Maxxis tyres, and maybe not coincidentally, weigh inside 100g of one another.  The Canyon Torque weighing 16.6kg (36.6lb) the YT Capra 16.6kg (36.6lb).

David Vs Goliath

Canyon as a model dwarfs YT in scale and has a motorcycle in each conceivable class, from downhill by means of to downcountry. This implies there are arguably three enduro bikes we might have picked from to spherical out this check, with the Canyon Spectral and Try the opposite contenders. However we opted for Canyon’s long-travel bike park warrior, the Torque. 

Canyon Torque Mullet AL 6

Canyon Torque Mullet AL 6

YT then again makes only a handful of various bikes, it’s David to the Goliath Canyon, and as such the Capra is the one enduro/bike park bike on its web site. To get spherical this there are variations of that, from coil sprung bikes to 29ers and to this combined wheel measurement bike that, once more, has been put collectively for uplifts and rowdy descents.

YT Industries Capra Core 2 GX

Shred each path on the YT Capra Core 2 GX

Suspension

So precisely how a lot journey do each bikes have? Let’s take a look at the Canyon first. Body journey is 175mm, and it makes use of a Fox Float X2 Efficiency for final management. That’s a variety of journey at your disposal, however you could have low-speed compression and rebound adjustment to fantastic tune the trip really feel, and the shock additionally has a climb swap for the actually steep ups. The YT Capra additionally will get a Efficiency degree Fox shock, but it surely’s within the type of the Float X.  It’s tuned completely for the bike and whilst you solely have rebound adjustment and a climb swap, it’s most likely all you want. Each bikes run 170mm journey Fox 38 Efficiency forks.

Canyon Vs YT

Fox shocks: Float X2 on the Canyon, Float X on the YT

Geometry side-by-side

The lengthy and in need of it. In measurement XL, each are huge bikes, with little or no splitting the 2 when it comes to the wheelbase. How that size is shared between the back and front of the bike may be very totally different although. The Canyon Torque packs most of it into the entrance centre, leaving a super-short 425mm chainstay out again. The YT Capra is extra evenly balanced, the place longer chainstays assist the Capra with stability on the climbs and the descents, whereas the Torque proved simpler to handbook.

YT Industries Capra Core 2 GX

Excessive and low geometry setting on the YT Capra Core 2 GX

The attain measurements are attention-grabbing too, as a result of measurement XL means various things to each manufacturers. The XL Capra is 25mm shorter on paper. It doesn’t really feel so small when driving although, with some further room constructed into an extended stem and we should always notice that YT additionally presents a XXL possibility for taller riders. 

Canyon YT (Low)
Measurement Examined XL XL
Head angle 62.9º 61.7º
Seat angle 72.1º 70.4º
Eff SA (760mm) 79.7º 77.3º
BB peak 348mm 342mm
Chainstay 425mm 442mm
Entrance centre 863mm 852mm
Wheelbase 1,288mm 1,294mm
Down tube 776mm 760mm
Seat tube 475mm 470mm
Prime tube 647mm 630mm
Attain 505mm 480mm

The Capra has an ace up its sleeve within the flip chip, this implies you possibly can steepen the bike by nearly ½ a level and lift the BB 5mm when you’re driving mellow terrain. Then hop within the automotive to the Lakes or South Wales and the low place places you in the very best place for flat out descending.

MX/Mullet wheels

So why go for a combined wheel bike in any respect, notably after we understand how good 29ers are when it comes to pace and management? Easy, it’s the brand new breakout development for mountain biking, half the sphere on the EDR is on a mullet setup, so when you’re not having a celebration on the again you’re nothing. 

Canyon Torque Mullet AL 6

Mullet: Not only a dated coiffure – 29in up entrance, 27.5in out again

Simply kidding, there are actual advantages available right here, most clearly a lighter rear wheel corresponding to raised suspension efficiency, simpler braking and accelerating, and added wheel energy too. We dinged the rim of the mullet Capra, however maybe the 29er wheel would have folded in half? Additionally they provide higher bum clearance once you’re off the again on silly-steep sections, and all this makes complete sense on a motorcycle park machine.

Drivetrain: SRAM Vs Shimano

Within the center aisle Canyon opts for a Shimano drivetrain, whereas YT’s on SRAM. It’s an ongoing battle, however SRAM clearly has the higher hand on this battle because the 12-speed SRAM Eagle GX drivetrain on the YT presents approach higher shifting efficiency, with out the chain rumble you get within the larger cogs with the Shimano SLX package fitted to the Canyon. Improved efficiency comes at value although, which is why the YT is £200 more cash.

Canyon Vs YT

Shimano’s 12-speed SLX package on the Canyon isn’t match for SRAM GX

Tyre Alternative

That is the place Canyon wins, arms down. Canyon spent a bit more cash speccing premium triple compound Maxxis rubber to YT’s twin compound tyres. It additionally has correct casings, whereas YT fitted wholly insufficient EXO casings entrance and rear. The truth is, the tyre spec on the Canyon is nearly similar to our chosen Maxxis management tyres. We opted for a 2.5in Assegai up entrance paired with a 2.4in Minion DHR II on the rear. We ran the mid-weight EXO+ casing up entrance to save lots of weight and a DoubleDown casing on the rear for elevated puncture safety. And since you nonetheless have to pedal these bikes, we ran the medium 3C Maxx Terra compound, because it presents a fantastic stability between traction, rolling resistance put on. 

Canyon Torque Mullet AL 6

Canyon has nailed the tyre specification on the Torque Mullet AL 6

Efficiency

There’s a longstanding perception that mullet wheels flip in additional simply and make a motorcycle extra agile, and whereas that’s true, the yawning chasm advertising departments would have you ever imagine is definitely extra of a crack within the dust. This check hinges on the descents then. The bike that carries higher pace, gives a extra partaking and gratifying trip, and retains you pushing, pedalling or hooking your bike on for an additional lap is our champion.

Canyon Torque Mullet AL 6

Mullet wheels provide stacks of bum clearance on steep descents

So along with native laps on each bikes, we headed to BikePark Wales for some correct back-to-back testing. BikePark Wales has a brand new path known as Boomslang. On the prime there are berms and jumps, adopted by larger berms, whereas the underside is correct off-camber roots and dust. It’s the very best path there in ages, and ideally we’d trip the Torque up prime, and have the Capra stationed midway down for a fast bike swap.

Canyon Torque Mullet AL 6

Versatility is the secret right here, and each bikes rock

Now, we’re not telling you this to spice up BPW’s numbers (though it’s a nice bike park, and a perfect testing floor), as an alternative it’s a neat approach of highlighting each bikes’ greatest traits. The Canyon Torque Mullet AL 6 is one heck of a responsive trip, you possibly can sling it excessive and much off the smallest path options, whereas the mullet setup is nice if you wish to slash some cutties… which you’ll as a result of it’s nearly not possible to not. 

YT Industries Capra Core 2 GX

Poppy, playful and absolutely pinned, the YT Capra Core 2 GX does all of it

The YT Capra Core 2 GX is greatest for downright pace and composure although, like an F1 automotive it’s not in its component once you’re pootling alongside in first gear, however the sooner you go the higher you and the bike reply. We genuinely almost careered into the again of different riders whereas negotiating jank at pace, and its sheer chilly blooded composure in gnarly circumstances is addictive.

Canyon Torque Mullet AL 6

Simply attempt NOT to slash activates the Canyon Torque Mullet AL 6

In fact issues are much more fuzzy than that in actuality, the whole lot in life is relative and there’s loads of crossover between the 2 bikes. We additionally want to emphasize that the Torque is genuinely quick, and the Capra can ‘do’ bike parks too. However it does present simply how totally different the trip high quality of every bike is. Which is all of the extra stunning given how comparable they’re in so some ways, from the general weight to the suspension journey and design, the supplies and even the parts. They could possibly be twins, and never the Devito/Schwarzenegger sort.

Conclusion

Which is the winner then? Earlier than we get to that we’ve acquired to say we had been genuinely shocked at how these bikes rode. In a great way. They’re not simply good for entry degree enduro bikes, the Torque and the Capra can grasp with the very best bikes on this planet, from probably the most unique manufacturers. We’ve ridden the Fox Efficiency degree suspension on bikes earlier than and never favored it, so the shock tune and body design from Canyon and YT must be recognised and applauded.

YT Industries Capra Core 2 GX

YT Industries Capra Core 2 GX

Our decide is the YT Capra, it’s costlier however there’s an NX model if you wish to drop the value down £200. The very fact is, YT has constructed a super-versatile bike that’ll work nicely on any terrain and that makes it extra helpful for extra riders. You’ll be able to add a quantity spacer to the shock to provide it extra assist for the bike park, flip it into the excessive mode for path driving, or thumb on some gravity casing tyres when you’re racing enduro. It’s silent to trip, there are 5 sizes to choose from, and the semi-size-specific chainstays actually assist the fore and aft stability. And with higher tyres, it will have bagged an ideal 10 ranking. Perhaps subsequent time. 

YT Industries Capra Core 2 GX

The YT Capra Core 2 GX is a lot bike for the cash

 

Take a look at Winner’s Stablemates – options for various budgets

YT Capra Core 3

Leaping as much as the YT Capra Core 3 will get you a glossy carbon body

YT Industries Capra Core 3 £3,999

The Core 3 introduces a full carbon body to the Capra vary. And YT reckons it makes for a extra sturdy and stiffer bike. The Core 3 will get the identical SRAM GX drivetrain and Fox Efficiency suspension as our check winner. Extra necessary although, you get DT Swiss wheels and eventually correct Double Down casing Maxxis tyres. The bike’s round a kilo lighter because of this, and it’s additionally on sale for £3,599.

YT Capra Core 1

YT Capra Core 1 – similar alloy body as our check winner

YT Industries Capra Core 1 £2,699

There may be at the moment no Core 2 model of the bike we examined. However the is the Core 1 that slashes the value to £2,699, or £2,499 on sale when you get there shortly – you get the identical nice body and cockpit, with financial savings created from the RockShox Zeb Base fork and Tremendous Deluxe shock, NX drivetrain, and SunRingle Duroc wheels. The tyres have been upgraded too. Bonus. 

The post Canyon Torque Mullet AL 6 Vs YT Capra Core 2 GX – Which is the very best direct-sales enduro bike? appeared first on lickscycles.com.



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