YETI 160E C1 FACTORY £8,999
Yeti’s enduro race-inspired e-MTB rolls on 29in wheels, has 160mm of rear-wheel travel and is powered by Shimano’s 85Nm/600W EP801 motor and a 630Wh battery. Despite costing £9k, this is the entry-level model (with a Fox Factory suspension upgrade), which shares its carbon frame with the (even) dearer models, but gets cheaper kit. On the trail, its handling is virtually irreproachable – Yeti’s ‘Sixfinity’ linkage delivers buckets of grip, comfort and control, and the geometry offers a great, balanced riding position. However, the 3C MaxxTerra-
compound front tyre, underpowered SRAM Code R brakes and hard-feeling grips hurt the overall feel and reduce control. Add difficulty getting the cockpit controls to fit within reach, and this bike doesn’t feel quite as refined as the price tag suggests.
YT DECOY MX CORE 5 £7,999
, downhill-focused e-bike from YT uses a Shimano EP801 drive unit and 720Wh battery. It has a carbon frame and top-spec kit, including a Fox 38 Factory fork and Float X2 shock, an electronic Shimano XT Di2 Hyperglide+ drivetrain – which can shift while coasting, manually or automatically – and Crankbrothers Synthesis Alloy wheels (29in front, 650b rear). YT’s ‘V4L’ linkage provides 165mm of rear-wheel travel. The Decoy is more suited to technical downhills than ascents. A slack seat tube angle limits climbing ability, but there are almost no compromises on the descents. Here, the bike is controlled and grippy, with an easy-to-ride vibe. The chain can jam if you shift through too many gears too quickly,
