Tyee Signature Spec 2

The Propain Tyee 5 represents the brand's shift into contemporary enduro geometry while maintaining a strict commitment to specific wheel sizes. Produced from 2020 to 2022, this generation eschews the common flip-chip approach in favor of dedicated 29-inch and 27.5-inch frames, ensuring the kinematics and handling are tailored to the exact wheel diameter. With a 170mm fork and 160mm of rear travel, it is built for aggressive terrain but heavily prioritizes pedaling efficiency.

A defining structural change for this generation is the relocation of the shock inside the front triangle, driven by Propain’s PRO10 dual-link suspension system. This layout protects the shock from rear-wheel spray and leaves room for a water bottle. The Tyee 5 is positioned for riders who want a long-travel bike that remains highly capable on long, steep ascents without feeling like a sluggish downhill sled on rolling terrain.

$6,499Gen Tyee 5

Build

Size

Inventory

Size M

$4,299

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Stack	626mm
Reach	449mm
Top tube	594mm
Headtube length	105mm
Standover height	779mm
Seat tube length	425mm

Fit and geometry

Propain splits the Tyee 5 sizing strictly by wheel size, offering the 27.5-inch frame in small through large, and the 29-inch frame in medium through extra-large. The geometry centers around a slack 64.5-degree head tube angle and a steep effective seat tube angle hovering around 77.1 degrees. This combination places the rider in an upright, centered posture that keeps the front wheel weighted on steep climbs while maintaining stability at speed.

Reach measurements are modern but moderate, spanning 451mm on a medium 29er up to 491mm on the extra-large. While the reach encourages a comfortable stance, the seat tube lengths are relatively tall for the category, measuring 460mm on a size large. This taller mast limits how easily riders can size up for a longer reach, and it can restrict the use of maximum-travel dropper posts for those with shorter inseams. A 26mm bottom bracket drop on the 29er strikes a practical balance, keeping the rider's mass low for cornering while minimizing pedal strikes on technical climbs.

Full specs

Frameset

Frame

null

Fork

RockShox ZEB Ultimate, 170mm

Rear shock

RockShox Vivid Ultimate

Groupset

Shift levers

SRAM GX Eagle Transmission (1x12)

Rear derailleur

SRAM GX Eagle Transmission (1x12)

Cassette

null

Chain

null

Crankset

null

Bottom bracket

null

Front brake

SRAM Maven Silver

Rear brake

SRAM Maven Silver

Front rotor

200mm

Rear rotor

200mm

Wheelset

Front wheel

DT Swiss EX 1700

Rear wheel

DT Swiss EX 1700

Cockpit

Stem

null

Handlebars

null

Saddle

null

Seatpost

OneUp V3

Builds

The Tyee 5 leverages Propain’s direct-to-consumer model to deliver high-end componentry at competitive prices. The current lineup highlights two distinct Signature Spec builds that cater to different budgets while maintaining aggressive enduro intentions.

The Signature Spec 1 serves as the entry point, utilizing a Marzocchi Bomber Z fork and Bomber CR coil shock to provide reliable, supple suspension performance. It features a SRAM Eagle 70 Transmission for precise electronic shifting, Magura MT5 brakes with 203mm rotors, and Crankbrothers Synthesis Enduro Alloy wheels.

Stepping up to the Signature Spec 2 brings significant upgrades to the suspension and rolling stock. This build features a RockShox ZEB Ultimate fork and Vivid Ultimate rear shock, offering extensive damping adjustments for riders who want to fine-tune their setup. The drivetrain moves to a SRAM GX Eagle Transmission, while braking is handled by SRAM's powerful Maven Silver four-piston calipers on 200mm rotors. It rolls on a durable DT Swiss EX 1700 wheelset. Both builds are equipped with a OneUp V3 dropper post, ensuring reliable saddle height management across the range.

Signature Spec 1

$4,999

Signature Spec 2

$6,499

Selected

Reviews

Reviewers consistently praise the Tyee 5 for its remarkable climbing manners, largely credited to the PRO10 suspension's high anti-squat values. Testers noted a "near-complete lack of pedal bob" (Enduro MTB), making the bike feel taut and responsive under power. This efficiency means riders rarely need to reach for a climb switch, even on long fire roads or technical singletrack ascents.

However, that firm pedaling platform introduces a distinct tradeoff on descents. With an air shock, the rear end can feel slightly harsh over rapid, successive hits. Testers observed that the bike tends to "skim over the tops of the bumps rather than consume each and every one" (BikeRadar), rewarding an active riding style over passive plowing. Swapping to a coil shock dramatically alters this character, improving small-bump sensitivity and turning the bike into an "aggressive rocket ship" (Theloamwolf) that tracks much better through rough rock gardens.

Handling is generally viewed as stable and balanced, though the long wheelbase on the 29-inch models requires deliberate input in tight switchbacks. While it may not be the most agile option for slow, janky terrain, the supportive mid-stroke gives the Tyee a lively, poppy feel on faster, flowing trails, allowing riders to easily generate speed out of corners and rollers.