Capra

The Capra Mk III is YT’s current enduro platform, redesigned for 2021 with two wheel-format-specific frames rather than a single convertible chassis. The Capra 29 is pitched as the straighter-line, enduro-race-leaning option, while the Capra MX uses a dedicated rear end and tuning intended for bigger hits and a more park-forward feel. Both keep YT’s V4L four-bar layout but update packaging and features, most notably the asymmetrical front triangle that finally makes room for an in-frame bottle.

On trail, Mk III’s character is shaped less by maximum travel numbers and more by its measured sizing and supportive suspension attitude. It suits riders who want a big bike that still responds to pumping, jumping, and line choices, rather than one that simply erases everything at any speed.

Gen Mk III

Image pending

Build

Size

Stack	636mm
Reach	464mm
Top tube	607mm
Headtube length	110mm
Standover height	733mm
Seat tube length	445mm

Fit and geometry

The Mk III’s geometry reads contemporary but not extreme, with a relatively steep seat angle and a reach that several reviewers describe as on the conservative side for the category. That’s a big part of why riders often report being comfortable quickly, and why the bike tends to reward deliberate weighting and pumping rather than a purely “monster-truck” approach.

There are two practical fit themes to keep in mind. First, the cockpit can feel tall to some riders, and a few tests mention preferring a lower front end or shorter stem depending on size and setup. Second, seat tube length and dropper spec have been recurring pain points in reviews of earlier builds. BikeRadar’s 2023 Core 4 review said there was “simply not enough travel on the dropper post to get the saddle sufficiently low enough” on its medium test bike (BikeRadar). If you’re between sizes or you like running maximum dropper travel, it’s worth checking both insertion and the stock post length for your size before deciding whether to size up.

Builds

The current US lineup is organized into six builds, spanning alloy and carbon frames and a wide price range. Broadly, the Core 1 and Core 2 builds are the value-led entries, with simpler suspension and drivetrain spec, while Core 3 and Core 4 move into higher-end suspension and more premium drivetrain and brake packages.

Material choice sits in the middle of the ladder. There are Core 3 and Core 2 options in both carbon and alloy, which makes it easier to pick based on ride feel and budget rather than being forced into a single material at a given component level. At the top, the 29 Core 4 CF is the flagship complete, using Fox Factory suspension and SRAM Transmission shifting, plus the most powerful brake package in the range. Core 3 CF and Core 3 AL both use Ohlins coil suspension and TRP DH-R EVO brakes, which is a notable departure from the Fox/RockShox builds below and above.

Across the range, cockpit numbers are fairly consistent: wide bars, short stems, and YT’s Postman V2 dropper with size-based travel. The tangible value hinge for many riders is choosing between the Core 2 level, which already carries serious fork and brake hardware, and stepping up to Core 3 for the suspension and brake change, or Core 4 for the full top-tier spec.

29 Core 1 AL

$2,999

Shimano Deore RD-M6100

29 Core 2 AL

$3,699

Shimano SLX RD-M7100

29 Core 2 CF

$4,199

Shimano SLX RD-M7100

29 Core 3 AL

$4,799

SRAM S1000 Eagle Transmission

29 Core 3 CF

$5,299

SRAM S1000 Eagle Transmission

29 Core 4 CF

$6,299

GX Eagle Transmission

Reviews

Reviews tend to land on the Capra’s approachability for a long-travel bike. BikeRadar’s 2023 Core 4 test called it “easy to ride fast from the get-go” (BikeRadar), while Blister described it as “an especially intuitive-handling, easy-going one” for its class (Blisterreview). That ease shows up in how willingly it builds speed when you’re working terrain rather than just hanging on.

At the same time, multiple testers note the Capra’s suspension feel is more supportive than ultra-plush. Singletrack World’s Core 2 review framed it clearly: “The Capra is like a 140mm-feeling bike for almost all of the time” (Singletrackworld). Pinkbike’s field test echoed the tradeoff, saying it “bashed its way through things rather than soaked them up” when compared to plusher alternatives (PinkBike). For some riders, that support translates into speed and pop; for others, it can feel firm on chatter.

Wheel format meaningfully changes the experience. The Loam Wolf found the 29 “the tool for the job” when “seeking out-and-out speed in straighter and chunkier terrain,” while the MX “prefer[s] a…more playful…disrespectful approach” and asks for more attention to front-wheel weighting in flatter turns (Theloamwolf).