Izzo

Introduced in 2020 and still built around the same MK1 carbon platform, the YT Izzo is a short-travel 29er aimed at fast trail riding with an XC-leaning edge. It sits in that space where you want a bike that rewards pedaling and line choice, but still has the geometry to take on steeper trails when you ask it to. The defining frame cues are the conventional four-bar rear end, the vertical shock layout that frees up room for YT’s large Fidlock Thirstmaster bottle, and a flip-chip that lets you nudge the bottom bracket height and angles.

Over the years, the frame’s identity has stayed consistent while spec has shifted. Recent Core models move the intent slightly more trail with longer-travel forks and updated compatibility, without changing the underlying rear travel and chassis.

Gen MK1

Build

Size

Stack	625mm
Reach	467mm
Top tube	618mm
Standover height	724mm
Seat tube length	450mm

Fit and geometry

The MK1 Izzo’s numbers place you in a fairly forward, workmanlike position for covering ground, and that posture is a big part of why the bike encourages tempo. The head angle sits in the mid-65-degree range and the effective seat angle is steep for the category, which helps keep weight centered when climbing. Reach is modern without pushing into ultra-long territory, and YT’s size-specific chainstays (longer on XL/XXL) are there to keep bigger sizes from feeling too front-heavy.

The flip-chip gives you a small but meaningful change in bottom bracket height and angles. Most reviewers spent time in the low setting, but the tradeoff is obvious: the lower center of gravity helps the bike carry speed through turns, while pedal clearance becomes more situational on rocky climbs.

Cockpit choices matter. Several tests of earlier builds mention a longer stem and narrower bar than many trail riders now prefer, and more than one reviewer suggested that shortening the stem and widening the bar better matches what the chassis wants to do on steeper descents.

Builds

The current Core ladder runs from Core 1 through Core 4 on the same basic platform, with the big separators being suspension level, wheel material, drivetrain tier, and how much the build leans toward “race-trail” weight versus durability. Core 1 and Core 2 sit on more accessible components and alloy wheels, while Core 3 and Core 4 step into higher-end suspension and lighter, faster wheelsets. Tire choice also shifts by model year; older reviews often discuss fast-rolling, lighter-duty tires, while current Core builds shown here come with more aggressive Maxxis Minion DHR II casings front and rear, which materially changes how much support you have before you start overriding the suspension.

Core 2 has historically been the price/parts inflection point in the range, though some model years used a carbon front triangle with an alloy rear end to hit the number. Higher up, Core 4 is where you see the most obvious performance luxuries: top-tier suspension and carbon wheels that reduce rotational weight, plus electronic shifting on the latest spec. If you already know you’ll change tires and cockpit to suit your trails, the lower builds can make sense as long as you’re comfortable doing that work yourself.

29 Core 1 CF

Price TBD

29 Core 2 CF

Price TBD

29 Core 3 CF

Price TBD

29 Core 4 CF

Price TBD

Reviews

Across very different tests, the Izzo’s reputation is built on speed from rider input rather than extra travel. BikeRadar’s take on the Core 2 is blunt about where it shines: “On fast trail-centre loops, it’s a bit of a rocket ship.” (BikeRadar) That feeling carries into tighter terrain, where the same review calls it “nimble, ducking and diving” when threading trees. (BikeRadar)

What you give up is the ability to switch off and smash through repeated, square-edge roughness. Singletrack World describes the Izzo as “not the most planted and stable feeling of bikes,” adding that it “can be a bit of a handful when things get rough.” (Singletrackworld) PinkBike framed the ceiling similarly on steeper descents: “The Izzo feels like a 130mm bike, and never more than that.” (PinkBike)

Spec choices influence how quickly you find those limits. Multiple outlets flagged the stock fast-rolling tires as a handling bottleneck, with MBR calling the Forekasters “unpredictable.” (Mountain Bike Rider) Reviewers also note setup sensitivity, with BikeRadar reporting the bike “perked up immediately” when run with less sag than their first pass. (BikeRadar)