Earlier this week I took delivery of the brand new YT Izzo Pro in size XL. Here are my initial thoughts after about 6 hours doing my local well-trodden lockdown loops.
It’s probably important to understand where I’m coming from to give context to thoughts. I’ve previously been riding a 2015 Kona Process 134, XL, with a 150mm Rockshox Pike – originally it came with a 140mm fork – so that slackened the head angle by a degree or so and shortened the 485mm reach. It also had some rather splendid 27.5″/650b Ibis 741 wheels which had 35mm internal width rims and weighed next to nothing – something like 1600 grams for the pair. Wrapped around those I had a 2.5″ Maxxis Minion DHF on the front and a High Roller II 2.4″ on the back with pressures around 20psi. Plenty of volume and grip.
I weigh 72kg and while I absolutely loved the Kona, I always felt it was a little bit overbuilt for me.
Onto the YT. First impressions. It looks lovely. The shape of the tubes and the size of them says stiffness. Not having had a carbon MTB before the tap of the tubes makes it sound fragile, a hollow sounding tap. My confidence needs to grow around this, but there’s a certain uneasiness – this has nothing to do with this particular bike, of course.
The top tube is really low as it reaches the seat tube. When pedalling my knees are higher than it which means, coupled with the dropper, there’s lots of room for manoeuvrability, something I’d grown accustomed to on the Kona and what I missed when riding any other bike. A big thumbs up from me on this aspect.
The Fox 34 looks quite small when viewed from the seated position – the top tube flares near the front into the large headtube junction making the fork look a bit flimsy. Only from that angle though, from everywhere else it looks just fine. And while some may be craving a 36 I find the 34 plenty stiff enough and well suited to this bike.
Maxxis Forekaster tires, 2.35″. As I said above, I’m used to far more robust tyres. Before my first ride I set the rear up tubeless, put a Nukeproof ARD rim strip inside, and set the pressure to 20psi. I waited with the front as I well suspected I’d want something bigger. I wasn’t wrong. While the rear is perfectly fine and rolls fast with enough grip on all the climbs I’ve been up, the front doesn’t hook into things anywhere near as much as I’ve grown accustomed to – I’ve placed an order for a Minion DHF 2.5″.
Something a bit unique for a trail bike is the rear shock lockout switch. It’s a Rockshox twist thing controlling the Fox DPS shock. I’ve used it on the roads and at the top of gut-busting climbs as it starts to level out. I’m not sure I need it but I’ll reserve judgment. It’s early days and I’m not about to remove it until I’ve spent more time with it. It does cause a bit of an issue though. I like to hang my hands over the edge of my bars so like grips without an outer clamp as is fitted to this bike. The lockout twister limits grip choice. I’ll put up with it for now but I’ll need to make some changes at some point.
A few random things. Rear shock access is a little bit limited and I couldn’t confidently get the included shock pump attached without feeling I was crossing the threads. Luckily I had a DT Swiss pump with a shorter head that fits.
There seem to be a lot of cables at the front. It’s only one extra because of the lockout but I think it looks worse because they all seem a bit longer than they need to be. I’ll be shortening them over time. I can’t be having those flapping around.
The bars are 760mm. I’m used to 780 plus the extra bit of grip is more like 790mm. It feels a bit odd. I’ll probably replace them eventually.
Heel clearance is good. I’ve not felt my heels rubbing. I’m sure it’s happening a little bit it’s not like there’s any hinderance.
I’ve never read a review of a YT that didn’t mention replacing the seat. It’s a good looking SDG YT branded model and when I first sat on it I thought it felt good. Nicely supportive. Riding it is a different matter. It’s hard, super hard. Even my butterbean that has spent many hours in the saddle was asking for forgiveness; Back to my Ergon.
The position on the bike doesn’t feel dissimilar to my trusty Kona and I felt right at home on it immediately. The reach is slightly longer, the seat tube slightly steeper. I’ve been fettling the suspension a fair bit; I like it fairly squishy. 2 of the 3 fork tokens have been removed, and sag set to 30% front and rear. A bit more than the Fox recommendations. I’m still messing with pressures and rebound control but there’s plenty enough adjustability to dial it to my liking. Why don’t Fox anodise sag markings onto the stanchions like Rockshox do?
The Pinkbike review mentioned an issue with rear end stiffness, and various forums have been discussing it with some even cancelling their orders or dismissing the bike because of it, allegedly. Look, I’m not someone who’s pushing the boundaries of any bike that I ride. I’m just an average bloke who loves to ride and has a few (obscure) KOMs here and there, but I’m not noticing any stiffness issues. The chainstays are plenty deep enough. There is a brace around the main pivot and between the seatstays, and all the smaller pivots look chunky enough to take a hammering. If this is something that really concerns you I’d suggest you’re wanting a burlier bike closer to the enduro spectrum.
With the bigger wheels I feel I’m able to carry my speed more and maintain flow. The suspension doesn’t feel bottomless like the Kona did, a bit more taught, with more of a focus on efficiency. I’ve been able to clear a few climbs that I’ve struggled with in the past. I like it. It’ll only get better as I refine it to my tastes.
Pinkbike Review and Singletrack First Look for more information.
↯ deadlyhifi 
Thanks for this personal review. Could you tell how is the bike uphill and downhill? Does it feel light and nimble?
I was worried about the 29” wheels on more technical downhill but it hasn’t been a problem. With the low frame I’m really able to lean the bike without restriction to get it where I want to go. On fast downhill it feels stable, due to the wheelbase.
Uphill it’s got a real spring in its step and I feel well positioned – there’s no front wheel lift on really steep stuff while I can still put weight on the rear to maintain grip.
It feels light and nimble. A play bike when you want it to be yet capable of longer XC rides as well. A really good all rounder. I’m really pleased with it. I’ll do a follow up post at some point. Adding the Minion to the front made a big difference.
Thank you! A follow up post will be great. I recently bought Izzo Comp, still waiting for it. I think that with some changes it can be a very good bike, for example wheels or NX group.
My main concern was, after reading you, that the bike doesn’t shine uphill, as it YT claims, because of the low top tube and weight balance. I am coming from an Ibis Ripley LS that is a climbing beast, but just a correct downloader. With the Izzo I was looking for a very good climber with big descend aptitudes. Let’s see!
Hi,
nice bike, I really like it and thank you for the review. I am also considering buying I just don’t know which size to choose, whether L or XL. My inner seam is 90 cm. Do you have how much inner seam or how high do you carry the saddle in the middle of the handle to the top of the saddle?
Enjoy
Martin
My seat height is 79cm – from centre of bb to top of seat in the middle. My inseam is 86cm. There’s scope for the seatpost to go down 3.5cm further.
With the seatpost a bit higher for your 90cm inseam it’s still well within the min insert range. I’d suggest the XL.
Thank you for your answer, YT service support also recommended an XL size and use a shorter stem.
Any new driving insights? Do you already ride with DHF? Has the appearance of the wheel changed after the change of the front tire in terms of rolling support and pedaling uphill?
Hey Martin I am in same category. 35”/89cm inseam. 71”/181cm tall. In between L and XL
Did you get the XL? If so any feedback on size and feel. What’s your height ?
Sorry, but I’m confused. With those measurements, why do you feel you are between a L and XL? YT says large is up to 186 and XL starts at 184. I only ask because you and I are almost exactly the same size.
Hi,
I come from XC background. Currently own a Santa Cruz Highball size M. Noticed that the water bottle mount looks very close to the top tube. What bottle cage or system are you running? Do you think a standard water bottle cage will cause rubbing in the top tube when taking the bottle in and out? For example, do you think a Tacx Deva bottle cage could work?
Thanks!
I’ve just tried it with a 1 litre bottle and there’s enough room to manoeuvre it. Something on the tool mount would hinder it. If you are carrying a huge bottle then a side load cage would best. I mostly ride with a 600ml bottle; If I’m out for more then I’ll use a hydration pack.
I noticed you mentioned that you sometimes wished you bought the pro race model. I am currently on the fence between the pro and pro race. It is a lot more money but you do get a lot more value for it – the components value is about twice the price differential. The value difference between the pro and comp versions is pretty close to the difference in components. What would you buy if you could do it over again?
Thanks for the posts.
I’m a serial upgrader but because there is nothing particularly to upgrade I end up looking at more expensive stuff like new wheels – which I price up and then realise costs more than the next model up would have cost in the first place.
Then I come to my senses and realise the setup I have is superb and doesn’t need upgrading. Repeat.
Whichever choice you end up going with you’ll have a superb bike. I’ve always been a Shimano fan but I’m really impressed with this GX setup. The suspension is effectively the same as the Kashima ones. Equally, if you go the model up it will all be a fraction lighter.
Thanks for the review, I might have missed it, but how tall are you and what do you think about the sizing? I’m 183cm and run my saddle at 78cm. Currently riding a bike with 480mm reach so I don’t want to feel cramped if I go for a Large.
I’m 185cm and went XL. Seat height is at 80cm. You’re right on the cusp. I think an L will give you enough breathing room – reach being 2cm shorter than on the XL.
Hi, can you please help me? I am 185cm too with inseam cca. 85cm. I had Giant Reign in L size and all the previous bikes were too in L size. F.e. Canyon Neuron 2020 was in L size OK. Should I go XL with Izzo like you (Maybe with Shorter stem), or will be L OK? Thanks.
Since writing these posts I’ve put a 45mm stem on (reduced from 60mm) and upped the fork travel to 140mm – the bike feels better for me being that bit shorter. If I did it all again I’d probably go for the L. Either will fit you – but if you’re used to L in other brands, which likely had a shorter reach than this bike, then L is probably the way to go.
Hi, thank you very much for help.
Perfect, thanks.