YT Izzo Core 2 Review: Featherweight Ninja | 2022 Value Bike Field Test
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- čas přidán 15. 06. 2024
- In part due to its carbon front triangle, the YT Izzo was the lightest value bike on test. How did this featherweight trail bike stack up against its bigger competitors?
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Presented by:
Norrona - www.norrona.com/
Visit Tucson - www.visittucson.org/
00:00 - Intro
00:37 - Bike Overview
01:19 - Climbing
04:23 - Descending
06:54 - Components
10:10 - Timing
10:47 - Models
11:15 - Pros
11:56 - Cons
12:44 - Verdict
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Website - pinkbike.com
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I demo’d one of these out of the YT Mill in the UK. It was great and a perfect bike for my local trails in Surrey.
Did you demo a yt or yt a demo, lol
Really like the format of these! The different perspectives and information are great!!!
I own a 2020 izzo pro race. I ride the heck out of it and it has been flawless, such a good do it all bike. Couldn't be happier with my purchase. A great value.
Great review. Love to the collab with @pinkbike and @betamtb. Great series. Keep up the great work!
I’ve had my Core 2 since December and as my first full sus, I have to say it’s an awesome bike for the money. It really eats up this eastern Pennsylvania tech.
Same here mate. I love this bike, so much fun.
Did you get it at a local shop or order it in? I'm interested AND in Eastern PA but wanna try before I buy
Eastern PA is bony AF.
I love my 2020 Izzo Pro Race. It’s so fast and flies as soon as you put any power down. It climbs great and I love having the shock lock out.
It'd be cool to compare to last years value winner, the Ripley AF
Polygon T8 was robbed, lmao
Ripmo AF is the best value bike I’ve seen recently. Got my wife the SLX build and the only thing that would ever need upgrading is the dropper. Top level DVO suspension matched to EXO+ Assegai tires, bomb proof drivetrain, and brakes that work surprisingly well. I know it’s a different category bike, but value wise it’s hard to beat.
Marin rift zone 3 👌
@@xav_1029 Yup the Ripmo AF is a beast, will hang with any big travel enduro bike, still has very little pedal bob. Only downside, it's not light
@@xav_1029 that bike is also $1000 more
I have this model and have been loving it for Boise area Trails.
Jeremy! World you ride the bike in a bike park with small or dirt jumps type? How do you think the bike will behave? Thinking on selling my Enduro and XC (120mm travel) bike and replace both with the Izzo.
@@ricardollorens215 I have a core 2. It’s really easy to throw around.
@@ricardollorens215 we have two bike parks here in Boise area, I’ve taken it off some drops and tables, handles great for me. I’d say if you’re really into jumping get the jeffsy
Great review. I got the lightly updated 2023 Izzo Core 2 last year and have really enjoyed it. Agree that it's prefect for covering the spectrum from XC+ to trails. I've been riding it for almost a year on the rougher rocky trails in central Texas and still love it. If I was buying an Izzo again today, I'd consider the Core 3 to make the jump to the GX AXS transmission, but I prefer the Fox suspension on the Core 2.
I give this beta ad a higher rating than the rest. Dog is good keep it up.
The chemistry and enthusiasm between these reviewers are unmatched.
strange they call themselves with surnames, other than that yeah :D
I actually thought they were awkward except Kaz!🤣
@@iteleski2 My sarcasm did not shine through as much as I hoped lmao
@@ruckuswithani4451 It did to some... Made me LOL. Thx!
I prefer this to the kind of over-the-top enthusiasm you sometimes find.
Big fan of Alicia in these reviews. Kaz and Palmer are also great but they’ve been here for years. So 👍 👍 on the old + new dynamic.
These videos need Levy though
just ordered my izzo core 2! very excited
Awesome! Happy riding.
Would love to see you guys review the SCOTT Spark RC or trail version from 2022.
Cheers from Switzerland :)
awesome bike... I think this out trance 2 29er... and is so much cheaper but close in spec to the mid spec Fuel EX, Tallboy, Optic, etc..
I ordered the YT Core 4 (a bit higher spec). It is a great bike, but I think that descending I need the Minion DHF (something a bit grippier than the Forekaster). I came from an Enduro Bike (Santa Cruz Hightower) so the way I ride in loose and rocky stuff I think that needs it.
Con: the YT Postman dropper
I have the Core 3, which is also spec’d with the Postman. It’s sucks. I’ve done a great deal adjustments, and I still can’t get it to engage within a reasonable range of lever actuation. I of don’t know if it the associated remote, the dropper itself, or both, but is really annoying. I will probably ride it out for the rest of the season and feel like I need to upgrade it.
Other than that, I put Minion DHF up front and an Aggressor in the rear and I really like it a lot. Great bike.
Might be worth to upgrade the remote lever. Got Oneup V2 lever and it transformed the older stock Canyon dropper to much better.
Crazy how they spec a 125 on a medium. Managed to fit a 200mm pnw reiner. Swapped to a Butcher/Purgatory for tires.
I gotta say, the Postman dropper has been solid for me. I will say the Postman labeled lever is trash. I contacted YT Service and they sent me a replacement eThirteen dropper lever. A huuuge upgrade.
@@red6743 did you call or email service? What did you say? How long after your order did you contact them? Thanks!
ive had zero issues with the 150 postman that came on my large izzo blaze but the 170 postman from a new capra has had issues with actuation, i think it was teh clearance on the mechanism on the bottom of the dropper, there was a lot of friction in pulling it and for it returning after being pulled. so the lever felt stiff and it would frequently raise after being dropped or drop when sitting after raising. i trimmed back the plastic around the pull and gave it some lube and its better but not as good as the other post, i think it needs to be worn in.
I'm glad I got a core2
Great review! Sounds like it would be a very capable NICA bike.
Great job!
You guys should review the Polygon Siskiu T8 and the Canyon Neuron 6
Amazing bike wish had one
Thanks for the video. Would you recommend the Izzo to people who like to ride tours lasting several hours with a focus on long climbs?
Just got it for 2078€ incl. shipping. This price is a steal. There is some room for GX gear (shifter, casette, derailleur ) + DT XM1700 wheelset upgrades.
Thankyou beautiful people for such a great reveiw. ..God bless.🙋
Looking forward to see Palmer’s sewing techniques 😁
What a beauty!
I've got a '20 Izzo with a carbon rear triangle. I wonder if there were issues and a reason they switched to an aluminum rear.
The higher spec models have carbon rear triangle still. Mostly a cost cutting option. But the aluminum rear triangle has the universal derailleur hanger while the carbon retains the proprietary hanger from YT
From the YT website - Depending on the model, the main triangle is either a lighter UM carbon version or a more affordable carbon/alloy hybrid - there is no difference in durability.
Alicia's awkwardness absolutely cracks me up. Don't go changin'!! :)
😐😏😐😏😐😏😐😏
hehe
I have a Ripmo AF. Amazing. I also have a 10k Carbon bike and I have noticed very little different between the performance if any.
AC,.....How about the climbing with the extra weight of the Ripmo AF compared to your lighter carbon bike?
@@tonybasoni8443 Ripmo AF climbs super well with the DW link
@@TheGeoffreyDyck Short, punchy climbs for sure. Long XC climbs, the weight will start to wear you out. I love my RAF, but you definitely feel it's 36lbs on a 1hr+ climb
Yo what shirt is Palmer wearing, i love the design, I want it.
Seems like a perfect bike for Appalachian riding. Take me home!
Looking for a trail bike I can also race XC (one might would say down country) would this be a good bike for that? The other contender is the trek top fuel 7
Perfect bike for that scenario. Probably a bit stiffer than a top fuel but better spec'd than the top fuel 7
Feels like the lack of armour on the down tube could be an issue on loose rocky trials?
I just received my Izzo and I agree! Don't know who made that decision to not have one but I immediately put a thicker lizard skin pad on mine.
Appreciate the reviews but we need to have some combined testing. The random 3-5 bike tests don't allow me to correlate to other bikes. Or some sort of cost to performance ratio chart. I'm looking for a 120-130mm 29er. YT Izzo, Rocky Mountain Element, IBIS Ripley, Trek Top Fuel, Fezzari Signal Peak, Transition Spur, Santa Cruz Blur. They all fall in the 3.5-5k range. Based on your earlier reviews it seems like the Top fuel and Rocky are the front runners however I would like to see how they compare to the izzo.
Definitely. It would be great if they back-referenced bikes in the same category from previous tests.
The difference is that the top fuel and element spec tested was twice the price if not more than this izzo. Those were both top specs. So I'd give you this to think about, if you got 3.5 grand, get the izzo, if you got 7, get an element or something else. The elements and top fuels In the price range of a yt just aren't as good of a value. Otherwise just toss your hands up and buy whatever you can in stock
Yeh the aluminum/carbon spec is 4k-4500 on top fuel - heavier, 3400-4300 izzo, 4000/4900 for alum/carbon element. Was looking in the 3500-4500 range. Intense 951 xc looks interesting aside from the wheelset/tires. Fezzari signal peak as well. Izzo looks the best imho.
@@D1PP1N ultimately depends on what you ride. Don't just buy off of spec. The biggest criticism of this bike comes from people trying to ride it at terrain fit for an Enduro bike. Gotta fit the design and purpose to your riding.
@@matthewserna7475 i have a Canyon spectral now 160/150mm. Overkill for Illinois trails aside from the jump spots we mostly have xc style trails with up/down terrain. Not big descents maybe 100-130 ft tops. Basically rolling terrain, one trail is an old strip mine so kinda tough shirt strep climbs! I think a 120-130 bike can do everything here. No issues. There are a few okay size drops like 7-10 feet. But that is stuff i ride like 5% of the time. The rest is xc style trails.
I am choosing between core 2 and 3. Anyone got any input on if it is worth it? My main aspect is to keep the weight down since I often ride flat but technical stuff and to have good acceleration makes it much more fun. I am not sure I will “benefit ” from the more advanced shock and fork since I am quite average skilled
I love my core 2. All ready scratched my aluminum rear triangle.
In the Bike Magazine review of a 2020 Pro Race model, Palmer said climbing felt like “mashed potatoes”. Not being critical, genuinely curious about his different take here. Why did he find it climbed better? Did he find a better setup? Different sag? Did the 3-position shock work better than the lockout version on the 2020? Curious.
czcams.com/video/vSj7Id6rLsE/video.html
Only without the lockout
czcams.com/video/vSj7Id6rLsE/video.html
I've asked myself this same question 🤔
Heard that its a amazing climber from everyone except them. Bike setup maybe???
I love this bike - I just cant get a hold of one. MAKE MOOOAARRRRR
Cus I bought it
@6:28…looked like the chain actually hit the ground
Did you share what the test group was?
I love my Izzo
What size frame are were you riding? Im ready to buy but cant decide on frame size. I’m 5’9.5" 32 inseam and ive always ridden a medium. However I think id like to try a large.
Get the medium
Did you get the large? I'm 5'9 and looking at a large.
Throw in a 140mm air spring to get it a little more tech ready.
Izzo or Fluid??
I ride in old school, techy, punchy ups and downs.
With 140mm front suspension this woudve been perfect bike for me
Izzo blaze was setup that way stock.
The Izzie is also more espensive than the others in the list except for the spectral. It would've been nice of your could've compared the Jeffsy rather than the izzo
They said the izzo was the best bike out of all of them for the terrain lol, so seems they actually should have not chosen the jeffsy. The izzo was the right call
@@matthewserna7475 I'm not sure of that. In parts maybe, but if you check the yt website, the izzo geometry is more balanced for uphill whereas the jeffsy is a balance between uphill and downhill. Also the Jeffsy is cheaper than the Izzo. Since this video is part of the series where they are judging both, entry level bikes and performance uphill and downhill, the jeffsy makes more sense.
@@adrianh8235 the jeffsy and izzo have almost the exact same geometry. The uphill balance actually comes from the izzo having more anti-squat built in to the rear suspension which increases pedaling efficiency. The geo of the izzo actually is what gives it better downhill capabilities than most short travel trail bikes. The tests were testing trail bikes and the jeffsy is an all- mountain bike, so the izzo was still the bike to be included in the test and is more consistent with the others tested
@@adrianh8235 izzo is carbon frame no choice for Al
ugh, trying to decide between this, the jeffsy and the spectral 125 to replace my neuron... this and the spectral review make it hard to pick between the two and every jeffsy review I've seen always ends with "just buy it".
If you just want one bike, get the Jeffsy. It will do everything.
Depends on your riding. Love my Izzo but I have lots of short Ups and downs where I ride. No really long recents. The Izzo makes climbing a breeze but you definitely need to pick your lines coming down. Jeffrey is probably better for tougher downhills.
What did you get and how did it go?
Optic Vs Ripley Vs Izzo???
Shes great
Actually Norrøna clothing in the US? Wow, thats rare.
Nice
Seems like a good bike for an experienced or active rider. Price is NOT a good indicator for matching experience and skill with a bike. This doesn't seem like a beginner bike.
100%. I have this bike and when you are going fast it is amazing and handles absolutely perfect, but definitely only rewards the active, fast rider. Going slow and it may seem harsh
Did PB buy bike mag?
Outside Magazine bought them both.
the Izzo Blaze would have been perfect for this test, that extra 10mm on the Pike plus the DHRII tires give it that little bit of extra aggressiveness the bike needs to round out the descents and make it more trail less XC.
I bought and Izzo Blaze and can tell that your assessment is spot on!
If I recall the blaze builds aren't available anymore
@@mrvwbug4423, correct, they are not! It was a limited run.
I actually disagree, the commenters do not mention that they want more aggressiveness out of the bike. They actually say it was the best bike in the whole test for this terrain. The 130 is fine. Dhrs will slow the bike down and they don't need another 10mm in travel
More travel does not equal better. In fact there are reviews of the blaze that state its handling is not as good as the 130 version. I haven't rode a blaze so I can't validate that but not everyone loves the extra 10mm
Ads for beta subscriptions in the video, then outside cans Beta almost immediately after, leaving subscribers up shits creek. Well done.
This looks like trail 100 in phx az
Great review. Kaz and Palmer are great reviewers. I give much credence to what they say. Alicia did a wonderful job as moderator. She is so cute that she made the video really fun. She has a sweet personality that makes my heart melt every time I watch her. Her big, beautiful eyes as so alluring that they capture your attention and never let go. Her smile is so warm she could melt the entire polar ice cap with just the upward turning of the corners of her lips. She is a talented rider who brings a lot to the table at Pinkbike.
🙅♂️
If you can get one… I ordered a Capra in Aug 2021 with advertised delivery Apr 2022. YT now says I can’t expect it until July 2023
I saw all the different colors Capra's in stock last week. Not sure what you are talking about
I’m so stuck between this and the Jeffsy Core 3. Help me @pinkbike
Where do you ride? What's your skill level? I would lean towards the Jeffsy. Cheaper, more travel, and option to go 27 or 29. Izzo is basically just gonna be lighter, that's it. So if you plan on being a StravAthlete every week, it's better but still not the best downcountry type bike available. But still good value.
@@TeddyParker I live in AZ (Phoenix) so will mostly ride trails here and the occasional park but also plan to hit the fun stuff up North (Sedona, Sunrise).
I’m returning to riding after a few years off handling some wear and tear my military service. I was on a Kona hardtail so this will be my first full suspension bike.
Leaning towards the Jeffsy but not locked in to just YT, I just dig their approach.
Dunno I'd choose quick though I just bought a Jeffsy think they're sold out again pretty much 😕.
@@andrerichard628 I know man that’s my only gripe with them.
If you want to hit parks get the jeffsy
If you ride the big stuff like hangover or hiline in Sedona it will fit you better there too. But you can easily get by with modern 130 bikes in Sedona
6:28 watch the derailleur slap the ground
Pretty sure that is the chain. Which isn't uncommon if you watch the huck-to-flat videos.
Why does it look like the review cast is under duress? Blink twice if BETA isn’t letting you see your family!
LOL. Yeah, the guys seem like they're maybe on meds... I mean no judgies or anything, just saying....
How are we talking "value bike", when a bike costs over 3k?
Crazy times, calling this relatively cheap
My thoughts exactly
Per Definition though, it is, unfortunately, relatively cheap.
Mishka says Beta is only $24/year but whenever I try to sign up it tells me it's $36/year. Sorry Mishka, I only have $24 so you're not getting any food from me, yet.
Same here.
Same here :-(
and im not paying for a year, i want one month so i can unlock everythhing i want to watch then cancel, not paying for something that was always free(i understand its still free but for how long....)
@@MrSupermugen I’m annoyed by having to pay for the year as I would consider the full Outside+ subscription if I could pay month to month. But $24 is low enough that the year requirement isn’t horrible imho.
@@bradfa I just feel like we are not getting any "extra" for our money.
I would prefer a Patreon style - where maybe we can get more direct replies from the people who work there, bonus clips, more bloopers or even a proper in depth like enduro mtb offer(for free) etc
Slap some minions on it and your golden. 👍🙂
If I were gonna ride it in desert like that, I'd definitely go DHF/Aggressor. For more typical trails i'd probably run Dissector/Rekon
30 # bike w a carbon triangle? Featherweight? My 2015 Stumpy alloy 29er weighs 30 # fully packed.
@@IIISentorIII I own the bike. I'm smokin kind bud...maybe you need some. I have carbon bars, carbon cranks, 26mm rims, etc. You don't know what you are talking about. It is not a LLS pig, overdesigned and over priced. Oh yeah, It is 150mm/ 130 mm. You can't buy that bike now.
Paul Dano is Alicia.
I am not sure I understand why the carbon front but not the carbon rear to reduce unsprung weight, and make the suspension perform better. That's bigger gain than "oh my bike is couple hundreds of grams lighter where it does not matter that much"
If you're gonna bash a part of you bike into a rock it's going to be the rear triangle apposed to the front triangle (at least from my experience).
Aluminium is often better at dealing with the repeated hits without fracturing / failing.
@@nebnollock5198 full carbon bike will suffer the same though
stiffness
@@oskarskates Good point, I was thinking about this too.
It's a budget build. Give some carbon to get more sales without going full carbon to save money. Also, sus tuning
i cant stand how sram goes from nx to gx and nothing inbetween, also the hub needs changing to move to gx.. why oh why is there not something in the middle of them.... id like an nx cassette on xd driver. gx cant take the abuse. way off topic lol
Run GX Shifter/derailleur on NX cassette. Saves you about $150 over full GX. I ran that on my previous bike (came with SX with NX cassette, upgraded to GX shifter/derailleur) and it worked great. There are also some other cassettes that fit XD from Sunrace and E13 that are a bit cheaper than the pricey GX cassette. You could also get a microspline hub and run a Shimano cassette, gear spacing is better than SRAM and even the XT cassette is way cheaper than a GX cassette
@@mrvwbug4423 see this is the information I need! Thanks for the heads up!
Where is Henry?
The dude in the Middle
Palmer looks uncomfortable in this setting. Get that guy a beer and a camp chair in front of a fire pit...
Can you make a video about a KTM bike
Please
They should do all the Moto-bikes together like Gas Gas, Yamaha and Husky Enduros
The challenging thing for YT is to get past their reputation - I bought a bike from them a couple of years ago and based on that I will never buy another one. Their current bikes might be great, but the risk of repeating my experience is too high - I'll go elsewhere.
What was wrong with it?
You guys need to diversify your cast.
i bet it'd be funny to get stoned with Alicia.
wait wat lol
30 mins ago
Nice to see Mikes girlfriend.
Too bad YTs are made of unobtainimum
Move to the beta format reviews they were so much better
well the way these field test reviews are... they arnt really "reviews" - Enduro mtb, even without videos offer a much better, in depth review.
3299$ "budget" bike? LoL
part time opinion too
depends how you like your life. if you want to be stuck in a low paying job then yes this is expensive but for most people who want to succeed and push, its budget.
@@MrSupermugen I'm retired, no way I'm wasting money on a bike that's low spec. You can buy a decent frame and spec it to xt or gx and still only gonna spend 2.5k
@@MrSupermugen lol i make good money and i think this isnt budget. The industry is laughing at us. Specially at you. 👏
@@13thbornpr it can, but im the one riding a nice bike 🤣🤣🤣
All these short-travel probably are OK - but actually I do not want to own any of them ;)
Fascinating! Thanks for sharing.
Is that what She said during your first and last date "together".
Alicia and Mike look like twins that both got the social awkward gene
Really don’t understand why she’s being put in videos. She is awkward at best and typically looks about as comfortable as a kid sitting in the principal’s office at school.
this format is so awkward and robotic. Just go with the bike mag/beta organic conversation approach. Feel like I'm having a zoom call with some startup working out of their closet
You can tell that dog hates Levy. That dog looks like it would rather be dropped off at a kill shelter than sitting on Levy's lap.
Stop.
@@Windband1 I am not joking.
@@Dempsey222 She prob doesn't like being held that way, but I'm sure she doesn't "hate Levy"....
@@Windband1 That dog hates Levy.
It honestly not what you would think, its just that Levy just smells so bad to dogs even more so than girls
Now long hair person is blonde guy. I'm confused. I like bike. I ride. Wheels.
The only bike you cleaned the entire trail on? And you discount the rider's capabilities and expect us to believe the bike is the reason you cleaned it? Most of these reviewers are fair weather riders. Learn to ride...you can ride any bike after that. Learn to adjust to different bikes. Stop being lazy.
Bored after 1:00 zzzz
COLINS...