The Frame
The Capra is available in both aluminum and carbon frame versions, and with both full 29’’ and MX (29’’ front / 27.5’’ rear) wheel configurations. The frames share the same front triangle, but the rear triangle and rocker link are wheel-size specific, rather than using flip chips or other adjustments to handle wheel size swaps. And at least for now, the aluminum frame is only available in the MX configuration, while there are carbon frames to suit both rear wheel sizes. YT also offers two different layups for the carbon frames, which they call “high modulus” (HM) and “ultra modulus” (UM). The UM frame is offered on the higher-end builds and is claimed to save about 300 g over the HM version, while maintaining similar strength and weight.
As with the prior-generation Capra, the new bike uses a Horst link suspension layout with a horizontally mounted shock, though the new Capra now uses a small shock yoke instead of mounting the shock directly to the swingarm. And though there’s a substantial brace going across the front triangle below the rear shock, it’s asymmetric, with room for a smaller water bottle on the non-drive side of the frame.
Cable routing is internal across the board, and interestingly, the carbon frames feature a PF92 bottom bracket shell, whereas the aluminum one comes with a BSA threaded one. Both get ample molded rubber protection, a brake mount for a 180 mm rotor, and feature a flip chip on the shock yoke to alter the geometry slightly — more on that below.