REVIEW - YT IZZO Core 3

#MTB #mountainbike #trailbike #crosscountrybike

When YT launched the IZZO in 2020, we expected the 130mm travel bike to flaunt slack geometry, burly components, and prioritize hauling ass downhill. After all, when YT launched their Jeffsy “trail bike,” it turned out to be as capable as most brands’ enduro bikes.

While the IZZO still has some YT DNA sprinkled into the equation to achieve a stable, forgiving and comfortable ride experience on descents, it was intended to be an efficient and lightweight short-travel trail bike that excels within its limits. Included in our Short Travel Test Sessions, the IZZO sported the most travel matched with modern geometry that, on paper, had us ready to hammer climbs and swing off the back on descents.

Highlights
• Full carbon frame
• 29-inch wheels
• 130mm (5.1-inches) rear travel // 130mm (5.1-inches) fork travel
• Flip-chip geometry adjustment
• 66/66.5-degree head tube angle
• 77/77.5-degree effective seat tube angle
• 432mm chainstay length
• FOX 34 Float Performance Elite fork, GRIP2 damper
• FOX Float DPS Performance Elite shock, 3-position lever
• YT Postman dropper post, 150mm
• SRAM GX Eagle 12-speed drivetrain
• SRAM G2 R brakes
• 200mm front rotor, 180mm rear rotor
• DT Swiss M 1900 wheels
• 29x2.35-inch Maxxis Forecaster, dual compound, EXO casing tire front and rear
• Boost 148x12 rear hub spacing
• Threaded bottom bracket
• Partially guided internal cable routing
• Measured weight (size large, no pedals): 29.4-pounds (13.3kg)
• MSRP: $4,299 USD

[jacksonBillings-wy]

its weird how people base their opinions on the tires that comes stock.
like bro nobody keeps them on when they get the bike

[seanscott]

Few notes from a owner of a Core 3
As they say very hard to adjust shock on the fly. The lever is like basically touching the bottom bracket.
Upper rear triangle is chunky and one can hit your knee on it when pedaling
The shock in mounted in a pocket that fills with water and dirt.
Even though it has some negatives it does ride great and tackles most trails.

[mircea]

Interesting:
Every other review: "this bike is the best climber ever. It's not as good on the descents"
This review: "this bike is a terrible climber. It's best on the descents"
Now I've obviously never ridden one, but on paper it sounds like every other review is right.

[MrRay]

Agree with your description when I compare it to my Intense Primer (2018/19 130mm model) or even fully rigid single less efficient when you explode out of a slow corner or standing stomping, and noticeable up smooth steep but I don't have and smooth hills to climb (I loathe fire roads and double track) plus I don't have the engine of an fast XC racer. For me I am faster on the accents on my Izzo. That active suspension that most reviews don't like I call traction and love it for climbing rocks and roots. Most bike reviews do the same type of trail, up smooth almost road like sections and down flow trail with a tiny bit of tech. The places I ride its up and down and the same type of terrain either direction. example my Intense was 28 pounds and very efficient (felt like a hard tail when hammering smooth dirt or on the road going to my local spot BUT I never could clean some rocky technical climbs on it that I could on my 37 pound park bike (Privateer 161 with coil suspension, double down tires/inserts, DH wheels, short cranks) Primer was just 2 stiff and I lost traction over step up rocks, required insane amounts of body english and a harder gear to get over what I can just low gear sit and spin (with crank timing) on the big bike. For ME the Izzo is the perfect blend between the two for an everyday mountain bike, ended up selling the Primer to an insanely fit XC racer who wanted a longer travel bike.... he is a race built 2 stroke and can ride all day in the narrow power band... I (and I assume most) would go faster on a more forgiving 4 stroke we can lug creating power anywhere in the RPMS but not be that penalized much when we want to give it the beans. :). *take away is, efficient means more responsive feeling but less traction so find your balance point its very different for everyone and VERY trail dependent. *I do run shorter cranks and lighter wheels with beefier tires (the Rekons didnt do well on my local loose gravel/sand over hardback turns here)

[shanemilehi]

This review is the opposite of every other review I’ve seen

[monkeypawism]

All these Izzo reviews yet they are impossible to acquire. ?

[leomman]

where was this the terrain looks interesting?

[E.T_rode_bikes_As_well]

Lol, since i went with the izzo core2 im faster on decents and uphills. I allways keep the rear lockout open and it climbs amazing. Even faster then my previous bikes like trek procaliber, santa cruz highball and yeti arc. Just throw those shtty forekasters off the bike and add some proper rubber.

[DuhVibehunter]

The Izzo Vital tested should've been a CORE 4! or the Uncaged 7! Both bike RIP! I ride the Izzo CORE 4 with a 140 damper Assagai f & Aggressor r. It handles all over Laguna Beach's steep, tech, and grueling climbs.

[Onlydansmtb]

downcontry is just a new marketing terms for trial.

[agent]

Hey everyone don't buy the $4000 izzo
Make sure you buy the more expensive one