By Oscar Huckle

Published: Wednesday, 16 November 2022 at 12:00 am

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Our latest Bike of the Week is the YT Uncaged Izzo, the German brand’s shorter-travel, trail-inspired downcountry mountain bike.

The Izzo was initially launched with 130mm of suspension travel, but this Uncaged bike takes it down to 120mm and introduces more lightweight componentry.

This particular build is limited to 300 bikes worldwide. Let’s take a closer look…

Frame details

The Izzo looks fast standing still and the frame cuts a clean and angular aesthetic. The reduction in travel is thanks to YT using a shorter-stroke shock in the frame, otherwise it has the same frame as the 130mm-travel Izzo.

It’s constructed from the brand’s Ultra Modulus carbon – the highest level of carbon YT offers, which means it should translate into a stiff and responsive ride.

Unlike many lighter downcountry bikes, YT sticks to a chainstay-located pivot rather than flexstays, sharing architecture with its 130mm-travel Izzos.

The Izzo Uncaged 7 uses a Horst-link suspension design, with the rear shock inverted. There’s also a flip chip at the shock mount. Flipping it around to the high position from the low steepens the head angle by 0.5 degrees and raises the bottom bracket.

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On the subject of geometry, our size-large sample in its low setting has a 66.5-degree head tube angle, 77.5-degree seat tube angle and a 475mm reach.

To promote durability, YT says all of the frame bearings employ additional seals to stop dirt penetrating.

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The frame has its cables and rear brake hose internally routed and YT says there are foam tubes inside to stop them rattling. They’re also said to be routed over the main pivot to prevent any rubbing.

There’s ribbed frame protection both on top of and below the driveside chainstay, as well as on the inside face of the driveside seatstay. There’s also a piece of protective film on the down tube to guard against rock strikes.

A top-shelf spec list

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The Izzo retails for £6,799 / $7,499 / €6,999 / AU$13,999.

The Uncaged 7 comes shod with a top-end RockShox SID Ultimate fork and matching SIDLuxe Ultimate shock.

YT is using remote lockouts for both the fork and shock, with a RockShox TwistLoc control integrated into the grips on the handlebar.

The bike is specced with a tasty SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS wireless electronic groupset. The crankset uses a 32t chainring and a 175mm crank length on our size large.

SRAM is also on stopping duties with its G2 Ultimate disc brakes that feature carbon levers.

DT Swiss XCR 1200 Spline carbon mountain bike wheels are a fitting addition to the build, and they have a 30mm internal rim width.

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They’re wrapped in Maxxis Rekon Race 29×2.4in mountain bike tyres in its EXO-casing, dual-compound construction.

The down tube has a neat mount for a Fidlock Thirstmaster 5000 water bottle, which attaches magnetically. If you’d rather use a conventional bottle and cage, you’re free to do so.

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There’s a SRAM Reverb AXS dropper seatpost with an SDG Bel Air 3.0 saddle sitting on top.

The rest of the finishing kit is taken care of by Race Face, with a Next SL 35 carbon handlebar in a 740mm width and a Turbine R35 stem in a 60mm length.

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All-in, our test bike weighs 12.1kg without pedals, but including the Fidlock bottle.

We’re currently testing the YT Izzo Uncaged 7 and you can expect a full review soon.