Skip to content

YT Szepter a gravel bike for riders who make their own terms

  • Ron 

Becoming sovereign is no easy task. Being empowered to take control of your journey with grandmaster confidence while having fun every step of the way is an enviable achievement to many. Well, envy no more. The specialists of Good Times have developed a new way of uncaging your potential – it’s time to take the SZEPTER and conquer your own path. Featuring the latest SRAM XPLR components, an Ultra-Modulus carbon fiber frame and a RockShox Rudy XLPR fork, the SZEPTER supports the call to expand your all-day adventures and challenge the conventional commute.

YT Industries are mountain bikers at heart, and the SZEPTER reflects that – the same designers who crushed it with the CAPRA, JEFFSY, and IZZO are on the job here, backed by a proven track record of designing all-out fun, test-winning bikes. The SZEPTER is a gravel bike but on your terms, ready to open your eyes to a new level of two-wheel entertainment.

Geometry & Frame

Gravel by category, gravity by nature. Every YT platform conceived is governed by the purest thrill of freewheeling downhill – the SZEPTER is no exception. The Ultra-Modulus Carbon dropped seatstay frame, 69.3° head angle and RockShox Rudy XPLR suspension fork inspire rebellion within every rider without sacrificing the efficiency needed to tear up climbs. The drop-stay rear triangle is clean and reactive, while a 74.3° seat angle across the size range enhances body positioning during ascents. The 30.9mm seat tube uses a shimmed 27.2mm seatpost, permitting MTB-specific options for some serious drop. A maximum insertion depth of 275mm on the larger frame sizes ensures compatibility with up to a 150mm dropper post, allowing for superior mobility on challenging terrain.

The curved seat tube transitions into the integrated fender, conforming with the dynamic silhouette of the frame while keeping grime at bay. Not one to do half a job, the RockShox Rudy XPLR receives a YT-designed fender too. Thirsty reading this? The SZEPTER has plenty of mounts within reach of the cockpit – two under the top tube plus water bottle placements on the seat tube and downtube for massive days in the saddle.

Specifications

Control, confidence and comfort are vital ingredients for a gravel platform. Luckily for you, both specifications of SZEPTER bolster these aspects while staying true to the YT-DNA and delivering the best possible price-performance ratio available.

Firstly, the CORE 4 offers peak performance from its premium spec. Leading the charge is a RockShox Rudy Ultimate suspension fork providing 40mm of tunable travel, allowing you to blast technical descents with total control. Sprinting up road climbs is no problem – just flick the lockout lever to increase efficiency. The SRAM Force XPLR AXS collection defines steadfast function, offering the most reliable and intuitive shifting experience. The 10-44T XPLR cassette provides optimal gearing steps and range, and when the fun needs to stop, the 180/160mm HS2 rotors have your braking covered.

The arrival of the dropper post revolutionized rider confidence throughout the cycling community, which is why the CORE 4 features a RockShox Reverb AXS XPLR with adjustable ActiveRide™ technology. A Zipp Service Course SL cockpit, Fizik Terra Bondcush bartape and SDG Bel-Air V3 Overland saddle have the contact points covered, while the WTB Proterra Light i23 wheels and 42c Resolute tires round off rolling duties. The CORE 3 follows in the footsteps of the CORE 4, featuring a RockShox Rudy XPLR fork, SRAM Rival XPLR AXS groupset, WTB Speedterra i23 wheels, and a Zipp Service Course cockpit and seatpost.

Tags:
Bike World News