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Moots YBB 26er On Order: XTR, Easton EC 90 XC Carbon Fiber Wheels, Titanium Seat Post and Bar
Update! 5-page review and report of the Moots YBB 26 is now published, including an image gallery and ride notes.
Since my Trek Project One Top Fuel came apart, I needed to replace it with something. I considered a new Trek Top Fuel, but I really love the look of titanium, and my 16 year-old Merlin ExtraLight MTB is still going strong.
Dual suspension?
I knew that for most riding I did not want a dual suspension bike (overkill for most local trails). In my view, it uglifies the bike, increases weight and maintenance, and is generally not needed for my local trails.
What I wanted was something fast, durable, timeless, elegant and responsive. See my previous test ride notes on the Moots Mooto X YBB 29er and 29er RSL and 26" titanium frames. Absolute lightest weight is not my priority— I don’t like maintainence or stuff that fails or creaks or hurts. Otherwise I’d have gone with a carbon fiber hardtail.
That ruled out a 29er, which no matter how good, feels sluggish compared to a conventional 26er, and in the case of the Moots YBB 26er, the ride is second to nothing I’ve ever ridden— really responsive and quick, and that’s with heavier wheels than I’ll be using.
Which is not to say that a 29er is a bad choice— I fully intend to own one once the budget allows— but a 26er is better for climbing really steep stuff and quick acceleration, which is what I like. A 29er rolls over stuff great, but effectively loses 1.5 gears, and bottom line is I like quick acceleration, and a 29er doesn’t go like stink until it’s up to speed.
I’ll be using the Easton EC 90 XC carbon fiber wheels on my new Moots YBB, due in late July, along with the Schwalbe Racing Ralph tires. I ordered the Easton EC 90 wheels from BikeBling.com. So the bike as shown below won’t be exactly like this.
Parts list for Moots YBB 26
I’m told that Moots has begun cutting tubes for my YBB. I’m looking forward to riding it, perhaps on the White Mountain Peak Challenge. Though perhaps I’ll ride a loaner Trek Top Fuel for that brutal ride, for its dual suspension.
Frame: Moots YBB 26
Groupo: Shimano XTR Race
Wheels: Easton EC 90 XC carbon fiber
Tires: Schwalbe Racing Ralph tubeless @AMAZON
Seat post: Moots titanium seatpost
Handlebar: Moots titanium bar
Instrumentation: Garmin Edge 500 (see review)
