The Jeffsy CF Pro Race 27 takes the stock 27 platform and pumps the travel up to 160mm. It’s something of a lone wolf within the Jeffsy 27 range.

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YT Industries Jeffsy CF Pro Race 27 review

Technically, there are three different versions of the YT Jeffsy. There’s the original relationship-wrecking 29er with 140mm travel that we all know and love. More recently, YT introduced the 27.5in version, of the same name, sporting 150mm travel and backed-up by the slogan ‘Size Doesn’t Matter’. Then there’s the Jeffsy CF Pro Race 27. With the liquid metal finish emphasising the smooth, clean lines of the full carbon frame, and a jaw-dropping specification, it’s easily ahead of the pack.

Choose between low and slack or tall and taut

Suspension

Just like every other Jeffsy, the CF Pro Race 27 uses YT’s Virtual 4-Link suspension design. As such, the bike has a familiar poppy, progressive feel to the rear suspension. The twist here is that YT fits a 230x65mm Fox Float X shock, rather than the standard 230x60mm unit, the extra stroke increasing rear wheel travel by 10mm and transforming the Jeffsy 27 into a 160mm bike.

To balance travel front and rear, the CF Pro Race 27 gets a 160mm Fox 34 Float Factory level fork with a FIT 4 damper. There’s no denying that it’s a great suspension fork, and the extra height helps slacken out the head angle on the Jeffsy, but the 34mm chassis is at the upper limit of its capability. As such, we’d prefer the extra stiffness of a Fox 36, even if the weight of the Jeffsy crept up a touch as a result. Given that the Jeffsy is more than 2kg lighter than the next lightest bike on test, YT certainly has room to manoeuvre.

Component choice and sizing is absolutely spot on

Components

If we were putting together a custom-built bike, most of the components adorning the Jeffsy would be on our wish list. Renthal 35mm handlebar and stem, Carbon E13 wheels, SRAM XO1 drivetrain and a 150mm-drop RockShox Reverb. The difference here is that to buy the standalone parts would probably cost as much as YT’s complete bike. Needless to say, the Jeffsy is killer value for money.

Cassette range is broad but it’s no match for Eagle

If we’re being really picky though, we’d like fatter grips, for more cushioning, and a wider-range cassette than the 9-44t E13 unit fitted, as we were surprised how quickly we ran out of gears on the climbs after riding the 10-50t Eagle set-up on the Identiti.

Performance

Fast, fun and flickable, the YT Jeffsy has pace that very few bikes can match. At 12.56kg (27.69lb) it’s light for a 160mm bike, and as such it rockets up climbs.

It’s also equally adept on the descents. Load up the rear suspension in a berm and it fires you out of the turn faster than you came in. Granted, the progression on the YT’s rear suspension is a little bit fierce, so if you’re not an aggressive rider hitting every section full tilt, you’ll probably need to remove the volume spacer in the Float X shock to get the full measure of the 160mm travel.

And while the numbers on the Jeffsy are close to a full-blown enduro race bike, the stiffness in the frame and fork isn’t quite there. As such, it feels much more like a pumped-up trail bike. Which to be fair to YT, is exactly what it is.

With a Fox 36 fork leading the charge it could be a different story, but if you’re a heavier rider, or you’re focused on going as fast as humanly possible on the descents, the YT Capra should be your first choice. If, however, you want a very capable trail bike that has some extra travel reserved for those ‘holy crap’ moments, then the YT Jeffsy CF Pro 27 is just the ticket. It’s such a popular bike though, that the next shipment doesn’t drop until the November 29. Best get one on your Xmas list then.