YT Szepter Core 4 Review

It came as somewhat of a surprise when YT launched their first gravel bike, the Szepter in late 2022. What didn't surprise us, however, is that the Szepter is a unique model that stays true to YT's mountain bike roots with a progressive gravel geometry, front suspension, and a dropper post. The mountain biker's gravel bike might be a good way to describe it, or what you might expect if a road bike and mountain bike had a baby. It excels on the descents and over rough surfaces, and it's way more fun to ride on singletrack than most other models we've tested. We dive into the details below.

Frame Design

Like YT's other top-of-the-line bikes, the Szepter is built around an Ultra Modulus carbon fiber frame. It has nice, clean lines with unmistakably YT looks thanks to the thinned-out top tube, girthy downtube, and beefed-up head tube junction they are calling the Headbox. YT says the Headbox was "inspired by the dramatic lines of gladiator armor" and is intended to increase rigidity and enhance control. It is obviously intended to be compatible with gravel suspension forks, as it comes equipped with a 40mm Rudy XPLR. At the back of the bike, YT has designed the rear triangle to "provide a supreme blend of comfort and efficiency", and the thin seat stays appear designed to allow for some vertical compliance. It also carries the ASTM 3 certification for use on "rough trails, rough unpaved roads, and rough terrain and unimproved trails that require technical skills." The frame features internal cable routing and is compatible with dropper posts whether cable-actuated or wireless/electric. The frame uses a threaded bottom bracket, and it does not provide the option to mount a front derailleur. There are two sets of bottle bosses within the front triangle and two additional sets on the underside of the top tube for attaching other accessories or frame bags. The frame's seat tube is also curved for tire clearance and is nice and wide to limit the amount of spray that reaches the rider, plus it is equipped with an integrated fender mount at the seat stay junction and a custom YT mudguard that bolts onto it. The fork also comes with a custom YT fender that ensures the Szepter is equipped for riding in slop or wet weather better than most.

Gravel bike geometry is slowly evolving, and some brands are moving away from making beefed-up road bikes with increased tire clearance. As expected from a brand like YT, the Szepter has a "mountain bike-inspired" geometry that is considered progressive in the gravel market. While it certainly leans in the mountain bike direction, it isn't completely out of the box or extreme. The most obvious example of this is the head tube angle of 69.4 degrees which is a degree or two slacker than most other bikes on the market. Our size large test bike also has a lengthy 593mm effective top tube length, and when paired with the 74.4-degree seat tube angle, gives you a 407mm reach that is reigned in slightly by the comparatively shorter 70mm stem. The wheelbase measured 1,095mm with fairly short 425mm chainstays thanks to some creative sculpting of the seat tube for tire clearance. With 62mm of drop, the bottom bracket height is on the higher side at 290mm. Our large Szepter tipped the scales at 21 lbs and 14 oz set up tubeless and without pedals. It comes in five frame sizes, S-XXL, to fit riders between 5'1" and 6'8" in height.

Design Highlights

• Ultra Modulus carbon fiber frame only

• Headbox reinforced head tube

• ASTM-3 classification

• 40mm travel RockShox Rudy XPLR Ultimate fork

• Includes front and rear fenders

• Compatible with dropper posts up to 100mm (S, M, and L) and 150mm (XL and XXL)

• Internal cable routing

• Threaded bottom bracket

• Two bottle cage mounts and two additional mounts for bags or accessories

• Available in two builds, Core 3 ($3,299) and Core 4 ($4,499)

Downhill Performance

When YT designed the Szepter, downhill performance was clearly one of their top priorities. This bike's relatively progressive longer and slacker geometry, front suspension, and dropper post combine to make it a confidence-inspiring and comfortable descender. Whether riding down rough, chunky gravel roads or linking up your favorite moderate singletrack trails, the Szepter is fast, stable, smooth, and a blast to ride. This bike encourages you to push the speed and terrain limits of a gravel bike while remaining composed and easy to control.

As mentioned previously, one of the primary things that sets the Szepter apart from the competition is its "mountain bike-inspired" geometry. This is most apparent in the 69.4-degree head tube angle and 1,095mm wheelbase (size large) that help to give it a calm and notably stable feel when brought up to speed. These measurements are also beneficial when piloting it down terrain where you wouldn't normally take a gravel bike as it feels much more composed than bikes with steeper head angles and shorter wheelbases. Steeper head angles can feel a bit twitchy, too slack and it can feel sloppy and vague, but the Szepter seems to hit a great middle ground. Slack enough to inspire a little more confidence, but not so slack or long that it sacrifices agility or feels like a handful when riding around sharp turns or negotiating moderately technical singletrack descents. The shorter stem reels in the reach a bit and helps to keep the steering feeling sharp. At the back of the bike, the relatively short 425mm chainstays help to keep it feeling snappy, nimble, and dare we say, playful when you want it to be.

In combination with the geometry, adding suspension in the form of the 40mm travel RockShox Rudy XPLR fork also does wonders for the Szepter's downhill prowess. Sure, 40mm doesn't sound like much, but it can't be overstated how much smoother, comfortable, and composed it makes this bike feel over rough surfaces than a bike with a rigid fork. It is much easier to carry speed and hold your line without rattling the fillings out of your teeth or the glasses off your head, and it most definitely helps to maintain control and reduce upper body fatigue. Likewise, at the back of the bike, the 50mm travel (size large) RockShox Reverb AXS XPLR dropper seatpost is a treat on the descents. Two inches of travel isn't all that much, but it really allows you to move around the bike more freely which is particularly helpful when cornering or riding on trails. Sure, the fork and dropper add some weight, but the enhanced comfort and control are a reasonable tradeoff. The rest of the build is also well-selected for performance on the descents. The WTB Resolute tires work well to provide ample and predictable traction while cornering and braking, and we found the SRAM Force brakes to provide adequate stopping power.

Climbing Performance

While the Szepter may not be the zippiest climber we've ever tested, it still performs very well on the uphills. There's no denying that the added weight and suspension movement detract slightly from its overall climbing efficiency when compared to lighter and fully rigid bikes. That said, power transfer still feels quite efficient, the geometry is very comfortable, and its ability to absorb feedback and smooth out rough surfaces is a benefit that many riders will appreciate.

The elephant in the room in regards to the climbing performance of the Szepter is undoubtedly its weight. At 21 lbs and 14 oz, it's far from a heavyweight, but it is several pounds heavier than the lightest gravel bikes on the market. Comparatively speaking, this is somewhat noticeable over the course of long climbs, but again, that's a sacrifice that you will have to make for suspension and a dropper. The flip side of that coin is that the suspension fork is quite nice to have on climbs as well, as it smoothes over rough sections that might bounce you around with a rigid fork and can allow you to carry speed and momentum better. You also have the option of locking out the fork which comes in handy to reduce efficiency loss from suspension movement when riding pavement or super smooth gravel. The rear triangle has also been specifically designed to be laterally stiff and vertically compliant. And while that may sound a little gimmicky, we found it to be true as it did seem to mute a little vibration compared to less compliant designs. Still, when putting power down into the pedals seated or standing, it feels very direct, efficient, and laterally stiff.

Another thing the Szepter has going for it is its comfortable geometry. With a slightly steeper 74.4-degree seat tube angle, it lines the rider up a little more directly above the cranks than many other gravel bikes to drive power straight down into pedals. It also has a slightly taller stack height than most which helps to keep the upper body a tad more upright and when combined with the shorter 70mm stem, keeps the 407mm reach from feeling as long as it is. We found this to result in a high level of comfort when grinding up long climbs on our test rides. The top-level component specification doesn't hurt either. The cockpit setup is dialed, the saddle SDG saddle is very comfortable, the Force AXS shifting is superb, and the WTB tires offer heaps of climbing traction.

Versatility

Versatility means different things to different people, but we feel the Szepter deserves high marks in this metric. This bike's geometry and suspension give it a larger terrain bandwidth than most other models we've tested, and realistically, it probably outperforms most hardtails from a decade ago on singletrack trails. It eats up smooth and rough gravel alike, and numerous mount points on the frame make it relatively easy to gear up with bags and accessories for adventure rides. If you ride smooth gravel exclusively, you're looking for a bike to do double duty as a road bike, or are seeking the lightest and snappiest bike for racing, you might want to look elsewhere, but if you want a bike that can tackle rough gravel and singletrack with comfort and composure, then look no further.

One thing that sets the Szepter apart in terms of versatility is how well it performs on mountain bike trails. It still has its limits, of course, but the suspension, dropper post, geometry, and killer build handles singletrack better than any other model we've tested so far. We rode several flow trails and some moderately technical singletrack on it during testing and had an absolute blast. Adding these components adds a little weight and reduces climbing efficiency ever so slightly, however, which makes it slightly less ideal for racers and super weight-conscious riders. Regardless, we'd still be happy to race this bike on rough or adventurous courses where the performance gains would outweigh the added weight.

YT recognized that gravel bikes are utilitarian and added several bottle/accessory mounts within the front triangle. The two sets of bosses on the underside of the top tube allow it to work with some frame bags or other accessories. Two water bottle mounts can fit full-size water bottles and the downtube mount actually offers two positions so you can adjust the setup to your needs. The Rudy suspension fork does not have any 3-pack mounts like some rigid forks, but one could easily add handlebar or seatpost mounted bags to increase carrying capacity for bike packing adventures. The Szepter also comes with custom front and rear fenders that help to ward off the elements when riding in less-than-ideal weather conditions.

Weight

Given the addition of a suspension fork and a dropper seatpost, the Szepter Core 4 is not the lightest gravel bike on the market. Those components add comfort and control, but they also add a little heft to a bike compared to a rigid post and a rigid carbon fork. Weighing in at 21 pounds and 14 ounces set up tubeless and without pedals, it ends up three full pounds heavier than the lightest bike we've tested. Still, we feel that YT has done a good job of keeping the weight reasonable, and the added weight will likely be a tradeoff that many riders are willing to accept for the downhill and rough gravel performance capabilities and increased comfort offered by the Szepter.

While its weight may be a turn-off for racers or weight-conscious riders seeking the lightest bike they can find, we feel the Szepter is still fairly light for a bike that comes equipped with a suspension fork and dropper seatpost. Anyone seeking the comfort and performance gains offered by those components will need to accept a little weight penalty to get them. Still, the carbon frame and quality component specification helps to keep the weight at a reasonable level. Anyone looking to lighten it up could probably do so with a carbon wheelset.

Build

Like all of YT's bikes, the Szepter is very reasonably priced compared to the competition. Their consumer-direct sales model helps to keep the price lower, which is particularly impressive given the high-end components that come on the Core 4 build. YT really didn't hold back with the spec on this bike with top-of-the-line parts that would cost thousands more from other brands. The Szepter also comes in the Core 3 build that is also nicely equipped and significantly less expensive. In typical YT fashion, the Szepter gets shipped to your door with minimal assembly required and all the tools need to complete the process.

Gravel suspension is still fairly new, although it is gaining in popularity. One of the primary features that sets the Szepter apart from most other gravel bikes on the market is its front suspension. It comes with a RockShox Rudy Ultimate XPLR fork that provides 40mm of travel. This is the top-of-the-line model in the line of Rudy XPLR gravel forks, and it has an adjustable air spring and rebound, as well as a lockout switch that allows you to make the fork rigid if desired. While 40mm of suspension doesn't sound that significant, it truly makes a world of difference over rough and chunky surfaces compared to stiff carbon forks. At the back of the bike, YT equipped the Szepter with a RockShox Reverb AXS XPLR wireless dropper seatpost that provides 50mm of drop on sizes S-L and 75mm of drop for XL-XXL frame sizes. This increases saddle clearance on the descents, allowing the rider to more easily move their body and the bike underneath them. The 27.2mm diameter post uses a shim to fit the 30.9mm diameter of the seat tube. The 30.9mm diameter opens the possibility to use a wider variety of dropper posts than are currently offered in the 27.2mm diameter.

The Szepter Core 4 comes with a SRAM Force XPLR Etap AXS wireless drivetrain and shifters/brake levers. This 1 x 12-speed setup has a 10-44T cassette paired with a 38T chainring that provides a very wide gear range. It has SRAM Force 1 Wide carbon fiber cranks that come in size-specific lengths. Small frames come with 170mm, medium and large come with 172.5mm, and XL and XXL frames come with 175mm. The Force Etap AXS shifters have comfortable hoods and pair wirelessly to the derailleur and dropper post. The shifting works very well, but it does take a bit of getting used to as you shift into higher and lower gears with opposite hands, and adjust the dropper by pressing both shifters at the same time. The SRAM AXS app allows you to customize the functions of your shifters to your preferences. Speed control duties are tasked to a set of SRAM Force hydraulic disc brakes with SRAM HS2 rotors. It comes with a 160mm rotor in the rear and a 180mm rotor in the front for extra stopping power.

The Szepter Core 4 rolls on 700c WTB Proterra Light i23 wheels with 12mm thru-axles and standard gravel spacing of 100mm in the front and 142mm in the rear. These wheels are tubeless-ready and have an inner rim width of 23mm, quick 3.7-degree freehub engagement, and 6-bolt brake rotor mounts. We found them to have a balanced ride quality that is comfortable and somewhat forgiving while still feeling laterally stiff and precise. Mounted to those wheels are a pair of 700c x 42mm WTB Resolute TCS Light tires. These tires are tubeless-ready and have a somewhat aggressive knobby tread that provides excellent climbing, cornering, and braking traction, especially in loose and mixed conditions, but this comes at the cost of a little additional rolling resistance on pavement and firm, smooth surfaces. The frame has claimed clearance for up to 45mm wide tires, although the fork can accommodate tires as wide as 50mm.

Steering is controlled by a Zipp Service Course XPLR gravel handlebar that comes in varying widths depending on frame size and has a slight, 5-degree flare. The bar is wrapped in 3mm thick tacky Fi'zi:k Terra Bondcush bar tape that is both grippy and comfortable on the hands. The handlebar is clamped to a 70mm Zipp Service Course SL stem with titanium hardware and a +/- 6-degree rise. Overall, we found this setup to provide responsive steering and a high level of comfort. Out back, a YT-branded SDG Bel-Air V3 Overland saddle in a 140mm width is mounted at the top of the dropper seatpost. We found this saddle's side-to-side profile and slightly scooped shape to be incredibly comfortable for any length of ride.

Should You Buy the YT Szepter Core 4?

The Szepter Core 4 is a very interesting and unique entry into the gravel bike market from a popular mountain bike brand. True to YT's roots, they've made a gravel bike that mountain bikers and any rider who appreciates the enhanced comfort, control, and downhill performance offered by front suspension, a dropper post, and progressive gravel geometry will love. This bike excels where many other gravel bikes falter, and it eats up rough gravel and singletrack with confidence and composure that no other bike we've ever tested can match. It's not the lightest bike around and its geometry and features might be overkill for those who ride super smooth gravel or are especially concerned with weight. That said, it's an excellent option for riders who want the freedom to take any turn they see, whether that's paved, smooth, rough, or a twisty singletrack trail. It's also an incredible value with a very reasonable price and excellent build.

What Other Gravel Bikes Should You Consider?

Whether the Szepter is the right bike for you will depend on your needs, wants, and budget. If it sounds like your kind of bike but you're not willing to spend that much, the Szepter Core 3 is essentially the same bike with less expensive components and no dropper post that sells for over a thousand bucks less. Likewise, the Canyon Grizl 7 Suspension is an even more affordable aluminum-framed model that comes with a suspension fork. Its geometry is a touch more conservative and it weighs nearly three pounds more, but it will save you a couple thousand dollars. If gravel suspension isn't on your list of priorities, the Santa Cruz Stigmata is an excellent lightweight all-around gravel bike that's at home on the race course and casual weekend group rides alike. It costs about the same as the Szepter Core 4, although it comes with a less impressive build kit.