NATIONALS BIKE CHECK: Sian A'Hern's YT Capra Core 4

Photos: Georgina von Marburg

It’s National Champs week for the increasingly competitive enduro world here in Australia. With a sold-out event overlooking the stunning Mornington Penisula, Red Hill Rider MTB Club is ready to host an epic course over 7 stages. The trails range from fast rocky straights, to root-ridden bogs, and everything in between!  

The start list is deep with talent, and Sian is one of the favourites amongst a stacked Elite Women’s field. Before her debut Enduro National Champs, we caught up with her to check over her beautiful YT Capra Core 4 in ‘Knox Blue.’

A the heart of this carbon frame is the Rockshox suspension: 170mm ZEB fork on the front end, and the new 165mm Super Delux Ultimate coil shock on the rear.

“I got my bike and started off with an air shock, and after a while running that I wanted to try coil and see the difference. Because the Capra is quite a progressive bike, the coil is a much more plush ride and seems to make the bike more stable, while still keeping it playful.”

The ZEB is the stiffest and heaviest of the Rockshox single-crown forks. Sian runs it at about 50psi with no tokens. “It’s tricky – because I thought I liked a Lyrik better, but now that I’m running the ZEB I find that it makes my enduro bike feel more like my downhill bike (YT Tues). This means it’s more stable, still a plush ride, and I find because I am quite strong on the bike I can use the ZEB to its full potential.”

Running carbon rims is always a controversial choice in enduro racing. Outside assistance is strictly forbidden – so if your rims are cracked, your race is over. But Sian has an undying faith in her trusty 29” Zipp Moto wheels.

“I’ve had these wheels for two years and they’re still straight with the original rims. I find that they have a lot of flex in them, which is good for turning and makes the bike feel much more playful in tight turns. Generally, the wheels feels very stable for a carbon rims.”

“The wheels have never failed me so I don’t have any trust issues with them!”

The groupset is a complete Sram ASX setup with a 32T chainring and ASX dropper post. The cockpit is supplied by Deity with a 50mm stem and Sian has cut her 25mm rise bars to 770mm in length.

Topping off the cockpit is a cap from Capped Out, reading “YT Uncaged.”

Like all experienced riders, Sian carries a Backcountry Research Strap with a host of utilities inside. This includes a spare tube, CO2 cannister and trigger, two tyre levers, and a quick-link.

In the lead up to her first Enduro Nationals, Sian is taking everything in her stride. “We’re always learning and I’ve been using this year to get out of my comfort zone and excited to see where this takes me. It’s another opportunity to learn new things and find more skills. I’m gaining new experiences and knowledge with every race I do.”

With an estimated 1300m of climbing over 31km, the day will be a test of endurance, skills, and stamina.

“I feel like it’s very out of my comfort zone with a lot of pedalling. Coming from a DH background, it’s a bit of scary race in that sense. I like Red Hill as a place and I think the trails are really epic. It’s not everywhere you can have a beach, mountains, and cool trails! I want to finish the race feeling like I gave it everything I had, and had fun doing it.”