The Trek Y series introduction
During 1995 Trek released a bike
design that would revolutionise the design of mountain bikes for several
years. It was called the Y33 and was made from what Trek called OCLV, or
Optimum Compaction Low Void. In plain English, that's Carbon Fibre. This
would have been one of the most expensive top of the range mountain bikes
then available. The revolutionary thing was the Y frame with a URT (Unified
Rear Triangle) which was really the ultimate in simplicity for a full suspension
design.
It also won an industrial design
award.
It wasn't long before everyone else was
copying it, though usually with only a two piece "Y" or variants thereof
and differing pivot points for the URT. There was some mention of Trek
attempting to seek compensation from GT for infringing their patent.
So, next time you see a Y frame bike, remember it came from Trek's Y33.
From July 1996 Popular Mechanics. The Trek Y33 was being compared
against five other bikes and came out top.
Trek didn't stop with the Y33 for
there was a whole series of Y frame OCLV bikes and to make the Y design
more affordable to the masses, a series of aluminium models were released.
The last of Trek's Y frame mountain bikes
were released in 2001.
The OCLV bikes
These were produced from 1995 to 1999
but developed a reputation for problems with the initial models. The main
one was the rear shock mount would become detached; it was only glued on
to the frame. There were also a few incidents with the carbon fibres delaminating.
Some riders complained of the frame being noisy; apparently the hollow
carbon fibre frame had some sort of amplifying effect. These problems
were overcome for the 1998-1999 models, with a change of frame design.
The improved Y series carbon fibre frames look more like a wedge shape
than a Y and the rear shock mount is much stronger; being moulded into
the frame itself.
1997 Y11 in large size. The "Y11" is a two tone yellow/black
decal on the upper arm near the seat tube.
1995 medium Y22. The most popular of the OCLV Y bikes. 1996 saw
a nude carbon finish while for 1997 it version was available in cream with
the "Y22" decal being two tone red/black.
1997 Y50 (Y Five O) in large size...named after the "Hawaii Five
O" TV series. Top of the range for 1997. Note the unusual body graphics.
One thing needs to be pointed out here
and that is these complaints came from riders with a death wish or who
wanted to take the bike to its limits. Also one needs to consider that
some people use the anonymity of internet forums (eg. MTB Review) to be
very negative about bikes which they have never actually owned.
The models in the initial OCLV Y frame
series were the Y50 (pronounced Y Five-0),Y33, Y22, and Y11. The Y33 was
intially the top of the range bike but was overtaken by the Y50 in 1997.
All these models used the same frame and differed only in the body graphics
and components fitted. The Y50 did not appear with the new
frame in 1998. Instead, the "Y Superlite", YSL200, and YSL300 took its
place and were then the top of the range. The URT for all these models
was 6061 aluminium. The 1995-1997 URT's are made of rectangular section
tubing, with a replaceable derailleur hanger for the 1997 models. With
the new frame in 1998, the URT was now made of oval section tubing, also
with a replaceable derailleur hanger. The URT's are interchangeable and
some of the new style frames were fitted with the older URT's. Note that
the Gary Fisher Joshua uses the same URT. Hardly suprising as Gary Fisher
is owned by Trek.
Trek also created a road bike at the time
called the "Y Foil". This had no suspension of course and looks nothing
like the mountain bikes. Its production was short as it was banned from
competition for basically being too light. One of the Tour de France commentators
mentioned that the bikes had to be a minimum weight of 6.8kg.
The new style OCLV frame introduced in 1998. Applicable to Y11,
Y22, Y33, YSL, YSL200 and YSL300. It eliminated rear shock mount failure.
The YSL's were made of OCLV-HC (Honeycomb) construction reducing weight
by 10%. The YSL300 pictured is a medium size 1999 model.
The aluminium Y frames
While the OCLV framed Y bikes had been
in production since 1995, the aluminium models were a bit later. Initial
attempts to create an alloy Y bike resulted in the ST120 which uses the
same URT as the OCLV bikes.
1996 large size ST120 has the same URT as the OCLV and later
aluminium Y bikes. The 1996 catalog states that, "Our new ST120 incorporates
all the functional advantages of our Y-bikes into an Easton aluminum design
at a shockingly low price."
It existed until 1997 when the true Y bikes;
the Y5 and Y3, and later Y1 and Y-Glide/ Y-Glide Deluxe came into existance.
For these bikes, the frames were identical throughout their production.
The main part of the frame (the Y shaped part) is made of 6061 Aluminium.
The Y5 and Y-Glide/Y-Glide Deluxe have their URT made from the same material,
and used the same URT's as the OCLV bikes. For the Y1 and Y3's, their URT
is Chromoly and are made from round section tubing. The chromoly and alloy
URT's are therefore interchangeable but of course the chromoly URT is heavier
(and stronger if you're into rough treatment). The Y5 weighs 12.7kg and
the Y3 is 13.2kg. As before, it's the quality of components that determine
the model, with the Y1 being the cheapest. Gripshift gear shifters were
used on some models at various times but mostly various forms of Shimano
Rapid Fire shifters were used. V brakes were standard except for the Y
Glide Deluxe which was factory fitted with disc brakes. Cantilever brakes
were used on the 1995 OCLV models.
1998 Y Glide Deluxe. Note the disc brakes.
It is important to realise that some of
these bikes are getting on to twelve years old and some have had component
upgrades over the years. Important to realise this when buying a Y bike,
for what came with the bike from the factory might not necessarily be what's
on the bike now.
These bikes were handmade in Wisconsin
so that always made them more expensive than their imported competitors.
A Chinese made bike with the same components will therefore be cheaper.
It is interesting to note that there were
3rd party manufacturers of the rear derailleur hanger and alloy URT as
Trek no longer makes these. Unfortunately, new replacement Y frames are
not made, so don't break yours! Carbon fibre is not repairable. I have
found out that at least pivot bushings and URT's are still available as
a spare part from Trek but for how long is anyone's guess. I paid $50 for
a pivot bushing and was told an alloy URT would be $500. As mentioned before,
the Gary Fisher Joshua URT is another source for spares, and presumably
the pivot bushing. Although the original purchaser of a Trek bike gets
a lifetime warranty on the frame, if that frame is no longer available
you get given something else; invariably the frame used on a current production
dual suspension model. You get no warranty if you buy second hand.
Radical New Design
Although it was seen as a radical new design
that got people's attention, the Y frame concept was not seen favourably
by some. The problem was bio pacing, otherwise known as the "pogo stick"
effect or "pedal bob", which has been a contentious issue with dual suspension
bikes since day one. Basically, the rear suspension caused loss of
power, particularly riding up hill. As the rider pedalled, the URT would
be moving up and down relative to the mainframe, using valuable energy.
The main reason for this is that the distance between the rider and the
pedals varies with frame movement.
Most of the manufacturers who were
using the design experimented with pivot point location to compromise between
rider comfort and bio pacing. Usually, this was done by moving the
pivot point, and also GT's I Drive system which used a unique bottom bracket
design. Some rear suspension designs (eg. Trek 9300) were very bad in that
the chain length would vary as the URT moved. With these bikes, the bottom
bracket is on the main part of the frame and not the URT.
Trek claimed to have found the ideal pivot
point and patented their design. This is why you won't see other bikes
with the pivot point part way up the URT.
Many gave up trying to perfect rear suspension
designs, feeling that if they couldn't make it work the best thing was
to eliminate it altogether. Thus the creation of the hardtail. Strange
logic really...you wouldn't buy a car without rear suspension would you?
There is an ever so simple solution however, which Trek applied to the
top of the range models. These had lockout shocks to completely eliminate
the problem. However, if the rider is out of the saddle whilst pedalling,
without a lockout shock, the problem is again eliminated. The critics don't
really have any valid complaints.
The critics would also be hard pressed
to give examples of bikes lighter than the Y series. How many alloy dual
suspension bikes are lighter than the 12.7kg of a Y5? The OCLV models are
even better at just on 11kg for the Y50. Even the relatively heavy Y3 is
still lighter than many dual suspension bikes of today.
Something you won't find on other bikes
is the welder's initials stamped into the bottom bracket...further illustration
of Trek's pride in what they built.
The last of the real Trek Y bikes came
out in 2001 with the Y1 finishing up fitted with cheap components.
Trek have kept the "Y" name going since
then with the much cheaper bikes, the Y26 and Y24. These are not in the
same league as their predecessors and bear little resemblance to the original
bikes in quality and appearance, and are known as "entry level" bikes.
Although they continued with URT rear suspension, the URT's are not the
same.
Trek Y bike chronology - how to date your Y bike
1995: Y33 and Y22 OCLV models with cantilever brakes. Y33 was Indigo Blue and Y22 Ice Red
1996: Y33 in now Judy Yellow, (ie. frame colour matched to the Judy SL forks). Y22 fitted with V brakes and now nude carbon. Y11 released in Dry Ice Blue. Alloy ST120 released.
1997:
Y33, Y22, Y11 now have the "Yxx" logo on the upper arm of the frame printed
on a two tone decal. Y33 is Nude Carbon, Y22 is Gloss Cream and Y11 is
Gloss Ice Inkwell. Y50 takes over as top of the range OCLV with its unique
red/white/blue graphics. ST120 replaced by Y5 in polished aluminium
finish with black URT. Y3 introduced as a cheaper version of the
Y5. It had a red frame with white URT. Alloy URT's now have replaceable
derailleur hangers. Later versions of the Y50 are nude carbon.
1997 Y5. First of the alloy Y bikes. This and the Y Glide/Y Glide
Deluxe have an alloy URT unlike the cheaper Y3 and Y1. It was fitted with
Deore LX standard of components. The pic shows medium size.
This version of the Y50 appeared later in 1997 and closely resembles
the Y33 of the same year. It is not shown in the catalog. This one
is a large frame.
1998:
This was definitely the year of the Y bike! The OCLV frame shape is changed
with a more rugged rear shock mount. This years OCLV models are a Y33 in
Platinum Pearl, Y22 in Blaze Red, and the Y11 in Team Yellow.
The alloy bikes
are the Y Glide Deluxe in Black Mercury Pearl, Y Glide in Ice Inkwell,
Y5 in Team Purple and the Y3 in Ice RC Blue. There is no longer a Y50.
Although they do not appear in the catalog it seems that the Y Superlite
(24spd), and possibly the Y Superlite 200 (27spd) are introduced later
in the year. Other versions of the 1998 Y bikes which did not make it to
the catalog included a yellow Y33, a nude carbon Y33, and a blue Y22.
The alloy URT's
are now using oval section tubing and begin to feature disc brake mounts.
Y Glide and its disc brake counterpart, the Y Glide Deluxe are now the
top of the range alloy models. "Trek" decals are now 3D except the
YSL and YSL200.
1998 was definitely the year of the Y bike. From left to right
is a medium Y22, a small Y33 which resembles the Y11, a small nude carbon
Y33, and a medium Y SuperLite. Note that Trek were still using the Rocket
Boy logo as seen on the YSL. None of these bikes appear in the catalog
for 1998. This makes 11 versions of Y bike for 1998!
1999:
The decline of the Y bike is now imminent with only the YSL300, YSL200,
and Y3 left. 3D decals are dropped on all models. The Y3 has lesser quality
components compared to the previous year. The YSL300 is now top of the
range. It and the YSL200 are using OCLVHC frames; 10% lighter than the
standard OCLV.
Y3 was the only alloy frame Y bike for 1999. It's fitted with
Acera grade components and came in Inkwell Blue.
2000: Y1 is a cheap version of the Y3 introduced this year. It has lesser quality components. Y3 also remains.
2001:
Y1 is the last of the Y bikes.
Y1 was fitted with relatively low grade components.
Sizing your Y bike
From the 1999 Catalog.
Note that the OCLV and aluminium frames have the same dimensions despite the different appearance. Get the size wrong and you end up with knee pain. Get the reach (C) wrong and you'll have neck and shoulder pain. It is interesting to note the seat angle (B). Is this the actual angle of the URT or is it the chainstay (D) relative to the seat? If the former, then it indicates that there are 3 variations of URT. I find it hard to imagine that one degree is going to make a signifigant difference. Interestingly, prior to 1999 the URT's are all the same size and have the same seat angle. When I queried buying a replacement URT for my Y22 I wasn't asked what size I needed either. And I don't believe the 3rd party Boulton URT came in S,M & L sizes.
What are the
actual sizes?
The only time Trek
actually list the frame size in the catalog is in 1995.
S=16"
M=18"
L=20"
Some of the early
bikes had a size sticker on the frame also with the measurement. From 1996
onwards, the bikes were simply listed as S,M, or L, although the size stickers
continued on the actual frame for a short time.
Note that the above
Trek measurement is from the crank centre to the top of the top tube. Most
people
measure from crank centre to top of the seat post clamp, so the above sizes
are then slightly larger. Trek must have realised this, for in the 1997
Retail Technical Manual they have changed their method of measuring to
the top of the seat post clamp, which they call "seat tube length". Now
the sizes are:
S=17.5"
M=19.5"
L=21.5"
From time to time
there are supposed "XL" size bikes for sale. These are just ordinary large
size with a longer stem fitted.
What's it worth?
Here are average
prices for good used condition bikes and frames on eBay (mid 2004):
Y1
$250
ST120
$300
Y3
$350
Y5
$450
Y11
$500
Y22
$750
Y33
$900
Y50
$800
YSL's
$950
YGlide
$500
Frame with alloy
URT $250
Alloy URT $100
Chromoly URT...none
have been for sale on their own and I wouldn't pay more than $50 for one.
The year of the particular
bike has no bearing on its value. As much as these bikes cost new, their
value has fallen considerably.
Some owners aren't
aware of this and you see things like Y22's for $1200 starting bid.
Needless to say,
they don't sell.
As I said, these
are typical prices and most are +/- $100 of that. Sometimes you see some
real bargains like an immaculate Y11 for $400 or a Y5 for $250. Other times
you see people being ripped off. The prices appear to be fairly static
since I started watching in mid 2004 but now are showing signs of declining.
For myself as a
collector of these bikes, I think they're more valuable with original components.
Most buyers, however, are the opposite and prefer the Y frame fitted
with later parts. It would be interesting to see if in years to come, Trek
releases a repro Y bike like Raleigh did with their Chopper.
Postcript May
2008: The price of second hand Y bikes
has fallen considerably since I started collecting them in 2004.
Selling for half the prices I've quoted in the list above is now not uncommon.
Of late was a 1996 Y33 that went for $299. I've seen a Y11 go for just
over $150, and the $1000 prices of Y Superlites is history now. There was
a YSL200 that went for $400 during July 2008. Admittedly it had the decals
removed but otherwise was excellent condition. The value of Y bikes now
is really determined by dedicated enthusiasts, as to most mountain bikers
they are seen as ancient and inferior.
Selling your
Y bike.
Something I'm frequently
asked about. Firstly, I'll say I don't know anyone else personally who
is interested in buying. You will need to advertise on Ebay, or if you
prefer to approach a dedicated group of Y bike enthusiasts, I suggest placing
a message in the Yahoo group here.
In case you think
I might be interested, remember I am in Australia, and costs
about $350-400 to get it here. I don't buy anything overseas unless it's
on eBay or some other reputable site. Of course, if you're in Australia,
then that's a different thing...but my observations are that because Australians
paid so much for their Y bikes when new, they expect to sell them for an
equally exhorbitant price. In fact, even with the freight cost, it is usually
still cheaper for me to buy from the U.S than locally! This is why I have
not yet bought a Y bike on the Australian eBay.
To my fellow Aussies;
you might have paid $8000 for your YSL200 back in 1999, but it's ten years
down the track from then, and your bike is seen as very outdated by the
rest of the real world. It is probably not worth as much as you think!
"Like new" it may be, but in terms of technology it's antiquated. There's
nothing at all wrong with that of course, but when you're looking for buyers,
most want the latest. And anything using single pivot URT technology is
not that!
Buying a Y
bike.
I'm not a dealer,
just a collector, so none of my bikes are for sale. Neither do I know of
anyone who has one for sale.
Undoubtedly the easiest and most reliable
place to get a Trek Y bike is on eBay. The MTB Review classifieds, and
Craigslist also feature them occasionally but unless you lived locally
to the seller it could be a more risky way to purchase. For the few Australian
enthusiasts, you're going to have to do like I've done, and import from
the U.S. Or, wait longer, have a limited choice, pay more, and get one
locally when they turn up once in a blue moon. Even so, at the beginning
of 2009, the amount of Y bikes up for sale has dropped markedly from what
it was only a couple of years ago.
All Trek Y bikes on the U.S eBay are in
my watch list. Sometimes sellers cut and paste sections from this site
into their ad descriptions which is cool, but please check the bike you're
sellling. Not all Y bikes have the same components fitted as the ones I
describe here. For example, my Y5 has Grip Shift shifters; many use Shimano
instead. And my 1998 Y22 is a concoction of parts; albiet Trek but not
original to the bike. It is in fact largely a Y3 with an OCLV frame. The
bikes were handmade and Trek or their dealers would sometimes offer different
components fitted, so variations do occur. Of course many owners have also
upgraded parts.
It would be nice if more sellers would
consider shipping outside the US, as there is interest in these bikes elsewhere
and you increase your chances of getting a higher bid. While I had
the luxury of a container service from the U.S. to get bikes out here,
most potential buyers don't.
In case you
think it's a weak design....
These pics came
from Brian Sutherland in the UK who owns this 1995 Y11. It has been converted
to single speed and has other components replaced. As can be clearly seen,
it is being used as a BMX bike in these pics. It's obvious that the Y frame
is not a weak design! Note also that this is the
early OCLV frame, which is supposedly the weakest. There's more of Brian's
riding here http://www.youtube.com/bsuthey
Into the future
It has been said that the ideal number
of bikes to own is n+1 where n is the number of bikes you already own.
Well, for me it's been more than that. So taken by the purchase
of the Y5, I have now ended up with a
Y22, a YSL200,a 1998 Y33, 1996 Y33, a 1995 Y22, and the latest, a 1998 Y11.
As well, another Trek has joined the collection; a 3900 hardtail which
was an offer I couldn't refuse. Each is a different bike with different
components and they all ride differently to each other. The design is brilliance
in simplicity for what it achieves.
The information here is only what I've researched. If there's any errors or further information just email me.
Trek Y5. My first Y bike. Top of the range alloy model for 1997.
Trek Y22. This was my second Y bike and a bit of a lemon to start with! It is actually a concoction of a Y3 and late model OCLV frame.
Trek YSL200. The third Y bike to enter my collection. This was top of the range for 1999.
1998 Trek Y33. The fourth Y bike was this 1998 model. It looked nice so I had to have it.
1996 Trek Y33. The fifth bike to join the collection, but the first I've had in medium size and with the early style OCLV frame.
1995 Trek Y22. The sixth Y bike I've bought. Classic original Y bike technology on what is the earliest model.
Yahoo
Group - Trek Y bikes
Catalogs, manuals and hundreds of Y bike
pics are now on my Yahoo group. This group has an active discussion and
some very knowldegeable members. Please have a look! All scans of manuals
for the bikes and their parts are located there in the files section as
they are acquired.
External Links:
Rear
Derailleur Hangers
Check this
site.
Unified
Rear Triangles
Mention here
of a company that made URT's.
Mountain
Bike Review
Anyone into mountain bikes should know
this
site. The Y bikes get a fair bit of mention in the product reviews.
Trek
Bicycle Archive
Some of the spec sheets for the Y bikes.
There are other brands of bike on this site also.
Trek
Mountain Bike Owners Manual
The generic owners manual which includes
info on the Y bikes.
Other information Due to
server space I can't present it here, but currently have the 1995, 1996,
1997, 1998, and 1999 catalogs. These are currently available on the Yahoo
group, along with the 1997 Retail Technical Manual, which contains some
service info, part numbers, and more detailed specs than the catalogs.
I also have the July 1996 Popular Mechanics
article, and the 1997 Trek video "One Bike at a Time" which is essentially
a factory tour but shows much riding of a Y22 and Y50. I have converted
it to a .mpg file of around 400Mb.