Propain Tyee 6.1 CF

    The new Tyee is available in several colors including this matte Pigeon Blue.

    Propain Tyee 6.1 CF Bike Review

    Words and Photos by Cy Whitling

    Now with normal cable routing!

    “New” or “refreshed” bike models often get all sorts of questionable hype. Brands play fast and loose with stats and make claims about added stiffness or compliance, or (dubiously) both. With the latest edition of the Tyee, Propain keeps things remarkably simple: it’s the same frame, now with holes for traditional internal cable routing instead of the mandatory through-headset routing that the previous version sported. The new carbon frame also features an updated brake mount which should lead to less caliper/frame interference.

    The new Tyee has the same travel (160 millimeters out back) and the same geometry as the old version, but it is available in more build options, and those builds are customizable with Propain’s excellent web tool. I’ve been riding the Tyee 6.1 in a nice mix of terrain; everything from shuttle laps to long backcountry wanders, and it’s stood out as a neutral, easy-to-love machine.

    Propain Tyee Details

    • Travel: 160 mm (rear) 170 mm (front)
    • Wheel Size: 29” or Mixed 29”/27.5”
    • Size Tested: Large
    • Build Tested: Custom
    • Head Tube Angle: 63.9°
    • Measured Weight: 34.2 lbs (15.51 kg)
    • MSRP starting at: $3,999
    The Tyee is available as a frame only, as a couple of complete builds, or as build-your-own-adventure.

    Tyee Updates

    Propain says that the new Tyee has three cable routing options: through the Acros headset, through the Sixpack stem (and into the headset) and through the ports in the sides of the head tube. I know which one I prefer, and it’s quite nice to see a brand step back from the desolate tide of headset cable routing. Here’s hoping this trend continues.

    The new cable routing is well-appointed with bolt-on doors, and internal sleeves. The derailleur cable runs externally along the bottom of the chainstay, while the brake dips in and back out.

    That brake is mounted on a new bracket that puts it above the seatstay, as opposed to sandwiched between the two like the old version. According to Propain some bulky calipers contacted the carbon frame in the old position. The new mount is a native, 200-millimeter post, and is replaceable if you happen to bugger up your threads.

    Look at those ports!
    You could run your cables through a special stem if you wanted to, but you don't have to anymore!
    This brake mounting bracket is simple and works well.

    Propain Tyee Frame Details

    Beyond those two new details, the Tyee is what I’d call a dialed modern frame. It’s not the most feature-packed option around, but it’s got the essentials covered.

    There’s a flip chip that adjusts the geometry to account for 29 or 27.5” rear wheels. Propain says it fully preserves the geometry for either, and that you can run a 27.5” wheel in the “low” setting for extra stability.

    There are two bolts under the top tube for accessories and there’s plenty of space for a water bottle in the front triangle. Propain’s PRO10 suspension design packages the shock quite nicely, but does make it somewhat difficult to reach the lockout while riding, and the hydraulic bottom out adjuster isn’t very accessible on RockShox shocks. The pivot hardware is etched with torque values, and many of the pivots have extra seals.

    The one frame design choice that some folks might have an issue with is seatpost length and dropper insertion. Although the Tyee has a fairly straight seat tube, it pinches tight high up and you’re limited on how much dropper you can fit. I was able to slam the stock 180-millimeter OneUp V3 dropper all the way into the frame, and I was able to fit a 210-millimeter dropper at an appropriate height for my 34-inch inseam, so it wasn’t an issue, but the Tyee isn’t class-leading in terms of dropper capacity.

    The Tyee's shock is driven by a link at either end.
    The lower link can limit access to some shock controls.
    This flip chip accounts for rear wheel size swaps.
    The Tyee includes gaskets for the dropper post.

    Propain Tyee Build

    Propain offers two stock builds of the Tyee in the U.S., as well as customizable options. I rode the Signature Spec 2, with a couple tweaks. My review bike came with DT Swiss FR 1500 wheels, 170-millimeter RockShox Zeb Ultimate, and Vivid Coil with a 600-pound coil for my 200-pound weight. SRAM GX Transmission handles the shifting, and Maven Silver brakes slow you down. I rode the mixed-wheel Tyee with a MaxxGrip EXO+ Assegai out front, and a MaxxTerra DoubleDown DHRII in the rear.

    Propain’s house brand, Sixpack takes care of the stem and saddle, Ergon handles the grips, and OneUp covers the bar and seat post.

    Propain isn’t the hands-down most affordable direct to consumer brand, but its builds do deliver a solid value for the price, and the ability to customize components is much appreciated. I’ve spent a fair bit of time in Propain’s online generator playing with different builds, and I’ve been impressed with how well it works, and how easy it is to dial in the build to your unique preferences.

    SRAM's Maven Silver brakes still do the job admirably
    Propain lets you mix and match wheels and tires in their online bike builder.

    Riding the Propain Tyee

    Sometimes review bikes come with a slow ramp-up. The bike shows up, I spend a while dialing in the cockpit and suspension, and then take a few shakedown rides on familiar trails before I really start pushing its limits. That’s a great process. It’s safe and easy, and allows me to filter out any “weird” attributes of a bike before I’m too committed on a big ride or scary trail.

    That is not how my relationship with the Tyee started. Instead I grabbed the bike in the parking lot, threw on some pedals, bounced around for a moment to make sure the suspension wasn’t way off, and called it good before we took a lap on a fairly committing new trail. Luckily, the Tyee is very easy to acclimate to and get along with.

    Some of that is thanks to the geometry. The Tyee isn’t ridiculously long, or scandalously slack, or anything else. Instead, it hits a fairly normal middle ground for an enduro bike. I rode the size large, and out the gate all the dimensions felt well-suited to my 6’2” frame.

    On the way up, the Tyee falls on the more efficient end of the spectrum. It delivers plenty of traction on more technical climbs, but doesn’t feel as traction-forward, or “gushy” as some other bikes in this class. That’s a good thing. I did use the climb switch to firm things up on gravel ascents, because I’ll take all the help I can get.

    Headed back downhill, the Tyee is similarly well-balanced. It’s a little bit more “pointy” than some brands’ enduro bikes. Compared to something like the Trek Slash, which is more of a traction-hogging monster truck, the Tyee feels more responsive, but also less forgiving in the chunder. On the flipside, it’s much easier to move around, pump, and play around on.

    Zooming out, it’s interesting to note that the Tyee isn’t the biggest pedal bike in Propain’s lineup, The Spindrift has 180 millimeters of travel on both ends, and slots nicely into that more heavy-hitting “freeride” slot. I always appreciate brands that make two or more 160-180ish millimeter bikes. It creates more space to optimize each bike for its respective purpose, as opposed to trying to project a singular vision for a long-travel bike. A Rocky Mountain Element can be racier because it has a Slayer to complement it. A Transition Spire can be more stable because it’s paired with a Patrol, and a Tyee can be lighter, more responsive, and more taut feeling because the Spindrift exists to handle the “monster truck through everything and hit huge jumps” end of the market.

    Much of the appeal of the Tyee is thanks to this sticker. You can adjust your spec choices, and even frame decal colors easily on Propain's website instead of having to choose from predetermined builds.

    All that to say, the Tyee is really easy to get along with, and rewards a more active riding style. It feels similarly snappy and efficient to the Pivot Firebird, but feels less tall, both in stack and bottom bracket, which in turn makes me more confident stuffing it into tight turns and getting loose and sideways.

    It’s easy to get the Tyee into the air, and I found myself preferring to pop and slash over and around obstacles instead of trucking right through them. There are two factors behind that: first, it’s a fun way to ride, and the Tyee compliments that riding style nicely. Second, the Tyee’s rear suspension isn’t the absolute most planted and traction-forward when you’re plowing. There’s a fair bit of drivetrain feedback through the pedals, and it errs a little on the snappy and slappy side versus silent and planted.

    Propain includes an option to add an Ochain to the Tyee in your custom build, and if I was buying one I’d be tempted to. I’ve found that the Ochain does a great job of quieting down drivetrain feedback, and I think it would be a logical addition to the Tyee for many riders.

    Of all the bikes I’ve reviewed this year, the Tyee immediately left me thinking “I would be very happy just owning one of these. It’s efficient and composed enough for long wandering rides, and when you go looking for trouble, the Tyee is ready to handle it. Want one bike to handle all sorts of fairly challenging riding? You could do much worse than the Tyee.

    For Now

    On paper, Propain’s updates to the Tyee aren’t groundbreaking. But too often “groundbreaking” updates offer minimal performance gains at the expense of liveability and serviceability for everyday riders. The Tyee’s the perfect antidote to that. This is the rare update that immediately and quantifiably makes a positive impact for riders. It’s the same winning formula, now with a better brake mount, and better hose routing.

    Learn more: Propain Bikes