YT makes some nice bikes but their current wait wait times are loooong current delivery on the Capra in April 22. Many people have complained about lots of delays after given delivery dates and their customer service is awful. If your frame arrives scratched or you have another problem be prepared to fight with them and wait months for a replacement( that is if they replace it). Canyon seems to have much better expected delivery dates and fewer delays, their customer service is much better to. While both make great bikes I would visit a few local stores and try any bikes they have in your size. If nothing else you can get an idea of how different brands size and few. Chat them up maybe they have something coming in soon or one of the shop Bros is selling their almost new bike.
Yeah this is dead on ... I never had a YT, but just looking through Instagram comments and reading stuff online, I've heard similar stories about YT. There's no shop or face to point to if something goes wrong. I've heard at least in North America Canyon is much better, and I referred Commencal to my best friend (he got a Meta AM) and his experience has been amazing. Had an issue with his rear hub and called customer service. They told him to take a video of it making the noise, and within 30 minutes after sending, they called back with a resolution. Sent him the parts, told him to go to any shop of his choice for installation, he paid out of pocket but sent the receipt and they reimbursed him via PayPal that week. I've also called with general questions when I considered buying one, and I have nothing but great things to say about them. If I was getting a bike online, I wouldn't hesitate getting a Commencal. They're also great with accurate shipping times which at the moment is pretty important.
Anyway, back to the bikes ... Very exciting getting into it, however I'd caution anyone about being over-biked.
For instance, you mentioned the Capra and Torque. Two great bikes, but they're really mostly for bike parks and enduro. If you'd riding local trails, even expert level ones, visiting the bike park and hitting jumps, riding technical trails, unless you're launching 10 ft drops and really going hard, the Spectral and Jeffsy are plenty of bike for you.
Since you're just getting back into it, it's hard to predict what you're gonna be riding, but for a new rider, I'd stay somewhere near that 140mm front travel range. If you think you're gonna be a bit more aggressive, I can see doing 150-160mm, but it'll come at the cost of not going uphill as well.
If you're able to provide where you live and what you envision riding, as well as height and weight, we can see what kinda trails you'll most likely be riding, as well as which local bike shops are close (and more importantly, what they sell).
For instance, if you're in AZ, that's gonna be a lot different than if you're in the Pacific Northwest. Or if you're in Texas or Florida, that's different than what you'll ride in Vermont or PA.
In the meantime, check out the Meta from Commencal, and once we get that info, we'll be able to lead you down the right path.
Good luck!
