YOELEO G21 Altera Review: Improved in the Right Places!

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I already reviewed the previous generation, the YOELEO G21. In this review of the YOELEO G21 Altera, I share what’s new and my experience riding it.

NOTE: I invested about $1850 into this build. I received the frame, cockpit, wheels, saddle, and bottle cages for this review from YOELEO, but as always, I will be 100% honest with you and share both the good and the bad.

YOELEO G21 Altera Build Summary

YOELEO G21 Altera Build Summary

Below, I list the main specifications of this build.

YOELEO G21 Altera Pros and Cons

Unboxing

YOELEO leveled up its box game. The frame and accessories are now packed like origami. Naturally, the frame is well protected against outside damage caused by bad handling by logistics companies.

Below, you can see some detailed images, which will give you an idea of the level of attention to detail.

I also took a few images from the inside. In the down tube, you can see imperfections, but except for those, I think the frame looks pretty good from the inside. The chainstay area is always a bit rough because this is where two parts of the frame are connected.

The Build Process

YOELEO G21 Altera was only my second build (after Winspace Agile). I was curious to see if I would encounter any issues, such as bad tolerances or problems with routing cables. But YOELEO stepped up their game here. For example, there was no play in the bearings in the head tube. They fitted perfectly.

I decided to go for SRAM Rival XPLR 1×13spd. The build was pretty easy, as I didn’t have to route Di2 cables or, even worse, mechanical cables like on my old G21. I only had to route the two hydraulic brake cables, and that was it. Since the inside of the frame was clean, I managed to route them quite easily. I didn’t need any magnet to guide them through.

Thanks to the UDH system, installing the rear derailleur was also very easy. Yes, I had to watch a video to learn how to set it up correctly, but once I did, I didn’t have to make any micro adjustments. It worked perfectly right from the start. I will talk about it a bit more in the ride experience section.

Remember that if you want to use G21 Altera with two chainrings, you must use the spacer as specified in the YOELEO instructions. Otherwise, the chainrings will interfere with the rear seat stays.

My Experience with YOELEO G21 Altera

This is my second gravel bike, so my only reference point is the previous generation G21. I also tried 32mm knobby tires on the YOELEO R12. It was fun riding through light gravel, but I couldn’t ride in rougher terrain. But with G21 Altera and wide tires, I can.

I took my first ride with the G21 after recovering from an illness. I went for a short ride through the local forest. I have wider tires with a tread that provides more grip in loose terrain than on my previous G21, so I was able to send it with no respect.

I forgot how much more exciting gravel biking is compared to road cycling. Especially if you are not afraid of taking challenging routes, but thanks to the rich tire clearance of 700x53mm, you can basically use MTB-like tires and ride through almost anything.

The tire selection is something I still struggle with, as I mainly ride my road bike(s). Additionally, to reach a forest, I must ride on paved roads or bike paths. I need a fast tire that also provides sufficient grip in the terrain. Previously, I used Maxxis Receptor Exo TR 40mm, but now, I’m using the Tufo Thundero 43mm. They give me much more confidence when cornering.

As is customary with Chinese brands, YOELEO also offers you the option of choosing different cockpit dimensions. I chose 110×400mm. I ride road bikes with a width of 380mm, but gravel bikes need a little better maneuverability, so 400mm is the sweet spot for me. In addition, you can also choose whether you want a fork with or without additional bag holders. If you don’t care about aesthetics, I would choose a fork with them. You never know when they might come in handy.

Ensure you spend enough time to choose the right frame size and cockpit dimensions, replacing the cockpit (or even worse, the frame size) requires time and money. Luckily, at least the cockpit doesn’t cost a fortune and is available for only $299. Some Western brands sell them for multiples of this price.

Lastly, I want to highlight the updated geometry of the Altera that has a slacker headtube, resulting in a wider wheelbase. This improves the overall stability and reduces toe overlap.

My Verdict

It’s awesome to see that YOELEO listened to customer feedback and improved their frame in areas that matter. Nobody cares whether the frame is 100g lighter or heavier if it’s not UDH compatible. So thumbs up here. If you are looking for a quality Chinese-branded gravel frame that won’t break your bank, the G21 Altera is the one to consider.

There are higher-end frames that are more suitable for racing, but that doesn’t mean you can’t race on the Altera. On the contrary, at least you won’t have to worry about breaking it if you fall. Several riders (including my friend) raced on this bike at the 2025 UCI Gravel World Championships in the Netherlands, and some of them even made it onto the podium (congratulations, Jasper!).

I hope you find this review helpful. If you decide to this frame, please consider using the discount code below. It’s the best way to save money and support my website. Thank you very much in advance!

The product for this review was kindly provided by the manufacturer. This did not influence my overall verdict or my opinion about the product. You can learn more about how I approach reviews here.