Yeti
The trails that surround our offices in Golden, CO are rough, technical and require a bike that can handle the rigors of high-speed technical descents and long, lung-busting climbs. It’s a lot to ask of a single bike, but the SB-66 delivers.
At the heart of the SB-66 is the Switch Technology which combines super efficient pedaling platform combined with controlled, smooth travel. This makes the SB-66 extremely versatile and fits the bill for those looking for a do-it-all bike. All-day rides in the backcountry? Check. Super-D race or a day in the bike park? No problem.
The progressive geometry and Switch Technology gives the bike a more aggressive feel that begs to be pushed hard. The more rider input – the better it rides. The frame can handle the abuse – the fully alloy chassis has an inset tapered head tube, oversized pivot pins, and a compact assembly that houses the integral parts of the suspension design, all key components for making the frame stiff and responsive.
The SB66 is setting the bar for all-mountain performance. Throw a leg over one and experience it for yourself.
Admittedly, we were a bit late to the game on embracing 29′r platforms. It took us three years and countless prototypes to create a bike that we feel embodies the characteristics of a true Yeti trail bike.
We started with our new Switch Technology to create a platform with crisp pedaling and efficient bump absorption. Our unique suspension design was coupled with a progressive geometry (slack and low) that gives the bike a lively, yet planted feel on the trail. The net result is a bike that climbs extremely well but descends even better.
The Switch Technology sits low and compact on the frame so we can use a low-slung top tube to create added stand over clearance and accommodate smaller riders. Additionally, our suspension platform and its unique wheel path allow us to build the SB95 with very short chain stays, a key to achieving the ride characteristics we are used to on our 26” bikes. The result is a bike with a decidedly Yeti feel – it has loads of tire clearance, corners quickly and descends technical terrain confidently – while still reaping the benefits of its 29” wheels.
Weighing in at a svelte 6 pounds while still boasting 6 inches of travel the SB66C is the pinnacle of our Switch Technology platform. The light weight of the frame coupled with our new Switch Technology makes this one of the most capable all-mountain rigs on the market.
Over two years of R&D and countless hours of testing have produced a bike that is not only extremely light, but can also handle the abuse of the most rugged trails you can find. The SB66C eats up long backcountry rides, enduro races, and anything else in-between. If you want to get to the top of the climbs first and then put even more time into your friends on the descents, this is the bike for you.
The SB66C sets the bar for all-mountain performance. You have to try it for yourself…
We have to believe in a product before we make it. We clearly had some believers, so we gave a core group of employees an engineer and the green light to develop a 29′R.
A little background on the Big Top. For the past several years, people have asked us about producing a 29′r and we were reluctant. Our trails in Colorado didn’t seem suited for big wheels and there wasn’t a lot of interest from anyone on our staff. When people asked, Conroy used to respond: “We don’t make clown bikes.” It was all in fun, but some people really got fired up. In retrospect, we probably didn’t need to throw fuel on the fire… but it was good fun.
Then a strange thing happened… the boys in the back started having Shane, our welder, build them 29′rs. We started to get a closet movement at Yeti for big wheels. Since Conroy was always joking about it, they thought he wouldn’t approve so they kept it under the radar. One of the core Yeti design principles is that we have to believe in a product before we make it. We clearly had some believers, so we gave this core group of Yeti employees an engineer and gave them the green light to develop a 29′r. For the first time, Steve and Conroy (co-owners of Yeti) kept out of the process to see what would develop. In the end, they did a great job and the product has been very well received. Certainly Yeti-worthy.
So, the name… Seemed only appropriate to call it the Big Top.
We played around with several different configurations to dial in the geometry and make the bike ride like a Yeti. Early prototypes were 100% alloy. After getting the geometry dialed in, we looked at making the bike a bit more forgiving in the rear – it was very stiff and we knew if we wanted to make it more compliant, we would need to address this issue. Our solution was to produce the rear out of carbon fiber, this provided vertical compliance, great lateral stiffness and dampened the ride.
If you have been holding on to your hardtail or short travel bike because you worry about compromising efficiency or weight, you gotta throw a leg over this bike and give it a spin.
The AS-R 5 was a natural evolution of the AS-R platform. We took the tight handling characteristics of our shorter travel AS-R and bumped up the travel to 5″. This transformed the bike into an amazingly versatile all-rounder. Long, gnarly back-country rides? No problem. You wanna race a little cross-country? This bike is light enough to help you stomp your lycra-clad friends uphill and then put more time into them on the downhill.
Part of the secret of this bike is the balance. The front and rear suspension are perfectly tuned. We have engineered it to ride a bit stiffer in the mid-stroke of the travel. This gives it a similar feel as a sport-tuned suspension on a performance car. You can feel the trail so the bike has a lively, aggressive feel on the trail. The low bottom bracket and neutral steering geometry keep the bike controlled and predictable when you bring it up to speed and it carves turns extremely well – due in part to the amazing stiffness of the frame.
If you have been holding on to your hardtail or short travel bike because you worry about compromising efficiency or weight, you gotta throw a leg over this bike and give it a spin. It will change your world.
The 575 has been one of our most popular bikes for years. It’s extremely versatile – built up with lightweight wheels and a triple crank set, it feels like a cross-country bike with loads of travel. Throw on burlier wheels, a single chainring, and a longer travel fork and the bike is transformed into an all-mountain machine.
As the longest standing full suspension bike in our line, the 575 has been transformed with countless improvements over the years. Last year saw a complete redesign that included a hydro-formed main pivot junction to increase the stiffness and clearance, a direct-mount front derailleur, ISCG ’03 tabs, and cable stops for dropper seat posts. This year, we added a new custom butted rear triangle to the impact strength and stiffness of the rear end while maintaining the same weight. We’ve also added an inset tapered head tube to increase front-end stiffness, as well as a re-designed down tube with greater fork clearance.
A custom developed and hydro-formed tube set helps keep the frame strong and light while our refined linear rail technology smooths out even the most technical race courses. The 303 WC pedals extremely well without sacrificing small bump sensitivity and eats up time-stealing square edge bumps with ease. It keeps the lively, agile feel of the 303 RDH and while still being able to plow through the rough stuff like the original 303 DH.
We’ve also added all the nice finishing touches you would come to expect on a bike of this caliber. Integrated fork bumpers protect the frame and fork without fail, the removable and replaceable ISCG mounts keep your frame safe in the event of a breakage, and there is ample room to easily tune the rear shock.
