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EB15: Yeti Switches to 29″ Wheels for SB4.5c Trail Bike

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yeti sb 45 29 mountain bke (2)

If you’ve been waiting for a 29 inch version of Yeti’s SB5c, the wait is over. Pointing out that one of their most common requests after introducing the SB5c and SB6c was for a 29er trail bike, Yeti knew full well that they needed to add one to the lineup. Though truthfully, the bike was already in the works with prototypes going through the test phases during the launch of the SB5c.

Just when you think 27.5″ trail bikes with shorter travel and slacker angles are taking over, a number of companies have introduced slack, short travel 29ers that are a blast to ride. Now Yeti is no exception with the unveiling of their SB4.5c. Coinciding with their 30th anniversary, the new bike is aimed squarely at the Trail market with 4.5 inches of Switch Infinity travel…

yeti sb 45 29 mountain bke (4)

yeti sb 45 29 mountain bke (5) yeti sb 45 29 mountain bke (3)

Like the SB6c and SB5c, the SB4.5c floats on the Switch Infinity suspension design which utilizes a translating pivot that switches direction through the travel. The technology has allowed Yeti to create a suspension platform with excellent anti-squat characteristics for great pedaling without giving up that bottomless feel for big hits. Tuned to 4.5″ of travel, the SB4.5c is meant to be the perfect trail bike that could be raced or taken out on all day adventures. One of the only changes to the suspension design is the reduction of the collet connection points in the frame from 15 mm to 10 mm to remove even more weight from the frame. All SB4.5cs will make use of the Fox Float Factory DPS shocks with EVOL air cans for an improved ride feel.

2016_Yeti_SB45c_Grn_Frame_01

yeti sb 45 29 mountain bke (6) yeti sb 45 29 mountain bke (7)

yeti sb 45 29 mountain bke (10) yeti sb 45 29 mountain bke (8)

The full carbon frame includes a Boost 148 x 12 rear spacing and a total frame weight of 5.4 lbs. (2.45kg). All cables are routed internally and the frame includes internal dropper post routing. Integrated frame protection includes a downtube guard and protection on the inside of the chain stay and seat stay as well as the bottom of the chain stay. Additional frame specifics include a PF92 bottom bracket and a tapered head tube.

2016_Yeti_SB45c_Profile_Blk copy 2016_Yeti_Geo_SB45 copy

Available in bright green or stealth black, the SB4.5c will be available in GX, X01, and XTR builds from $6,899 to $10,049 with the more expensive builds including ENVE wheels. Bikes will start shipping September 15, with all models delivering by December.

yeticycles.com

 

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Alex
Alex
8 years ago

Amazing looking bike. This is a totally appropriate replacement to the SB95.

Yeti pricing is a hard pill to swallow when the Canadian dollar is so weak.

Aaron
Aaron
8 years ago

This looks like it could be the perfect bike.

The write-ups have been all over the place in regard to the specs. I’ve read on other sites that this frame does not have front dérailleur mount and is spec’d with a PF30 BB.

eric.nm
eric.nm
8 years ago

Absolutely, achingly beautiful…
: )

gsmith
gsmith
8 years ago

Yeah, it would be somewhat surprising if Yeti moved away from PF30. They’ve stuck with it for their last couple of frames when they could have gone BB92. Not a big deal, both are workable and neither will please the crowd that wants threaded.

Hank mardukas
Hank mardukas
8 years ago

The sb6 uses a bb92

Bazz
Bazz
8 years ago

Only thing I would change is to have the shock front mount on the underside of the top tube to allow for a bottle, otherwise I WANT!

Mike D
8 years ago

I’ve been waiting and waiting for this to be released…and now I’m disappointed. I know the trends right now, blah blah–but 114mm of travel?? Noooo way, sorry Yeti, you missed the mark with me on that. If you might have gone from 127 down to 125 or 120 even, maybe I’m on board. The reviews coming in on this thing already state that the suspension travel feels ‘mismatched’.
You came to market before SC got the new Tallboy LTc out, and I tip my hat to you on that one…but for these specs (and that price..yow) I’ll be waiting for the new LTc in 2016.

MissedThePoint
MissedThePoint
8 years ago

Where’s the vids Yeti?

FoolCyclist
FoolCyclist
8 years ago

Yes, yes , yes. I will take one. In other news, I have a kidney for sale.

TheFunkyMonkey
TheFunkyMonkey
8 years ago

Yeti has become the Ferrari of bikes. You get a gorgeous, well made product yet pay a premium to belong to “the tribe”. $500 better than a Ripley LS? $900 better than a Pivot 429 Trail? And I’m a Yeti fan…

JBikes
JBikes
8 years ago

Mike D, you won’t even consider/demo it due to what amounts to 6mm less travel?

jeff
jeff
8 years ago

I really like the Yeti’s, thought maybe even getting one, the 27,5 model, but a friend got one, that’s when I realized that the only bottle mount is under the down tube….deal breaker for me, but all things considered, still a nice bike.

AbelF
AbelF
8 years ago

Very pretty bike, to bad for the lack of front derailleur support and pf bb.

Bike=fun or you're doing it wrong!
Bike=fun or you're doing it wrong!
8 years ago

“”What type of front derailleur does the SB4.5c use?
The SB4.5c is not compatible with a front derailleur. It is designed for single ring use only.””
As per Yeti’s site. Above is wrong.

Kevin
Kevin
8 years ago

water bottle fail

CoTeledude
CoTeledude
8 years ago

If you’ve never ridden the Switch Infinity system, give it a try. It really really does make the whole bike feel like you’re riding on a much longer travel bike while still climbing like a XC whip. Price is stratospheric of course, but once you ride one, it’s hard to ride anything less.

Mike D
8 years ago

@JBikes 6mm less travel from 120mm perhaps… but quite a bit less than the previous 127mm shock. To answer your question, sure I’d demo one, first person experience is always best. Is it fast? There is no doubt, and if someone wants to race this thing in some fashion, maybe it will work for them… I just don’t know what that would be? Too slack and long of a fork for XC, not enough in the rear for a good enduro machine–even with the 29″ hoops.
Will it sell? Again, without a doubt. Someone will pick this carbon candy up as it pairs nicely with their Cayenne, or perhaps they want to fill their days with hours of “sort of” and “almost”. For my precious money though, I’ll be looking for 125-135 in back and 130-140 up front with 29″ wheels. SC’s previous TBLTc was near perfection, but could have climbed a hair better in my book–which is where the SB95 shined imo. If the SB95 would have come out with the SI link, I’d be choking down that insane price to own one..

Brad
Brad
8 years ago

No drink bottle bosses inside the frame turns me straight off this. It was kinda forgivable on their SB6c being a long travel bike, but for something as short travel as this?

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