The new Yeti SB150 29er enduro mountain bike may look similar to their prior generation bikes. It keeps the Switch suspension system and turquoise color option, and it’s still designed to hoover up trophies on EWS enduro courses. So, what’s new?
First up, the geometry is radically redesigned. It’s now way lower and has a much slacker head angle with a short offset fork. The seat tube is much steeper. That combination is becoming more popular as it puts the rider’s weight more over the front for climbing control, yet keeps the fork way out in front for more confident descending. The short fork offset keeps the trail short, which improves steering response with that slacker angle.
Second, the frame and suspension linkages get reshaped to make more room in the front triangle, finally allowing them to fit a standard water bottle inside. If you were tired of running your bottle under the downtube, now a Yeti Switch bike works just like every other bike in that regard.
The leverage ratio was revamped to be a bit more progressive, which improves compatibility with modern air shocks, many of which have increased air volume size to improve small bump compliance.
The upper yoke was redesigned, which not only helps make the room for that water bottle, but also becomes the first (their claim) such part to be approved by Fox for use with a coil shock. Which implies that you could sub in a coil shock if you want.
Quick refresher: The Switch system puts the lower pivot point on a sliding “switch”, letting it move as the suspension moves. The result is a pivot point that changes throughout the range of motion, giving them a lot of anti-squat at the beginning stroke, then dropping that off for less restrictive performance. The idea is to have the pedaling “platform” without having to give up supple, reactive suspension further into the travel where you’re less likely to be pedaling.
The bikes will come in two colors, Yeti’s signature turquoise blue and a dark orange. You’ll also have two layup options, their higher end (and 250g lighter) Turq carbon layup, or the standard C-series carbon layup. Both are tested to a downhill mountain bike standard, and both come with a lifetime warranty against any abuse you send its way. Think you might use it? They built them to withstand constant thrashing by Richie Rude, so if you ride harder than him, rest easy.
The bike will be sold complete ranging from $5,199 (SRAM GX Eagle) to full XX1 Eagle ($9,199) with various models in between. Turq framesets run $3,500.
Yeti has a microsite dedicated to this new bike with animated graphics, a visual history of their mountain bikes and more cool ways to procrastinate. Check that out for fun and a full run down of available models and specs, link below:
