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Yeti stretches its legs with new SB5.5C long travel 29er

Written by Zach Overholt
13 Comments
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Yeti cycles SB 5.5 29er_-10
Photos c. Dave Trumpore/Yeti

The writing was on the wall. Yeti seems to be experiencing quite a bit of success through their adaptation of the Switch Infinity suspension system, so it’s only natural that a longer travel 29er is being added to the mix. The beauty of the current mountain bike landscape is that if you prefer one wheel size over another, there are a number of options to choose from.

In this case, if you’re looking for a 29er with slacker angles and more travel than their current SB4.5C, the new SB5.5C should have you covered. Big wheels, 140mm of travel, and a light weight carbon frame may add up to continued 29er success in Yeti turquoise…

Yeti cycles SB 5.5 29er_

Yeti cycles SB 5.5 29er_-5 2016_Yeti_SB55c_Blk_Frame_04

On the surface, the SB5.5C isn’t all that different from the current 4.5C other than longer travel and slacker angles. Built around 29″ wheels, the frame continues the use of Yeti’s Switch Infinity suspension which utilizes a translating pivot point. That means that the pivot location is able to float up and down and changes direction throughout the travel which Yeti has used to tune the ride feel and provide the right amount of anti-squat. The 5.5″ (139.7mm) travel frame includes Boost 148mm rear spacing, a PF92 bottom bracket, ISCG 05 mounts, and internally routed cabling. Of note is the 1x only frame design, no front derailleurs here. Built with a high modulus carbon main frame and rear triangle, the suspension pivots use a collet axle system for better long term durability.

Geometry is tailored towards something between modern trail and enduro riding with a 601mm top tube for the medium coupled with a 66.5º head tube angle, 346mm high bottom bracket and 437mm chain stays.

Yeti SB5.5C Features:

  • Frame Material: Carbon
  • Frame Weight: 6.0 lb / 2.72 kg
  • Travel: 5.5” / 140mm
  • Suspension Design: Switch Infinity
  • Rear Shock: FOX Float X Factory DPS
  • Bottom Bracket: PF92
  • Rear Spacing: 148mm Boost
  • Internally routed cables
  • Manufacturer Warranty: 5 years

Yeti cycles SB 5.5 29er_-9

Yeti cycles SB 5.5 29er_-8

Available in mid-May, the SB5.5C will be offered as a frame only with a Fox Float X Factory DPS for $3,500 or in GX, X01, and XTR builds for $5,699 to $10,699.

Yeti SB 5.5c geometry Yeti SB5.5c spec

yeticycles.com
Zach Overholt
5,726 articles

Zach Overholt is the Editor in Chief of Bikerumor. He has been writing about what’s new in the bicycle world for 12+ years. Prior to that, Zach spent many years in the back of a bicycle shop building and repairing nearly every type of bike, while figuring out how to (occasionally) ride them.

Based in Ohio, Zach is now slowly introducing a new generation to cycling and still trying to figure out how to fit the most rides into a busy schedule as a new dad.

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13 Comments
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Ripnshread
Ripnshread
8 years ago

I’d like to see an updated Boost, 1x, 27.5 SB5c.

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bearCol
bearCol
8 years ago

With YT coming in much cheaper I could never justify buying this. I wouldn’t be surprised if they are coming out of the same factories too.

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myke2241
myke2241
8 years ago
Reply to  bearCol

We’re both adults here. That is a extremely childish statement. I really would hate to go shopping with you!

You are just assuming too much here. Just because it came out of the same factory doesn’t mean they use the same fabric, layup, resin etc. too many variables.

Does Yeti still paint and assemble stateside?

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Richard
Richard
8 years ago

Who cares if they are coming out of the same factories? The factories don’t design the frames, they only build them. Yeti has engineers who design their bikes, and YT has engineers that do the same. The biggest issue I see is the extreme cost, $3500 frame only. Why is this bike $500 more for the frame than the 4.5c? Complete YT’s are selling for close to the same price for a COMPLETE bike as a Yeti frame-only. Yeti seems to be going the Doctor-Dentist-Lawyer-Enve owner direction putting their bikes only in the hands of the upper class. Which is fine but as an alloy 575 owner and with three kids to feet I’m now out of “the tribe” for my next bike.

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Mike
Mike
8 years ago

Ripnshread, how is the current SB5c not 1x compatible?

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Colin M
Colin M
8 years ago

Look at that itty bitty head tube!

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bearCol
bearCol
8 years ago

It’s so funny trolling Yeti fans. It’s too easy! Most sensitive fanboys around!

Feel free to overpay for a yeti sticker if you want. Not that they don’t make nice bikes, they certainly do, just not worth the extra cash IMO. Actually, considering more than one infinity link frame cracked during testing last year I wouldn’t touch one until long term reviews come in.

Another thing, with four bar, and VPP being open patents, I would rather have one of those designs over this mini shock design. Santa Cruz sued Yeti over switch because it was too similar to VPP that’s why they changed to infinity. Now they can switch back! Lol, that’s probably what they will do next year when they keep cracking chainstays because of the odd forces that mini shock link creates.

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Mike
Mike
8 years ago
Reply to  bearCol

So VPP is an open patent, and Yeti was sued for being to similar to it?

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Colin M
Colin M
8 years ago

Ah @bearCol you were on a roll there and then you lost it at the end. Santa Cruz vs. Yeti didn’t happen. Switch was patented by Sotto Design Group and Yeti paid dearly. Going to Switch Infinity they had their own design and didn’t have to pay Sotto.

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bearCol
bearCol
8 years ago
Reply to  Colin M

Colin M: Didn’t know about Sotto. I guess my tolling needs to come to an end since I’m spreading false info. I can’t think of anything else negative to say about yeti anyway.

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myke2241
myke2241
8 years ago
Reply to  bearCol

@bearCol i don’t own a yeti but I really do appreciate their designs, marketing, apparel etc. for a small company they are one of the most iconic and emulated in the mtb industry. YT just doesn’t match Yeti on any level. I’m not saying their bikes suck. It’s just like the dude buying the Colnago is normally the same dude buying Trek.

I do like to remind people how anti 29er yeti was for many years.

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bearCol
bearCol
8 years ago
Reply to  myke2241

I didn’t realize Yeti was anti 29. Companies go where the money is regardless. Specialized said 650b was unnecessary but no company is going to stick with 26″ in this market.

Speaking of anti 29′ companies. Rob Roskopp, owner of santa cruz has said in the past that 29’ers suck and he’ll never offer one. Times have changed. Fork offset/head angles and 1x opening up chainstay options have changed the game for wagon wheels. I agree with Roskopp, old 29’ers sucked and weren’t worth anything more than hammering out climbs and going straight fast. I would buy one of these new 29’ers even though I’m still a fan of fun sized wheels.

@Mike the VPP lawsuit was before the VPP patent expired. VPP is now open to anyone as of this year. I believe that’s why diamond back just released a new mini link design. They don’t call it vpp but I’ll bet they would be sued if vpp was still licensed.

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K
K
8 years ago

The new bikes from Yeti seem to be holding up much better than the original SB’s. Used to see a ton of 66’s failing constantly at the shop, not so much with the new style, and the sales aren’t dropping so they are still getting ridden.

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