Yeti Cycles launched the SB160 at this time, and our rides proved it’s a refined big-travel bike that descends like a demon and pedals with ease.
Aside from e-bikes, most 2022-2023 bike manufacturers aren’t showcasing vital, splashy improvements. Yeti Cycles conforms to this development with the brand new SB160, fine-tuning its race-winning tech. The model took an amazing bike and improved it in beforehand unimaginable methods. The cumulative adjustments make the SB160 not just a bit higher than the superior SB150 however a motorcycle that’s value investing in.
“Once we launched the SB130 and SB150 over 4 years in the past, we pushed the envelope on geometry, kinematics, and journey high quality,” mentioned Chris Conroy, president and co-owner of Yeti Cycles.
“These bikes stood the check of time, however we knew we may make them higher and make them quicker. Our purpose was to enhance an already nice platform by updating the kinematics, chasing down each element to make the bikes quicker, smoother, quieter, and simpler to service. Every small element was thought of. Taken in combination, they make an enormous distinction in journey high quality and make the SB160 the perfect bike we’ve ever made.”
The pandemic and the following scarcity of motorbike elements, bikes, and something associated to biking had been a large inconvenience for riders who wanted to maintain trusty steeds working. It was additionally powerful for cyclists hoping to improve. Having the ability to purchase the brand new mountain bike you needed was as uncommon as sighting a yeti — the bushy one manufactured from flesh and blood — wandering within the woods.
There have been advantages of the pandemic for bike corporations, nonetheless. New bike releases had been largely placed on maintain, with stock at an all-time low. Producers couldn’t supply elements to finish bike builds.
So manufacturers had the chance to take a breath, pause the frantic tempo of releases, and take the time to excellent new bikes. And the SB160 is a results of this slower growth tempo.
The Experience
I had the chance to journey the SB160 Turq T3 construct in Breckenridge, Colo., with the Yeti workforce. I additionally hammered it in France and Italy as a participant within the 6-day Stone King Rally journey.
Some days on the Stone King Rally, I climbed an intimidating 6,500 toes. I didn’t need to do that on every other 160mm/170mm-travel bike. And each day, I descended 10,000 to 14,000 toes.
Yeti’s SB160 was an excellent software for the job. The bike was fantastically balanced, dealt with completely, and did all the things effectively. I by no means wished for a smaller or lighter bike. On my dwelling trails in Vermont, I had simply as a lot enjoyable, hucking soar strains and ripping old-school trails.
There are a whole lot of bikes that descend effectively, however the SB160 climbed and descended higher than every other bike. Pedaling uphill on the SB150 was by no means dangerous, however the SB160 climbed higher one way or the other. The Fox Manufacturing unit Float X2 shock and 38 GRIP 2/170mm fork had been a dynamic and supportive duo. They transitioned from stiff on the uphills and plush on the downhills with out fidgeting with lockouts. The SB160 felt mild going uphill. Large climbs I thought of effectively above my pay grade appeared to soften away.
And there’s little weight penalty for the elevated suspension. My measurement medium SB150 body weighs half a pound lower than the SB160 body. The medium Turq 3 SB160 with AXS check bike weighs a verified 33.3 kilos.
Additionally of observe, Yeti Cycles now ovalizes the SB160‘s tubes, which stiffened up the journey. It wasn’t jarring; the bike simply felt extra responsive and simpler to manage.
Yeti put the journey first when it got here to tire choice. The model may have saved ounces with lighter tires, nevertheless it geared up this bike with tires meant for the terrain applicable for a long-travel rig. Maxxis Assegai 2.5 Exo+ up entrance and Maxxis Minion II 2.4 Exo+ within the again gripped slimy roots, algae-covered rocks, and dry, sandy, rocky terrain.
Regardless of arduous driving by means of the Maritime Alps’ dagger-like rock gardens that punctured different riders’ rubber, I by no means flatted.
On descents, whether or not they had been 1,000 toes on my dwelling trails or 14,000 toes into tiny Italian mountain villages, I felt like I had extra management and extra “Yeti magic” than ever earlier than.
Throughout the Stone King Rally, which was distant and extremely technical, I rolled by means of heart-stopping downhills with such safe dealing with that I pushed my psychological limits and rode strains I hadn’t thought able to up to now. On plunging, rocky-tech sidehills, I felt calm and assured.
The brakes had been an element too. Yeti specs an enormous 220mm entrance rotor, 200mm rear rotor, and four-piston SRAM Code RSC brakes on the SB160. These gave me complete management on essentially the most harrowing descents and functioned with out situation on 10,000-14,000 foot descents for six consecutive days.
Elements and Items
Trying on the SB160 body, essentially the most notable change is its higher-clearance downtube, which comes with an prolonged dual-density downtube protector. The place the SB150 downtube has a squared-off form, the SB160 downtube has a rounder profile.
A tough-capped rubber under-guard cushions and deflects impacts. The twin-layer guard is replaceable when you smash it. And the arduous cap comes off to make dropper put up cable routing simpler.
The seat tube can also be shorter, so I ran an extended dropper put up, which gave me extra management in slippery, technical terrain. I journey a measurement M, and I normally run a 150mm max size dropper. On the SB160 in M, I ran a 175mm dropper. That gave me notable additional house to maneuver my bike beneath me.
Yeti says that almost all riders on small frames will be capable to use 150mm dropper posts, medium-frame riders ought to be capable to run a 175mm dropper, and L- to XXL-frame riders ought to be capable to run 200mm-plus dropper posts relying on their seat top.
The bike was remarkably silent on the path, partly because of the totally enclosed inside cable administration. Moreover, my check bike had an digital AXS rear derailleur. There was no rattle once I was hammering down stair-stepped rocks within the French Alps. And there have been no creaks because of a threaded backside bracket, which Yeti says can also be cleaner, extra sturdy, and simpler to service.
Yeti’s first-gen Swap Infinity had points that the model subsequently mounted. The SB160 makes use of a brand new, beefed-up Swap Infinity meeting on the T-Collection SB160s. It’s additionally simpler to service with improved seals, bearings, and {hardware}. With greater than 30 days on this bike to date, I’ve had no points.
One other improve from the SB150 is redesigned pivots. The SB160 has standard-sized cartridge bearings secured with precision-machined floating collet axles. The bearings are pressed into the linkage meeting, not the swingarm or entrance triangle. Yeti says it will enhance longevity and supply excellent alignment for a easy journey.
Yeti Cycles makes use of a patented, two-piece wishbone shock extender for optimum clamping, shock compatibility, and simple shock removing. The shock extender optimizes the SB160’s leverage price (17%) and pushes the shock ahead within the body.
That has a whole lot of advantages. You’ll be able to run a coil shock if you need. It additionally reduces the standover top. So the SB160, which Yeti Cycles presents in S-XXL, will match extra folks. It additionally leaves extra space for a water bottle and offers the bike extra downtube clearance.
Yeti Cycles SB160: Downhill Succesful
Yeti’s DNA is racing, and it constructed the SB160 to deal with no matter Ritchie Impolite and Yeti’s different athletes can put it by means of. It’s downhill examined, which implies that, along with a coil shock, you’ll be able to run a double crown fork to smash the raise serve.
And it comes with a Common Derailleur Hanger (UDH). In case your derailleur hanger will get whacked, it offers you the perfect probability of getting your arms on a brand new one ASAP.
The worth is the one factor that’s actually powerful to swallow. Publish-pandemic, costs are hovering in all classes, together with bikes. The C-Collection carbon, Yeti’s extra fundamental carbon-frame construct, begins at $6,100. C-Collection bikes do not need the brand new Swap Infinity.
Turq builds utilizing Yeti’s premium carbon start at $9,100. I rode the Turq T3 construct with AXS, which prices $10,500.
In case you love the Yeti Cycles SB150, this bike will blow your thoughts. In case you dream of a motorcycle that may descend something you level your wheel at, that climbs simply as effectively, you simply discovered it. Bicycles can be found at some sellers, although most stock will arrive in retailers within the spring. The SB150 shall be discontinued.
The SB160 is offered in S-XXL in Turquoise, Cobalt, and Radium.
