Compare-O Bottom Line: Yeti SB95C is a gorgeous high-speed weapon
This article is part of the Mtbr’s Enduro Compare-O. See all the stories in this special section here–https://reviews.mtbr.com/category/enduro-compare-o-2014
Sporting the classic turquoise Yeti livery and beautifully sculpted carbon fiber tube shapes, the Yeti SB95C was arguably one of the most visually captivating bikes in the Enduro Compare-O. While some other bikes sport complex linkages, bars and multi-valve shocks, the eccentric pivot design execution of the Yeti is refreshingly clean and simple with minimal pivots or linkages. But did the Yeti’s riding characteristics match the knockout looks?
On the ascent
The Yeti SB95C was a curious climber. On the first section of wide-open fire road up the 1,500 vertical foot Sulphur Springs trail, test riders noted that the Yeti felt a bit sluggish due to its 30-pound weight and 29-inch wheels.
Photo by Tyler Frasca.
However, once into the steeper, more technical and rocky sections, the eccentric pivot suspension design of the Yeti known as Switch Technology did a superb job of biting down for catlike grip. Initial suspension travel on the eccentric pivot moves in a counterclockwise direction when climbing, improving anti-squat for more efficient pedaling performance.
With the Fox CTD Adjust Kashima rear shock in Climb mode, very little pedal-induced bob was felt, and with the added traction, one test rider cleaned the steepest and most technical section of Ridge Trail, something he wasn’t able to do on the lighter Santa Cruz Bronson.
“Suspension works very well through rocky tech sections and the bike feels very well balanced,” he noted. “So long as you keep the speed up, the Yeti can clean a lot of techy spots that other lighter bikes with smaller wheels get hung up on.”
Photo by Tyler Frasca.
Although the Yeti climbed well for its weight class, there was one issue that several riders noted. The SB95C features extremely wide seatstays, causing frequent heel strikes when pedaling. The strikes were so frequent, in fact, that black scuff marks could be seen on the area in question. As with the Lapierre Spicy 527 we tested—and any bike, really—we recommend a test ride to see if you have interference issues like this.
Big wheels bring high-speed stability
Thanks to its simple and efficient 127mm Switch Technology rear suspension design, the Yeti SB95C delivered confidence-inspiring performance on rolling terrain and high-speed corners, especially when paired to the capable Fox Float 34 CTD fork with 140mm of travel. One rider commented the Yeti felt solid, with no perceived slop in any of the systems. He also called its responsiveness instant, thanks in part to a solid, stout rear end featuring a 12x142mm rear thru-axle.
Photo by Tyler Frasca.
The slacked out head tube angle of 67.6-degrees and longer 17.5-inch chainstays equated to a bike with superior high-speed stability and cornering. A large 2.4-inch Maxxis Ardent front tire helped dig into the hard-packed Demo Forest dirt. One of the test riders took the Yeti down the fire road decent of Corral Trail, a trail where speeds can easily approach 40 mph.
“I got the Yeti loose in a few high-speed turns, but it pulled through with impressive composure giving me added confidence,” said one rider. “Other bikes with 27.5-inch tires would have been sent skittering off into the weeds.”
The only downside of the longer chainstays on the Yeti is its less nimble handling characteristics in really tight, technical spots with numerous switchbacks. The Yeti is definitely better suited for more open, high-speed descending.
Continue to Page 2 for more on the Yeti SB95C and full photo gallery »
The post Compare-O Bottom Line: Yeti SB95C is a gorgeous high-speed weapon appeared first on Mountain Bike Review.