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Chris Conroy of Yeti Cycles shows us the new All Mountain Chasis, currently known as the SB-66. Featuring the new Switch Technology, an eccentric link above bottom bracket that creates a stiff pedaling platform in the front end and gets more plush further into travel. Continue reading →
Strengths: Weight, Climbing efficiency, descending ability and playfulness under stress.
Weaknesses: Expensive and replacement parts are harder to find. (Luckly it wont brake easily)
Bottom Line:
After 3 months on this bike I can safely say that this bike is a class leader. I have found the bike pedals just as well as my Yeti ARC and opens up wonderfully during descents.
The weight of the frame helps keep the overall weight down which makes the bike playful and reactive even while going through the rough stuff.
Quite simply the bike rocks and if you can afford it or save for it, you will not be let down. Its Outstanding.
Bike Setup: Yeti SB-66 Large
Fox 26 Float
Fox RP23
X0 drivetrain
Formula "The One" brakes
ZTR Arch EX rims
Thomson Stem and Seatpost
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Submitted by
Ted Waltman
a Cross Country Rider
from Lakewood, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2012
Strengths: Have to say the Yeti SB-66 takes riding to a whole new level. Climbing is more efficient, as noticed when the rear wheel is moving over small rocks (i.e. 'Box of Rocks' trail) or when the rear wheel is in really loose sand. Stays in contact with the terrain like it is glued on. Then on downhill sections it is SUPER smooth. I can stay in the saddle on sections where I would previously have been raising up on the pedals. One can get going stupid-fast on descents if not careful--I've caught myself a number of times barely making corners after straight downhill sections. I went with the 203mm front rotor and the 180mm rear--I definitely think the larger rotors make a big difference in smoother braking and generate less heat.
Weaknesses: More pivot locations to collect dust/dirt that are hard to get at to clean. Bracket for "switch technology" is a U-shaped affair that would be a massive mud collected (or so it seems). Still wonder about the long term operation of the eccentric and such--whether they will hold up well over the years...but we'll find out!
Bottom Line:
Highly recommended. Super efficient on uphills and unbelievably smooth on downhills. Expensive, but if you ride a lot it is well worth it. I average 2 to 4 hours per day of riding.
Similar Products Used: I had a Yeti AS-R prior to this. That in itself is a great bike, but the SB-66 is a whole new level of riding.
Bike Setup: Easton Haven tubeless wheels (great). Easton Haven carbon handlebar; Magura MT-8 brakes, XT Deore shifters, derailleurs and 10-speed, 3 chain ring set up; Shimano MT-780 pedals; Rocket V seat; Thomson seat post; multi-compound grips.
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Value Rating:
Submitted by
jgusta
a Downhiller
from Portland, OR, USA
Date Reviewed: December 19, 2011
Strengths: ONE FUN BIKE! Very playful, responsive while staying planted to the ground when needed for great traction and stiffness in the turns for a nice solid feeling throughout. Very supple suspension at beginning of stroke for great small bump sensitivity and optimal traction while technical climbing with no pedal feedback. Suspension design allows for great ramp up for the jumps and hits with nice plush landing without bottoming the shock.
Weaknesses: Front end or weight of frame feels a little on the heavy side for a trail/AM bike initially. I had a really heavy stem on there initially though, replaced with lighter stem and feels much better and balanced in weight front to back. Great mid-stroke control, but also causes a somewhat high feeling when jamming down the trails with 160 fork at 25% sag. Upped sag to at least 30% and bike descends much better while giving a little bit snap on the climbs.
Bottom Line:
A SUPER FUN BIKE if you are into riding a little bit of everything going up or down and don't mind a little heft in the frame. If so, then than the carbon version is your ticket. Would get 5 stars for value, but ALU frames going for over $2k, made overseas is a little on the spendy side, IMO.
Bike Setup: Heavy'ish AM/lite DH build with Saint brakes/shifters, Chromag 760 OSX bar, Lyrik RC2 DH solo fork, Hadley on Flow wheels, SLX cranks 36/24 w/bash
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Submitted by
jaysonski
a Cross Country Rider
from nottingham
Date Reviewed: November 19, 2011
Strengths: good weight, balanced, great looking, fast, great climber
Weaknesses: none yet
Bottom Line:
just got in after a rip round local trail so here's a quick review:-
let me put it bluntly "THIS IS THE BEST BIKE I HAVE EVER RIDDEN"
bold statement i know but thats how strongly i feel, it is much better than my previous rides & they weren't exactly Appollo's! (2010 Titus El Guapo, 2010 Santacruz Blur XC carbon, 2005 Whyte 46, 2007 Marin Mount Vision etc.
After a little 'fiddle' with rebound it was brilliant, it felt a litle weird first few minutes as the suspension feels very 'floaty' but once u got used to it i was bombing!
The thing tracks amazing, there's a bit of gravel on the trail built into switchback berms & if you ride em hard there's a tendency for the rear wheel to 'wash' a little but this thing grips like shoot to a blanket!
it feels like an XC bike, nimble, great climber but once i got to the jump section it hit rocks, drops & ramps much smoother than any bike i have ever ridden, it puts my El Guapo to shame & that rode brillianty.
The suspension just feels bottomless, what Yeti have done with this frame is amazing, if you are thinking of buying this bike DO NOT HESITATE, it freakin ROCKS!
Strengths: Climbs well, stiff, handles well. This is my 2nd Yeti, my first is a Yeti ASR 5...I love that bike! So I decided to stay with Yeti. The SB-66 is a good bike. However, not completly sold on the "switch technology". The suspention I feel bottoms out on bigger drops and jumps. If I add more air to the shock then the suspention isn't as active. Maybe I jsut havn't found that sweet spot yet? I had to swap out the fork to a Talas 36. It came with a Fox Float 32. Why an "all mountain" bike would come with a 32 is beyond my understanding. Now that I have the 36 on it, it does feel better on the high speed/technical decents. Also I suggest dropping the 160mm to 150mm. Front end felt to slack. I went with the lower build kit and kinda wished I wouldn't have. Had to swap out the Headset to a King, as the pos cane creek HS bearings literally fell apart. Now with the King HS front end is sweet. Looking at ordering a new wheelset now, should lighten the bike up a pound or so.
Weaknesses: Lower end build is "low end" go with the higher end build, you will be happier in the end.
Bottom Line:
I like the bike a lot, I guess I just am having a hard time not comparing it to my Remedy (that I sold):(
But, every ride is getting a little better on it, so hopefully once I get it built to best suit my riding style (aggresssive) it will be better. If your looking for a am/fr bike...maybe re-consider. But if your looking for a am/trail bike then go for it! And one more thing to consider and I'm speaking from first hand...Yeti's customer srvs is horrible. Just an fyi.
Similar Products Used: 2009 Trek Remedy (the all mountain/freeride one) not the new 2010 trail xc'ish one. Should of left the Remedy the way it was. I regret selling that bike every day.
Bike Setup: Still working on it but as is now. Fox Talas 36 droped to 150mm travel. Kashima rear shok, king HS, KS-I900r adjustable seatpost. Elixer 5's, X7 cranks,DT-Swiss m1900--soon to be I9's.
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Submitted by
Miller brad
a Weekend Warrior
from Canberra
Date Reviewed: November 14, 2011
Strengths: Light, peddles well,blasts down & jumps nice,stiff,
Weaknesses: Not carbon but still very fun to ride
Bottom Line:
This bike is just fun to ride! It peddles up hill better than any other bike I have tried. The back wheel never seems to get caught on things that I used to caught on. When you reach the top and head down this bike just wants to rail corners & jump of all rises. Small drop offs seem to not be there any more it is so smooth. I find my self looking for excuse to want to ride. The dog is getting lots of afternoon runs at my local trails so he thinks it is 5 chi is as well!
If you want a bike that can go up and then turn around and blast down & do it all day, believe the hope and get your self on the waiting list for this awsom bike.
Favorite Trail: All mount bulla,cannon ball run fizroy falls
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$5800.00
Purchased At: Bike culture canberr
Similar Products Used: Norco fluid lt, Merida one five O,giant reign x1,
Bike Setup: Yeti sb 66 med frame,fox 36 talis,xtr breaks, xo 2 x 10 drive train, shifters & mechs, reverb seat post, hadley hubs with dt Swiss rims,frame skins,crank brothers mallet peddles,Easton havoc carbon bars,Easton haven 70mm stem, schoweble Hans depth tyres.( still to come SRAM chain guid)
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Submitted by
pgkris
a Weekend Warrior
from Highlands Ranch, CO
Date Reviewed: October 3, 2011
Strengths: Climbs really well, goes down even better.
Weaknesses: I wish they had anodized black since I hate chipped paint.:-)
If would have been nice if they included the ISCG bracket.
Bottom Line:
I only had two rides on the bike and I am very impressed. First ride was on Lair O'Bear which is very mellow Colorado Front range trail. I was a bit nervous with the new 2x10 drive train, but once I hit the trail I love it. The bike climbs much better then my old trustworthy 575 and I didn't notice much the change of the gear ratios. There was no bobbing, and even with the slack geometry I felt that I was flying uphill. The most amazing thing was that the rear tire rolled effortlessly over any bumps and rocks on the way - without the usual feeling of slowing you down and pulling you back. Then I hit the downhill and the bike definitely put smile on my face – great control, very stiff and totally predictable. You just point it where you want to go and it goes. I love my 575, but I definitely had to compensate a lot on the fast corners and I had the occasional feel that I will lose control, but not with this bike. It is slightly firmer feel on the back, which I like, but if you a looking for the ultimate plush you may want to consider the 575.
The second day I went to Apex (the birth place of the SB66 ?) which is one of the roughest trails on the Front range. The uphill was great – no spin out on the loose, very efficient. Then I hit the first downhill – loose, rocky with set of switch backs and the SB66 shined – ease of control, bottomless feel and stable at speed. Enchanted forest was just a blast and the bike ate the drops and water bars. Once I hit the main trail (Apex) downhill I just gunned it and cleared everything with ease. My average downhill speed was about 5 miles faster than with my old Yeti and I that was only my second ride on that baby. It is impressive how comfortable this bike feels and how easy is to ride. Yeti definitely have done exceptional job.
Few words on the setup: I was a bit nervous on the SRAM Elixir CR brakes, but so far I love them. Great modulations and exceptional stopping power. If you like pedaling higher gears I definitely recommend 2x10 drive train, but if you find yourself a lot on the 22t ring you might not find it as nice. SRAM shifters work a charm. The DT Swiss X1600 rims are very light and I hope they are durable, but time will show. Stan’s no tubes standard kit works great with them. I change the tires since I found that Specialized Esker (front 2.3) and Purgatory (rear 2.2) work great in Colorado.
Note: If you ride on bumpy terrain you will need chain guide since I found my chain out on my pedal side at least 4 times. SRAM is coming with Truvativ X-Guide but it’s no out yet. Also ISCG bracket is not included with the bike so you will need to purchase it separately (that was a bummer). Only Janson.com has them as of now.
