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Submitted by
Simon
a Weekend Warrior
from NEW YORK CITYDate Reviewed: June 21, 2004
Strengths: LAWWILL-6 frame: light enough for all-mountain (9lb frame inc. shock, floating brake, thru-axle), great pedalling rear suspension geometry, adjustable bb height and frame angles, very laterally stiff, very tuneable shock, long stable geometry, v. low center of gravity.
Old school Dh frame sizing makes for a bike that you can run with the seat up or down for a climbing or descending.
Yeti's slogan for the bike was: "YETI - Faster and faster until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death."Weaknesses: Long stable geometry (if you are looking for a flickable BMX feel this is not the frame for you - it rides big)
Limited shock choices - (although the standard shock is v. good it has external adjustments of preload, compression and rebound).Bottom Line: This is a follow-up to my previous review because I have had the bike for over 3 years now and just rebuilt it...It weighs 9lbs 3oz with the shock, seat collar, rear thru-axle and floating rear brake mount - it's in the ballpark with the Ellsworth Moment and the Turner Five spot in terms of weight and travel, but it was a world cup DH bike! I now run a stiffer spring more suited to my weight - no more bottoming out and it easily outpedals and outbrakes the Bullit with the 5th element - basically this bike is a great do it all machine - it can be built light enough to climb - bob is controlled (I increased low speed compression damping in the boxxer and rear shock) and it can handle DH style descents! No hucking though - you'll need a heavier frame for that. The latest all-mountain 'stable-platform' bikes I've tried have not felt significantly better overall (they can be set-up to pedal better but then they are really harsh). I like to ride fast, I like it rocky sometimes, I like it fast and loose a lot. I like to drift, float, jam, cruise. For me, this yeti is the best bike I've ridden.
Favorite Trail: Plattekill fireroad
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Similar Products Used: Intense M-1 (FSR), Spooky/FTW/Sinister Motorhead, Brooklyn Link and mini-link with avalanche shocks, Santa Cruz Bullit w/5th Ele, Trek's beefed up freeride fuels with fox AVAs, Specialized Epic's w/Brain shocks, most YETI bikes, (haven't tried the latest VPPs yet).
Bike Setup: This is a follow-up review because I have been using this bike for a few years now and just rebuilt my 1997 1997 LAWWILL-6 frame. Rockshox Boxxer, 6" frt and rear. Mavic 321DH rims with Tioga 2.1 DH tires, Hope bublbs and Hope brakes - then the Yeti team XTR and ringle kit. - Total bike weight 37lbs...(can be set up all mountain with this frame and fork for 32-33lbs!).
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
simon
a Weekend Warrior
from New YorkDate Reviewed: March 26, 2002
Strengths: This bike is a world cup worthy ride from 1998-1999. I have mine set up low and soft, which suits my smooth style. The great thing is that it still pedals well - very well compared to other DH bikes (unless they have the latest shock technology - see weaknesses). The rear end is extremely stiff and the whole bike is extremely predictable. This has a lot to do with the fact that the frame has a farely long wheelbase which keeps it stable. Head angle is adjustable between about 65-69 degrees so you can dial that in how you want. It doesn't feel big however - it actually feels quite small and bike-like compared to many dh rigs, chiefly because it is reasonably light and all the weight is low down in the chassis. You can run triple cranks and build it up as a freerider if you want. I race sport class downhill and it is more than enough bike for me - I felt like I could win my class and move up to expert on this bike, and I race Plattekill which is very technically demanding). If I ever got more serious about racing I might get a newer ride, but I probably wouldn't need to do that unless I got good enough results on this one that I could get some sponsorship...Weaknesses: Doesn't have enough trsvel if you are a pro. Linear spring rate means it bottoms out on drops if you set the spring soft. The newest fifth element/carnutt/avalanche shocked frames are probably better.Bottom Line: Great race history. Great bike. Just a lot of fun to own - I get a lot of compliments at the races! They are very good value second hand if you find a good one (watch out for flared headtubes and cracked seatstays - but don't worry about the suspensions pivots or the hope c2 brakes, both of which work great). I own or have ridden a lot of different bikes and this is definitely my favorite when it comes to just going out and riding - you can't beat world cup performance in a bike, whether it was the 1989 World Cup or the 1999 World Cup!
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Purchased At: 700 for used frame
Similar Products Used: Intense M-1, 1999
FTW Motorhead (very good) 2001
Brooklyn TMX 2001
Santa Cruz Bullitt 2002 Fifth Element (nice shock)
Yeti Factory Team FRO 1989 (1989 Dh fully rigid!)
GT I-drive (very good)
Bike Setup: As per Yeti Factory team -
Yeti Chainguide, XTR shifting, Hope C2 pro brakes, Ringle post and stem, Boxxer pro fork.
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