Strengths: The Yeti 303 is fantastic. Seperate from the 303RDH this bike is hand made in california, the build quality is terrific with a great paint job and the welding being exceptional.
As at this point in time I have ridden this bike at Kinglake, You Yangs, Black Hill and Mt Buller and it continues to impress.
I purchased this bike after years of staring at it on the internet and on DVD's. I read every review that i could find and was aware of the issues associated with maintainance prior to purchase.
The Handling is great, but does take some time to get used to. The bikes rear suspension is so dialed that it compresses under the weight of the bike. It also delievers under pedeling and corners like a dream.
Weaknesses: Maintenance issues; rear rails MUST be cleaned and greased after every ride. I found the owners manual does not help much with this however, type YETI 303 into youtube and there is a step by step video of how to do it.
Bottom Line:
This Bike inspires confidence. When choosing lines I adopt a more of a point and shoot mentality than having to be bothered with selecting the smoothest line.
This is in part due to the bikes weight, mine comes in at 19.82Kgs, but i think usual build isn't much more than that.
Like with any Bike your riding style will take a period of time to adjust to a new bike. I purchased a medium frame as i am 6,1' which upon the first couple of rides felt weird.
However after some time i became quite comfortable with it and found that it was quite easy to muscle around and power manual out of corners.
Similar Products Used: Prior to the purchase of the Yeti I had the following:
06' Giant DH Comp
07' Norco Aline
07' Kona Stab Deluxe
Bike Setup: I felt when building this bike up that it would be an injustice to select components other than the best. on that basis i fitted Fox 40's (white)09', Shimano saint Group set 09', Thompson Elite Stem (Chrome), Thompson Elite Seat post (Chrome), Chris King Headset (Chrome), E 13 Chain guide (White), Hadley F/R Hubs (Chrome), Sunline MTX 33 Rims (White), DMR V12 Pedals (Chrome), Maxxis Minion 3c Tubeless 2.5, Yeti team Seat.
Strengths: this is my 2 year long term review, still going strong, rails are a lil gritty but its been used, same old fallin apart and loosening of all bolts every other ride but i have fun puttin it back together
Weaknesses: yeti support hasnt gotten any better, they dont make stuff up but as far as support thumbs down,
rails getting a little bit gritty
Bottom Line:
2 years tried and true, works great. rides amazing. would do it all over again if i got the chance, bad customer service.
*THIS BIKE WILL TAKE A BEATING FOR YEARS FOR WHOEVER IS WONDERING*
Similar Products Used: i rode a sunday, after this glad i didnt get one
Bike Setup: same
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
matt bartlett
a Weekend Warrior
from barton on sea
Date Reviewed: February 28, 2008
Strengths: corners like a GOD makes you feel indestructable but will become your downfall, just the best bike i have ever seen and ridde in every department
Weaknesses: the price if you can call that a weakness worth ever penny
Bottom Line:
Rides like a god and looks outragous, if you can afford it it is weel worth it, can handle anything and grips to the gravel like glue
Similar Products Used: nothing like it in a different league with only yeti 303s
Bike Setup: fox rc2, avid juicy 7, Fox DHX 5.0 the best of everything
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Paul
a Weekend Warrior
from Tolleson, AZ
Date Reviewed: November 20, 2007
Strengths: Just SWEEEEET........Very, very efficient pedaler. Corners like it's on a rail. Absorbs the biggest hits and drops with no problem. If that Fox 40 had a lock out, this would be my "Do It All Bike". Yeti has always paid attention to detail on their bikes and this one is no exception.
Weaknesses: None found
Bottom Line:
Probably the best downhill bike design for many years to come. Does everything well. A little heavier than some, but, will probably out last most of the lighter bikes. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK YETI !
Similar Products Used: YETI ASX, SPECIALIZED DEMO 7
Bike Setup: FOX 40RC2,RACE FACE DIABOLUS STEM/BARS/SEAT POST. CRIS KING HEADSET, SAINT CRANKS, MRP GUIDE, DMR V-12'S DT SWISS FR 6.1D WRAPPED AROUND FR440 HUBS. MAXXIS HIGH ROLLERS GIVE ME THE TRACTION I NEED AND AVID CODES DO THE STOPPIN.
Strengths: stable , Fast, no break jack ,No bob , stiff, Adjustible geo , Incredible suspention and looks to kill
Weaknesses: None No weakness at all
Bottom Line:
By far the best downhill bike ever made it will make you faster turnes like its on rails it will forgive any mistake you make. Takes to the air with no effort and lands with no fuss.... I have even ridden some trails with this bike it even pedals well at 42lb it wont climb like a goat but it's no pig eather freeride and skinies are fun holds the line and when it comes to drops just stay on her and let her go your only limit on this bike is your own guts thats it. If you can afford one get one it is the best in it's class
Strengths: i just wanted to tell people with this frame that theres a second valve that you have to inject grease into, i talked to some owners online and they didnt know this, including one bike mechanic.
Weaknesses: there are too rails, and both need greased, ealsy done tho takes five minuits
Bottom Line:
you can clean the whole of the rail easly without taking it apart, get yourself an old tooth brush and sit on the bike, the back of the rail will expose itself when you look down if your sitting on the bike, 2 seconds is needed to push the brush through and your done, does the job brilliantly. (sorry this isnt really a review, i jus dont want anyone to ruin a machine they paid thousends for.
Strengths: super fast, no brake jack or pedal bob. just gains speed as u hit rocks and stuff. i would never buy anything else EVER. it makes u faster.
Weaknesses: YETI BLOWS A BIG COCK AND THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE IS ALL LIES. my bike didnt come with grese gun or owners manual. they said my shop stole it. hard to believe when i opened the box. the bike had a ton of flex when i pedaled. apperantly "my bike shop loosened all the bolts before i got there" again hard to believe when i opened the box. no big deal i tightened them.
the ride height guage is upside down and i dont know how to fix it.
u have to grease it if u consider that a weakness.
Bottom Line:
the fastest most efficient bike on the market when/if setup right. totally worth getting but beware itl take u a while to get it to work and dont depend on yeti for help. it is the best bike i have owned though so i cant complain too much.
Strengths: Solid/stiff frame and design, Pedals really really well, weight is not an issue, looks amazing, lots of small attention to detail such as cable routing, paint job and frame adjustments
Weaknesses: Nothing really but if i was to moan at something it would be access to the bottom car/rail to clean off excess grease is restricted, meaning a full strip down of rear end and cleaning needs to be done every once in a while to keep it running smooth.
Bottom Line:
Most noticable thing about the whole bike is the way the bike pedals, it is amazing no matter what - at slow speeds or full-speed down a DH track, getting on the pedals through a section will not result in any pedal induced bob and loss of power and the same goes for brake-jacking there isn't any.
As for the rails, look after them and they will look after you, they are not a hassle and just need a little bit of care now and then, a minor price to pay for having such a plush and solid DH bike. Paint job is of a very high standard.
Price is high especially with a high spec component set to match the frame but then you get what you pay for and thats the bottom line!
Go get one if you can afford it! Mine wants some yeti friends :-)
Strengths: amzingly fast and takes a huge drop in with ease. i cant believe poeple are moaning about this bike being heavey and about the rail system, its exacly what a dh bike should be. i almost got a v-10 but im glad i got this, its a better ride and takes the corners alot faster. i may marry thi bike...
Weaknesses: like that guy sed, little bits are hard to clean like the back of the rail, wat i do is sit on the bike and get a cloth and poke it threw, easy and quike.
Bottom Line:
best thing ive ridden ever. you can drop in huge on this thing and it'l hold you on, its worth the amount of money although wait a while and it will get cheaper. the rail system gives you smooth rides and even climbs well and theres hardly any bob. but theres no loss to suspension when doin the big stuff.
this bike is very expensive tho and does need a little workin on now and then, i only recomend this if you're seriouse about the sport.
GIRLS; my girl rides this bike and she has no probs dropin in and throwing it around. need more girls in this sport.
Similar Products Used: i dont think theres anyhting like this
Bike Setup: fox 40 and dhx 5.0, dt swiss hubs, srs e-13 and saints
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Submitted by
Crash
a Downhiller
from New Castle CO USA
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2007
Strengths: very strong, huge suspention, awsome ride, every thing on the bike is a strength
Weaknesses: none that i know of everyone that put that its heavy are complete morans if you want a high dh bike that will go fast then you have to have wieght the more wieght you have the more mass gravity has to act on it not ment to ride up the mountain. just down it thats why its called a DOWNHILL bike
Bottom Line:
this bike is solid, very strong, huge suspention, awsome ride, every thing on the bike is a strength. nothing is wrong with the bike, somethings you need to work on once in a wile but what pro grade bike doesn't.
Strengths: the rails work really well. the bikes is solid when going through a tecnical section. pedals alright. not that heavy if you build it light.
Weaknesses: a weakness i can think of would be that you have to grease the rails aftera full day riding, but it only takes 5 minutes and i do it after i wash it.
Bottom Line:
this bike is the best bike i have ever owned. highly recommend it. it mobs over rock gardens and berms without ever loosing speed. the rails make it so smooth. sik bike.
Strengths: Super fast bike, it just accelerates over small and med. sized bumps without losing traction or getting knocked off line. Details such as cable routing, paint finish and access to shock adjustments are well thought out.
Weaknesses: Frame is a little heavy, lots o' bolts, difficult to clean.
Bottom Line:
This bike has made me a faster rider. I rode the bike side by side with a V10 and the V10 felt smoother, but the yeti was much faster and held a line better. You can hear the bearings in the rail cars moving back and forth in a parking lot squish test but on the trail you don,t notice it. Lubing the rails is super easy and they are not affected by mud or dust as I have raced it in some very muddy courses.
Bottom line, if you have the cash and are willing to wait a little while, get one. It will be the best DH race bike you have owned.
Bike Setup: Fox 40, Juicy 7's, Diablos all throughout, DT 440 hubs, mavic rims
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Submitted by
g-money
a Downhiller
from littleton colorado
Date Reviewed: February 22, 2007
Strengths: THE best DRY WEATHER dh bike. tracks great, sticks like glue, and doesn't feel as heavy as it is.
Weaknesses: heavy, goofy looking (positive?) and annoying color scheme. Once things get super dusty, or muddy for that matter, them rails get all clogged up and suspension quality goes out the window. It stays active, but doesn't feel smooth.
Bottom Line:
Awesome if you live in an arid region and have lots of cash money to keep it working properly. Great bike overall, but I don't like how finicky it can be.
