Submitted by
Matt Donohue
a Weekend Warrior
from Washington, DC
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2005
Strengths: Everything! This bike rocks with incredible geometry, flawless welds, everything Yeti. It climbs like a goat and descends like a bat out of hell taking every bone rattling knock in stride.
Weaknesses: Weight, but it compensates with all of its strengths.
Bottom Line:
As a teenager in the early '90s I admired this bike and dreamed of one day owning one. That desert turquoise always caught my eye. Low and behold over a decade later I now own my dream bike and it is everything and more than I thought it would be. People stop me and ask me about it, guys at the LBS drool over the vintage steel hardtail and I just enjoy the heck out of riding it. Yes, it is a bit on the heavy side, but who cares when you are making climbs that you never thought possible and taking DH's without worry. And to believe I got all of this for $600 in mint condition! I am never selling it. If you get a chance, buy one, you won't regret it.
Similar Products Used: Breezer Lightning tricked out to 22.5 lbs in steel!
Bike Setup: 1999 Pro Fro Frame, from the 75 last ones made in the Durango plant before the move. XTR Mega 9 shifters, XT 9spd drivetrain,XT V Brakes, '01 RS Psylo Race fork, Race Face cranks, Yeti ARC stem (prototype), Yeti DH riser bars, Cane Creek sealed HS, Spinergy Xyclone wheelset
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Submitted by
Anthony
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle
Date Reviewed: October 24, 2003
Strengths: Everything about this frame is a strength. I am 6'4" 240 and I have yet to walk home because of frame failure...as have many a friend on other so called state of the art rides.
Weaknesses: that they arent made like this anymore.
Bottom Line:
This is the real deal...no glossy BS look at me I am in the "in" crowd here. this frame lives up to the cult status...serious goodness. I bought this while they were still in california in '89 got a crack under the seat tube collar 3 years later (my fault...cheap post marked with wrong diameter) and they said send it in. $175 for a fix and new paint WITH the proper sticker set put back on. bad customer service? Dont know about now but then no way. there is a down side to it all....they dumped the small shop magic. (tho that sounds like it might be on the rebound after getting outta Schwinns clueless hands) Bring the old head tube decal back..bring the old school yeti decals back...bring the cool set up sheet that came with the frame back...bring the damned 4130 back. The cult following had nothing to do with glitz and the need of being in the in crowd. Funny..I can sell this frame for more than I bought it for 14 years ago...that pretty much sums it up. someones gonna have to pry my frame from my cold dead hands to get it! If you find a Cali Yeti...sell the farm, do what you have to...but by it and love it well.
Similar Products Used: Curtlo steel(pretty damn fine in it's own rite)klein (yawn)
Bike Setup: Old school. Bullseye hubs, Vantage comp rims, smoke/dart 2.125, XC pro gruppo, gravity research pipe dreams, Chris King h-set, salsa flip offs, flite saddle, both a yeti rigid fork and a manitou 1, answer stem hyperlite and porcipaws. need an etto helmet... :)
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Submitted by
Frank Brigandi
a Cross Country Rider
from Havertown, Pa.
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2003
Strengths: I don't have any patience for stupid questions.. it's a YETI, nuff said...
Weaknesses: none that I could find
Bottom Line:
Have you ever driven a Porsche or a Ferrari?.. it's a similar feeling when your perched on your YETI, when you wanna go left it goes left, when you wanna scream over baby heads that your (fully suspended, fat ass friends) are walking their bikes over, you just do it on this bike. It tracks, accelerates, decellerates, corners, climbs... does everything in a superior manner to anything else that I've ever ridden. I've done quite a bit of racing in the 15 years or so that I've been mountain biking, and hands down these are the best bikes out there. I am personally glad to see that YETI has brought the bike back, but I'm not glad to see that they've steepened the seat tube. The laid back angles and long wheel base are what makes this bike what it is. I've owned this bike for 11 years now and don't know what I'd do without it honestly. If I lose it or it breaks, I'll be in therapy for a while, until I find another one.
Have you ever heard the song, If I had a million dollars?.. Well If I wrote that song instead of those morons "trout fishing in America", I'd have written it about buying YETI CYCLES from John Parker ( he sold it for a mill to the schwinn morons) and keeping the company as is, and only changing or adding bikes to stay current with component and suspension technology.
Favorite Trail: Anywhere there are dirt, rocks and hills.
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Purchased At: from YETI
Similar Products Used: Fisher (cr-7, procal, supercal) Cannonbail poopy, speckle-ized, Ritchey.. which I liked but it's a totally different bike, and not for this guy..
Bike Setup: 92-93? pro fro..black/turquiose dart...Ckris king headset (blue), YETI Answer taperlite bars (blue) Rock shock judy, Mavic rims ( I build my onw wheels thank you.)blue nipps, xt hubs, Ringle stem (blue) xt crank, Ringle seat post (blue).. I'd never part with it... and I mean that.
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Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from West Chester, PA
Date Reviewed: October 28, 2002
Strengths: Strong frame. Zero bottom bracket flex. Great geometry for high speed downhilling. Still looks great after 8 years.
Weaknesses: Geometry isn't the greatest for tight technical stuff. Heavier than new XC hardtails. Some small dents in the top tube.
Bottom Line:
A great bike. I've had this thing for 8 years and haven't regretted getting it once. At the time I thought 1200 bucks was a lot for a bike but friends who bought at the same time have broken their bikes, gotten rid of them because they were so outdated (remember the RTS-1?), or just stopped riding them. I've ridden it on the great trails in the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh and the not-so-great trails in South Florida. It has a stretched-out riding position that is perfect for fast trails and downhilling. I've even commuted 9-15 miles one way in all kinds of weather several days a week. I've done long road rides and rail-trail rides. These types of rides are a waste of this bike but .... The ride is stiff but not harsh. It climbs and descends better than anything I've ridden. The riding position is very aggressive but comfortable for 35 mile off road rides. I'd like to try the Ti-Arc but what I'd really like is for Yeti to revive the steel FRO with some of the new steel available these days and maybe update the geometry to 2000's standards. I'm sure it would sell well if anyone is buying high end hardtails these days. After seeing what has happened to Breezer, Salsa, Ibis, Bontrager, etc I'm not so sure.
Similar Products Used: Old steel Stumpjumpers and Treks. Various aluminum bikes of friends.
Bike Setup: Mix of old (94) Shimano LX and XT components. Terry saddle. Manitou 4 fork. Powergrip pedals.
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Submitted by
Rick B
a Cross Country Rider
from Metuchen, NJ, USA!
Date Reviewed: April 22, 2002
Strengths: This frame feels absolutely solid in all conditions. Climbs like mad, decends with authority, takes the bumps, screams in the flats.
Weaknesses: The only weakness is trying to find a fork that doesn't mess up the geometry. These were designed around 63mm travel forks, and almost everything is 80mm now. Rock Shox maked a couple, but Rock Shox suck because they blow apart.
Bottom Line:
These frames are perfect for every situation. Handlebars 22" or smaller make slow speed riding twitchy. The bike accelerates damn fast for a frame that's almost 5 pounds. It rides like a lighter bike. Put some JP Weigle frame-saver inside to stop the rust factor, and this thing will last for many years. I've been riding since June 1988, and had tons of bikes. Yetis are the only bkes I'm ever totally happy with. These steel ones are the best of the breed!
Favorite Trail: long ones with lots of ups and downs
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Purchased At: Traded for another frame
Similar Products Used: Bontrager, other Yetis, Manitou hardtail, Fisher, American, lots of others, both steel and aluminum.
Bike Setup: I have two 96 Sherpas. One is a single-speed with all top stuff, the other is an XT bike. Rock Shox Judys on both converted to 63mm travel.
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Submitted by
Yeti Lover
a Cross Country Rider
from Utah
Date Reviewed: September 4, 2001
Strengths: The '90 Pro-Fro:Epitome of classic Yeti!!Beautiful workmanship and SOOO-sweet geometry.STEEL IS REAL BABY!!So bombproof that(given rustproofing treatments are used)it'll last you,oh,give or take a couple decades!
Weaknesses: A bit heavier than my '93 A.R.C.Has trouble fitting bigger than a 2.1" tire.THEY DON'T MAKE THEM ANYMORE?!No more steel Yetis?BLASPHEMY!!!!!
Bottom Line:
After I bought the ARC in '93,I went searching for a used Pro-Fro to add to my stable.LO AND BEHOLD,some dude was selling his gorgeous '90 Pro-Fro for $800 to buy a Cannondale Super-V(can we say "jackass to the 10th power?").So by Dec. '95,I had this baby in my garage.These bikes are,like,worth their weight in gold right now to Yeti collectors,and for damn good reason!!!
Bottom line,this bike KICKS BOOTY!Look at the beautiful welds,the racing geomtry,and feel the grace of well-aged steel beneath your body.How could this bike get ANYTHING less than 5 chilies?!Even after 10 1/2 YEARS I'm still crushing those Gravity-Games wannabes out on the trails with my beautiful retro steel Yeti!!Just proves they don't make 'em like they used to...
Strengths: I bmxed in 93&94 and saw an Yet. I loved this Frame but i hadn't the money. Now I get an 98 red (hardcorestyle)FRO frame. When i build it the frame up, i thought i am dreaming. An aggressive and stabil bike. It is a real racing stuff, faster than ya. This bike has a spirit, it rides like hell
Weaknesses: I don't know. Perhaps this will be the weakness. Ok, it is now an old frame, it could be lighter or redesigned but i donno why.
Bottom Line:
Yeti is like Ferrari, there are perhaps some more innovative lighter bikes, but when you ride a Yeti you will always ride a Yedi. I am very happy a dream comes true. An other Dream is to get an ARC 2001 Frame to feel the difference. I rode many bikes from big companies (SCOTT, Giant, GT) there were all not bad or good. BUT A YETI RIDES LIKE HELL.
Similar Products Used: There are some other good frame's. Dekerf, Rocky Mountain and a Serrotta T-Max, Bontrager. But Yeti Bikes have a very good race backround.
Bike Setup: 2001 Shimano XT with Sram Shifters, King HS, Manitou Suspension Fork
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Submitted by
Duke
a Cross Country Rider
from Londonderry Vermont, USA
Date Reviewed: June 11, 2001
Strengths: Steel is real! Super smooth, predictable, even when you're hammering down a super tight, rock and root trail. Long tupe tube=sweet riding position.
Weaknesses: Hah. This bike was purchased in '89. Ridden and raced until '96. Rebuilt in '99. Never has had a problem.
Bottom Line:
This is the bike that keeps bringing me back. Even after all my flings with newer, lighter bikes, I still come back. It didn't really need all the new stuff I've put on it, but I was tired of thumbshifters and rigid forks. It's been said that for some trails you have to have full suspension, but with a FRO that's a lie. This bike can go any where and do anything, while holding onto that old school style. If you've got one of these beauties, smile with me, if you don't, then be jealous 'cause these gems are hard to find. So if you're ridin' techy stuff, haulin on the down hills and want a bike that'll outlive three cars, get a FRO.
Similar Products Used: Nothing, besides old Bontrager, and well, maybe a Schwinn Homegrowen-but only in a moment of weakness!
Bike Setup: '99 White Brothers SC 70, full XT, Ritchey rims, Salsa stem, and bar, Cane Creek headset, Thomson seat post, old Titec Bezerker.
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Submitted by
Peter Diones
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, CO USA
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2000
Strengths: Steel, Paint, Colorado Made
Weaknesses: Everyone wants to ride it or buy it!
Bottom Line:
This bike is a relic. I have abused this frame since it was bought and not once has it let me down. The frame climbs like a banshee and descends like a bat out of hell on rails. Nothing rides like a YETI!
Similar Products Used: ARC, Dean Colonel, Manitou HT & FS, Titus Evolution, Merlin XLM, GT(p.o.s.)
Bike Setup: 94 FRO Forest Green, Titec 118, ATAC Stem, King HS, Mag 21, White/Sun Wheels, Dean Ti post, XT Drive train, Helium filled tires.
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Submitted by
Peter Diones
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, CO USA
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2000
Strengths: Steel, Paint, Colorado Made
Weaknesses: Everyone wants to ride it or buy it!
Bottom Line:
This bike is a relic. I have abused this frame since it was bought and not once has it let me down. The frame climbs like a banshee and descends like a bat out of hell on rails. Nothing rides like a YETI!
Similar Products Used: ARC, Dean Colonel, Manitou HT & FS, Titus Evolution, Merlin XLM, GT(p.o.s.)
Bike Setup: 94 FRO Forest Green, Titec 118, ATAC Stem, King HS, Mag 21, White/Sun Wheels, Dean Ti post, XT Drive train, Helium filled tires.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Peter Diones
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, CO USA
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2000
Strengths: Steel, Paint, Colorado Made
Weaknesses: Everyone wants to ride it or buy it!
Bottom Line:
This bike is a relic. I have abused this frame since it was bought and not once has it let me down. The frame climbs like a banshee and descends like a bat out of hell on rails. Nothing rides like a YETI!
Similar Products Used: ARC, Dean Colonel, Manitou HT & FS, Titus Evolution, Merlin XLM, GT(p.o.s.)
Bike Setup: 94 FRO Forest Green, Titec 118, ATAC Stem, King HS, Mag 21, White/Sun Wheels, Dean Ti post, XT Drive train, Helium filled tires.
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Submitted by
Brandon
a Cross Country Rider
from Arlington, VA
Date Reviewed: March 7, 2000
Strengths: Everything about it.
Weaknesses: Not enough clearance between fat tire (2.25 or more) and chain stay.
Bottom Line:
Excellent steel frame, beautiful lively nimble ride. The best bike I've ever ridden (I bought it in '90, 10 years ago). Unbeatable on technical single-track, climbing and decending. Raced it a few times with rigid fork and was at no disadvantage whatsoever to the guys with suspension. This thing absorbs shock like you wouldn't believe, just what one wants from a good steel hardtail. It did crack a few years back (the right chain stay cracked right by the bridge to the BB shell) but I really don't fault the bike for that because I had ridden it hard, I mean it took 5 years of serious pounding before the crack (I'm an ex-BMXer so I'm prone to hammer the hell out of my bike). It was no longer under warranty but I did send it to Yeti and they put a whole new rear triangle on it and gave it a new powder coat. They charged me $250 but it was like getting a brand new FRO back! I guess their warranty is 1 year. I don't think the smaller frame makers can afford to offer a life time warranty like the mega-giants do. Then again, no big company makes a frame as nice as this one. Anyway, I'm sure I would've broken most other frames much sooner, especially an aluminum piece of junk. It's a shame these frames are no longer made. At least Yeti is out from the Schwinn thing. I've heard some of the old Yeti staff is back building the frames, aluminum only sadly enough. If you find one, buy it. Great for anyone for any type of mountain biking.
A superbike, please buy for you a F.R.O. Yeti. Steel is the perfect material for a lifetime bike. En 1996 compre esta FRO usada, completamente armada con un antiguo grupo XT, 21 velocidades y con una tijera Manitou III, por el equivalente a $230. Dlls. (una ganga!!!!!). Despues de compararla con las otras bicicletas que he poseido y que he probado, puedo recomerdar ampliamente a la marca YETI y en especial el modelo FRO, lastima que dejaron de fabricar los cuadros hechos en acero. El cuadro que poseo es el No.970 ¿Sabe alguien de que año es? En México es muy raro encontrar bicicletas de esta marca, yo solamente he visto la que poseo y una A.R.C.
Bike Setup: Manitou SX 98; Shimano LX 9; XTR-900 hubs; Gipiemme rims; Suspension Seatpost Post Moderne 1000; Bontrager Revolt ST-2 tires; Kore Lite stem; FSA Orbit headset; Yeti Hardcore Brips.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Henning Hansen
a Weekend Warrior
from Oslo, Norway
Date Reviewed: December 18, 1999
Strengths: The perpect frame, it has everything from incredible looks to strength and stability. Of course, one of the major plusses is the steel itself, pity that they don't make them anymore. Went to the worlds in Åre, Sweden this year, and brought my 97'FRO ChroMo along, rode quietly along watching the races, and believe me: no other bike turned soooo many heads as this ol' steel FRO.
Weaknesses: weight
Bottom Line:
First saw an FRO through the window of my Yeti Dealer Sykkeldelisk in Oslo back in 1991. Newer forgot it, kept saving and dreamin, and in 1997 it became an reality. Honors to John Parker/FTW/Chris Herting for creating this miracle!! Recently bought a 92' Ultimate which is to be brought back to life, perfect pair?????
Bike Setup: 1997 FRO ChroMo(last year of production) Bright red with TroyLee graphics. Manitou SX Carbon fork, King headset, Avid Arch-Supreme,Ringlè stem/seatpost, Mavic Crossmax, XTR drivetrain with Sachs D.I.R.T. Plasma rear derailleur,Yeti Factor XC tires etc.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ronnie Pettit
a Weekend Warrior
from Atlanta, GA
Date Reviewed: October 12, 1999
Strengths: Indestuctable, Hold on it will take you there
Weaknesses: ZERO
Bottom Line:
Get this folks, I bought a FRO cromo in or about 1988. I rode like a madman and won many many races on my black beauty. Stopped riding, sold it to a friend. Now over 10 years since I have had my butt on a saddle, I bough back my original Yeti! hehe. Brough a tear to my eye. What a love affair. Sorry to hear about the schwinnelization of Yeti. They were great people back in the day and even invited me to move to Colorado to race with them. I am totally stoked to have my old school FRO back and it wont be long before I am back in shape and dusting you young posers with your little springy bikes. HAR!. How many would love to get their hands on my Yeti serial #239? Oh' gotta go I'm getting wood....Fish Head
here she is , my yeti , finally finished , well almost , needs some rear teeth and a chain :)
hope you guys like her
yeti pro fro 1994
manitou 3
ringle 1 1/4 stem
yeti Read More »
I think I mentioned before that I was building my FRO - well here it is complete (phase 1 of evolution anyways)
Frame 1992 Yeti Pro FRO 20”
Fork Answer Manitou 1
Headset De Read More »
Beware, the YETI PRO FRO serial number FRO108 that is on Ebay with 14 hours left, had serious internal rust issues and the current seller knows this and did not disclose it in the Read More »
I have an older (not perfect) profro that I would like to sell. other then ebay, any yeti fan pages that I have missed?
sorry if this is not the right place to ask, I'm not t Read More »
Finally after all these months of planing, buying, bidding and building :-)
Build thread [url]http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=136070[/url]
Youtube video [URL Read More »
