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Submitted by
Matt Donohue
a Weekend Warrior
from Washington, DC
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | TSALI | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | 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. | | 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 | | 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. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Anthony
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle
Date Reviewed: October 24, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Gold Creek | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | 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. | | 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... :) | | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Frank Brigandi
a Cross Country Rider
from Havertown, Pa.
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere there are dirt, rocks and hills. | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | from YETI | | Strengths: | I don't have any patience for stupid questions.. it's a YETI, nuff said... | | Weaknesses: | none that I could find | | 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. | | 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.
Have fun, Ride a YETI. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from West Chester, PA
Date Reviewed: October 28, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Brandywine Creek, DE | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Some dealer in Miami, FL | | 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. | | 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. | | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick B
a Cross Country Rider
from Metuchen, NJ, USA!
Date Reviewed: April 22, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | long ones with lots of ups and downs | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Traded for another frame | | 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. | | 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. | | 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! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Yeti Lover
a Cross Country Rider
from Utah
Date Reviewed: September 4, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$850.00 | | 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!!!!! | | Similar Products Used: | Yeti '93 A.R.C is the only thing remotely comparable. | | Bike Setup: | Yeti Pro-Fro,red(kickass!!),'93 XT grouppo,Deore thumbshifters,Yeti rigid fork,Answer Taperlite handlebar--currently getting Shimano 747 pedals and Avid Arch Rival V-brakes/Avid levers,but still pretty true to its roots | | 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... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Erg Raider
a Racer
from Berlin,
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Teufelsberg (Devilsmountain) | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | 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. | | 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 | | 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. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Duke
a Cross Country Rider
from Londonderry Vermont, USA
Date Reviewed: June 11, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Too hot to trot | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Pedal Pushers(defunct) | | 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. | | 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. | | 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. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter Diones
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, CO USA
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Two-Elk | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Steel, Paint, Colorado Made | | Weaknesses: | Everyone wants to ride it or buy it! | | 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. | | 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! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter Diones
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, CO USA
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Two-Elk | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Steel, Paint, Colorado Made | | Weaknesses: | Everyone wants to ride it or buy it! | | 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. | | 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! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter Diones
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, CO USA
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Two-Elk | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Steel, Paint, Colorado Made | | Weaknesses: | Everyone wants to ride it or buy it! | | 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. | | 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! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brandon
a Cross Country Rider
from Arlington, VA
Date Reviewed: March 7, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Wasatch Crest Trail, UT | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Everything about it. | | Weaknesses: | Not enough clearance between fat tire (2.25 or more) and chain stay. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Solid orange FRO, rigid forks (Yeti-made, not Answer Accu-Trax, Yeti stem, King HS, Cook Bros. RSR and BB, Hyperlites, etc. | | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
EDUARDO REYES
a Weekend Warrior
from Chalco, Estado de México, MEXICO
Date Reviewed: February 25, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Campo de Tiro. Volcan Popocatepetl | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Steel is real. Infatigable. Lifetime frame. Bellisimas soldaduras, geometria agresiva, durabilidad garantizada. | | Weaknesses: | What? | | Similar Products Used: | Benotto Montebello; Treck ; Specialized Hardrock; Specialized Stumpjumper M2; Cannondale F-700; Cannondale F-600; | | 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. | | Bottom Line: | 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.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Henning Hansen
a Weekend Warrior
from Oslo, Norway
Date Reviewed: December 18, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
forrests surrounding Oslo | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | 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 | | Similar Products Used: |
Kona Explosif | | 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. | | 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????? | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ronnie Pettit
a Weekend Warrior
from Atlanta, GA
Date Reviewed: October 12, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
Indestuctable, Hold on it will take you there | | Weaknesses: |
ZERO | | Bike Setup: |
Manitou fork | | 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 | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
grant childers
a Cross-Country Rider
from glenwood sprgs, co
Date Reviewed: September 10, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
spring creek | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
THIS BIKE IS THE BEST ONE ON THE MARKET. EVEN TO THIS DAY. IT IS SUPER STURDY. I HAVE RACED ON MINE SINCE 93, AND TRAINED ON IT TO.ONE WORD BOMBPROOF | | Weaknesses: |
ONLY ONE WEAKNESS AND IT DOES NOT CONCERN THE FRAME AT ALL. OK YOU READY THE BIG WEAKNESS HERE IS SCHWINN!!!!! SCHWINN SUCKS SORRY FOR ALL THOSE OUT THERE THAT OWN SCHWINNS. I KNEW YETI WELL. I HAD A FRIEND THAT WORKED AT YETI IN DURANGO WHERE IT BELONGS UNTIL SCHWINN SHUT IT DOWN. LAID OFF 30 EMPLOYEES AND DIDN'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT ANYTHING. I HAVE TAKEN A TOUR OF YETI AND WHAT A OPERATION, WHEN IT WAS IN DURANGO, EVERYONE WAS LAID BACK AND ROAD AND RACED MOUNTAIN BIKES. THESE PEOPLE RULED. WELL SORRY FOR GOING ON AND ON ABOUT THIS BUT SCHWINN IS ON MY HIT LIST THESE DAYS. WELL THE GOOD OLD DAYS OF YETI HAVE GONE. JOHN PARKER WE WANT YOU BACK!!! | | Similar Products Used: |
ALL I HAVE ARE YETI'S. 4 OF THEM TO BE EXACT.
TWO PRO-FROS CROMO 93&94
ONE YETI ARC AS LT 94
ONE YETI ARC 99, SORRY I DID BUY A SCHWINN MADE YETI AND IT WILL BE MY LAST. YETI'S ARE THE ONLY BIKES THAT SEEM TO FIT ME JUST RIGHT | | Bike Setup: |
RIGID ON THE 93, XTR SETUP, ROCKSHOX XC ON THE 94 LX SETUP I AM UPGRADING SOON. ARC AS LT ROCKSHOX DOWNHILL, SRAM GRIPSHIFT SETUP, AND XTR, 99 ARC WHITEBROTHERS SC72UL SHOCK SRAM GRIPSHIFT SETUP WITH XT, CHRIS KING. RISERBARS ON ALL BIKES. | | Bottom Line: | IF YOU CAN FIND AN OLD YETI PROFRO CROMO IN GOOD SHAPE GET IT. IT'S A COLLECTORS ITEM NOW, AND ONE HELL OF A BIKE. THE ARC'S ARE AWESOME TOO FOR AN ALLOY BIKE. SUPER LIGHT COMPARED TO THE FRO. BUT ALL THERE BIKES ARE KILLER CLIMBERS ITS THE GEOMETRY AND THE DESIGN. TO ME THEY WERE THE BEST BIKES ON THE PLANET, AND THOSE THAT DO HAVE THEM FEEL LUCKY YOU HAVE A COLLECTORS ITEM. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
S. Parsons
a Cross-Country Rider
from Chas. WV
Date Reviewed: August 24, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Wildcat Trail Kan. State Forest | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
Great Climber, fast as you want to be downhill. Hangs on tight in curves tracking is superb. | | Weaknesses: |
No such thing | | Similar Products Used: |
Schwinn homegrown, Trek 930, Cannonsnail | | Bike Setup: |
Judy xc, Chris King headset, Bullseye suspension, Cooks Brother racing cranks, XTR everything, hyperlight bar. | | Bottom Line: | It is a great bike to own and highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for the last bike they will ever purchase. I have had no rust or any defects. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a Cross-Country Rider
from Annapolis, Maryland
Date Reviewed: July 31, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
South Mt., NJ (now closed) | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
Fast, tight single track covered with rocks.
Saving your neck when you've over-stepped you abilities. | | Weaknesses: |
Doesn't climb as well as some of the aluminum frames out there, and it's heavy. | | Similar Products Used: |
Brew 180 proof. | | Bike Setup: |
XT / XTR, Chris King Hubs & head set, Judy XC (however I'm shopping for a SID), And a Yeti-Easton EA-70 bar | | Bottom Line: | The faster you ride, the more you'll appreciate it. The frame is a 94' that I brought in 95'. It's the original team yellow & desert turquoise. I just recently upgraded the wheels to Mavic 517 CDs with turquoise Chris King hubs (difficult to find but ride and look great). One of the first times I rode this bike I got totally out of control on a fire road that turned ugly. Very steep, huge rocks, and ruts. My stomach churned, a cold sweat came over my body, and I felt sick. As I rocketed down this trail, all my thoughts gravitated to the pain I'd soon incure. I came through it Ok. In fact, that may have been my best ride. Looking up from the bottom of that trail I understood what the bike shop owner ment when he told me NOTHING RIDES LIKE A YETI !!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Risk
a Cross-Country Rider
from Kula,Maui,Hawaii
Date Reviewed: June 11, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Mamane | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
Steel is real.
'92 model still riding strong. The single tube rear triangle is bombproof. | | Weaknesses: |
What? | | Similar Products Used: |
Specialized Stumpjumper | | Bike Setup: |
Rigid, Rigid, Rigid.
Full Answer front end: Accutrax, FTW Atac Stem, Hyperlite bars, Answer barends. | | Bottom Line: | I turned my trusty hardtail into my retro bike. I replaced my suspension fork with the original Accutrax. I know has a full Answer front end. I purchased this bike in '92 (before the buyout).
It is a bombproof frame. It's stiff, but the single tube rear-end is resilient. This bike does everything well and is durable.
I'm holding on to this one. It's a classic.P.S. It even has old XTR cantis and thumbshifters. Retro. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Velocity Man
a racer
from San Franciso, CA
Date Reviewed: March 5, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I missed the opportunity to purchase an FRO- cromo back in the late 80's/early 90's. It was at a shop called VeloCity and it had the original, cool orange (not mango) color that everyone copied for a few years. This was right before Rockshox became OEM and the bike had 2inch or bigger tires. I was test riding it around the block, jumping all kinds of curbs (oops sorry, it could take it-it only tantalized me to get an excellent frame when I could afford it) all on a rigid fork and this frame was superb at absorbing shock. No other bike was as raceworthy as these frames back then. The handling was more geared for highspeed than for slow singletrack. Remember when Johnny T rode the Kamikaze 50mph w/o suspension? It's too bad that Yeti missed the redesign to suspension or waited to refine their designs or couldn't choose a design(who knows). Suspension was not just a slap on, but reality and most designers never understood it. Sure there are great builders out there, but look at how some resisted suspension and where are they now because they didn't redesign. Remember Bridgestone, Ritchey was stubborn, too and even Mantis. Yeti used to be so with the race scene, the innovators. That FRO was advanced for its time, but seemingly they didn't advance much past that. Too bad because they had the goods. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Owen
a weekend warrior
from Brighton, England
Date Reviewed: January 24, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I you care for your Yeti Pro Fro, it'll be the only frame you'll ever need. I say care for it because without a rust treatment, the inside of the tubes (especially the seat tube) can rust really easily. And use anti seize and not grease on your parts, because my seat post fused on 3 separate occasions with mine. However, the bike is obviously the ultimate pose as especially in England, you never see another Yeti around. Mines a steel one, which may be hefty, but can guarantee you against breakages and the like. Its not a bad touring bike either: I got my (somewhat peeling) powdercoat finish taken off so that I could have rack mounts fitted, which was, however, very expensive due to the cost of removing powdercoat paint finishes. It is certainly a bonus to own on the the pre schwinn (now GT owned) Yeti's and the ride is both smooth and taught, with a very stretched out riding position. Dual slalom or general trick riding I think not due to its incredibly long top tube.... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jon healy
a weekend warrior
from ri
Date Reviewed: October 10, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This frame rides excellent. It handles like a dream, climbs and descends like a champ, and is easily launched. It is a little heavy though. However,the feel of steel is worth the extra pound. My frame is built up with xt & xtr components and is 16.5 red (looks awsome). Yeti frames are measured differently; from bottom bracket center to bottom of top tube (INSTEAD OF TOP OF TOP TUBE. I am currently selling this bike because I have a YETI ARC-AS. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Swagatola
a cross-country rider
from Nederland
Date Reviewed: September 24, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Actually, Yeti does have a 1 year race warranty. This warranty allows you to go out and race the hell out your bike and if it fails due to a manufacturer defect, they will replace it. If you neglect your bike and it fails due to this neglect, of course it won't be covered. It is too bad that the bike rusted out. I know my steel Yeti came from the factory with rust protectant on the inside of the tubes. Also, rust protectant can be purchased over the counter. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lt. Almond
a
from Toronto, Ontario
Date Reviewed: August 19, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I am posting this in defend of Yeti's Frameset. All Yeti Framesets are sold without warranty. The bikes are meant to be ridden hard and be raced every weekend. How can a company warranty a product that is being ridden to the limit at all time. I am sorry for your lost, but your incident could have happened to ANY Cromoly bike. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob Mizek
a cross-country rider
from Downers Grove, IL
Date Reviewed: July 24, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Yeti Ultimate DisasterYeti has a well deserved reputation for innovation and hand craftsmanship. The ride and handling of a F.R.O. and the ULTIMATE model it replaced are excellent. Light and nimble, both bikes are helpful in developing confidence in one's skill. NOT RECOMMENDED is YETI's CUSTOMER SERVICE, or more appropriately, it's lack of thereof. I recently had the pleasure of riding a freind's ULTIMATE. This thoroughbred mas made for racing, but never was. Instead it was treasured and cared for like a classic Harley. As I returned from a jaunt around my subdivsion, I bunny hopped the 2-1/2 curb onto my driveway. To my surprise, upon landing, the entire bottom bracket assembly cracked off the bottom of the frame. Luckily, I had unclipped one foot and caught myself before getting seriously hurt. My family jewels smarting from their collision with the top tube, I examined the frame. The frame had rusted through FROM THE INSIDE! No outward sign of fatigue or cracking was present. The interior of the tubes had no rust preventative coating and the area around the BB did not have weep holes allowing condensation to drain. I called my riding partner and told him what had happened. Since then, he contacted YETI and alerted them to the problem with the bike. YETI's response was that they offer NO WARRANTY. Yeti no longer makes Cro-Mo frames but their attitude is not on par with their reputation for excellence. How this turns out for my riding partner, I can't say yet. If YETI changes their position, I'll post again. P.S. For the record, I'm not a clydesdale. | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
gordon grant
a cross-country rider
from scottsdale, az
Date Reviewed: June 28, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
The Yeti Pro-Fro just plain rules for the person who wants strength, durability, and mind numbing fun. A bit heavy but non the less a fine performer for all conditions. I've had mine for going on 3 seasons now and it has treated me to a whole lot of fine times. Unfortunately it is not produced any longer in cro-mo. This is a blunder on Yeti's part. A sad state of affairs for the rrame indeed. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug
a cross-country rider
from Illinois
Date Reviewed: January 17, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
The Yeti Pro-Fro is probably the most bombproof cro-moly frameset out there.
I have an older one, and it was called the sherpa for the last couple seasons.
Now it is back to the Pro-Fro (cro-mo), there is now an alloy version.
The older frameset has 71/72 angles vs. 71/73 now. That all said, it is an
outstanding frameset, heavy yes, but I'm not real light myself. The frame
handles outstandingly, without much of any flex. The computer bent rear end
helps smooth out the ride a bit, and it rips on the downhills. It climbs great
even with the extra heft. The frame weighs in at 4.75 lbs, and it's been
lightened a little recently. It is a great, maybe even the best, cro-mo
frameset out there for bigger riders 190+, the only others I considered were
the Fat City Yo, or the Independent Fabrications. The Yeti's geometry
worked better for me, and it cost a little less. They used to go for almost
a grand and you can get them now for about 800 bucks. I would sum this frame
as having the power transfer characteristics of an aluminum frame, but with
greater shock absorbtion characteristics. It handles great, and should out last
just about anything out there. If you are a bigger rider, and are sick of having the snot beat out of you on aluminum, take a serious look at one of these
pups. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ray Zeimet
a racer
from Mamaroneck, NY
Date Reviewed: November 6, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
Truly delightful ride. I have been abusing this frame for 3 seasons of training and racing, and it keeps coming back for more. This frame is a great climber. I don't know much about angles and how they help but this frame works in every situation for me. The only place I have run into even the slightest trouble is when the bike gets over 50 on a ski slope downhill, but no hardtail is going to be comfortable there. On a sad note it seems that YETI has decided to make the Pro FRO better?, Enter the SHERPA, I haven't riden it yeat but it just isn't the same bike anymore. Why they would get rid of the oldest and truest of their framesets is beyond me. If you can find a Pro FRO you can do no wrong to ride it hard. | | Overall Rating: |
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