Submitted by
yeti4ever
a Weekend Warrior
from the Lone Star State Date Reviewed: September 20, 2009
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$830.00
Purchased At:
Jenson USA
Strengths:
Kick butt geometry; extremely light frame; sexy Yeti paint scheme!; stiff but not harsh like other aluminum frames (you don't get the beat-up feeling after a ride);
Weaknesses:
Wish that YETI brings back powder-coating for their paint jobs
xtr transmission, fox shox 100mm, avid juicy 5 disc brakes, dt 240s hubs, dt 4.20 rims, thomson setback seatpost, thomson 90mm stem, richey wcs carbon handlebar, specialized dirtrodz bar ends (circa 1993); selle italia flite (the 1st generation!); xtr pedals/cranks
Bottom Line:
I always wanted an ARC since the first ARCs came out in the early 90's. But basically didn't go for it as the tubing was like a beer can (although YETI was really pushing the envelope to be the lighest and durable aluminum frame.) Fast forward 15+ years later, I moved back to the States just recently, bought a stump, but hated the geometry (very sluggish!) So, the thoughts of getting an ARC pop into my mind... the rest is history.
For the ARC, this is the best handling bike that I have ever owned or test ridden (I was a bike mechanic in my previous life.) You point it where to go, it goes! Very light frame, yet the tubing is quite solid (no beer can tubing here.) Great climber, and is best in tight technical singletrack. This bike is freaking fast! Bottom line, the geometry just kicks butt, beautiful craftsmanship, stiff but forgiving, excellent top tube length. The best I can say though is that it can "move" laterally! What I mean is the geometry is so spot on, that I can switch lines in a heartbeat! The only bad thing I can think of is maybe the paint that they use for their frames. It is not the best, it chips off. PLS BRING POWDERCOATING BACK!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
m2fit4u2
a Weekend Warrior
from Clinton Twp Michigan Date Reviewed: July 4, 2009
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Everything, I LOVE this bike
Weaknesses:
None!
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale, Giant, Barracuda
Bike Setup:
ARC frame, Fox RL 100 fork, XT/XTR components
Bottom Line:
This bike does everything, I cross country it, put road tires on it and do wine tours, and it really shines on downhills. This bike seems to be balanced perfect. Also here in Michigan, no matter where I ride I can almost guarantee that I will not see another Yeti, this adds to the "ahh" factor when people question me about my ride.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Danny Teo
a Cross Country Rider
from Malaysia Date Reviewed: June 18, 2009
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$700.00
Purchased At:
KSH TTDI
Strengths:
Great acceleration. Perfect geometry. Great climbing machine.
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
GT avalanche, merida TFS 100-D hardtails.
Bike Setup:
RS SID 09, Crossride wheelset, XT groupset, Thomson stem and seatpost, Easton handlebar, WTB Saddle, ODI Yeti Lock-On Grip, Panaracer XC Pro tyres and etc.
Bottom Line:
Have ridden a GT avalanche and Merida TFS100, none of them climb or control like a Yeti. Suggest that you try one first before you buy others.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ovdoorn
a Cross Country Rider
from Huizen Date Reviewed: April 5, 2009
Favorite Trail:
lage Vuursche
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At:
Webshop
Strengths:
Great geometry, handles very well. Stiff but not as harsh/hard like most alloy frames. Both Disk and V-brake compatible. Super looks and it is a Yeti!
Weaknesses:
The inner bottom bracket is not well finished at my frame, some alloy "wires" left probably after threading.
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale, Kona, Commencal, Rocky Mountain.
Bike Setup:
Yeti ARC frameset (2008), RST First Platinum, SRAM XO/X9, XT cranks, Mavic CrossMax, Kore seatpost and stem, SDG sadle, Ritchey WCS bar, Magura HS33 EVO2, Crankbrothers Eggbeater Ti.
Bottom Line:
Great frame/bike at a decent price, super handling and smooth ride. Super looks and Yeti character!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
BLURPILOT
a Cross Country Rider
from Orange County, CA Date Reviewed: March 30, 2009
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$700.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
stable and precise handing, stiff, lightweight, excellent pedaling platform (fast acceleration), excellent finish/workmanship, and the great turquoise/white team colors. 2009 frame is disc specific so doesn't have V-brake towers on seatstays. Yeti signature looped stays. This bike fits me like a glove and I could ride it all day.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Bridgestone MB-1, Bontrager Racelite
Bike Setup:
Full Shimano XTR with 959 pedals; Fox F100 RLC; Mavic Crossmax SLs; Maxxis LUST 2.1 Ignitor front; Maxxis LUST 2.0 Larsen TT rear; RaceFace Next SL carbon seatpost and risers; Thomson Elite x4 stem; Yeti SDG TiFlyC saddle; Yeti ODI lockon grips; Avid Juicy Ultimate brakeset; Chris King headset.
Bottom Line:
The best racing hardtail ever.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joules
a Racer
from MD, USA Date Reviewed: September 5, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Patpasco
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$809.00
Purchased At:
Speedgoat
Strengths:
Handling, ride, weight, history
Weaknesses:
Front derailleur setup. Colors not as nice on newer models
Similar Products Used:
many
Bike Setup:
X9 drivetrain, Marta brakes, F100 fork, Cane Creek wheels
Bottom Line:
Best XC hardtail ever made, obviously since every other bike on the market is a copy of Yeti's geometry from 1990. Honestly I don't know why anyone would even consider any other, at $800 for the frame it's a fantastic value - all the big manufacturers make bikes that aren't as good and cost more.
If they would go back to turquoise and yellow paint schemes it would be a 6 out of 5.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris Tassell
a Racer
from Australia Date Reviewed: August 19, 2007
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$1800.00
Strengths:
None, but nice colour.
Weaknesses:
Frame Cracks, Poor workmenship on frames and Warrenty useless. This has happened on 2 frames.
Similar Products Used:
Nothing
Bike Setup:
Shimano XTR, Dt Swiss 240 Wheels, Manitou R7
Bottom Line:
I started with a 2003 Yeti ARC Frame which lasted 8 months before it cracked in the Loopstay on the drive side. Which is very common in Yeti Arc's. Then I had to wait 3 months before I saw another frame. Also the frame is very flexy in the bottom bracket area becasue you could hear the frame hitting against the tyre when climbing. The paintwork was pretty average, you could see the clear coat cracking around the loopstay area. This was showing the amount of stress on the frame. The second frame I got is the current one now, which only lasted "8 months" again. It cracked at the Bottom Bracket on the non-drive side. Which the manufacture had over heated the weld which caused the crack. This time it took 4 months to replace. It was then promptly sold.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Lobo Loco 3
a Racer
from Seattle, WA USA Date Reviewed: May 10, 2007
Favorite Trail:
big ring ripp followed by the plunge...
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
n/a
Strengths:
I used the 2005 Alum Arc which was much more lively than the 2001 ACR that i raced for years. Increased flex in the frame made it stellar climber on loose terrain. Reminds me of their road bike which goes up hill like a homesick angle and descends like a demon...It was exemplary at the Trans Alps. A very stable bike for going fast.
Weaknesses:
Thin walled alum. In the event you and the bike part ways in ugly terrain inspect your tubes...
Similar Products Used:
Ti Yeti Arc, 2001 Alum Yeti, high end steel bikes from various mfgs, full susp rigs etc... Whatever bikes i could get to do my job that would survive and i could ride...
Bike Setup:
I am endurance racer, what do you think? durable light and reliable. period.
Bottom Line:
If you want to go XC fast and own an alum frame that will make you wonder why everbody keeps trying to sell you Ti, plastic, or steel, the boys at Yeti may have your frame. But please, as i tell my clients, fit, fit, fit. If it doens't fit the best bike in the world will ride like dog doo...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chad Smith
a Racer
from Franklin, NC Date Reviewed: November 17, 2006
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Factory Sponsored
Strengths:
The bike is exceptional the bike handles and flies like a 4x bike yet climbs fast and well.
Weaknesses:
none thus far
Similar Products Used:
Jamis Dragon, Treks,Cannondales, andFishers
Bike Setup:
Cane Creek Zonos team wheelset,Ritchey WCS carbon bar,stem, and seatpost,Manatou R7 100mm super clickit,Sram XO drive train (grip shift) Truvative team crankset. Juicy 7 Brakes aluminum rotors, 20.2lbs
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike and I'm proud to ride it for an aluminum hardtail its very smooth and fast yet not twitchey like most race bikes. This bike works for beginners as well as elite racers. Every race I do is a minnimum of 12 hours or 100 miles and I could not be more comfortable for extended periods on thi bike. Give one a shot you won't regret it
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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