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Submitted by
Paul Crawford
a Cross Country Rider
from Vassalboro, Maine
Date Reviewed: October 16, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Sugarloaf use road | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$8000.00 | | Purchased At: | Around The World | | Strengths: | Light, Beautiful, Built from the best stuff on Earth. | | Weaknesses: | None yet | | Similar Products Used: | Ibis Szazbo w/Fox Air, SlingShot XC MTB Frame, Haro Ti Hardtail (not similar, but fast) | | Bike Setup: | C.Bros Cobalt Ti/Ceramic ISIS BB, AC Carbon ISIS Cranks, Stronglight Zycral chainrings, King Headset, Hope MonoMiniPro Brakes, Xyclone Disc Wheels, SID WorldCup Fork, SSM Carbon Monocoque Saddle, Syntace Stem and Post (stem to replaced with a Hope 65mm 0deg shortly), X0 rear(Ceramic Pulleys/Carbon plate upgrades)/XTR front Mechs, XTR Cassette (w/King lockring), KMC X9SL Chain, C.Bros EggBeaterSL Pedals, RaceFace NEXT SL bars, ODI/Oury LockOn Grips, X0 Shifters, Hope Skewers, Hope Seat Binder, PurelyCustom Al bolt covers, ProBoltUK Ti bolts throughout | | Bottom Line: | I had originally built a Ti hardtail thinking I would make best use of a light bike, and after building an 18.5 pound rocket I realized that I had a parts selection that would really be better used at higher speeds, and didn't know what to do to get to that. I analyzed my riding and found that a great deal of energy was being wasted sucking up the roots and ruts of the Maine mountainsides. I got this frame for $680 shipped. It is an ASR-SL Carbon frame with Al seatstays! I guessed it was time for a rear suspension that would match my SID's capabilities without ruining them with too much travel. I also wanted something stiff laterally. Having read nothing but, good about the ASR, I got a 2006 in Red/White Team paint, the last of the handmade Yetis. I am in the process of building the beast, and will edit this review to accomodate the need for an actual review of the finished machine. It ought to come in at about 20lbs even, based on the difference in frame weight, but could come in lighter, since there will be less cable housing and less seatpost, and I believe the steerer tube for the SID will get a slight shaving. This could get it into the teens, but that is hardly a concern. Suspended weight does not have nearly the impact of unsuspended weight when the bike is moving, with the exception of the wheelset. My wheels aren't the lightest in the world, but I wanted some confidence on the bigger drops, and I am 185lbs and 6'2" tall. My frame is a Medium, which is really suited to slightly shorter riders, but I like a low and short bike, and this is perfect for me. Just based on what it looks like, I would recommend this frame, but I will have more reasons to do so after the build is finished. I am sure of that. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
123duder
a Cross Country Rider
from Monterey, CA
Date Reviewed: August 3, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Murphy hanrahan, MN | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$4000.00 | | Purchased At: | Trail Head in San Jo | | Strengths: | The ASR is light, solid, and fast. It is solid on the climbs, quick in technical, smooth on fire roads, and well grounded on the down hills. | | Weaknesses: | non that I can tell so far. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek fuel, Gary Fisher suger, Intense Spider, Specialized Stump Jumper. | | Bike Setup: | Yeti ASR Aluminum frame with carbon rear triangle, DT Swiss wheels, XT-XTR drive train, XT disc brakes, fox RSL fork, Fox flot rear shox, and Thompson, Easton, Chris King, Salsa high lights. | | Bottom Line: | I road a Schwinn Homegrown hard tail for 11 years and was nervous about letting it go. I ride XC about 15 day a month and I seldom compete. When I tried the ASR I was sold. From riding on the fire road to the down hills at North Star in Tahoe CA it handles like a dream. Very comfortable geometry and has solid suspension. The folks at Yeti were a huge selling point, they are very knowledgeable, friendly, and go to great lengths to get you on a bike. I don't regret my decision at all. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Cross Country Rider
from Golden, CO
Date Reviewed: May 4, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Enchanted Forest | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Full Cycles | | Strengths: | Awesome climbing, respectable descending, great geometry, light weight. Made here in Golden, CO (2007 was last year for that though). Yeti crew is awesome, customer service is legendary. | | Weaknesses: | Bit expensive. I believe they are a little cheaper now that they are being made overseas. | | Bike Setup: | 2007 AS-R turquoise color, full carbon rear triangle, 2008 Race package with full XT/XTR | | Bottom Line: | Get this bike if you are looking for a fairly firm 4 inch cross country bike. If you are looking for a all-around plush trail-bike, look into the 575. The AS-R geometry is tight enough for nimble handling but slack enough to be confident on the downhills. This bike is a ton of fun to ride and has made me a faster rider. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Justin Zak
a Cross Country Rider
from Park City
Date Reviewed: April 13, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Climbs and handles amazingly well. Very light. Amazing build quality. | | Weaknesses: | Somewhat expensive (but if you're buying one, you know you are paying for quality). | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Expert | | Bike Setup: | 07 Frame 08 Shimano (Race Configuration) | | Bottom Line: | Broke this bike in this weekend in Moab. I really thought people who were bragging that their bikes made them much better riders were full of sh#t. I was wrong. Sick sick sick bike. Climbs rediculously well. Descends well for an XC rig. It definitely inspired confidence in my riding and we crushed it on our first weekend back in the show since November. If you've got the cash - get it. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
26rando
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, California
Date Reviewed: February 2, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | trade | | Strengths: | Stiff,light,predictable,sticks like glue. bathroom scale weight test says 25.5 lbs. | | Weaknesses: | None what so ever | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Trance,Reign. Santa Cruz Blur,Blur LT, Nomad. | | Bike Setup: | Carbon rear, Reba WC,RP23,Sram XO rear and shifters,XTR Front,Juicy Ultimates,Truvativ Noir,Crank Bros,Crossmax SL,Thomson Masterpiece Post,Truvativ Team Stem and Carbon Bars,weirwolf tires | | Bottom Line: | I got the bike in a trade. I wanted a bike with the vpp or fsr design. i had ridden 'em a bit and figured it was the latest and greatest so why not. my bro convinced me otherwise. when i got the bike it was actually the first time ever riding a yeti. The thing rails. up and down. sticks to the ground climbing seated and standing. tracks amazingly well on super steep uphill rocky and sandy climbs and switchbacks. very little pedal bob. going down this bike rips. it's definitely bred for technical singletrack. it's an xc rig so it's fast and responsive but not twitchy in the least bit. the suspension is predictable and never feels mushy. you can actually feel the trail. to put it simply, the bike is just super fun to ride. santa cruz, specialized, giant and all that are cool companies; however, they're bikes for the masses. yeti is a kick ass company that sticks to it's roots and delivers. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Racer
from Lakewood, CO 80228
Date Reviewed: February 1, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | it's a secret | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$4000.00 | | Purchased At: | Wheat Ridge Cyclery | | Strengths: | Weight, suspension design, no-bob travel, climbing, decending, I can go on and on..... | | Weaknesses: | One weakness - I have been able to create a "locked-out" condition in the rear end. This has happened twice on fast downhills when I firmly apply the brakes and turn. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSR, Fuel, Enduro | | Bike Setup: | SRAM XO rear, XT front, Fox 100, RP23, Juicy 7, time pedals | | Bottom Line: | I had ridden hard tails for 10 years, but gave up a ti hard tail for the ASR. This bike doesn't bob while climbing, but hooks up when needed, at the same time, it doesn't feel like your sitting back on the suspension, the position on the bike is fairly upright and unlike some other bikes, it retains this position throughout the suspension travel, front and rear. The bike climbs very well, tracks well on the downhill, super fast and handles extremely well. This bike handles better than my old Litespeed Ti, which is tough for me to admit. I prefer longer rides and this bike has made my rides more comfortable and the recovery period shorter. I shouldn't have held out for so long. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ron Jeremey
a Racer
from Boise, Idaho, USA
Date Reviewed: December 14, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Hardguy | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$3400.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Good bike...but not great. Pretty light (25.5 lbs). | | Weaknesses: | Likes to be steered through corners...I like to drift bikes through corners. Tall center of gravity. Rear end troubles that LBS took care of but Yeti didn't seems to believe. Pivot bearings have short life. Poor finish in seat tube (burs). Sloppy paint finish work. Noisy! | | Similar Products Used: | most FS XC rigs (Trek Fuel, GFisher HiFi, Specialized Epic, CDale Scalpel, Giant Anthem...) | | Bike Setup: | XT, Fox F100 RLT, Fox RP3, handbuilt wheels | | Bottom Line: | Good trail bike. Not a race bike. Not for those who like to drift through corners. Not for those who want a quiet bike. I kept it for two years hoping that I would learn to like it...look for it on craigslist. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jarred
a Racer
from Seattle, WA
Date Reviewed: August 15, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Ellsworth Truth, K2 Razorback | | Bottom Line: | Fantastic. The best suspnsion flattens a trail without letting you know that it's working. I like to sit and pedal as much of a race as possible which is why I no longer race XC with hardtails. The Razorback was light and cheap but I had to crank the rebound damping to keep from getting bucked out of the saddle on some terrain. The Ellsworth Truth is also a great bike: stiff, controlled, but too active out of the saddle. The ASR pretty much locks out when you stand up and no suspension movement on flat terrain while only pedaling, the Fox RP3 works well here. The only bob I notice is in the Fox fork (going to try the White Brothers IMV next). Going over bumps the ASR just takes it. It's like driving a Cadillac that handles like a Ferrari; you wouldn't think it possible. You can hammer a climb and not get worked on the downhill. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Littleton, CO
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Deer Creek | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$4300.00 | | Purchased At: | Sports Garage | | Strengths: | Weight, speed, stiffness, climbing ability, handling. This company is the only one with a web page dedicated to owners of their bikes (http://www.YetiFan.com). | | Weaknesses: | Cost but you get what you pay for! I broke my rear derailleur hanger on my first ride but don't feel it should have torn apart. I've replaced it and have had no other issues since then. | | Similar Products Used: | Twenty-four hour demos of the Ellsworth Truth (nice but very expensive), Santa Cruz Blur XC (didn't like the feel at all), Titus RacerX 100 (great climber), and Rocky Mountain ETSX-70 (not for an XC rider like me). I've ridden friends' Specialized and Cannondale full suspension bikes and have owned Trek, Gary Fisher, and GT hardtails. | | Bike Setup: | Basically the standard Race Disc kit with two deviations (brakes and front tire).
Color: Team (2005 paint job) Weight: 27 lbs (easy to make lighter if desired)
FOX F100 RLT fork, Fox RP3 shock, CANE CREEK S-2 headset, RACE FACE DEUS LP crankset, SRAM X-GEN Front, SRAM X.0 Rear, SRAM X.9 shifters, SRAM PG-970 cassette, SHIMANO HYPERGLIDE chain, SHIMANO XT hubs front and rear, MAVIC XM819 DISC UST rims, MAXXIS HI-ROLLER UST (2.1 Rear, 2.3 front), Avid Juicy Seven brakes, RACE FACE handlebar, THOMSON steam, YETI HARD CORE grips, : YETI / WTB ROCKET V TI saddle, THOMSON seatpost, Shimano 540 pedals | | Bottom Line: | I did a lot of research and overnight demo rides before purchasing the ASR-SL. I don't have a single regret and swear that your marbles will grow three sizes if you own this bike. Most everyone has said all the awesome things I would say about this bike but I'll share my own story. When I demoed the Yeti I passed somebody on the major downhill. This is unlike me (being an XC weenie) and the guy was on a longer travel bike built to do down but he couldn't keep up. The bike just hooks up to all terrain! Their are sections of trails going both up and down that I was not able to ride previously that I just mow through now. I think the RacerX is the best climbing bike although the Yeti is better overall as it is superior coming down hill. I did experience some brake jack for the first time the other day but I think that was more my fault (stupid rider) than the bikes.
Check out http://home.comcast.net/~john.bullock/ for reviews of all the overnight demos and the bottom line on the ASR. The first posts about a new bike are in January and the final decision is in March. All bikes would have been a big jump over my old 1998 GT Zaskar hardtail but I honestly believe Yeti's are the best buy.
If you want the best XC bike money can buy, the Yeti is your bike. If you don't want to spend a chunk of change or don't want the best, then Yeti is not for you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Merrill
a Weekend Warrior
from CA
Date Reviewed: March 20, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Customer service, paint and overall construction,attention to detail, backing up their product, did I mention Customer service. | | Weaknesses: | None at all | | Similar Products Used: | I think I've ridden just about everything made and I keep comming back to the American made frames like this ASR SL. | | Bike Setup: | Frame only but will be built up with top notch and quality components | | Bottom Line: | I bought this frame used from a local individual and the frame had obvious problems from the get go. The seller wasn't man enough to admit that the frame had a problem when I bought it. The only way I found the problem was during build up, and it was too late to go back to the low life that sold it to me so I emailed the factory to see what could be done to rectify the problem. Understand this frame was used and under no warranty but the guys at Yeti wanted to see the frame and see the problem so I sent it to them.
To make a long story short the company took the frame back and sent me out a brand new frame in place of the used defective frame I sent them. They didn't have to do it, but they did and they even covered shipping.
I could really go on and ramble about how great these smaller bike companies are like Yeti but they go way beyond what is required of them to make the customer happy and I am sold on Yeti products and would highly recommend them to anyone thinking about a high end frame or complete bike. Just don't make the same stupid mistake I made by buying it used from some scumbag on line. Well worth the money spent to get a well backed outstanding bike.
Thanks again Yeti, may the good karma be with you..... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin Kane
a Racer
from Dillon, Colorado, U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Wheeler Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$3200.00 | | Purchased At: | Yeti Cycles, Golden, CO | | Strengths: | The ASR is a classic bike. It's extremely smooth and races like a dream. The Yeti is light, simple and efficient. It always holds up on tight singletrack and climbs like a goat. The great thing about the ASR is it holds up and performs on the uphill and the downhill. | | Weaknesses: | The only problem I've had with my Yeti is that the Carbon Chainstay Protector broke off. It started to peel about 6 months after I got it, and it fell off completely about a week ago, leaving my chainstay naked and ready for some serious chain wear. Fortunately, I have plenty of old tubes in my garage. | | Similar Products Used: | 2004 Trek Fuel 90 | | Bike Setup: | XTR/XT deraillures, Fox shock set-up, Hayes, Thompson seat post, Yeti Saddle. | | Bottom Line: | Yeti makes great bikes. Their crew is great, even though they are a small company. They have a great line of bikes from the 303 to the ASR to the ARC. They all perform just as good as any bike out there. The ASR is the ultimate racing machine. I suggest it to anyone who wants a light performance racing bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bret Winters
a Cross Country Rider
from San Francisco
Date Reviewed: December 23, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | solstice | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$3500.00 | | Purchased At: | yeti/EP manu's | | Strengths: | Fast Feeling, stiff, lighter-weight XC duallie | | Weaknesses: | addictiveness | | Similar Products Used: | Jekyll, Prophet demo's; other duallie test rides | | Bike Setup: | Aluminium rear,Fox F80X, XO Grip+Rr.Der. XTR Ft. DER, KING/819 w/ Maxxis Larsen UST, MARTA SL, Thompson stem/post,EA 70 Hi-Rise Bar,Yeti lock-on Grip shift grips | | Bottom Line: | If you are a hardtail hold out- Do It!! Hardtails suck. Only shaved Euros like Hardtails. Kabush, Sauser and others have proven the superiority of the Duallie. Don't fear the Yeti- It is solid for climbing, smooth for descending. Even w/ a short 80mm fork, this bike tames it. You know Yeti is a way sicker company than many other pure design firms that start with "S"- Their bikes are heartless sweatshop guano. The tubing is sick- i think rocks break when they hit it, cause they can't even get through my (team) paint. Also, the Yeti is a Downieville survivor, proving that it's 3.8" equal like 5" from other manu's. Also, they get busy in season with team bikes and such- so don't fault them too much for long lead times. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Neil Chandra
a Weekend Warrior
from Denver, CO
Date Reviewed: November 19, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Evergreen Ranch | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Hartail-like stiffness/responsiveness; none of the weaknesses, light, fast. | | Weaknesses: | None that I can find | | Similar Products Used: | Demoed several XC bikes from Cannondale, Trek, Specialized, and GF. | | Bottom Line: | Coming from a hardtail, this bike blows me away. It is responsive and fast yet has way better traction on rough climbs. I will I had made the switch years ago. It tracks true and rockets away if your legs can manage it. It isn't a long-travel so it sometimes feels hardtail-like but it does soak up smaller bumps with ease. The bigger stuff will jar you so don't treat it like the 575. On the other hand, it will accelerate faster and climb better than anything else I can think of. It bunnyhops with ease and the rear suspension (5th Element Air) work superbly. I have had no trouble with it at all. I love this bike. It has made this sport twice as much fun. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland, OR
Date Reviewed: October 31, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Ape Canyon | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Bottom Line: | This is a follow-up to my earlier post about my nightmare experiences with Yeti's customer service. I'm here to EAT MY WORDS today! Painful as it may be, I was wrong about the folks at Yeti.
It would be too long of a story to post here, but the short version is that someone at Yeti saw my post and contacted me. A volley of emails were exchanged, all in good spirit, I must add. In the end, the experiences I had were still not good, but I genuinely believe that I just had some bad luck.
I found Yeti to be very interested in knowing what went wrong in my particular case so that they could be better next time. They didn't have to contact me based on my above rant, but they did. And they did everything they could at this point to make amends. To me, that speaks volumes about the company, and it lets me know that the small companies in the bike industry are still where the soul of the sport still lives. Thanks for showing me the light, Yeti! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paige
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver
Date Reviewed: September 30, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | I've been a hardtail holdout for way too long. The yeti is a great transition bike from hardtail as it climbs awesome and the rear fork has a lockout and two settings. I climb on the light setting as I actually prefer the rear suspension on the climbs with this bike! I test rode an Enduro and hated it. It was heavy and sluggish on the climbs. The Maverick was awesome all around I must admit but I couldn't fork out the dough. The yeti was pricey but I got a great deal on it. And best of all - it's PINK! The Yeti ASR far surpasses my hardtail on the climbs, and it's orgasmic on the downhills!! It is very stiff and light. And the geometry is great. I've noticed that I have much more clearance than I did on my trek, and I don't hit my pedals on rocks as much, and it turns sharp switchbacks like a champ. I found my zen immediately on this bike and I am very happy. Love the details, like the carbon levers, hydrolic breaks, xtr rear derailur and the light light front end with carbon riser bars. Super nice. | | Weaknesses: | None yet! I'm not crazy about the stock Highroller tires. They are light, but not terribly grabby. Not a big deal though, as I go through tires pretty quickly anyway. I'll be beefing them up soon. Getting some Conti vertical 2.3 tubeless. That will add a bit of weight for sure. I'll also be putting my girlie Terry seat back on it. The yeti seat is pretty but - ouch. I just wish they made a zebra stripe seat option to go with the pink frame! hee hee | | Similar Products Used: | Test rode Maverick ML7 and Specialized Enduro, leaving my hardtail trek 8000 for my house guests. | | Bike Setup: | Disc race stock stuff, Hayes 9, xtr rear, xt front, yeti carbon riser bar, tubeless etc. | | Bottom Line: | Sweet! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Josh Reed
a Racer
from Knoxville,
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Top secret | | Strengths: | Fast, better power transfer than any other bike I tried, laterally stiff, geometry happens to fit me well. | | Weaknesses: | Expensive but I got a sweet deal on mine. | | Similar Products Used: | lots of hardtails, tried trek fuel, Intense Spider & 5.5, Tried Santa Cruz Blur. The 5.5 had a ton of pedal scraping on rock in technical stuff. The Spider either felt too stiff or too soft, the Trek 17.5 is too small and 19.5 too big. Of all these frames only the top fuel is as light as an ASR-SL and the ASR-SL feels stiffer laterally, has more travel and the geometry fit me much better. | | Bike Setup: | 26 lbs with an F100X and some old Chris King wheels, Avid mechanical disc brakes, old style XTR and XT drivetrain. Nothing stupid light but everything cheap either. | | Bottom Line: | A great bike for hardtail converts, makes the trail feel smoother underneath you but does not feel like your accelrating through mush like some other bikes. I was underwhelmed with the VPP bikes. The only other bikes that make me drool (mainly because they're lighter) are the new Turner and the Litespeed Sewanee. I'm right at the 160lb weight limit of the Turner and the Litespeed has less travel and is REALLY expensive. If I want to go lighter I guess I'll check on getting a carbon swingarm for this frame later. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland
Date Reviewed: August 24, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Surveyor's Ridge | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | not many | | Weaknesses: | Yeti | | Similar Products Used: | Titus (Racer-X, Moto-Lite), Santa Cruz Blur | | Bike Setup: | all the usual good bits | | Bottom Line: | The company is a NIGHTMARE to deal with...that's the bottom line for me. I could not disagree more with the post about how great the Yeti guys are...they are slackin', excuse makin' bizzles as far as I'm concerned. A broken frame that is clearly a manufacturing issue (the weld where the seat tube and machined bb housing meet failed around the entire circumference) should have a company kissing your a$$ and hustling to get you a new ride...but not in Yet's case (must be nice). It took MONTHS to replace and dozens of phone calls, with no sense of urgency from their end. Even with a return authorization number assigned to the frame, they were still unable to keep track of what was going on with the frame and I could never get a straight answer. More recently, my LBS waited MONTHS (do you see the pattern?) for a simple bushing rebuild kit! BUSHINGS, people...they should get to me in days, not months. These are not an unreasonable expectations. I am just letting folks know that while the bikes might function just fine, dealing with them as a company is a nightmare. Don't take the gamble...there are too many high-quality framebuilders out there who take care of you for the life of the product to deal with the jokers at Yeti. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin Kane
a Racer
from Dillon, Colorado
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | West Ridge | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3200.00 | | Purchased At: | YETI Cycles - Golden | | Strengths: | What can I say. I've wanted to ride on YETI all my short life, and now it's like a dream come true! Its and awesome ride with excellent capabilities in Cross Country racing. The Fox shock set up is a superior for racing. Performs well in all the racing conditions, and on all rides! | | Weaknesses: | NONE!!! It's a YETI! Built by the best!
| | Similar Products Used: | Trek Fuel 90 | | Bike Setup: | XT - XTR rear derailer - High Roller tires - UST Tubeless | | Bottom Line: | Absolutely a dream! A great bike to race on! You can expect the best from this bike! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nic
a Cross Country Rider
from Sydney, Australia
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Yarramundi | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$5000.00 | | Strengths: | Very light FS. Durable, maintenance free pivots (flex pivot is brilliant). Great geometry. 5th Element shock. No bob. Paint job so ugly yet so attractive. | | Weaknesses: | As if! | | Similar Products Used: | Test drove a Blur and a Spec Enduro. | | Bike Setup: | Bought it built from the store with the specs stated at the top of this page. Missed out on the Fox fork, came with a Manitou Black. Does the job. | | Bottom Line: | The usual story. A staunch hardtail defender for over a decade. Became tired of taking all the hits of my local trails (Epping). Read lots of bike reviews over many months and decided the Yeti ASR is right for me. A bit of a stretch on the budget, but I expect to get more life from this bike and more enjoyment over the years.
We have just finished our first 24 hour race. It was sooo much better than the HT last year. Times were much better, and more enjoyable! I am stoked to have scored an 04 model with the 5th Element shock. The tunability is excellent, maybe better than limited options on the RP3.
I'm a typical cross country rider. I like to go fast, ride techy climbs, and not hold back on descents. This bike has allowed big improvements all around. The rear rarely slips on sketchy climbs and the FS allows me to pick faster corner lines without getter bucked out of control. I am fairly light at 150lbs (68kg), therefore the bike's light weight suits me. I believe the bike is ideal for my style but not for large riders (over 190lbs, 85kg) or people who have no finess or style! I believe this amount of travel is perfect for the majority of riders. Go the 575 if you need a bike to take drops of more than 1 metre. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Trimble
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, CO
Date Reviewed: March 28, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Hog Back, Dakota Ridge, Matthew Winters | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Private | | Strengths: | Light, super effecient, rare (even in Colorado!), not a Trek | | Weaknesses: | Weaknesses? Only that I didn't pop for one years ago! And maybe the leaky 5th Element shock ... | | Similar Products Used: | This is my first full suspension bike! | | Bike Setup: | Fox F100X TerraLogic Forx, 5th Element Air shock, Hayes Disc Brakes, Crank Bros. Candy pedals, Michelin XLS tyres | | Bottom Line: | I was always skeptical of getting a FS bike and held onto my Trek hard tail like grim death. That is until I broke the Trek frame and they refused to warranty it ... but that's another story ...
I wish I would have gotten this bike 2 seasons ago .. it's light, super effecient, fast, and stable. Decents have never been more fun ...
For anyone looking to dive into the FS world and leave the hardtail for gathering dust, this is your bike! And the guy's over at Yeti and the coolest, more helpful chaps on Earth!!!!
I can't wait to race it this summer ... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kirk Brandon
a Weekend Warrior
from Hong Kong
Date Reviewed: February 14, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Tai Mo Shan (long route) | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Flying Ball | | Strengths: | Blazingly fast on the flats, whether rough or smooth, corners like you're on rails, rocket-like acceleration, great climbing (if you pedal in circles), can be built up into either a superlight racer or into a do-anything trail bike | | Weaknesses: | None, unless you're a bad rider (i.e. pedal-masher) or lack spd's, or if you're looking for a big-hit bike, which it isn't | | Similar Products Used: | GT hardtail, Trek 9.8 OCLV (w/ Cane Creek post), Rode a BLur through the streets for a while | | Bike Setup: | 2002 frame, Deore XT all around including hydro discs (not the STI crap), Mavic 3.1's, Time Atac Z's, Fox TALAS RL (great fork), Thompson post, TruVativ Stylo, etc. Plus a racing wheelset, American Classic Disc (super-light) with Hutch Mozzies | | Bottom Line: | I bought this bike to do weekly freeride/all-mountain rides and the occassional race, and it suits that purpose perfectly. I still walk down the occassional flight of stairs, but that's not the bike's fault. I might be reluctant to try some of the stuff I do if I was riding the fancy shmancy carbon-link ovalized tubeset on the newer models, but my friend Julien has an '04 and just spanked everybody in the last race. I think Yeti is on the right track, making the AS-R more racy and having the 575 for people like me but with more money. The fork has made a huge improvement in my riding, and the rear suspension makes VPP and all the new designs look silly. I've test-ridden a Blur, and it was just all mushy and didn't have the geometry to go fast. I love the Yeti's long top tube, and it doesn't hinder me on the descents. I ride with people who are on downhill bikes and keep up with them for 90% of the descent, then blow past them on the climbs. THought about getting a longer-travel, but that would just be cheating; I'd rather master the tricky bits on the AS-R and become a better rider, which is exactly what this bike will do for you. And the team blue is just dead sexy. Craftsmanship and durability are what make up for the high price tag, though it is a bit steep if you're getting the latest model. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Pugh
a Racer
from Denton
Date Reviewed: October 24, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | still Johnson Branch | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$3320.00 | | Purchased At: | Mad Duck | | Strengths: | It's a Yeti | | Weaknesses: | Plastic bushings in 5th element air eyelets wore and Needed replaceing with steal bushings. The great folks at Mad Duck did it for me for free while I waited. (about 10 Mins.)If you take the shock out yourself as I did, there is a hex on the inside of the shaft that the shock,seatstay,and swing link goes on. so don't do the two allen wrench dance for an hour like I did. | | Similar Products Used: | Demoed a Ventana X-5 | | Bike Setup: | Uped the 5th air spv to 90lbs and the main to 140lbs. Mounted Python Lite tubless tires. 26 lb bike. | | Bottom Line: | This is an update. 7 Mo. and 1000 miles later, I still love my bike. I've replaced the chain and middle ring. Everything else has held up fine. I still don't want for a better bike because I don't think there is one. Paints held up except for a little cable rub but thats to be expected. Everyone seems to be going for the 575, but I still prefer my made in USA as-r sl. Still gets 5 flamin big ones. Get a Yeti, you'll live happily ever after. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Si Raistrick
a Racer
from London UK
Date Reviewed: October 10, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Karrimor, ByC wales | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$5000.00 | | Strengths: | Light, beautiful, light, responsive, light, its a yeti. The ride is extemely good - handles like a hardtail when you want it to, but the suspension kicks in when you need things soaking up. This bike is so much fun! Like a hardtail without the downsides. Great for racing - soooo fast. The frame is gorgeous too look at too, and up close the hand-built touch really shows through. hardtail without the disadvantages. | | Weaknesses: | XTR brakes aren't v good - less power and more servicing than Hope monos + knock the gears occasionally when hanging on for dear life and braking at the same time.
As for the yeti part of the package - faultless except I have to carry a bag of cement so my mates can keep up. | | Similar Products Used: | Also have a santa cruz vp-free 04, marin mount vision 01, specialized works hardtail 03. Tried AS-X 04, mount vision 04, blur 04, cannondale who cares, specialized whatever, blah blah ... | | Bike Setup: | Black frame, Fox F100x, full XTR, XTR wheels, the usual thompson, selle italia, hutchinson tubeless, CK, 959s. | | Bottom Line: | If bikes were cars, then this would be a top end ferrari and other 'xc' bikes like the mount vision would be limos. The yeti is so responsive, keeps you in touch with the trail without punishing you for it like a hardtail does. It just wants you to throw it around, powers through all but the most extreme freeridey stuff, and basically is everything that a good XC race bike should be and more.
This bike improved my race performance no end and I enjoyed it more too. Nothing more to add to the other reviews. This bike really is the dogs b0ll0cks, it doesn't come any better than this for XC. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Luke Sheehan
a Cross Country Rider
from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Mountaineers Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Blackmans | | Strengths: | finish, rigidity, handling, geometry, build quality.... who am I kidding? everything about it is bang on! | | Weaknesses: | ha ha ha ha ha ha......um,people want to touch it? | | Similar Products Used: | giant hardtails, epic, giant nrs, mongoose triomphe | | Bike Setup: | manitou minute 2 plus a bit o xtr, dash o xt, dusting o race face | | Bottom Line: | I use the yeti for long races (8,12,24hr etc) and general trail riding, and it rocks!!! it's the stiffest, best handlingest, least bobingest, fastest acceleratinglyest bike I've ever ridden. Nothing fazes it , it just cranks. It accelerates like a racing hard tail yet bombs like it's got 5 inches of travel. Trust me, you want one. I bought mine as a frame only in oz and had it built up- well worth the expense. The fifth element is great , just play with the pressures to change the bike's feel. It goes great with the spv front fork, makes the idea of manual lock outs seem a bit archaic. The bb area feels so stiff when you crank the bike (I'm using 04 xt cranks) and every ounce of power feels like it is going straight to the back wheel. The build quality and attention to detail is magic, if you got no positive personal attributes of your own then this bike is a great way to make new friends |
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$ 3279.00
