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Submitted by
Matthew Smith
a Cross Country Rider
from Pena Blanca, NM USA
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Syllamo, Arkansas | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | Bought frame on MTBR Classified | | Strengths: | Light, responsive, great climber, RP23 preforms great and suits the bike perfectly. | | Weaknesses: | Not sure if this is a weakness or not, but my last bike was a horst link rear and I liked how active that stays when braking on steep and rocky trails. My AS-R gets a bit bouncy when I'm on the breaks hard. This is minor thing, but worth pointing out. Otherwise, the bike has been perfect | | Similar Products Used: | Rocky Mountain Element, Specialized Enduro (02) and Epic, Orbea hard tail | | Bike Setup: | Manitou Minute 3:00, Race face deus crank, XT derailleurs, Sram Attack shifters, Juicy 7 Brakes, XT hubs and Mavic 717 rims, Body geometry saddle, and 2.20 specialized tires. | | Bottom Line: | I'm still not sure if I'd be better off with the 575 but the more I ride this bike the more I love it. I was a bit doubtful at first about the light weight looking pivot bearing and shock link, but so far so good. The rear end is tight and stays on track always and none of the pivot points have needed tightening or repair. I did have to grease up the pivot at the end of the swingarm because the washer(some kind of synthetic) was squeaking, but that was an easy fix that's held. It took me a little while to get use to how responsive it is. I had a tendency to over-steer in turns and wheelie out on climbs. But that's more a function of my poor riding technique rather than something wrong with the bike. As far as climbing goes, what can I say. This bike climbs as well as any hard tail I've ever ridden. With the added benefit of being able to stay seated while letting the rear suspension mitigate the chop. Hills on my after work trails seem much shorter on this bike.
I would recommend the ASR-SL (mine is a 05) to anyone who wants a light trail bike. I suppose it'd be a killer racer too but since I don't race I can't speak to that. I've set mine up with larger tires for rocky and technical trails and in that role this bike kicks ass. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wes Inskeep
a Cross Country Rider
from El Cajon, CA
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Anderson Truck Trail | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | LBB | | Strengths: | This bikes greatest strength is it's lack of weaknesses! It climbs like a monkey, descends with the fastest and is compliant and forgiving if you get out of shape | | Weaknesses: | Loves being maintained. It won't break easily, but ridden hard it requires you to stay on top of adjustments and I seem to really be cooking through suspension components | | Similar Products Used: | M5 S-works FSR, Maverick DUC, S-works Epic carbon, Several GT's now including XCR teams, etc... | | Bike Setup: | Full XTR now including wheelset, Fox TALAS 130 RLC, Answer bars, Spec seat, Thompson elite post and stem, Conti Vertical UST tires, Garmin 305 computer. 25 pounds or so | | Bottom Line: | This will be the last review of my beloved Yeti before it is relegated to spare bike status! I have owned it for three years (two reviews are below) and I have ridden it very, very hard. It is starting to show. Not on the bike itself, but in the suspension. This will be the third full suspension re-build in as many years (Big thanks to Drake at Independent Suspension Operation in El Cajon) and it has needed it every time. This time, I have bound the rear shock into submission and smoked the quad seals again, and have a leak on the Nitrogen shock. No question it is being ridden out of it's normal scope. Front fork is getting wiggly as well... both were ready for re-build.
I am not easy on the bike. I want it to be light because we climb to descend. Average ride will be over 1300 feet of ascension for us, so you pay for the extra weight if you have it. That said, I want it to be strong, because we downhill pretty hard as well. Easily hitting 38-40 mph on rocky singletrack. With the 130mm front fork, it absorbs the impacts, but it is hard on the steerer tube and fork itself and as such has cost me on the maintenance side. Same deal essentially with the rear.
I am rambling. Let's face it, it is a high performance race bike for XC... not a downhill bike. It has never broken on me or missed a shift, but it is on the edge of too fragile for the type of riding I do. As such, I am replacing it with a new ASR-SLC and going to keep doing so every three years or so.
I would say that the most emphatic amount of support I can give my review would be that I am getting another, when I have myriad options. Instead of mine starting to go around the bend from abuse, I will retire it to backup, enjoy new gear and a new bike (they are always 5% faster anyway... ;) ) and see what the future brings.
Two thumbs up, five flaming chilis, and a repeat client for Yeti... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a Cross Country Rider
from Barre, MA. USA
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Warrantee | | Strengths: | Light, fast, frame is pure art | | Weaknesses: | none | | Bike Setup: | Fox F100 RLT, SRAM X.0, Thompson, Mavic XL, Chris King, etc. | | Bottom Line: | Best bike I have ever ridden. This is an exceptional biker for the cross country/trail rider. I had a Kokopelli for almost 5 years. Yeti is the best company that I have ever dealt with for any product. I cracked my Kokopelli nearly 5 years into its life and got an ARC-SL thru warantee for a nominal upgrade chrge. The bike climbs like a goat, descends with competence(feels like more than 4" of travel). This bike is way better than my particular skills but I am sure I will improve. I agree with the last post I get great satisfaction knowing that a guy from CO welded my bike. Wish there were more Yeti dealers out here in the East | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim
a Cross Country Rider
from Gunnison, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: July 4, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Hartman Rocks | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$4300.00 | | Purchased At: | Rock and Roll Sports Gunnison | | Strengths: | Speed, this is quickest full suspension I've ever sat on. Strong and light... Made in Golden Colorado. Price. | | Weaknesses: | Yeti none, them avid brakes can make allot of noise. Or at least I'm the noisiest guy in the group… Can scare the wildlife a mile away after a creek crossing with brake squeal. But in Avid’s defense, feels like they can stop a train on a 4lb pull. | | Similar Products Used: | GT, Trek, Rocky Mountian. | | Bike Setup: | Sram X9 shifters, X9 Cassette, XO rear derailer, XT front derailer, Race Face Deus XC Crank set, Fox Float RP23 rear, Fox Talis RLC Front, Avid Juciy 7 brakes, DT Swiss X455 wheels, Maxxis Ignitor Tires. | | Bottom Line: | Best bicycle I’ve ever ridden, the setup is close to stock minus the rear cassette, chain and the front fork. It does tend to pogo with the propedal off, the propedal lever is easy enough to hit. To the last post, the Fox Talis turns this bike in to the XC/ all mountain bike on the fly solving the 575 issue. The frame is amazingly light and tough, and the stock green color is way cool. Most folk consider me a very good cyclist and entry level bikes no longer get the job done for me. This is highest quality that I can find before stepping into pay double to save 50 grams on a crankset and such.
A few words on the price and why I say it’s a good deal. Most people do not consider where it’s made anymore, I do. I do buy foreign made products, impossible to get around it. But when it comes down to a $400 difference between a bicycle made in china and made here… I just assume to keep another blue collar Joe like me employed long as possible. It’s like watching folk with support our troops ribbons on a foreign made car. Buy made here so them troops have a better chance of getting a job when they get out :)
Bottom line… Killer bike… Recommend to any experienced rider who is tired of upgrading. Have fun riding them trails wherever you are.
Tim
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
CF
a Cross Country Rider
from UK
Date Reviewed: September 4, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Can't find any at the moment! | | Weaknesses: | Compatability issue with XTR front mech which Yeti don't bother to tell you about unless you ask. | | Similar Products Used: | None - the rest of the bikes I've ridden all change gear ok. | | Bike Setup: | ASR with carbon back end | | Bottom Line: | Bought as a frame from LBS and built using XT chainset and cassette and XTR mechs only to find that the XTR front mech won't work because it hits the main pivot. I emailed Yeti tech to ask if there was a compatability problem and they replied immediately saying there was and to either file down the mech cage or use anything but XTR. As I had already purchased the mech and tried fitting it I emailed back to ask why they didn't make this known and why they specced it in the pro build kit if it didn't work (I also asked if they file the mechs down themselves). One month down the line I'm still waiting for an answer. Yeti customer service is non existent.
ASR with carbon stays can only be ridden using one chainring with an unmodified XTR front mech so don't waste your money (or buy a metal file as well). | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin Witherstine
a Weekend Warrior
from Prosper, TX, USA
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Johnson's Branch | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | MTBR.com | | Strengths: | light and FAST! Easy to work on, always fun to ride. Handling up front is amazing, its fun zig zagging in and out of trees. Just enough suspension to take most of the edge off the bumps, but it scoots right up the hills with little bobing. Great job on the cable routing on this one. Really good looking bike. | | Weaknesses: | not a cheap ride. This is a XC race bike, I like the Yeti 575 better for longer rides. I'm not a big fan of the Avid brakes yet, still like the Hayes 9's on the 575 better. Not a big fan of WTB saddles either. | | Similar Products Used: | Motobecane, Univega and Fuji hardtails. Yeti 575. | | Bike Setup: | X.9 triggers, XO rear d, XTR front d(replaced with Sram), 2005 Large model with carbon rear. Crossmax SL wheels, Crossmark UST tires, Avid J7 brakes, Thompson seatpost and stem, Fox F100 RLT in front and Fox RP3 in back. XTR cranks, Crank Bros Candy SL pedals. ODI lockon grips. | | Bottom Line: | This rig is really fast, as it was built to be. Fun to ride. I've replaced a few components such as anything that says Shimano on it, grips and the saddle. Probably going to ditch the trigger shifters soon and put Sram XO grips on it. I like the trigger shifting up around 3 gears at once, but don't like shifting down 1 gear at a time. The grip shifters let you move several gears at once in either direction.
I'm about 6' and 210, so I give bikes a bit of a beating. This one has held up pretty good so far, exception being a chain and the Avid brake pads (squeaky buggers).
Love the bike, but I'm not sure it is worth the extra money when compared to the Yeti 575 (if I had to make a choice between the two), at least not for the weekend warriors types. I'm just glad to have both models in my garage! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Carwyn
a Racer
from Taupo, New Zealand
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$5250.00 | | Purchased At: | cyclexpress | | Strengths: | Lite, stable at speed. Excellent bike if you are a racer. Does things that other bikes could only wish of being able to do. Sexy. Beautiful paintwork. Single track never looked so inviting. | | Weaknesses: | Antisocial, other people can,t keep up even when you're just cruising. Get tired of waiting for people. | | Similar Products Used: | Amp B5, Anthem 1 (friends bike), Yeti 575 (bro,s bike) Hardtails. | | Bike Setup: | Asr-sl carbon rear. XTR cranks, Crossmax SL, Fox F100RLT,Sram XO, Thomson stuff. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is the ultimate racing bike, lite, stiff, stable and that carbon rear end is so nice.Once you have have suspension set up for you it is quick. I would recommend this bike if you want to take time out of your rivals. You are able to hammer it when most have to stop pedaling. Feels as though the rear end is glued to the ground on the climbs. Seriously, just get one you wont be disapointed. Worth every penny, which was enough for a deposit on a house down here in New Zealand. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mark adams
a Weekend Warrior
from wenatchee,WA,98801
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Devils Gulch | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$5850.00 | | Purchased At: | I built custom,mostly online parts | | Strengths: | Super light and stiff,rear suspention is quick and tight and peddles uphill and also has the best power transfer to the rear wheel than anything that I have ridden. Has a sharp clean fast look about the bike, high-end bearing set up for the linkage, lots of CNC machined parts (swingarm,dogbone etc.) The Guys at YETI are AWSOME to work with, every time that I have called with a stupid question I spoke with somebody imediatly (didnt have to get a machine promp). Very Knolegable, didnt haggle with me about the warranty, YETI builds the best bikes out there and they dont care about they nickle and dime stuff. 5 YEAR WARRANTY | | Weaknesses: | Price Tag | | Similar Products Used: | Foes FXR, Foes FLY, Intense tracer, Ellsworth Truth, GT hardtail,Haro MX3. | | Bike Setup: | ASR-SL Frame w/ 5th element shock -Fox F100X fork -XTR hollowtwch Cranks -Chris King/Mavic XM819rims -King Headset -SRAM XO Rear Derailleur and triggers -XTR Front Deraillleur -AVID Juicy Seven Disc Brakes -Thomson Stem and Post -WTB Ti YETI Saddle -Easton Composite EA70 Bar | | Bottom Line: | I have been riding for a long time and it has taken me a long time to come to this realization, REAR SUSPENTION IN MOUNTAIN BIKING HAS BECOME THE BIGGEST MARKETING SCAM IN THE HISTORY OF THE INDUSTRY. I wrote that in all caps for a reason. Lets face it, this is not a motorcylce you are buying, it is a bicycle, your legs power it not a 500cc engine, This is a bike for people that actually ride! Not for those who just have it in their living room to show friends how much travel the bike has until they're bored and then sell it on eBay, Im sure that you will agree that the Rear Suspention on the ASR-sl does its job, and nothing more. It allows you to keep contact with uneven ground and absorbs recoil and peddles AWSOME, THATS ALL. Im sorry to get on a soap box, but thats the BOTTOM LINE!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
scott
a Cross Country Rider
from carlsbad, ca usa
Date Reviewed: February 19, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1150.00 | | Purchased At: | yeti employee | | Strengths: | well balanced, attention to welds, suspension ,pivots easy to service. | | Weaknesses: | none so far...well the 5th element is kind of hard to dial in, and it is a very firm riding shock,is this a weekness? | | Similar Products Used: | santa cruz blur xc, ellsworth truth, turner burner, yeti as(old one) | | Bike Setup: | fox 100 rlt, avid disc, cane creek wheels, xtr cranks and drivetrain, king head set, easton seatpost, wtb seat, | | Bottom Line: | I posted a review on my other bike, the santa cruz blur xc, and felt I needed to write one about my yeti. My yeti is every bit as good as the xc, even better in some situtations. I just put a fox rp3 on it(it had a 5th element) ,and it is very nice. I have not had any problems with the frame at all. And when there is a minor problem, it is very easy to service (pivots).I like how stable it feels at speed, and it climbs as well as any bike I have ridden. I just wanted to give my yeti the review it well deserves. Theres not much more to add to this, yeti makes a great bike, and I love mine. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Icklebey
a Racer
from Vermont
Date Reviewed: November 26, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | direct from yeti (sponsored) | | Strengths: | balance
weight
stiffness (rear end especially)
efficiency
tire clearance (translates in to mud clearance) | | Weaknesses: | stupid yeti (wtb) seat made noises, so i got rid of it. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek fuel, giant NRS... long list of bikes tried | | Bike Setup: | ASR carbon frame, XTR (evil! going SRAM X.0 next year), RS Sid WC, Mavic 717/CK wheelset, thompson stem/seatpost, fizik saddle, Hayes HFX 9 carbon, various maxxis tires | | Bottom Line: | The rear end tracks like no other full suspension I've ever ridden. It's like the rear wheel is superglued to the ground, even over the roughest of trails. I love the fox rp3 with propedal, it let's me fine tune the ride with just the flick of a button.
I made the mistake of using an 80mm SID World Cup this year - baaaddddd. I swapped over to a 100mm Reba at the end of the season and the bike handled so much better. The geometry seems based around 100mm... so keep it that way. Plus the sid scared the crap out of me on downhills, and i'm not even a big guy (5'10, 140lbs).
My frame was one of the first to come out of the factory in '05 and it came in at under 5lbs, which is pretty damn light for a FS. The whole bike built up at around 22.5 lbs (once i swapped some of my own equipment onto it) plus or minus half a pound depending on tire choice.
The bottom line: If you can afford it, there isn't a better bike out there. The ASR-sl is just as at home on the race course as it is under a weekend warrior out for his long sunday ride. It's plush when you want it to be, firm when you need it to be, and always lateraly stiff. Set this bike up right and you can ride like you've never ridden before. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wes Inskeep
a
from El Cajon, CA
Date Reviewed: February 4, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Noble Canyon | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Frame Only | | Strengths: | Overall incredible quality and balance | | Bike Setup: | 2005 Talas 130mm front, Full XTR, DT Swiss 202 hubs, Mavic XC819 rims, Answer carbon bar, Arc Carbon seatpost, 2.3" Nokian tubless tires, Shimano 959 pedals | | Bottom Line: | This is an update for everyone. I have now had the bike and frame for six or so months. I have over 500 off road miles on it (wet weather has kept me off the trails much...) and absolutely love it. Recent rains in San Diego have really given our local trails a lot of changes, and I have gotten really suprised by new terrain while going fast. Stuff like washed out trails, 1-2 foot ledges going the wrong way etc... The ASR-SL has really proven it's worth in these crappy conditions. My old FSR usually let me have it when you were suprised by stuff, or not totally set up on the perfect line for changing terrain. Not so with the Yeti. Just to make sure, I rode the FSR again yesterday and was pleasantly suprised that it wasn't just the newness of the Yeti talking... it really works a lot better. Easier to pedal up hill, far more balanced and smooth.
I am really getting used to it now, and love it completely. Hitting little rises at full speed is nearly imperceptable as the landing is so smooth.
Yada yada yada. If you are considering the Yeti, just do it. Great bike, all of the goodies.
Five big chilis, and I am looking for some more... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert
a Racer
from Cary, NC, USA
Date Reviewed: January 9, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | New Light Trails | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Yeti Cycles | | Strengths: | Stability in any situation, light weight, craftsmanship | | Weaknesses: | High dollars but worth it! The 5th Element rear shock air set up is tricky but I am new to rear shocks comin goff of a Merlin hard tail. | | Similar Products Used: | Tested a few, Trek Fuel, Fisher Cake and Sugar, Giant. | | Bike Setup: | Yeti frameset w/ Fox F100X, SRAM X.0, FSA carbon components and wheels, Hayes HFX Mag Plus disc brakes, Maxxis tires. | | Bottom Line: | I LOVE THIS BIKE!!!! It handles well in any situation. It does bob a little but that may be a shock set up issue. The Fox F100X does bob a little when climbing but it tracks much better than my old Sid. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Leeten
a Cross Country Rider
from Melbourne, Vic, Australia
Date Reviewed: January 5, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Cost 2 much to mention | | Strengths: | Fast, light (a little over 11kg), balanced, feels cushy at the same time. Excellent if not the best componentry. | | Weaknesses: | Looking for absolute non-bob dually. This is not it even with ProPedal shock. Expensive. | | Similar Products Used: | Blur, NRS1 | | Bike Setup: | Per 2005 Pro Kit spec: Fox RP3, F100RLT fork, X.0 rear der, X.9 trigger shift, Avid Juicy 7, XTR cranks & front der, Time atac XS pedals, Selle Italia getflow Ti saddle, Thomson post & Stem, Chris King heads, yeti carbon straight bar. | | Bottom Line: | I've been riding the Giant NRS for three years and thought I knew exactly what I wanted in a dually. NRS is based on Virtual Pivots concept but very harsh no matter how I set up the SID shock and it bobbed on medium gears no matter how I rode. LBS told me that with VPP, when you pedal over a bump the suspension would not work as well because you are exerting pedalling force that virtually locks the suspension arms and pivot points (hence the hardtail efficiency, but what about the bumps?). Now about the Yeti...
As a Xmas present, I bought the Yeti (2005 model) due to good reviews, impressive test ride, and that it's not on the VPP band wagon. During the Xmas period, with a the arrival of a new born baby boy(the other baby) I managed a few rides on single tracks and dry circuits with loose rocks and roots and endded the day with a smile. The ride felt fast (though I couldn't judge without a computer) and confident even on cornering. It eats bumps 100% better than my old NRS, but looking down at the shock (in ProPedal mode), it was bobbing most of the way even on flat where NRS won't have bobbed. May be I need some good advice to set up the rear shock for a 6ft 80kg person. The fox fork isn't bad at bumps but it bobs when I accelerate up hill. Again I probably needed to play with the setting more. Overall, I was very happy with the bike. After this Yeti I'll be waiting for a bike that doesn't bob no matter what gear you're in or how you ride, and automatically activates the suspension only when required. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wes Inskeep
a Cross Country Rider
from El Cajon
Date Reviewed: October 10, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Noble Canyon | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Frame Only | | Strengths: | After coming off of a very lightweight Spec FSR, I was really looking for something with more stability and balance. The Yeti delivers both in droves. | | Weaknesses: | None found. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSR S-Works M5, GT 1999 STS-XCR1000, Older FSR's, Gary Fisher Montare | | Bike Setup: | 2005 Talas 130mm front, Full XTR, DT Swiss 202 hubs, Mavic XC819 rims, Answer carbon bar, Arc Carbon seatpost, 2.3" Nokian tubless tires, Shimano 959 pedals | | Bottom Line: | I really like this bike. I built it up from a bare frame, which for 2005 came with the carbon fiber pivots in the rear triangle and a Fox Float shock in lieu of the 5th element. I really like the Fox, and with the Talas up front it makes for a very, very smooth and balanced bike setup. Frame weight was just over 4.6# I was looking for more stability, but not much more weight than my Spec, and figured correctly that the greater stability and balance would help keep me pedaling through much rougher sections. In addition, I tend to power through shorter technical sections with a firmer gear and more ass behind it. The Specialized visibly distorted under this load, and I actually bent two XTR cassettes because of the worsening chainline as it flexed. The Yeti feels like it is a shaft drive! Zero flex. The suspension works going up hills, but you feel no bob at all, and it really sticks the rear tire down the whole time.
Yes, it is spendy. Worth every penny. I also managed to score a red one, which I don't see very often. The powdercoat work is flawless, and the welding is pure artwork.
I am impressed by the bike, and now more recently I have discovered that although it carries a high price tag, it is not actually magic. I am going to have to become a better rider to warrant the bike now, as I am still getting beat on the uphills by my much better than I am riding partners. I am embarrased to have no equipment excuses anymore.
Great job on the bike Yeti. I love it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pete
a Racer
from Rochester
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Cutler | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Trailblazers | | Strengths: | Solid frame, lightweight, great parts package - Avid Juicy's, Sram XO, XTR crank, Crossmax SL wheels, maxxis ignitor UST tires, 5th element shock, Fox float 100 fork, Carbon bars and post, WTB Rocket V saddle, even the stem is great with fork cincher at the top instead of bolts at the back to bash into. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized fsr, Giant AC air lite | | Bike Setup: | Read strenghts- set up is stock for the Pro package | | Bottom Line: | This bike rides awesome. It handles awesome-cornering, climbing, and descending. I do have two annoyances, which were not related to Yeti. I managed to have the bad luck of receiving a 5th element air with NO rebound damping. I sent it back and two weeks later received one that works perfect, although Progressive did NOT send me back my travel o-ring for the shock, even though I specifically asked for an extra one too. Also from day one, my Fox fork has play in the legs, which makes it feel similar to a slightly loose headset. I showed it to the Fox guys at the NORBA National at Snowshoe last weekend and they confirmed there is a problem and said to send it in. Needless to say I'm pretty upset about having these problems. I'd be pissed about just one, but both is very frustrating. Luckily, but still an inconvenience, my shop owner let me borrow a 5th element air while mine was being fixed, but he doesn't have a spare fork to lend me so I'm going to have to live with this until the racing season is over and then send it in. You just don't expect to have problems like this on a brand new bike, and it's time consuming to deal with. One of my teammates bought the identical bike and all of his equipment works flawless. I guess I've just got bad luck. I can't blame Yeti for this, since the bike comes as a parts package and is assembled by my bike shop, and the owner of Trailblazers-Victor, has been very helpful by giving me the shock he had and doing the installation for me, but it still sucks so I'll be writing reviews for these suspension components separately.
Anyway, other than these problems this is by far the best race bike and trail bike I’ve ever owned. It rides awesome and feels as light as it is-25.5 lbs with time attack carbon pedals. The Avid brake lines come pre-bled and very long, so I’ll eventually be chopping them down and re-bleeding, which may drop another ounce, but whatever. As and expert xc racer I highly recommend this bike for racing and for trail riding you can’t go wrong-this bike actually feels stronger than my Giant AC.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Racer
from Denver, CO
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | craftsmanship, balance, a fast, fast bike! | | Weaknesses: | The 5th Element shock is a little hard to adjust. | | Similar Products Used: | Tomac OO Buckshot, Amp Research B-4, B-3 | | Bike Setup: | As spec'd by the factory | | Bottom Line: | This is the best mountain bike EVER! It is light, well balanced, and so, so smooth. It climbs like a good hardtail, only with better traction, and flows like water on the downhill. Somehow, Yeti has managed to combine a comfortable suspension with an efficient design that makes you faster in every situation. It is a comfortable and confident ride. Oh, and the bike is beautifully built, with lots of nice little details, and lovingly assembled. In only three months, it has already surpassed all of my expectations.
The factory setup has also been spot on - the Crossmax wheels are strong, the Fox fork is a nice match to the rear shock, and the Avid Juicy 7's are strong and well modulated. Even the tire selection has been great - the Maxxis Ignitors work great out here in Colorado.
The only issue I have had with the bike is the rear shock has been a little difficult to adjust. I think the reason is that the IFP chamber (especially) is very small, so that if you try to pressurize it by allowing an extra 5 psi over what you want, you'll find that it ends up below that amount by quite a bit. I initially thought it was my shock pump, purchased a new one, and discovered that it must be the shock. Once I compensated by using MUCH more pressure (I think about 60 psi)and some trial and error, I did get it pressurized correctly and once it was set correctly, it has been outstanding!
Overall, this has been the best bike I have ever owned. It is perfect for racing, or recreational riding, maybe even free riding, despite the fact it's designed as a lightweight racing machine. While it is expensive, it is worth every penny and could very well be the last bike you ever need to buy.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bob
a Racer
from fla
Date Reviewed: May 4, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | weight,craftsmenship,design | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | klein adapt pro,trek fuel 100 | | Bike Setup: | full XTR, ARC carbon post-bars, race light wheels | | Bottom Line: | THIS BIKE ROCKS!!!!IT IS VERY STABLE RIDE GOING UP OR DOWN AND ON THE FLATS. IT DOES NOT MOVE AROUND ON YOU IT TRACKS IN A STRIGHT LINE OVER ROCKS AND ROOTS. IF I HAD TO CHOOSE BETWEEN THE OTHER BIKES ADAPT PRO OR FUEL 100 I WOULD TAKE THIS BIKE HANDS DOWN!!!!!THE 5TH ELEMENT AIR SHOCK WORKS GREAT! YOU HAVE A LARGE RANGE OF ADJUSTABLITY FOR THE TYPE OF RIDING YOU WANT TO DO. OUTSTANDING-OUTSTANDING THIS IS THE BIKE FOR ANY RACER OR CROSS COUNTRY RIDER!!!!!!!! I COULD GO ON AND ON....... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from Ridgewood
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Bear Swamp SS | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$4000.00 | | Purchased At: | Get Outside | | Strengths: | everything, balanced, simple suspension, weight | | Weaknesses: | are you kidding?
| | Similar Products Used: | 2001 Yeti ASR
Blur, Superlight, | | Bike Setup: | FLOAT RC, XTR, Hugi 240 with Mavic 819, Easton Carbon stuff, Chris king | | Bottom Line: | I am 6 feet, 170, ride xc technical with lots of climbing. This bike is almost too good. Despite not jumping on the "virtual pivot" theme, the suspension design works perfectly on the climbs and the dh - only when it is required. somehow the folks at Yeti made a simple linkage design work to match my riding style and they solved the bushing issues too. It's not a big hit bike but it can take 4 footers easily. Accelerates like a hardtail - responsive. Major attribute is it's balance - its a great trail bike and positions the rider's c.g. nicely. The fifth element rear shock is a step or two above the fox.
if you ride only 2x a week its worth the price. if you ride more than that you'll feel guilty eventhough it's not cheap. don't let other people ride it - you'll lose it.
oh yeah, Santa who?
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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