How many years of service do you expect from your YETI?

6 years on the Kokopelli...I have an master re-build kit for it to get done over the winter so I would expect at least 6 more.

What do you mean?

When you talk about how long it will last what do you mean? Modern full suspension's are leap's and bounds better than your old hard tail but they do require more maintenance for sure! Just like if you bought a performance sport's car it would probably require more work than a Hyundai to keep it at peak performance. So if your talking about full on frame failure then that is something to complain about but if it's frozen link bearing's, leaking shock's etc after 3 year's of no maintenance then that's another thing. That's stuff need's to be service yearly. Most people coming from an older hard tail are not aware of this and it comes as a shock that these high dollar bikes need servicing regularly to perform at their best!

Sorry about that. I was referring to the product life cycle of the frame excluding bearings, links, hangers, and shock. And with regular care and servicing.

How has your riding style changed in those 15 years since you bought the Stumpy? Probably riding faster, or more technical? A full sus. setup like the 575 can make you ride a lot faster and not as smooth with out even knowing it.
WIth how I ride, I'd like to think I'd get over 5 years out of it. Chances are I'll probably never know. Not too many people who ride regularly own the same bike 10-15 years later. Technology changes and so does the bike sitting in the garage.

on a DH bike, I hope for maybe 3. know it could probably hold up for? 5+

just went into the 4th year. Went into services with the RP3 and Talas and the bike feels great.
So far, I can not justify to myself trading my 2006 575 with a different bike. Let's see how long It'll stay this way?.

As a consumer I think it is unfortunate to accept a life span of 3 years for a bike. Although it is a reality. Older technolgy wins in the longevity department. Yes the YETI rode better but a three times the cost. It did not live up to the hype as being as rugged as advertised.

After replacing my 575 with a newer ASR- sl I found it interesting that the a much more substantial rear triangle came on a bike intended for xc. Hmm go figure.

Hey bike_flyer, I'm still riding your 575, just with a different rear T. Have to admit, though, the rear T on my 2004 ASR-SL also seems more substantial than the one on the 575.

bike flyer said:

Sorry about that. I was referring to the product life cycle of the frame excluding bearings, links, hangers, and shock. And with regular care and servicing.

Click to expand...

If I knew you meant just the frame I would have voted longer. I'm guessing that after five or six years of riding, the bike as a whole will not be worth keeping. I'm on year four now and I'm having problems with the rear derailleur, fork and shock. My juicy sevens are working perfectly and the DT Swiss wheels are also great but I don't expect them to last forever.

When do you guys call it quits for a bike?

When I bought my 575 I was hoping it would last 5 years, but given the changes in technology I can't see me having it that long, maybe 3-4 though. Although even after 2 years, I have replaced pretty much everything on the bike, the only thing that is original is the frame and wheelset so it is a bit like the trusty old ax which has had 3 new heads and 4 new handles.....

In 4..5 years I have replaced the frame that broke after 4 years, tires, brake pads and chains. Rest is original!!!. I guess I don't I ride so much???

So far 12 months b4 the carbon chainstay cracked on my ASR

Think it totally depends on how and where you ride. Non rocky riding I think the 575 would last 5+. However, if you ride hard in a very rocky environment like Arizona where I ride, possibly not very long. Both me and a riding buddy of mine I have been through 2 rear triangles each on 2009 575s due to rock impacts. Yeti's carbon rear just can't handle rock impacts. Personally I am done, no more carbon for me. Now I am waiting for my Pivot Firebird to arrive.

I have done over 4000k (2600miles) in 2 years on my 575. The rear triangle was repalced under warranty earlier this year also so really the front triangle, shock, wheels, seat post, shifters and crank arms (BB and rings replaced) that are original.

Not all of it has been replaced because in broke though. Upgraded/changed a lot of bits for various reasons also. Most of the trails I ride on are pretty rocky/sandy and pretty steep with the odd drop thrown in here or there.

It does feel like diminishing returns. I rode my steel Stumpy from 1991 to 2001, then a POS Trek Fuel from 2001 to 2007, then an `06 575 from 2007 until I got my 2011 575. At this rate, I'll be discarding bikes after every ride in a couple years.

Honestly though, if you can resist the upgrade jones, take good care of it, and try and keep your waistline trim, you should be able to get 5 years out of any bike and ride the every-living crap out of it in the meantime. Rebuilding the suspension regularly helps keep the ride feeling new.

Oh- my steel 1992 Stumpy? I sold it to my friend. I saw him a few months ago and saw it hanging in his garage. It's still ridable. But judging from flat tires and the size of my friend's gut, I think it has lived an easy life since I parted with it. I should offer to buy it back for sentimental reasons.

7 and counting.

I expect to get possibly 10 years out of my Yeti ARC, but I have to admit that it will be my bike for faster less technical longer distance rides or races. My other bike is a Fuel EX. After I bought that I sold my Klein and regreted it. I wanted another hardtail with a rich racing pedigree and history. And now here I am in your tribe.

Will I ever upgrade the Fuel EX (2008) to a Yeti? I don't know, the Fuel has a great frame warranty. I'm becoming disillusioned with all the fast technological advancements though. All that money and then it's out of date, and beat up in 5 years. I like FS for what it does and I will use it accordingly, but I am becoming more of a hardtail purist. I may be more likely to do another build from an ARC or Big Top frame.

Got a 93 Pro Fro that is still going strong. Raced it for 4 years and now is doing commuter duty in the winter. It is the only Yeti that I have kept long term. Guess you always remember your first right?