Most manufacturer’s try to move away from the stereotypical connotations which are related to directly aiming bikes at Women, but it seems that Yeti have continued with the trap that all companies fall into; not only naming their products with flourish, but slapping them with some questionable colour choices, too. Luckily, Yeti has a reputation for having some seriously gnarly bikes, so we’re not worried in the slightest.

We can’t just judge a book by its cover though, especially in the bike world, can we? Looking at the Beti’s spec, it’s definitely not just a toned down version of their higher end models, but rocks SRAM X0 and Fox Float 34’s, which aches to be ridden supremely hard and competitively. “The SB5c Beti was built for hard-charging women who are looking for the ideal trail bike. It features our award winning SB5c frame with Switch Infinity suspension and customized women’s specific components.”

It may have a girly name, but you're not gonna be missed zooming through the forest...

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To produce a bike envying those tried and tested shredding machines we see out on the EWS every other week, you’d expect a name that would strike fear into the hearts of competitors, but could Yeti have developed a double bluff like strategy for all you riders out there and masked a true beast in un-intimidating colours? They released this statement to why they named their next up and coming ripper, the Beti:

Why did we name it the Beti?

That’s a better question for the women who have been associated with our brand for over a decade; it wasn’t a bunch of guys who came up with the name. The first known use of “Yeti Betty” came from a Yeti freak in Keystone, CO. She was so attached to her bike that she referred to herself as a Yeti Betty. She had encouraged her friends to join the Tribe and soon there were a slew of Bettys spreading the gospel. Shortly thereafter, Amy Thomas, who ran a team called the Betis, approached us seeking support for the team. Naturally, they became the Yeti Betis and have been representing our brand ever since. The Yeti Betis were instrumental in putting together our Yeti Beti line: they advised on colors, graphics, and component choices. It was important to have that female input right from the beginning.

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Why did Yeti choose to use an existing frame platform rather than build a women’s specific frame?

We felt our current platform fits and performs very well for women. For example, our ASRc / Yeti Beti has 27.5” wheels on the extra small and small sizes and 29” wheels on medium and large. This was done, in large part, to accommodate women riders. We also offer extra small and small in the SB5c / Yeti Beti and because it’s already built with 27.5” wheels, it fits women very well.

Our fundamental bike design remained unchanged on the Yeti Beti bikes. We know from experience core riders appreciate the performance and attention to detail regardless of gender. We sought to make meaningful adjustments like customizing crank lengths and, perhaps most importantly, tuning the rear suspension for better performance. The rear shocks are valved for lighter riders – they have less rebound damping so the suspension doesn’t pack-up when the going gets rough. This results in a bike that is more efficient going uphill and more controlled when descending.

Do you guys have a lot of women on staff?

We have two women on staff. We’re a small company, but we recognize the ratio still needs to improve. We work so closely with an array of different women closely associated with Yeti that it really feels like they’re part of the family. We’re lucky enough to benefit from constant dialogue from all their different perspectives.

Do you envision the Yeti Beti line growing in the future?

We know that entering any new bike category takes time and commitment. We wouldn’t have taken this step if we weren’t committed to growing the line, but our underlying commitment will always be to the women’s community and creating products that resonate with them. We will continue to listen to their feedback and use it to shape bikes that suit their needs and deliver the best possible riding experience.

How does the apparel line fit into the overall plan?

The bike and apparel lines are very complementary. Performing your best on the trail depends on a variety of factors, and having high-quality equipment that fits women and functions well is essential.

It goes without saying that there has been a void here, and we sought to address multiple aspects by having a coordinated apparel and bike line. There’s nothing wrong with looking good, too. In fact, when we started making women’s specific apparel three years ago, people told us we were crazy. Many had tried and failed. But our women riders encouraged us and were very helpful in helping us create the line. It was due to their input that our shorts were created and have become so popular. You’ll see many color and branding similarities between the bikes and apparel.

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The Beti is set to hit the market with two models, the SB5c and the ASRc, ranging from $5799 to $6899.We would’ve loved to see a well named Women’s bike fresh out the Yeti camp, but once again, their bikes do the talking, not the names. Coming soon, the Canyon Carmen, the Santa Cruz Lip Stick and the Specialized Handbag…

For the full spec and more info, visit yeticycles.com

Words: Andrew Richardson & Yeti Cycles Photos: Yeti Cycles


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