What a phenomenal two seasons Yeti has had! Ever since they released their Switch Infinity platform, their athletes have been lighting up podiums and claiming championships. The SB moniker stands for Super Bike and the Yeti SB4.5C looks every inch the supermodel, but is its beauty just skin deep?
It’s certainly a beautiful bike and one that drips with a strong desire to own. The smooth carbon lines build into a very clean frame that neatly encloses the Switch Infinity unit, where two Kashima rails control the main suspension pivot location. The 12.1 kg X01 Build we had been sent came with SRAM X01 drivetrain, Guide RSC brakes, an Easton Haven 740 mm bar and 55 mm stem. Wheels are important on a 29er, and so we were pleased to see the stiff and light DT Swiss E1700’s fitted. Finishing the build was the FOX 34 Factory 140 mm fork and FOX Float DPS Factory shock.
Everyone wanted a shot on the distinctive green Yeti, and on fast XC trails you feel invincible! Ridden in its element, it’s easy to pilot rapidly down the trail carving smooth arcs through sweeping corners. There is a real feeling of sitting inside the bike: the long, 630 mm top tube gives plenty of room to move around and the climbing position is very comfortable. The short 436 mm rear end means line changes are quick and simple and rough corners are a breeze. There’s no feeling of nervousness; it’s a planted bike. The well-defined anti-squat from the Switch Infinity and firm suspension tune dares you to pedal harder and harder, and there is a feeling of brutal efficiency. 12.1 kg is light for a 29er and it spins up to speed enthusiastically; in the corners the stiff DT Swiss E1700 wheels hold a line well. The Yeti makes excellent use of its 140/114 mm of travel, which is racy rather than wallowy; taut rather than plush. The SB4.5C is built for day-long epics, not ‘slash and burn corner squaring’ like the new SB5.5C, and when the going gets really rough every inch counts. In big repeated hits, while the Factory FOX Float 34 was still ready to party, the rear suspension soon reached the limits of its travel and felt like it was telling us off for being naughty. But that’s missing the point of the SB4.5C. It’s a bike for covering huge distances, effortless climbs and intoxicating descents, all of which it does very well.
Specifications of the Yeti SB4.5c X01
Fork: FOX 34 Factory 140 mm
Rear Shock: FOX Float Factory DPS
Brakes: SRAM Guide RSC
Drivetrain: SRAM X01
Seatpost: RockShox Reverb Stealth
Stem: Easton Haven 55 mm
Handlebar: Easton Haven Carbon 740 mm
Wheelset: DT Swiss 350 /XM401 Boost
Tires: Maxxis Ardent 2.4/Icon 2.2
Weight: 12.30 kg
Price: € 8,390
For those looking for a fast and capable 29er, then the Yeti SB4.5C ticks a lot of boxes. We all felt that a slightly wider bar may have unlocked a little more potential from the bike and were all united in our dislike for the weedy Maxxis Icon tire that loves punctures and felt undergunned on most terrain, but no other bike felt so good on full day rides.
Conclusion
The Yeti SB4.5C shares the spiritual heart of the SB6C and SB5C and Yeti have shown the versatility of their Switch Infinity by creating a different breed of bike. Brutally efficient, it’s a bike for long days out and massive epics, and for those who want to get really rowdy, there’s always the SB5.5C.
+ Amazing pedalling efficiency
+ Supermodel looks
– Unbalanced suspension in rough terrain
– Very expensive
For more information head to the Yeti website.
[/emaillocker]For an overview of the test fleet head to the main article: Battle of the super powers: 9 of the best trail bikes in comparison
All bikes in test: Canyon Spectral CF 9.0 EX | Cube Stereo 140 C:62 SL | Giant Trance Advanced 1 | Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Expert 650B | Radon Slide Carbon 140 10.0 | Ibis Mojo 3 XT 1x | SCOTT Genius 710 Plus | Whyte T130 C
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