New 2024 Yeti SB165 on test – Fun > Fast

Bike park laps, shuttle runs and freeride shenanigans! Whatever your plans, the new 2024 YETI SB165 is up for it, as it aims to bridge the gap between enduro and downhill, with plenty of travel and a hardcore spec. But is Yeti’s first mullet bike the ideal companion for fat jumps, big drops and nasty rock gardens?

There are bikes out there that you don’t necessarily need, but which are so cool that you’d happily trade one of your kidneys to get your hands on. One of them might be the new Yeti SB165 2024, which sits right between Yeti’s enduro bike, the SB160, and their mysterious DH prototype, generating 170 mm of travel at the front and… drum roll… 165 mm at the rear. One thing we can tell you straight away is that the new SB165 is damn near the perfect compromise, and might just be the next bike you didn’t realise you needed.

Aimed specifically at the rough stuff and bike park sessions, the SB165 rolls into the new season with slightly less suspension travel than its predecessor. In return, it relies on a mixed wheel setup, with a 29″ wheel at the front and smaller 27.5″ wheel at the rear, which makes it Yeti’s first ever mullet bike. Of course, the SB165 features Yeti’s proprietary Switch Infinity system, and has gained the countless practical upgrades added to bikes like the SB160, SB140 and SB120 last season. The high price tags aren’t news either, with the cheapest variant retailing at almost € 7,000 and the flagship model setting you back almost € 11,000.

The 2024 Yeti SB165 in detail

Like its smaller siblings, the new 2024 SB165 has a fresh new silhouette, with the most evident update being the raised bottom bracket area. In typical YETI fashion, the high quality workmanship ensures plenty of envious stares on the trail, with the classic Yeti head tube badge making sure that everyone knows you’re flying business. However, with its monochrome finish and minimal branding, the SB165 is elegantly understated, despite being quite distinctly recognisable as a Yeti, even from a distance.

To keep your nice new bike in good condition, Yeti fit the frame with a decent amount of protection. A generously sized, ribbed chainstay protector prevents chain slap, while a thick TPU plate shields the down tube from stray rocks. A service port makes it easier to access the internally routed cables. The down tube protector only covers the bottom end of the frame and doesn’t wrap around the sides, but it can be replaced in case of damage.

All cables are neatly routed through the frame and securely clamped at the ports, even at the transition from the main frame to the swingarm. We’re quite keen on this solution, having had good experiences with other Yeti models. Of course, there’s enough room in the main frame triangle to accommodate a water bottle but, unfortunately, the 2024 YETI SB165 forgoes any sort of tool mount or storage compartment. That’s a real shame, especially given that the bike was designed for epic bike park sessions, where tools and spares can be a lifesaver, and backpacks are a big no-no!

Spec variants and prices of the 2024 Yeti SB165

Like many manufacturers, Yeti offer their frames in two different grades of carbon fibre, which the Colorado-based manufacturer call Turq (T) and Carbon (C). The premium T model uses a higher modulus carbon, which allows engineers to achieve the same degree of stiffness at a lower weight. With the new Yeti SB165 2024, you can choose between two T variants and two C models. All frame kits are based on the higher-quality Turq carbon frame.

Prices for complete bikes range between € 6,890 for the entry-level C2 model and € 10,890 for the flagship T3 X0 Transmission model, which is the one we tested. For a frame kit – i.e. frame + FOX DHX2 coil shock – you’ll have to fork out € 5,490, but in return you’ll also get the FOX SLS spring, which is slightly lighter than standard, and comes in a flash orange finish. Incidentally, this also comes standard with all T-Series spec variants for the European market. To our surprise, the new Yeti SB165 2024 is only available in two colours: Spruce – like our test bike – and black. For the time being, the SB165 isn’t available in Yeti’s iconic turquoise finish.

The Switch Infinity System of the new 2024 Yeti SB165

Yeti have been using their proprietary Switch Infinity system on their full suspension bikes for quite a few years. What looks at first like a double-shaft FOX shock is actually a translating pivot, which slides up and down on a set of rails as it goes through its travel, thereby creating a virtual pivot point. This provides different suspension characteristics at different points in the travel. For all of the latest T-series models, Yeti developed new high-quality bearings, seals and shock hardware to ensure smooth operation and a longer service life. C-series models, on the other hand, still rely on the old hardware.

The spec of our 2024 Yeti SB165 test bike

For this first ride review, we tested the 2024 Yeti SB165 T3 Transmission spec variant, which retails at € 10,890. It comes equipped with a FOX 38 Factory fork, which delivers 170 mm of travel and still relies on the old but proven GRIP2 damper. At the rear, a FOX DHX2 Factory Coil shock controls 165 mm of travel. Unfortunately, YETI deliver the bikes with a set spring rate for each frame size, meaning that you’ll have to buy a different spring if the standard version doesn’t match your weight. We’d find it cool if manufacturers let customers choose their spring rate at the time of purchase.

For the brakes, Yeti rely on SRAM’s CODE RSC four-piston stoppers, which feature tool-free lever reach and bite point adjustments, as well as SRAM’s proprietary SwingLink technology. The brakes are paired with a 220 mm rotor at the front and 200 mm disc at the rear. Shifting is taken care of by an electronic SRAM X0 Transmission drivetrain, which relies on a direct-mount rear derailleur. Yeti also throw in a bash guard and a chain guide, although the latter isn’t the best colour match out there. Mis-match aside, the bash guard/chain guide combo prepares you for the roughest trails, protecting the chainring against impacts and preventing the chain from falling off.

Despite its strong freeride orientation, the new 2024 Yeti SB165 comes equipped with a long-travel dropper post that can be inserted all the way into the frame. Our test bike in size XL came with a 200 mm FOX Transfer dropper – awesome! The cockpit consists of a 50 mm Burgtec ENDURO MK3 stem, paired with Yeti’s in-house 800 mm carbon handlebars.

For the wheels, YETI rely on a proven DT Swiss EX 1700 alloy wheelset, which has impressed us on many occasions before. Although this isn’t the most robust alloy wheelset in DT’s portfolio, it’s tough enough for most riders. The wheels are combined with a MAXXIS ASSEGAI tire at the front and Minion DHR II at the rear. Unfortunately, with the standard spec, both tires feature the harder MaxxTerra rubber compound and EXO+ casing, which is too weak for the bike’s intended use. On our test bike, the tires came in the more robust Doubledown casing with the softer MaxxGrip rubber compound at the front – maybe they knew we would mention this… We would like to see the same tire combination on the standard spec, as it’s the optimal choice for such an otherwise capable bike. Nevertheless, our test bike in size XL with the better tires tips the scales at just 16.2 kg, which is perfectly acceptable for a bike in this category.

The geometry of the new 2024 Yeti SB165

The new 2024 Yeti SB165 is available in just 4 sizes, S to XL. Reach values grow in uneven yet sensible increments, from 430 mm (S) to 505 mm (XL). As a result, the frame sizes are on the moderate side, and neither particularly large nor small compared to other manufacturers. The same applies to the seat tube, which ensures enough freedom of movement across all sizes and at the same time allows you to insert a long travel dropper post all the way into the frame. Another cool feature is the size-specific chainstay length, which is meant to ensure consistent handling across all frame sizes. Yeti forgo any geometry adjustment options such as flip chips.

Size	S	M	L	XL
Reach	430 mm	460 mm	480 mm	505 mm
Stack	620 mm	625 mm	630 mm	640 mm
Chainstay Length	433 mm	435 mm	437 mm	439 mm
Estimated BB Height	345 mm	345 mm	345 mm	345 mm
Seat Tube Length	365 mm	400 mm	440 mm	470 mm
Effective Seat Tube Angle	76.8°	76.9°	76.9°	76.9°
Horizontal Top Tube	573 mm	604 mm	625 mm	653 mm
Head Tube Length	95 mm	101 mm	107 mm	118 mm
Wheelbase	1207 mm	1242 mm	1266 mm	1298 mm

The 2024 Yeti SB165 on the trail

For this review, we tested the 2024 Yeti SB165 not only on our home trails but also on several bikepark tracks, which included nasty landings, sharp rock gardens and fast direction changes.

If you kick off a ride in the opposite direction than the SB165 2024 was designed for – uphill – you’ll be pleasantly surprised. While the Yeti’s spec is certainly geared towards downhill performance, it’s no slouch when things tilt back up the other way, and the pedalling position is comfortably upright. This means that you’ll get from the car park to the lift in no time, and the Yeti even masters the odd trailhead commute without batting an eyelid.

When gravity takes over, you immediately get that reassuring mini-DH feeling, with the integrated riding position inspiring tons of confidence and encouraging you to plough through nasty rock gardens and pop off ledges at full pelt. At the same time, the 2024 Yeti SB165 provides tons of reserves, keeping things under control regardless of whether you overshoot a jump or come up short – we didn’t experience any nasty hits throughout the entire duration of the test. The rear suspension skilfully absorbs impacts and, despite the more linear nature of the coil shock, becomes increasingly more progressive towards the end of the stroke, preventing your ankles from exploding with harsh impacts and encouraging you to open the gas even more as a result.

To our surprise, the SB165 is also lots of fun on flat and slow trails. In moderate, flowing sections, it makes it easy to pump through rollers and berms, while when things get tight and technical, it allows you to to pick your line carefully without getting yourself into a pickle, as can be the case with many freeride bikes. We would also consider the Yeti SB165 2024 for the occasional enduro race.

Who should take a closer look at the 2024 Yeti SB165?

If you spend most of your time on rough trails with big jumps or at the bike park, the Yeti SB165 2024 is a great companion that inspires above all with its high-quality workmanship and spec, whereby the latter only requires marginal upgrades. Hobby racers or weekend warriors who want to have a little more reserves without buying a downhill bike will also get their money’s worth with the SB165.

Our conclusions about the 2024 Yeti SB165

The new Yeti SB165 2024 successfully bridges the gap between enduro and downhill, proving a trustworthy companion on nasty trails with fat jumps and nasty rock gardens, as well as flowing berms and the occasional climb. Although the standard spec calls for a few minor upgrades, the SB165 is a high-quality, extremely fun companion that encourages you to push your limits and supports you with plenty of reserves in the process.

For more info, visit Yeti Cycles’ website.

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Words: Peter Walker Photos: Peter Walker