15.6 kg in size L | € 10,890 | Manufacturer’s website
The Yeti SB160 has already secured countless podiums since its launch, and even won the overall EDR title under the direction of team rider Richie Rude last year, proving what the turquoise beast is capable of. But how would it fare against the competition in our 2024 test field? To find out, we pitted the SB160 against 13 of the hottest bikes of the year. As usual, the SB160 rolls on 29” wheels and generates 170/160 of mm travel, relying on Yeti’s proprietary – and pretty unique – Switch Infinity suspension system. In a nutshell, this is a translating pivot that slides up and down a set of rails as it goes through its travel, creating a virtual pivot point and providing different suspension characteristics at different points in the travel. Retailing at € 10,890, the SB160 is € 1,100 cheaper than last year, and features a few extra goodies in the spec. That said, the Yeti SB160 T3 is still the most expensive analogue bike in this test field, while at 15.6 kg in size L, it’s also one of the lightest.
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best enduro bike 2024 – 14 of the most exciting enduro bikes in our 2024 comparison test
The 2024 Yeti SB160 T3 in detail
The cables are routed internally and disappear into the frame through the headset, only to reappear briefly at the transition between the main frame and swingarm. The cables are clamped at the ports on both sides, while an additional clamp bracket on the seat stay holds the rear brake line firmly in place. An extensive seat and chainstay protector prevents paint chips and chain slap, ensuring a quiet ride on the trail. A TPU plate shields the bottom bracket and a small section of the down tube against stray rocks. This features a practical service port, which allows you to access the cables easily if you want to replace them – an excellent feature for all home mechanics. There’s a bottle cage mount on the down tube, but, unlike 6 out of 14 manufacturers in this test, Yeti forgo a storage compartment in the downtube –and the SB160 doesn’t have a tool mount either.
Yeti forgot a storage compartment and tool mount altogether, forcing you to carry a hip pack or backpack with all your trail essentials.
The generously sized seat- and chainstay protector not only keeps the noise down, but also prevents painful paint chips on the frame.
The Switch Infinity translating pivot slides up and down a set of rails as it goes through its travel, creating a virtual pivot point to provide different suspension characteristics at different points in the travel.
The spec of the 2024 Yeti SB160 T3
Yeti committed to a monogamous relationship with FOX quite a while back. Their Switch Infinity sliders have Kashima-coated stanchions, after all. As a result, the SB160 T3 comes equipped with a top-tier FOX 38 Factory GRIP2 fork and matching FOX X2 Factory air shock, both of which offer countless adjustment options and deliver a tremendous performance on the trail. The Californian suspension colossus also supplies the Transfer Performance Elite dropper post, which offers 200 mm of travel and can be fully inserted into the frame. SRAM CODE RSC brakes with a 220 mm rotor at the rear and 200 mm disc at the rear provide reliable, powerful deceleration – top! The older CODE model doesn’t route the cables as closely to the handlebars as the new CODE Ultimate Stealths, but the brake feel is the same, without the annoying rattling noise the updated variant makes. SRAM supply the electronic, 12-speed X0 Eagle Transmission drivetrain, which relies on a direct-mount rear derailleur and enables shifting under load.
The suspension of the Yeti SB160 is some of the best performing in the entire test field, offering next-level small bump sensitivity, and enough support to pop off roots and natural kickers.
The 200 mm FOX Transfer dropper post can be inserted all the way into the frame, ensuring plenty of freedom of movement on the bike.
Our test bike comes equipped with a solid tire combo that successfully combines traction, rolling efficiency and puncture protection. We wish Yeti would deliver the production bike with the same tire setup.
The Yeti SB160 rolls on a robust 29″ DT Swiss EX 1700 alloy wheelset, which is a big favourite amongst our editorial team. The wheels are paired with MAXXIS tires, with an ASSEGAI in the grippy MaxxGrip rubber compound at the front and Minion DHR II in the harder MaxxTerra compound at the rear, which offers a decent level of rolling speed. On our test bike, both tires rely on the robust Doubledown casing, which is a great fit for both the bike’s character and intended use. However, the production bike comes standard with the thinner EXO+ casing, so we recommend upgrading to the robust Doubledown tires as soon as the first tire change is due.
Yeti SB160 T3
€ 10,890
Specifications
Fork FOX 38 Factory GRIP2 170 mm
Rear Shock FOX FLOAT X2 Factory 160 mm
Seatpost FOX Transfer Performance Elite 200 mm
Brakes SRAM CODE RSC 220/200 mm
Drivetrain SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission 1x12
Stem Burgtec Enduro MK3 50 mm
Handlebar Yeti Carbon 800 mm
Wheelset DT Swiss EX 1700 29"
Tires MAXXIS ASSEGAI, DD, MaxxGrip/MAXXIS Minion DHR II, DD, MaxxTerra 2.5/2.4
Technical Data
Size S M L XL XXL
Weight 15.6 kg
Tuning tip: More robust tires in the tougher Doubledown casing
The geometry of the 2024 Yeti SB160 T3
The Yeti SB160 is available in five sizes, S to XXL. We opted for size L, which is aimed at riders between 1.79 m and 1.90 m tall. Our test bike combines a modern 485 mm reach and a short 440 mm seat tube, which allows you to insert the dropper post all the way into the frame, ensuring plenty of freedom of movement on the bike. Chainstay length is 441 mm in size L and grows with the frame size, which is meant to ensure consistent handling across the board.
| Size | S | M | L | XL | XXL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reach | 435 mm | 465 mm | 485 mm | 510 mm | 525 mm |
| Stack | 615 mm | 620 mm | 625 mm | 635 mm | 655 mm |
| Chainstay Length | 437 mm | 439 mm | 441 mm | 443 mm | 445 mm |
| BB Height | 353 mm | 353 mm | 353 mm | 353 mm | 353 mm |
| Seat Tube | 365 mm | 400 mm | 440 mm | 470 mm | 485 mm |
| Head Angle | 64° | 64° | 64° | 64° | 64° |
| Seat Angle | 77.5° | 77.5° | 77.5° | 77.5° | 77.5° |
| Horizontal Top Tube | 571 mm | 602 mm | 624 mm | 651 mm | 670 mm |
| Head Tube | 95 mm | 101 mm | 107 mm | 118 mm | 140 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1211 mm | 1246 mm | 1270 mm | 1302 mm | 1329 mm |
The 2024 Yeti SB160 T3 on the trail
When riding uphill, the Yeti SB160 T3 pedals efficiently, lining up against the better climbers in this test. It places you in a comfortable pedalling position, with the weight evenly distributed between the front and rear. While on long, boring climbs it’s definitely worth reaching for the climb switch, even without it, the rear suspension only bobs marginally, generating plenty of traction on technical climbs. However, the Yeti can’t quite keep up with the very best climbers in this test field, the SCOTT Ransom and Ibis HD6.
The Yeti SB160 T3 is easy and intuitive to ride on narrow trails with tight switchback turns, slapping a massive grin on your face in the process.
When you point its nose downhill, the SB160 impresses with super-intuitive handling. It implements steering input with clinical precision, but at the same time still forgives riding mistakes, making you feel at ease from the get go, regardless of your riding skills. Only the Ibis HD6 can match the SB160’s good-natured character. In terms of agility, the Yeti’s at the same level as our test winner, and feels in its element on winding flow trails. The SB160 makes it easy to negotiate narrow trail sections and tight switchbacks, while putting a massive grin on your face in the process. If you’re now assuming that the SB160 throws in the towel when the going gets rougher, you’re completely wrong. On the contrary! When blasting through rock gardens at full pelt, you’ll be surprised by how much support and composure the Yeti offers, with its suspension gobbling up anything that stands in its way. At the same time, it provides excellent small-bump sensitivity and generates plenty of traction, encouraging you to try out cheeky new lines. If you like playing with the trail, the suspension has enough mid-stroke support to pop off ledges and tree stumps. Overall, the Yeti SB160 T3 combines a high degree of agility and good composure – only the Ibis HD6 unites the two opposites better.
Who should take a closer look at the 2024 Yeti SB160 T3?
The Yeti SB160 T3 is an outstanding all-rounder, and the optimal choice if you really like to get rowdy downhill, proving once again what it’s capable of. With its versatile, good-natured character, it’s suitable for anyone with deep enough pockets, whether you’re a newbie or seasoned trail veteran.
Our conclusions about the 2024 Yeti SB160 T3
As the defending champion, the Yeti SB160 T3 was undoubtedly going to make a bang in our 2024 enduro comparison test! On the trail, it strikes an excellent balance between composure and agility, lining up amongst the best bikes in this test. Moreover, it’s intuitive to ride and impresses with one of the best suspension systems in this test field, cutting a fine figure both up and downhill. However, despite all their efforts, the Yeti has to pass the crown to the new kid in town!
Tops
- Excellent compromise between composure and agility
- Intuitive handling
- Very strong suspension performance
Flops
- No storage compartment
- Expensive
For more info, visit Yeti’s website.
The test field
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best enduro bike 2024 – 14 of the most exciting enduro bikes in our 2024 comparison test
All bikes in test: Bold Unplugged Ultimate (Click for review) | Canyon Strive CFR LTD (Click for review) | GIANT Reign Advanced 1 V2 (Click for review) | Ibis HD6 GX AXS (Click for review) | Norco Sight C1 (Click for review) | Orbea WILD M-LTD (Click for review) | Propain Tyee 6 CF MIX (Click for review) | RAAW Madonna V3 (Click for review) | Rocky Mountain Altitude C70 (Click for review) | Santa Cruz Megatower GX AXS RSV (Click for review) | SCOTT Ransom 900 RC (Click for review) | Trek Slash 9.8 XT (Click for review) | Yeti SB160 T3 (Click for review) | YT CAPRA CORE 4 (Click for review)
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Words: Benedikt Schmidt Photos: Peter Walker
