Yeti announce new SB130 – Is this the new king of trail?
While the social media channels are still cooling down after the launch of the bonkers SB150, Yeti has just dropped news of the SB150’s more spritely sibling, the Yeti SB130. While clearly channelling the same radical geometry, the SB130 is trimmed down, and ready to make a challenge for the ultimate trail bike.
On paper, the SB130 looks very promising indeed, boasting numbers that would not normally be found in the trail bike category. While 29 inch wheels and 130 mm travel (150 mm fork) may sound familiar, 480 mm reach, 65.5° head angle, 76.9° seat angle and a 624 mm stack all point to some serious performance on the descents. We have been championing steeper seat tubes and it’s great to see Yeti embracing the modern thinking.
The Yeti SB130 uses the same Switch Infinity suspension system as the SB150, using their new shock extender to give the engineers more control over the kinematics, providing more progressivity than the current SB range for more bottom out resistance, very important on a bike with these sort of angles. It’s very interesting that the SB130 sits so close in geometry to the SB150, allowing customers to base their buying decision more on travel to suit their home trails.
The SB130 will be available in 5 models. Starting from a €5690 SB130 C Series GX bike, with a Fox Performance 36 Fork, and Performance DPX2 shock, full SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain, SRAM Guide R brakes, Fox Transfer seatpost and DT Swiss M1900 wheelset. The range is topped with the $9199 (€ price tba) SB130 Turq XX1, with a Fox Factory 36 Grip 2 fork and Factory X2 shock, full SRAM XX1 Eagle Drivetrain, SRAM Guide Ultimate brakes and DT Swiss XMC 1200 wheelset.
The geometry of the Yeti SB130
| Size | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top tube | 571 mm | 602 mm | 625 mm | 653 mm |
| Head tube | 95 mm | 99 mm | 110 mm | 121 mm |
| Head angle | 65.5° | 65.5° | 65.5° | 65.5° |
| Seat angle | 77.1° | 77.0° | 76.9° | 76.9° |
| Chainstays | 433 mm | 433 mm | 433 mm | 433 mm |
| BB Height | 338 mm | 338 mm | 338 mm | 338 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1174 mm | 1206 mm | 1230 mm | 1260 mm |
| Reach | 430 mm | 460 mm | 480 mm | 505 mm |
| Stack | 611 mm | 615 mm | 625 mm | 635 mm |
Life Time Warranty
Yeti has also extended their warranty on the new bikes, stating that “All 2019 (or newer) frames, including the Switch Infinity link, are covered for life against damage due to manufacturing defects for the original purchaser. Paint and finish are covered for 1-year. We will repair or replace, at our discretion, any frame we deem defective. There are a few conditions: you must register it online at YetiCycles.com and you must take it to an authorized Yeti Cycles dealer for processing. Warranty does not cover damage due to ordinary wear and tear, neglect or intentional destruction. Model year 2018 and older frames will be covered under our previous warranty (5-year or 2-year based on time of purchase).”
Our thoughts
Almost a carbon copy (pun intended) of the Yeti SB150, we are excited to get our hands on this bike for a full test. Across the board, 130 mm trail bikes are growing increasingly capable, blending aggressive geometry with shorter travel for a fun packed ride. The Yeti SB130 looks to be throwing down the gauntlet, and backed by Yeti’s revised warranty, is this the bike that will put Yeti back on top?
More information at yeticycles.com
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