A happy medium? That’s exactly what the SB140 LR T3 X0 is supposed to represent in YETI’s full-suspension range, and, according to the Colorado-based manufacturer, it’s capable of anything. At 140 mm of rear travel, it stands exactly between the SB160 and SB120, with which it shares YETI’s proprietary Switch Infinity rear suspension and iconic turquoise finish.
14.8 kg in size L | € 10,390 | Manufacturer’s website
More fun on the lunch ride! This is what the YETI SB140 LR T3 X0 is all about, with LR standing for Lunch Ride edition. Combining 160/140 mm of travel (f/r), the special edition model generates 10 mm more travel at the front than the conventional SB140 model. Retailing at € 10,390, the SB140 doesn’t focus on fast laps but rather on fun, falling into Yeti’s Rip group rather than the Race category on their website. The SB 140 tips the scales at 14.8 kg, while big 29” wheels replace the smaller 27.5″ wheels of its predecessor. In typical YETI fashion, the SB140 relies on the manufacturer’s proprietary Switch Infinity system, which was developed to improve the bike’s climbing capabilities, and sits right above the bottom bracket. 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. The highlight of the system: the Switch Infinity link changes direction as it moves through the stroke, reducing the anti-squat for the last part of the travel, reducing pedal kick-back during big impacts to ensure a more composed ride.
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best trail bike 2024 – 15 of the most exciting trail bikes in our 2024 comparison test
The 2023 YETI SB140 LR T3 X0 2023 in detail
As the T3 acronym suggests, the SB140 LR T3 X0 features YETI’s premium TURQ frame, which relies on higher modulus carbon fibres than its cheaper C counterpart, allowing engineers to achieve the same degree of stiffness at a lower weight. The cables are routed internally and disappear into the frame through the head tube. The cables are clamped at the ports, ensuring a tidy look and a quiet ride on the trail, giving the YETI the unexciting honour of having one of the best cable routing systems in this group test. A chunky TPU plate shields the down tube and bottom bracket area from stray rocks, with a service port making it easier to access the dropper post cable inside the frame. However, the frame of the SB140 doesn’t feature a storage compartment nor a tool mount, meaning that you’ll have to use a backpack or hip pack to carry your trail essentials on longer rides, which is a bit old-school for a modern trail bike. A generously sized chainstay protector prevents chain slap and paint chips, and the entire frame makes an extremely high-quality impression.
The spec of the 2023 YETI SB140 LR T3 X0
The suspension of the YETI SB140 LR T3 X0 consists of a FOX 36 Factory GRIP2 fork and matching FOX FLOAT X Factory shock, which works in synergy with the Switch Infinity system. Many bikes in this test rely on the FOX 36/ FLOAT X suspension combo, simply because it delivers a tremendous performance on the trail and offers countless adjustment options. FOX also supply the Transfer dropper post, which forgoes the fancy Kashima coating but shares the same internals as the golden flagship model. Unfortunately, we’ve had plenty of issues with this dropper in the past, as it is very temperature sensitive and has a tendency to get stuck at the bottom. SRAM CODE RSC brakes with tool-free bite point and lever reach adjustments do stopping duties, relying on SRAM’s proprietary SwingLink technology, which was designed to minimise deadband and optimise modulation, thus reducing arm pump. The brakes are combined with a 200 mm rotor at the front and 180 mm disc at the rear. The latter is too small for a potent trail bike and tends to overheat quickly on long descents – we recommend upgrading to a bigger 200 mm rotor for more braking torque and better modulation. Shifting is taken care of by a SRAM X0 Transmission drivetrain with a direct mount rear derailleur, which bolts directly to the frame and forgoes both a mech hanger and limit screws. At 780 mm, YETI’s in-house carbon handlebars are narrower than most of the handlebars in this test, but the width is absolutely perfect for a trail bike. For the wheels, YETI rely on a Race Face ARC carbon wheelset and MAXXIS tires, combining a Minion DHF at the front with a Minion DHR II at the rear, both in the harder MaxxTerra rubber compound and puncture-prone EXO casing. In our opinion, it’s worth upgrading to more robust tires with the tougher EXO+ casing, and while you’re at it, we suggest switching to the softer MaxxGrip rubber compound at the front.
The YETI impresses with a high-quality finish, super clean cable routing and beautiful details.
The SB140 relies on conventional internal cable routing. The cables disappear into the frame just behind the steerer tube and are securely clamped at the ports, ensuring a clean look and quiet ride.
The TURQ lettering on the top tube reveals that the frame is made from higher grade carbon fibres.
Of course, the SB 140 relies on YETI’s Switch Infinity system. The translating pivot replaces a bearing on the swingarm.
The service port on the down tube of the YETI makes it easy to access the cables in the frame, making servicing easier.
The thin EXO casing offers little puncture protection. More robust tires allow you to run lower air pressures for more traction.
YETI SB140 LR T3 X0
€ 10,390
Specifications
Fork FOX 36 Factory GRIP2 160 mm
Rear Shock FOX FLOAT X Factory 140 mm
Seatpost FOX Transfer 175 mm
Brakes SRAM CODE RSC 200/180 mm
Drivetrain SRAM X0 Transmission 1x12
Stem Burgtec Enduro MK3 50 mm
Handlebar YETI Carbon 780 mm
Wheelset Race Face ARC Carbon 29"
Tires MAXXIS Minion DHF, EXO, MaxxTerra/Minion DHR II, EXO, MaxxTerra 2.5"/2.4"
Technical Data
Size S M L XL XXL
Weight 14.8 kg
Specific Features
Switch Infinity system
Tuning tips: More robust tires with tougher EXO+ casing and softer MaxxGrip rubber compound at the front | Bigger 200 mm brake rotor at the rear
Jersey Troy Lee Designs Ruckus | Pants Troy Lee Designs Ruckus Cargo Pant
Shoes Ride Concepts Accomplice
The geometry of the 2023 YETI SB140 LR
The YETI SB140 is available in five sizes, S to XXL, offering a suitable option for riders between 155 and 210 cm tall. The special feature of the SB 140’s geometry are the irregular reach intervals between sizes, which are meant to cover as wide a possible range of body sizes. Our test bike in size L combines 480 mm reach with a short 440 mm seat tube, which provides plenty of freedom of movement on the bike. Another special feature are the size-specific chainstays, which grow by 2 mm with each size, ensuring consistent handling across the board. In size L, chainstay length is 440 mm.
| Size | S | M | L | XL | XXL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top tube | 573 mm | 603 mm | 624 mm | 652 mm | 671 mm |
| Seat tube | 365 mm | 400 mm | 440 mm | 470 mm | 485 mm |
| Head tube | 92 mm | 95 mm | 100 mm | 112 mm | 134 mm |
| Head angle | 65.0° | 65.0° | 65.0° | 65.0° | 65.0° |
| Seat angle | 77.0° | 77.0° | 77.0° | 77.0° | 77.0° |
| Chainstays | 436 mm | 438 mm | 440 mm | 442 mm | 444 mm |
| BB Height | 342 mm | 342 mm | 342 mm | 342 mm | 342 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,188 mm | 1,221 mm | 1,246 mm | 1,277 mm | 1,304 mm |
| Reach | 430 mm | 460 mm | 480 mm | 505 mm | 520 mm |
| Stack | 617 mm | 620 mm | 625 mm | 635 mm | 655 mm |
The 2023 YETI SB140 LR T3 X0 on the trail
Relaxed and good-natured! When riding uphill, the YETI SB140 LR places you in a very comfortable pedalling position, which doesn’t put any strain on your hands but still ensures plenty of traction upfront. As a result, the front wheel remains planted on the ground, tracking efficiently even on steeper climbs. The rear suspension always remains active without bobbing unnecessarily, thus generating plenty of traction and ensuring an efficient climbing performance.
Picking up speed out of corners has never been easier! The SB140 is a real confidence booster.
However, the SB140 LR shows its strong side as soon as you drop into a trail. Despite the low front end, which places you in an aggressive riding position, the YETI integrates you nicely between its wheels, inspiring huge amounts of confidence on the trail. Handling is extremely intuitive and makes you feel at ease from the get-go, enabling a direct, playful riding style without feeling too stiff or excessively angry. As a result, the Yeti does exactly what you want it to do, while still forgiving smaller riding mistakes. Overall, the suspension of the SB140 LR is the best in the entire test field, and only the Levo SL eMTB can keep up with it. The suspension provides both excellent small bump sensitivity and sufficient mid-stroke support, meaning that it generates insane amounts of traction but at the same time offers enough reserves to negotiate rough, technical sections, making you feel as if you had more travel on tap. As a result, the SB140 doesn’t shy away from bigger hits either. On flowing trails, it smashes through berms as if on rails, converting the centrifugal force into rapid propulsion, and making it easy to generate huge amounts of speed by pumping through rollers and berms. The SB140 encourages you to turn up the heat to eleven and shralp through berms at Mach 10, while at the same time making it easy to pick up insane amounts of speed in open corners. The YETI awakens your rowdy side, inviting you to play with the trail and plough your way through rock gardens. It has the same excellent level of composure as the YT, but struggles to keep up with our test winner in terms of agility. Overall, the YETI SB140 LR T3 X0 is a potent all-rounder that’s both fast and extremely playful, showing no weaknesses even at high speeds and delivering tons of fun in the process. Even the thin tire casing, which required us to run high air pressures, didn’t spoil the overall excellent impression.
Who should take a closer look at the 2023 YETI SB140 LR T3 X0?
With its unmistakable frame silhouette and Switch Infinity link, the SB140 LR T3 X0 is distinctly recognisable as a YETI. Despite the lack of a storage compartment and tool-mount, it features several clever frame details that make it easier to service. With its outstanding all-round qualities and high fun factor, the YETI SB140 LR is a versatile riding companion for all sorts of trails, ranking amongst the best bikes in our 2024 trail bike group test. However, YETI aren’t exactly cheap, which makes them a viable option for just a handful of people (working with an orthodontic drill for 8 hours a day).
Our conclusions about the 2023 YETI SB140 LR T3 X0
A classy grip machine! In our 2024 trail bike group test, the YETI SB140 LR T3 X0 proved an excellent trail bike all-rounder that lives up to its “one bike for everything” claim and turns heads on the trail with the distinctive YETI look. Despite the lack of a storage compartment and tool mount, it features many functional, well thought-out frame details. The SB140 LR delivers an impressive performance on the trail and only misses the test victory by a hair’s breadth. Simply put, it’s a mean cornering machine with ridiculously good suspension, regardless of the type of trail. Unfortunately, this all comes at a price.
Tops
- Excellent all-rounder
- Outstanding rear suspension performance
- Agile handling
Flops
- Neither tool mount nor storage compartment
- Tires don’t do justice to the character of the bike
You can find out more about at yeticycles.com
The test field
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best trail bike 2024 – 15 of the most exciting trail bikes in our 2024 comparison test
All bikes in test: Cannondale Habit LT 1 (Click for review) | Cube ONE55 C:62 SLT 29 (Click for review) | Ghost RIOT Trail Full Party (Click for review) | Merida ONE-FORTY 10K (Click for review) | Mondraker Neat RR SL (Click for review) | Nicolai Saturn 14 Swift HRZ (Click for review) | Orbea Occam LT M10 (Click for review) | Santa Cruz Heckler SL XX AXS RSV (Click for review) | Santa Cruz Hightower X0 AXS RSV (Click for review) | Scor 2030 X01 (Click for review) | SCOTT Genius ST 900 Tuned (Click for review) | Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo SL (Click for review) | Trek Fuel EX 9.9 X0 AXS T-Type (Click for review) | Yeti SB140 LR T3 X0 | YT JEFFSY CORE 5 CF (Click for review)
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Words: Simon Kohler Photos: Peter Walker
