This is what winners look like! The Yeti SB150 was by far the fastest bike in our race bike group test. What makes this bike so good and why was the SB150 not able to convince us in our group tests before? We found the answers.
In our introduction of the fastest enduro race bike on test you can’t just find our most interesting findings and our overall conclusion, but a good view on all bikes tested.
The moment you lay eyes on the Yeti SB150 that we received for this test, you just know: this bike is made for racing. This doesn’t just show from the battle marks on the paintwork, but also the components. The Yeti rolls on DT Swiss wheels with aluminium EX511 rims and 240s hubs, mounted with MAXXIS downhill tires and CushCore inserts – you won’t find more grip and puncture protection anywhere else. It also comes equipped with Shimano’s XTR drivetrain with a small 10–45 t cassette.
The cockpit is supplied by Renthal and consists of a 50 mm stem and narrow 750 mm handlebar. Frankly, this bike should be unrideable if you listened to the internet, but it’s actually quite amazing once you get used to it. Unfortunately, unlike Richie Rude’s bike, our test bike has “only” FOX 36 GRIP2 fork with 170 mm travel. On the other hand, the 175 mm Transfer dropper post ensures that you have all the freedom of movement you need. With this super robust, high-end build, the scales still just top out at 15.56 kg, which we find surprisingly light.
Besides clocking the fastest time, every racer aims to make their bike as quiet as possible. Just look at the chainstay protector on the Yeti.
OneUp Components have long been a sponsor of the Yeti team and offer a matching chain guide
The gear range of the 10–45 t cassette needs strong legs to get up steep climbs, especially in combination with the 32 t chainring.
Yeti SB150 Team
Specifications
Fork FOX 36 GRIP2 170 mm
Rear Shock FOX FLOAT X2 Factory 150 mm
Seatpost FOX Transfer Factory mm175
Brakes Shimano XTR 203/203 mm
Drivetrain Shimano XTR 32 (10-45)
Stem Renthal Apex 50 mm
Handlebar Renthal Fatbar 750 mm
Wheelset Felge: DT SWISS EX511 Nabe: DT 240s
Tires MAXXIS Assegai/Minion DHR II 2.5"/2.4"
Technical Data
Size S M L XL
Weight 15.56 kg
Wheelsize 29"
Specific Features
CushCore
In addition to the chain guide, there is also an integrated tool from OneUp Components.
Downhill tires with CushCure inserts offer almost perfect puncture protection. This allows lower tire pressures which increase grip.
In our last enduro bike group test, we criticized the overly linear rear end. The team bike has three spacers in the shock, which offers increased progression.
The size M frame can accommodate a 175 mm dropper post. This guarantees maximum freedom of movement on steep terrain.
Yeti rely on their legendary Switch Infinity link for the rear suspension, which allows the main pivot to move up and down as it cycles through its travel. This allows Yeti to optimise the leverage ratio. We recommend servicing it regularly.
Compact and capable – the geometry of the Yeti SB150
The geometry of the Yeti SB150 in size medium is very balanced and offers a good compromise between agility and stability. The reach is 460 mm, the head angle is 64.5° and the chainstays length is 433 mm. The stack height is 615 mm and the seat tube angle is 77° steep. However, the length of the rear triangle stays the same on every size, so in the past, we found the size L bike with its long 480 mm reach to be rather unbalanced.
| Size | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saet tube | 380 mm | 410 mm | 450 mm | 495 mm |
| Top tube | 572 mm | 602 mm | 626 mm | 654 mm |
| Head tube | 95 mm | 97 mm | 108 mm | 119 mm |
| Head angle | 64.5° | 64.5° | 64.5° | 64.5° |
| Seat angle | 77.0° | 77.0° | 76.9° | 76.8° |
| Chainstays | 433 mm | 433 mm | 433 mm | 433 mm |
| BB Drop | 25 mm | 25 mm | 25 mm | 25 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,193 mm | 1,223 mm | 1,248 mm | 1,278 mm |
| Reach | 430 mm | 460 mm | 480 mm | 505 mm |
| Stack | 613 mm | 614 mm | 625 mm | 635 mm |
Pants VOID Pants | Shoes Specialized 2FO
Races are won in the corners and no bike is faster through them than the Yeti!
Fast, faster, Yeti! The SB150 on the trail
Why does Richie Rude, who is 180 cm tall, ride the Yeti in size M? We asked ourselves this question several times before the test. We’ve since learned that it’s just damn fast. The key factor for a fast stage time is exit speed. It’s about carrying as much momentum out of a corner as possible so you don’t waste time and energy trying to regain lost speed. The Yeti does just that thanks to several factors. First, there is its compact geometry, which makes the bike’s handling super agile and direct. Tight corners are just as easy as spontaneously choosing to ride the high line to open up a corner. You’re positioned centrally on the bike from where you’re able to manoeuvre it very precisely with minimal effort.
The Yeti is damn fast, but you still have to work for it on long stages!
Then there is the suspension, which offers plenty of support and generates sufficient traction. It isn’t the plushest, but it manages the 150 mm travel at the rear very effectively. It only uses as much travel as you need at any given moment. The suspension also offers significantly more reserves than you would assume. Progression towards the end is high, which has been achieved with additional volume spacers in the shock and the fork. In addition to the suspension and geometry, the heavy wheels also add to the Yeti’s composed handling, keeping the bike securely on track. Obstacles are simply flattened thanks to the momentum the bike can carry. There are more stable bikes on test, but the Yeti doesn’t lose any significant amount of time against them. Out of interest, we also rode a Yeti in size large on our test track and were significantly slower than with the medium. Like the COMMENCAL, the long reach combined with short chainstays makes the bike unbalanced and you’re not able to carry as much speed through the corners.
How does the Yeti SB150 compare to the competition?
In the end, the Yeti was the fastest but also the most exhausting bike on the racetrack. Compared to the Canyon in second place, the Yeti is more direct but also more lively and agile. The Canyon feels more secure on unknown and steep sections where the Yeti is more demanding and puts more strain on the rider. The Yeti is similar to the GT, where the GT has fewer reserves in demanding terrain, as well as the Lapierre, on which you don’t feel as well integrated..
Differences from the standard bike
- volume spacer in fork and shock
- downhill tires including CushCore
- XTR drivetrain and brakes
- Chris King headsetz
- Renthal cockpit with 750 mm handlebar
Conclusion
What a rocket! The size medium Yeti SB150 is the fastest bike on test. This is made possible by its super direct and agile handling, which allows you to carry a lot of speed and also generate a lot of speed. You have to brake less with the Yeti and you get through corners faster. Its components, which are fully trimmed towards racing, have no weaknesses. However, its stiff suspension is demanding – you’ll just have to train as hard as Richie Rude for those long stages.
Tops
- super direct and agile handling
- efficient suspension doesn't waste energy
- lots of reserves
Flops
- exhausting on long stages
- gear ratio isn't for everyone
- not nearly as balanced in size L (even for tall riders)
More information: yeticycles.com
The test field
A lot more mtbs, our findings and the trends for the upcoming saison can be found in our introduction of the fastest enduro race bike on test.
All bikes in test: Canyon Strive CFR Jack Moir Edition (Click for review) | Commencal META AM 29 (Click for review) | GT Force Carbon Pro Martin Maes Edition (Click for review) | Lapierre Spicy Team (Click for review) | Nukeproof Mega 290c RS Team Edition (Click for review) | Raaw Madonna V2 FOX Factory Custom (Click for review) | Specialized S-Works Enduro Team Edition (Click for review) | Trek SLASH 9.9 2021 (Click for review) | Yeti SB150 Team | YT CAPRA Elite 29 (Click for review)
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