The All New Yeti SB165 | First Ride Report

RELEASE & FIRST RIDE

THE NEW YETI SB165

Words by Robert Johnston | Photos by Robert Johnston & Dusten Ryen

A couple of years ago, Yeti updated their trail and enduro full suspension platforms to include the three Switch Infinity 29ers that have been enjoyed by many. Last spring, they added the 27.5” party machine – the SB135 – to the lineup, offering small-wheeled versatility.

Now it’s the turn of the SB165 to receive an update, bringing a mixed-wheel setup to the long travel end of the Switch Infinity platform. We managed to get a couple of rides in on this mullet monster to give you some insight as it’s released, and are very excited to say it’s the best bike Robert has ridden so far this year.

About The Yeti SB165

The new Yeti SB165 is nothing revolutionary in the Yeti range, only the addition of a mixed wheel-specific enduro bike to their lineup, sitting alongside the existing 29”-wheeled SB160 and sharing the majority of features and a very similar silhouette. That said, the SB160 is an excellent machine in its own right, and first impressions have led Robert to think that the mixed wheel and coil shock-equipped SB165 may add further enjoyment.

For the SB165, Yeti has fitted a 29” wheel up front with a 170mm fork; and 27.5” rear wheel with 165mm travel delivered by a coil-sprung Switch Infinity suspension system. If you want to learn all about the details Yeti implemented with their updated lineup of SB models – including this SB165 – head to our Dissected feature here.

SUSPENSION | The SB165 uses Yeti’s Switch Infinity suspension system, similar to the outgoing 27.5” model and the rest of the SB lineup. It features their clever patented two-piece shock Wishbone, which provides a host of benefits to the overall packaging of the frame. Yeti equipped the SB165 with the most progression in their lineup, sitting at 22% overall to offer good performance with both coil and air shocks. The leverage curve is linearly progressive from the beginning of stroke up to 120mm, offering a good blend of support and comfort. Beyond this it gets increasingly progressive to offer end-stroke support.

GEOMETRY | In addition to the wheel size and slight suspension differences, the geometry of the SB165 is a touch more aggressive than that found on the SB160. Yeti opted to only produce a Small to XL size range on the SB165, assuming that riders in the XXL zone of the SB160 are likely to prefer a larger rear wheel.

The head tube angle slackens to 63.5 degrees to offer improved steering stability. The effective seat tube angles sit at 76.9 across the size range, a touch slacker than the SB160 but still fairly typical in the enduro space. Bottom bracket height drops by 8mm to 345mm.

The rear end is still size-specific, with a chainstay length that grows as you go up the size range. However, it is shorter than the SB160, going from 433mm on Small to 439mm on XL. Reach figures are 5mm shorter than that of the SB160, with the size Large coming in at 480mm. Stack heights go from 620mm to 640mm. Overall the wheelbase measures in at 1266mm for the size large.

BUILD SPECS | Yeti is offering the SB165 in their usual choice of “C” grade carbon fiber, or the higher grade and lighter weight “Turq” model. Each frame material is offered in a choice of two builds, with the C2 starting at $6,300, and the T2 X0 Transmission (tested) topping out at $9,200. Yeti also offers the Turq frame with a Fox DHX2 shock for $4,800.

As the top-end build in the SB165 lineup, the part spec is unsurprisingly excellent. The headlines are Fox Factory suspension with a 170mm 38 fork and DHX2 shock; SRAM X0 Transmission groupset; CODE RSC brakes; and a custom DT Swiss EX1700 wheelset. Our size Large tipped the scales at 34.7lbs out the box.

If it’s still not lust worthy enough, Yeti offers a carbon wheel upgrade to the DT Swiss EXC 1501 for $1,000.

The Wolf’s First Impression

Testing time on board the SB165 has been minimal so far, limited to two rides, albeit on familiar trails that have served as the testing grounds for many different bikes over the past weeks. What I can say for sure without getting into the nuances of the performance are that it has immediately stood out as one of the most exciting bikes I’ve ever ridden, and instantly shot up to the top of my list of bikes tested so far this year.

SETUP | As a coil-sprung bike, getting the spring rate perfect is important. I swapped out the supplied 500lb spring for a 600lb initially, though it left me oversprung and the rear end harsh as a result. I pulled a 550lbs SLS spring out of the spares box, which left me at 28% shock sag for my 220lbs mass, and in a happy place in terms of balancing out the ride characteristics. With my go-to Fox 38 setup dialed in, I was instantly in a happy place and ready to rip.

CLIMBING | At 34.7lbs out-the-box, the SB165 is not ultra-light, but it makes up for that with a beautifully blended pedaling character and a spot-on seating position. EXO+ tires are not sufficient in strength for a bike with the SB165’s intentions in my eyes, and undoubtedly help to keep the sticker weight down and the climbing efficiency high. Even so, I’d be happy to bet on this Yeti ranking very highly in climbing prowess as far as coil-sprung mixed wheel enduro bikes go, and wouldn’t hesitate to reach for it for some big days in the saddle. It manages to provide this efficiency without being overly harsh or uncomfortable, letting the rear wheel find grip amicably.

Pedal clearance is not exceptional – a factor of a fairly low bottom bracket at sag and a 170mm crank, but it’s not terrible either and makes for a nice feeling of integration and a low center of gravity on the descents. The 30t front ring with 27.5” rear wheel and T-Type transmission makes for an exceptionally low gear ratio, reducing fatigue on steeper climb pitches and letting you winch up some impressively steep climbs.

DESCENDING | The speed that Yeti enduro bikes are capable of achieving on the descents needs no verification from me – you can look to Richie Rude for that – but the speed that they encourage and the mindset they put you in once gravity is on your side is generally notable, and the SB165 is no exception. I’ve not had the time to eke out every last ounce of capability from the Fox DHX2 shock on this rocket ship yet, but even so there’s the constant desire to go faster and push harder.

The mid-length rear end gives a nicely blended character that avoids the slack front end from being overly washy, but still allows you to get onto the back wheel for both pleasure and pinning. The general poise of the Yeti SB165 encourages you to attack the descents, and a supportive suspension platform that avoids being detrimentally uncomfortable means you can work the terrain and let off the brakes.

In true Yeti fashion, the SB165 runs quiet and has a generally high quality, dialed feeling. Add locking collet pivots and its stunning paint job, and Yeti continues to represent some of the highest levels of quality out there. We’ll be interested to keep punishing the Switch Infinity system to see how it handles abuse – stay tuned for the long term review. We sure are excited to keep on riding this thing, and may even have a surprise coming that could help you to get your hands on one…

Price: $6,300 (C2) – $9,200 (T2 X0 Transmission)
Website: Yeti.com

AVAILABLE BUILDS

Yeti SB165 | C2

MSRP: $6,300

Fork: Fox Performance 38/170mm
Shock: Fox Factory Dhx2 2 Pos Lever (Sm:400 Md:450 Lg:500 Xl:550 Steel)

Headset: Cane Creek 40 Integrated
Handlebar: Burgtec Ride Wide Alloy Enduro 35x780mm
Stem: Burgtec Enduro Mk3 35x50mm
Grips: Odi Elite Pro
Seat: Silverado Custom
Seatpost: Oneup Dropper Post 31.6mm / Sm: 150mm, Md: 180mm, Lg-Xl: 210mm

Tire (F): Maxxis Assegai 2.5 Exo+
Tire (R): Maxxis Minion Dhr Ii 2.4 Exo+
Wheelset: DT Swiss E1900 30mm

Brakes: SRAM Code R
Rotors: SRAM Centerline 220/200
Shifter: SRAM Gx Eagle
Derailleur: SRAM Gx Eagle
Cassette: SRAM Gx Eagle 1275 10-52
Crank: SRAM Gx Eagle 30t 170mm
Chain: SRAM Gx Eagle
BB: SRAM Dub BSA73

Upgrades: + Factory Suspension | +$600

Yeti SB165 | C3 GX TRANSMISSION

MSRP: $7,300

Fork: Fox Performance 38/170mm
Shock: Fox Factory Dhx2 2 Pos Lever (Sm:400 Md:450 Lg:500 Xl:550 Steel)

Tire (F): Maxxis Assegai 2.5 Exo+
Tire (R): Maxxis Minion Dhr Ii 2.4 Exo+
Wheelset: DT Swiss E1900 30mm

Brakes: SRAM Code R
Rotors: SRAM Centerline 220/200
Shifter: SRAM Axs Pod Controller
Derailleur: SRAM Gx Eagle Axs Transmission
Cassette: SRAM Gx Eagle Transmission 10-52
Crank: SRAM Gx Eagle Transmission 30t 170mm
Chain: SRAM Gx Eagle Transmission Flattop
BB: SRAM Dub BSA73

Upgrades: + Factory Suspension | +$600

Yeti SB165 | T2

MSRP: $7,900 (Frame Only: $4,800)

Frame: TURQ Series carbon fiber frame, threaded bottom bracket, fully enclosed internal cable routing, 148mm x 12mm BOOST dropouts

Fork: Fox Factory 38 GRIP 2/170mm
Shock: Fox Factory DHX2 2 Pos Lever (Sm:400 Md:450 Lg:500 Xl:550 Steel)

Headset: Cane Creek 40 Integrated
Handlebar: Yeti Carbon 35x800mm
Stem: Burgtec Enduro Mk3 35x50mm
Grips: Odi Elite Pro
Seat: Silverado Custom
Seatpost: Fox Transfer 31.6mm / Sm: 150mm, Md: 175mm, Lg-Xl: 200mm

Tire (F): Maxxis Assegai 2.5 Exo+
Tire (R): Maxxis Minion Dhr Ii 2.4 Exo+
Wheelset: DT Swiss Custom EX1700 30mm

Brakes: SRAM Code RSC
Rotors: SRAM Centerline 220/200
Shifter: SRAM X01 Eagle
Derailleur: SRAM X01 Eagle
Cassette: SRAM X01 Eagle 1295 10-52
Crank: SRAM X1 Eagle Carbon 30t 170mm
Chain: SRAM GX Eagle
BB: SRAM Dub BSA73

Upgrades: + DT Swiss EXC 1501 30mm Carbon | +$1,000

Yeti SB165 | T3 X0 TRANSMISSION

MSRP: $9,200 (Frame Only: $4,800)