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The Best Yeti Mountain Bikes Available

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Yeti Bikes, popular for the production of mountain bikes, was founded in 1985. These were referred to as the “crazy early” years. Take note it was not until 1996 that mountain biking was included in the Olympic Games.

This brand has always provided top-tier tech. Yeti Bikes are designed for riders who are serious about mountain biking. If you are looking for a mountain bike that will meet your mountain riding needs, look no further! 

Our Top 6 Yeti Bikes

So how do you go about choosing a Yeti bike that suits your needs? There are many options to choose from, which means making a purchasing decision may be a challenge. This is why we sourced information from biking fan pages, forums, and the Yeti website to come up with a list of the best Yeti mountain bikes. 

YETI SB115: Best XC Race Mountain Bike

Yeti SB115

Are you looking for a mountain bike designed to win the most challenging cross-country races out there? Then Yeti SB115 is a great option. It comes with key features that make it crazy fast with efficient performance on descents, flats, and climbs. 

Nowadays, the number of full-suspension bikes on the XC circuit has increased. The added smoothness of rear travel makes a lot of sense when you look at how courses have become more technical in recent years.

For the Yeti SB115, the Switch Infinity suspension system is lighter than previous versions. It comes with a silky smooth 115 mm rear travel which enables bikers to leave hardtails in the dust when riding downhill. Besides being an XC race weapon, what we love about the SB115 is that you can still have a blast on tough trails with it. 

You immediately notice this mountain bike is super-capable and fun to ride. It’s ideal for any XC rider who likes to get wild when he is not working. You can get it in 3 different colors, namely white, turquoise, or anthracite.

This Yeti model featuring 130 mm front travel also comes with 148 mm x 12 mm (boost) rear wheels. 

Other features include: 

  • Frame sizes range from small, medium, large to extra large 
  • 6 degrees head tube angle
  • 74-degree seat tube angle

Pros

  • Excellent performance on climbs, flats, and descents
  • It comes in 3 different colors
  • Light Switch Infinity suspension system
  • It has silky 115 mm of rear travel
  • Super-fast
  • 148 mm x 12 mm rear wheels

Cons

  • Not budget-friendly
  • Only available in 4 sizes

Yeti SB130: Best Do-It-All Trail Mountain Bike

Yeti SB130

Even though folks at Yeti knew and understood how impossible it is to build a single bike that is excellent in almost all aggressive elements of mountain biking, they never gave up trying. Even though this model may not be the best for all situations, it certainly is for most.

Do you want a mid-travel trail destroyer that holds its own no matter what? Then SB130 is your Yeti bike of choice. The rear travel 130 mm frame comes with a Switch Infinity suspension design. 

This model is progressive enough to offer you great tracking ability and compliance as you charge down the trail over roots and rocks. For huge hits, the 150 mm fork ensures that your stability is guaranteed. 

That said, it’s not easy to find a do-it-all and a quiver-killing mountain bike. However, to ensure that you’ve got climbing capability, agility, and descending chops wrapped into one, SB130 features a progressive trail geometry. 

In case you are looking for an enduro/trail bike that climbs like a goat, Yeti has created a force to be reckoned with. It comes in 6 different colors: brick, black, turquoise, anthracite, dark, and storm. You can get it in 4 different sizes—either small, medium, large, or extra-large. 

Other features include: 

  • 150 mm fork
  • 130 mm frame travel
  • 6 mm seatpost
  • BB92 bottom bracket

Pros

  • It comes with 148 mm x 12 mm (boost) rear wheels
  • 29″ wheel size
  • Available in 6 different colors
  • Progressive trail geometry
  • 4 different sizes

Cons

  • Not budget-friendly
  • Not best for descents

Yeti SB140: Best Trail & Jump Mountain Bike

Yeti SB140

Are you looking for a mountain bike with the most creative way down and the fastest way back up? Or do you spend time on the trail looking for berms to the trail? If yes, SB140 is the way to go because it’s all about fun. 

For this bike, descents are a blast. This is thanks to the snappy handling derived from its playful geometry. When it comes to head up, the 77-degree seat tube angle ensures you’ve got a position of power. Fortunately, the 65-degree head angle satisfies Yeti’s love of gravity.

The bottomless-feeling Switch Infinity suspension system and 160 mm of front travel provide you with the confidence needed to start big. If you decide to install some fast-rolling 27.5″ wheels on 2.6″ tires, then SB140 becomes a party rig. You’ll need to play more responsibly with this bike because you will be feeling like superman.

This model is available in 3 different colors, namely turquoise, smoke and inferno. You can get it in 5 sizes. Either extra-small, small, medium, large, or extra-large. 

Other features include:

  • 140 mm travel
  • 160 mm fork
  • 5 inches wheel size

Pros

  • It has 148 mm x 12 mm boost rear wheels
  • 6 mm seatpost
  • It features a bottomless-feeling Switch Infinity suspension system
  • Available in 5 different sizes
  • 160 mm of front travel
  • 210 mm x 55 mm rear shock

Cons

  • Only available in 3 colors
  • Lacks a dropper post

Yeti SB150: Best Enduro Race Mountain Bike

SB150

It’s easy to see why Yeti slots the SB150 as a purebred enduro racing mountain bike. This bike has all the suspension needed to take on the most technical trails in the world. It has 150 mm of travel at the rear together with 170 mm in the front. 

The frame is designed and built to match Yeti’s downhill standards. This provides you with a level of strength capable of standing up to the demands of any course. The Switch Infinity system allows you to conquer terrains like no other while taking on the transfers with speed. All this is done while maintaining your pedaling efficiency.

To achieve maximum durability and tunability, Fox builds their linear system. Maintaining superior levels of traction is crucial in any high-stakes competition. This is made easy by fast-rolling 29″ wheels that power through the chunkiest terrains. SB150 is all about winning races. You’ll see what we mean once you start riding this ‘rocket ship.’ 

You can get this model in 2 different colors – anthracite and turquoise. Its standard weight is 31.5 lbs. Apart from SB150 having 230 mm x 60 mm rear shock, it also comes with 148 mm x 12 mm boost rear wheels. 

Other features include:

  • 4 different sizes (S, M, L, and XL)
  • 170 mm fork
  • 150 mm travel

Pros

  • 29″ wheels
  • BB92 bottom bracket
  • 148 mm x 12 mm boost rear wheels
  • Super-fast
  • It features a Switch Infinity system

Cons

  • Only available in 2 colors
  • Not budget-friendly

Yeti SB165: Best Big Trail & Enduro Mountain Bike

SB165

Do you want a trail bike that can shred the gnarliest trails out there? SB165 is an all-powerful trail bike best on enduro courses. Luckily, Yeti’s downhill standards, which are some of the toughest in the entire industry, back it up. 

The good thing about this bike is that it has plenty of features that make it best for big terrains. To take on the steeps comfortably and effectively, the 63.5-degree head tube angle keeps the geometry long and slack. Dropped chains will not hinder your performance because there are mounts for a chain guide. 

With 165 mm rear travel and 180 mm at the front, this bike can rig up for anything you’re brave enough to try. While ensuring that the shock is still responsive on the smaller hits, the Switch Infinity suspension system allows for a bottomless feel.

SB165 is the most progressive Yeti model considering it has 27.5% progression. It features 27.5″ wheels which offer plenty of traction on the roughest terrain. Besides having 148 mm x 12 mm rear wheels, this model also comes with a 230 mm x 65 mm rear shock. 

Other features include:

  • 2 different colors (turquoise and black)
  • 180 mm fork
  • 165 mm travel
  • 6 mm seatpost

Pros

  • 5 different sizes (XS, S, M, L, and XL)
  • 5″ wheels
  • BB92 bottom bracket
  • It features mounts for a chain guide
  • 5% progression

Cons

  • Only available in 2 colors
  • Lacks a dropper post

Yeti ARC: Best Trail Hardtail

2021 Yeti ARC

Are you looking for a perfect trail hardtail for flowy pump tracks, rowdy single tracks, or epic bikepacking adventures? Go for the Yeti ARC because it’s incredibly fun and responsive. Lack of rear suspension forces you to ride responsibly, which in turn makes you a better rider. 

There’s almost nothing that the ARC can’t handle unless you’re riding the hardest-hitting trails and enduro courses out there. Being a super-efficient climber, Yeti has downhill chops that you’d expect on a good hardtail. On fast chunky descents, this model features a 130 mm fork and 67-degree head tube angle to keep you confidently in control.

You can’t compare the ARC with any full suspension bike in terms of how fast it responds to input. This gives it an agile and lively feel that’s a blast to whip around. Many hardtail converts exist who will assure you they won’t go back to full squish any time soon.

That said, once you throw a leg over the ARC, you might just become one of them after riding your favorite trails. It comes in 2 different colors – black and turquoise. The available sizes are small, medium, large, and extra-large. 

Other features include:

  • 130 mm front travel
  • 148 mm x 12 mm rear wheel
  • 67-degree head tube angle
  • 76-degree seat tube angle

Pros

  • BB92 bottom bracket
  • 29″ wheels
  • Available in 4 different sizes
  • Super-efficient climber
  • It comes with a 67-degree head tube and 130 mm fork

Cons

  • Lacks rear suspension
  • Only available in 2 colors

How Do I Choose the Ideal Yeti Mountain Bike?

After thorough research from online articles, videos, and reviews, we have explained the different types of mountain bikes available in the market. Every type of bike is designed to perform a certain task to perfection. 

Cross-country (XC) Mountain Bikes

Cross-country (XC) Mountain Bikes

Whether it’s in a race or just on a big day out in the mountains, cross-country bikes are all about covering ground quickly. Hardtails are still preferred by many who get them for racing. However, full suspension designs are becoming more popular. 

They come equipped with a locknut switch for preventing the suspension from sapping pedaling energy on smoother sections of a trail. Apart from that, they have around 80 – 100 mm of travel at either end. 

XC bikes feature 29″ wheels combined with lightly treaded, fast-rolling, and low-volume tires for maximum speed. For example, the Specialized S-Works Epic is a very high-end XC machine. It uses a longer stem together with narrow bars for quick handling combined with a steeper head angle to place the rider into an efficient pedaling position.

The setback you are likely to experience with this type of geometry is that it can make your bike harder to control on steeper descents, especially if your XC has skinny tires and short-travel suspension. Carbon is the default choice for these high-end race bikes. However, for the cheaper cross-country bikes, alloy frames are the most common. 

Trail Mountain Bikes

Trail Mountain Bikes

If you are looking for a mountain bike that can be used everywhere, trail bikes are the most popular. They have more relaxed angles that provide you with greater confidence when descending. 

To help control speed, trail bikes not only use shorter stems and wider handlebars but their tires also feature more aggressive tread. As a result, trail bikes offer a great compromise between descending prowess and climbing ability. 

Being hardtails, their strong frames are matched to a fork of around 130 – 150 mm travel. High-end hardcore hardtails use carbon to make their frames, while the cheaper models use aluminum. Other builders use steel. Double chainrings have been replaced with a 1x-drivetrain which provides you with a wide gear range with better performance and simpler maintenance. 

With a trail bike, you can either use 650b or 29″ wheels. For stability, use 29″, but if you want a more involving and dynamic ride, choose 650b wheels. Plus, tires that pair a 650b sized wheel can also be used. 

They have wide rims fitted with a large volume tire (typically 2.8″ or more). You can call them ‘6Fattie’, ’27+’ and ‘650b+’, and they are claimed to offer an improved grip. 

Enduro Mountain Bikes

Enduro Mountain Bikes

Enduro is a racing format with timed descents. However, you still have to pedal yourself around the course. They are designed and built to perform exceptionally well down steep and difficult trails.

This bike offers a significant amount of travel capable of getting you through any terrain. Enduro bikes are exclusively full suspension. Normally, they use around 170 mm of travel at either end with reinforced tires and tough wheels.

Even though the suspension units used are still air-sprung, they tend to be heavy-duty. It may be because they have a wide range of damping adjustments to tune their descend performance. Coil shocks are reliable and consistent for prolonged hard riding. 

Note that some models come with remotes that allow you to change the bike’s geometry and travel between an uphill and downhill mode. Unfortunately, this adds complication, weight, and potential points of failure. 

Most of the bikes in the 21st century have a 1x drivetrain and a chain guide to prevent the chain from falling off. For more information and recommendations, check out our guide for the best enduro also known as “all-mountain” bikes

Downhill Mountain Bikes

Downhill Mountain Bikes

Just as the name suggests, downhill mountain bikes are about doing one thing – going down steep and technical trails super-fast. They come with an optimized coil-sprung suspension for pure traction and support rather than pedaling ability. 

With around 200 mm of travel at either end, we can therefore say these are the best bikes for downhill trails. The forks have legs extending above the head tube which are braced together to put up with the huge forces facing the bike. These forks are known as triple-clamp or double-crown. 

Carbon is the choice for high-end enduro bikes, while aluminum is for the lower-priced options. 

Electric Mountain Bikes (e-MTB)

Electric Mountain Bikes (e-MTB)

Nowadays, it’s possible to find electric mountain bikes corresponding to all the highlighted types of bikes. Electric mountain bikes or e-MTBs incorporate a battery and motor. These provide a boost to your pedaling input. 

You can adjust the level of assistance via a control unit at the bike’s handlebar. Despite this model making the work of climbing up the steepest of gradients light, it’s significantly heavier than its non-motorized equivalents. 

Don’t think that riding an e-bike is a walk in the park. It delivers a workout that many pros use to train with. On the same note, these bikes can also let you access some places that you wouldn’t think of going on a non-powered bike. 

Yeti Bike FAQs

Question: Is Yeti A Good Bike Brand?

Answer: Yes. Keep in mind Yeti bikes are some of the best mountain bikes in the market. As a brand, Yeti is proud to be a mountain bike dealer because they perform well and customers love them. 

Question: What is the Cost of a Yeti Bike?

Answer: Depending on the model and build kit, complete Yeti bikes cost between $3,500 and upwards of $10,000. 

Question: Is Yeti A Good Bike Brand?

Answer: Yes. Keep in mind Yeti bikes are some of the best mountain bikes in the market. As a brand, Yeti is proud to be a mountain bike dealer because they perform well and customers love them. 

Question: What is the Cost of a Yeti Bike?

Answer: Depending on the model and build kit, complete Yeti bikes cost between $3,500 and upwards of $10,000. 

Bottom Line

Any Yeti mountain bike is a worthy investment. Check out our top 6 Yeti bikes to help you make the best decision as you look for a new bike. It doesn’t matter the choice that you make, provided all your requirements are fully met. 

Take note our best bike is the Yeti SB130. The reason is it’s the best do-it-all trail MTB. This means it works for different applications, such as commuting for errands or casual mountain biking.

If you don’t know the type you want, check out our buying guide. It will help you understand the different types of mountain bikes. As a result, you can make a sound purchasing decision.

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