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also the cable ports look more like the ones pivot uses than the yeti ones, and the whole rear triangle kind of has the lines and shape of the current pivot ones
i get the pivot vibes, swingarm has similar layout / lines to current models, and the oversized hardware reminds me of what's been seen on the new DH bike.
Could you flip the DW-6 layout seen on the atherton or pivot prototype? Or does the extra link need to be at the bottom of the layout?
I'll admit after Firebird was mentioned this makes a lot of sense. Flip chip is in the exact same spot. Also the chainstay looks short, and Pivot has made it clear they are going to die on short chainstay hill (just like Ibis).
Difference being most bikes put the forces along the tube, delta puts it perpendicular
one of the first things i noticed was the lowered zeb and the slammed (non-dopper) post. makes me inclined to think it's something that may have been modified for slalom/4x, something along those lines.
nothing that causes problem with an improved carbon layout i think, i'd take a 300gr heavier frame for better peace of mind and reputation, all frames are now not 3kg anymore but 3.4/3.5 anyway
The rear triangle looks like new Ibis with the same 29/27.5 flipchip. Could this of been a proto?
I bet Yeti has a ton of cash on hand compared to other bike companies. They introduced the switch infinity system and then basically have just been selling the same bikes, no constant updates for years. Smart move on their part. No major geometry tweaks, no feature introductions (not even in-frame storage) for the SB160.
I would bet their business model is based on doing a huge change in design, updating all models, and then sitting quietly and selling for a long period of time. Their heavy investment in racing is reflective of that - to stay relevant, rather than investing in yearly product updates, they splurge that cash on racing as marketing.
Given that, it seems likely to me this is a DW-link style Yeti and they are getting ready for jumping from Switch Infinity and to a new design for another 5-7 years.
My theory for not Yeti, if they're switching to this design, they would have done it for their eBike the 160E so there is a consistent design language across their bikes, so the SB165 160E SB140 all have the same layout. This has been a priority for every bike brand that makes eBikes. Yet Yeti made the 160E with a vertical shock position and a 6 link (as you can't fit switch infinity and the motor etc) instead of a design like this.
If Yeti are ditching switch infinity, surely it would be for the 6bar layout you see on the DH and eBike
Yeti’s product cycles typically seem pretty long compared to most brands, I’d be surprised if they are making updates already. This is a mule though so it could be a year or so out.
Only thing yeti is changing is colors. Look at all the podiums they are getting. Their bikes work.
Am I the only who thinks Scott is going backwards with the hidden shock? Sure it helps with a somewhat sleek look but it just seems like a pain to adjust a dial here or two…
Turns out it's from a Chinese company called Extention Bicycles.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C8_jnanxdzI/?r=nametag&img_index=2
Richie would get top 5 on a 2015 Stumpjumper
So we're all correct, it is a yeti/pivot/evil. Just a Chinese knock-off version.
*this is a joke, I don't want another lewis v trickstuff argument.
So it would seem. Ha ha
Still looks pretty darn good, though. But I'm a sucker for matte carbon and polished links/hardware. Early Yeti dh proto. Pivot dh proto. WAO.
I think it looks awful and definitely going backwards. I don't like anything Scott is doing, but the current Gambler is one of the best looking dh bikes out there right now.
They’ve been going backwards for years with all the integration bullshit
Might be time for the new Spindrift
Wondering if it will have the IRC as an option along with the proper routing or not
They were going backwards when they made the bolt heads T30 Torx…
Let's hope they go backwards to when their gambler was solid. The current frame breaks more often than a Commencal cracks!
Surly isn't this group's core demo, but 'big' surly anniutin September. My guess is an updated ICT.
I guess the Yoke's on us......
Podiums only exist for the purpose of selling bikes. Yeti care about sales primarily, and podiums they achieve are a means to that goal. Maybe they are moving away from Switch Infinity to a cheaper layout where the patent has expired.
6 Bar lugged firebird
I saw them at park city a few weeks ago. One of the pivot owners. Must have been escaping the AZ heat. He said no plans to commercialize the carbon lugged mule, it’s just for prototyping (sad!). Apparently costs like 22k per frame or something crazy. Looks amazing in person. Had a 38 and an X2, no high pivot, had what looked like shortish chain stays and didn’t appear super slacked out, but tough to say for sure.
I'm keen to see how the down tube connector snaps on and off for shock access. Or what happens when you chainring the f out of one, seeing as the frame must just have an enormous slot in it.
I've got this skit in my head of a Scott rider rolling into the Fox pits saying he needs a bit more support during the big compressions and it feels like the bike is riding high, Jordi is all hmm, "yeah we can put a couple clicks on it, what psi where you running again?", both look at the bike where you have to dissemble the entire rear triangle to add compression, don't even think about changing shock pressure. Rider says "you know what, i'll just ride through it". Cuts to said Scott rider not making it into semi's, and the marketing department saying, but man, the performance because you don't get dirt on it. Fin.