If you haven't lurked in our Bike Check section, you're missing out — Vital MTBers have some seriously killer bikes with builds that don't cut a single corner and there's more of them here than anywhere else on the net. Some of the raddest rigs get featured as Bike of the Day, but we thought it was time to dig into the minds of the owners with a spotlight on a specific model. Welcome to "Why That Bike?" as we kick things off with these 6 die-hard Yeti fans and an in-depth look at their tricked out, customized their SB5c's. Get your drool on!
Greg J's Yeti SB5c
Age: 35
Where do you live? Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia.
Favorite local trail to ride? Tewantin National Park. I ride out my front door and I'm at the trail head in 3 minutes. Extremely lucky to have trails this good this close.
Why did you pick the Yeti SB5c? The real reason was a jump that had been spooking me for a while, about a six-meter step down to a pretty flat landing. I had the demo out from my LBS (Venture Cycles), so I rocked up to the jump which sits at the end of my favorite trail. I was on a bike I'd literally only ridden about 8km on and contemplated and decided this thing feels capable enough. I hiked back up around the rocky corners that you need to hold a little speed through to pump into the takeoff. I sat there and looked at the berm before the takeoff, squished the bike a couple times, said to myself, "just roll off," and I dropped in. Boom! I flushed the landing and even held speed for the next double and I was sold. I hit it a few more times, knocked out a couple more laps then rode back to the shop straight from the trails and ordered my frame. I then got to work compiling the short list of parts I'd use for the build.
The other bikes that I was looking at were the Santa Cruz Bronson and 5010, the Intense Tracer and the Trek Fuel EX 9.9. They are all great bikes but either too much travel for where I ride, the wrong wheel size, not the parts I wanted on the complete, or a bit too short which would have made me size up. The Yeti in medium is perfect for me being 5'10" with longer arms and body than usual.
Is this Yeti SB5 your only bike? The Yeti isn't my only bike, but unless I'm going for a road ride, laps on the BMX track or some full-blown DH runs, the SB5 is the bike I spend most of my time on.
What bike did this replace / What bike were you on before this? My Trek Elite 9.9, but not really replaced - rather moved in next to. The hardtail is my night ride bike. The SB5 wants me to go too fast at night :)
Did you go for an off-the-shelf build or did you customize the build? I went for a full custom build on the SB5. I think the shock, headset and bb are the only parts that appear on the standard builds. Maybe the wheels too. I used my XX1 group and brakes off the Hardtail until SRAM Eagle was available. I decided to keep the Avid brakes, it's what I know and they're consistent.
What’s your favorite part about the bike? The RockShox Pike. It has saved my life more than a few times. I think being able to run a 150mm fork on a 130mm frame without wrecking the pedaling position is genius.
What would you change on it? I wouldn't change anything. I've pretty much got it right where I want it parts-wise. I'm even happy with the factory decals, they all work with the colors.
How long do you plan on riding this bike? Not sure how long I'll own the SB5. I'm not a person that changes my bike that often and I find it difficult to sell bikes. I get attached.
If you could get another new bike (any kind/type) right now, what would you get? A Transition Patrol with a similar build to the SB5 maybe with a Lyrik 180, DHX and M70's, but I'd need to pack it in the bike bag because that's too much bike for around here.
Lee.Norman's Yeti SB5c
Age: 25
Where do you live? Sydney, Australia
Favorite local trail to ride? Lake Parramatta / North Rocks
Why did you pick the Yeti SB5? It was a deal I couldn't refuse! Complete bike for the cost of what would've been just the frame! Plus who can resist a bike like this?!
Is this Yeti SB5 your only bike? It is now after I realized how versatile this bike is for 95% of Sydney trails.
What bike did this replace / What bike were you on before this? The SB5c replaced my beloved SB66ac.
Did you go for an off-the-shelf build or did you customize the build? Completely custom, with much of the parts transferred from the 66. The only thing that remains from the original bike is the headset and fork! Not even the axles are original.
What’s your favorite part about the bike? It would have to be the custom X0 shifter I modded/stripped to become a dropper lever.
The cockpit is now perfectly symmetrical. #OCD
What would you change on it? The bike is pretty much 99% complete, most parts were picked with weight in mind, without sacrificing reliability (11.58kg). All that remains are some Carbonice Max&Moritz adaptors (-30g~) and a XX1 Rear mech (-30g~) and I'll call it a day!
How long do you plan on riding this bike? Until a new one with internal routing comes out. Ohh wait...
If you could get another new bike (any kind/type) right now, what would you get? For that other 5% of Sydney trails I do wish I had a 6c!
Egoll's Yeti SB5c
Age: 59
Where do you live? I live in Jakarta Indonesia
Favorite local trail to ride? Klangon and Turgo AM, Mt. Merapi Central Jawa Indonesia
Why did you pick the Yeti SB5? I love the brand and Switch Technology. This bike and the amount travel on the SB5 is good for me for anything from all-around trail rides to full-day rides.
Is the SB5 your only bike? No, I have 6 yeti bikes and many more brands like Santa Cruz, Pivot, Intense, Moots, Guru, Neil Pryde, De Rosa, Lapierre. (Check them all out here!)
What bike did this replace / What bike were you on before this? I replaced a SB66c with the SB5c because I can use it for trail riding all day without feeling tired. At my age, it's comfortable for uphill, downhill and drops.
Did you go for an off-the-shelf build or did you customize the build? I customized my SB5c adjusted to my riding style and also my power. I can ride on any trails all day, so I can catch up to my friends who are younger than me.
What’s your favorite part about the bike? The suspension (fork and shock), wheelset and tires.
What would you change on it? I changed the original rear shock. For me bike suspension and tires are the brain of the bike.
How long do you plan on riding this bike? I plan to ride it for a time, as long as I live. I do like this bike.
If you could get another new bike (any kind/type) right now, what would you get? Basically I'd like to keep the SB5c and I'm looking at the new SB5+.
Mohammed Ibni's Yeti SB5c
Age: 34
Where do you live? Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
Favorite local trail to ride? Bukit Padang (9 Dragon).
Why did you pick the Yeti SB5? I think it's an all-rounder trail bike. Light weight and easy to climb. When downhill, I feel like I have extra travel.
Is this Yeti SB5 your only bike? No, I have downhill bike. Lapierre DH Team.
What bike did this replace / What bike were you on before this? This is my first trail bike.
Did you go for an off-the-shelf build or did you customize the build? Customized. I bought the frameset and other parts separately.
What’s your favorite part about the bike? - The Switch Infinity suspension. I think it really works.
What would you change on it? My wheelset and groupset.
How long do you plan on riding this bike? As long as it still reliable and not outdated hahaha...
If you could get another new bike (any kind/type) right now, what would you get? A Yeti SB6c, definitely.
View Mohammed Ibni's Bike Check
Stewartc's Yeti SB5c
Age: 45
Where do you live? Hong Kong
Favorite local trail to ride? Tin Man, Tai Mo Shan Country Park
Why did you pick the Yeti SB5? I was an ex Yeti SB66 and ASR5 owner looking for a 5-inch-travel trail bike to complement my longer travel bike.
Is this Yeti SB5 your only bike? No, I also own a Liteville 601.
What bike did this replace / What bike were you on before this? This replaced a Stanton Switchback.
Did you go for an off-the-shelf build or did you customize the build? Bought the frame and moved the components off the Stanton Switchback.
What’s your favorite part about the bike? The suspension.
What would you change on it? Slightly longer reach would be great.
How long do you plan on riding this bike? No plans at present to replace it but maybe in mid 2017.
If you could get another new bike (any kind/type) right now, what would you get? A Yeti SB5.5.
Yeti116's Yeti SB5c
Age: 41
Where do you live? Switzerland, in Jura Swiss
Favorite local trail to ride? The ones I haven't tried yet, otherwise Jura in Switzerland and Mt. St. Odile in France.
Why did you pick the Yeti SB5? My husband chose it for me. I wanted a versatile bike which brings me fun! I was on a 575 for years. Unfortunately it got stolen. That was the perfect time to get a new bike with similar features and a bit lighter. The SB5 was a natural choice and what a choice!
Is this Yeti SB5 your only bike? Yes
What bike did this replace / What bike were you on before this? Yeti 575
Did you go for an off-the-shelf build or did you customize the build? Full custom
What’s your favorite part about the bike? My Specialized Post Command
What would you change on it? Nothing!
How long do you plan on riding this bike? As long as I'm happy with it!
If you could get another new bike (any kind/type) right now, what would you get? The SB5c Beti maybe ;-)
Share the stoke of your ride and add your bikes to our Bike Check section.
11/6/2016 7:56pm
View replies to: Why That Bike? Yeti SB5c
Comments