Field Test: 2022 Yeti 160E - The All-Rounder E-MTB

Sep 13, 2021
by Henry Quinney  

PINKBIKE FIELD TEST

Yeti 160E



Words by Henry Quinney, photography by Tom Richards


Yeti are known for their trail and enduro bikes. Yes, they’ve had plenty of successful results and well-received bikes on either end of the gravity spectrum, but in recent years they seem to be putting more and more of their time and effort into bikes that are meant to go both up and down. In fact, when they announced they were halting their World Cup downhill problem there was a notable concern for their young, and newly crowned junior world champion downhiller, Richie Rude, and what on earth he was going to do. Well, in hindsight I think he’s got by and made a good fist of things...

This, however, is the brand’s first eMTB and it looks very different to the brand's revered Switch Infinity equipped trail and enduro bikes. So, why the change? And how does this thing ride on the trail?
160E Details

• Travel: 160mm rear / 170mm front
• Wheel size: 29"
• Head angle: 64.5°
• Seat tube angle: 78°
• Reach: 480mm (lrg)
• Chainstay length: 446mm (size L)
• Sizes: S, M, L (tested), XL
• Weight: 51.6lb / 23.40kg
• Price: $12,700 USD
yeticycles.com/

Although the Yeti 160E has a 64.5 degree head angle and a 480mm reach, it’s one of the less radical bikes we have on test. It seems to blend both progressive and tried-and-tested attributes into one bike. It’s got an amply steep 78 degree seat tube angle and substantial 446mm chainstays. At 450mm the seat tube is verging on being too long for a new 2022 bike. It does at least offer a long insertion depth, though.

The bike uses a Shimano EP8 motor. Three of the four e-bikes on this field test use this same motor. In terms of battery size, the Yeti and the Commencal are both the same with a 630 Wh battery. Both are larger than the half-way-house Specialized Kenevo SL, and are somewhat outgunned by the potential 900 Wh on offer by the Norco’s largest battery option.

The Sixfinity suspension system, which has been developed for several years behind the scenes, is similar to the Switch Infinity system in that the lower link switches directions as the bike cycles through its travel.

The six bar suspension system has three different chips, but it’s not to tweak your geometry. There are 25, 30 and 35% flip chip options to help riders fine tune the progressivity of the suspension. Changing these chips will have a small impact on travel at around 2mm. Now, that’s how you do flip chips.

At the sag point, anti squat values are around 100%. There is only 8.6% change across the spread of the cassette at sag - which is important as that’s where we spend most of our time pedaling the bike. This is relevant as on an eMTB you can often be turning bigger gears and muscling up climbs that you normally wouldn’t. As you hit what Yeti refer to as the inflection point, where the lower link changes direction, anti-squat values drop off massively, in order to improve the feel of the suspension on those bigger hits.

The bike uses an anti-rise value of around 70% that is relatively flat throughout the travel. They did this in a bid to preserve geometry while also striking a balance with all out braking traction.

photo

I really like this bike for the clean routing that is able to house left hand rear brakes with ease. I don’t know proportionally how many riders this will affect but either way it’s a nice touch. Yeti also offer their own bars to try and neaten up the cables.

There is plenty of room for a large water bottle on most sizes. That said, small frame users aren’t so fortunate and will have to use a particular bottle from Yeti. There is no mixed wheeled option. However, Yeti say that they're not adverse to people mulleting their bikes.

There are three levels of the 160E. There will be the C in two flavours, one with carbon wheels and one without, for $10,100 and $11,000 respectively.

Then there will be the T model. Again, in two options. We tested the $12,700 model. If that is not quite rich enough for your blood there is a $13,600 model which features carbon wheels.

The build options do have some nice features across the board though. For instance, 220mm rotors on all models make so much sense on an e-bike. Although, the EXO+ front tyre does leave me a little confused and think it's a slightly strange option. I mean, the bike literally comes with a motor, let's not sweat a few grams. I really do like the 160mm cranks and think it's a great spec choice. They’re going to provide more clearance and let you climb even techier climbs with one less thing to worry about. I also like the AXS dropper with one less cable.

Ultimately, it is a huge chunk of cash for this bike and, in the highest build option, costs nearly as much as two Commencals. It’s going to have to be a lot of bike to get anywhere near justifying that. So how does it fare?



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Climbing

Of the bikes on test, I spent the most time climbing the Commencal and the Yeti. Whilst the Commencal got the job done, it didn’t generate the same level of grip or support as the Yeti. You can leave the 160E’s climb switch open and either churn it out in eco or point and shoot in a higher mode and it’s amazing what it will get you up. If this was my bike, I’d run it open all the time.

At 23.4 kg it’s the lightest Shimano equipped e-bike on test but I wouldn’t say it was the weight that made the difference. The Sixfinity, silly name aside, really is a great system and it’s something that left me thoroughly impressed. Out the saddle and with the motor whirring there is grip galore. It provides very consistent anti-squat values across the whole cassette, which is good for hard charging on an e-bike.

The platform of the suspension really does manage to balance the needs of a modern mountain bike remarkably well, motor or not. The Yeti is a bike that tackles climbs with a great amount of poise and control. Its suspension combines sensitivity and support in a great all-round climbing package.

photo

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Descending

That Sixfinitiy suspension design shines on the descents as well. Other companies have often made claims about offering the kind of performance this system does, but they often don’t really hold water or aren’t quite there.

This system does genuinely give a great blend of small bump and mid-stroke support. My only complaint would be that it is in danger of outperforming the head angle, and fast. The bike tracks really well and follows and hugs the contours of the ground. It isn’t a plow, and the anti-rise value keeps the suspension working well when hard on the brakes.
Timed Testing

The enduro and freeride bikes were all tested on a section of trail that included a mix of everything you'd expect to find on a race track. There were tight corners, a few drops, some sidehill sections that get trickier the faster you go, along with some higher speed, open corners.

Don't forget that timing is just one of many ways to judge a bike, and fast doesn't always mean it's the best for everyone.


Henry Quinney: "The Yeti was pipped to the fastest eMTB time by the Commencal and was just over a second back with 2:54.9. It's a respectable time and shows its racing credentials"

The problem is that something that has so much weight behind the steering axis such as an eMTB can often feel at risk of the back wanting to overtake the front as you charge through the rough stuff. If it was slacker, and the front center longer, I feel that it would negate this problem and feel more secure. This is also somewhat exacerbated by the suspension riding higher in its travel with not an astoundingly high anti-rise value - in all most other instances this is great, but in this one situation it would be nice to have the bike hunker down a little. It’s a great system, but on steep trails it just feels like it yearns for more stability. I think to make the most of this system it would be great to see it on a bike with more aggressive geometry.

It’s got a very different feeling to something like the Commencal. See, I’m not against bikes dipping into their stroke a little more as you apply the brakes but often if that’s the case I want something that is slacker - bikes like that can brutalise choppy terrain and I think the two ideas can play nicely with one another. The suspension system the Yeti has is in keeping with its ever so slightly more conservative head angle.

That said, I took this bike down the fastest, roughest trails I could find where you’re just about doing everything you can to slow up for turns. If that isn’t something you might find yourself doing then having the slackest bike may well not be your priority. And that’s okay, we all enjoy different types of riding, after all. The Yeti's geometry isn't a particularly daunting proposition and in some ways I wonder if that was a deliberate choice.

For something that tracks so well the bottom out resistance is very impressive. Deliberately hucking to flat or overshooting jumps didn’t faze the Yeti. Admittedly, in the days of testing, we had here at Sun Peaks, I prioritised knowing one setting very well rather than experimenting with each chip orientation. I think it’s great to offer that level of tuning to the end-user but I was actually very happy in the middle setting. Maybe going to a higher level of progression could have helped me get into the stroke by running a lower spring rate over rougher or steeper terrain but all in all, I enjoyed the characteristics the suspension offered, it was the head angle that I would love to change.

photo

Pros

+ Great feeling suspension that blends lots of good characteristics
+ All around handling
+ Flip chips that offer a real and useful change

Cons

- Slacker head angle could improve performance on steeper terrain
- The 450mm seat tube may prevent some riders from running longer travel dropper posts





The 2021 Summer Field Test was made possible with support from Dainese apparel and protection, and Sun Peaks Resort. Shout out also to Maxxis, Garmin, Freelap, and Toyota Pacific.






Author Info:
henryquinney avatar

Member since Jun 3, 2014
322 articles

310 Comments
  • 402 17
 "COMING UP HOT ON YOUR LEFT!" - Every angsty 40-60yr Front Range male purchaser of this bike.
  • 292 8
 *on the climbs only
  • 47 2
 Those were Moots guys bitd
  • 17 5
 @Mntneer: LOL! I thought that was a given but appreciate the clarification for the non-Frangers in the audience here.
  • 28 4
 Can confirm, happened to me yesterday on Belcher.
  • 124 17
 This bike will be to the Front Range what Corvettes are to the rest of America. Kept in the garage most of the time. Occasionally brought out on nice weekends. And frequently wrecked because the owner has no clue how to handle their machine.
  • 63 15
 Where I’m from e mtb riders are just as likely to be in their 20s and 30s as they do being 40+. So get off my lawn punk!
  • 2 4
 @Mntneer: whatever it takes man..
  • 59 5
 Yep.... and yells into his phone on speaker as he loads it into his tan sprinter 4x4.
  • 31 18
 @ElDebarge: Mid 30s here and love my Orbea Rise. Enough grunt to get me to the top and keep my legs fresh to fly down.
  • 5 2
 @Dixonm: That looked like a winner when I saw the review, at least when judging by the weight.
  • 40 60
flag Matt115lamb (Sep 13, 2021 at 10:46) (Below Threshold)
 @Mntneer: They’ll be on their 2nd lap while you’re blowing out your arse before you’ve even started the decent !
  • 22 2
 @Matt115lamb: if they can beat the ski lift then good on them
  • 8 2
 @njcbps: It's a great bike. I've changed the shock, fork, and cockpit but it handles downhill as well as my Evil Calling did, not quite as well as my coil insurgent, though.
  • 9 10
 @Grunk Their ego's need all the help they can get while they flag other people's Strava seggies lol I'm sure the dude I saw moto tie down his Turq AXS SB150 that looks like it's only ever seen a gravel path will be getting one of these.
#isupportebikestho
  • 10 5
 The worst part is that it will create even more opportunities to get stuck behind them as they ride both brakes down every descent on the front range. That said, maybe I should pop over to yeti hq this week and see if they'll let me demo one.
  • 2 0
 @Dixonm: I'd be tempted to run an angleset on that bike. what fork did you swap to? still 150mm?
  • 2 1
 @fattybourgeois: Bingo. Almost every single Moots guy. Big Grin
  • 1 0
 @shredddr: Yea, I stuck with the Helm at 150mm. Considering upping to 160mm since the fork is easy enough to change around.
  • 7 2
 @Grunk: franger is a slang word for condom
  • 5 1
 @Cantle406: after doing a climb with his seat all the way down
  • 1 1
 It ain't just the Front Range.
  • 2 36
flag nickfranko (Sep 13, 2021 at 12:45) (Below Threshold)
 @bocomtb: You don't know anything about cars, and it shows. Funny that you tried to combine Corvettes and Mustangs.
1/10, try again.
  • 10 3
 @Dixonm: Hah, are you me? Also have a Rise and have had several Evils, currently on an Insurgent V3.

The Rise is fantastic. Rides pretty much like a normal MTB but let’s you go longer, faster, harder. Self-shuttling is a dream. So are long days out. I love mine.
  • 3 1
 Just don't be the goon who looks over their left shoulder at that moment and veers to the left possibly causing a pileup!
  • 7 0
 @bocomtb: I recently saw a Corvette completely lose control into a ditch after trying to burn past a Tesla. Probably the most shocking thing I’ve seen on the road - 60mph into a ditch on the side of the highway.
  • 2 2
 @ElDebarge: I rarely see eMTB riders. I was out on a challenging ride last week-end where they race one of the Big mountain enduro races. I saw two young guys hauling up the mountain on ebikes, and a bunch of old men on mostly old bikes pounding out elevation.
  • 1 0
 @bocomtb:

Lol, so true.
  • 1 0
 @bocomtb: maybe take a visit to northern Ca on that vette comment, they are about as common as can be.
  • 1 1
 @Mntneer: This. When I find one that goes down quicker, I might think about it.
  • 9 2
 Im going to need wipers on my goggles to keep the salty tears of the haters on their retrobikes from obstructing my view as I keep passing them. See you at the top! (again).
  • 6 1
 @bocomtb: Is it mandatory for Corvette owners to have a goatee or moustache before they purchase? Or do those things just climb on their faces after the fact?
  • 2 2
 @fattybourgeois: Correct, I raced on a 22lb YBB for years...I am currently considering getting a lightweight hardtail again just to remember how fun light bikes are at 60 years old
  • 1 0
 @Mntneer: NAILED IT
  • 1 0
 @rrolly: I thought it was gold chains dangling in the chest hairs, but maybe that was BITD.
  • 138 5
 How is a $12,700 price tag not a con? good grief.
  • 97 3
 My thoughts, too. After tax in my state, that’d be a $14,000.00 bicycle.
For that money, someone could buy a used SUV with hitch/rack, a lightly used trail bike, a dirt bike, and have money left over…
  • 26 8
 @TurboDonuts:

which is exactly what smart people do. not saying Yet-E owners are dumb but I have met some dipsht doctors and shtty dentists in my day.
  • 69 38
 @WasatchEnduro: Smart people don't buy SUV's.
  • 20 0
 Specialized Levo in Bow Cycle Calgary was on the floor 19.4k CAD+
  • 44 0
 Fortunately Yeti is thinking of the poors as well, the C1 is only $10K.
  • 5 1
 @WasatchEnduro: some people just have enough money to do it all ..
  • 3 1
 @bohns1:

indeed... just trolling with the established but generic narrative. I know plenty of yeti owners, ebike owners, and both. you can also do it all for much less.
  • 4 0
 it's a plus so only the cool kids can ride one
  • 66 10
 @TurboDonuts: and for $500 you could feed a family for a year in parts of the world. Doesn't change the fact that you probably spend $500/month on food.

This is how capitalism works, companies price their products and people either buy them or they don't based on perceived value, not cost. Comparing the price of this Yeti to a used analog trail bike is like comparing a new Ferrari to a used Toyota. They will never, ever be cross shopped.

People who buy these bikes want a certain level of of customer service, finish quality, perceived value, exclusivity etc. This gets into the time value of money and how people value their spare time. Someone that makes $250/hr looks at things significantly differently compared someone that makes $25/hr.

I am not saying that the Yeti is a great value compared to a Commencal, just that it is an entirely different demographic buying them. Coming on here complaining about pricing of a Yeti is tilting at windmills.
  • 19 9
 Motorcycles that are more expensive than actual motorcycles.
  • 4 1
 Someone beat me to it... but yeah, the C model is $10k. That's on par with many non-E bikes. And its probably the smarter play... the only con of C bikes (or any "low" end boutique bike) is the weight difference. But in E-bike form that extra pound or two is insignificant when the bike weighs 50lbs and is motor assisted.
  • 2 1
 @WasatchEnduro: you can ..But at a certain point of income..It just doesn't matter. I know people like this.. Perceived best car, best boat, best neighborhood, best bikes and best investment portfolio coupled with best job..lol
  • 7 2
 @salespunk: You nailed this concept..That is exactly how it works.. The things the $25hr people bitch about the $250 guy doesn't think about..
  • 3 1
 @salespunk: Good response! Yes, a lot of it is perspective.

$14k bike hanging off your new Land Rover Discovery? What if you get rear-ended? Or if it gets stolen? There's a lot of capital to be tied up in such a "simple" asset like a bicycle, nowadays...
  • 1 0
 @TurboDonuts: don't even ask how much it will cost in Canada. shudder to think.
  • 6 0
 This may come as a shock but two things:-
1) Finance
2) A lot of folks work hard and can spend the cash how they like [I work hard but do not earn enough!] - jealousy is a poor trait.
….but yes, I could also buy a used Honda Africa Twin and a very nice mtb for the price of the cheapest.
  • 6 1
 @danstonQ: smart people don't buy french cars
  • 7 4
 @brass-munky: what do you know about french cars you goofy obese ignorant?
  • 1 0
 @salespunk: perceived value is huge
  • 1 0
 @WasatchEnduro: lol I mean if you can blow 12k on a bike I’m sure you have left over money for whatever else you want. Don’t know that it has anything to do with intelligence because this bike is rad if the finances don’t bug you…
  • 1 0
 People who buy it at $12.7K are the ones who will spend another $7.3K to lighten it up to sub-50lbs. Lol.
  • 108 1
 Huge missed opportunity in the name Yet-E
  • 212 5
 Turq-E is better IMO
  • 20 2
 @danielfloyd: only with Avid Turkey Gobble(R) brakes
  • 4 5
 Yeti dentist toothpaste edition
  • 6 0
 Chubb-e
  • 98 0
 "where we spend most of our time peddling the bike"

Most of us don't peddle bikes. Yeti peddles bikes.
  • 53 1
 "Pedal" and "brake", the most-frequently misspelled words on PB.
  • 12 0
 @sngltrkmnd: I'd add loose and lose. They're the new there/they're. Drives me a bit batty.
  • 22 0
 @shredddr: your out of your mind if you think that’s true
  • 1 0
 @shredddr: it's diety ringer fairs
  • 1 0
 Peter, tell me what really grinds your gears.

Or is it you're?
  • 3 0
 @jaame: I'd do mad guy emoji if I could. And I'd add, don't be such a looser.
  • 7 0
 @sngltrkmnd: damping and dampening.
  • 5 0
 @querent: Wow I think were on a role hear. lol
  • 3 0
 @sngltrkmnd: their there, no kneed to point out all of are mis-steaks
  • 78 8
 Is it possible they designed the HTA to handle best in the 90% of terrain you're riding in instead of the 10%? It really bothers me how much this trend has blown out of proportion of using slack geo as a crutch to make people more confident in steep terrain, making bikes quite a bit less fun on the rest of the trail where you actually spend most of your time.
  • 20 4
 Firstly, where you live and what you ride will dictate what % time you spend on steep and technical trails. Yeti HQ is just minutes from a few daily rides that certainly warrant modern enduro geometry. For many of us, these are our routine rides. Can they be ridden on steeper "trail" bikes? Yep! But this thing has 170/160mm of travel.

Also, slack/long bikes become extra fun and just as nimble when you can carry extra speed. This thing is long travel AND has a motor...carrying a bit of extra speed should be no problem, so why recycle geometry from the 2018 SB150?
  • 20 0
 @KJP1230: I think we're definitely hitting the point of diminishing returns with geo. "Progressive" and "modern" are just meaningless labels. All that matters is how it rides. Would a typical rider have a good time on a 64.5 degree head angle? My guess is yes, and the fact that it's more maneuverable is a big advantage in a lot of places. I think it would be extremely boring if all the brands were just throwing 63 degree HA bikes out there because it's "modern".
  • 4 0
 My Power29 is still a blast on flat trails.. The head angle is probably the last item on my mind.
  • 2 0
 @withdignityifnotalacrity: I actually think I am with you. We are reaching the limits of what can be done with geometry. That said, how maneuverable a bike rides is largely a function of geometry and speed. This thing is gonna carry speed and get to speed (including after braking and corners) faster than a regular bike, and it has decidedly long travel and a burly build. I think this thing could be that much better for steeper trails with a 63 HTA.
  • 3 1
 Most of the people buying a 160/170 bike are focused on that 10% of the terrain. Even the 130 travel SJ has a 65 HA now and it is a blast on flat trails. It is much more about the suspension curve than the HA or WB.
  • 4 0
 "Is it possible they designed the HTA to handle best in the 90% of terrain you're riding in instead of the 10%?"

I would lean towards the 10% if the rest is connector trails and access to get to the harder stuff.
  • 6 0
 @KJP1230: I mean, at best we're talking about extremely marginal gains. The same trails where the SB150 was mind bendingly capable at 64.5 degree HA are still there. Would 63 degrees better on those trails? I have no idea. Maybe? I know I rode a 64 degree HA Transition Sentinel on my local trails and hated it. Give me the capable all-rounder any day. But that's the beauty of having different brands with different approaches, differences are good.
  • 2 0
 @salespunk:
Anyone with the money for this bike can slap a 180 Zeb or 38 on it, no problem. I'm
Guessing most people who buy a $12,000 E-bike are not 100% DH focused all the time. Let's face it, most people who buy this bike won't be in their 20's and 30's.
  • 1 0
 @withdignityifnotalacrity: Yes thank you! That's more my point, is that this bike IS "progressive" and "modern" geo, it has the geo of a full on race DH bike 5 years ago. But if trail bikes don't drop a full degree of HTA and add 10mm of reach every season, the PB reviewers tear them apart for being "out dated"... I couldn't agree more that we're hitting diminishing returns and going a bit too far past what works for most riders. And I was the guy 5 years ago screaming for slacker bikes. But alas, we have arrived.

And guess what, if you guys stop demanding completely geometry overhauls every season from bike manufacturers and you decide your happy with existing bike designs... THEN you can start to demand price reductions instead. Bikes like this would cost half as much if they didn't have to launch a complete redesign within 2 years to stay relevant. With such a short life cycle we're paying for a massive amount of R&D for these bikes on top of the cost of materials.
  • 58 14
 "The Yeti was pipped to the fastest eMTB" please include urban dictionary links for all of us who don't have tea every afternoon
  • 4 3
 I had to look it up also....
  • 14 0
 @mgs781HD: And now imagine how is it for me when English is not my first nor second language..
  • 8 0
 I had tea this morning so I can tell you. I also used context clues and looked it up just to make sure I was right. Here it is: DEFINITIONS1. to defeat someone by a small amount in a competition, game etc. pip someone for something: Redman was pipped for the silver medal.
  • 6 0
 Narrowly beaten
  • 11 1
 You can use any English dictionary for that one, it's not slang, it's part of the language.
  • 2 0
 @L0rdTom: capital "E" English anyway. Not too common here in the colonies.
  • 36 0
 Only $12700? I'm kinda disappointed!
  • 22 4
 Me too. The moped costs almost the same as a non-motorized version.
  • 30 0
 Those are rookie numbers, if Specialized can get 15k for one, I'd expect that Yeti can beat that.
  • 4 0
 @vondur: Give em time, they only just got started in all this!
  • 37 7
 www.ktm.com/en-us/models/enduro/4-stroke/ktm-500-exc-f-2022.html Better way to spend your money. Actually cheaper too, and road legal.
  • 24 9
 And somehow only 13lbs heavier.
  • 7 2
 @ABhardtail: that's the KTMs engine only that is only 13lbs heavier.
  • 2 1
 @vondur: plus it smells great!
  • 6 2
 @ABhardtail: you know that the KTM is 250 pounds, right?
  • 9 1
 I know nothing about motorbikes and read the linked page way too quickly, haha. Thanks for the correction.
  • 4 1
 Road legal, yes. Bike park legal, no.
  • 1 1
 My grandma makes those comparisons
  • 1 0
 The yeti is also road legal though?
  • 1 0
 You’d never buy either oneWink
  • 5 0
 I just spent $10,400 OTD for my brand-new KTM. I get Yeti will still sell these but FFS these prices are hard to justify.
  • 29 2
 what's so special about this one? still way too heavy, expensive, nothing new geometry wise, and all. Just seems way too late to the e-bike party but seeing as it's a yeti, everyone will say it's the best e bike on the market
  • 5 0
 It'll be interesting to see how the sixfinity system works and if it moves into their other bikes. But right now it just seems like they patented it just to get into the e-bike game (switchfinity didn't allow for the packaging of the motor). But it's mostly just a "get a slice of the pie" move.
  • 1 0
 @NorCalNomad:
Not a fat lot. The name?
  • 8 3
 So many pivots going on there is it really worth the performance gain? It’s a motorized bike for gods sake. The buyer is not even going to know how to adjust the gears let alone replace those 200 bearing cartridges.
  • 3 1
 @blackthorne: lol this is like asking if they know how much the maintenance on an European sportscar would cost.
  • 1 0
 Yeti is like Apple
  • 1 0
 @blackthorne: I asked the owner of a good size bike shop in norcal how many frame bearing kits he installs a year. He said "maybe five". This bike will never be ridin in rain or mud!
  • 25 1
 Really enjoying Henry as a presenter here on PB. The dry and clever humour, the thoughtfulness, the calm delivery. Well played sir. Bike's not really for me but Field Test continues to be excellent and I'm really enjoying it. Also, I'll enjoy it while I can before it becomes part of the "Premium Adventure Subscription Plus Package" that comes with a chance to win one of five limited edition Outdoor branded Yeti Coolers and unlimited access to the "Best Bridges in the American East to do Yoga Under" video series.
  • 22 1
 8 year financing plans coming soon.
  • 5 0
 God that’s depressingly true. Soon people will be able to finance their groceries. You can have this loaf of bread for 12 easy payments of $0.77. Low principal loans: keeping poor people poor.
  • 20 0
 The all new SIXFINITY suspension brings a full 600% increase in Infinity to the Yeti experience on blue trails everywhere.
  • 18 0
 So expensive it required two articles!
  • 2 0
 Sneak peek and full in depth review on the same day.
  • 17 4
 Thought I'd chime in to say you can buy a Fiat Panda Hybrid for 8600 €. It's got a petrol engine and a battery that's way larger than that of the Yeti with a reversible generator that can either load it or help the engine. And a roof.
  • 16 2
 Crapshoot as to whether the Fiat or the Yeti will be more reliable.
  • 11 4
 No one wants a FIAT Panda, big difference.
  • 6 0
 @CamNeelyCantWheelie: nobody wants an electric panda… diesel version 4x4 climbs like a damn monkey, even in the janky tight stuff…

But yeah, for 13k$… rather than this Yeti, I’d buy a Panda (diesel 4x4, mid 90s if possible), a trailer, and a Commencal Meta. Move my trailer rack onto the Panda, and use my van to take all of to a nice little camp spot somewhere west of Cuneo.
  • 3 1
 @CamNeelyCantWheelie: Get out. I had a Panda 4x4 diesel for a while and it was a great little car. The engine blew itself into a million pieces and it leaked fluids like a sieve, but it was so much fun shitting on BMW drivers the moment the first snow fell.
  • 2 1
 There’s a lot of other things that can be bought that’s cheaper than this bike or really any bike. Thanks for Atari the obvious!
  • 1 1
 My grandma makes those comparisons
  • 1 0
 @NZRalphy: I heard your grandma wears army boots.
  • 14 0
 38mm fork, ebike, exo tire... One of these three does not belong. Why candy ass around with the rubber?
  • 5 0
 It's to keep the weight down
  • 2 0
 Exo front dd rear
  • 1 1
 @ukli: yeah man.. that's a trail bike set-up if you're into mtb-ing.

if you are into useless money spending.. then it is a good set-up as well. It goes hand in hand with this new 2018 model year yeti electric.
  • 14 3
 Commencal. Half the price, faster and 11.2 times less likely to crack & fail, leaving you do deal with Yeti & it’s distributors exemplary customer service.

Oh, wait.
  • 10 1
 I think it's pretty sick. The new suspension sounds great, the battery/motor integration is on point. The geo looks good, once again an "all arounder" is one of the fastest bikes. It's crazy expensive, but you know....duh.
  • 10 2
 How are you guys still surprised by bike prices? Do you wake up every single day with your mind completely erased and ready to get shocked again day after day? Y'all been saying the same stupid sh*t about bike prices for 15 years straight.

You should be building statues and shrines to honor the dentists who do buy $10k bikes so that the used market, upon which you rely entirely to ride bikes, stays stocked up.
  • 11 0
 Bring on the orthopedic surgeon jokes.
  • 16 0
 I bought a Yeti last season and literally started getting ads in social media for dental tools and dentist support services. I'm not kidding. Still a phenomenal bike that was priced reasonably in-line with similarly-specced bikes that I looked at, despite the reputation.
  • 13 3
 Regardless of the exorbitant price to the average consumer, I think it’s a good looking bike.
  • 6 1
 AAaaaarrggrh e-bike aargg my eyes aaargrarg I'm meltiiiininngnggnggggggg sprouit

Gotta say, they drew the rear triangle nicely, how the "link" thing completes the triangle in a parallel line to the down tube.
  • 7 0
 Just been window shopping for a new bike. a 130ish travel 27.5 bike. Seem to be a rare beast in the 2021 line up's.
  • 2 0
 Loving my 2021 transition scout, ok its 140mm but hey....
  • 2 0
 A Bird Aether 7. I got one a few months ago. Brilliant bike.
  • 3 0
 Santa Cruz 5010 Ibis Mojo Evil Calling
  • 1 0
 Nukeproof reactor 275 is another great bike...
  • 5 0
 kind of a dumb question, i get everyone find this expensive, but can everyone (or most) here afford 10k+ bikes?

i feel like either im much poorer than i think, either all the emtbs are for the wealthy elite or something.
  • 11 0
 You've got a community of bike nuts here, so I'd take a guess that 1/3 could get one as their next bike (I'm looking at you, boomers), 1/3 could save and save give up a few other things in life for a while for their dream bike, and 1/3 it's impossible.

My view is that a 5k bike today has everything you could possibly need, beyond that it's either saving a few grams (get fitter) or giving a pro-level ride that most of us can't really appreciate.
  • 2 0
 Spot-on analysis. (And tail-end boomer here – guilty!)
  • 3 0
 Most people buy these things on finance I think and pay it off at a few hundred a month.
When you look at it that way it’s not that expensive of a hobby compared to a lot of things.
  • 3 1
 @Paco77: I don't disagree that *some* people do this (certainly not "most"), but financing makes it *more* expensive. You pay the cash price PLUS a financing fee. When it comes to a hobby, if you have to finance it, you can't afford it.
  • 3 0
 @MtbSince84: here in the UK a lot of shops offer 0% finance on the more expensive bikes. Basically the shop pays the finance fees in order to make a big sale. It’s a good deal for both parties really.
  • 2 0
 @Paco77: Nothing wrong with free money!
  • 1 0
 Well, according to PB commenters I should be in the demographic that can afford this, but this bike is way too expensive for me. The Marin Alpine Trail E2 or the Commencal e-bikes appear to be much better value to me. Maybe there is an incremental performance difference. But seriously, I would spend the money I saved on buying the E2 over the Yeti on a second non-e bike for trail riding (looking at you Norco Optic).
  • 4 0
 I’m gen-x and I’ve got plenty of money to spend on bikes, but I also feel like I’m getting too old to shred. I would have loved to have been able to buy a quiver of high end bikes when I was 25 and could put them to good use. There should be a reverse pension or something to give you money when you’re young enough to use it.
  • 3 0
 I think bike manufacturers and shops need to get a reality check. I've seen some dealer and employee pricing lists on Trek/Santa Cruz and general parts and the markups are absolute horse shit. I realize businesses need to make money but stop the highway robbery. They could sell these bikes for 1/2 of what they charge and still make money. Don't even get me started on charging retail prices for build kits when they get them in bulk for pennies on the dollar. Just like the automotive industry, they will hit a wall eventually. When people can't afford the bikes, maybe they will wake up.
  • 1 0
 @HankHank: i suspect im a bike nut myself and theres no doubt in my mind in 3y there will be a sufficiently better ebike that will make todays 10k+ bike look "meh".

but also at 5k i dont think you get an ebike that has everything youd want. you can barely get a good mtb for 5k, granted that its in stock.

the bike i made in 2019 for 5k is now worth 10k.. (ht2, eagle xx1, dt carbon hoops, guide ultimate, oneup droppy, lyrik ultimate/superdeluxe)
  • 9 2
 so double the price of the Commencal and slower lol
  • 2 1
 What's your point
  • 2 1
 oh man, made my day again with a great laugh....so good
  • 5 2
 From just reading the introduction and geo overview, I was immediately struck by the exact thing the reviewer ended up disliking: the conservative head angle on a 170/160 bike. This bike has almost identical geometry to the SB150...a bike that is surely due for a refresh.

I don't really understand the logic behind adding more suspension and a motor, and then choosing geometry that favors more moderate speeds. This thing should have no problem racing uphill and accelerating on the downs, including out of corners. Slack bikes have a tendency to "come alive" when carrying just a little extra speed - why not go for modern?
  • 1 0
 My best guess is that rather than modeling it after the sb150, their intention was to take the SB130 and make it an e-bike, then since it was an e-bike, they added some travel. At least, that's what the geo would suggest.
  • 5 0
 @big-red: I dunno...the geo is pretty spot on to the SB150 (a few tweaks such as chainstay length and seat tube angle) and the travel is nearly identical (+10mm rear). Also, this thing is being raced by their enduro folks in e races and events...
  • 2 0
 @KJP1230: Nah, you're right. I looked back the SB150 geo charts after and it's pretty close. I guess either they think they've found a geo sweet spot or they think most of their customers will use it as a bit more of an all-around bike? I dunno.
  • 2 0
 I'd imagine this bike was destined for a release a while back and delayed due to overseas production concerns. A lot of carbon bikes are going to suffer from dated geo at release due to longer production timelines.
  • 6 0
 Donald: "are they heavy?"
Tim: "yes"
Donald: "then theyre expensive, put em back"
  • 3 0
 Kinda hoping somewhere out there is a dentist forum where they make fun of all the whiners on here banging on about yetis being dentist bikes. Ride your damn bike kids and don’t worry about what others are riding.
  • 2 1
 Oh, we see it. And we screen capture the comments.
  • 2 0
 Yikes, that rear suspension design. Wonder how long it took them to top their last gimmickies suspension design ever made?

YETI: Oh, let’s take one of the most dependable suspension designs and add a ton more pivots with zero benefits!!! The dentist will love it…… Hey, don’t forget the overprice the shit out of it so people know it’s good.
  • 5 0
 Coming next summer... Yeti E-Cult Gathering.
  • 5 2
 I think all ebikes should have an option to add an extra battery to extend range. Hoping that more manufacturers add that option.
  • 2 2
 Ya agreed. Tho batteries are getting bigger. My new Norco range VLT comes with a 900wh battery. Don’t really need much more than that.
  • 2 1
 @nmilot92: that's a great size. I really like the way Norco has done it. I've got the range extender on my rocky mountain so it's 1000wH. 630 wH might be enough for some rides but I think I'd want to extend that most of the time.
  • 2 1
 Or pedal more?
  • 6 1
 Almost 13k and no integrated rear light
  • 7 2
 well, at least it's heavy as fuck, so you do get a lot for your money
  • 6 2
 Only clicked on the article to see the price, laugh and forget the bike existed.
  • 6 0
 Looks like a Felt.....
  • 2 0
 Exactly the Equilink I beleive.
  • 4 0
 I count 18 bearings, 10 of which are directly in line of the crap getting slung off the rear triangle. Yikes.
  • 1 0
 And yeti does not put an aluminum sleeve in their carbon either, Good luck changing out bearings!
  • 2 1
 How does it compare to the Levo? That ebike seems to be the benchmark and you can get a pretty good spec model for like $7k.

How does it compare to the Lapierre?

Is anyone else wondering how they test the motors for hotrodding in the EWS-E?
  • 1 0
 "The Yeti was pipped to the fastest eMTB time by the Commencal and was just over a second back with 2:54.9. It's a respectable time and shows its racing credentials"

I would call that a FAIL by Yeti then

Almost pushed the button ("no, I push the button!") on the top shelf Commencal a few months ago, but decided not to for two reasons: e-bikes are still not legal in the trail I want to use it on, and the seatpost issue I had with a Meta AM (can't insert the post all the way down). The first one will be fixed soon, but the second one is a deal-killer for me if I can't get low enough when descending. Anybody own the Meta Power in a small and confirm the seatpost issue for me?
  • 2 0
 I'm on a 2021 Meta Power 29 and the seat post goes about 2mm short of flush with the seat tube, so basically all the way. 170mm KS Lev dropper. I'd like slightly more drop but it's pretty much perfect as is and doesn't get in the way on the steepest trails I ride here in BC.
  • 1 0
 @ekimox: thanks for the info dude. I made an error in asking for the specs on a Power when I meant the TR, which has a significantly shorter seat tube than the Power. But appreciate the info anyway
  • 3 0
 I suspected that one of the “most awaited” bikes of the year was going to lead to one of the most boring comment sections of the year. I wasn’t wrong…..
  • 1 0
 Hey tester riders….please stop banging on about steeper head angles for the ‘really steep downs’. Some of us like riding regular trails for days to find a good regular 10minute down and so need to have a good alround bike.
  • 2 0
 Great looking bike. I would switch to more progression and mullet setup - more supple suspension and one degree slacker head angle. Problems solved. Love the potential and the uphill abilities of the suspension system.
  • 1 0
 Since when do we complain about 64.5 degree HTA’s on enduro focused bikes? I understand the reasoning behind the behind the whole slacker is betterer thing but like come on guys. Other than that though great review please keep it coming and love to see Henry on the Camera.
  • 1 0
 From my perspective, the worst thing about this bike is the brake choice. WHY, WHY, WHY would Yeti do that! Great set of drivetrain components, and you can’t even mount the brakes/shifter correctly! arrrgh!

That said, I’m a Yeti fanman. They consistently make quality stuff that works well for me, a non-hucker. I will always run this bike in the eco-mode and get 100 miles in a charge. I would gladly change to a moter/battery with 1/2 the power and capacity in trade for the weight loss. My Levo SL is such a bike, but it’s not the quality of a Yeti. Yes, guess I’m blinded! Wink
  • 4 0
 Disappointed it didn't break into $20k
  • 4 0
 COMMENCAL META POWER 29 TR OHLINS AXS
$7,999.00

damn yeti.
  • 1 0
 People are buying yeti for the name, not for practicality and affordability. How else would we know you spent double on your bike for what mine can do at half the price just as well and without breaking?
  • 10 10
 If I was going to get a motorcycle for this price, I’d get a KTM. But to be fair we’re talking mopeds, not motorbikes. In that case, I’d get a Vespa instead of this thing so that I’d be impressing young women instead of old men.
  • 4 3
 wheres the modern moped? no modern mopeds here.
  • 2 2
 My grandma makes those comparisons
  • 2 1
 While I like and praise e-bikes, yeti is out of their mind for bringing that price tag. No development or bike feel could warrant it. Plygon Mt. Bromo is less than half of the price and had big props from pinkbike too.
  • 2 0
 @mikelevy :
Interested to find out more about how Henry managed to get 'in' SunPeaks. I can understand, 'going to' or 'here at'..... but IN Sun Peaks ? Just HOW ?
  • 2 0
 How about a non carbon ebike that weighs the same for half the price. oof, sick burn. www.marinbikes.com/ww/bikes/2022-alpine-trail-e2
  • 3 0
 "when they announced they were halting their World Cup downhill problem[...]" my favorite freudian slip in this article.
  • 2 0
 You beat meat to it by a few minutes!!!

(Ooops another freudian slip...)
  • 4 1
 "Built for racing"? Did you really regurgitate that without thought Pinkbike?
  • 1 0
 Can ebikes with removable embedded down tube batteries be ridden without the batteries inserted, say on the occasional uplift day or with non ebikers, or are they structural 99% of the time?
  • 4 1
 HOW MUCH? PMSL, This is now getting silly
  • 2 1
 Hahahaha, $13.5k?!
As a current ebiker, this is fuken offensive to me. Not that I've ever looked at a Yeti before anyway, but still...
  • 4 1
 Dentists can’t even afford them anymore.
  • 4 1
 This one is for oral surgeons.
  • 3 0
 $13k…..thank goodness, I thought it was going to be expensive!
  • 3 0
 It can't be a genuine Yeti, it's only 12,700 $
  • 7 4
 YZ450F is 5000 dollars cheaper
  • 12 0
 A nice set of patio furniture is nearly 11K cheaper.
  • 3 0
 Your bitter is showing...
  • 4 5
 (insert rap beat here); Yet-E, with a batter-E, if you have dentist money, get this Yet-E, 160-E, but if you're poor like me and have no money, it's not funny B, get your money G, but if you have no legs and you're laz-E, get this Yet-E, 160-E. If you're stanning for @christinachappetta cuz she's a cutiE, then get this Yet-E, and you migh get lucky just maybE!
  • 3 1
 Where is my damn kickstand info? I can't just lay my $12k motorbike against a tree or God forbid on the ground.
  • 2 0
 How dare of Yeti to make bikes for riders other then the poor haters / experts on the PB comment section …
  • 2 0
 Looks like another experiment of maximum bearings could be designed in a frame. Maintenance hazard.
  • 1 0
 Not one comment about the shock placement ?! I mean its where it should be now! I wonder if this will get adopted into the new SB line.
  • 2 0
 I wonder how many buyers will have a difficult time loading their bikes onto their vehicles ?
  • 2 1
 I'd like to be the first to point out that this slow inept motorcycle costs $3,000 more than a Honda CR450R which has better everything.
  • 9 7
 Can we get a 160 travel yeti thats not electric please?
  • 1 0
 just wait Wink
  • 3 1
 Mountain biking now available to the none working class . HOW MUCH! ??
  • 1 0
 That controller/display cable looks really short. If the bars got turned too much would it destroy something?
  • 4 0
 Nope, it was the right length.
  • 3 0
 16-17kCAN lol
  • 4 5
 Look quite good, not as good as S bike,

Everyone who are bitching about the prices - this is top of the line bike with AXS XTR and other vessels what price you expect?

There plenty of e-bikes that cost 2 times less
  • 4 0
 The top spec model only has XT.
  • 6 0
 You mean they cost half?
  • 5 0
 @lj17: It is not big of deal, e-bikes you pay upfront to substitute lift assisted riding, calculate owning MTB + riding lift assisted resort and price of e-mtb, you will be surprised the emts will cheaper on course of 3-4 years of owning the bike
  • 1 0
 @nickmalysh: Just pointing it out since you were justifying the high price based on everything being top of the line, but the drivetrain actually isn’t.
  • 3 0
 @lj17: isn't xtr just lighter than xt without much performance gain? I'd rather take something more durable and heavier for an ebike.
  • 1 0
 @DylanH93: Sign me up for a full SLX bike with a Yari and Super Deluxe. Alloy everything. Where do I send my money?
  • 1 0
 bUt yeTi tRiBe brAh
  • 4 2
 My dentist called and said it's time to remove some teeth... coincidence?
  • 6 5
 For roughly the same price you could get a new Honda CRF 250F, plus a new Honda XR650L, plus a trailer to tow them
  • 13 0
 For roughly the same price I could get a Playstation 5, groceries, braces for my son, a new Weber BBQ and 13 sheets of plywood.
  • 8 0
 @j-p-i: 13 sheets, good luck with that, maybe 4.
  • 3 0
 @PMC: haha I was hoping someone would go there Smile have my upvote
  • 4 0
 @j-p-i: What's your source for the cheap plywood?
  • 2 0
 Able to get another good e-bike and a decent car.
  • 5 0
 We could all make a long list of things that would be less expensive than this bike, as you can for anything with a price tag. Not sure how this is relevant…
  • 2 1
 My grandma makes those comparisons.
  • 2 0
 2022???hahahaha

Lucky who can buy it in 2024!!!
  • 3 1
 My god Yeti is much cheaper than levo sworks!!
  • 2 0
 Comments section never disappoints!
  • 2 1
 Two articles, ride review, video, and deep time into the frame? Pinkbike really pushing this one.
  • 2 0
 My mom thinks that Matt sounds like Gabe from The Office.
  • 2 0
 Apparently, not the bike that broke.
  • 1 0
 I watched the bid twice and there was no huck to flat shown so I was thinking it was one of the failures. Got my popcorn ready and looking forward to that revelation.
  • 1 0
 @dwojo: at 1:55.
  • 2 0
 $16 000 Canadian Dollars

Lol
  • 1 0
 Horst Leitner and Noel Buckley had a baby and called it Sixfinity.
  • 2 0
 24.40kg.... O.o
  • 1 0
 Looks and sounds legit...a bit disappointed with the weight though.
  • 1 0
 10 000 US freakin dollars for SLX. NICELY DONE.
  • 1 0
 Cool, now we all can punch out the watts of Richie Rude.
  • 2 1
 Just thinking of the Ducati you could get priced similar lol
  • 1 1
 My grandma makes those comparisons
  • 1 0
 Why hasn't anyone complained about the price yet?
  • 1 0
 Nice scenery ! Can we get more than 2 framed up shots of the bike though?
  • 1 3
 Honest question: I see a lot of 160 and 165mm cranks on ebikes. Why aren't the chassis designed around longer cranks? Might that lend to longer range if the rider can contribute more to the output?
  • 1 0
 we have now entered dental surgeon pricing...
  • 1 0
 A) for an e-bike that looks decent.
B) thats a bit spendy
  • 1 0
 The Yeti really suffers from that Dainese helmet choice.
  • 1 0
 Wow this bike is a lot of money that’s just insane
  • 1 0
 sexfinity linkage
  • 1 0
 Another DW copy
  • 2 2
 ahahahahahahahaha 12K hahhahahahaha its time to go back in to moto.
  • 1 2
 I’m curious, does this bike actually leave the ground? It looks very planted, and not in a good way.
  • 2 4
 Yeti another brand of bikes written off my list to never buy. Only brands that can still get me buck Transition, IBIS,Guerrilla Gravity, Revel.
  • 4 2
 Then you should hurry buying your Transition...
  • 7 7
 dEntist bike
  • 1 2
 It’s an E-Bike though…
  • 2 4
 The lazyboy electric bigfoot moped.
  • 5 8
 Shouldn't this be posted on PinkE Bike?
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