Yeti Cycles have released the newest addition to their mountain bike line with the unveiling of the SB100 and SB100 Beti. A trail bike with an affinity for XC, the SB100 utilizes an all-new Switch Infinity mechanism redesigned, repositioned and optimized specifically for this shorter-travel twenty-nine-inch wheel bike. 

The SB100 represents a complete rethink for Yeti’s XC offering. The previous ASR, while very popular, was billed as a pure XC machine, utilizing a single pivot suspension design rather than incorporating their slightly heavier yet arguably better, Switch Infinity platform.

Two reasons seem obvious. First, “traditional” XC bikes are known for going uphill quickly and being “efficient”, yet being meiocre at best, and downright scary at worst on the downhill. Yeti obviously believes their customer wants an XC bike which can descend as well as it climbs.

Secondly, we need to define “efficiency”. Is efficiency limited to a bike simply being very light, as stiff as possible, and boasting steep seat and head tube angles? Or, can efficient mean a better suspension design which can truly roll through challenging terrain as well as float uphill without wasted motion? For the majority of riders it would seem a bike that climbs and descends well is the better and more “efficient” option when compared to a traditional XC platform which often does little to inspire confidence when the going gets rough.

Finally, now that 1x gearing has truly taken hold, brands are embracing not having to work around a front derailleur while designing a suspension platform. While some riders may still desire a front d the options for designing better suspension platforms is drastically improved by not having to address front shifting.

Yeti’s proprietary Switch Infinity suspension platform is known for its greater flexibility in tuning suspension kinematics and ride characteristics compared to traditional link layouts. The new smaller mechanism is turned 90 degrees from Yeti’s other offerings and tucked neatly behind the seat tube. This allowed Yeti to achieve an uninterrupted seat tube to accommodate longer dropper posts and fit a large water bottle in all sizes while not having to make any compromises on suspension quality. 

The gravity-inspired overall geometry of SB100 coupled with a steeper seat angle and spec akin to a trail bike, makes this bike difficult to categorize. As intended, the SB100 is a XC climbing machine with the perfect blend of pedaling efficiency and downhill prowess. 

“We ride every day at Yeti, typically on longer travel bikes,” said Yeti president, Chris Conroy. “Whoever is testing the SB100 crushes us on the climbs, which is to be expected. But what’s unexpected is we can’t drop them on the chunky technical downhill. It’s a testament to how capable this bike is.”

The SB100 is not the lightest XC bike you will find. Coming in at 25.7 lbs for the top of the line Turq SRAM XX1 Eagle bike, the SB100 is quite a bit chubbier than say Nino Schurter’s World Cup Scott Spark which has been reported to be 21.6lbs. That said, there are areas in Yeti’s spec which could trim some weight, namely wheels and fork. However, when compared to many off the shelf XC race bikes the SB100 is not that far off, and the suspension design is arguably better.

As far as geometry goes the SB100 has a bit longer wheelbase with about 2 degrees slacker head tube. Basically two key pieces of stable descending.

The SB100 is a short travel bike, but it’s made for and excels on technical singletrack Geoff Kabush

Both the SB100 and the SB100 Beti feature Fox’s new Step-Cast 34 120 mm fork as well as SRAM’s new DUB carbon crankset across the line. The SB100 Beti features a shock tuned for lighter riders, 170 mm crankarms and a women’s-specific saddle.

The SB100 will be ridden by Geoff Kabush, Canadian Olympian, professional athlete and brother of long time XTERRA pro Danelle Kabush. Kabush will be riding the capable SB100 when he defends his titles at the BC Bike Race, Moab Rocks and Downieville Classic. 

“The SB100 is a short travel bike, but it’s made for and excels on technical singletrack,” said Kabush. “It has suspension that really works, so it is fun to challenge this bike and see how hard you can push it.”

This bike is available in at Yeti dealers globally and offered in Carbon-Series with one kit option, TURQ-Series with three kits options and as a frame only. The SB100 is available in size small to extra-large and the SB100 Beti in small to large.

Find more information on the Yeti site HERE.