YETI SB100 EAGLE SRAM X01
£6,999 Yeti’s all-new XC bike is ready to get rowdy
The new SB100 isn’t an out-andout cross-country race machine, though it’s certainly no slouch when you want to work hard. Instead, it straddles the line between XC efficiency and trail bike stability. The frame Deep inside the bulbous seat tube sits Yeti’s ‘Switch Infinity’ system, which helps dictate how the bike’s 100mm (3.9in) of rear travel is delivered. For the SB100, the Colorado-based company have turned this twin-stanchion slider (which allows the main pivot to move up and down) through 90 degrees to create more space in the mainframe. This wasn’t a straightforward job, because it meant they had to create a new, slimmer Switch Infinity unit. But it’s freed up enough room in the front triangle to fit a water bottle, and also allows use of an uninterrupted seat tube, which means longer-stroke dropper posts can be fitted (125mm on the small and medium frames, 150mm on the large and XL). The Switch Infinity unit is protected by a bolt-on cover and gets two grease ports to keep it running smoothly. The kit As well as using the more advanced ‘TURQ Series’ frame, our test bike features the priciest build kit available in the UK. That includes a Fox ‘Factory’ fork and shock, SRAM’s X01 Eagle transmission and Yeti’s own carbon bar. The DT Swiss M1700 wheels are wrapped in Maxxis rubber (a Minion DHF and Aggressor), clearly indicating that the SB100 is designed for more than just hammering out the miles. The ride The SB100 really does blur the line between an efficient XC bike and a shorter-travel trail bike. There’s no shortage of urgency when you apply power to the pedals, with the bike surging forward eagerly with very little effort. Point it uphill and the 605mm effective top tube (medium) feels roomy enough and comfortable on long, steep drags, even if it isn’t quite as stretched out as a purebred XC racer. We never once felt the need to flick the compression lever on the DPS rear shock, thanks to how stable the back end feels, even when you start mashing at the pedals.
It’s when things get technical that the SB100 really becomes interesting. The shock tune is relatively firm and things feel nicely progressive at the end of the Yeti’s travel. While it certainly isn’t the plushest bike out there, it does feel like it has more than 100mm on tap, and is happy taking much bigger hits and tackling more challenging terrain than you’d expect.
At speed, the SB100 oozes confidence. The 120mm-travel Fox 34 fork up front uses a shorter offset (44mm, rather than the usual 51mm), which, coupled with the 67.9-degree head angle, helps to keep things nicely subdued through the handlebar as you enter choppier turns. And it’s when tackling really tight, awkward corners that you’ll appreciate the low 332mm bottom bracket height.
Overall, while the SB100 may not be a full-blown XC whippet, it’s hard not to appreciate its versatility and love of speed. Keep an eye on the pivot bolts, though, because some of ours loosened o" after our first outing on the bike.