SB6 Carbon XTR Complete Mountain Bike - 2015
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Yeti's SB6 Carbon XTR Complete Mountain Bike replaces the much beloved SB-66. While we hated to see the 66's jersey officially retired, the fact that the SB6 was already winning World Cup events before it was even released made a compelling argument for why it was time for the 66 to bequeath its flagship status. The SB6's geometry takes steps toward the longer and lower ends of the spectrum, and the revamped Switch Infinity suspension sits higher for an overall ride that's more enduro-er.
Given the popularity of Yeti's Switch Link design, which is also entering retirement, and the literally pivotal role that suspension plays in enduro cycling, it's only appropriate to begin any discussion of the SB6 by touching on the differences between Switch Link and the all-new Switch Infinity in order to illustrate why the perfectionists at Yeti felt a change was necessary. When you get past the 30% stroke while really pushing Switch Link's limits, you may experience a momentary harshness under rapidly successive big hits.
The Infinity replaces the Link's sinuous travel arc with a linear plane of motion, so it changes direction without getting caught in the minute dead spot that produces that harshness. Of course, 95% of all riders won't ever push the Switch Link hard enough to experience this dead spot, but Yeti (being Yeti) went ahead and fixed it, anyway. For those of us who are our own mechanics, Yeti also simplified maintaining the Switch Infinity by including easily accessible grease ports, which do away with the need for time-consuming rebuilds.
Other than those two changes, the suspension systems are fairly similar. Like the Switch Link, the Switch Infinity slider travels upward under the first phase of compression, when the SB6 is settling into its sag point. As the rear end compresses deeper, the direction changes, and the DH-inspired slider travels down toward the bottom bracket shell to maintain a steady pedaling platform. Deep in the stroke, it works in conjunction with the upper pivot to produce a vertical wheel path that effortlessly flattens big, square-edged impacts. The SB6's six glorious inches of travel are managed by a FOX Float X CTD rear shock.
The SB6's frame is the beneficiary of the same obsessive attention to detail, with the focus on raising efficiency and lowering weight in the materials while dialing the geometry to exacting enduro standards. The head tube angle is dropped to a slack 65.5 degrees — down a full degree-and-a-half from Yeti's more trail-minded SB5. That, combined with the long top tube, makes for a long, low ride that can handle steep, lumpy terrain with ease and speed. And it should, because the SB6's geometry was developed in collusion with Yeti's resident expert, the incomparable World Cup monster, Mr. Graves.
Another side effect of calling its machine a Super Bike is that the team at Yeti can't spec the SB6 with subpar kit and still expect it to be taken seriously. As the name suggests, the SB6 XTR is built-up with Shimano's top-tier mountain offerings, which may well be the smoothest, most precise shifting to be had on dirt or road. Everything about the one-by kit is designed to live up to the SB6's World Cup pedigree of speed. This focus carries over to the ENVE M70 Thirty rims and DT Swiss 240 hubs, whose combination of stiffness, durability, and virtually instantaneous engagement keep you in full control, regardless of racing tactics or racy terrain.
- Frame Material
- carbon fiber
- Suspension
- full suspension
- Rear Shock
- FOX Float X CTD w/ Trail Adjust
- Rear Travel
- 152 mm
- Fork
- FOX Float 36 160 Factory
- Front Travel
- 160 mm
- Headset
- 44 / 56 mm Chris King tapered
- Shifters
- Shimano XTR 11-speed
- Rear Derailleur
- Shimano XTR 11-speed
- ISCG Tabs
- yes, ISCG 05
- Crankset
- 32 t Shimano XTR
- Bottom Bracket
- PF92
- Cassette
- 11 - 40 t Shimano XTR
- Chain
- Shimano XTR 11-speed
- Brakeset
- Shimano XTR Trail
- Brake Type
- hydraulic disc
- Rotors
- 180/180 mm Shimano Ice
- Handlebar
- Easton Havoc 35 Carbon
- Handlebar Rise
- 20 mm
- Handlebar Width
- 800 mm
- Grips
- Yeti Lock-On
- Stem
- Easton Havoc 35
- Saddle
- Devo WTB Race Custom
- Seatpost
- [extra small, small] RockShox Reverb, [medium, large, extra large] Thomson Covert Dropper
- Seat Collar
- 35 mm
- Wheelset
- ENVE M70 Thirty
- Hubs
- DT Swiss 240
- Front Axle
- 15x100mm
- Rear Axle
- 12x142mm
- Tires
- Maxxis
- Tire Size
- 27.5 in
- Pedals
- not included
- Recommended Use
- enduro
- Manufacturer Warranty
- 5 years limited on frame
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