Yeti Cycles

SB100 Turq T3 XX1 Eagle AXS Mountain Bike

Yeti understands that XC and marathon racing doesn't stop once you crest the climb. Crushing the competition on the descents is half the fun, which is why they created the SB100 Turq T3 XX1 Eagle AXS Mountain Bike. Built to go fast both up and down the mountain, the SB100 climbs with vigor and tackles technical descents in a manner that a 4-inch travel bike has no business doing. Some people have referred to it as a "downcountry" bike, or even a downhiller's XC bike, but in truth it's just an ultra-capable short-travel 29er with progressive geometry and smooth Switch Infinity suspension that together allow it to perform like no other bike before it. Whether you're toeing the line on race day, or setting PR's on your local trails, the SB100 is a perfect companion for riders that favor speed and precision, but don't want to be held back when the trail gets rough and rowdy. This particular model comes outfitted with some of the best parts money can buy, including Yeti's flagship TURQ carbon frame, SRAM's new XX1 Eagle AXS wireless electronic drivetrain, and top-of-the-line Fox Factory suspension, leaving little to be desired for the discerning rider and racer.

We typically think of cross-country bikes as one trick ponies that barely trouble the scale which makes going uphill less of a chore but the sometimes anorexic build can be slightly unnerving and requires a good test of faith when pushed through its paces on technical descents. With the SB100, it has some pretty good lineage to draw inspiration from and even though the geometry and suspension have cross country riding and racing on its mind as the intended purpose, it's hard not to notice the trail and enduro highlights that bled over from Yeti's longer travel offerings.

The Switch Infinity platform, utilized on all Yetis all the way up to the EWS-winning SB150, has been redesigned specifically for 100mm of travel on this model. It’s light, and tucks behind the seat tube, sitting in its own compartment out of the way of wheel spray and errant trail debris. This design also allows the front triangle to accommodate larger water bottles, a welcome feature for any rider. We feel like this a move in the right direction even if it does come with a few added grams over the ASR's single pivot, as every Yeti we've ridden with Switch has awesome climbing efficiency without infringing on its descending prowess. Yeti gets high marks for creating a very capable 100 millimeter travel bike, with a stiff and responsive ride that rarely feels out of place, short of trails where we'd don body armor and a full-face. Beefy pivots offer incredible lateral stiffness that tracks so confidently through blown out washboard trails and minefields that, in the back of our minds we have to remind ourselves that we are pointing and shooting on an XC bike. The Switch platform on this bike operates in the same manner as on Yeti's other bikes—meaning supple off the top while transitioning into excellent mid-stroke support before ramping up as you test all 100 millimeters on offer. Pair this action with the silky-smooth FOX DPS Factory shock and you'll swear that the rear end is packing more travel than the numbers show.

The brief exodus from the XC scene allowed for a few reboots and allowed Yeti to truly build a no-compromise bike that could climb and descend, not just one that was great at one and mediocre at the other. A 67.8-degree headtube angle might look more appropriate on a trail bike and on paper it would appear that it would detract from the nimble handling and quick steering XC bikes are known for. Yeti has a few tricks up its sleeve, however, and spec'd a FOX 34 Step-Cast fork with a 44mm offset. After a bit of experimentation, Yeti found this reduction in fork rake improves your weight distribution on the bike, offering a bit more downhill stability without compromising its ability to clean tight switchbacks on climbs and negotiate around trail obstacles at slower speeds.

The 74 to 74.3-degree seat tube angle (depending on size) puts you on top and in control of your bike and offer maximum pedaling efficiency for marathon 24-hour stretches or for those lucky enough to have the time off work, a stage race. The wheelbase also walks the tightrope of being nimble and offering stability so you can blitz through the techy bits without wondering if you'll blow it through the berm on the next turn. A departure from the ASR, this rear end is updated with Boost spacing, which allows for wider hub flange spacing and better bracing angles to stiffen things up. It also allowed Yeti to hack off a little length on the chainstays and they now sit at 17.2-inches, so you have plenty of rear wheel traction for competent climbing while remaining agile through tight singletrack. Other notable frame features include internal tubed cable routing for silent operation and easy setup, and an uninterrupted seat tube allowing for maximum dropper post compatibility.

This SB100 is built using Yeti's top-flight Turq carbon fiber construction. By using some of the finest and strongest raw materials available, Yeti is able to make its Turq frames extremely lightweight while maintaining outstanding impact resistance, exceptional stiffness, and just the right amount of properly tuned chassis flex to help the bike tame the trails without ricocheting off its line. Of course, balancing all these factors is extremely difficult if you lack mastery of carbon fiber, and the engineers at Yeti have proven that it can build lightweight frames that can handle the likes of Richie Rude and Enduro World Series stages, both forces to be reckoned with. What results is a frame that can endure years of hard riding and racing while delivering an unsurpassed ride quality that comes in at class-leading weights.

This SB100 Turq T3 XX1 Eagle AXS Mountain Bike is equipped with a first-rate parts kit that starts with SRAM's new XX1 AXS wireless electronic drivetrain. If you're wondering why you should fork out the cash for wireless shifting, it starts with the simplicity. You'll never have to mess with cable tension again, and you'll enjoy crisp, reliable shifting that almost never needs adjusting. All you have to do is make sure your battery is charged and that the derailleur and shifter are paired when you start your ride. On top of that, you can customize the shifting options and monitor the system with the AXS smartphone app. Equally as impressive is the fact that the rear derailleur has 10mm more ground clearance than the mechanical versions, and is better able to withstand impacts thanks to a clutch that disengages the internal motor and allows the derailleur to move inward to brush off impacts and avoid damage.

Other noteworthy parts include top-of-the-line suspension from Fox, starting with a Fox Factory Step-Cast 34 fork that handles plushly and cuts down on weight without sacrificing chassis stiffness. It's paired with a Factory DPS shock that delivers impressive small-bump compliance and consistent performance while descending. Level TLM brakes offer smooth modulation and plenty of stopping power at an XC-friendly weight, working with the meaty Maxxis tires to keep your speed in check before you go barreling into rock and root gardens. Yeti rounds out the kit with their in-house carbon bars, a trusty Fox Transfer dropper post, and a custom WTB Volt saddle with turquoise accents that match the bike perfectly.