SB4.5 Carbon Eagle Complete Mountain Bike - 2017
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This year, Yeti Cycles joins the crowd of companies offering multiple frame tiers to open up a wider range of pricing for those of us who can't imagine dropping close to five figures on a bicycle. As such, the 2017 SB4.5 Carbon Eagle Complete Mountain Bike benefits from trickle-down technology to bring a fast, race ready frame with top-tier components into slightly more attainable territory. The carbon construction is still top notch, and is a shining example of just how advanced carbon construction methods have become. It's just a little bit heavier than the high-grade Turq model, which drops the price considerably for the sacrifice of 300 claimed grams of added weight, which, in real world terms, is roughly equivalent to a small mug of hot cocoa.
Yeti says that the SB4.5 has a stiffer pedaling platform than most of its other bikes. While we don't have numbers to verify this claim, it's definitely a responsive go-getter when the going gets grindy, and the inclusion of a Boost 148mm rear axle and the surprisingly climb-happy X01 Eagle drivetrain is certainly at least partially responsible for the bike's eagerness on climbs. Coupled with the innate aggression of 29in wheels and the stiff, collet-style hardware, the boosted rear triangle certainly feels every bit as stiff as any of Yeti's other models.
The frame's aggressive speed is not to be outdone by its slack front end and surprisingly capable Switch Infinity suspension, though. Its 67.4-degree head tube is one of the slackest we've seen on an XC-leaning 29er, and it makes for a boost of confidence while picking lines across terrain that would make a more typical 70-71 degree head tube stumble. The Switch Infinity suspension is equally confidence-inspiring, and its linear travel hits the sweet spot of anti-squat to keep pedaling sharp across rocky climbs. It also erases the momentary harshness that its predecessor, the Switch Link design, would display when pushed to the absolute limit.
Of course, most riders didn't experience that dead spot on the Switch Link, but the SB4.5 isn't for most riders. It's for the all-mountain racer who demands that their machine flattens big hits with the same tenacity that it cleans long climbs. In our experience, the SB4.5's Switch Infinity suspension isn't quite as soft off the top as the 5.5 and it finds the bottom when we overshoot a landing. That said, the steeper head tube produces sharper handling and rewards technique while picking lines, making the SB4.5 more fun if you're value finesse over just bombing terrain.
Details
- A trail 29er with versatile capability
- 4.5in of smooth Switch Infinity suspension
- Geometry balances slack and moderate for confident handling
- Tight rear triangle keeps you on top of the pedal stroke
- Carbon construction balances stiffness and low weight
- Boost axles track on descents and transfer power on climbs
- SRAM's Eagle drivetrain provides a generous bailout gear
- Yeti Cycles brings its suspension genius to the wagon wheel world
- Item #YTI006S
- Frame Material
- carbon fiber
- Suspension
- Switch Infinity
- Rear Shock
- Fox Float Performance
- Rear Travel
- 114mm
- Fork
- Fox 34 Performance
- Front Travel
- 140mm
- Headset
- Cane Creek 40 inset taper
- Shifters
- SRAM X01 Eagle 12-speed
- Front Derailleur
- n/a
- Rear Derailleur
- SRAM X01 Eagle 12-speed
- Crankset
- SRAM X1 1400 Eagle 12-speed
- Bottom Bracket
- SRAM GXP BB92
- Cassette
- 10 - 50t SRAM 1295 Eagle 12-speed
- Chain
- SRAM Eagle 12-speed
- Brakeset
- SRAM Guide R
- Brake Type
- hydraulic disc
- Rotors
- [front] 180mm, SRAM Centerline, [rear] 160mm, SRAM Centerline
- Handlebar
- Race Face Evolve
- Handlebar Width
- 750mm
- Grips
- Yeti lock-on
- Stem
- Race Face Ride
- Stem Length
- 60mm
- Saddle
- Yeti WTB Custom
- Seatpost
- Race Face Turbine Dropper
- Seatpost Diameter
- 30.9mm
- Wheelset
- DT Swiss M1900
- Front Axle
- 15 x 110mm Boost thru-axle
- Rear Axle
- 12 x 148mm Boost thru-axle
- Tires
- Maxxis Ardent EXO Tubeless
- Tire Size
- [front] 29, x 2.4in, [rear] 29, x 2.25in
- Claimed Weight
- 28.4lb
- Recommended Use
- cross-country
- Manufacturer Warranty
- 5 years limited on frame
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