SB5 Carbon Mountain Bike Frame - 2016
Out of Stock
Don't worry though, we have a lot more All-Mountain & Trail in stock than that.
Shop Similar ProductsEngineered by shamans.
Given that the latest generation of SB5 took four years of carbon tinkering and ritualistic sacrifices to the gods of suspension, we're not surprised that, for 2016, the Yeti SB5 Carbon Mountain Bike Frame returns without any big changes to geometry or the Switch Infinity travel mechanism at its heart. Developing the Switch Infinity went beyond the virtual realm of design software and protractors, with the engineering shamans of Yeti's tribe cannibalizing materials like dropper post shafts from existing equipment in order to produce testable proofs of concept. The end result is a frame whose suspension design gives XC-minded speedsters more confidence across terrain and enduro/DH bruisers an efficient climbing platform that doesn't compromise on big hits.
The Switch Infinity suspension's linear travel hits the sweet spot of anti-squat to keep pedaling sharp across rocky climbs and relentless small bumps. Deep in the stroke, the Switch Infinity slider works in conjunction with the upper pivot to produce a vertical wheel path that effortlessly flattens big, square-edged impacts. 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 will never experience that dead spot on the Switch Link, but the SB5 isn't for most riders. It's for the all-mountain racer who demands that his machine eats deep log roll overs with the same tenacity that it cleans long climbs — a rare breed in the enduro scene as a whole, but common enough in Yeti's Tribe of enduro nutters. It's also easier to maintain than its predecessor, which makes even some of the most mechanically inept feel like a pro wrench.
The SB5's frame remains the next evolution of Yeti’s proven carbon fiber chassis. Frame weights are right around five pounds with shock, depending on size, which puts it on the lighter end of the trail bike spectrum, and it does so without sacrificing strength or stiffness. With thoughtful tube forming, a tapered head tube, and a 142mm rear thru-axle, claiming that it tracks true through rough terrain would be something of an understatement. Bikes like the SB6 may get more attention from the high-gloss pages on the hype front of the enduro scene, but for those of us who get our news straight from the trail itself, the SB5 is a proven all-mountain competitor that doesn't compromise on any terrain or gradient.
Details
- Expand your trail horizons with some enduro pedigree
- 5in Switch Infinity suspension resets all-mountain expectations
- Slacked-out geometry for gravity-inspired lines
- Carbon construction and thru-axle rear for stiff efficiency
- Custom frame protectors preserve that pretty paint job
- Clearance for tires up to the new standard of 2.4in
- Yeti Cycles consistently lives up to the expectations inspired by its big-footed mascot
- Item #YTI003L
- Frame Material
- carbon fiber
- Suspension
- Switch Infinity
- Wheel Size
- 27.5 in
- Rear Shock
- FOX Float Factory DPS
- Rear Travel
- 127 mm
- Head Tube Diameter
- 1-1/2 to 1-1/8in tapered
- Headset Included
- no
- Bottom Bracket Type
- 73 mm PF30
- ISCG Tabs
- yes, ISCG 05
- Cable Routing
- external, [dropper] stealth
- Front Derailleur Mount
- Shimano D-Type
- Derailleur Pull
- top
- Brake Type
- disc
- Seatpost Diameter
- 30.9 mm
- Seat Collar
- 35 mm
- Rear Axle
- 12 x 142mm thru-axle
- Claimed Weight
- [frame and shock] 5.1 lb
- Recommended Use
- trail, enduro
- Manufacturer Warranty
- 5 years limited
Reviews
Q&A
What do you think about this product?
View
Selecting an option will reload the available reviews on the pageSorry, we don’t currently have any of those types of reviews for this product.
Need Expert Advice?
Our Gearheads Can Help