2024 Yeti SB 165

Today, Yeti launches the new SB165 and as you could have predicted, it’s a UDH equipped mullet bike. It's 2024, after all. This is the brawler in the Yeti range and with 165mm of rear travel, it's the longest travel bike they currently sell and the brand’s first mullet. The outgoing bike is a 27.5'-wheeled 'freeride' machine, and the new bike carries that ethos forward; billed to be ready for anything you’re capable of throwing at it, from steeps to park laps, to all day backcountry epics. I've been aboard for a few weeks now, and have been having a good time the whole time.

Features & Highlights

• 27.5”/29” mullet
• 170mm front, 165mm rear travel
• Threaded bottom bracket
• Shortened seat tube for increased standover and longer dropper posts
• Four sizes, S-M-L-XL
• Integrated two-phase downtube protection, molded chainstay protection
• Four carbon builds, from 6,300 USD to 9,200 USD (8,500 CAD to 12,400 CAD)
• Turq Carbon Frame Only available for 4,200 USD
• Approximately 34.25lbs as built

Frame Details and Geometry

Angles on the new SB165 thread a line between the current, race focused 29”-wheeled SB160 and the bike this supersedes, the 27.5” shod SB165. As with many recent bike launches (and ignoring the change to a wagon wheel), it's largely a story of evolution and refinement rather than revolution. Gone are the days of each version going longer/lower/slacker; this bike retains nearly identical dimensions in many places to its predecessor. But, by utilizing a combination of small rear wheel, shorter seat tube for longer droppers, and more stand-over clearance, Yeti hopes this bike answers customer feedback around the SB160 looking for more capability in the steepest terrain, as well as adding some speed to the SB165 by going mullet.

That's not to say the SB165 is slow, but in back to back testing with Yeti's EWR team, the SB160 tops the timesheet under the likes of Richey Rude by a small margin. To be clear though, this is an SB165 with a bigger front wheel, not an SB160 with a smaller rear wheel.

For other features, some folks may be surprised by the lack of some form of in-frame storage compartment, but I'm not one of them. I prefer the cleaner, lighter frame and to chuck a multitool and pump on my person. There's a significant downtube protector, with a hard outer shell for impact resistance backed by molded rubber, which serves double duty as an access panel for dropper post routing. There's also a molded rubber chainstay protector, with significant coverage. Combine all this with good tubes-in-tubes for brake hoses, and the bike has been very quiet.

Rather than revolutionary geometry numbers, the SB165 is a natural evolution of the Yeti lineup, in mullet form. In news I like, Yeti says that all of their frames are tested and approved for forks 20mm over stock; this change of course comes with the requisite caveats around changes in geometry. The SB165 also has the ability to run a dual crown fork (one of my small criticisms of the 6th Generation Trek Slash). Yeti however, does not endorse exceeding an axle-to-crown measurement of 607mm. I'd note that a 190mm Boxxer comes in at 595mm.

Suspension

Like nearly all non-electric Yetis since 2014, the rear end slides and rotates on the Switch Infinity suspension system, with stanchions and Enduro Max bearings, Yeti’s Switch Infinity design has been the basis of the company’s (non-electric) bikes since 2014 and, like most multi-link designs, the additional complexity gives designers the ability to tune some kinematics in relative isolation. For the SB165, the progressivity has been dialed down slightly from the previous iteration, but it's still a platform built for big hits. If you believe the hype, the design also gives Yeti the ability to retain ample anti-squat through to the inflection point, where it drops off rapidly to allow for unrestricted suspension movement.

As with some previous Yetis, Turq models get an upgraded version of the Switch Infinity mechanism with new bushings, bearing location, and seals while C-models get the previous incarnation, with the option to upgrade at any time. Like any sliding suspension component, maintenance and lubrication of this piece are critical to performance and longevity, and they're equipped with grease ports; I've seen plenty of horror stories around these components so its worth your time to keep them clean and lubed.

Builds & Components

First off, there are no alloy models here. You can however get two different flavors of carbon in the ‘base’ model C/Series, or the high end Turq that saves a bit of weight by utilizing fancy carbon fibers. There are two build kits for each option, for a total of four choices. All builds get the top end Fox Factory DHX2, either a Fox Performance 38 or a Factory 38, Maxxis Assegai/DHRII combo, and 220mm/200mm front/rear Codes (Turq models come with the RSC, C/Series come with R).

If you’re a cable shifting aficionado, your only choice is the lowest priced C2 with SRAM GX Eagle at 6300 USD. For the wire-free folks there’s SRAM Eagle and Transmission builds in C/Series and Turq, and if all this is too confusing you should just look at the charts and Yeti website for specifics... Just be aware you won't find any with Shimano drivetrains or brakes. Push come to shove, for my money, I'm getting a C3 build, and using a bit of the money saved over the Turq frames for a brake and wheel upgrade.

Conclusions

Markedly absent from Yeti’s marketing copy about the SB165 is the word “racing”. For a brand that is proud of the deep roots they have in all forms of mountain bike vs. clock, this is not an accidental oversight. Moving away from this no-compromise approach to speed isn’t a bad thing; this is a bike that will likely see at Red Bull Rampage under Reed Boggs. All this is good for us mortals; as a general rule there’s not a lot of folks reading this review, shopping for a new bike, who are also looking at podiums in the EWR (or at Rampage, for that matter, but it ruins my point). We’re looking for bikes to go have some fun in the woods with no clocks in sight.

From my time aboard so far, Yeti has struck a good balance and the SB165 has been an approachable bike looking for rowdy, fun lines. I rapidly found myself very comfortable aboard the bike, and have been able to build speed (at least within the realms of my ability…). The Switch Infinity keeps things composed when things get rowdy, inspiring confidence backed up by geometry that provides stability and no surprises descending.

On flatter terrain, I’m struggling slightly with the steep seat tube angle. I’m going to be making some cockpit and saddle changes and have some measure of confidence I’ll be able to find a happy place*. I’d also like to see a higher threshold on the climb switch. There’s still a fair amount of suspension movement, but it’s really only noticeable on smooth road grades, and I’m used to the feeling of a full lockout.

*I've gotten more tweaking and riding in since I wrote this, and I think I've got it nearly sorted with some saddle angle changes, and sliding it back on the rails.

I've also adapted my braking style to SRAM's new Maven, and while these Codes with enormous rotors and metallic pads provide plenty of stopping power, I'd prefer stronger binders. The Fox Transfer seatpost is also a bit sticky. A few different times I've pushed the lever to no avail, and had to give the seat a little bounce to get it to return to full height. These are all small niggles at this point and overall I've got very little to complain about.

Yeti kindly sent me the T3 X0 Transmission version in a lovely Spruce. I’m looking forward to logging some serious miles on this thing, and comparing it to some of its peers; most notably Trek Slash I recently reviewed and my personal We Are One 170mm Arrival.

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