Yeti Cycles SB4.5 Turq X01 Eagle Complete Mountain Bike 2017

If you're looking for a whip fast bike that can handle some bigger terrain on occasion, look no further than the 2017 Yeti Cycles SB4. 5 Turq X01 Eagle Complete Mountain Bike. It blends XC speed with geometry to handle the bigger stuff, and now carries Yeti's new Turq designation for an even lighter footprint than its predecessor. Turq manifests as a more precise carbon layup that's carefully molded to reinforce key stress points without adding bulk, resulting in strength where you need it and light weight where you don't. In the end, Yeti claims that Turq construction nets a savings of 300g compared to the regular SB4. 5 Carbon a stat that lends the SB4. 5 Turq more climbing pedigree and complements the bike's surprisingly climb happy X01 Eagle drivetrain. Yeti also 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 mashy, and we think the inclusion of a Boost 148mm rear axle is 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 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 ...