Yeti Cycles SB5 Plus Carbon Eagle Complete Mountain Bike 2017

Sitting at the confluence of the nimble XC world and burly enduro sledding hill, the 2017 Yeti Cycles SB5 Carbon Eagle Complete Mountain Bike is a responsive trail bike that defies its category to push the boundaries on fun. Its geometry closely mirrors the standard SB5, with slight tweaks to embrace up to three inch tires for smooth, stable traction across loose terrain while SRAM's groundbreaking 12 speed X01 Eagle drivetrain lets you fly to the day's finish line. Of particular note is the SB5's elevated chainstays, which curve upward from the shock and create a sharply pointed triangle that increases stiffness and opens up tire clearance. This curved design keeps the chainstays at a svelte 17. 2in for snappy, confident handling when whipping through switchbacks and rocketing over dusty trails. Furthering this bike's handling prowess, Boost rear spacing allows for those stubby, quick thinking chainstays that take successive bumps in stride while finessing a tough line. Up front, the 67. 1 degree head tube can't wait to dive into steep, loose rock gardens that leave little room for indecision. It's also tapered and, which stiffens the front end and helps the bike track lines like a grizzled barn cat after a farmyard varmint. This frameset is Yeti's standard carbon model, which uses a slightly lower grade carbon than the top tier Turq frame. This requires a bit more material to meet the same rigorous standards for strength and rigidity as the Turq, but also comes at a more attainable price point. For most of us, a claimed 250g extra is a miniscule trade off if it means putting an SB5 within our budget. Yeti's Switch Infinity suspension is the lynchpin of the SB5's versatile capability. Its linear travel hits the sweet spot of anti squat to keep pedaling sharp across rocky climbs, and it also erases the momentary harshness that its predecessor, the Switch Link design, would display when pushed to the absolute limit. Riding with the shock open won't condemn ...