Description
One of our favorite long-travel enduro/gravity brawlers is back with updates every goat can get stoked about. This year, the SB165 receives a much-appreciated mixed-wheel setup and better downtube clearance and protection. Due to the new 29-inch wheel up front, the SB165 is now fitted with a 170mm fork, dropping 10mm over the previous model to keep the geometry the same. Yeti revised the SB165’s progression curve down to a still very plush 22 percent, which now provides more support through the mid-stroke for more capability on a broader range of terrain. 165mm of rear wheel travel powered by the renowned Switch Infinity suspension system ensures confidence and precision when bombing down intimidating descents. The way back up is handled with grace and efficiency thanks to the Switch Infinity’s translating pivot design and the steep 76. 9-degree seat tube angle, giving us a high anti-squat for unprecedented climbing characteristics combined with forward positioning to ensure efficiency. The slack 63. 5-degree head tube, 29-inch front wheel, and long wheelbase give us all the confidence we need for steep trails and aggressive riding, while the 27. 5-inch rear wheel and short, size-specific chainstays make for a more agile and poppy bike with a tighter turning radius and more clearance over the rear wheel. Yeti revised its downtube protector on the SB165 this year and went with a dual-density version that features a removable hard cap layered over a rubber inner layer for better impact protection. Additionally, the area where the downtube meets the bottom bracket has been reangled to give us more clearance when sending it in chunky terrain. Additional features on the SB165 include fully enclosed cable routing for a silent, clean-looking ride, shorter seat tubes to ensure room for long-stroke dropper posts, SRAM’s Universal Derailleur Hanger for easy replacements, and integrated ISCG-05 and bash guard for protection. The C2 GX Eagle Factory build of the Yeti SB165 h…