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In the realm of Yeti mountain bikesYeti Classic collection de luxe

Henri Lesewitz

 · 19.11.2017

Jerseys, posters, bikes: Christian's basement is a walk-in Yeti shrine.
Photo: Christian Czapalla
Christian Czapalla has a "Kamikaze Yeti". That's why he made it into the Reader's Bike section with his gem. But there are many more mountain bike rarities from the US cult forge on his Yeti farm.

Oh, those were the days when bikes were still made with fetishistic devotion in small forges - when bikes were tuned one-offs and MTB shops were more like jewellery shops than sporting goods shops.

Fat Chance, Klein, Merlin - classic mountain bike fans' eyes light up at the sound of these names. But hardly any other company has such a mythical aura about it as the US forge Yeti. Radical frames, innovations such as the world's first butted aluminium tube set, plus a team made up of the mountain bike superheroes of the time: Myles Rockwell, Jimmy Deaton and, above all, Missy Giove.

The cult of Yeti mountain bikes

Yeti was already cult back then. Today, the early steel and aluminium bikes in particular are coveted collector's items. In BIKE issue 12/2017, we presented the Yeti A.R.C. LT by Christian Czapalla from Switzerland. The big question beforehand was: Which of his 25 Yeti mountain bike gems should be in front of the camera? Christian is a Yeti mountain bike fan through and through. His collection is spectacular even by the standards of the scene - even if overly fussy "time correct" advocates may roll their eyes at one or two details.

In the realm of Yeti mountain bikesPhoto: Christian CzapallaIn the realm of Yeti mountain bikes

>> Almost 30 years old and yet brand new: We were able to test ride an unused Yeti C-26. You can find the report on the MTB icon here. <<

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>> In 2016, we visited the cult site of Yeti Bikes in the USA and felt the vibe of the early 90s again. <<

>> The cult surrounding the mythical Yeti C-26 is blossoming: there are replicas that are only created under special circumstances. We took a look at them. <<

The "golden brands" of the nineties in MTB sport: Hed, Ringlé, Grafton & Co.

"I would like to emphasise that it was always my wish to build the Yetis according to my own taste and not to imitate the catalogue or racing models," Christian clarifies and continues: "Inevitably, you can't avoid the 'golden brands' of the nineties. Kooka, Hed, Ringlé, Chris King, Grafton, Cook Bros, Critical Racing and so on make up the majority of the parts used, but some of them are mixed according to our own taste. It's the joy of wrenching that gives my bikes a fresh flair time and time again. It can happen that I dismantle a finished bike and reassemble it in a completely different configuration."

Spoilt for choice: Christian Czapalla owns so many Yeti classics that we couldn't decide which bike to put in front of the camera. So we simply show them all.Photo: Christian CzapallaSpoilt for choice: Christian Czapalla owns so many Yeti classics that we couldn't decide which bike to put in front of the camera. So we simply show them all.

The biggest goal is to preserve this incredible era for posterity, summarises Christian. Because: "There will never be bikes like this again."

So that BIKE readers can also enjoy his other Yeti mountain bikes, he has photographed his favourite bikes here. Have fun scrolling or clicking through Yeti A.R.C. & Co! Would you like to be featured in BIKE with your piece of jewellery? Apply with the keyword "Reader Bike": bikeMag@bike-magazin.de

The treasures of the golden tuning era: headsets, cranksets, stems - all sparkling in bright, garish colours.Photo: Christian CzapallaThe treasures of the golden tuning era: headsets, cranksets, stems - all sparkling in bright, garish colours.Spin photo for Yeti fans. In the foreground you can see a 1994 Yeti A.R.C. in tiny 14 inches - extremely rare, especially in this first-class condition.Photo: Christian CzapallaSpin photo for Yeti fans. In the foreground you can see a 1994 Yeti A.R.C. in tiny 14 inches - extremely rare, especially in this first-class condition.Yeti Ultimate from 1990 in the typical "Yeti turquoise" colour. The Accu Trax fork and stem are painted in the contrasting colour yellow - also typical of early Yetis.Photo: Christian CzapallaYeti Ultimate from 1990 in the typical "Yeti turquoise" colour. The Accu Trax fork and stem are painted in the contrasting colour yellow - also typical of early Yetis.Yeti A.R.C. LT: The LT (Long Travel) was the downhill version of the A.R.C. This gem in black/turquoise comes from the early 1994 series. The paintwork is original.Photo: Christian CzapallaYeti A.R.C. LT: The LT (Long Travel) was the downhill version of the A.R.C. This gem in black/turquoise comes from the early 1994 series. The paintwork is original.Yeti A.R.C. A LT: The bike from the reader bike shoot, but converted back to completely yellow Hed rims in the photo here. Just as it is in Christian's cellar. For the BIKE shoot, he used the original turquoise-coloured rear wheel from Yeti star Kelly Lee.Photo: Christian CzapallaYeti A.R.C. A LT: The bike from the reader bike shoot, but converted back to completely yellow Hed rims in the photo here. Just as it is in Christian's cellar. For the BIKE shoot, he used the original turquoise-coloured rear wheel from Yeti star Kelly Lee.Yeti A.R.C., built in 1993. The two-colour paintwork was typical of Yeti bikes and was called the "Dart design". Buyers could choose from various combinations. Most opted for the team colours grey/turquoise or yellow/turquoise. The bikes were rarely seen in turquoise/white. The many Grafton and Ringlé parts are eye-catching.Photo: Christian CzapallaYeti A.R.C., built in 1993. The two-colour paintwork was typical of Yeti bikes and was called the "Dart design". Buyers could choose from various combinations. Most opted for the team colours grey/turquoise or yellow/turquoise. The bikes were rarely seen in turquoise/white. The many Grafton and Ringlé parts are eye-catching.
Yeti A.R.C AS built in 1993: The AS (Active Suspension) was a cross-country fully with minimal suspension, which was also occasionally ridden downhill. This one stands out above all for its unusual "dart combination" in the colours yellow/purple. Year of construction 1993, original paintwork. Bodywork: Hed carbon rims, Ringlé and Grafton parts, Shimano XTR gears, Manitou fork.Photo: Christian CzapallaYeti A.R.C AS built in 1993: The AS (Active Suspension) was a cross-country fully with minimal suspension, which was also occasionally ridden downhill. This one stands out above all for its unusual "dart combination" in the colours yellow/purple. Year of construction 1993, original paintwork. Bodywork: Hed carbon rims, Ringlé and Grafton parts, Shimano XTR gears, Manitou fork.Yeti F.R.O., built in 1992: F.R.O. stands for "For Racing Only". The steel bike was designed for hardcore use. This one is a real collector's item: turquoise with a neon-coloured front end, as well as a fairly catalogue-like body with XT groupset and black Onza Porcupine tyres. Fantastic condition.Photo: Christian CzapallaYeti F.R.O., built in 1992: F.R.O. stands for "For Racing Only". The steel bike was designed for hardcore use. This one is a real collector's item: turquoise with a neon-coloured front end, as well as a fairly catalogue-like body with XT groupset and black Onza Porcupine tyres. Fantastic condition.Yeti A.R.C. AS: Replica of Missy Giove's team bike, here in 17.5 inches. Built in 1993, with all the original stickers from back then. Answer Atac stem in "team cut" and Missy's speed case from Grafton in turquoise/purple. All pretty much true to the original, according to Christian.Photo: Christian CzapallaYeti A.R.C. AS: Replica of Missy Giove's team bike, here in 17.5 inches. Built in 1993, with all the original stickers from back then. Answer Atac stem in "team cut" and Missy's speed case from Grafton in turquoise/purple. All pretty much true to the original, according to Christian.Yeti A.R.C. of the first generation in the team colour grey/turquoise with Tioga Disc Wheel. Year of manufacture 1992, unfortunately with a crack in the head tube.Photo: Christian CzapallaYeti A.R.C. of the first generation in the team colour grey/turquoise with Tioga Disc Wheel. Year of manufacture 1992, unfortunately with a crack in the head tube.Yeti F.R.O. in Purple, built in 1990 or 1991, Christian has not yet been able to clarify this conclusively. Pretty, but already somewhat hardened: The legendary Onza Porcupine tyres in white. The disc wheel and all other parts are almost as good as new. Rare: The steel Bullseye cranks.Photo: Christian CzapallaYeti F.R.O. in Purple, built in 1990 or 1991, Christian has not yet been able to clarify this conclusively. Pretty, but already somewhat hardened: The legendary Onza Porcupine tyres in white. The disc wheel and all other parts are almost as good as new. Rare: The steel Bullseye cranks.Yeti A.R.C., model year 1994: What a colour combination! Purple/orange - that was the original colour scheme for a racing team from Utah/USA. This tiny little rarity has a frame size of 14 inches and is completely built up with Grafton, Ringlé and Shogun.Photo: Christian CzapallaYeti A.R.C., model year 1994: What a colour combination! Purple/orange - that was the original colour scheme for a racing team from Utah/USA. This tiny little rarity has a frame size of 14 inches and is completely built up with Grafton, Ringlé and Shogun.Yeti Road Project, built in 1994, 20.5 inches, in white/turquoise with original Sugino disc, Shogun rims, Ringlé, Chris King and Campagnolo equipment. Christian bought it on Ebay from a well-known Yeti collector.Photo: Christian CzapallaYeti Road Project, built in 1994, 20.5 inches, in white/turquoise with original Sugino disc, Shogun rims, Ringlé, Chris King and Campagnolo equipment. Christian bought it on Ebay from a well-known Yeti collector.Yeti A.R.C. in the rare, reversed team colour combination with the rear triangle in turquoise and yellow front. The Hed rims are the DH version and were not ridden in cross-country Yetis at the time. But they fit perfectly in terms of colour.Photo: Christian CzapallaYeti A.R.C. in the rare, reversed team colour combination with the rear triangle in turquoise and yellow front. The Hed rims are the DH version and were not ridden in cross-country Yetis at the time. But they fit perfectly in terms of colour.Yeti A.R.C., built in 1994 with Hed and grey Ritchey Skinwall Z'Max. The bike is in really fantastic condition. Anodised cable stops, Grafton brakes, Cook Bros Racing cranks, Ringlé bottle cage - everything at its best.Photo: Christian CzapallaYeti A.R.C., built in 1994 with Hed and grey Ritchey Skinwall Z'Max. The bike is in really fantastic condition. Anodised cable stops, Grafton brakes, Cook Bros Racing cranks, Ringlé bottle cage - everything at its best.Yeti Sherpa, the more affordable way to drive a Yeti in the mid-nineties. This 96 model was Christian's first Yeti ever. Similar to the F.R.O. Pro steel frame, 16 inches, classically built with Shimano XT.Photo: Christian CzapallaYeti Sherpa, the more affordable way to drive a Yeti in the mid-nineties. This 96 model was Christian's first Yeti ever. Similar to the F.R.O. Pro steel frame, 16 inches, classically built with Shimano XT.Yeti A.R.C., year of construction 1993: A single-colour paint finish is super rare on an A.R.C. The grey forms the perfect contrast to the purple-coloured add-on parts. Frame height: 19 inches. Naturally built with the tuning classics of the early nineties: Ringlé, Chris King, Hügi hubs in purple, Critical Racing brakes and so on.Photo: Christian CzapallaYeti A.R.C., year of construction 1993: A single-colour paint finish is super rare on an A.R.C. The grey forms the perfect contrast to the purple-coloured add-on parts. Frame height: 19 inches. Naturally built with the tuning classics of the early nineties: Ringlé, Chris King, Hügi hubs in purple, Critical Racing brakes and so on.Yeti A.R.C. AS in white/turquoise: a lovingly restored repaint, newly powder-coated by the company Götz. Year of construction 1994 with white "Porcs" and Heds in black. All aluminium parts are polished. "A special look," admits Christian. "But it looks really cool live. A repaint also has its raison d'être."Photo: Christian CzapallaYeti A.R.C. AS in white/turquoise: a lovingly restored repaint, newly powder-coated by the company Götz. Year of construction 1994 with white "Porcs" and Heds in black. All aluminium parts are polished. "A special look," admits Christian. "But it looks really cool live. A repaint also has its raison d'être."Yeti A.R.C. LT: The Heds are yellow at the front and turquoise at the rear. The yellow Azonic handlebars give the bike a radical look, as do the HS33 brakes from Magura, which are rather atypical for a 96 LT. Incidentally, the shocks for Yeti were manufactured by Risse Racing at the time.Photo: Christian CzapallaYeti A.R.C. LT: The Heds are yellow at the front and turquoise at the rear. The yellow Azonic handlebars give the bike a radical look, as do the HS33 brakes from Magura, which are rather atypical for a 96 LT. Incidentally, the shocks for Yeti were manufactured by Risse Racing at the time.
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