Sponsor Yeti has mercilessly trimmed its bike for full throttle. The trend towards ever shorter chainstays is of little interest to the Americans. At 442 millimetres, the SB6 has the longest rear end in our test field. In combination with the slack steering angle, a miracle of agility is not to be expected. On leisurely rides over easier trails, the bike reacts to steering manoeuvres as stubbornly as a donkey. Only with a lot of physical effort can it be forced to change direction. But don't give the bike the spurs. If you dare to let go of the brakes on steep or technical terrain, the Yeti rolls downhill like a rail vehicle. Only the rattling, internally routed cables get in the way when you give in to the rush of speed on rough terrain. The firm chassis matches the sporty character. On top of that, the Yeti is the lightest enduro bike in our test field with a ready-to-ride weight of 13.2 kilos. Despite the aluminium rims, the wheelset is even lighter than the carbon pedant on the Cannondale. The 73 degree steep seat angle is enough to emphasise the SB6's uphill ambitions. Nevertheless, touring riders will be annoyed by the fact that they have to contort themselves to the underside of the bottom bracket to reach the water bottle. There is no room in the frame triangle for a refreshment in between. If you like, in this test the Yeti represents the stark antithesis to the playful Rocky Mountain. No wonder our pro tester took on the Megavalanche final with the Yeti.
Leo Putzenlechner, German Enduro Champion 2017I particularly liked the smooth ride at high speeds. The suspension with Infinity-Link doesn't necessarily work better than the competition, but it suits the design of the bike. Rattling cables and the misplaced bottle cage are annoying when touring.
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