Everyone is talking about lightweight trail bikes: light and lively enough for long tours and the corners of your mouth go up on the downhill. Even more demanding trails are no problem, provided the riding technique is right. In BIKE 7/20, we tested eight of these lightweight touring fullys and were particularly impressed by the low weight of these trail rockets.
The Yeti SB 100 achieved a stable test rating: "Very good" was the result after several trail kilometres and hours on the test bench. However, the most downhill-orientated bike in the test also came in for some criticism: The weak two-piston brake was weak and Yeti's unique selling point - the Switch Infinity Link in the rear triangle - could not develop its full potential with the short suspension travel (100 millimetres specified, 111 measured by us).
Yeti SB115 adopts frame from 100 mm model
Now Yeti is following suit: The brand new SB 115 has the same main frame and similar equipment. The weight should therefore be similar to that of the SB 100. As the name suggests, the new bike should have 115 millimetres of rear travel. This is realised through more travel on the shock and a new rocker arm. You're probably thinking: What? Four millimetres more travel? If you believe the Americans, the rear suspension provides around 15 millimetres more travel than before, i.e. around 130 millimetres. If you extrapolate our measured value with the longer shock stroke, you also end up with around 130 millimetres of travel. But these are just guesses! Only our test bench will provide clarity.
The SB 100 T2 Turq in the test weighed 12.2 kilograms without pedals. The SB 115 T2 Turq is likely to be somewhat heavier, as it has a powerful four-piston brake. In addition, all SB 115 models have a 130 mm fork. This means that a Fox Step-Cast fork can no longer be fitted - a good 100 grams more weight is due.
The bottom line is that the SB 115 should work out: Only slightly heavier, but significantly more potent than the SB 100. The larger brakes will be particularly noticeable on the trail, but the extra travel should also raise the corners of your mouth even higher on the descents. However, you won't get a really light, light-footed touring bike, as the SB 100 was the heaviest bike in the test.
Yeti SB 115: Models and prices
There is a choice of three models and a frameset. The SB 115 C1 marks the entry level for 5590 euros. The C-Series frame fitted here is slightly cheaper than the Turq frame of the other models. The shocks are absorbed by Fox Performance suspension and the gears are shifted by Shimano SLX gears. The two models T1 and T2 both have the Turq frame and Fox Factory suspension. Shimano's XT shifts the 12 gears on the €7490 T1 and the Sram Eagle on the €7890 T2.
All bikes are available from S to XL and in the colours blanco, anthracite and turquoise. The frameset costs 3590 euros. With a skilful choice of components, a total bike weight of around eleven kilos should easily be possible. Yeti offers a lifetime guarantee on the frames.
