If you then add high-end components from Chris King and Enve to the mix, the reasoning of true bike believers will stop at the sight of the object of desire. Accordingly, the SB 5.5 in the highest-quality carbon version (Turq) for € 8999 also fits perfectly into this tuning test. However, the XT equipment and the favourable cranks can make your jaw drop. As soon as you unload it from the BIKE bus, it becomes clear that the SB 5.5 is of a massive calibre. 29-inch tyres in 2.5 mm width on the front wheel, Fox 36 and Float X shocks with reservoirs mean that even without pedals, the scales only stop at 13 kilos. According to our test requirements with the restriction to a maximum of 140 millimetres of travel, the smaller SB 5 would have been a much better fit for this test. The over-ammunitioned 5.5 can only smile wearily at the moderate trails in Rabenberg. Neither the Stone Garden nor the Kyril trail lure the bike out of its reserve with its super sensitive suspension, while the wide tyres interlock with the ground in every passage. Just like the Radon and Bulls, we would have preferred a larger frame on the Yeti, which makes the riding position short and upright. Despite the supple rear suspension, the Switch Infinity kinematics keep the shock surprisingly composed on hard hits, making it unnecessary to reach for the platform. Due to the high overall weight and by far the heaviest wheels, the Yeti is slow to get going after tight bends and on flat pedalling sections. Definitely more enduro than trail bike.
Tubeless tuning, carbon wheels with Chris King hubs: The Yeti 5.5 is the ultimate trail bike and has its roots in the USA. We chose the Enve M60HV rims with Chris King hubs because they are also made in the USA and spoked by hand. Sturdy and light. To round off the package, we also fitted an Enve mountain stem and DH handlebars. (Ken Bloomer, Yeti/Enve)
