Great review. Sometimes I think we all get caught up int the long low concept when the actual terrain we ride suits a shorter more nimble geometry. I know where I live we have very few fast long down hills so lugging around a slack bike really makes very little sense.
I think your camera angle is really good, giving the viewer a great 1st-person view of what it would be like to actually ride the bike. Kudos, keep that up in your reviews.
My perfect bike? This or the Transition Spur. Rapidly approaching 50 years. No longer feel the need for All Mountain type bike. Not so enthusiastic for jumps, drops or too much crazy stuff these days. More interested in light, less travel, but still capable for gnarly single track up and down. A good fun bike. Thinking this, Transition Spur. Or, for something more affordable, a Norco Optic.
The Spur is the lightest of the bunch. It’s been a long time since I’ve ridden any of these options but I’d say It falls somewhere between the Optic and 115 for downhill capability. It’s the fastest climber. The 115 has a bit more of a traditional XC feel and the optic leans a bit more towards jumps, drops and rallying descents.
This is how st trail bikes should be. with 115 outback it doesnt slacken much when going through the travel. My trail 429 has a 74.5 degree st angle and only on the steepest of climbs do I run into any kind of issue but I think you would have issues on any bike on the super steep stuff. I believe the reason why some manufacturers stay in in the 74 degree range is because some people will probably go to a solid seatpost. Not sure if thats true but its makes sense since this is a bike that you would probably use at a marathon race or long days in the saddle. Im a fan of the longer slacker movement but when its done just enough that a bike maintains a good all around nature.
Nice review. I feel the same way when I test rode it for the first time 3 weeks ago and most recently again this past weekend. Geo numbers on paper don't tell the whole story here. If your considering it try and get a ride on one .. great video
Hey thanks. Share the word and maybe one day we will have 5,500! I actually have never ridden the 4.5. We only recently picked up Yeti as one of our brands. Sorry I'm not much help there.
Great review, can't wait to see the shootout! I appreciate your candor and straight talk. Would you say this climbs better than the Orbea Occam (do they fall in the same category)? Looking at the Ripley as well. I'm demo-ing all three but it is sometime hard to compare when they aren't back to back on the same trail, same day.
If they both had the same tires this would beat the Occam. It would probably tie the Ripley. It might have a small advantage in tight, technical stuff though.
I've been on a Ripley for a few years and while it's a great bike the rear end doesn't like high speed compression hits. The new Ripley that I test rode has that same problem so I'm going in a different direction now. The SB115, Ranger, and Spur are the three bikes on my short list as I contemplate my next bike. The only issue with the Ranger and SB115 is that they're a pit porkier than the Spur. I'm old school so I still prefer lighter bikes.
Perfect reviews, comments and your answers. I wonder which bike would you personally choose if you had a choice between the SB 115 and Ripley V4. Thank you
Thanks for the feedback. That’s a tough call. It’s been a minute since I’ve ridden the Ripley. I’d have to jump on one to make that call I think. Please hold.
I have tallboy v3 and i like the sb115 but i'm not sure it is faster than the santacruz... I like the bike fast on the climb... I'm 177cm tall, i should size M, i hope....
Hey Connor, quick question, and it's probably been asked, how would you rate the sb115 downhill against tallboy and ripley. Are the close in your opinion. Love this bike
First of all i like your reviews and takes on yeti. How do you compare sb115 to tallboy? For climbing and descending... I'm a typical weekend rider, xc/trial, enjoys pedalling. Thanks
Hey thanks! The Tallboy just rides like a bigger bike, both up and down the mountain. It climbs slower but descends better. It has modern trail bike geometry, while the Yeti SB115 is more traditional XC.
Size advice over the internet is rough. My best advice is to try one on for size or consult Yetis size guide and geo charts compared to other bikes you’ve ridden.
Would you say this is square in the middle between the Ripley and Tallboy? Climbs better than Tallboy but not Ripley and descends better than Ripley but not Tallboy? I've reserved a demo for next week so very anxious to try it out
I thinks it’s right in the mix with those two. I think if they had the same tires it would climb as well as the Ripley. It descends more like a Tallboy.
Nice review, well done. Those Trails are sick. Do feel if a build with a 140 fork would be better, doing my own build? Also why type of dog is the black and white one?
Hey thanks! Personally I'd avoid the 140mm fork. The 130mm feels really balanced as is. Plus I wouldn't want that seat tube getting any slacker. But, to each their own. The back and white one is a super mutt. He's mostly Border Collie and Dalmatian, though.
Wow. So glad I found your channel. Best bike reviews on RU-vid. You ride in a beautiful area. Don’t bother editing. Go on a 7 hr ride and post it all. I could watch your POV video all day. So useful to hear a reviewer state their height, the test bike size and how it fits. Regarding reach and stack, if stack is high then the reach will measure shorter. If the stack is low and the rider puts 3 cm of spacers in, it reduces the reach (by about 1cm) The high stack is nice because you can get the slammed stem and stay comfortable.
Thanks for the kind words! Glad you're liking the videos. You're exactly right on reach and stack. I enjoyed the taller stack on this bike, but if it were any taller I'd start having issues. Even with the bars slammed it wouldn't be low enough.
There are a lot of options out there. Sometimes it can be hard to choose. Luckily, most all of them are pretty awesome. Let us know if we can help you find the right bike.
Climbs a bit better than the 130? Looking at both T-2 versions, i am not into black trails and weight more of a concern than blasting black trails. I am 66 and like the 30 front sprocket
@@bikersedgeThanks, i think i will go with the SB 130, its a 2021 T-2 build with AXS, factory dropper and gold chain, sales manager personal bike, was built and never ridden, its the raw/nude carbon frame
I'm trying to remember off the top of my head if the headset cups were formed into the frame or not. That would really be the only thing stopping you. I'll check and get back to you.
I'm having a huge time deciding between this and the sb130. It will be my first real mountain bike purchase. I can only afford one bike, what are your thoughts if you could only have one?
Hey Connor, love your vids . Would love to see a revel ranger review and a evil following. These two bikes fly under the radar a bit but they are getting very good reviews. I currently ride a 2020 norco optic C1 custom build, but I seriously like both of these bikes. Fantastic vids . Jase
Hey thanks for the kind words. It’s unlikely I will be able to do either. We don’t carry Evil and we have had a tough time getting Rangers in. If I can get my hands on a Ranger I’ll make it happen.
I love the look of yetis. However I have seen the swith infinity link getting warrantied over and over and over and over on bikes in our shop. to be fair the warranty is good they usually send a new link no questions asked but still it feeels link it is design over substance at least for the average rider. Also pressfit makes me nervous at least here in the uk :) what are your experiences with these infinty links?
From a performance standpoint the Switch Infinity is second to none. We have only been carrying Yeti for about a year now. We haven't seen too many warranty claims at all though. At least not more than other brands. A little preventative maintenance on those goes a long way.
@@bikersedge thanks, there's not a lot of videos on those bikes. Though they look like good bikes for people on a budget looking for a full squish trail bike.
As far as geo goes it's nearly identical - they are both so similar. The extra travel of the 115 is apparent on the downhill though. It rides much more like a trail bike. Climbing is similar.
Biker's Edge since the 100 is an XC bike and you said they climb similar why is this a trail bike? Because of the aggressive tire setup, slightly more travel or both? I’d love to demo both to feel difference but no rentals available right now because of stupid covid
@@DnBQemist I wouldn't call the 100 an XC bike either. It has XC geometry and travel but a ride characteristic that is far from XC. If you rode it back to back with a Scalpel, Blur, Oiz, or Anthem, you'd know what I mean. If you want a true XC bike, the SB100 and SB115 aren't the right bikes. If you want a light-duty trail bike, they're excellent choices. The 115 is even further into the trail category though. The added travel making the difference. They both actually come with the same tires (Minion DHF/Aggressor)
@@bikersedge I loved my SB130, but I'm looking for something with a little less travel, but I don't love XC bikes. I still want more of a trail ride with less travel so it will climb better. Wanting to do a couple of races next year. It's basically down to 4 Bikes, Ripley, SB115, Spur, or the Yeti ARC. What would you recommend?
@@jordanboogaard8277 The Spur has been one of the most "not XC" feeling XC bikes I've ridden lately. It has the short-travel, firm suspension feel that you might be after without sacrificing on geo. It climbs well and descends very well. After that, I'd go Ripley. The SB115 feels a bit more XC than those two. Haven't ridden the ARC so I can't say one way or the other.