Yeti Cycles

SB130 Turq T1 XT Mountain Bike

Trail rated while being wholly enduro capable the longer and slacker Yeti SB130 Turq T1 XT Mountain Bike turns us onto a whole new style of riding. This edition of the SB130 sees slacker where it needs to be so we can ride steeper terrain consequence-free. The bike gets a plethora of enduro-rated parts and components, so much so that we're close to entering our first enduro event on this rig. Though this year of the SB130 doesn't see new geometry figures or crazy components, the bike remains as capable as ever and begs for harsh and technical riding. With 130mm of rearward travel and 150mm of front travel, there's not much we won't do aboard the SB130.

Geometry on this year's models doesn't see any changes, but for old times sake, a rehash into what's capable seems right. With 29in wheels and a slacked-out 65.5-degree head-tube angle, this rig is ready to take on anything we're comfortable throwing ourselves into. The big wheels and slack angles mean keeping the speed high is almost too easy, but with slack angles, we can quickly get ourselves back out of trouble. To pair with the descending prowess is a 77-degree seat-tube angle on a size medium and makes pedaling up fire roads or chunky terrain less exhaustive than in years past. Helping out on the descents is the 1230mm wheelbase on a size large and this provides a number that just a few years ago we would've seen on downhill bikes. With all these numbers in focus, it becomes obvious why we're taking this trail crusher to dabble in the enduro scene.

We can't go this far without mentioning Yeti's new-school and ultra-modern Switch Infinity linkage system. This system is purpose-built by Yeti to soak up pedal bob and allow for near bottomless suspension when the going gets rough. Kit on the T1 starts with the frame, and Yeti's T1 top-of-the-line Turq mold gets top marks all around. The T1 carbon is built stiffer and lighter to promote a premium ride feel for decades to come, as the bike employs a no-frills lifetime warranty to our delight. Rear suspension sees a change of pace as the SB130 is supported by the new Fox Float X, a smaller-sized shock that delivers downhill capability. We're the kind of riders to set and forget, so 150mm of suspension supported by a Fit4 damper is a huge plus in our books. Drivetrain duties are taken care of by a full Shimano XT lineup that includes 12-speeds of range and hyperglide II technology to seamlessly take care of shifting under duress.

There's nothing more fun than taking a slightly underbiked rig down trails purpose-built for downhill riding. The SB130 proves to be a bike that can replace all others in our lineup, with geometry meant for sending big descents and a frame layup made to conquer the climbs this rig doesn't back down from big days out. The frame comes with molded guards to protect the downtube and chainstay, and incorporates full-length cable tunnels to simplify maintenance since the housing slides easily through the frame and pops out in the same place every time. Lastly, it's worth mentioning that there's enough clearance in the rear triangle for up to 2.5in tires. Yeti's SB130 gets a ton of new color schemes for this year and new componentry to kick start our way into a season of fun and reckless riding.

*Due to a high demand in the global supply chain and bike industry since the start of the pandemic, material weight and exact components are subject to change. We are working diligently to keep tech specs updated, and any adjustments will be of equal or better spec level. If you have any questions, reach out to a Gearhead by chatting online or calling 1-888-276-7130.

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