Yeti Cycles

SB5 Beti T-Series X01 Eagle Complete Mountain Bike - 2018

The SB5 Beti embodies everything a modern trail bike should be: lightweight, nimble on the climbs, and dominant on the descents. The carbon frame is identical to Yeti's industry-renowned SB5 trail bike, with the exception of a refined shock tune that's better suited to lighter riders. And with 5in of terrain-gobbling Switch Infinity rear travel paired with a 6in travel Fox Factory fork up front, this Colorado-born steed is a worthy companion for our fellow lady shredders to tackle everything from big backcountry epics to hot laps at the bike park—all without skipping a beat when it comes to covering ground quickly and climbing efficiently. For this in-house build, the SB5 Beti T-Series X01 Eagle Complete Mountain Bike, we put together a solid mix of lightweight yet rugged components that are packed with value, leaving you enough funds to explore distant trailheads or even strap on a number plate and hit some races.

Throughout the frame, you'll find the SB5 Beti has the same geometry as its SB5 counterpart. With a slack 66.5-degree head tube angle, the Beti inspires confidence on any descent you decide to drop in to, while the low-slung top tube and short standover height give you plenty of room to move around on the bike to suit the terrain at hand. Short and snappy 17.2in chainstays make up the rear, giving you a playful and response rear end that's happy to pop off rollers and easy to finesse through tight ribbons of singletrack. Yeti also steepened the seat tube angle compared to the previous version of the SB5, helping you keep your body forward on the bike for a better attack position on the climbs and more efficiency when you're putting power to the pedals.

A Yeti wouldn't be a Yeti without their patented Switch Infinity suspension platform providing that characteristically-smooth ride quality both up and down the mountain. It's up there among the best designs we've ridden, made so by the translating main pivot that slides along two Kashima-coated stanchions, switching directions as you move through the travel for optimal suspension characteristics at any given point. This Switch Infinity link moves upward in the initial travel to provide ideal anti-squat characteristics, resulting in a superior pedaling platform that doesn't sacrifice small-bump compliance on technical climbs. Further into the travel the link moves back downward, dropping the anti-squat and decoupling chain forces from the suspension which allows the rear shock to better absorb impacts. Essentially, Switch Infinity is buttery smooth throughout the entire travel, inspiring confidence on technical descents while staying very efficient on the climbs and preserving your energy with minimal suspension bob.

Pairing the Kashima coated stanchions of Switch Infinity with more of that silky-smooth coating, this SB5 Beti comes with Fox's Factory Float DPS rear shock, as well as their Factory Float 34 fork, both of which are Fox's top-of-the-line offerings and feature the durable low-friction Kashima coating. Acceleration duties are handled by SRAM's enduro-worthy XO1 Eagle 1x12 drivetrain that delivers precise, consistent shifts across the entire wide range cassette so you can get up to speed quickly and have the right gear for every pitch. SRAM Guide RSC brakes will arrest that speed swiftly without breaking traction, attributable to their plentiful stopping power and friendly modulation. The bike comes with some nice carbon bits like the handlebars and crankset, and includes a dropper seatpost as well.

Adding to the bells and whistles, this frame is made from Yeti's highest-end carbon fiber—the TURQ series. Meticulously laid carbon fiber bonds around a mold to cure with minimal pooling, reducing weight while increasing strength along frame joints without excess material being added. TURQ is the cream of the crop in the world of carbon fiber bikes, made with minimal margin for error, and boasting exceptional weight savings. TURQ frames ride with unsurpassable durability for a solid and smooth ride on any trail.