Santa Cruz or Yeti? « Singletrack Forum

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Santa Cruz or Yeti?

57 posts & 35 voices | Started 5 months ago by number18 | Latest reply from Superficial

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number18 - Member

Hi all, not posted on here before.

I'm lookin at spending about £2000 on my first full suspension bike in about 6 months. I have previously borrowed a friend's Orange Five to go around Llandegla, which is the kind of thing I enjoy. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, in particular regarding the following;

I like the look of Yeti bikes, but Santa Cruz even more so.

For £2k, which make is better ie does one offer more for that price?
What is the general perception of these two brands?

I have seen the following Santa Cruz models online; Nickel, Butcher & Heckler. What are the strengths/weaknesses of these? What are the comparable Yeti models?

Thanks in advance.

Posted 5 months ago #
Alpha1653 - Member

Santa Cruz is less of a "boutique" brand than Yeti and you'll see a lot more of them around if that sort of thing bothers you. I've never ridden Yeti so can't really comment on their performance but I've got a Heckler and it's great fun. By that it means it rides well, is simple to maintain and looks cool imho. It does bob a bit but nothing too distracting. I live around Cwmcarn and Afan so that's the sort of terrain I ride, and it'll take everything I can dish out and more.

Posted 5 months ago #
sambob - Member

Comparable Yeti's would be the ASR-5 and the 575. You'll struggle to get a new complete Yeti for close to 2k unless it's an old one. Have a look at Canyon bikes or Rose bikes for value for money.

Posted 5 months ago #
aP - Member

Santa Cruz & Yeti are comparable manufacturers and neither is more or less boutique than the other, after all they're almost certainly made in the same factory in Taiwan.
Buy the bike you like and suits the riding you do. You have listed quite different frames so you might want to narrow it down a bit.
But to be honest you're going to struggle to get a complete bike from either brand for £2K.

Posted 5 months ago #
jockhaggis - Member

Heckler D AM is £2099 and would be a good starter bike which could be upgraded as and when you like. Very capable bike as well.

Nickel and Butcher are £2399 for full builds.

Yeti frames are £1500+ so £2k wouldn't go far.

Posted 5 months ago #
flyingmm - Member

Hi there number18, I don't have any personal experience of a Yeti, but can sing the praises of the Heckler. I built mine up for 2K 5 years ago and have recently upgraded many parts and it still feels plush, fast and solid....and light (although if you prefer a hefty coil sprung set up it seems equally at home with this). The pivot bearings have somehow not required to be replaced either so it is incredible value for money. I have always ridden with an rp23 and use propedal on xc sections, which means bob really isn't much of a problem. Go for one, you wont be disappointed

Posted 5 months ago #
goatster - Member

Hi number18,
I have owned both 575 (3 of) and currently blur lt2, all with 36s. 575 is much more flexible but a little bit lighter. Both bikes are great fun to ride but very different in character. I have raced on the blur in the kielder mass start, and the mega this year and it is a fantastic all mountain/enduro bike.
CRC are Selling 575 cheap. Blurs are expensive. SC butcher is cheaper and a great bike, heckler is a bit cheaper again.
For me, I wouldn't go back to a yeti again, but at crc prices you could build a pretty good bike for a couple of grand if you shop carefully.
T

Posted 5 months ago #
djflexure - Member

http://www.freeborn.co.uk/devinci-2010-hectik-3

Perhaps worth considering if you are a medium. Comes in under budget.

I have a Hectik and love it.

Posted 5 months ago #
brant - Member

Santa Cruz & Yeti are comparable manufacturers and neither is more or less boutique than the other, after all they're almost certainly made in the same factory in Taiwan.

#facepalm

Posted 5 months ago #
ScottChegg - Member

See which one fits you. I've always found Santa Cruz very short in the top tube.

If you've tried an Orange 5 and liked it, why not get one of them?

Posted 5 months ago #
godzilla - Member

Just over 2k you could build a killer Heckler

Posted 5 months ago #
Alpha1653 - Member

Heckler! Heckler! Heckler!

Posted 5 months ago #
godzilla - Member

Free bearings for life with a Santa cruz too

Posted 5 months ago #
Amos - Member

Not a yeti though! Save up and get a 575, biggest mistake I ever made selling mine

Posted 5 months ago #
jockhaggis - Member

Not a yeti though!

True, it's far superior.

Posted 5 months ago #
elaine anne - Member

oooh is that kashima coating rear shox

Posted 5 months ago #
nmdbase - Member

Posted 5 months ago #
Mark N - Member

The Heckler bob must be an air shock thing as there is none on mine, coil DHX5. Based on my experience get a Heckler but to be honest the best advice I can give is to get a demo ride of each. Until *you* have ridden it you will not know what works best for you.

Posted 5 months ago #
SBrock - Member

I demo'd a yeti 575 and a SC Butcher, i preferred the Butcher so I bought one !

Posted 5 months ago #
SBrock - Member

Untitled by brockelsby2011, on Flickr

Posted 5 months ago #
nmdbase - Member

No bob on mine, depends if you mash the pedals I suppose. I have a Van RC on it now

Posted 5 months ago #
aP - Member

Brant - I own 2 SC frames and my SO has a Yeti and a SC. like almost all manufacturers they produce models that fit into various sectors, some of which overlap. Whilst each manufacturer achieves the end result in a different way they are comparable in quality and function at least from our experiences. My previous remark was mostly as a foil to the poster who has decided that yeti frames are more 'boutique' than SC frames - come on, that's like saying that a BMW is more boutique than an Audi.

Posted 5 months ago #
SBrock - Member

aP, I would agree with that analogy, the 575 and Butcher are both great bikes, I just preferred the Butcher, as fars as I'm concerned both are Boutique bikes!!!

Posted 5 months ago #
bigjim - Member

For me, the lighter frame weight and longer top tube length of Yeti ASR5 makes it preferable on paper to anything from SC.

Posted 5 months ago #
devs - Member

Heckler. Everybody lived happily ever after. The end.

Posted 5 months ago #
SBrock - Member

Butcher was heavier than a 575, but in all honesty the weight makes no difference to me, it's how we'll it pedals and i run Flows tubeless, the geometry of the Butcher was better for me.

Posted 5 months ago #
dickie - Member

Looking to sell my mint, large, Heckler Frame - email if your interested. Based near Leeds.

Looked at a Yeti ASR 5 & with a 2.25 tyre in the mud clearance was very poor.

Posted 5 months ago #
dharmstrong - Member

Yeti ASR5, heli tape, clearance not an issue

Posted 5 months ago #
Paceman - Member

Get a deal on a Yeti 575 from Rutland Cycles or CRC, different class to a Heckler at the same price. Absolute no brainer with your budget, a true thoroughbred.

Posted 5 months ago #
Alpha1653 - Member

Without wishing to hijack a thread, how is "boutique" defined? I've been riding for 17 years and have seen more Santa Cruz than Yeti. Ergo they are rarer. Ergo more boutique? Either way, they're both great bike brands.

I agree with one of the poster above, the top tube seems a little on the short side so I had to go a size up in for my Heckler. Stand over height's good though so it's not a drama. And when I say it bobs, it does but only the smallest amount and is only really noticeable when stomping on the pedals.

EDIT: Just checked out that CRC offer...wow!

Posted 5 months ago #
Paceman - Member

I have both a Yeti and a SC... They're both boutique bikes

Just buy whichever you fancy within budget, you're not going to get a bad bike from either brand.

Posted 5 months ago #
flyingmm - Member

2007 Heckler

Posted 5 months ago #
skidsareforkids - Member

I went from a SC Chameleon to a 575 to a Blur LTc and will be replacing the Blur with a SB66 Carbon at some point next year (possibly along side a Big Top). Both brands make excellent bikes, and i will no doubt keep alternating between the two. My dream garage would include both Santa Cruz and Yeti and one Jones. If i had to split hairs i'd say the Santa Cruz is a little more "polished" and dare i say better made, but Yeti as a brand feel a little more special.
You can't really lose as far as i'm concerned

Posted 5 months ago #
Paceman - Member

You can pick up a Blur LT for a good price these days in the classifieds.

Posted 5 months ago #
chris36860 - Member

[img] santa cruz 003 by Aleks & Chris, on Flickr[/img]

Heckler all the way

Posted 5 months ago #