Yeti ASR-5
We test an American trail bike that's good looking and lightweight - but is it a contender on the rough stuff?
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Posted on: March 31, 2011
My girlfriend has just got one of these, so I felt I should/could comment. The frame seems to be well though out, even if the cable routing does involve a bit of head scratching (the STW article helped), chainstay/stuck protectors seem like a good idea as well.
One thing is for certain, she is now much quicker on the climbs, and signifcantly faster on the descents than she was on her Giant Cypher (thats on the same trails 1 week apart). So it has impressed everyone she rides with as over the course of a few weekends she is now much closer to the front of the group on climbs and descents.
However ….. it does seem to be a bike that will hurt you, and everyone you ride with; in the tear your legs off way.
+1 for the above. Had mine for a couple of months now and can’t believe how much quicker I am both up and down (last bike was a not at all shabby Rocky Mountain ETSX)The damn thing just forces me to keep pedaling!!
Knackered but grinning like a loon after every ride.
Just built mine up on Saturday. I’ve ridden 70 miles on it this weekend and i’m absolutely knackered! Weight is just over 26lb, and for the type of riding it is capable of i think thats amazing!
I can’t remember ever having this much fun on a bike
Guys,
What length of fork are you (or GF) running with the ASR5 – 120mm or 140mm?
I’m seriously thinking about investing….
Thank you,
D.
I’m running 120mm Reba Teams and it feels spot on. I’m sure that 140mm would be great downhill though
By the way, I agree with all the comments above. I’ve also come from a Rocky Mountain ETSX and the Yeti feels so much faster up, down and along. It does encourage you to ride above your fitness level though.
UPDATE
Just though i would update you on the bike over the past couple of weeks.
I am properly enjoying the ride, it makes me stay out for longer than i should (or am capable of).
I just finished the enduro 6 with my wife and i lapped 2 minutes quicker this year on the ASR than i did the year before on my ARC!
Awesome bike!
donncha – i’m using a 120mm Fox Float
Forks? Currently got a DT Swiss 130mm QR on it and it’s great but will be trying it out with a Fox 140mm 15mm bolt thru next week to see how it alters things as I’m off to Alps in June and think the extra 10mm will help!!!
love mine, just come back from a derbyshire, lakes then jumps course over the royal wedding week off. just keeps getting better the more i throw at it. faster up and down than my stumpy.
i have got fox 140 forks but have reduced them down to 120 for the mo, will crank them up to 140 for the alps trip.
oh, has anyone put a thru axel on the rear? is it worth it?
and what tyres are you running ? i have got and maxxis ardent (2.25 i think) on the front and madusa (2.1 maybe) on the back but was thinking i will change the back for a high roller 2.35 or 2.5 for the alps (passport).
I’ve got a thru axle on the carbon version. The comment from the shop was that they weren’t convinced that it made the back noticably stiffer (not that it needed to be) but made the back wheel easier to align so if you’re specing from new then it was a no-brainer.
I’m running it with F120s and they seem perfect for all the UK (Southern) stuff I’ve thrown at it. I don’t think the carbon is warranteed for longer though.
Running mine with a SID 120 Maxle fork and Reverb droppost, 25lb (1×10) – 6months of riding and still can’t find anything it does nt like (v.happy)
I’ve got the carbon one and the built up weight is 24lb. Got Revelation 120-150mm forks on it, and it goes like a rocket up the hill and just floats all the way down. Never ridden anything even close to this before. Fantastic!