I have been looking at the Yeti SB6. I love the idea of a moving pivot, but it seems like the two kashima tubes could be subject of wear or general getting full of grip and feeling horrid.
Has anyone had longterm ownership of one of these bikes? Any feedback? Is it a servicable item by a competent home mechanic?
Thanks
Have I look at this video
not something I would want in the UK - expensive to replace too.
It does seem a brilliant idea, but also appears prone to grit damaging the kashima coated tubes, like grit in a fork seal.
I may have a rethink!
I’ve had an sb6c for a year. It’s been ridden a fair bit and through a lot of slop. So far there’s no marks/ damage/ wear to the kashima tubes.
I think the first gen were a lot worse for wear, these seem pretty decent.
I love the idea of a moving pivot
Any four-bar bike has that, Yeti just get it a different way.
I’ve had a SB5 for 2.5 years. Ridden in Irish mud & grit and trips to NZ & Spain.
No problems so far. Yeti themselves recommend a less is more approach to maintaining the link.
Lots of info on the mtbr forums if you are interested.
I have an SB5c. Bought second hand so I can't vouch for the maintenance it received before I had it, but it's about 2.5 years old. I've ridden it a LOT, in pretty horrible conditions, but greased as per the schedule.
I recently replaced the switch link because the wee slider tubes had become very worn, taking the kashima coat right off (not visible until it was fully disassembled). That was expensive.
BUT... there was no play!
The knock I was chasing turned out to be elsewhere on the bike, so TBH if it happens again I'd just leave it in place. The bushings are long enough there's no detectable slop when worn. Bad wear clearly isn't a Good Thing, but really nothing to worry about in practice if you are unlucky.