Let me get the major bit of news out of the way first - I am planning to build a Yeti SB-66c super bike. There, I said it! So now for a bit of background...
I've been riding proper trails and single track for a few years now having bought my hardtail Cube LTD Pro on my workplace's Cycle To Work scheme. As my riding has progressed, I found myself adding more and more upgraded components and still envy the full sus crew that I ride with. I'm not an exceptional rider and I doubt I ever will be, but I do have a motto that I live by with every sport I practice; Buy The Very Best You Can Afford. Why? Well, I watch those YouTube videos with the likes of Brendan Semenuk doing tail whips at 1000fps and the like and I do not like the thought that the equipment I use is the excuse that I'm not reaching my potential. That's how I justify it to myself, but there's also an element that I just love riding nice bikes!
The other point is I don't have loads of disposable cash either (3 kids will do that to you) so I certainly won't be buying all the parts in one go. My plan is to purchase the frame this year, and complete the parts in January / February 2013. That way, it should be ready to ride for next season...how exciting!!!
So, why the Yeti SB-66c then? Well, I've ridden other people's full sus bikes and one of the characteristics I really like is maintaining the pedalling efficiency but without sacrificing ride quality. One in particular was the Specialised S-Works (can't remember which one). It felt like a hardtail until you hit something then the plush suspension kicked in, but it felt like there would be no advantage on climbs. On my much lighter and shorter friend's Trek Fuel 8, I felt like all my energy was being sapped when pedalling. What I wanted is something that could react to the terrain without reacting to my pedalling force...enter Yeti's SWITCH Technology. Their eccentric pivot is designed to do exactly that. I was researching components and build kits etc. when I saw the Fox CTD (Climb, Trail, Descend) adverts, and there was the most stunning bike I've ever seen. My mind was made up.
So there it is...I'll be documenting the build but don't expect posts every day and I'm sure I'll post something about the local trails and trail building we'll be undertaking.
Wish me luck!
I've been riding proper trails and single track for a few years now having bought my hardtail Cube LTD Pro on my workplace's Cycle To Work scheme. As my riding has progressed, I found myself adding more and more upgraded components and still envy the full sus crew that I ride with. I'm not an exceptional rider and I doubt I ever will be, but I do have a motto that I live by with every sport I practice; Buy The Very Best You Can Afford. Why? Well, I watch those YouTube videos with the likes of Brendan Semenuk doing tail whips at 1000fps and the like and I do not like the thought that the equipment I use is the excuse that I'm not reaching my potential. That's how I justify it to myself, but there's also an element that I just love riding nice bikes!
The other point is I don't have loads of disposable cash either (3 kids will do that to you) so I certainly won't be buying all the parts in one go. My plan is to purchase the frame this year, and complete the parts in January / February 2013. That way, it should be ready to ride for next season...how exciting!!!
So, why the Yeti SB-66c then? Well, I've ridden other people's full sus bikes and one of the characteristics I really like is maintaining the pedalling efficiency but without sacrificing ride quality. One in particular was the Specialised S-Works (can't remember which one). It felt like a hardtail until you hit something then the plush suspension kicked in, but it felt like there would be no advantage on climbs. On my much lighter and shorter friend's Trek Fuel 8, I felt like all my energy was being sapped when pedalling. What I wanted is something that could react to the terrain without reacting to my pedalling force...enter Yeti's SWITCH Technology. Their eccentric pivot is designed to do exactly that. I was researching components and build kits etc. when I saw the Fox CTD (Climb, Trail, Descend) adverts, and there was the most stunning bike I've ever seen. My mind was made up.
So there it is...I'll be documenting the build but don't expect posts every day and I'm sure I'll post something about the local trails and trail building we'll be undertaking.
Wish me luck!
Mad, totally mad and way too much disposable cash :-)
ReplyDeleteLove it though and hope you manage every bit of it.
What do you mean shorter friend - hmff!