Rising from the Ashes of Cracked Dreams

I choose my words carefully when I say I love the Yeti SB-66c. It's not just a crush, but a full on infatuation so it is with a very heavy heart that I say the Yeti build is no more!!! Let me explain...

As you may have read, I was recently on a skills course with the guys from Pro Ride Guides. They do a lot of product reviews for the likes of MBUK including the review of the SB-66. They ride Santa Cruz Nomads themselves and were of the opinion that the SB-66 was more of a trail bike that wouldn't be capable of big hits like other similarly priced options. Believe me when I say I was crying on the way home...I wished I hadn't asked!

Fast forward a few weeks and the seed of doubt had been sewn, so I took the pragmatic approach and emailed Yeti with my concerns including whether the frame could cope with big hits and spills. As you would expect, their response was quick and encouraging. Then this happened...a forum post about the frames cracking and a number of people claiming "me too".

I do not have thousands of pounds to spend on a frame every month and the idea of a frame cracking whilst out in the middle of nowhere does not appeal. So, I've heeded the advice of people far more in the know than me, and arranged a test ride on a Santa Cruz Nomad Carbon.

The proposed spec is similar to the SB-66c with changes here and there (headset, longer travel seatpost, front mech, and bar grips!)

• Santa Cruz Nomad Carbon
• Fox 34 TALAS 160 FIT CTD w/Trail Adjust
• Industry Nine All Mountain (Black Stan Flow Rim, Black spokes, Gold Hub)
• KS LEV 430mm Adjustable Seatpost
• Hope M4 Evo Brakes
• Shimano XTR M985 Shadow+ 10sp Rear Mech
• Shimano XTR M985 Top Swing 2x10 Front Mech (Low Clamp, 34.9mm)
• Shimano XTR Shifters 10sp Direct Attach M980
• Shimano XT M771 10 Speed Cassette
• Shimano M810 Saint Bottom Bracket (73mm)
• Shimano SLX M665 Double Chainset (175mm - 36.22t - 68/73mm)
• Cane Creek 110 Upper Assemblies Separates  ZS49/28.6 8mm SH 1.5-1 1/8 inch Conversion, Zerostack, Short
• Cane Creek 110 Lower Assemblies Separates  EC49/40 SH 12mm 1.5 inch steerer, External, 49mm headtube bore
• SRAM PC1091 10 Speed Hollow Pin Chain
• Fizik Gobi XM MTB Saddle 2012
• Point 1 Split Second 50 (in black of course)
• ODI Rogue MTB Lock-On Bonus Pack
• 2 x Continental Mountain Queen Protection Folding MTB Tyre - 26 x 2.4

Obligatory Introduction

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!