Accidentally bought a Yeti ARC

Enjoy - my SC Chameleon involved much the same process 🙂

My main reasoning is that I've always wanted a Yeti and this is the only one I would want to own in the u.k.

Where from? Just out of idle curiosity of course.

Have to say as a 'downcountry'/modern XC/trail hardtail frame, it is very nice.

The front page article can't have helped with the accidental click. And next click...

Why is it the ‘accidental’ clicks are always the expensive ones?

The ARC is the only Yeti I’d fancy a go on too...

I always prevaricate forever on these sorts of things. Some times I wish I could just slip into idle browsing into suddenly dropping a load of cash on something fancy and not agonise about it for months first or after.

Enjoy 🙂

Awesome looking bike 😎 enjoy!

I'm more of a fan of full sus and I'd consider swapping my Phantom for one 🙂

The front page article definitely peaked my interest and after looking at the other options nothing really grabbed me like the yeti.

I ordered it from blazing bikes in the end, it's on pre order but the finance deal was too good to pass up.

I’m sorely tempted, it’s such a good looking frame. What colour did you go for?

Had to be turquoise right?

Likely the only yeti I'll ever have so it had to be.

Plus I watched some review vids on YouTube and the black is more like raw so you can see parts of the layup in the carbon. Some people might like that but to me it just made it look like a Chinese eBay special.

Good choice.

This is worth a watch.

I'm resisting the urge to click the link.

The video was interesting but I can't help wondering if he was sponsored by slack r! Haha

I'll be leaving the geo alone for now but worth a watch. Cheers

He is supported by the people who make the headset, but it all started with him buying them with his own money to try them.

Even with sponsored content, he's a lot more candid than most from what I've seen.

I would agree with that but also say that he does seem to have a very specific ideal of what a hardtail should be.

Either way he he is raving about the bike I just bought so it's a win/win for me.

Won't be here until July though 🙁

'This is worth a watch'

No it's not. Apparently it's better, more balanced and feels like it's come alive . It's allowed to breathe. Fantakka!

Good looking bike though 🙂 I'm sure stock geometry is just fine

Hope you bought two, one as a spare, and make sure you register the warranty  👍

Lifetime warranty on it so happy days.

That’s a lovey looking frame OP. Bookmark the thread and post your pictures in July!

What sort of build are you going with?

I have a C1 build and haven’t had to make any real tweaks which is unusual for me on a complete build.

It will initially be a combination of what I have and what I can get used at a reasonable price but initially i will need...

34/pike 130mm

50mm stem

Whatever half decent wheels I can get

Shimano brakes

I already have so I may as well use...

Nx drivetrain

Thomson elite post or may borrow a dropper from something else.

760 thomson carbon bars

Brooks C15

Dhf/vittoria mezcal tyres

That will get me going so I can get some summer on it then I may add 2.6/2.6 rubber and go over to shimano 12 speed when I can get them.

How are you getting on with yours? Worth the money?

Sounds a nice build.

I’m really happy it. It was a bit a change in terms of going carbon after years of steel HTs etc.

I am coming back from a rotator cuff injury so not really pushing the bike or myself. But for the riding I do the geo is spot on. I love the way it accelerates on the climbs with a few decent pedal inputs.

Hopefully my recovery and dry dusty trails will combine so I can enjoy a fast HT spring / summer of riding.

I'm close to buying but can't get my head around the sizing. I'm 5ft11 and ride a 19.5 trek stache 9.8 with a 35mm stem. I can't go longer.

Yeti website shows me on the cusp of M and L.

OP what sizing decisions did you make pls?

I'm 5'10" and went medium.

I'm not after massive reach numbers and the large was 465 which was right on the cusp of reach I'd be comfortable with and would also mean I couldn't run a 200 dropper if I chose too and likely would be stuck with stem length of 35 or lower.

At the end of the day you can put a longer stem on but you can only realistically go so short.

I regularly straddle to M/L size line and I go by what I want from the bike.

I’m just over 5’11 and on a large. 175mm dropper and loads of stand over. I wouldn’t want the bike smaller. Seated I’d happily have it slightly longer due to my long arms but think the 50mm works with the handling of the bike.

Anyone know anywhere likely to have stock in large?

I couldn't see anywhere with any stock so I just joined the queue as soon as I could.

I need a little while to get the components up together anyway so this way I'll be ready to build.

Anyone know anywhere likely to have stock in large?

@Clink, this might not quite scratch the same itch but C6 Bikes had a large black carbon Santa Cruz Chameleon in stock a few days ago and it's still up on their webiste now. If you compare the geometry tables for the new ARC and the chameleon they are remarkably similar to each other so it may be a worthy alternative (I may be biased having had an aluminium one for the last couple of years).

https://www.c6bikes.co.uk/Santa-Cruz-Chameleon-C-Frameset--2021/cycle_detail/3-975

Edit: One slightly shonky geometry comparison; I suspect the ARC is at least one size smaller than the Chameleon.

From what I have seen the ARC frames seem to be due in July (although it looks like the raw is the only colour but pre sold out in a large)

@Clink, this might not quite scratch the same itch but C6 Bikes had a large black carbon Santa Cruz Chameleon in stock a few days ago and it’s still up on their webiste now. If you compare the geometry tables for the new ARC and the chameleon they are remarkably similar to each other so it may be a worthy alternative (I may be biased having had an aluminium one for the last couple of years).

https://www.c6bikes.co.uk/Santa-Cruz-Chameleon-C-Frameset–2021/cycle_detail/3-975

Edit: One slightly shonky geometry comparison; I suspect the ARC is at least one size smaller than the Chameleon.

Appreciate that; Chameleon SA looks a bit slack in comparison?

This thread as seriously got me thinking of one of these as my only bike. Seems like a great allrounder

This thread as seriously got me thinking of one of these as my only bike. Seems like a great allrounder

Yep. If you could buy one.

It doesn't help, but I have the previous generation ArcC and it is a lovely bike. I still have no desire to change it after 6 years. It's just perfect for all the mountain biking I do.

This new one is also a couple of hundred cheaper than mine was, although mine does have a BSA bottom bracket.

I’ve just done my second big ride on mine. Took a while to build up (after waiting ages with it on order...), but very happy with how it turned out.

View this post on Instagram

Typical ‘journo build’ I’m afraid, so it has (secondhand) XTR 1x12, Fox34 - and Deore brakes! I was after a fun, fast, ‘jump on and go’ bike and this certainly fits the bill

Still playing with the fit. Put some 760mm flattish bars and a 35mm stem on. Might raise the bars a touch. I’m 5ft9in and the medium is fine. I could have got away with a large, but I’ve been riding some looong bikes recently and they’re impossible to wheelie/move around without a lot of exaggerated body English, so the slightly smaller fit of the medium is just what I wanted.

I have a frame hopefully arriving in a couple of weeks! I ordered in around October from Bike Tart. You may want to try them to see if they have any spare on what they have arriving.

I was at Biketart a couple of weeks back and they had one on display. No Idea on size M or L as a guess.

This frame has got me thinking too! Been on a rigid bike for 12 years, this could be time for a change 😅

All my bikes are rigid right now too they are also all steel and each is heavier than the last. Which is the way I like it!

So I'm hoping this will be a spritely polar opposite to rekindle my love for carbon xc 29ers like when I first started racing.

Only without the racing.

Great bike that is a pretty good all rounder for UK Htail duties.

Definitely on the list for my next HT.

2WheelsOnly in Tamworth have got stock of a Large Turquoise and Large Raw Frames from what they told me a couple of days back.

For those that like rigid bikes, I just saw someone post up a rigid build in MTBR forum too 😉 (Yeti section)

sorry for the old thread bump.... but i am thinking about an ARC to compliment my trail bike.

Is everyone happy with their ARC's still? What sort of riding are you doing on them?

I recently did a local XC race (very casual) and my trail bike was somewhat overkill, so thinking an ARC might tick that box, along with longer days in the saddle, SDW attempts, XC bimblings etc.

Any feedback is greatly received!

Still happy with mine.

It’s been used for a variety of rides from ripping through the woods with a few drop offs etc through to mile munching (all the more so since my gravel bike is out of action).

Can’t complain at all!

@NormalMan - good stuff, thanks for the feedback. I assume there is little to go wrong with them? How does the paint hold up?

It’s been fine

I don’t transport it much as I usually ride from the door so can’t comment on that side of things but I didn’t frame wrap it and had no chips etc yet

I do run a front mudguard, a yeti padded shuttle guard under the down tube and my tool bottle in the ‘under cage’ which has deflected most things!

I know there have been a few with the pre 2022 frames that broke the small bolt that guides the UDH (design changed in ‘22 frames) but I’ve not had a problem. Some cases indicate that the heavier electronic Sram rear mechs haven’t helped in that regard.

It certainly would not be enough to put me off if I was buying again.

I have the previous generation and it is still my only mountain bike. I have no desire to replace it and no idea what with if I did need to. Running it for 8 or 9 years now I think.

I use it in the South Downs and prior to that the Chiltern Hills. It has been used up Snowdon, Bike Park Wales and a good number of other trail centres, plus the Tuscany Trail and a week with Basque MTB. Just perfect in my opinion as to what a modern mountain bike needs to be.

Finish wise, mines has not been covered other than the chainstay and it has held up very well in my opinion. A few marks and a couple of chips here and there. The underside of the downtube shows it has been used, but nothing that troubles me. It does get a lot of flints flying up from the South Downs, so is not ridden preciously.

thanks for the feedback! It certainly seems to be ticking many of the boxes i want it to.

Happy Yeti ARC owner here too (I paid money for it and everything!). I Invisiframed it from new, so it still looks great. After, I guess two years of ownership, I'm still delighted with it and it's the bike I've been riding the most this year - despite living in a steep and rocky kind of place that should favour my Ibis Ripley. I reckon for familiar trails that you want to ride fast, it's fantastic - even despite the 'steep 1990s' head angle'

I've been running it with a Fox 34 130mm, XTR shifting and Deore brakes. Love it.

I’m also looking at one to replace a couple of hard tails, I want something light and quick enough for marathon racing and long rides but capable enough for the descents on big days out.

They look quite short in the top tube to me - how do people find? I’m 6’2 and like a longer bike but trying to avoid sizing up. End up just perched over an xl frame normally, long arms and short legs here. The trend for longer bikes suits me much better.

If it helps they have plenty of stand over thanks to the slope of the TT.

Not a comment on the ARC but I hired a Yeti SB150c in Whistler and was very, very impressed with it.

Ditto here - got mine last August and love it - traded in my FS at the time and not missing the rear suspension for where I go for spins on it. Like Chipps I got it wrapped at the time too and I went for the raw/black finish instead of the yeti turquoise - much more understated (got the yeti grips)!

classic, i'm doing the same but taking the old school route in 26" flavour.

i had a yeti arc from around 2005/8'ish some years ago as my lightweight long range bike, loved it, and always regretted selling it so quite fancying another bike to do some exploring on i saw a 2011 arc frame for sale the other week and grabbed it. slight prob is that all i have left from my original arc is the hope wheelset so now i'm on the hunt for 100mm forks, brakes, xt drivetrain etc etc.

Wasn't the 2011 arc a 29er?

I seem to have just succumbed as well. After selling my race XC bike I had an itch that needed scratching and a ‘bargain’ price on some Fox Factory 130 34’s saw me needing a frame. Got offered a great deal on a new ‘22 Turquoise frame so I decided to go for it.

Just need to decide the build now, had originally planned to use all the bits I’d got kicking around for a build, but the frame and forks are a bit nice for that idea now!

Regarding chainset, I’m reading it needs a 55mm chain line and I’m thinking about the wider axle Hope chainset (53.5mm) as I have a stack of the Hope/Enduro direct fit bearings here. Is the 55mm needed? Planning on a 32 or 34 ring.

From the FAQ section on the Yeti ARC page:

‘The ARC was designed around a 55mm chainline. Depending on the crank and chain ring configuration you can run other chainlines but you will have to do a clearance check first.‘

This thread is really not helping. Can you all just say how shit they are, and don't waste my money? That would be awesome thanks

PF30 bb might be enough to put you off #neveragain

@Blazin-saddles - may i ask who did you a deal on the frame?

Keep us updated with pics of the build!

after some further research, i see a fair few people have been struggling with the UDH bolt in the frame sheering off and Yeti not honouring warranty on it.

Has anyone experienced this? Looks to be a significant design flaw.... unless it has been resolved?

https://www.pinkbike.com/forum/listcomments/?threadid=227828&pagenum=2

2022 frames have been amended. Rather than the bolt there, now there is a carbon lip.

The cases I read had Yeti cover them under warranty.

Ooh, not a good idea to buy a 2021 model then! Saved by the thread

PF30 bb might be enough to put you off #neveragain

They don't have PF30 bottom brackets. They're BB92. although I might be pushing my luck using the Hope bearings and 30mm axle crank with it. I have a good qty of the bearings though, so I'll see how it munches through them, can always swap to a 24mm axle crank later.

@Blazin-saddles – may i ask who did you a deal on the frame?

Would rather not say as it's a trade connection. but if you're L or XL then Start Fitness have them at £1450ish

How's everyone ARC holding up?
Was considering a swap from a full suspension to just the ARC as a one bike setup.

Have read a few reviews that say how compliant it is - do you actually notice that vs. other hardtails

Still loving mine. So much so I’m going to sell my gravel bike and just do MTB/anything off-road on the ARC. Then road bike for the roads obviously.

I find mind super comfy (but also way more capable than I thought). For reference I’ve had previous 29er HTs from the likes of Spesh (alu) and steel (Cotic and Surly) but the ARC is my first carbon HT.

This is a timely thread to come across. I ordered one on Friday to replace the gravel bike. This wil be for xc and gravel ride duties

I'm building with a SID ultimate 120 fork, should be enough for everything I need. Most likely GX kit.

Glad to see the good feedback, I'll try and upload a pic once I've finished the build.

Nice, what colour did you go for and from where? I can see a few shop are now discounting them a bit from RRP

I went for the Dom colour, like a silver I think. I love the original Yeti colour but a little to loud for me, this has hints of it still though.

Purchased it from Biketart for just under £1300. I was toying between this and a Spesh Chisel but the geometry just works better for me and I think this will give me more build options down the line.

Hi ! I’m confused about bikes right now. The Arc looks beautiful, specs are great. But can I ask an odd question to those who own it ? Is it fun ? Is it easy to manual, is it easy to wheelie, is it easy to bunny hop? Like my old Chameleon. These things make a fun bike for me, but people legitimately priories other things. I just worry that as bikes get longer and slacker, these things get further away….

Thank you, very interested to hear.

How's your ARC - what spec did you go with for the build?

Those that have bought a frame only - which I might just have done...

What BB are people going with? I know nothing PF BB's so I'm in need of help & advice please - To fit a Shimano Hollowtech II crank (24mm axle).

Pf BBs are pretty good these days ime

Can't go wrong with Shimano

Best bet is wheels manufacturing screw together push fit, for ease of bearing change
https://www.biketart.com/products/wheels-manufacturing-bb86-92-outboard-abec-3-bb-for-24mm-shimano-cranks-black

You'll need the fitting tool too

Thanks @kimbers

I was looking at a Shimano XT as an option but I have heard good things about the Wheels Manufacturing parts!

Is this the tool I need? Appears you press one side in, and then thread/tighten the other side up to it unless I'm missing anything?

https://www.biketart.com/products/wheels-manufacturing-wheels-mfg-bb-tool-double-ended-48-5-44-mm?variant=40809741910195

yes thats how you do it, think thats the tool

Im pretty sure I didnt pay that much for my tool though

If youre near Milton keynes I have one you can borrow,

I'm down on the Surrey/Hampshire border so a little way away but thank you!

Then I have the eternal Headset debate - Cane Creek or spend too much money on something shiny...

I don't think I want anything colourful though, so maybe that's a safe and fairly economical option.

hi my names Nick,  I appear to have accidentally bought a Yeti. ARC