[Closed] mad to consider buying a new yeti in the uk????

Silverfish have distributed Yeti for years (well as long as I can remember!) so it's not a recent thing. In short, Yeti seem to be the Alfa of the bike world. One day a year it'll ride like a dream and you'll love it. The rest of the time you'll be pulling your hair out over some issue and regardless of how good the warranty is, I couldn't be living without a bike for weeks/months on end. I adored the old SB4.5c, it rode like a dream, but it was ridiculously expensive and I've seen first hand the issues with wear on the switch link and a few more serious frame issues too. I would love to own one, but unless I was a) beyond minted and b) didn't have to maintain my own bikes, I wouldn't even think about it. Plenty of other nice brands out there, Ibis/Transition etc

Silverfish took over from Evolution around 2010/11 ish if I remember. My 575 rode fine for 6 years and my 2016 sb6 has also been fine. I maintain my own bikes. If you like the bike then get one but if it worries you then get something else.

The PF92 hasn't been an issue but I do run 24mm cranks and a Hope PF41-24 bb

had an sb66c for years and when the bearings were fresh it was an absolute dream bike, i loved it so... but, it ate said bearings for fun, i even bought the oem tools (circa £250 iirc) so i know it wasn't the way i was doing it... one bearing lasted about 12 hours of winter riding... just a pain... frame was great and never missed a beat, though a friend did manage to snap his rear triangle but was resolved by silverfish in a reasonable time frame.

i then moved to a santa cruz and will not go back... effortless, joyous, hassle free biking... no contest.

doesn't stop me coveting every single yeti that's been released though

Pretty much everything robgclarkson says, apart from the reasonable timeframe bit, 2 carbon rears on my SB66 cracked in multiple places, 4 months for a replacement on both occasions, both within warranty.

Silverfish don't hold spares, certainly they didn't at the time, which really pissed me off as yeti wanted the part before sending a replacement.

So no bike for bloody ages. **** that.

Lovely bikes, but never again.

hmmmmm as I thought then, im in the same boat as robgclarkson own and used sc for ages, but lust after the new yetis - but if its gonna be a ball ache to just get a simple replacement part then I guess it makes no sense unless they have become so solid now they hardly need any replacement parts

sc wins as they just work and are easy to maintain, id be will to do the maintenance side of stuff myself but its just the parts breaking and not being readily available that worries me and being off the bike for weeks on end

shame as I really am considering one, but its responses (honest ones) that put me off as I know ill regret it bigtime if it goes tits up

it seems on mtbr any issues are resolved really quickly in the US, didn't know that silverfish didn't stock spares, not great at all!

They'll stock linkages etc, but any front or rear triangles that crack, and there's a fair chance of it, need to go back to Colorado.

If that situation has changed, I'm sure someone from SF will post up.

ah right ok, not toooo bad then, ive been keeping a close eye on the newest (sb100/130/150) threads on mtbr for cracking/failures, and theres not many reports of the newer style ones cracking at all, certainly not like the yetis of old (maybe to soon to tell though)

bummer that's its a overseas procedure if so though, that would certainly add weeks onto any warranty claim 🙁

16 weeks both times I experienced it to be precise. I eventually gave up, asked for an alloy rear, then sold it.

For a huge loss.

I wouldn't.

My friend has one, he's a nearly 50 year old builder who likes to ride at the weekends, not Richie Rude but despite this he's had both ends of the frame crack, lord know how many infinity switches die (he's doesn't notice they're broken until he inspects them, which gives me the impression they don't do a lot) and a few other things. The warranty team fix them sort of quickly, but it's not quick.

There are so many great bikes out there at the moment, I couldn't put my money on one that's so prone to failure, and I think you'd need to have your head read to buy one without a warranty.

jeez those last 2 posts are enough to put you off for life haha!

16 weeks is just a joke really, modern shipping procedures meaning it could feasibly be in the uk in 2 days, so that's not promising at all

I have read a lot about the SI links, and from I can gather you have to keep on top of them, which is no issue to me, if they are just failing and not due to maintenance then again doesn't sound great

there are tonnes of bikes out there, ive always properly lusted after a yeti since a young age, and thought now they were at a decent place to be able to buy one, sadly it may appear not still

This sounds like a judgmental question, but given the other options out there I can't get my head round why people continue to willingly give top money to a company with such a high failure rate? Back in the day it could be forgiven, but these are all fairly mature technologies now and whilst other manufacturers have bad days, Yeti, anecdotally at least, seem to have more than their fair share.

ok within our group. One has snapped his SB6, sold it after. low speed thing we were all supprised.

the other has a 5.5 thats previously had a year around the enduro circuit. its got a couple of gouges from rocks but no issues with the suspension or frame in a few years.

So, okay within your group is a 50% fail rate? Oaft.

Know (second hand) of one Yeti owner whose headtube sheared off, was denied warranty as they insisted it was crash damage.

https://flowmountainbike.com/tests/tested-yeti-sb100-bike-loved/

I hear a lot about the issues some bikes have or some owners have with their bikes. I've owned two Yetis. My first was the ASR5C which I owned and rode for two years from '12 to '14 and recently (and my current bike) the SB4.5 which I've owned since '16.

Both bikes have seen the Alps, races, Scotland, Lakes, crashes, etc, etc.

I've had no problem with either. I tell a lie. The ASR had a seized cable mount on the downtube.

I regularly clean and maintain my own bikes. Especially keeping the SI link cleaned and lubed on the SB4.5. I did pay for a local dealer to strip and clean this and replace the bearings on the frame last year after 2 years use. The SI was OK. The bearings not so.

I guess the complexity of the design means you have to pay closer attention to maintenance. The offset to that is that it does provide a great platform and feel for riding.

If I had issues with one or both bikes like some owners then I imagine I'd be reluctant to invest so much money in the brand again. That goes without saying. I'm sure (previous) owners of any top-end brand that had paid a premium price only to have issues would say the same.

I'm tempted to buy an SB130 to replace the SB4.5 but not entirely sold and I'm open to seeing what other manufacturers have to offer. Like the new SC Hightower for example.

Nobeerinthefridge

Subscriber

They’ll stock linkages etc, but any front or rear triangles that crack, and there’s a fair chance of it, need to go back to Colorado.

Which is fair enough tbf but there's no reason that process should take longer than days, they're not returning it by sailing ship. Unless Yeti themselves don't stock spares but if Bob Yeti says "Hmm, we have loads of rear triangles crack, should we keep some spares? Nah..." then they can get in the bin frankly

Which is fair enough tbf

It's not really the issue tbh. If their frames were reliable, aye, nae bother...

But to not take your dealers word, or accept images and video of the cracks (first time I stopped counting at 6, second time, I stopped counting at 5 and took it to Ciclo Montana for a week anyway!) is a bit shite.

One positive was that when silverfish replaced the carbon rear with alloy, it needed all new link spares, dogbone, bolts etc, which they also sent me.

Sad really. 10+ years ago, Yetis were fantastic - my 575 is still going (yes, carbon back end). And my Big Top is lovely (yes, carbon back end!)
They screwed up with all the unnecessary complex shite. Wouldn’t touch one now.
Here’s my 575 being not broken by DezbJr a little while ago

My SB95c has been faultless for 3 years. It’s well maintained, but is thoroughly used when out on the trails. Im only 75kg, and dont do thing like BPW, but will happily hit 30-40kph on descents in Wales, etc.

Absolutely great bike and I’d buy another without hesitation.

Good stuff Daffy.

No one's saying it's all of them, it just seems to affect a lot of their frames.

I think they still make the best looking bikes around.

I've had* an SB130 for about 6 months now, which I have battered around and done a few tamer races on.

*caveat being, I didn't pay for it.

It's a really good bike actually. Sizing is good, suspension works well and its had no issues. I really like it to be fair.

But, would I have bought it with my own money? Hell no. After my experience of dealing with the issues on my old SB66, and more recently a friends SB6 and its warranty issue and the sh*t show he went through, I'd lose the plot on something that cost so much, with service so bad.

It doesnt help with this weird setup of bike shops & warranties anyway, the process just gets dragged out even longer, in any other industry, people would get crucified for such poor levels of service on perceived 'premium' products.

So yes, IMO, you would be mad. I'd rather take a punt on a used one and if I broke it, deal with a carbon repair place.

Same as DezB, I had a 575 about ten or more years ago, never had a problem apart from one bearing change, loved it. Sorry to hear that they've got such a bad rep now!!

My sb6c cracked in the rear swingarm twice, the bottom bracket area once, and the switch infinity unit was also replaced once.

The service from silverfish was actually pretty good, but the inconvenience of waiting, at best, several weeks to get a new frame is a total PITA. It's also all the hassle of dismantling your entire bike and then rebuilding it. In the end I couldn't be arsed with it so sold it and bought a SC. I think the yeti was nicer to ride (and to look at) but I've had zero issues with the SC.

Also, the response of yeti to all the launch issues with the sb150 was disappointing. Plenty of frustrated owners on mtbr. I wouldn't buy another...

My ASR5 was great and fine and I still have the frame to build up again some time. My DJ will be around after the apocalypse. Definitely would like a SB130 if there was more mud clearance. The issues on mtbr are largely stirred by one or two people and they seem to have got bored of trolling now,

Makes you wonder if some bike manufacturers go a bit too thin on the carbon lay up in the name of saving weight?

I personally think the problem with them and their design is that they’re just not made for UK conditions. For a lot of regions they have very hot dry summers with occasional rain and then the snow comes and the bikes go away. The UK isn’t that way and unless you have the time and inclination to strip apart the system every week I think wear and tear is just going to muller it.

You’re not considering the Hightower then? Got a ride on one yet? Saw 10 in stock in a shop in north Vancouver but it was another week til a medium demo would be available.

mattyfez

Member

Makes you wonder if some bike manufacturers go a bit too thin on the carbon lay up in the name of saving weight?

I'm sure that's it sometimes but with Yeti it just seems like they're incompetent tbf.

Like some of the other posters, I had a ten year old 575 which was absolutely faultless. Since then Yeti seem to be trying to make their suspension far too complicated and hard to maintain. The trouble is, once you want a Yeti nothing else will do.

Yeti seem to have an Apple like fanboi following but to me it seems that both the quality of the product and the support offered in the UK too often misses the mark.

There are plenty of other bikes out there that have a reputation for doing both better. So in answer to the OP, I dint think you'd be mad to buy one, but I certainly think there are smarter choices to be made.

14 years old. Even though its got the optional carbon rear end and weird bendy carbon pivots near the dropouts, it will not die! (I did pretend to be the first owner to sort out a minor warranty issue but I'm sure it wasn't anything major, possible a cracked suspension link, vaguely remember the new one was redesigned with a with a pinch bolt)

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Wow. I too had a 575 that was bomb proof. No problems at all. No longer have it (long story) but would have been tempted to buy another Yeti on the strength of it.
Next door neighbour is after one, but can't get a test ride anywhere. Everyone has excuses why a demo bike isn't available, none of which sound kosher.

Yep, bendy rear pivot, that was the one I had!

all these latest replies seem to be older generation

has anyone had any issues with the new SB range?? the mtbr forum doesn't have as many as you'd expect, mainly just tyre clearance, but even that seems hit and miss

hobnob - your a good tester of bikes and at least its holding up 6 months abuse from you 🙂 so in terms of its reliable at the min its doing ok

after service does worry me a hell of a lot really

I don't mind whipping the SI link out and cleaning up every other week if need be, I do it on my vpp at present every 3-4 weeks so its no biggie as it looks just as easy a job

just fancy a change GC - had numerous SC's over the years, time for something different, im still massively put off by this thread, but still something inside me saying 'you'll never know till you try one' haha!

I personally think the problem with them and their design is that they’re just not made for UK conditions.

Mud and rain doesn't cause carbon failure. But yes, when they brought out that daft fox switch thing, there was a lot of sucking through teeth.

I used to nurse my SB66 bearings to try and get a year out of them, at 120 quid a time, I was prepared to put the time in.

Bronson is 21 months old now, I really should get the bearings looked at! 🙂

Had a Yeti ASR5 Carbon. It was sublime, fastest bike I've ever owned.

I would buy another, but I don't think for a second it's a ride and put-away-and-forget sort of bike. A dealer has said to me that the Infinity switch is a monthly serviceable item. I think as long as you know what the bike needs, ie a bit more attention on it than the average, then you know what you're getting into. I don't think they're any better or worse than any other brand.

Isn't it like, close to 3 Grand for frame only on them these days too?? Bloody crazy imo.

I have a 150 and have been riding it for 6 months. Tear down of the switch infinity takes 15 minutes and it’s don every few months when the fork lowers are done. Any more and it accelerates wear.

NSMB abused the switch infinity on purpose and caused very little damage to the Kashima.

Yes it’s expensive but it does ride incredibly well. Silverfish were out of stock of a part I wanted when fitting the EXT. Chris Porter actually machined me a £4 bushing. Silverfish wanted £300 for a service kit! That’s the only negative point I have about the frame.

I’d not hesitate to buy another to be honest. The only thing I would also like to try is a Pole Stamina, but I think it may be a bit too big a bike for the Surrey Hills.

Had an ASR-7 with an air shock. Used hard but always maintained, I was forever bending the pivot hardware and Yeti wanted a fortune for the replacement kit.

Also had an SB95c which I just didn't get on with. Felt like I was perched on top of it and it was just awful. Lad who bought it off me had it crack on the rear swingarm and had a hell of a job trying to get a replacement.

I'd not buy another Yeti in the same way I wouldn't buy an Evil. Stories on the web of failures and poor customer service put me off

Isn’t it like, close to 3 Grand for frame only on them these days too?? Bloody crazy imo.

Sure. The Bronson CC is the same money, and there's plenty folk on this thread comparing SC favourably to Yeti.

DezB

Isn’t it like, close to 3 Grand for frame only on them these days too?? Bloody crazy imo.

Depends whether you consider £3499 to be "close to three grand"

Isn’t it like, close to 3 Grand for frame only on them these days too?? Bloody crazy imo

SB165 is £3799.

To me, a Yeti is a heart purchase, not a head purchase (more so than other mega money bikes). Too much risk of them going wrong, despite many people having years of faultless service. If you really want one, nothing else will scratch the itch, I just don’t want one that much to risk having to deal with any potential issues.

So 2 riders on this thread have ridden the newer generation SB130/150, like them and have had no problems.

Historical bikes/frames are mixed response.

SB165 is £3799.

Frame only?!?! ****ing 'ell.
Coulda nearly bought 2 of my RM Instincts ([i]with[/i] wheels and forks and gears) for that and picked the best size.
I guess some of you have that to spend, but I certainly haven't these days (and that's how I judge what's expensive!)

Frame only?!?! **** ‘ell.

Yep. Caveat that that’s the top spec T-Series carbon (like SC’s CC frames) some of the full builds come with a C-Series frame, and start at £5300ish.

You can’t buy the C-Series as a frame only though.

SB165 is £3799.

Just wait for a Ubyk 20% off offer and it'll be more appealing 😉

Frame only?!?! **** ‘ell.
Coulda nearly bought 2 of my RM Instincts (with wheels and forks and gears) for that and picked the best size.
I guess some of you have that to spend, but I certainly haven’t these days (and that’s how I judge what’s expensive!)

There's also a hell of a lot of people out there would consider your RM as bonkers money, And even more folk that spend upwards of 500 quid a month on renting a car.

Meh.

I say the above in jest 🙂

I had one of the later Yeti SB66's with a rear carbon end - never had an issue with it. The SI system at the time played ball and didn't need much maintenance but I do think their SI system in general is abit overkill for what it actually provides if I'm honest.

No experience of the newer Yeti's as I jumped ship to SC after the SB66. I'd not go back to Yeti, don't really see the appeal vs a SC IMO.

I owned a SB5.5 for a bit. I'm generally pretty hard on equipment but also I'm fairly meticulous about maintenance.

The bike was pretty faultless for me. It was thrashed in all conditions, including the Rotorua round of the EWS where Jared Graves threw his toys out of the pram because conditions were so horrendous. No problems at all. I sold it after less than a year though because it just didn't suit my riding style (replaced with a Trek Slash).

As others have said, with so many excellent bikes out there, why take a gamble on a brand with questionable reliability and customer service? For me, slightly ironically, reliability was great but I just didn't find the bike that good. I wouldn't have another. If I was in the market right now I'd be looking at the new Hightower.

There’s also a hell of a lot of people out there would consider your RM as bonkers money, And even more folk that spend upwards of 500 quid a month on renting a car

Meh. Obvious reply is obvious. I actually specified how I was viewing it as expensive.

Last week the top link and bearings died on my (almost) ten year old Santa Cruz Tallboy; a quick conversation with Dan at Jungle and I have a complete top link with bearings and seals completely free of charge. I didn't have to return the broken parts, I just took a pic of the part and whilst they were a little unsure they would have the part whilst on the phone, an hour later I got am email saying it was on its way ASAP.

Customer care is such an important part of buying a bike.

Things of quality have no fear of time.

Next year I'll buy a new Santa Cruz.

Maybe not mad, but quite brave.

I wouldn't anyway.

I’ve dealt with Silverfish and the warranty team a couple of times and have nothing but positive things to say. I also know the shop my Yeti was purchased from (Biketart) is excellent with any warranty issues.

I’d not hesitate to buy another Yeti. The new SB165 looks epic fun but I really want an SB100 for riding XC on.

I also think that servicing the Switch Infinity is easier than servicing a top linkage off a Santa Cruz!

My 2017 SB6 has been the most hassle free bike I've owned (previous bikes include various intenses and a nomad 3, amongst other things), despite it's numerous attempts to maim it's loving and caring owner. The switch link is a doddle, you just pump grease into it. The rest of it has survived two winters on the same bearings. After cleaning I let it dry in the house which seems to preserve bearing life by some margin.

I'd love a SB165 but it's a lot of cash. I'll wait a little while for some deals to turn up. Maybe.

Dan

^^If you’re married and your good lady wife let’s you dry of your bike in the house then hold onto that lady....she’s a keeper!

OP no but it’s a heart purchase more than a head one. 4 1/2 years on my sb6. 2 SI links and a new frame but all faults were on the original 2015 frame. The replacement 2017 frame has been faultless to date. No issues with Silverfish, longest I waited was around 10 days. Would I buy another one, maybe. They ride really good, The SI platform is great for climbing big bikes, and heading downhill so maybe, but, with the new breed of yeti bikes the SI unit is semi covered by the frame which will make cleaning a bit of a chew on in our UK muck, unless you just say sod it and blast it with a jet wash, which I’m not a massive fan of, and the price has gone up a load, I paid 2.6 grand for my frame in early 2015 which felt like a lot back then so £3700 for a frame now seems like a bit of a push. That said I would love to ride the sb165 I bet it is a bit of an animal and all their new bikes are lifetime warranty.

so £3700 for a frame

Ooof! I'm a bit out of touch with top-end bike prices, but that's a fair old chunk of change.

A friend of mine has recently (about 4 months ago) built up an SB130 and he's ridden it a lot in that time.
No issues, keeps it clean and lubed and itt fine.
I rode it a few weeks back and have to say it's bloody amazing.
I think the new SB range is a step up from the older frames - another mate had the 5.5 and got rid of after a couple of months as he couldn't get on with it.
If I had the cash I'd consider one.