The new bike party isn’t stopping yet – today, we have the Yeti SB165. It’s been updated with a new geo and an MX setup. It departs a bit from how most Yetis tend to ride – but in a really good way for the category. So stick around to see what it’s all about.
A couple of details just to provide context before we go ride. The SB165 has 165mm of rear wheel travel and a 170mm fork. You had better like coil shocks because that’s what you’re getting here. All builds come with a Fox DHX2 coil. That alone shows you the intended use for the SB165. It’s made to go big, or in my case, exceptionally medium. It’s pretty happy doing that, too.
I do have a small bone to pick. This is a 165mm travel bike with a coil shock and a big Fox 38. It’s obviously not built to be a trail bike. Then why does it come with trail bike tire casings? The EXO+ casings aren’t really up to the task. I get it; Yeti is probably trying to appease a bunch of folks who are better at counting grams than Pablo Escobar. So you can’t really blame them when the market demands it — even on a bike like this. I’d personally love to see this come with Double Downs and/or inserts, even if the weight doesn’t look as pretty on paper.
Now, let’s get into it.
Yeti SB165 Ride Review
Uphill
This is obviously a big, heavy, and burly bike. It’s not meant to be a climber. That said, it’s surprisingly pleasant to pedal to the top of the mountain. It’s efficient enough not to be a soul sucker on the climbs. It’s not a trail bike, but for the category it’s one of the better climbers, for sure.
Yeti typically tunes their suspension to pedal well. The SB160 is a good climber for the category, and so is the SB140, and so on. The SB165 is no exception. It is pretty efficient for a big bike, yet it still offers the traction, comfort, and control you’d expect from a big bike. In fact, as far as Yeti goes, I think this accomplishes that task the best. It has a little more relaxed feel to it than most of their other models. The suspension design is a bit more forgiving and active for those steep, bumpy, and loose climbs.
In addition to the suspension, the geometry is a bit more relaxed. The front end sits up a bit higher, and the reach is a bit shorter, giving the bike a more upright and comfortable fit. Compared to most other XL frames Yeti has released recently (minus the ASR), the reach is about 5mm shorter, and the stack height is the tallest Yeti has in the current lineup. Those two factors combined will make a pretty big difference in the seated position. At 439mm, the chainstays are on the shorter end for a big bike. That makes sense, given that this is a mixed-wheel setup; without the shorter chainstays, you’re not going to get the full benefit of a smaller back wheel. It’s not so short, though, that I struggled with weight distribution on the climbs – even on the steep stuff.
The smaller back wheel has a bit of an impact on climbing performance. Given the same gearing, a smaller back wheel will be easier to spin up than a big 29” wheel. For me, that comes into play on steep and techy climbs as well as on tight switchbacks. When you’re in tight terrain and can’t just “momentum” your way up a climb, that smaller rear wheel is pretty nice to have. It’s quicker to get spinning and consequently, you can get back up to speed easier as you move up a ledge or around a tight obstacle. The same holds true for tight uphill switchbacks. Once you get the bike around the corner, it’s easier to start moving forward again.
Downhill
The SB165 is a bit surprising on the descents. It has the most travel and slackest geometry in Yeti’s lineup, yet it has a bit more relaxed and fun ride quality to it than its closest sibling the SB160. Part of it is due to the suspension feel, and I think a large portion of it comes down to geometry and the MX wheel setup.
Let’s start with the differences in suspension feel. I’m approaching this from the perspective of someone who’s owned and ridden the SB160 for the last year. I tried three different shocks on that frame — the Fox Float X2, The Rockshox Vivid, and the Super Deluxe Ultimate Coil with three different spring rates. I played around with a lot of suspension settings to get that thing dialed. And frankly, it feels pretty damn good these days. But, it took one ride on the SB165 to get the suspension to where I was happy. It’s just a little easier going and more friendly. I think it’s softer off the top and easier to get into than the SB160. There’s still plenty of mid-stroke support and ramp-up at the end. It might not be as fast, but it’s a little more forgiving and comfortable. Think less race and more fun.
The difference in geometry is subtle but impactful. Most notably, I like that the front end sits a bit taller. It’s especially nice for talk folks like me — at some point, I run out of room for stem spacers and can only get 40mm rise bars. The SB165’s front end sits a bit higher, which gives it a calmer ride quality in steep terrain. A tall front end could lead to a light front wheel and some handling issues, but I don’t think this is out of line at all. In fact, this is still shorter than a lot of other stack heights in the category.
Now, let’s talk about that MX setup on the descents. We’ve got some pros and cons. Let’s start with the good stuff. It’s very apparent in the corners. That back end whips around quickly and it’s a big contributor to the fun factor on the SB165. I think it’s a big reason this bike feels a lot less serious than the SB160. It’s fun in the air, and it’s nice on drops — especially for shorter folks who experience butt buzz. What I don’t like about it is the reduction in traction. If only I could have my cake and eat it too. I know I’m being greedy but I’d take MX all day if it offered the same traction as a 29” wheel. I found myself getting a little more sideways-ier than I’d like to be at times. Granted, the section of trail I noticed it the most on is a pretty out-of-control skid fest. Most bikes get loose on it. I don’t notice a huge lack of traction in the corners, though, just on steep, skiddy braking sections. I’d be curious to see some real science on MX vs. 29 traction for both braking and cornering.
Yeti sb165 Comparisons
SB160 vs SB165
Similar but pretty different. The fit, feel, and overall ride quality are rather similar. The SB165 has an easier to get along with suspension platform than the SB160. It’s softer off the top and a bit more active. It might not be designed to generate maximum speed but rather maximum fun and minimum ankle pain. The SB165 rides a bit more upright with a more casual fit. If I had aspirations of racing, I’d most likely opt for the SB160. If I just wanted to ride my bike and show all my friends the cool stunts I can do, I’d pick the SB165. Think of the SB165 as a slightly less serious SB160.
ALTITUDE VS SB165
Don’t make me pick. It’s been a hell of a time riding these two back-to-back. I can’t help but think the Yeti is the better climber, and the Rocky is the more fun descender. We will probably have to do a full showdown here. Stay tuned.
Megatower vs SB165
The nomad would be the obvious one here, but dammit, I still haven’t ridden one. So Megatower it is — don’t complain. The SB160 was more racy and firm than the Megatower. The SB165 starts getting a lot closer in terms of suspension feel. It has that easy to get into feeling that offers a bit more comfort and give. Like the Megatower, it lends itself to a more fun and playful riding style.
Read the Megatower Review Here
Who is the Yeti SB165 for?
I like the SB165 for two rider groups — or maybe it’s just one at the end of the day. I see it as a great option for the freeride crowd. But not necessarily just the types of folks who push their bikes to the top of the old Rampage site or shuttle Flying Monkey on a daily basis. It’s more versatile than that because it pedals pretty well for a big bike. So maybe the better way to describe it is by calling it an enduro bike but not an enduro race bike. It will be up for any sort of downhill you can throw at it, but it’s not a one-trick pony that is only good for massive jumps and super sketchy descents. It’s also good on smoother, flowy stuff, big exploratory rides, and just your weeknight laps at the local. So, if you like a wide variety of trails, riding styles, and terrain but lean toward the more difficult stuff and pushing your limits, you’d really like the SB165.
I’m also a really big fan of this one for folks like myself. Maybe I’m getting old and turning into that weird dad who rides weird bikes, but I find myself liking easier-going suspension these days. I’m not necessarily slowing down, taking it easier, or riding any differently. If anything, the hair loss is making me faster – #Aero. Maybe I’m just maturing and realizing that softer suspension can feel pretty nice on the old back and ankles. It might not make me sound as tough as dudes half my size who put 140psi in their forks because they ride too damn hard. But it sure as hell is nicer than beating myself up for a few milliseconds and a handful of internet points. So there you have it. If you like bikes that ride nice, go plenty fast, corner on rails, and climb a little better than you’d expect, go ahead and snag an SB165. Then, if you’re like me, get a tub of Icy Hot because you’re probably going to need it.
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