Description

2017 Yeti Cycles SB5 Plus Carbon Eagle Complete Mountain Bike

 

Sitting at the confluence of the nimble XC world and burly enduro sledding hill, the 2017 Yeti Cycles SB5+ Carbon Eagle Complete Mountain Bike is a responsive trail bike that defies its category to push the boundaries on fun. Its geometry closely mirrors the standard SB5, with slight tweaks to embrace up to three-inch tires for smooth, stable traction across loose terrain while SRAM’s groundbreaking 12-speed X01 Eagle drivetrain lets you fly to the day’s finish line.

Of particular note is the SB5+’s elevated chainstays, which curve upward from the shock and create a sharply pointed triangle that increases stiffness and opens up tire clearance. This curved design keeps the chainstays at a svelte 17.2in for snappy, confident handling when whipping through switchbacks and rocketing over dusty trails. Furthering this bike’s handling prowess, Boost rear spacing allows for those stubby, quick-thinking chainstays that take successive bumps in stride while finessing a tough line. Up front, the 67.1-degree head tube can’t wait to dive into steep, loose rock gardens that leave little room for indecision. It’s also tapered and, which stiffens the front end and helps the bike track lines like a grizzled barn cat after a farmyard varmint.

This frameset is Yeti’s standard carbon model, which uses a slightly lower grade carbon than the top-tier Turq frame. This requires a bit more material to meet the same rigorous standards for strength and rigidity as the Turq, but also comes at a more attainable price point. For most of us, a claimed 250g extra is a miniscule trade off if it means putting an SB5+ within our budget.

Yeti’s Switch Infinity suspension is the lynchpin of the SB5+’s versatile capability. Its linear travel hits the sweet spot of anti-squat to keep pedaling sharp across rocky climbs, and it also erases the momentary harshness that its predecessor, the Switch Link design, would display when pushed to the absolute limit. Riding with the shock open won’t condemn you to bottomless dive when you have to transition quickly into a short climb on the other side of a long descent; the bike will still claw up anything without leaving you wide-eyed and white-knuckled when you fly down a deep rollover on the other side.

Other than those changes, long term Yeti fans will be relieved to learn that the suspension systems are fairly similar. Like the Switch Link, the Switch Infinity slider travels upward under the first phase of compression, when the SB5+ is settling into its sag point. As the rear end compresses deeper, the direction changes, and the DH-inspired slider travels down toward the bottom bracket shell to maintain a steady pedaling platform. This change of direction is smoother, without the above-mentioned dead space, but the effect is the same. Deep in the stroke, it works in conjunction with the upper pivot to produce a vertical wheel path that flattens big hits. On the trail, you’ll be tempting faster lines across the loose and chunky stuff as the SB5+ tidies up sloppy, questionable lines and sweeps rider errors neatly under the rug.

Expand your horizons on a 27.5+ trail monster

5in of Yeti’s climb-happy Switch Infinity suspension

Slacker front end pairs with a snappy Boost rear triangle

Carbon layup blends strength and affordability

SRAM’s 12-speed Eagle drivetrain adds the ultimate bailout cog

 

2017 Yeti Cycles SB5 Plus Carbon Eagle Complete Mountain Bike

Frame Material:

carbon fiber

Suspension:

Switch Infinity

Rear Shock:

Fox Float Performance

Rear Travel:

127 mm

Fork:

Fox 34 Performance

Front Travel:

150 mm

Headset:

44 / 56 mm Cane Creek 40

Shifters:

SRAM X01 Eagle 12-speed

Front Derailleur:

n/a

Rear Derailleur:

SRAM X01 Eagle 12-speed

ISCG Tabs:

yes, ISCG 05

Crankset:

SRAM S1400 Eagle 12-speed

Bottom Bracket:

PF92

Cassette:

10 – 50 t SRAM 1295 Eagle 12-speed

Chain:

SRAM Eagle 12-speed

Brakeset:

SRAM Guide R

Brake Type:

hydraulic disc

Rotors:

180 / 180 mm SRAM Centerline

Handlebar:

Race Face Evolve

Handlebar Width:

750 mm

Grips:

Yeti Lock-On

Stem:

Race Face Ride

Stem Length:

60 mm

Saddle:

Yeti WTB Custom

Seatpost:

Race Face Turbine Dropper

Seatpost Diameter:

30.9 mm

Wheelset:

DT Swiss 370 W/XM551 Boost

Front Axle:

15 x 110m Boost

Rear Axle:

12 x 148mm Boost

Tires:

Maxxis Rekon EXO TR

Tire Size:

27.5 x 2.8 in

Recommended Use:

trail

Manufacturer Warranty:

5 years limited on frame

 

2017 Yeti Cycles SB5 Plus Carbon Eagle Complete Mountain Bike

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