Yeti ASR vs Ibis Exie - Battle of the XC bikes!!

[@mtbyumyum]

This video is sponsored by Salt Cycles in Sandy, Ut. The Ibis Exie is 25% off right now!!! They also have the new Yeti ASR in stock in every size! Call and talk to Chris and order your custom dream bike today! # 801-943-8502

[@lazylearner967]

Salt Cycles is amazing! Great folks that actually ride bikes as often as they can.

[@lazylearner967]

You are correct that Sam is an incredible coach! I have taken two lessons from him. His bike handling skills are INSANE, and super human! But what I really appreciated is how engaging, enthusiastic and fun he made the class.

[@mtbyumyum]

Couldn't agree more!

[@billw_mtb3220]

Great comparison . Always love Tylor’s input.

[@mtbyumyum]

Me too! He is an excellent rider and has had a lot of opportunity to ride so many bikes over the years

[@starhead100]

Awesome video! It was fun having the three of you discuss and weigh in. I feel like you are the short travel trial bike king and I’d love to see who you crown as the best in the category.

[@mtbyumyum]

Thank you! I wish I had more opportunity on a larger variety of short travel bikes. I think for me, the Pivot Mach 4 although heavier, is the bike to get if money is not an option…. If on a budget, I’d go Exie… my daughter and wife are both on Exie’s this season!!

[@lazylearner967]

@@mtbyumyum Thank you Jason. I think for MOST Wasatch Front trails, these short travel bikes are perfect. I need to find a Mach 4 to demo this year. I had a ripley and loved it but I am right between a large and XL and felt that neither bike size fit me.

[@mtbyumyum]

I’m 99% sure Salt has a L and XL demo M4 ready for ya… take it out🤙

[@samharris82]

Tires make the biggest difference in my experience. More than tiny differences in weight, geo, or travel.

[@mtbyumyum]

Bingo 100% really wish I could have had the same tires on this head-to-head review

[@mikes.8305]

Yea but geo is pretty noticeable as well. If not in time then in comfort, stability, and capability.

[@samharris82]

@@mikes.8305 FWIW I once had to run my Ripmo in a 3hr XC race because my Epic Brain broke that week. I put the XC tires and cockpit on and won. Even PR'd a climb I've ridden 30x. It was stunning how "XC" it felt.

[@mtbyumyum]

Yeah but geo can be misleading... take the Cannondale Scalpel SE for example... by todays standards, relatively steep hta but still very competent 120mm travel bike...

[@jasonmurphy2885]

Great review! I’m wondering if there’s a correlation with most bikes feeling of being more planted and sitting more in the bike with the lower the shock is on the frame of the bike?

[@marcid6527]

Great comparison! What a fun group of riders!

[@mtbyumyum]

We are a fun bunch!

[@marksandoval5361]

I'm not an XC racer so I judge XC bikes from the "would this be good lightweight trailbike" point of view. Up until a couple of years ago, that answer would have been "no". Not enough travel and the geometry was too short and steep. Then good 120mm XC forks (Sid 35 and Fox 34 SC) came along and geometry got longer and slacker. Now, I'm loving these new XC bikes even though I prefer they were even slacker with a 76-77* STA and 66-65* HTA. To that end, I recently bought a 2023 Epic Evo. The discount was so good, I couldn't say no. To compensate for it's XC geometry, I sized up, pushed the saddle all the way forward, installed a 35mm stem, and a 3 inch riser bar. All of this gave the EE a more Trailbike geometry. Now I have the ultra minimalist lightweight Trailbike. No remotes, no Swat boxes, everything I need and nothing I don't, pure set it and forget it. So much fun!

[@TheBald0ne]

Rocky Mountain Element is everything you described as wanting. 65 HTA, 76 STA, 120 mm rear 130 mm front suspension. I went to a 140mm fork on mine which slackens the HTA a bit further.

[@mtbyumyum]

Pretty incredible to see how capable these short travel bikes have become.... that said, the previous Epic Evo is the most "xc" bike I've ever ridden.... very sharp and precise bike... very demanding and always feel like I'm riding at my limit on that bike... the new Specialized Epic 8, Yeti ASR, Cannondale Scalpel SE and Pivot Mach 4 sl are some of the best in the crop..... I think if you rode them back to back with your evo you would be very surprised at how capable they are. These light fast bikes can be ridden pretty dang hard, jumped and smashed through rough sections of trail and just feel so alive and active! They're a lot of fun!

[@TomCollins-c4h]

Im surprised you found the last Epic Evo in stock.

[@marksandoval5361]

@@TheBald0ne I've always thought that the Element should have come in two versions. One with a 120mm XC fork and the other with 140mm Trail fork. A lot of XC bikes come in a short and long travel versions. I like that you installed a 140mm fork.

[@marksandoval5361]

@@mtbyumyum I would agree with you. All of those bikes have more rear travel and are longer and slacker. However, I wanted a very efficient pedaling and climbing bike. I did the mods to smooth off some of that sharpness and I think it worked. Compared to XC bikes of just 5 years ago the 2023 Epic Evo is a Cadillac.

[@TylerSmith-zy6go]

Dang it! I just put a set of Barzo and Mezcal's on my bike last night and now I'm already regretting it lol

[@mtbyumyum]

Haha they’re light and fast… I think I like the volume better about the maxxis tires…

[@jt3366]

How have you liked the Barzo Mezcal combo? I just ordered a new Exie from N+1 bikes and I asked them to put on the Barzo Mezcal combo instead of the stock Recon Race. I hope that wasn’t a mistake.

[@TylerSmith-zy6go]

@@jt3366 I like mine so far. Coming from a Rekon in the front and an Ardent Race in the back, I haven't noticed much of difference in speed. If I had to do it over, I'd probably do a Forekaster in the front and Aredent Race or Rekon Race in the back. I don't think 100 gram difference in the front is noticeable but the extra grip would be nice

[@Steve-r3g]

Perhaps because the Exie has more sag that slackens both the STA and HTA. I have found sag and how active the rear shock is has a big impact on that feeling of sitting high on the bike, in an attack position. Retuning the rear shock on the Yeti could completely change it. You mention later in the video the differences between Fox and Sid Luxe rear shocks, which I have experienced too. Fox tend to be more linear on my Santa Cruz Blur and Tallboy.

[@mtbyumyum]

Very interesting comment... thanks for sharing!

[@TheNationalTrails]

BB drop could play a big part in the confidence ( like each suspension design squats in its own way ). DW appears to rob reach numbers quicker than a Horst Link, in my opinion. I bring that up as I watch a lot of your videos. I tried, but I just don't jive with DW Link, Maestro, Lower VPP... Anyway, just something to think about. Might be weighing the rear wheel and bottom bracket completely different than how the Horst Link would be stronger deeper in the travel and retain reach numbers more appropriately to its frame size.

[@mtbyumyum]

Interesting. I wish I had all the answers to what makes a bike feel so different from another bike... your idea is one I've not given a lot of thought to.... thanks for bringing this up!

[@TomCollins-c4h]

Which bikes do you like?

[@TheNationalTrails]

100 carbon full-suspension from XC to Trail bike and a small, small venture into Enduro since 2017. Started out on a 2011 Salsa Spearfish, but rode motorcycles back in like 1990 to 2000. Currently, riding a Stumpjumper EVO, but would love to ride a Smuggler or a Fuel EX Gen 6 with a frame that didn't weigh 7.5 pounds. Personal best for me was a Salsa Blackthorn with a Stumpjumper EVO rear shock Float X tune and Reynolds Blacklabel XC wheels. ... For what it's worth. I'm certainly a master of none. But, build a great lightweight 29er climber.

[@silvercrown88]

Modern Sid and Fox rides differently. Sid is alot firmer and supportive perfect for a race bike. Fox is plush and not slow either probably a lot faster on chuggy section of the trails.

[@mtbyumyum]

Yeah, I don’t think you’re wrong. It’s sometimes difficult to know exactly what you’re feeling with so many different variables but after having the opportunity to swap out the fox suspension on the epic 8 and replace it with rock shox, I think that is pretty safe to say…

[@tomask3040]

I made my Sid select plus 120mm quite plush by dropping pressures 20psi and adding 2 tokens. No bottom out on 3ft drops!

[@chrispapaleo4732]

Great review! Thank you. I also have the Exie and the ASR. My build on the ASR and Exie are almost identical. Both are set up with Rekon 120tpi 2.6" which are within 80 grams of the rekon race and rekon it comes with. I dare say the ASR feels more compliant and capable on the downs. Darts up on the climbs. I do notice a little more bob in the rear with the ASR but nothing holding it back. Something i may need to fine tune but i think its the nature of this suspension vs DW link. I love the ASR and will nix the Exie!

[@Sir_climb_alot]

Interesting... I'm trying to choose between those same two. What kind of trails are u riding, and at what intensity to come to that conclusion?

[@chrispapaleo4732]

@jaketeitelbaum5314 northeast trails. Some buffed out fast moving to mostly rocked up technical trails. Equal ascending to decending. Hard to say as far as intensity because yours and mine might be different. I would say above average.

[@davidcrawford9421]

Discovered your channel when I was researching the Rocky Mountain Altitude 29er so thanks for that, I love that bike ! I'm a subscriber and LIKE your videos. Including this one. I wonder how it be if you had 2 identical wheel sets with the same tires, rims, hubs, brake rotors, and cassettes. You have a big enough audience to justify it. And, you could use them on all of you're inevitable future comparison videos. Just a thought. Thanks for all the hard work that we all appreciate !!!

[@mtbyumyum]

Yeah, a Control set of wheels and tires for short travel bikes, and the same for longer travel bikes would be a huge plus for my head to head videos. The reality is, this channel doesn’t make me any money. I don’t have the money to spend on that type of stuff for a hobby to help people who I never end up meeting and who don’t contribute financially to this channel in anyway. Trust me, if this channel made more money, I would put more back into it to create better videos, including production, content, and gear, like you suggested…. It’s funny, people tell me all the time that they bought a certain bike after watching my videos and how helpful it was…. but they never use the links in the description below this video. Just using the links below the description of these videos would go along way to helping support this channel financially to purchase gear like you’ve suggested.

[@davidcrawford9421]

@@mtbyumyum My bad, I should have mentioned I was researching the least expensive version of the altitude the AL 30. When I decided to purchase I went back to your site and selected the link but it was for the carbon 50 .

[@jimmtb1]

@@mtbyumyum If not you maybe Salt Cycle could give you some demo wheels off and on that they could resell as demo wheels later since I assume you create some sales for them. Although I know margins are pretty low on bike sales.

[@trentvlak]

Enjoyed the review. I've used a Mezcal rear many times on trails like that and took it off for the next ride. Maybe for racing on xc trails it's ok, but..... also Vittoria xc tires are 0.1" undersized. A true 2.4xc tire is really a great option. But Barzo 2.35 is 2.25.

[@NCdragon21]

My Barzo measures 2.33 and mezcal 2.34

[@trentvlak]

@@NCdragon21 good for you but the etrto on the rim they're recommended for is 57mm

[@mtbyumyum]

I really wish I could have done this head-to-head with control tires.... would make things a lot better

[@NCdragon21]

@@trentvlak maybe the previous generation, but the current ones from my experience and what im seeing with others is that they are much closer to true size.

[@trentvlak]

@@NCdragon21 that's good to hear.

[@jimmtb1]

Another great video! Only thing I was looking for was any references to the Mach 4SL which I believe you also have in the dream inventory. Thanks

[@mtbyumyum]

Yep! The M4 is the top of the list for me in this category... only down side is it's a little on the heavy side...

[@StrengthLabAZ]

I have 15K miles on my Mach 4 V2 it's that good. Mach 4 is one of the best all-around bikes. Period.

[@lazylearner967]

Great review Jason! How would the Mach SL compare?

[@brucehumphries6889]

Waiting on this as well

[@mtbyumyum]

M4 is more damp, controlled and overall better trail manners

[@jayswavely6371]

​@@mtbyumyumand spendy

[@NCdragon21]

Would love to see the Exie get a bump to 120/120 and slightly slacker.

[@brucehumphries6889]

Wouldn’t that be a Ripley?

[@NCdragon21]

@@brucehumphries6889 Ripley should be updated to match the AF. Had the current Ripley and didn’t care for it. Like my Exie a lot, but would like it more (I think) with some small changes

[@mtbyumyum]

I wouldn't be surprised in the least to see Ibis go that direction... I don't have any inside information but just looking at all brands, bikes are getting "sized up" or "enduro'd" so it's easy to think they would bump the Exie to 120mm....

[@brucehumphries6889]

@@NCdragon21 Looks like you aren’t that far from me, and you ride some places I’ve ridden. I guess we will see what’s around the corner, I just sold a custom Ibis build.

[@NCdragon21]

⁠ah that’s cool. I’ve been through a lot of bikes. Liked my Ripmo a lot and like my Exie a lot. Fit on the Ripley I just couldn’t get comfortable. Current running my Exie for racing and Tallboy w/140 for general trail and Pisgah. Would love the Exie to be a little less twitchy for me. It’s borderline my main bike. The New Epic 8 is looking good too. I like the idea of DW link instead of flex stays though

[@MikeesTexas]

Doesnt the ASR have flex stays? I imagine that also has a bunch to do with suspension behavior Ive ridden a flex stay stumpy and a REEB SST and could immediately note the feeling of the flex stay

[@TomCollins-c4h]

I believe you are correct.

[@NCdragon21]

Was thinking this as well

[@mtbyumyum]

Right. The ASR is a single pivot, flex stays... they make for a very snappy experience and from brand to brand can be too sharp or ridged.... suspension set up becomes a bigger factor on these bike in my experience. Last season I owned and rode the Stumpjumper with single pivot flex stays.... needless to say, the suspension set up was always a challenge on that bike..

[@DallasBoote]

How about the weight difference? I find that really light mountain bikes feel more nervous and twitchy.

[@Er1cTheRad]

I was thinking the same thing.

[@mtbyumyum]

The ASR is set up about 1 1/2 lbs lighter than the Exie in this video... there is also a pretty big price difference between the two bikes...

[@akaktm]

I think I’d pick the Pivot or Specialized.

[@philosophyofhorror587]

Trail looks awesome, which trail system?

[@mtbyumyum]

Corner Canyon in Draper, Utah

[@LH1271]

@mtbyumyum what are your thoughts on the Exie versus the Scalpel SE? Huge fan of your channel! You've spoken with my buddy Terry on the phone, and he highly recommended your channel 😁

[@mtbyumyum]

The SE is a bit more "trail friendly" and maybe a little more playful

[@REB4444]

"Because the Exie has that Fox suspension makes it feel slightly less nervous"...it's not a variable, it's the trade-off. If the Yeti feels more supportive pedaling and just wants to go, it's partly because of the Rockshox choice of suspension & tires Yeti chose. You can't praise the Yeti for being more supportive with it's choice of tires & suspension, yet make an excuse for it when the trade-off is less capability downhill & more twitchy. Time wise on your Strava, was the Yeti REALLY faster or just "feels" fast.

[@mtbyumyum]

This is a good point and it’s difficult with so many different variables. I really wish I would’ve had a control set of tires. That would’ve helped a lot. Obviously similar suspension, same brand suspension would help but it’s just not always the case. In fact, it’s rarely the case when you’re looking at two different bikes. The Strava time won’t be a good indication of how fast the bike is because I wasn’t always putting down the same amount of efforts. I would have to have a power meter on both bikes to really figure out which bike is actually faster up and down

[@goslingmarcus]

@MTB yumyum, how would you compare the new ASR to the good old SB100? I have owned and loved my SB for the last 4 years, but am curious if the ASR is as capable on the downs? Also is the ASR more active feeling, or less? Thanks for your great review vids!

[@mtbyumyum]

The ASR is pretty different from the sb100/115. Much more "race oriented" I think the sb100/115 you sit down more in the bike and overall just a more easy going and more playful bike

[@sirvince7853]

I've noticed it's the difference between DWlink and FlexStays.

[@NohoUtah]

Would have been interesting to ask Tye between the three and his epic evo which he would pick?

[@mtbyumyum]

I just rode with him this morning. I can confirm he would take the scalpel se

[@thizlezwhoofdahoof6012]

Nice review! I just got an xt build ibis exie with S28 carbon wheels and carbon bars and it is nowhere near as light as your exie. It weighs 27lbs with pedals. I wonder what upgrade would save the most weight

[@mtbyumyum]

Interesting, who did you buy it from? I know for a matter of fact the Chris at Salt Cycles could build you the exact bike you see in this video for about $7k (# 801-943-8502) The S28 wheels are not particularly light weight... the wheels on my Exie are about a pound lighter...

[@thizlezwhoofdahoof6012]

I got it from N+1 bikes. $5k for a full xt build, bike yoke droppers, carbon bars and s28 hydra wheelset. I heard about s28 not beeing too light weight but pretty good for the its price right now. I'm considering berd 27 wheels, carbon cranks, xtr cassete to make it lighter and hopefully get to around 25lbs w/ pedals

[@mtbyumyum]

Dang, yeah… I think chris at Salt could have got you set up with your exact dream build. Give him a call about some wheels🤘

[@mtbeliever5833]

Jason, would it make sense if I already have Ripley AF to add Exie to quiver? For more XC type trails. Or are they similar bikes?

[@mtbyumyum]

Not too similar... now weather it makes sense to have both is up to you... I might want a bit more separation for my personal (hypothetical) 2 bike quiver.... Exie/SB140 would likely be my pick but your riding speed, terrain, style and expectations just might warrant an Exie/Riply AF quiver! If you don't need a big/longer travel bike, the Ripley AF and Exie would be an excellent option to cover a lot of ground and have a lot of fun doing it!

[@samd6405]

Sounds like we need a re-do with similar wheels and identical tires…😅

[@mtbyumyum]

uggg, I know... I really wish I had control tires for the two bikes...

[@donaldlaury7193]

So why do you think the Exie feels more "in the bike"? I tried to see if it had a lower bottom bracket, but Yeti lists BB height in their geo chart, and Ibis lists BB drop...

[@TomCollins-c4h]

Do you think the Exie has better small bump compliance compared to the Ripley?

[@mtbyumyum]

No, I wouldn’t say so.

[@nigelhagley8942]

Barzo ping, sold mine after 1 ride on the Spec EE

[@mtbyumyum]

Should have had same tires on both bikes for this review🤦🏻‍♂️

[@Nikeboy919]

How does the Exie compare to the previous gen Epic Evo?

[@TomCollins-c4h]

Which one had the better small bump compliance?

[@mtbyumyum]

Exie

[@TomCollins-c4h]

@@mtbyumyum Interesting!

[@yowzerbaby]

@mtbyumyum for any of the bikes in this category I would definitely go with Fox Factory SC 120 mm over SID ultimate

[@mtbyumyum]

Maybe... really depends what you're looking for in the bike... I've got a lot of miles on that fox sc fork... I also really like the sid U....

[@yowzerbaby]

@@mtbyumyum my experience with the Sid ultimate is the race day damper is a huge weakness. Maybe they improved in the next gen though. Every bike in this category I ride with Fox instead of SID feels more capable. The previous epic evo with Fox instead of SID is night and day different, same with the transition spur. Part of what makes Mach 4SL and Exie is stock Fox despite geometries that could be better. Fox has a better mouse trap imo (narrow with less volume but a better damper) but curious to see if new Fox SC that saves 100 grams loses that plush advantage

[@oliverburke3743]

What was the deal with the tyres. Were one set more capable / predictable?

[@meanttobe22]

Hey Jason. What Enve bar rise and stem length are you running on the Exie?

[@mtbyumyum]

M6 bars.... I think they're 25mm rise, cut to 750mm length and 50mm enve carbon stem ENVE M6 Bar: bit.ly/3Cq4Lwc

[@frienduro24]

Yeti is the prettier girl

[@derSebov]

Why did you sell the Element? Too trail?

[@mtbyumyum]

Yeah, more of a trail bike… wheel base is long…

[@mfa81]

is that a 25mm or 7.5mm Enve bars? currently on a 20mm and I'm a bit worried of going 7mm raise...

[@mtbyumyum]

25mm

[@Clint_the_Audio-Photo_Guy]

He thinks the ASR is "Pingy" probably because you've got a 1040 gram wheelset on it, lol. There's not mass there to resist any rock or pebble on the trail.

[@Bench_mark_113]

Yeti ASR vs Ibis Exie, and the winner is... Cannondale Scalpel SE. haha (link to Jason's Scalpel Review - kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5THeaWCodCDnLM)

[@mtbyumyum]

😆✌️

[@joewitheld7037]

Sounds like neither one gives you significantly more than the Epic EVO.

[@TheNationalTrails]

Sam doesn't appear to pedal. Must be the good form.

[@mtbyumyum]

He was goofing around a bunch but you're right, he tends to really pump the bike and find speed everywhere!

[@TheNationalTrails]

Genius!

[@RobertsonDCCD]

Well, I just got the Mach 4SL, so…WHATEVER 😂

[@mtbyumyum]

Congrats! Probably the most well-rounded short travel bike there is! You’re gonna love that thing

[@DSlite11]

you guys have more questions than answers what kind of review this is?

[@mtbyumyum]

Share a link to your review so I can have a better idea of what to do. Thanks

[@DSlite11]

@@mtbyumyum go get a job is my advice you aren't a good bike reviewer