PROJECT BIKE - The ULTIMATE Yeti SB165 DH Build

This new Yeti SB165 in moss green is ready to slay the bike park. When a full DH bike is too much and an enduro bike will get beat up, our custom dream build will handle traverses and rowdy donwhills. A FOX transfer dropper post and DHX2 coil with climb switch are just enough help for pedaling, while the FOX 40 dual crown fork at 190mm of travel and DH casing Maxxis tires will attack the rocks and loose trails that normally beat up our enduro bikes.
Our custom bike would retail for about $9,200 and it weighed in at 34 pounds, 11 ounces.
Filmed at Bogus Basin and Tamarack bike parks in Idaho.
See the full article on Vital MTB
www.vitalmtb.com/features/The...

[@HairyMTB]

Next is trying a 190mm Zeb to see how a mini single crown enduro/dh fork would rock

[@JaggedTusk]

I was just about to post this. A 190 Zeb should be about 500 grams lighter than a Fox 40 or Boxxer. Swapping the air spring isn't difficult. It still won't be a dual crown but I'm curious how it would compare.

[@vitalmtb]

The sticky point there would be the increase in axle to crown length. Our 190mm FOX 40 has the same A to C as a 180mm single crown, which kept the bike's already aggressive geo in check.

[@stanp2281]

Thank goodness other people agree with me. I commented something similar

[@jc854R]

if i were to ever compete in redbull rampage which i never will but if i did, i would definitely use a 190 Zeb and do a tailwhip to absolutely fuck the competition up. it’s amazing that it’s basically a dh fork with one less crown

[@tehllama42]

@@vitalmtb Just make the A2C match, and send it - I really do think that's a genuinely solid bit of journalism, quality clickbait, and honest will be a really fun time testing to supply both of those answers. With a 175mm (or 200mm) dropper swapped into the equation, I do think that omni-threat bike would be an interesting project, and you have the extreme benchmark to compare it against

[@aidancollins4887]

The return of the free ride bike

[@brandonperez2267]

Pretty damn light for so much bike.

[@sacha2711]

been riding my 2014 Nomad 3 CC with a 2014 Fox 40 i picked up on supersale for years, 1x11 11x42 cassette, 28t chainring, derby AM carbon rims, 4 pot brakes. for DH parks i run the fork stanchions at full extension, drop them ~20mm for trails to steepen the head angle--biggest downsides are pedal strikes with the low BB & limited turning radius of the double crown on switchbacks.

[@leRat699]

i bought an ''old'' canyon Torque from 2016 and an downhill coil plus Fox 40 and its pretty much the same thing and i can say its perfekt for park and you can have great fun also on blue flow stuff. But the thing also shreds the black DH tec lines and jumps every thing :D just a dream

[@zepp3lin]

The reason I'm still keeping my 2012 Transition TR250, 180mm RS Totem40 upfront, 180mm Rear, 26 plus tires with 45mm carbon rim, 30T single chainring with 10 speed 11-44 DH Sram XO and a dropper post for easier climbing. Very playful...........

[@philipB31]

Well, I think I will join a lot of people here in being very green, what a beast! Thanks for sharing.

[@maritimeshreds2049]

That is pretty sweet. My Brodie Thumper is set up with a Boxxer and a ten speed drive train for any climbs

[@harrymarshall9739]

This video definitely deserves more love

[@ChefIan73]

I’m loving my sb165 on full DVO suspension! Currently eyeing a 29er Onyx to make it a mullet bike 🚀🤘🏽

[@ifagb0168]

My first bike was similar, a GT enduro with dual crowns. It was one of the most fun bikes ive ever ridden

[@RickyDownhillRDH]

That thing is SICK!!

[@JaggedTusk]

This is a sweet build but man the cost of Yeti frames is outrageous. Around $1k more than many frames of similar capabilities.

[@stevencraig9492]

high end carbon vs low end carbon though

[@wx2999]

@@stevencraig9492 yeti is not high end, it's simply overpriced

[@raphaelcruise9807]

Best Climber on all long travel bikes period!

[@maxwellcunningham8908]

@@wx2999 it's both probably. yeti bike do ride amazingly and they are of great quality

[@Geckoblue545]

Reminds me of Evil's special edition park bikes, just with a dropper.

[@kyrbynator7587]

Absolutely dream bike😍

[@ianfurqueron5850]

I have my Megatower essentially set up for park riding in the Northeast. 160mm travel front and rear with a Helm fork. When I first bought the frame, I did consider looking into a dual crown fork reduced down to 180mm travel. Still might. I run a more XC friendly drivetrain however. I agree about tires - when I went from Magic Marys with Super Gravity casing tires to Assegai DH casing tires, the bike feels a lot more planted. My bike also weighs about 34 lbs, although being a 29er, the wheels and tires make up for the air rear shock and single crown fork.

[@brennanjrim]

my wallet was hurt watching this

[@DnBQemist]

now go look at the price of Specialized Enduro S-Works

[@raheemgahelable]

@@DnBQemist right? 😂🤣🤣😂🤘🤘

[@Tony-dh]

My dh bikes i always put a dropper seatpost. 1x 11 or 12 I have two, a 29er and 27.5 I also lighten it by putting trail tyres and possibly lighter wheels, carbon bars. Sls coil. Bottle cage too if it fits. Only one it did. I ride a lot of uphill to enjoy the downs.

[@ericmountainbiker]

Bad ass build!!

[@t4yostt]

its so awesome i wish i could build one

[@bike_somm]

Thinking about creating an alternative setup for my Megatower now that I’ve got the Cascade link on.. maybe have the option to run a 170 shock & a 170-180 38 Fox or Zeb 🤙🏼 Awesome that companies are creating such capable long travel bikes that can be versatile on both ends of the Enduro DH or Enduro Trail spectrum. 💯🚲🙌🏻

[@JJMilk]

Amazing!! 🤩

[@trentb1]

Been on this bike since late August. Verdict so far? This bike rocks, it basically addresses all the weaknesses of the SB6 and feels like a waay more bad ass version of that bike. You definitely have to stay on the gas and ride this bike hard but it will reward in every scenario if you do. I was skeptical but I've had several days of 20+ miles with 3k+ feet of climbing and it's no more taxing the SB6. It's a tad heavy and when the climbs get techy you'll probably be walking but it more than makes up for it once the trail points down.

[@adanielweaver]

I am gonna do this to my Patrol when I'm ready for a new bike.

[@MTBK03]

nice bike

[@extinctionyt4387]

Looking wow

[@povteer]

my eyes are definitely very flat moss green!..

[@djbigt126]

Badass ride

[@erwannvisuals]

ive been thinking about putting a DH fork on my Capra

[@JWH.Design]

this makes me think of the enduro gambler that dangerholm build, full 200mm suspension with a dropper and 12 speed axs

[@stefromfortworth]

I don’t get why you’d want a DH drivetrain (useless for climbing) AND a dropper post?

[@jakeb383]

Downhill drive train has little to none chain slap and easier shifting for when you need to really crank the downhill (Sram gx user here)

[@camperhonsa8633]

Yeah, makes no sense. Also, climb switch, why the hell would you need a climb switch with that gearing?🤣 What would’ve made more sense was to put something like a 10-42 X01 drivetrain on it and include a 210mm OneUp dropper if you really needed this bike to be able to climb sometimes. The best option was probably to ditch the climb switch and dropper and create a full blown park bike that doesn’t have as many breakable parts.

[@zachmtb8432]

Pedaling up hill with a dh bike and 7 speeds isn't as bad as it seems I can pedal up almost all the same stuff with my dh that I can pedal up on my enduro

[@jakeb383]

zach mtb wtf man you must be in good shape I hate riding anything other than lifts with my dh 😅😬

[@kennethroth6757]

Microshift 10 speed will work too

[@mrvwbug4423]

About the only thing I would change on that build is leave the12 speed enduro bike drivetrain in place so it can get itself up the hill when a lift/shuttle isn't available.

[@TommyHuynh]

I was in the market for a do it all bike and I test rode tons of bikes and decided to custom build a Yeti SB165 with DVO Onyx 180 SC fork and DVO Jade X shock. This bike just wants to eat up chunk and it climbs so good. I barely ever ride my DH bike any more.

[@dank6761]

I have the sb165 with ZEB and Push 11/6 and tbh I'm not that impressed, my mates 1st gen Capra runs more sag and is plusher it seems. But I'm wondering whether to drop spring weight from what the Yeti calculator and Push recommends. As much as I love the look of the Yeti and it has the heritage, I feel the Capra or Spec Enduro would give ne a much plusher ride... I'm on a 450lb spring at 73kg, might try a 411lb Ohlins spring on it and see if I can get the couch like feel I'm after.

[@TommyHuynh]

@@dank6761 I'm really surprised, I have ridden a couple Capras and its on a different level, they were heavy, sluggish, not poppy at all and just didn't feel fun to me. I actually have a friend who sold their Capra to get a SB165 after riding mine. I have another buddy who is trying to sell his Capra to buy a Yeti. It definitely sounds like your suspension isn't set up correctly. I run my beginning stroke super plush and it ramps up nicely my bike is really poppy and fun 👌

[@dank6761]

@@TommyHuynh what is your weight and spring lb? Yes the Yeti is definitely lighter and much better pedalling than the Capra, but even just riding in the street over rough pavement I can feel all the cracks between the tiles ect, the back end feels no plusher than the air ZEB and I expected much better given my coiled fox 36 with Smashpot was amazing. There is no doubt the Capra runs more sag though, just sitting on that bike the seats squats really low compared to the handlebars. Also with 11/6 my sb165 is not poppy, it is very very hard to do bunnyhops, it's like the coil absorbs all of the energy but at the same time the small bump somehow is not the best I have ever ridden.

[@TommyHuynh]

@@dank6761 it sounds like you need to get the shock set up properly. I'm 150 pounds and I run a 400 lb spring

[@dank6761]

@@TommyHuynh The Push only comes in 3 tunes based on rider weight ranges, I'm on the middle weight tune, the rest is done by the dials. But judging that you weigh 68kg on a 400lb and I weigh 72/73kg I think I will drop from the 450lb to the 425lb or 411lb. I spoke to the tuner who tunes the 11/6 but he said go to 475lbs and more damping, he said sometimes it is harsh because the spring is too soft, but I tried it and it was worse. I think a similar spring to you will be perfect. Cheers

[@konar1616]

My dream dh/freeride/enduro/do all park bike would have probably zeb 190 and a 180/210 one up droper, oval chainring 32/34t and 12speed drivetrain maybe 45/50ish cassete

[@mikedisalvo6305]

The new 2021 Rocky Mountain Slayer 30 Park Edition is very similar. 200mm Boxxer up front and 180mm in back. No dropper though but you can always add it. $4100

[@williamaxbey1594]

it would be interesting to see this build on the transition patrol.

[@tsalesto]

I probably would have built that with a Zeb or Fox 38 to save a bit of weight and SRAM EX1 groupset to get better climbing gears. But, I do like the build. A lot.

[@julianrime8544]

I saw something like this at mountain creek last time I went

[@mattleonard5268]

I’ve personally owned a trailbike with shorter than downhill travel, but I put a dual crown downhill fork on it and loved it. I took it on trail rides and freeriding down steep gnarly trails. It could do it all and I had the legs cardio to do it.

[@benediktbuhler4424]

150mm to the bikepark🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀

[@williamaxbey1594]

in a few years when i have the money i might do this build on my remedy

[@gpearce11]

This is so close to the spec I'd pick for my dream free-ride/park bike (Fox 40/DHX2/Transfer). The only real spec difference would be the groupset; I'd be tempted to stick to a 12 speed setup, but if I was going to take your advice and spec a gravity focused groupset I'd pick the Shimano Saint 1x10, as the 11-34T cassette would still allow some climbing capability (better than Sram's 10-24T anyway). The other major change would be the use of a Nukeproof Giga 290 (XXL) frame instead of a Yeti SB165 frame, as I'm 6'6" and therefore want a big 29in frame. Were I smaller this 27.5in Yeti frame would certainly be an excellent choice.

[@asquare9316]

I would put a Push 11-6 shock and Manitou Dorado Pro on it, Box drivetrain, trickstuff maximus brakes. Just dreaming of course.

[@snoze1337]

this colorrrrrreeee

[@jamesroberts7906]

Have a look at the airdrop slacker project, has the same idea, independent bike company from the uk

[@charlito_gk3880]

That build is aaawesome!!! Love it! But it's very expensive. Maybe I can make one with a similar spirit. Why not a Capra, canyon torque, or a propain spindrift?

[@yzedf]

Capra won’t void warranty with a dual crown fork 🤘🏻

[@SOCALMTBAdventures]

Monster Machine bro 🤙🏻 needs one of them 🤩

[@Coerced]

Perfect park bike. It'll even have me sleep at the park because I won't be able to pay the rent

[@gmanmtb]

"Until YETI CLAUS starts dropping these down chimneys..." 😆

I want to see a DH/XC bike! Öhlins DH fork can be lowered to 120mm. Make it happen!

[@KoenGriess]

I wonder if I can do that to my 2020 specialized enduro?! 🤔

[@RCKING1]

The nomad Lt cascade components bike still takes the W tbh

[@chjsaca]

Love Yeti's and this looks to be a great bike. However, with all the tech that Yeti puts into their bikes ... you'd think they could incorporate a flip chip so that you could move between a 29 or 27.5 in the back. Just allow a customer to configure how they want.

[@lukesteele5013]

I think that my next dh frame is going to be less than 203, its just so overkill and my local park doesn't have that knarly of terrain, just like this

[@samuelbelangerdallaire6486]

When putting a 200mm dual crown fork, do you need to change anything on the bike's geo/ swingarm? Or could it be possible to swap a 180mm single crown for enduro days and swap back the dual crown for a park day without changing the geo too much? If no, what adjustments need to be done?

[@douwe3300]

Put a 12 speed drivetrain on it so you can easily conquer steep fireroads to the best trails :)

[@lrvz7187]

Box 9 speed*

[@douwe3300]

@@lrvz7187 Yeah that would actually be the most fitting for this bike :)

[@ilfede8151]

Per andare al bar a bere il caffè può andare bene. Da pedalare in salita, e scendere in discesa, vale 100 volte di più una Kona Stinky da 300 euro!! 😂😂😂😂Yeti sta migliorando di anno in anno vedo....👌🏻👌🏻

[@CalgaryDynastar]

Buddy of mine cracked his 165 top tube badly on a minor crash. Seemed like Yeti didn’t want to say anything about the issue. Replace frame and sweep under the rug, having carbon issues perhaps??

[@bigblock146]

Yea, i'd have that.

[@hudsonms]

My Park Destroyer is the Evil Wreckoning V3, Push coil shock, Ohlins DH M1 fork 200mm. Swapped out the 29, for 27.5 wheels, DH casing Assagai/DHR2. Shimano Saint brakes 203 rotors, I’ve got the One Up dropper on there which has the lowest stack you can get. And at the moment GX 12speed but want to go to a 7speed next season. Consulted with the EVIL guys on the specs to get the right park/DH Geo.

[@asquare9316]

Love that you have a Push shock, awesome, a dream for me at the moment. would put on a Manitou Dorado Pro fork.

[@gmow99]

I basically did this with a pivot firebird but I used a 170 one up and 12 speed gearing to keep it as versatile as possible and love it! Why did you choose the dh set?

[@williamaxbey1594]

i was wondering this at first but i guess a dh specific drivetrain is just alot more quiet, out of the road, and overall beter for downhill.

[@rodrigoperezdeltoro4001]

Amazing bike! however...... WtF did you choose the green color!!

[@vicente.p7384]

Fucking insane AND sick man

[@chrisfontaine6221]

I would have went with 36 front ring and a sram 9 spd cassette

[@1982daverogers]

DH drive train and you put a dropper on? Why not go for a normal 12 speed?

[@dubplateriddim]

Or at least put a 10spd Saint 11-32... 7spd with a dropper?

[@briangong007]

Loved everything about this build...follow up video should be a "mullet" version....

[@vitalmtb]

Thanks Brian, we had a blast with this one. There seems to be a lot of requests for a mullet bike

[@noahstewart6832]

This place looks oddly familiar. Is this in Idaho near Boise?

[@shredmtb258]

Is downhill bike okay to have 180mm travel single crown fork?

[@andrewtate8745]

Does any dh fork fit on the the 165

[@sicmic]

Newbie question. Does the rear still stay at 165mm on this build?

[@jimdandy4329]

So Maxxis Assegai or Scwhalbe Magic Mary/Big Betty?

[@chrisfontaine6221]

My park bike is a 2007 Wilson with RC2XVA 888's and have no intention of buying a new bike unless I snap it... I just wish 26'ers weren't getting phased out

[@vitalmtb]

So sick, keep ripping it!

[@streetjibs50]

What offset is the fox 40 fork?

[@maxwharin7891]

Should have gone with a 1x12 setup

[@Calispeedboi]

Snot rocket?

[@jamesheath4845]

How long before Mike Levy starts calling these DownDuro bikes? Or Endownhill...

[@joseph.l3258]

i ride my bike to school everyday which is 20km there and back in Sydney which is quite a hilly city And this is a M29 one of the bigger downhill hikes with 29 inch wheels etc The point being that you don't need a enduro frame to climb tiny hills at a bike park

[@petoneves]

Why not use enduro gearing ?

[@starsky8351]

#freeride

[@georgehliston]

Just put a 38 on... right?

[@sergiorebuffo5668]

Messaggio per Yeti : Continuate pure a seguire i dogmi del marketing... Vedrete come finirete. Firmato un VERO yetifan

[@lambert454]

Are you guys from Boise?

[@vitalmtb]

Vital is everywhere (ha!) but this video was shot in the Boise area!

[@ericto4004]

Old new skool dh bike ...

[@mouthbreathermtb4192]

and I jizzed in my pants!!!

[@nikohesse3822]

how to travel the fox 40 to 190mm ? dont unterstand:(

[@trugearreviewmtb2226]

Install a shorter air spring shaft.

[@ethanbenton6676]

Do it with a nomad

[@NastyTranquillin]

I would name it Michelangelo

[@vitalmtb]

Kowabunga!

[@RCKING1]

Needs enve wheels

[@reubenbacon9156]

Should of kept original cassette and then at least you could of got back to the top without pushing

[@vitalmtb]

We took the chairlift...

[@nickthaskater]

Other than a dropper, what's the real difference between this and a full DH bike? You don't even have the benefit of enduro/all-mountain gearing.

[@l3rodyyy73]

Put a double crown on a yt izzo lmao

[@johncast9565]

A dentist would need to be doing vaneers to afford this bike.

[@daveaufradern6658]

I see no point in this bike: Why not going for a DH Bike with 200mm in the back ? This bike has only 165mm of rear travel, and with this gearing setup longer climbing is not possible. The point is that an enduro bike should still be fully capable of climbing. This bike is not an enduro bike neither it is a DH bike. A nice bike, but it`s totally pointless in my eyes. Classic example of the industry wanting you to belive that this is the new thing, but really, it is not. And at that pricepoint i rather go for one DH bike and one trailbike. And why mounting a droper post on a bike with a 7 Speed that no one will climb with ? Adding unecesarry weight ? Really, this makes no sense at all. And than the point of "a DH bike can be to much". As long as it`s going downhill, a dh bike rarely is to much as long as you chose the right frame size (racing or nimble park shredding) and tune you suspension accordingly. This is not a dedicated "park bike". It`s a weird mixture that no one needs. If you want to shred park only, buy a short and nimble DH Bike and take your time setting up the suspension. No need for a new bike category "dedicated no enduro no DH bike park bike at 10000$". No hate, but this is a strange bike and a strange review.

[@antoanangelov5672]

SAME

[@daveaufradern6658]

@Wayde Blanshan I think most people will still prefer a DH bike in the park. And outside the park, no one will run a DH Cassette. And a far as handling goes, there are very nimble (short) DH bikes out there. Again, in my eyes this is a bike that no one needs. Still a nice bike.

[@lexusstefan927]

Completely agree with you, I can get a superb DH bike just for the price of the frame. Plus I can just slap a dropper on my existing dh bike and a bigger cassette and it's perfect for everything

[@BM-es5mf]

they literally explain this at the end of the video

[@kevinkmiller]

You might of missed this in the video- it's a park bike. DH bike = fast. Park bike = fun. Once you try a lighter slightly lower travel bike in a park, you'll be hooked. This is the main reason I bought a Slayer (although it isn't light), and would definitely go with the DH drivetrain if I only rode the parks. The short cage is out of the way, and overall less finicky and noisy as 11 & 12 spd setups.

[@stanp2281]

190 dual crown?? Why not a 190 zeb with only 2mm difference in diameter

[@williamaxbey1594]

the dual crown part itself is stiffer, more durable, and looks wayy cooler.

[@stanp2281]

William Axbey would you wear a full face with Lycra? Would you wear goggles with a skate helmet? Would you have a 12spd on a dj bike? Would you have put pineapple on pizza? Idk it just seems like this bike doesn’t know it’s gender yet.

[@JJ_MTB_15]

Could have sprung for some nicer rotors

[@trugearreviewmtb2226]

Why?

[@Beli4l]

Too lazy to make a stunning DH like in those glorious times as they had back with 26". Now take a DH fork, put it on any random enduro. Have the same result. Its too bad marketing and the bike lobby works like this, and your avg. Joe even believes it.

[@vieuxacadian9455]

Cool yeti . Personally the raw colored version looks best to Me . Yeti has always had ugly damn colors from the beginning .Yeah I'm that old .

[@asquare9316]

I loved the yellow/turquoise race bikes that people like Miles Rockwell and Missy Giove (the missile) raced. If I had the bucks, I'd do a similar build to this but with Manitou Dorado fork and have it painted like those old race bikes.

[@endurodavemtb6099]

He didn't want to build a dh bike, Yeti did... Lol Seriously though, Yeti boners aside, I'll put my 2020 Enduro with the Zeb up against this thing anyday! 🤘

[@charliesrandomthings5457]

thats lighter then my xc bike

[@brokinarrow1]

had a sb6,honestly they are good bikes but ridiculously overpriced,heavy user fee to own as you are losing money from day 1,but thats pretty much the case with all high end mt. bikes,for me I'll take aluminum over carbon frames but if you gotta have it ,buy used.

[@itsajoke631]

Frame only $3,999......... alright somebody find me a rope.