Yeti 160E EMTB is here. Review and interview with Yeti Cycles Engineer

[@TheLoamWolf]

If you can't find one of these at a local shop, you can check our friends over at Competitive Cyclist and use LOAMWOLF15 for 15% off any applicable items. bit.ly/3Ec0Ulf

[@JustDiesels]

One of the best looking Ebikes out there!

[@briangong007]

Most comprehensive review released today! Thanks!

[@TheLoamWolf]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you very much for the kind words.

[@Lucas-hk6gn]

These videos are great! You guys should make a raw channel of your rides I think it would be great

[@TheLoamWolf]

Maybe one day! But for now just check out our Ride Along playlist.

[@Deathbyredbull]

At 13:20 you stated that you added tokens to keep the front end from diving. Please confirm with a suspension nerd but my understanding is that if you remove tokens the fork has better initial support which help prevent fork dive. the tokens help make initial stroke plush (dives easier) but more bottom out support deeper in travel. I hope you can help clarify my confusion.

[@TheLoamWolf]

Hey Jesse, from our experience tokens or volume reducers don't in and of themselves affect off the top feel. What they do however is offer more progression later in the travel, which allows lower air pressure to be run in the suspension so you then get a softer, plusher off the top feel. Similarly just tokens alone don't really help offer a ton of mid-stroke support, so hopefully lumping that in with my comment of adding more low speed compression damping together didn't throw off too many people. Hope that helps? Essentially, no volume reducers (for some heavy/fast riders) means blowing through travel and harsh bottoms and diving. So more air pressure has to be added, which reduces small bump compliance. To better achieve that ramp at end of travel, use volume reducers to add more progression and then lower air pressure will help bring back soft off the top feel with enough support later. We made a video if you search Volume Reducers Loam Wolf, should pop up! Thanks

[@ukli]

Depends if you stay at the same air pressure or go to lower pressure when adding tokens (which is possible due to added progression)

[@mattstegall]

Tokens simply reduce air volume and really won’t effect the initial stroke, given the same air pressure. The reduced air spring volume will just make the spring rate ramp up faster making the fork more resistant to bottoming.

[@gingerb36]

I always look forward to your bike videos and this Yeti is awesome 🤘

[@TheLoamWolf]

That's awesome thank you.

[@krusch75]

Looks like an amazing bike. Downside, rattling ep8 motor. Thats why i have a levo. Brose motors are silent. I personally havent had troubles with mine. But i know brose and specialized have had issues with failing belts etc. But il ride mine in silence until it breaks. At least it dont sound broken all the time. Shimano and Bosch needs to do something about the rattling sound when coasting in rocky terrain.

[@SDmountainbiker]

EP8 rattle is a bit of a downer but not a deal breaker. Over 500 miles and absolutely no issues unlike my previous Gen 2 Levo that had multiple mechanical issues. You can say all you want about the great Specialized warranty, but you have to wait and have lots of down time. Having an awesome bike does no good if its in the shop. Hopefully you have better luck but based upon personal experience, just a matter of time mate!

[@kelvin3257]

If your paying too much attention to the rattle, then you ain’t riding it hard enough.

[@markdohmeier288]

Best review on this bike I have seen so far. Nice job!

[@TheLoamWolf]

Wow thanks very much! we appreciate you subscribing and giving a watch.

[@alexsoto3048]

Hello Do I have a question?!?? I have a 160 E, in this video you indicate that you can make mullet, but they tell me that to transfer it to mullet it must be done from the factory, so that they configure the engine for a 27” wheel, because otherwise the tire cuts at 25 kph and not at 32 kilometers per hour as it usually short!!! In this video it only indicates that you should use a 2.6 tire, or will it be that just by using that tire size it is not necessary to do the engine configuration???? I appreciate any help with this issue, thank you.

[@tahoskier]

It looks like similar numbers to the Bullit. I’d like to see a comparison. I have a Bullit and I love it.

[@wolkuz]

Any problems yet? What about ep8? no errors? How many km have you done? Rattle noise? Considering buying one

[@meljenzo]

Great review guys…best I have seen on KZbin. Given Yeti is sponsored by Shimano, I was surprised to find Yeti speced SRAM drivetrain and brakes (or didn’t even give an option). Was there any discussion as to why they made this decision?

[@jaselikesbikes]

A proper review, thanks. It is very tempting but there is so much choice and I would rather it have a slightly bigger battery and slightly more torque. I also have concerns about the rattling motor. Turbo Levo or Yeti 160E? Any pedal strike issues?

[@SDmountainbiker]

Been riding my Yeti 160e for about 6 months and very minimal pedal strikes and I'm running Deity TMAC's which grip awesome but not the thinnest pedal out there. My technique has gotten better over time which really helps as well. Run the rear shock wide open in the poppy and plush setting and this bike climbs like a billygoat! In comparison to my YT Decoy with thinner DMR Vault's, which has it fair share of pedal strikes, bb height on Yeti is a little higher and characteristics or their rear suspension design definitely limit pedal strikes.

[@59trevski]

So Santacruz bullit or the Yeti ?

[@federaldelii]

Santa Cruz all day

[@marcusoutdoors4999]

Great review. How heavy is the bike in large?

[@iLuveKatsup]

Would look much better with out the yuuge YETI banner on the down tube. It makes the down tube look even larger.

[@patrickgonzales9766]

I love Yeti and this new ebike... but i am not a fan of shimano EP8... it does not give me the long ride that i want... I will be following whats next... Congrats to Yeti....

[@TeamCykelhold]

I hope they add this to their normal range too, because it's such a PITA to have all the extra maintenance with the stupid dirt ledges and extra stanchions you need to maintain on the normal SI system. I had an SB150 and I really dislikes the unnecessarily complicated maintenance on it. At least they should have some kind of plastic shield to keep all the crap out of the ledges on the SI system. I always felt like the SI system was more sales BS and looks than actual necessity, or that they made the SI bikes just for fair weather riding and bling. This one looks more business and a hell of a lot more robust. I like it.

[@TheLoamWolf]

Thanks for the input!

[@markdohmeier288]

How would you compare this to the Pivot Shuttle? Been happy with my V1 After converting it to 29 hoops, but this new Yeti really has my attention. Is it time to upgrade or too much bike? I ride trails mostly in NW Arkansas which I know you are familiar with.

[@mbwaialua]

I love my 2021 Shuttle Team XTR. Only wish that it had a bit more travel like the Yeti. My friend just got a top end SC Bullit. That seems like the best longer travel e-MTB out there. Just a tad heavy, but so is my Pivot. These things are game changers!!!! Well worth the spend and hold value pretty well so you can afford to try something else after a couple of years. Anyone who is "on the fence" should pull the trigger and get a nice e-MTB already. It's time...

[@TheLoamWolf]

It's got more travel and can handle bigger hits, longer descents better. The new Shuttle is a truly fun and playful eMTB, while this one if too, but it's got a lot more travel!

[@ioannisparaskevopoulos1120]

I was thinking of the Shuttle too...too bad Pivot hasn’t released a longer travel e bike yet, since the Shuttle is out of stock

[@markdohmeier288]

I heard pivot can’t get motors. I assume Yeti has been stock piling them for a while to support their new release. Love my V1 Pivot. It would be tough to let her go but this Yeti looks sick.

@@markdohmeier288 Pivot will definetely release a longer travel Shuttle within the 2022...however, availability by 2023!

[@johnwilliamson9453]

Very good review! You mentioned your size (5-10) and rode a LARGE. Did you get on a MEDIUM? Just thought with the SP angle and length and the TT length, looks like there’s plenty of cockpit room for us 5'-10”ers.

[@TheLoamWolf]

Hey John, I'm just over 5'11 and chose a large, I did not ride a medium but they seemed like a decent size and depending on your terrain and riding style, could be a good option. I'd suggest looking at your current bike's Reach numbers and comparing them. Dont look at TT numbers, check Reach.

[@johnwilliamson9453]

@@TheLoamWolf Thanks for the suggestion. Have a SB4.5 in Med, and a Levo SL in Large. The Yeti feels like Porsche and the LSL feels like truck. 😉

[@aaroncorrell8728]

Great review! In all honesty, bikes need a more streamlined display or some sort of integration. With the price and other market offerings, a clunky display is not acceptable!

[@mtbaxel9643]

Is it better than the Santa Cruz Bullit that won this year’s Loam wolf ebike of the year?

[@JC-ch7lr]

That was a science lesson...😎 Heck, I just want to know how it rides......😂🤣

[@TheLoamWolf]

Haha. Check the chapters, ride report at the very end. Hope you gained a few IQ points after listening to Stretch!

[@frankfattore989]

Please correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t the Bosch motor the industry standard? 13k for a Shimano motor is a deal breaker in my honest opinion.

[@zsoltfrona6560]

I love this bike

[@TheLoamWolf]

It is an absolute ripper!

[@kenric5637]

What trail are you on at 16:00?

[@myonedog]

Hello between the Yeti E160 vs 2022 Trek Rail 9.9 which bike would you buy?

[@TheLoamWolf]

Hi. They are both good bikes and while we'd like more time on them head to head, the Rail may take a slight nudge for our pick. Although we wish it was a little shorter.

[@NerdsonDirtMTB]

You got to meet Jared Graves too, score!

[@TheLoamWolf]

Stay tuned for a ride interview with him and watch me do my best to chase him down the trails...😂

[@dgranadar]

Do you expect a new Shimano motor for 2022?, shouldn't Yeti offer the new motor for the 160E?

[@kentmoore6874]

Is there a fast charger? Can you buy a second Battery?

[@TheLoamWolf]

No fast chargers yet, but if you wanted to you could buy a second battery.

[@shivermetimbers5203]

How tall is Stretch?

[@skiMTB]

For a top tier bike, I'd like to have seen XTR brakes instead of SRAM CODE RSC... as well as a full XTR drivetrain. Carbon wheel- set would also befitting. As is, this "top tier" bike requires a lot of upgrades to become truly TOP TIER. I wonder if YETI's race team rides their "top tier" bike as is.... or if they upgrade components (as I've mentioned).

[@ioannisparaskevopoulos1120]

So beautiful looking and capable bike, why on earth did Yeti went with a rattling motor? New Yamaha motor is way more powerful and quieter than Shimano EP8. I was really expecting a Yeti e bike, which is gorgeous, but that motor makes me move on Giant new e Reign+ 0, or Levo Gen 3.

[@dash0173]

yamaha is not a common name in the mountain biking industry. shimano is. shimano has proven themselves over and over and lots of people see shimano and say "oh, it must be good" if yeti went with a yamaha motor, it could hurt their sales and that's the last thing they need when supply chains are as dead as they currently are because of the pandemic. yeti SURELY knew about the rattling issues. their team is made up of some of the best engineers in the world, they wouldn't have just ignored the issue by pure chance or lack of care. another big part of it is that shimano hooks up bike manufacturers in terms of pricing far more than yamaha might. simply because they've all worked together for so long and their relationship is built up over a long period of time. yamaha isn't a word you hear in the bike industry all that often unless it's literally motorcycles or dirt bikes.

[@ioannisparaskevopoulos1120]

@@dash0173 Giant, the worlds largest bike manufacturer, as well as the pioneer in e MTBs Haibike, both use the Yamaha motors in their e bike line up for years. Giant also tunes the Yamaha motors specifically for its models, so that they perform according to their race team standards through more sensors inside the motor, plus the Yamaha motor is way more powerful than the Shimano. As I mentioned before, the Yeti is the bike I have been expecting so far, with the right travel and geometry, but when I pay that money, I expect a quiet bike at least! Shimano should have worked this out by now!

[@richard7059]

I ride ep8 and if you can hear it then you aren't concentrating on going hard enough

[@andydevault7975]

The bike looks amazing, well thought and refined but it’s a bit curious that yeti touts this as a “race bike” when clearly the EP8 is weak in terms of performance compared to the Bosch. Noisy yes but A quick look at what power unit is most often seen on the bikes that are winning and finishing high in the EWS-E series. Searching KZbin reviews undoubtedly suggest the same. The EP8 is weak. I love the looks of the yeti and I bet that rear end is amazing but lost me with the shimano motor. Great review loam wolf!

[@bikemad]

Weight?

[@kenric5637]

Yeti website says 49.1 lbs

[@dnutr]

How does this Yeti 160E compare to the Santa Cruz Bullit and Trek Rail

[@TheLoamWolf]

We're just not starting to ride it on our home trails where we can better compare it. We'd say it's right on par with both of those bikes and looks like it'll boil down to drive unit, suspension platform and geo preferences.

[@marcusschader1855]

Sheeeit! Honestly Specialized seems to be a few years ahead regarding integration etc. Nevertheless just ordered the new F-Bird so no moneros left for a an e-sled hehe

[@ioannisparaskevopoulos1120]

I am also torn between the FB and a ebike...haven’t ordered something yet, but as much as I like the Firebird, I can’t bear those long climbs, so I am probably going with the e bike.

[@TheLoamWolf]

Do it and don't look back! You will get in 3-times as many downhill runs as you would on the Firebird, which is definitely a bad ass bike. but...more riding is always better.

[@marcusschader1855]

Yeah totally depends on your riding spots. I live at the northern Alps and most good trails have lift access. The few trails that don‘t I just pedal. For me the amazing feeling of a push bike on the downs with all the flickability etc is still not comparable to an ebike and yes I tried some. If you just like to plow through stuff than ebike is superior to a Full on DH bike I my opinion. Jumping is another issue with those heavy bikes. Try to whip it and you know…

[@ioannisparaskevopoulos1120]

@@TheLoamWolf Yep!

[@yakbiker75]

Here's a thought, throw an x2 on that Marin and I'd be tipping it's not far behind that yeti for 4k less.

[@TheLoamWolf]

That most definitely is a thought!

[@andrewallen5251]

What’s the range of the battery?

[@SDmountainbiker]

Depends on what mode you are riding in along with many other factors such as tire size/air pressure you are running, type of trail you are riding and how often you blast boost mode! Have a Yt Decoy with 540w battery and Yeti gets much better range riding same trail conditions. Typically I ride exclusively in Trail mode and can easy get 25-30 miles with 3000-4000 ft of elevation gain.

[@TJ-po9ol]

At a similarly spec’d Levo, what would you buy? This or levo?

[@wolkuz]

ofc levo.. 10k for slx? :D

[@ChupacabraOffroad]

700wH on my Levo, I think the Brose is better than the EP8? Yeti is a cooler brand but Specialized has been deep in the E game for years....

[@ioannisparaskevopoulos1120]

I would go with Levo as far as components are concerned , but I also like that the Yeti comes with longer travel

[@stevedzurilla2436]

@@ChupacabraOffroad Is this the 5 motor Brose you are referring to?

[@davenawahine4428]

I've ridden an sb6 for 5 years plus and what an awesome bike. However, there is no way in hell I'm throwing 13k at any bicycle, YETI or not. All these crazy manufacturers need to make bikes for people other than Musk and Bezos If you put that ebike next to a Yamaha r6 and said pick one, guess which one I'm taking.

[@hadleybennett6875]

Get with the times or stop mountain biking. Nothing is going to get cheaper

[@SDmountainbiker]

Prices have definitely gone up last couple years but Yeti price is inline with other top spec emtbs from Spesh, Trek and others. Even the direct to consumer brands have breach3d the 5 figure threshold.

[@wolkuz]

10k for fox elite and slx drivetrain jesus christ, is that real life lol?

[@8664antonio]

why shimano motor??

[@bucknife4129]

Analog... haha. I'm an ebike guy but this term kills me! Can't we just call them what they are... regular bikes.

[@stevedzurilla2436]

Weren't they calling regular bikes acoustic.

[@bucknife4129]

@@stevedzurilla2436 Ahh acoustic.. yes that's right. That's actually what I meant to say. Must've been those two 8.9% ipas while watching mtb vids.

[@slip423]

$12,700 USD! 🤔 But did it ride $5,400. Better then the $7,300 Meta Power TR Signature which also has EP 8/XT/Fox Factory? Asking for us weekend warrior riders 💀🍻

[@TheLoamWolf]

Check out the recent Trek Rail 9.9 vs Rail 7 video we did... Does it ride better than the Meta? Absolutely, 5k better? That could be a matter of opinion and how important performance (or money) is to you. haha.

[@stevedzurilla2436]

I can tell you that I will take my 8k Rise at 41lbs over any 50+ Ebike for the riding I like to do and how similar it rides to every 26-28lb bike I have owned.

[@danysnf1467]

Weight omg?

[@kickjiu]

Hopefully the adjustment of the progression will be added to a normal bike as well.

[@TheLoamWolf]

It really works well.

[@tlagkrtn]

price is too high😥

[@gokeymasterflex]

Mtb prices need to come back down an e bike should be max 7k and non e bike Should be max max 5k

[@kentmoore2132]

Wow that thing is pricey

[@fabiojones4157]

I’m supposed to be taking math notes right now why are you distracting me

[@TheLoamWolf]

Do they make you take math in dental school? 😂 Sorry we couldn't resist 'cuz we know the comments are coming....

[@fabiojones4157]

@@TheLoamWolf lol they do i just feel like I’m cheating on my sb150 by watching this

[@ninjazzrhythm400]

This bike has 3 great features, "anti rise", "anti squat" and "anti purchase". 10k is a lot for a bicycle... just saying

[@TheLoamWolf]

Haha... that's clever.

[@hadleybennett6875]

Get with the times 10k isn’t bad for a high end ebike. Specialized makes ebikes that are way higher priced. I’m so tired of everyone bitching about the price of ebikes and bikes and general, just don’t buy one if you have a problem with the price

[@Concretehardt]

@@hadleybennett6875 Bingo, FFS if you dont like the price move along!

[@michaeledwards5241]

Lovely looking bike but with a crap motor 💁‍♂️

[@jeffbrannstrom3387]

If its made 29er since 29er is so fast.. THEN WHY DID SPECIALIZED DH WORLD CHAMP RUN A MULLET AND WIN!!!!!????!!!!!!!!!! WHY WHY WHY!!!!!!!???????????

[@nicolapellegrino1072]

13k euros for this bike is a huge nonsense. But they'll sell you justifying that's a yeti and that's why the price is so high... lol I'll pass and I'll keep riding my "cheap" Trek rail 7.

[@TheLoamWolf]

Rail 7 is a solid bike, as you probably saw in our recent Rail 9.9 vs Rail 7 Shootout.

[@royromero8496]

Bike manufacturer,s listen these E bike's are to expensive !! Please do something about the pricing motorcycles have way more parts and power and are cheaper than alot of these E bike's !

[@TJ-po9ol]

Buy a dirtbike & a mid level analog bike instead (someone who has bought 8 levos since they came out).

[@iLuveKatsup]

Would look much better with out the yuuge YETI banner on the down tube. It makes the down tube look even larger.