Yeti SB135 Review: Little Wheels, Big Thrills.

[@jeffgiles4330]

I truly don't understand the hate some have for 27.5 wheels. Stoked to see Yeti keep the little wheels alive! They're more fun! ;)

[@bikersedge]

Definitely made for a better ride than we expected!

[@tagzedawg]

The hate really is odd, especially because for anyone under 5'6", 27.5 is a better choice. That's a lot of people.

[@dadventuretv2538]

Full 27.5 bikes make you a better rider. Because that front wheel can get hung up more, you have to become better at reading the trail, and then you have to do little manuals through the holes, and also have to learn how to ride light. These are skills that are essential to becoming a better mountain biker, even on 29ers. Too many people want to just let the bike smash through everything without even paying attention to the trail and consequently never get better at technical riding. My trails are full of those holes between the down and the up and I’ve never gone OTB- bc I manual through them- and I suck at manuals- I can’t do a cool bruh parking lot manual to save my life, but I can do enough of one to ride a 27.5 properly. Sorry but so much that is said about 27.5s is bs. M If ridden right there is no reason for everyday riders someone on 27.5 can’t be just as fast. If you’re counting seconds and milliseconds, then maybe on certain trails there will be a difference, but when you’re out riding with your friends there will be no difference. And the person on the 27.5 will have more fun.

[@sirvince7853]

@@dadventuretv2538 That is so true! Long Live 27.5

[@Zior888]

Dude belive me, a 27.5 is da bomb. Confidence level accelerated just 1 minute of riding

[@REB4444]

As a 5'6 rider, 27.5 would be my call, IF you are riding solo at your own pace or truly just going for a chill fun ride on a Sunday with your buddies. But in the group rides I do, where all my friends are taller and ride 29ers, you can tell the difference in speed trying to keep up, so I own a 29er. It is what it is. I also must say I miss the old 5010 before the redesign because that was THE jibby, fun bike to ride. I just felt in the bike as a part of it and could move it at will. It was agile, felt bottomless, and so much fun.

[@bikersedge]

The 5010 is a great bike. You'll have to stick around for the showdown we will be hosting between the 5010 and the SB135!

[@ryanrodriguez1234]

Would you say 27.5 is better for shorter riders? *new to mtb and still learning stuff. Was thinking of getting the Pivot trail 429, Transition Spur, or the Ibis Ripley but now idk. They’re all 29rs. Appreciate any advice you send my way!

[@REB4444]

@@ryanrodriguez1234 I've had the 5010 & now have the new Trail 429. The 27.5 tends to be more agile in tighter, windy, fast flowing trails & as a shorter person feels more manageable & easier to step off when you need to compared to most longer. slacker, taller 29ers. However, the Trail 429 might be the exception. To me it's the Porsche of 29er trail bikes. It has a low standover height, the seating isn't too steep so you feel "in the bike" not on top of it, you can reach the ground better should you need to step off, and it is rider friendly & don't have to front load the front tire as much as other. All that makes it easier for a shorter rider.

[@Dempsey222]

27.5 does have a lot of benefits people overlook. This bike looks like a great ride.

[@alexgordon8277]

the pov footage is insane, like some high res video game! I find it a bit cringy how people complain about about problems with 27,5" on technical terrain having ridden 26" on real gnarly stuff in the older days. And you can ride fast if know how to ride fast with the advantage that it feels faster resulting in more fun! And you get rewarded for technically clean riding instead of smashing the wheels into stuff.

[@bikersedge]

Hey thanks. Not necessarily complaining, just providing feedback on how they feel in rough terrain vs 29. 29 is much smoother and better at holding momentum, although, they are tougher to navigate. Pros and cons to each.

[@William.N]

Thanks for bringing Brock's perspective into this. So useful!

[@bikersedge]

Definitely, good to have two different size references to go off of!

[@jeffhouse9387]

I rode old school 26 for the LONGEST time…when I bought my Stump at 27.5 ‘they’ were already pushing 29s. I just don’t like the feeling of 29s on my trails…and I’ll drag my heels on a 27.5 for as long as I can! I’ll def give the 135 a hard look.

[@elijahbroughton9907]

Im loving all the bikes that yeti has been putting out recently and I thank you for testing them, love that you got the chance to ride it out in moab and everything looks sick.

[@bikersedge]

Thanks, we've been stoked on the bikes companies have been putting out there for us!

[@RedWingsninetyone]

Definitely don't overlook the 27.5"! I rode mine for 5 years up until it got stolen last year. I got a good deal on an SB130 as a replacement though. Although I'm still adjusting to the 29er, 27.5 will always hold a special place for me. The thief left the wheels behind since they were locked to my 1Up rack, so maybe one day I'll get to use them as part of a build.

[@markosteinberger]

Will stick with 26 at least on road with slicks. I am done with 29.

[@damianjensen7092]

Hey, another great vid I always enjoy your points. I’m 6’4” have a SB140 27.5 and I absolutely love it. I brought a sb 130 a couple of years later and it’s a great bike and rolls a lot faster but I always couldn’t get the 140 out of my head so I put a 29 fork up front on the 140 and it’s the best ever bike. You should try Mx on the 135 the best of all worlds, I think it will take you do everything bike up a level. Cheers again for the great vids

[@FatboyAussie]

Yeti knows how to build a good bike. Keen to ride one of these and see it set up as a mullet.

[@bikersedge]

They definitely do know how to build a good bike!

[@mhowell13]

Glad to see Yeti shake it up this year. Another great review and footage; need to get out to Utah asap.

[@bikersedge]

So stoked on this bike!

[@mhowell13]

@Bikers Edge do you guys ever publish your routes? Sometimes it's the trail I'm more excited about than the bike in these videos. Lol. I'm next door in Colorado and try to come over once a year.

[@bikersedge]

I try to be sensitive about broadcasting trails on the internet. Happy to answer on an individual basis. This is a mix of captain Ahab, Mag 7 and navajo rocks.

[@mhowell13]

​@@bikersedge thank you.

[@Chance.B]

Great video. Sounds like a bike I would love. Looking forward to the showdown with the 5010!!!

[@bikersedge]

We're excited to see how they ride head to head! It'll be interesting!

[@kpicha]

Sounds awesome! I wonder how it compares to the Pivot Shadowcat? The handling on that bike is razor sharp and is an excellent climber.

[@a8f235]

I've also heard good things about that one. Personally I got the Switchblade and sadly it's too much bike for my needs. The bike itself is very good, but I just don't get to enjoy it as much as I could given what I ride the most.

[@bikersedge]

We don’t carry pivot so I’m not too familiar.

[@ericklaurila1293]

I’d like to see this comparison as well. I demoed the Shadowcat and really loved how light but capable it felt in Sedona to the point where I have been considering selling my 29er and purchasing the Pivot. Now I want to check out the Yeti SB135. Glad there are still a couple of options in the 27.5 category. Thanks for the video and in depth review.

[@user-hi5nw9sh3p]

Getting front wheel caught up is way more about head angle than wheel size. You can tell by going from a xc 29” to a trail 27.5 ie the transition scout. No comparison. Way more trust in the smaller slacker wheels

[@bikersedge]

It’s a part of it for sure but I had issues with the front wheel on the SB165 hanging up in similar terrain.

[@stephenkohler3472]

Gotta have variety in the bike industry. Expecting the bike industry to only make 29" monster bikes would be like expecting the ski industry to only make powder skis. There are millions of different people riding millions of different trails and no one type of bike is going to be right for all of them.

[@bikersedge]

Very well put.

[@andyhickmann2173]

Fun/playful/snappy is the number one thing I look for in a bike. Feel like I would really enjoy a 27.5 bike but I can't help but worry that wheel replacements and tire choices will be limited in the future, if not already. I need to buy a bike and hold onto it for 5+ years so the fear of obsolescence kinda keeps me from looking at a 27.5. Would definitely grab a demo though!

[@bikersedge]

Definitely would be a bike worth trying out.

[@Gregor.Forsyth]

Plenty of mullets being pumped out onto the market meaning 27.5 wheels and tires will be around for a long time yet.

[@tprountzos]

Doubtful with all the mixed wheel bikes coming out.

[@StokedExplorer]

Dont think 27.5 will ever disappear. I mean especially the support for them cause there are soo many mixed wheel options these days. Santa Cruz has countless mullet options

[@andyhickmann2173]

@@StokedExplorer all the mixed wheels are enduro/aggressive trail bikes. Wouldn’t make sense for tire companies to make XC 27.5 tires (or just have limited options) and really just stick to the heavier casings, aggressive tread, etc. I don’t think it will go away entirely, but if I have 100 maxxis options for 29er tires, I may only have 20 options for 27.5 in the future. And maybe no XC options.

[@petrjurek6058]

Grat review. I would love to see comparison to Pivot Shadowcat.

[@bikersedge]

Hey thanks.

[@TAZMON20]

Personally I love my SB130, superb climber and a comfortable all day ride, I also love my Mojo HD4, its not a great climber, its comfortable and a shed load of Enduro fun on the downs, more so than my SB150 which I sold in favour of keeping the Mojo, both wheel sizes bring different attributes to the party but whatever you ride remember to have fun.

[@bikersedge]

I think Yeti was shooting for the fun with this new bike! That's definitely what we shoot for!

[@kanon0853]

I've got the prior gen SB140 and love it. It does everything I want; aka, have fun.

[@bikersedge]

Its certainly good at doing that.

[@TheJollyElf]

if there is going to be a showdown maybe include the transition scout too!

[@bikersedge]

That's a good idea! We shall see!

[@Spoilll1]

For me, it will be interesting to test this bike in a mullet configuration. The red color is sick! Thanks for a such good review!

[@bikersedge]

Glad you liked it!

[@subwaveart5579]

I only ride 26” tires tbh Can’t beat the toughness

[@echobenav8]

Thanks for another great video. Very insightful as always. Curious to see a mullet option with 140 front and 135 rear. Can't wait to see what Yeti does to update the 165.

[@bikersedge]

We will have to wait and see. Hopefully we'll see something like that in the near future!

[@marktechsci]

Something I don’t see mentioned is the 135 has an all new frame design and the small and XS have a different frame than the rest of the sizes. The shock mounts to the seat tube on the M and larger but to the down tube on the S and XS allowing a lower standover for riders to 4’9” I think. My GF is 5’ so this is on the Christmas Bonus list. Plus her e*thirteen CF wheels will fit it 🎉

[@bikersedge]

Certainly a nice touch.

[@solomtb]

27.5 in front does offer a weight advantage, and only that, oh, and probably the fact that bike companies need to get rid of 27.5 stuff anyways, otherwise business up front party in the back makes much more sense.

[@bikersedge]

I’d have to disagree after riding this bike. Overall it leads to a shorter wheelbase and different handling characteristics. Before riding this thing I was convinced I was done with 27.5. Now I’m all sorts of confused.

[@grantwilliams2912]

It’s great that wheel size option still features.. I ride a 27.5 It’s great in the tight stuff, but looses ground on the 29 when the curves slacken

[@bikersedge]

Terrain is a big factor for sure.

[@sjbachar15]

I remember just four years ago when I started mtbing that people were still wary about 29ers and if they could be as well rounded as 27.5s. Lol

[@tynelson9003]

these videos are so good

[@bikersedge]

Thanks Ty! We appreciate the support!

[@zacharypump5910]

What kind of bike does Brock normally ride now? 29er or 27.5… wasn’t clear. As a 5’9 dude, his riding preferences are more relevant to me.

[@bikersedge]

Brock only rides Razor scooters these days. He also has a few 29ers.

[@paul_hd1875]

“Front wheel parking spots… love how fast a 27.5 rear wheel spins up”… sounds like a mullet might be in your future

[@bikersedge]

I’ve ridden plenty of mullets. I own a mullet. This rode pretty different and I liked it quite a bit.

[@cgrocho47]

Nice review. What about this vs the Mojo 4? Seems like an obvious comparison. I have both the Mojo and a Ripley AF, and at 5'9" the Mojo is more fun, and it's not close. Running a 2.6" front tire on the Mojo helps with the smaller front wheel issue.

[@bikersedge]

It’s been too long since I’ve ridden a mojo to make a good comparison. I just remember that bike being an amazing technical climber.

[@a8f235]

Still wish I got a more playful bike than I got which was my intention, but because of all the bike shortages and what not I had to jump on a opportunity when it eventually presented itself. Yes it's fun to plow down stuff, but you also got to get up there *_somehow..._* Most of the time I'm riding it is slow stuff, as well as going up, up and then some more up. I really feel the extra tweeks here and there that are aimed for going down, and I'd like a more balanced and playful bike. The one I got now needs to be pushed before you see its potential, and I wish that was not the case.

[@bikersedge]

That's a tricky balance, finding a bike that you don't have to push too much to get it to come alive. Stick around for our 5010 showdown against the SB135 to see if these might fit your ride style better for a future bike!

[@jasonerskine8316]

So Yeti cancels the SB 140 27.5 and makes a 140 29er. Then they come out with a SB 135 27.5. Why not just keep the SB 140 and offer it in 27.5 and 29er? Seems redundant to take a sweet bike, the SB 140 27.5, and repackage it with a 135mm shock.

[@bikersedge]

I honestly think it’s just to simplify naming conventions. Most folks aren’t going to notice any difference between 135 and 140mm of travel. I wouldn’t be surprised to see future 27.5 bikes with an “SBXX5” convention.

[@lorenroot7667]

New to mtn biking and have been binging your content. First, thanks for all you do. I know putting together these videos isn’t exactly easy. Second, I’m also 6’2” and curious what makes you choose XL over L. I know we’re all so very different, and the best thing I can do is demo as much as possible, but just curious why someone with your experience goes that route. Hope this wasn’t too stupid of a question 😊

[@bikersedge]

Stoked you like it! We did a video on what size bike you should ride. That will break down why I chose XL over L most of the time.

[@lorenroot7667]

@@bikersedge awesome, thanks for the response!

[@josephmexican6429]

That's comical what you say about 27.5 lol 27.5 is all I ride. I don't see the hype about 29ers. To me all 29ers are is a fad and its definitely caught on. I do have half of a 29er/mullet but even so it's the rear 27.5 that makes the bike more playful. 27.5 is just more fun and IMHO way more potential than the wagon wheel.

[@bikersedge]

Different strokes for different folks.

[@redalaska]

Y’all remember 26” wheels? The OG mullet 26”f and 24”r? Specialized Big Hit…. I’m looking at you.

[@bikersedge]

26? What are those?

[@Onlydansmtb]

Bike industry 2021 - 29 in wheels are the best! 2022- Mx wheels are the best! 2023- 27.5 wheels are the best!

[@bikersedge]

They are all pretty neat aren't they.

[@Kaisersozze]

We need 28.5

[@bikersedge]

@@Kaisersozze *28.99

[@spicymountainbike]

2024- 27.5+ are the best!

[@Kaisersozze]

@@spicymountainbike Not into those slow rolling fat tires, I can use fat tires for fat bikes in winter.

[@jungle00beast]

Thank you for another really solid review! I ride a transition scout, so this one was particularly interesting. Would love to know your thoughts on a sized up 27.5 vs a sized down 29/mx - maybe as part of the 5010 showdown. (As follow up to your excellent previous video on size up or down.)

[@bikersedge]

I could see what I can do to get a smaller size. Personally I would ride the same size frame regardless of wheel size, but it could be interesting to try.

[@destreal]

Nice getting perspective from a shorter rider

[@frienduro24]

Seems a dangerous move making such a niche bike during a major bike industry decline. You could mullet it, but it would jack up the geo without a frame triangle adjustment. Everything is 20-30% off and still not selling.

[@bikersedge]

On paper it seems niche. Out in the trail it very well could be your only bike.

[@jeremyrobinette2563]

I know its not apples to apples but would love to hear your thoughts between the new 120 and the 135

[@bikersedge]

Haven’t ridden the 130 yet so I can’t really say. Although based on build and geo this will be much closer to a 140 than a 120.

[@suhulhaile3435]

Thanks, brilliant review. I have a v3 Bronson - time to upgrade (frame only, switch the parts)? Or not so much of a difference really?

[@bikersedge]

Glad you liked it. I’d say it’s probably time for an upgrade. The suspension updates on both Yeti and Santa Cruz over the last few years have been really good.

[@ronlewis8695]

Please review a mullet Yeti SB135.

[@bikersedge]

Will do.

[@briangong007]

Now lets see the mullet review 😉

[@bikersedge]

Coming soon

[@gnar_tar]

any update on the mullet set up ?@@bikersedge

[@nickantinone]

What camera are you using for the pov footage? Looks great

[@bikersedge]

Hey thanks. This video is a mix of the hero 10 and 11. Most videos now are mainly on the 11.

[@petedog9581]

20" wheels are a blast! The next new thing in mtb.

[@bikersedge]

My kid has a 12” strider. Maybe we should just do that.

[@petedog9581]

@@bikersedge Put a Zeb Ultimate 29" on it! That's a MULLET!

[@erichbachman7363]

Zeroth!

[@robbwilliams7885]

How would you compare the SB135 to the Ibis Mojo? Both are 27.5.

[@bikersedge]

It’s been too long since I’ve ridden the mojo to make a fair comparison. I remember that bike being an amazing technical climber too.

[@tttass]

Dodge, Duck, Dip, Dive and Dodge!

[@bikersedge]

Fun way to ride a bike.

[@phattysnow]

How does it climb compared to the ibis ripley, which is IMO the gold standard for "120-140mm travel" climbers?

[@frienduro24]

The Ripley should be much faster on the climbs. Better climbing geo and it’s a 29er.

[@bikersedge]

While the traction, efficiency and agility are there on this bike, it doesn’t quite hang with the Ripley. The Ripley is built to be much lighter and faster uphill.

[@seanlichter435]

Would love to know how this compares to the Pivot Shadowcat

[@bikersedge]

We don’t carry pivot. Won’t be able to make that video.

[@323johnnybravo]

Does Yeti have a mullet option or is this the platform to turn into a mullet ?

[@bikersedge]

This would be the one to mullet. Although after riding it I’m pretty stoked on the 27.5 option. Don’t know if it needs to be mulleted.

[@323johnnybravo]

@@bikersedge looking forward to that head to head with the 5010.

[@andreasfritsch4831]

If you are just between two sizes would you rather size up or down with the frame?

[@bikersedge]

On most bikes I like to size up. We made a video about why. Go check that one out.

[@austintucker]

Zoomin at 6:40

[@bikersedge]

120% club

[@mikes.8305]

What about landing deep to flat? Linear curve soaks it up? Tons of volume spacers needed?

[@bikersedge]

It's not extremely progressive but it's at 14% with a pretty sharp uptick right at the end. Paired with the stock air shock it feels pretty solid. At the end of the day it has 135mm of rear wheel travel so it's not the best bike for huge hits as there just isn't a ton of travel of extra travel for things like that. I didn't add any extra volume spacers to mine and hit some moderate sized drops to relatively flat landings with no issues.

[@mikes.8305]

Sounds like a rad bike. I raced on a Yeti SB150 gen 1 and it was crazy fast, but the anti jib bike. Love that yeti is bringing options.

[@seankupec1618]

For someone who has a sentinel as their bigger all mountain/enduro bike for PNW riding, would the SB135 overlap too much for fun flowy/less technical trails (wasatch crest or other longer rides around PNW and Utah) with a better climbing platform? Or would a SB120/Spur be a better pairing?

[@bikersedge]

I think there would be a lot of overlap with those two.

[@seankupec1618]

@@bikersedge Do you have a rec for something that would be better for longer pedal days/better and lighter climber than the sentinel?

[@bikersedge]

@@seankupec1618 I’d go check out our all mountain showdown. If you want even lighter and better then I’d start looking at trail bikes.

[@qualm43]

29" is dead.

[@bikersedge]

36 forever!!!

[@shaymtbrider7244]

6.1 still riding 27.5

[@bikersedge]

That's awesome, don't let it die!

[@shaymtbrider7244]

@@bikersedge i tried 29ers but didnt like them 27.5 is too ay to go n yes will keep using them

[@rockymanbro]

Does Bikers Edge have any SB135's for Demo?

[@bikersedge]

Not currently. Yeti didn't even have them at our demo event last weekend. Should probably see some soon.

[@nicovillo4057]

Please help me afford this bike😢

[@bikersedge]

Start checking couch cushions.

[@lifebehindbarsonemansstory2189]

People put to much on wheel size and travel imo if you didn’t know it was 27.5 bet you probably wouldn’t know lol wheel size is like penis size not what you got but how you use it 💯🤘🏻

[@justins9968]

spending 10k on a 27.5......

[@bikersedge]

I’m not seeing the problem here.

[@marktechsci]

Don’t cheap out on the build. 12k minimum!

[@bikersedge]

@@marktechsci Prices seem to be coming down these days. The top tier 135 build is just over 10K. Not saying that's cheap but things are moving in the right direction.

[@marktechsci]

@@bikersedge with AL Wheelset and a dropper with a cable. 😜 I have about 11k into my 2021 C series (130c_lr XT). Retail was about 6500. Less to upgrade on the top tier, but still some extra stuff you can put on. Like a fancy stem and bars. The saddle you normally use, nice pedals…. See. Cha Ching, cha Ching, cha Ching.

[@bikersedge]

@@marktechsci I mean you're not wrong, but that bike would have been 12K last year. It's nice to see prices moving in the right direction.