Yeti SB135 vs Santa Cruz 5010: Head to Head

We’re back with another showdown. This time it’s between two of our favorite little bikes - the Yeti SB135 and the Santa Cruz 5010. One has two 27.5” wheels, while the other rocks a mixed-wheel setup. Both fill that fun, lively, jibby trail bike category. So today, we’re doing some back-to-back laps to find where each bike shines. The terrain we’re going to ride varies from steep, rocky, and challenging to fast, flowy, and smooth. Stick around to see which bike is best for you.
Read the full showdown here - bebikes.com/the-hub/yeti-sb13...
SB135 Review - • Yeti SB135 Review: Lit...
5010 Review - • Santa Cruz 5010 Review...
0:00 Intro
1:03 Bike Details
2:08 Climbing
4:30 Descending
7:22 Pros and Cons
8:58 Which One is Best for You

[@jimm244]

I have a 5010 v3 that I’ve ridden like it’s stolen for 5 straight years. I would love to have a new one! It sounds like it’s even more thrashable!

[@bikersedge]

It's pretty impressive.

[@Bonky-wonky]

So happy I went for the 5010 v4 instead of the v5, I’m sure the mullet bike is great but for tight, snappy turns nothing beats full 27.5. Looking at a nomad 6 though as mullet is great on rough terrain.

[@tristanholsgrove7619]

Love the video! I lived in North Salt Lake in 2018 so it’s so cool to see all the trails I used to ride! I’m bike shopping now and I’m between 27.5 and 29er. I have been in a 27.5 since 2014 and love it. The mullet really sounds interesting, best of both worlds. I’m getting older and don’t huck off much anymore, just looking for a fun one do it all bike. Thanks for your time! Glad I found the channel and I just subscribed!

[@bikersedge]

Thanks for the kind words! Glad you liked the video.

[@nickatdallas]

I’m really happy that I have listened to your advice, best guidance ever for bigger riders, you’re 100% right. Thank you for sharing your experience. It’s really helpful. My megatower is the best bike I’ve ever had. Busting a tire or two, but that’s how I ride or what terrain I choose. At the end Yeti more suited for smaller rider and Santa Cruze is a machine that can handle massive jumps.

[@derekmann4317]

Great video! I have a 5010 V4 and a Megatower, and the 5010 is just a party bike. I debated selling it but after watching your video on the SB 135 I decided to keep it, as they are slightly similar and thought I would regret selling. Your videos are top-notch! Keep up the great work, Conner.

[@bikersedge]

Hey thanks. Glad you like them!

[@grantwilliams2912]

Great insight.. Can’t wait to build my 5010.

[@DB-sd3cw]

Wow Santa cruz scammed you twice

[@TheGreaterU]

Have a v4 5010, every ride I am more impressed with it. Been on it a year already. If I do mullet bike probably going Bronson, keep 5010 for snappy goof off days. 5010 absolutely ate up Capt Ahab...

[@freshiesat9]

Great comparison! I would love to see this same thing with the shorter travel SB120 v Tallboy.

[@bikersedge]

Already in the works.

[@rangi0072]

Awesome review I would be happy with either one

[@bikersedge]

Thanks! Same.

[@MrXuxu997]

Great review! I did demo both bikes this weekend and I can only agree what you are saying. The last bike which I would really be interested in comparing is the new Transition Smuggler.

[@bikersedge]

We have that review in the works right now. Please hold.

[@chrism2983]

Best review channel on YT !

[@bikersedge]

Hey thanks!

[@paultorres4866]

Great review man. I have an older Bronson that eats everything up and a Ripmo AF, equally shredable. I'm leaning towards the 5010 as a play bike.. mullet set up !

[@bikersedge]

Right on!

[@JohnGarlandTrialLawyer]

Great work as always. Thoughts on how these compare to Ibis Mojo 4?

[@Repne64Bit]

Эх, какие велосипеды.. Мечта! Только вот я бы выбрал Yeti SB 165..

[@madskundal6511]

The comparison I have been waiting for. Do you by any chance have an upcoming Transition Scout review to compare to these bikes?

[@bikersedge]

Still no scout to review.

[@joet2463]

I own a 2020 SB140 that is 27.5 and it's my play/fun bike be it trail or urban shenanigans. I would change nothing on that ride. The Santa Cruz 5010 was actually my first choice but for some reason, the Force pull me to the SB140. After your review, I'm feel the SB135 is calling to me now and wonder what the difference is.

[@bikersedge]

It’s awesome to have options. Stoked Yeti stayed 27.5 on the 135 when everyone else is seeming to go mullet.

[@BrettSampson]

Surprised you could find the ridge trail with all the overgrowth from the wet winter. Rode it last week and basically bushwhacked a straight line from the peak down.

[@bikersedge]

Weird. I filmed some of the POV for this video last Monday. Trail was running great.

[@blakemoser1682]

Been waiting years for a Transition Scout review.

[@bikersedge]

I've been waiting years to get my hands on one.

[@marksandoval5361]

Great comparison! Would have liked to see a full 29er with similar geo/wheelbase, build kit, and travel thrown into the mix?

[@bikersedge]

Great idea.

[@petrsonnenschein1881]

I’m riding 29er whole my life 😂. I had GaryFisher Rumblefish and know I have Yeti SB130LR. I’m only one with Yeti in the group between huge amount of Santa Cruz and Pivot bikes. Last year I was tested Pivot Shadowcat on 27,5 and was very surprised how the bike ride in small unkown bikepark. I’m still thinking about 27,5” bikes all the time from that time

[@rynolindz]

Wish Yeti would have made the 135 a mullet... I really think that's the sweet spot for that travel.

[@bikersedge]

I thought the same at first but Im glad they didn't - gives some variety and rides awesome without being a mullet.

[@JAFO.]

Would've been cool to have included an *_IBIS_* Mojo 4 27.5" ( being a 2nd Santa Cruz & California-located company ) but No complaints, and enjoyed the video as is. 👌😎

[@JAFO.]

2:46 - Could it have been just the line you took and the timing of the pedal downstroke/ body placement vs the specific terrain at that moment? - Sorry, not trying to be nit-picky, but you sound like you're rather convinced the Yeti would typically be beat out by the SC in that watery-tart arena 😉 (no Yeti fan-boy here, BTW) and I wonder of you tried it *_several times_* for comparison sake so you could sound so definite the SC will 'nearly always' or maybe 'typically' win on those type of trail delights?

[@bikersedge]

Oh could definitely be the line for sure. It’s pseudo science at best. In general though the 5010 is more composed, smoother and provides more traction in rough terrain.

[@JAFO.]

@@bikersedge Man I am soooo wondering how the IBIS would factor in! 👍

[@brianleal5966]

So close to going 5010 to match my nomad v6. Rode my stumpy today and wish I had the small wheels on a descent close to Sedona area.

[@bikersedge]

Would be a solid compliment to the nomad.

[@brianleal5966]

@Bikers Edge you think it would handle 150mm up front or not needed with the stack height?

[@bikersedge]

@@brianleal5966 a 150 Lyrik could be cool. Not sure it's really needed, though. At that point you might be better off with a Bronson.

[@TeamCykelhold]

SB135 is probably also a bit more high maintenance and worse suited for those who live in wet areas like UK, with the linkage. Might be worth noting.

[@bikersedge]

Probably true.

[@William.N]

You didn't go over which one looks better on your bike rack. Maybe you overlooked this oh so important aspect because you didn't use a bike rack. (Great comparison!)

[@bikersedge]

I used my patent pending stealth rack. $1200 and coming to a store near you.

[@REB4444]

Oh there's no comparison, Santa Cruz fit, finish, and great colors always looks better, lol. I love my new Pivot Trail 429, but Pivot's & Yeti's color & paint schemes is like comparing a monochrome monitor with 4K color ones, lol.

[@dvs9555]

What were these trails? Recognized the bobsled, but the others?

[@bikersedge]

It’s some of the old school stuff above bobsled.

[@tinshield]

Now that my bikes have in frame storage, and I am used to it, I want it on every bike.

[@bikersedge]

Same.

[@BrettSampson]

@@bikersedge now we just need to somehow magically get it on ebikes

[@bikersedge]

I’ll gladly keep the battery even if it means I don’t get frame storage. Ha.

[@IBRAKEFORBEDROCK]

Can the 5010`s rear wheel be switched to a 29`er ?

[@bikersedge]

No. Only 27.5.

[@danielray1558]

Hey, I'm interested in your Truck set up and how you carry the bikes? could we get a video on that?

[@bikersedge]

I could work on that. I usually use a tray rack or if I have to keep bikes in the shell I use a 2x10 with some kuat fork mounts bolted to it.

[@danielray1558]

@@bikersedge I have a rack, but sometimes I want to take two bikes and I’ve been looking for a solution to have them inside and secure while driving. His looks really good. Would like to know what she’ll you use and any other details on spacing, etc.

[@bikersedge]

I have a RSI smart cap that I like quite a bit. And then that janky 2x10 homemade rack. Works like a charm. I can fit 3 in the shell.

[@johnr5001]

No comparison between these two bikes is complete without including the shadowcat.

[@csedan510]

Why not compare with the same wheel size? I am torn between these two with matched wheels. Leaning towards the SB135 as Vermont has a lot of tight trails.

[@bikersedge]

Because the 5010 only comes in mullet and the 135 only comes in 27.5. They aren’t designed to be run with other wheel sizes.

[@csedan510]

@@bikersedge Hmmmm. I was on the Santa Cruz site and saw what looks like an available 5010 frame in 27.5 (powder blue)

[@bikersedge]

@@csedan510 that’s the old model. The one from this video is the current model which is only available in MX.

[@csedan510]

@@bikersedge I dig. I wish my tastes didn't run so expensive. I'm dying to demo either of these, I'd like to find an older 27.5 5010 to ride also.

[@juanhidalgo7043]

If I was to get the SC 5010, I would change the fork for 150mm and run 27.5 front and back. I can not see myself carrying two tubes for different wheel size. I just don’t get the mixed wheels.

[@bikersedge]

Luckily in a pinch a 27.5 tube fits just about and tire on the planet.

[@patrickshoemaker6047]

Not really interested in either of these models. I just like to watch haha. Quality content

[@bikersedge]

Ha. I appreciate the view! Thanks.

[@spuddo123]

Full 27.5 bikes like the SB135 should these days be coming with 29 forks, even if they aren’t designed for a 29 front wheel. It just means that if you want to sell your fork aftermarket it is infinitely easier, and likewise purchasing a new fork will give you much more variety without having to account for the difference in length of a 27.5 vs a 29 fork

[@bikersedge]

I don't think that would work very well with axle to crown heights being much longer on 29" forks

[@CESAR1309LAMPARD]

5010 all the way my friend ! I finally have it in my garage(my living room)

[@bikersedge]

Enjoy!

[@12345mtb]

Utah Trails

[@bikersedge]

They don’t suck.