9-13-07 // Previewed: Yeti Cycle's New 2008 Bikes

The new Yeti Seven's missing chainstay is sure to have everyone talking

Last, but certainly not least, Yeti co-owner and lead engineer Steve Hoogendoorn showed off a near-final version of the new “Seven” bike. A 7-inch travel platform that uses a unique single-sided carbon chainstay and a super beefy carbon dogbone.

The idea is that the one-chainstay design will lessen chain slap and the concentric rear axle/pivot location and chainstay-mounted brake mount will eliminate brake jack. Plus, the overall package – a 7-pound/7-inch travel frame – promises to hit a sweet spot in the market, especially if you live in a part of the country with terrain as burly as Colorado.

Two seatstays but only one chainstay aleviate clearance problems and chainslap.

The Seven wasn’t available for test rides, but the new 575 and AS-R Carbon were. Although we only got a few hours in of riding, the AS-R Carbon was super snappy on the climbs and felt great chasing down the switchbacks of Solvista; and the 575 handled as well as any all-around nearly 6-inch bike on the market.

Full disclosure: I hadn’t ridden a Yeti before last weekend, and expected to show up to another bike product launch and be served the usual Kool-Aid. Instead, it was PBR cans around a campfire… and more PBR between shuttles the next day. No wonder 200 owners show up every year for the annual Tribe gathering.

“We’re not making 12 kids bikes here, we just focus on the high end product,” says Conroy. Indeed, the entry level for getting into a Yeti next year will inch up from about $2,700 to a $3,000.

But you get what you pay for, and getting a Yeti means buying a bike from a truly rider-owned company. (Note: Chris Conroy was on shuttle duty last weekend, not riding—but he had a valid excuse, as he carcassed in a rock garden on Solvista’s DH course earlier in the week and picked up some stitches in his hip to show for it.)

A new Yeti cross bike features a formed top tube for easy portaging

Luckily Yeti doesn’t have to rely on its owners to push the bikes’ performance limits. For that part of the R&D process the company has historically relied on a race heritage second to none. Think: Rockwell, Voreis, Tomac, Herbold, Lawyer, Giove, Streb, Rennie, Graves, Houseman.

And most recently, Yeti announced it has signed up the dynamic duo of Ariel Lindsley and Abby Hippely, previously of Maverick. Lindsley said he and Abby will be moving back to Ariel’s hometown of Santa Cruz, from where they will support Yeti’s West Coast shops and demo program and will continue to be a presence on the race scene.

Chris Conroy (left) welcomes Ariel Lindsley (right) to the Yeti team.

Reader Comments 

Posted Fri Mar28, 2008, 3:43 PM — By corey mclernon

so, wheres the update? I orderd a 575 from my bike shop based on all the hype. I have a asr and pulled the trigger. I dont think I'll be disapointed !!

Add Comment

Name (Required):

Email (Required, will not be shown to public):

Comment (Required, max chars: 1024):

You have characters left.

Type the characters you see in this picture