My long term Yeti SB130 Lunch Ride Review

My Yeti SB130 Lunch Ride is as follows- and any purchases from these links will help support my efforts:

Other bikes I'm comparing to the SB130:

Big shout to my sponsors! Thanks to Jenson USA, PNW Components, Industry Nine, and Shimano- and any purchases from the below links to Jenson USA will help support my channel:

Did you know I post a new riding tutorial every month? These are ONLY posted to my Patreon page, so join now to see these rad videos! Here’s the full list of my riding tutorials posted through December 2021:

0:00 Chapters
0:54 Disclosures
2:30 Rear suspension
3:18 Cascade Link
4:04 LMNT
5:13 Geometry
6:30 Cornering
7:00 Frame flex: why it's OK
8:00 Climbing
8:28 SB130 and my road trip
9:15 Parts and Build Spec
11:47 Issues/Problems
13:18 SB130 vs Ibis Ripmo
14:23 SB130 vs Ripley AF
15:27 SB130 vs Orbea Occam
16:25 SB130 vs Evil Offering

[JeffKendallWeed]

Thanks to LMNT for sponsoring this video. To get your sample pack, go to DrinkLMNT.com/Jeff

[TheJofrica]

This guy have permanent helmet hair. Respect ✊

[tywitt]

Love Jeff’s videos. Always comes across as genuine and a nice guy. Highly entertaining. Thanks

[canadianoversee-r]

Been on my sb130lr for 2 years. Nobl wheelset, m7 brakes, oneup cockpit with x2 on the rear. The little bike that can do it all up here on the North Shore.

[boonerichardson]

I was fortunate to get a SB130 TLR with full XT build back in June. This bike is phenomenal and I look forward to every chance I get to ride it. It’s definitely a bike that Gets better the harder you push it and rewards an active rider.

[grishman]

Demo’d an SB130 a couple of years ago. GX, Fox 36 factory, XT brakes, DT Swiss 1700 wheels. Loved it! Curious to see what the next iteration of this bike will look like.

[MrFahrenheit]

I appreciate the transparency! Great review

[daveortloff]

Thanks for the long-term review. I’ve ridden a Yeti SB-130TLR for the last couple of years and wasn’t able to try out many many other trail bikes before getting it, so your review makes me realize I lucked out and got the right bike for me with the Yeti.

[brittonbanks]

I’d love to see you do a similar review of the pivot switchblade. Seems like a bike that fits nicely in that same sort of category. Thanks for the content Jeff, you shred and it’s fun to watch. Makes me wanna plan a riding trip up to WA!

[PavelisLord]

Jeff: "I'm a horrible bike reviewer!"
All of us: You are literally the best bike reviewer.

[ollyoo]

The SB130LR is impressive at 10/10ths - you can certainly appreciate it's race heritage. Below that pace, it can feel a bit harsh and unforgiving - you need to ride it surprisingly aggressively or it will punish small mistakes, which can make it a touch unnerving. In isolation, it's an incredibly well designed and built bike (it also has internal guides for cables - fantastic). I come from a background riding street/jump bikes, and it genuinely felt like the bike was able to shrink around me - the geometry numbers are nearly perfect.

I personally found running closer to 25% sag actually made for a faster bike that I felt more comfortable on (I was also running maximum volume spacers in the DPX2).

We have a lot of very slow, technical, rocky terrain where I ride and the 130 felt a bit under-biked for me, so I eventually moved on to a Pivot Firebird, which I prefer for my riding style and it suits my local trails better.

After swapping, I found the Firebird very impressive: it ticked the same playful, supportive boxes of the 130 but provided much more 'meat' for the really nasty stuff - and with that came a good deal more confidence. It also doesn't require minor servicing every six weeks, which is what I had to do to keep the Switch Infinity in good order on the 130, where our trails are quite often boggy and sandy after rain. Without regular attention, it would wear the bushings and develop play.

100% agree on the flex argument - people make far too much fuss about it without understanding it provides grip in the right areas.

[vincentday]

YO! this is all I wanted a TRUE and honest review. Just say how you really feel and think about the bike. Don't do it for the sponsors do it for the viewers. All those bikes you mentioned have been on my mind. Every angle was covered in this review. You've earned every right to ask us to support you!

[jeffsharp]

Love the video Jeff! If I’m being honest I’m not even sure why I watch review videos though, as I’m still completely stoked with my two bike Knolly quiver. I very much enjoy watching your riding, and learning from it. I visualize you when I’m really trying to dig in to my cornering, lol! I think it helps, and some days I really feel like I’m shredding ☺️.

[gspjute]

Based on your previous reviews and comparisons of the Occam, I picked one up in early 2021 from my local shop. I really appreciated your review and how you said that the Occam is more comfortable at 'slower' speeds. As much as I like to think I'm EWS fast, my Strava says otherwise. After testing multiple bikes and hearing your explanation, it made my decision a lot easier. I couldn't be happier with the Occam and have fun on it every time I ride it. Keep up the good work!

[dustinpike]

I love your sponsor declaration...on to the review :) respect

[Theriver]

I demo'd an sb130 and rode it on ranger creek at hwy410 by rainier. It's an excellent Backcountry bike.

[tonyhruzek]

I do like the way you test. The only way to get a real feel for how a frame really works is to rule out any other variables that can change the way things feel!

[jands]

I just got a 130lr and wanted some ride thoughts. Definitely spot on about how the yeti wants to be ridden. Never have I thought about what a bike wants till now! Lol
Hi from Albuquerque!

[dylanglasgow]

Really good review. Your reviews are better than you give yourself credit!

[Putzinator]

2:04 - 2:14 was so sick I can't even finish the video I'm just looping these 10 seconds!