Yeti has brought some long-awaited updates to its very well regarded enduro platform, the SB160. For 2023, the new big travelled ripper gets a revised suspension kinematic, a fresh geometry and its shape has been adjusted ever so slightly. Here's everything you need to know.

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The new SB160 might look broadly similar in its silhouette to SB150, but industrial designers at Yeti have added several minor improvements and reshaped the overall geometry. 

Yeti’s 2023 model year SB160 has impressive core numbers. The carbon frame is engineered to confidently run a 170mm fork and Yeti’s patented Switch-Infinity rear-suspension cycles through 160mm of travel – hence the bike's designation as SB160. 

2022 yeti sb160 head tube.jpg, by Liam Mercer

Whereas SB150 29er straddled a divide between trail and enduro, possibly classifying as an enduro-lite option, Yeti’s SB160 is a dedicated enduro rig. 

A 10mm increase in travel for Yeti’s apex 29er enduro bike is accompanied by a 2% increase in the leverage ratio. Whereas the SB150 features a 15% leverage ratio, SB160’s is 17%. Expect slightly better small-bump compliance and rear-wheel traction under braking as a result. 

2022 yeti sb160 linkage.jpg, by Liam Mercer

Geometry values are on-trend for a dedicated enduro bike, with SB160 sagging at a 64-degree head angle and totalling 485mm of reach, on a size large. Compare those numbers to an SB150, and Yeti’s latest enduro bike is half a degree slacker and has 4.8mm greater reach. 

Designers at Yeti wanted to create a 29er enduro bike with a low standover and lots of dropper seatpost clearance. Yeti claims you’ll fit a 150mm dropper on the size small, without issue, and huge 200mm+ droppers will work on the three most accommodating SB160 sizes – L, XL, and XXL. 

For all its sophisticated carbon-fibre construction and the unique Switch-Infinity rear-suspension configuration, the SB160 keeps its traditional with a threaded bottom bracket. Riders who frequent muddy or dusty trails (depending on season), will be heartened by the presence of a threaded bottom bracket, which tends to be less of a maintenance and creaking hassle. 

2022 yeti sb160 dt pro.jpg, by Liam Mercer

Recognising SB160’s potential to navigate down rocky and rooty trails at enduro racing speeds, with a high likelihood for frame strikes, Yeti has engineered improved downtube protection. The dual-density protector allows edge-to-edge downtube protection and is replaceable. 

The SB160 is available in three colourways – turquoise, cobalt, and radium. Yeti offers five build kits for the SB160, all of which feature pure enduro specification components. Forks are different grades of the Fox38, with handlebars all sized 800mm in width and held in place by 35mm length stems. 

2022 yeti sb160 vables.jpg, by Liam Mercer

Considering its potential momentum on steep trails, Yeti’s SB160 builds are finished with massive brakes – tallying 220mm rotors up-front and 200mm at the rear. Tyre specification is the proven Maxxis enduro bike combination, with an Assegai 2.5’ and Minion DHR II 2.4’, both featuring the EXO+ casing. 

Prices for the new SB160 start at £7,300 for the C2 model and go up to £9,000 for the T1 build. Bikes will be available to purchase from January 20th, 2023.

• yeticycles.com

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