Yeti Cycles SB6 Turq Mountain Bike Frame reviews and deals for sale

The SB6 Turq Mountain Bike Frame makes for a bruiser of a bike, and happens to be the exact same frame that Yeti's Factory Enduro team pilots to victory on the burly tracks of the Enduro World Series. Advancements in carbon technology allow Yeti to build a frame that's strong enough to handle the biggest and baddest enduro stages or bike park lines, while remaining light and efficient enough for all-day epics in the backcountry with plenty of climbing involved. Delivering six inches of plush travel through Yeti's revered Switch Infinity suspension platform, the SB6 is designed to excel on a World Championship level as well as slaying your local trails with confidence-inspiring composure. For 2019 the SB6 now comes with a downhill-worthy Factory Float X2 rear shock, full-length internal cable tunnels for simplified maintenance, and is backed by a lifetime warranty on the frame so you can charge hard with peace of mind.

The SB6 is a hard-charging bike, so Yeti tests the frame to heightened requirements, going so far as to test to stiffness and impact standards of downhill bikes. I mean, it has to hold up to the aggressive shredding of Richie Rude who makes the earth quiver beneath him while riding, so it's certainly strong enough for the rest of us. That being said, rugged terrain is an inherent part of mountain biking, so Yeti incorporates custom frame protectors on the down tube and chainstay to help withstand rock strikes and chain slap. Yeti constructs the frame from their high-modulus TURQ-series carbon fiber, finding the right balance of strength, stiffness, and compliance all at a weight that's about 250g lighter than the C-series frames. Home mechanics will rejoice at the addition of full-length cable tunnels in the frame, as well as the lifetime warranty that's now standard on 2019 and newer Yeti carbon frames.

The heart of the SB6 is the Switch Infinity suspension yielding 152mm (6.0in) of plush yet efficient travel. The key to the characteristic Yeti ride quality is the linear suspension curve offered by the translating main pivot, aka the Switch Infinity link. The link moves upward in the beginning of the travel, providing an initially high anti-squat value for a superior pedaling platform that makes this bike climb much better than the geometry and travel numbers would indicate. Further into the travel, the link moves back downward, allowing the anti-squat to drop away so the custom-tuned Fox Factory Float X2 rear shock can gobble up terrain as intended. These characteristics provide excellent mid-stroke support for popping off trail features, and a bottomless feel to the travel for bigger hits and hard landings. We can confirm that Switch Infinity rides like no other, being one of the smoothest designs we've ridden to date.

Complementing the proficient suspension is the SB6's long, low, and slack geometry that is key to the bike's impressive handling at speed and the confidence it inspires on the descents. The head tube angle sits at a slack 64.9 degrees with a 170mm fork, working with the long wheelbase to provide unwavering stability when things get rowdy. Yeti says you do have the option of running a 160mm fork up front for a bit steeper head tube and lower bottom bracket height, should you prefer a little more precise handling and snappier climbing.

The hardware and parts on the SB6 are custom made for the bike, ensuring everything works together as a system to perform at the highest level for a very long time. The Enduro Max sealed bearings are well-suited to the high loads of aggressive riding, while the collet axle system on the pivots helps to reduce bearing wear, improving the life of the moving parts. The Switch Infinity link itself is a bombproof system built by Fox, engineered to withstand the worst riding conditions. It features Kashima coated stanchions for low friction and durability, while the seals and bushings are of the same grade used in Fox's motor sports division. For good measure, Yeti includes the Switch link in the frame's lifetime warranty. Moving to the rear of the bike, an integrated axle and derailleur hanger is built for simplicity and strength. The left-hand threads that secure the hanger allows Yeti to use the same machined piece to hold the axle in place, a clever system that improves stiffness and durability. It's worth noting that the frame has clearance for up to 2.5in rear tires, though this can vary depending on the brand.