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Dirt Rag Articles
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Tester: Shannon Mominee
Age: 35
Height: 6'
Weight: 175lbs.
Inseam: 33"
Vital Stats
Country of Origin: U.S.A.
Price: $4210.00 race build. $1830.00 frame only.
Weight: 24.91lbs. (medium frame only, 4.7lbs.)
Sizes available: XXS, XS, S, M, L (tested)
Contact: www.yeticycles.com
In 1985, John Parker, along with Frank "The Welder" and partners Chris and Eric Herting, began hand-making Yeti bicycles out of a small special effects shop in Agoura Hills, CA, before moving production to Colorado. The Scott Sports Group (Schwinn's parent company at the time) bought the brand in 1995, then sold it again to Volant (a ski company) in 1999. Finally in 2001 two Yeti employees, Chris Conroy and Steve Hoogendoorn, purchased the company and have since revived the well-respected brand. One constant throughout all this has been Yeti's signature turquoise paint, and I'm a sucker for it.
The AS-R is Yeti's cross country race offering with 3.89" of single-pivot rear travel. Since the AS-R's 2001 inception, the frame has received a few changes and multiple redesigns in suspension, geometry, and materials used. It is currently available in either an alloy or carbon main frame, both of which are offered in three different build kits: Enduro, Race, and Pro XTR. All varieties come with a Fox RP23 rear shock, F100RLC fork, and carbon swingarm, able to handle up to a 2.35" tire with room for mud. My size large tester (24.4" top tube) is the alloy version with a Race build, consisting mostly of XT components with an XTR Shadow rear derailleur, and weighs a slim 24.91lbs. An Easton Monkey Lite bar, SDG Ti-Fly saddle, and Thompson Elite stem and seatpost are some of the other high-end parts. When the trails became sloppy during the test, I swapped the 2.1" Maxxis CrossMark tires for a more aggressive 2.2" Continental Rubber Queen.
Other than paint, the rear shock mount and toptube configuration is another of Yeti's eye-catching wonders. Yeti refers to this mount as a Dogbone, which attaches via titanium hardware and custom machined pins from the rear-most pivot point of the shock to a machined brace between the top tube and seat tube. The Dogbone actually plays a dual role in how the AS-R feels and behaves: it helps to prevent side loading on the shock, and it controls the leverage ratio of the rear suspension, i.e. the feel of the travel. I'm not an engineer, but I've screwed up enough landings on this bike without feeling deflection to believe the Dogbone adds stiffness. By altering the length and position of the Dogbone, Yeti tunes their entire full-suspension line to produce enduro, downhill, and cross country machines.
During the "get to know ya" phase I pumped 90psi in the fork, and put 120psi in the RP23. Spinning through all three ProPedal settings enhanced the feel of the AS-R, but I chose setting one (the lowest ProPedal setting), because the AS-R pedaled fine without using full ProPedal and I wanted to experience Yeti's suspension design. I then toggled between the ProPedal's on and off positions. With ProPedal turned off, the suspension compresses quickly to soak up all the big teeth-jarring hits, but retains its solid platform enough to not affect pedaling. Smaller roots, rocks and dips are muted, leaving me more time to prepare for larger drops and obstacles ahead. At times the 3.89" of travel felt more like 6." With the ProPedal turned on, there's a noticeable change in stiffness. The rough edges are still removed from the trail, but the bike feels more responsive and lively.
Uphill, the Yeti pedals efficiently when standing and hammering, or while seated and spinning through rough sections. A negligible amount of rider bob was evident only by watching the RP23 flutter. I used the lockout on the fork on long, sustained climbs for more power transfer to the drivetrain.
Cresting hills and heading down would bring a smile to my face as the suspension components and geometry worked harmoniously. The AS-R inspires confidence, even more so when I don't have to worry about trying to stop. Shimano's XT brakes with 160mm rotors are incredible. They have a solid feel that builds up with seemingly endless power and will stop the DT Swiss 370/4.2 wheelset well before the lever comes anywhere near the bar.
The AS-R handles quickly due to its 90mm stem and 16.9" asymmetrical chainstays, though high-speed stability is retained thanks to the slackish 69° headtube angle. The front-end's lightness, combined with the short chainstays, makes popping the front wheel over exposed roots and rocks easy. In rock gardens, the suspension remains active when encountering multiple bumps and maintains the intended line. Through quick rollercoaster up-and-downs and sharp turns the suspension tracks beautifully. I'd often be surprised at the end of a run to see that the sag o-ring on the shock had slid to the end of the cylinder.
Overall, the AS-R provides a smooth, fast ride with a lot of control. It handles so well that it's hard to get into a situation that can't be ridden out of, though the distinct bend of the top tube allows for plenty of clearance in case a quick dismount, intentional or not, is required.
I didn't have a chance to race the AS-R, but racers looking for a dually will enjoy this stiff platform, lightweight build, and lockout fork. All were paramount during longer climbs and saved my energy for the remainder of the ride.
There's only one water bottle cage mount on the top of the down tube, which may be an issue for some people, but I use a hydration pack. Cable routing is clean and out of the way, but there's not too much room to shoulder the bike in the main frame. At $1830 for a hand-built, U.S.A.-made frameset I can see why Yeti has a cult following. Those that have taken the step to purchasing this high-end frame have not been disappointed.
Yeti's website is pretty detailed and includes complete information on their lineup, as well as answers to just about every question from shock setup to derailleur clamp size. An alloy frame Race build AS-R retails for $4210 or is available as a frame for $1830, with a 5-year warranty included.
| Exclusive Dirt Rag Web-Only Extras For Yeti Cycles AS-R Alloy | Make: Yeti
Model: AS-R Alloy
Model year: 2008
Type: Full suspension
Country of origin: USA
Wheel size: 26"
Rear travel: 3.89"
Frame material: alloy main frame/carbon rear triangle
Suspension description: Single Pivot
Rear shock: Fox RP23
Fork: 100mm Fox F100RLC
Handlebar: Easton Monkey Lite
Stem: Thompson Elite
Headset: Chris King
Bottom bracket: Shimano XT
Crank: Shimano XT 44-32-22
Pedals: N/A
Chain: Shimano
Saddle: SDG Ti-Fly
Seatpost : Thompson Elite
Front hub: DTSwiss
Rear hub: DTSwiss
Front derailleur: Shimano XT
Rear derailleur: Shimano XTR Shadow
Shifters: Shimano XT
Cassette: Shimano XT 11-34
Brakes: Shimano XT
Rims: DTSwiss
Tires: Maxxis 2.1 CrossMark
Sizes: XXS-L
Colors: Turq/Blk, White/Raw, Pink, Black Ano.
Weight: 24.9lbs.
MSRP: $1830.00 frame, race build tested $4210.
Company website: www.yeticycles.com
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| Comment from Brandon on 2009-05-06 |
| Note not all Yeti frames are made in the USAmost are made in Taiwan. |
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