YETI SB160E C-SERIES – PRODUCT REVIEW

 

Today our fast bike feature takes a detailed look at the premium Yeti SB160E C-Series e-mountain bike, featuring Shimano’s EP8 motor and slim internal 630Wh battery, which, beyond all the technical spec that we’ll get to in a moment, just looks stunning!

One of the reasons that the SB160E C-Series looks so good is because the guys at Yeti REALLY took their time to prototype and develop this e-MTB before getting it absolutely right both in terms of form and function. While some other bike brands quickly jumped into the e-mountain bike market with options that effectively took an existing non-e-mountain bike and simply found a way of adding an e-bike drive system, Yeti took a different approach, starting with a completely blank canvas and designing the Yeti SB160E C-Series from the ground up.

The Yeti SB160E C-Series features a whole new suspension configuration designed specifically to handle the extra forces of an e-MTB.

 

When the bike first launched, the SB160E C-Series press release made no apologies about the delay in releasing their very first e-MTB into the market. At the start of the development process they explored the potential negative impact that adding a motor to one of their current suspension configurations would have, the results confirmed their worst fears and so Yeti started with a whole new suspension platform, and they called it ‘Sixfinity’. Yeti’s Sixfinity suspension configuration features almost infinite tunability and allows Yeti to address the added power, weight and unique demands of an e-MTB. We’ll breakdown the finer details of the SB160E C-Series’ suspension platform in a minute, but first off lets take a look at the Shimano EP8 drive system…

 

The YETI SB160E C-Series features Shimano’s pleasingly compact EP8 motor which is also pretty light thanks to its magnesium casing. The motor’s small size mean’s it is neatly integrated into the bike’s chassis at the bottom bracket without affecting geometry and at the same time it helps create a nice low centre of gravity.

Not only is the Shimano EP8 motor smaller and lighter than some its nearest competitors it’s also pretty quiet AND maybe most significantly for a lot of people it feels more natural in its assistance. What do we mean by ‘natural’? Well, it gives a really authentic-feeling amount of pedal assist that simply enhances the amount of power you’re putting through the bike.

YETI built the SB160E C-Series around the light and efficient Shimano EP8 e-bike motor.

 

I recently rode another e-mountain bike with the same Shimano EP8 drive system and I found that each time I put down a little more pedal power the motor responded, amplifying my power incrementally all while staying in one of the chosen 3 modes. It’s like there’s lots of ‘sub modes’ of torque output within each mode working perfectly in sync with your own pedalling input; it’s a really sophisticated level of pedal assistance.

With the choice of Eco, Trail and Boost modes you’ll always have just the right amount of pedal assistance to match the demands of the terrain you’re riding. Eco is great for when you’re just riding along on flat terrain, Trail helps power you through technical terrain, retaining your speed as you go and Boost mode is there when you really need help to conquer those sort of short, sharp off-road inclines that would normally see you coming to a grinding halt on a conventional non-e-mountain bike.

The Shimano EP8 motor is particularly compact, boasting a lightweight Magnesium casing. 

 

Accompanying the Steps EP8 e-bike motor is an equally compact Shimano 630Wh integrated battery neatly stowed in the SB160E C-Series’ downtube. Its relatively small size has freed up the YETI engineers to create a discrete-looking, svelte e-mountain bike AND even more significantly the overall geometry of the bike is not adversely affected, with none of the compromises you might see from other brands using alternative drive systems. The 630Wh integrated battery is quick charging with a 50% charge taking 2.5 hours and a full charge taking 6 hours.  

The frame geometry and suspension configuration of the SB160E C-Series is unaffected by an unobtrusive Shimano 630Wh internal battery.

 

The YETI SB160E C-Series’ drive system is super-easy to control, with the minimal Shimano controller on the left of the handlebars and a small display unit on the handlebar by  the stem. Toggling between the motor’s ‘Eco’ ‘Trail’ and ‘Boost’ modes using the slim ,ergonomic switch changes the level of assistance immediately with the chosen mode clearly indicated on the display and there’s also an audible beep too so there’s no need to keep peering down at the display when you’re already fully focused on the trail ahead.

The whole Shimano EP8 drive system is designed to be simple and discrete; the assist switch on the left of the handlebar is barely noticeable.

 

When things get so steep and un-rideable that you have to push, you can simply press and hold the handlebar controller to engage ‘Walk’ mode; this turns the rear wheel as you push to help you move more freely uphill, giving you the feel of pushing a lighter non-e-bike. We’ve got first-hand experience of using this function on some of the notoriously difficult ‘hike-a-bike’ routes we take on here in the Lake District and needless to say we really appreciate this clever hack!

A simple Shimano EM800L display gives you all the information you need and none of the information you don’t.

 

Want to know even more about the Shimano EP8 motor? Hit the link below to read our detailed breakdown of this super-efficient, user-friendly drive system.

Learn more about the Shimano EP8 motor by reading our separate product feature HERE.

 

The key to just how well the Yeti SB160E C-Series performs as a full suspension Enduro E-MTB is their all new Sixfinity suspension platform. This configuration involves a 6-bar linkage where the lower link switches direction as the suspension progresses through its travel; the ‘switch link’ initially rotates up until it reaches the inflection point and it then switches directions and continues to rotate down creating a unique anti-squat curve. This has enabled Yeti to tune their Sixfinity platform to give the desired ride characteristics while accommodating the increased weight and speed that comes with an e-MTB motor and battery.

Floating collet axles and pinch bolts on the linkage extend bearing life and help ensure that the suspension runs smoothly.

 

Yeti make a big thing of the 160E’s anti-squat capacity, but what exactly is anti-squat? Well squat is basically your suspension’s unwanted compression, incurred from pedalling forces and anti-squat is your suspension platform’s mechanical resistance to that compression. Yeti’s superior anti-squat is achieved thanks to the clever ‘switch link’ giving the 160E a wide and flat band of high anti-squat in the pedalling zone providing a smooth, supported pedalling platform. When the switch link reaches its inflection point and rotates downwards the anti-squat quickly drops off non-linearly allowing the suspension to move more freely from chain forces later in the travel when pedalling becomes less of a priority. Yeti have optimised anti-squat to be at 100% at sag, a lower magnitude than seen on their traditional acoustic Enduro bikes, this accommodates the greater acceleration and higher speeds encountered while seated on an e-MTB helping to find the ideal balance between stability and traction.

When it comes to anti-rise Yeti have taken the e-MTB’s greater mass into consideration and tuned it to 65% at sag, a lower magnitude than on their manual or ‘acoustic’ mountain bikes. This targeted anti-rise percent strikes the perfect balance between traction and the preservation of the bike’s geometry under braking giving a really predictable handling bike on all gradients and at all speeds.

A Fox Performance Float X rear shock facilitates 160mm of plush suspension travel.

 

Let’s just go back to that ‘Sixfinity’ suspension platform and look at how adjustable it is; Sixfinity allows you to alter the leverage rate progression of the SB160E C-Series’ suspension while preserving the bike’s geometry, anti-squat and anti-rise. Quick and easy to adjust the SB160E C-Series e-MTB features 3 leverage rate settings – the middle or stock position is 30% giving a balanced ride, 25% gives a more supported and efficient feel while the 35% position gives a plusher feel and is also ideal if you’re going to run a coil shock rather than an air shock.

 

When the switch link reaches its inflection point it rotates downwards and the anti-squat quickly drops off helping the suspension to move more freely.

 

The Sixfinity suspension configuration was  specifically designed to accommodate the added power and mass of an e-MTB. 

 

Colorado-based YETI Cycles boast a rich manufacturing history dating back over 30 years within the bike industry.

 

The SB160E C-Series comes in YETI’s iconic turquoise colourway and features their distinctive Yeti motif.

 

Yeti have spec’d the SB160E C-Series with a great mix of components including front and rear FOX shocks, with the FOX Performance Float X facilitating that plush 160mm of rear wheel travel and a pair of FOX Performance 38 forks upfront giving you a whopping 170mm of travel to play with when your riding gets really rowdy. There’s a Shimano SLX 12-speed drivetrain which is super-reliable and functions flawlessly even under the additional forces generated from the EP8 motor. There’s a pair of bomb-proof DT Swiss H1900 30mm 29er wheels shod with Maxxis tyres, with an Assegai 2.5 EXO+ on the front and a Minion DHR II 2.4 DD on the rear this spec accurately reflects how the guys at Yeti see this bike being ridden – hard!

Finishing kit includes a light but strong 35x800mm Yeti Carbon handlebar, a Burgtec Enduro MK3 stem measuring 35x50mm and a classic pair of ODI Elite Pro grips continuing the collaboration between Yeti and ODI that has spanned over 30 years, right back to the early days of mountain biking. There’s also a 31.6mm OneUp dropper post with travel scaled proportionally to the frame size of the bike with small giving 180mm, Medium giving 210mm and large/x-large giving 240mm of drop.

Scroll through the remaining shots below to see the rest of the spec in detail. We’ve also included some SB160E C-Series fast facts and a full run through of the bike’s specification at the bottom of this feature…

Upfront YETI have spec’d the SB160E C-Series with a pair of FOX Performance 38 forks with 170mm of travel.

 

The FOX Performance 38 forks have been tuned specifically to cope with the extra forces incurred from an e-MTB.

 

A no-nonsense Shimano SLX 12-speed drivetrain with a wide ratio 10-15T cassette provides a huge range of gears.

 

A Shimano 12-speed trigger shifter provides light, predictable gear selection even when you’re changing gear under load.

 

The durable Shimano SLX rear derailleur can easily handle the extra forces of the EP8 motor.

 

A nicely colour-matched OneUp guide helps keep the chain secure when your riding gets particularly rowdy.

 

SRAM’s Code R 4-piston hydraulic brake calipers provide plenty of stopping power.

 

THE powerful SRAM Code R brakes can easily handle the enhanced speed of an e-mountain bike.

 

It’s no surprise to see big 220mm diameter SRAM Centreline Rotors on this super-fast e-mountain bike.

 

Need to scrub off speed in an instant? No problem with these whopping 220mm SRAM Centreline brake rotors.

 

The DT Swiss H1900 wheels with Hybrid 370 hubs are built to support a maximum system weight of 150 kg making them perfect for the YETI SB160E C-Series.

 

A Maxxis Minion DHR II provides plenty of rear wheel traction when that powerful EP8 motor kicks in.

 

The Maxxis Minion DHR II rolls pretty fast thanks to those slightly shallower central knobs.

 

Upfront there’s a Maxxis Assegai 2.5 EXO+ to keep you firmly in control even on the loosest, most unpredictable trails.

 

Those Maxxis Assegai side knobs are ready to dig in as you blast through technical singletrack.

 

The SB160E C-Series comes spec’d with a pair of 35x800mm YETI carbon handlebars.

 

Seeing these ODI Grips takes us right back to the early days of mountain biking with Missy Giove or Myles Rockwell shredding onboard their YETI bikes.

 

YETI and ODI have been together since the early days. These Elite Pro grips feel great in your hands.

 

YETI have teamed up with WTB to spec this colour matched Silverado Custom saddle.

 

The OneUp dropper seatpost gets your saddle out of the way quickly and is activated by this simple lever on the left of the handlebar.

 

The FOX mudguard is a nice touch.

 

When the SB160E C-Series launched last year the marketing team at Yeti made the prolonged prototyping and development of their first e-mountain bike the main narrative of the launch. Taking time to understand the demands incurred from the additional forces of the Shimano drive system and the increase in overall weight Yeti quickly came to the realisation that a whole new suspension platform needed to be developed if they were going to get the best out of their new bike. Pushing the development even further they put their protypes underneath their own Enduro MTB Team before Jared Graves and Jubal Davis went on to race the final production version of the SB160E at the EWS-E (Enduro World Series E-MTB); the end result was perhaps the industry’s very first dedicated e-mtb Enduro race bike. If you’re seeking an e-mtb that represents the very pinnacle of technology and race performance then the Yeti SB160E C-Series is the bike for you.

The YETI SB160E C-Series is a thoroughbred Enduro e-MTB race machine, ready to be pushed to the limits.

 

Yeti SB160E C-Series Fast Facts…

• 160mm rear travel
• 170mm fork travel
• 64.5° head angle
• 78° seat tube angle
• 29″ wheel size
• 2.6″ tyre clearance
• Boost spacing and SRAM UDH hanger
• 446mm chain stay
• Uninterrupted 31.6 seat tube offers great dropper post compatibility
• Rated to Yeti DH standards
• Floating collet axles and pinch bolts on the linkage extend bearing life and ensure optimal, consistent alignment
• Custom OneUp chain guide mount
• MD thru XL Mainframes accommodate a standard water bottle while YETI’s “hot lap” bottle will fit in a SM frame
• Custom cable ports, captured hoses and housing and ribbed chainstay guards provide a silent ride
• The frame ports are also configurable for clean setup whether you run cabled, wireless or a combination for your dropper and derailleur
• “Moto” brake compatible routing (Left Rear Brake/Right Front Brake)
• Tube in tube routing in swingarm for rear brake, speed sensor and derailleur
• Rear mud fender protects motor and linkage
• Shock drain hole to keep water and mud out
• Stock Shimano 630-Watt hour battery stock for hassle free worldwide support
• Remote charging port on the non-drive side
• EM-800 mode switch
• EM-800 full color display
• Bluetooth capable for integration with a phone or GPS
• Wire management in Downtube for ease of use

 

YETI SB160E C-Series 2023 RRP £9,899.00

Full Specification:

• Motor: Shimano EP8
• Battery: Shimano 630Wh Internal Battery
• Display: Shimano EM-800
• Assist Switch: Shimano EM800L
• Charger: Shimano E6002
• Frame: TURQ Series carbon fiber frame, Sixfinity suspension technology, internally tunneled cable routing, 148mm x 12mm BOOST dropouts, sealed enduro max pivot bearings,
• Universal derailleur hanger (UDH), and axle.
• Fork: Fox Performance 38/170MM e-Tune
• Rear Shock: Fox Performance Float X
• Wheelset: DT Swiss H1900 30mm
• Front Tyre: Maxxis Assegai 2.5 EXO+
• Rear Tyre: Maxxis Minion DHR II 2.4 DD
• Shifter: Shimano SLX 12-Speed
• Rear Derailleur: Shimano SLX 12-Speed
• Cranks: Shimano EM600 160mm
• Chain: Shimano SLX 12-Speed
• Cassette: Shimano SLX 10-51T 12-Speed
• Saddle: Silvarado Custom
• Seatpost: OneUp Dropper Post 31.6mm / SM: 180mm, MD: 210mm, LG-XL: 240mm
• Handlebar: Yeti Carbon 35x800mm
• Stem: Burgtec Enduro MK3 35x50mm
• Grips: ODI Elite Pro
• Brake Set: Sram Code R
• Brake Rotors: Sram Centreline 220/Sram Centreline 220

 

Written by Johnny Dodgin

Photos by James Vincent

 

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