EWS Tech - Enduro World Series, Round 2 - Wicklow

May 22, 2015
by Mike Levy  
Richie Rude s Yeti SB6 and SB5. Richie will be racing the SB5 here in Ireland.

Richie Rude's Stable

As anyone who has a few different bikes of their own in the garage knows, it's always nice to be able to choose the best machine for the conditions. The relatively tight-ish nature of the different tracks that make up the EWS event in County Wicklow, Ireland, has Richie Rude choosing his shorter travel and quicker handling SB5C over the burlier SB6C. Both bikes are running FOX's latest 36 forks, Shimano XTR drivetrains with single chain rings, and Minion DHF tires front and back. Take note of those unlabelled rims that could be something new from DT Swiss.




Iago Garay s custom painted Bronson

Iago Garay's Tartan Bronson

Fan favourite Iago Garay is aboard a Bronson that's sporting some sweet looking tartan graphics that were made especially for the Irish EWS stop. Zooming in also reveals that he's using e*thirteen's new TRSr carbon cranks that we showed you from Sea Otter, as well as the company's wheels. No sign of that trick, two-piece EXP cassette, though. ANVL's stem and new carbon fiber handlebar do cockpit duties.


When in Ireland be sure to go full plaid.
Iago Garay s production ANVL stem and carbon bar




Sam Flannigan s emerald SB6 for the Emerald Enduro.

Sam Flannigan has Hope

There's not much on Sam's SB6C that hasn't been manufactured in Hope's Barnoldswick factory, with everything from his rims and hubs, cranks, chain guide and bottom bracket, brakes and even his cockpit. Hell, there's even a stack of Hope headset spacers under his stem and a Hope seatpost clamp holding up his Reverb. He's also running an older SRAM 10-speed rear derailleur combined with a wide-range cassette conversion, and what looks to be a fairly large chain ring. That green DVO Diamond sure looks snazzy on the front of the green Yeti, doesn't it?




Adam Craig is opting for the coil option on his Giant Reign. Complete with custom sticker.

Adam Craig's Giant Reign

You'd think a racer with a long history of kicking ass in cross-country events would have a tendency to still prefer the lightest setup that is still functional, but Giant's Adam Craig isn't your average Lycra bandit. His Reign has been fitted with a RockShox Vivid shock rather than the Monarch Plus that you might expect to see on it, although the trick titanium spring does help to bridge the weight difference between the two. A smart racer will often look at his strengths and weaknesses before choosing a setup that addresses the latter, and while Craig is a demon of a descender, it'd be a stretch to say that he's as fast through a gnarly section of trail as the top EWS men. Given that he knows his fitness will easily overcome the small weight disadvantage and lack of a pedal-assist lever on the Vivid (he might also just dial up the compression during transfer stages), it could be that sort of thinking that has him taking a different approach to his suspension.





Shimano Di2 on Nico Lau s bike 140mm Cube Stereo Carbon. Photo by Dave Trumpore

Nico Lau Loses Travel

Like many racers who are discovering how tight a lot of this weekend's course is, Lau has decided to drop down in travel from his usual 160mm steed. He'll be aboard an 140mm travel Cube Stereo this weekend, but it looks as though he still prefers to 'over-fork' his bike with what appears to be a 160mm travel FOX 36 up front. That is, however, down in stroke from the 180mm fork that he often prefers. He's also a rider that has long employed handlebar mounted controls for his rear shock, and his mechanic looks to be in the process of converting the back of the bike to be controlled with the CTD remote that's already on the handlebar - the plastic bag zip-tied to the housing holds the CTD bits. Lau is still running Shimano's XTR Di2 drivetrain with two chain rings, and he told us that he's extremely happy with how the system has performed in muddy conditions.

Shimano Di2 on Nico Lau s bike which in his own words in amazing in the mud.
Shimano Di2 on Nico Lau s bike which in his own words in amazing in the mud.


Author Info:
mikelevy avatar

Member since Oct 18, 2005
2,032 articles

63 Comments
  • 139 17
 Better bring two yetis in case one cracks...............
  • 60 5
 one is pre-production. the other is clear for take-off.
  • 24 6
 Hey, anyone what to buy a used SB6c?

...anyone?

...helloooo? Anyone out there?
  • 22 6
 Has anyone had a Yeti frame failure recently?
  • 6 2
 I'll buy it how much
  • 3 8
flag kylesligo (May 23, 2015 at 0:28) (Below Threshold)
 I know of at least 1
  • 3 3
 They have a whole truck full of Yetis ..pshhh
  • 6 14
flag OffTrackBouncer (May 23, 2015 at 5:07) (Below Threshold)
 The women even look like yetis in guinessland
  • 24 3
 nothing worse can happen to a MTBer than riding a Yeti.....not! Seriously, some frames cracked, chainstays were replaced, get over it. Still a worldclass EWS-winning frame I'd love to ride.
  • 7 12
flag digitalsoul (May 23, 2015 at 7:21) (Below Threshold)
 I just got back from Moab and saw someone at the trailhead that had just cracked their Yeti SB66 on a relatively tame trail.
  • 11 1
 I'll gladly take a pre production Yeti frame.
  • 1 6
flag chyu (May 23, 2015 at 8:30) (Below Threshold)
 at first I thought they are into internal shock like the linkin.
  • 10 2
 love how yetis didn't actually crack in the preproduction test... they got smashed into a rock and went soft yet could still even after that continue to take as much abuse as before.... and no that won't happen either cause yeti fixed it before releasing the bike
  • 4 0
 Still, If I had to choose one of these photos to own every item in it'd be this one hands down.
  • 2 7
flag keystonebikes (May 23, 2015 at 18:30) (Below Threshold)
 i love how everyone is saying how great the cracked yeti was after it cracked and was still rideable but i think everyone is missing the point that if it was aluminum it would have been fine. maybe a scratch, but certainly no soft spot.
  • 4 0
 Ive owned several yetis, none of which were carbon but i can atest to the durability and ruggedness of their frames. If their carbon frames are of the same build then there would be no worries while hauling down any terrain. I like to think of a company that makes bikes being in the home of the rockies would put alot of for-thought into a longlasting frame. Yes, Im a yeti fan boy and probably will be in the future, while i will admit there are alot of awesome bike companies out there that make some sweet lookin rigs.
  • 10 0
 Show me the manufacuturer that hasn`t had a failure when a frame has been publicly available.....anybody?
  • 7 1
 Shhhhh, the anti yeti / anti carbon police will be onto you for using logic and sensible arguments.
  • 1 5
flag digitalsoul (May 25, 2015 at 9:30) (Below Threshold)
 Yeti fans will burry their heads in the sand or plug their ears yelling "la, la, la, I can't hear you" when someone even mentions the words "crack". Every manufacturer has problems here and there, but not many resort to the "pre-production" excuse. If your "logic" tells you to buy a frame that has known reliability issues, then let me introduce you to my friend who is a Prince and has an offer you can't resist.
  • 6 0
 Ill bite...@digitalsoul @Kudos100 and anyone else who wants to be a sheep on a very played out joke. Id love to hear anyone here who has legitamitely broke an SB6c from a JRA incident. It simply doesnt happen, If one breaks their is either some serious abuse going on, or it has been crashed into rocks and is compromised. Be honest, did it really break due to no fault of your own? Eve the review that teh whole pre-production joke comes from states it was crashed into rocks....

Either case its rider fault, not the bike. Its the only downside to carbon.... carbon + rocks = possible trouble. I can honestly say I am yet to crack any SB6c...anywhere, and anyone that knows me well too knows, that especially during the offseason I generally stick to one bike an abuse the pants off it. (that goes to for the switch infinity link while were at it) But what would I know, I guess I just dont ride them hard enough.
Give it a rest guys, stop being sheep, your not impressing anyone.
  • 1 2
 @jaredgraves, I surely hope you aren't the professional racer who represents Yeti. Before I go on, is this the case?
  • 45 4
 I love the Santa cruz its all Kilted out.
  • 21 2
 So Richie isn't going to run with a rear shock... Damn I guess these EWS guys really need to shave weight
  • 33 1
 It's just a mega air shock
  • 10 2
 Is that the new marketing product of 2016. So you are telling me i need to return my 27.5+ bike
  • 23 4
 Where's the stereo system on the cube?
  • 13 0
 Great article. Keep 'em coming!
  • 11 0
 Craig's spring is super alloy, not titanium
  • 1 0
 Exactly, looks like an SE spring to me with that giant spacer. Cmon pinkbike!
  • 4 0
 Yeah correct .. it's a light steel spring produced in Italy by EXT Shox and trade by SA springs/Stendec
  • 10 1
 a coil shock and water bottle, a combination you see rarely, haha! i wish there was a whole bike pic of adam craig's rig.
  • 3 0
 re adam craigs reign, most well developed 'virtual pivot' frames don't really need any 'compression climbing do-dads. they climb really well wide open. as long as the spring rate isn't too saggy.
  • 2 1
 They pedal fine as long as you're not standing up to mash on the pedals. I tend to stand and mash instead of downshifting, so i tend to appreciate the rear lockout. If you like to sit and spin, no lockout is really necessary.
  • 4 0
 I am surprised more companies don't do colour matched frames and forks more often because they look a lot better than bright frames with black or silver forks.
  • 1 1
 Personally I like the contrast in most machines: And there is a strong possibility it is the usual colour contrast that makes the machines that are colour matched look so darn sweet.
  • 1 0
 I've owned Yeti 575 alloy & carbon, SB66 alloy and SB66 carbon. I'm 109kg + kit. Had a problem with the alloy swing arm but it was promptly replaced and all good... Just cause it's a MTB, does not make it indestructible... That's what warranty is for.
I think just about all bikes have their issues - and people with problems tend to complain more than people with out problems... But then again, if a problem robs you of happy times riding, it's understandable we want to piss & moan about it...
Happy trails all!
  • 3 0
 It's interesting to think about setting up your ride to address weaknesses. I've experimented with this for racing with good results / time.
  • 2 1
 On Nico Laus bike the article said his rear shock is going to be converted to a remote ctd? Im pretty sure that you cant do that on fox's current line of rear ctd shocks besides the float x. Am I wrong?
  • 4 2
 The mechanics working on these teams can do anything. It is called magic, or more likely, access to machining facilities to make one-off parts to get things to work however the hell the rider wants them.
  • 2 1
 Isn't it a new shock? The ones that don't have ctd anyway?!
  • 1 1
 I am interested in putting a coil shock on my Reign, I am 225 and reduced the Air can on my Monarch but it still feels like it stacks up on fast hits.. I run almost max psi and have the rebound up.. Just putting it out there. Curious if anyone has done it or has insight. Cheers!
  • 3 0
 I'm more interested in EWS tool checks.. that Yeti mech has good taste, Knipex is the best.
  • 4 0
 Those Yeits look great
  • 2 0
 That Yeti looks fucking incredible
  • 1 0
 There is no way those are 2.3 minions on richies bike. IM SO EXCITED FOR BIGGER 27.5 EXO MINIONS
  • 2 2
 Is Nico the only one running a double? Last year I think one of the ladies was running a double but no dérailleur. She would manually move the chain for the climbs
  • 2 0
 A.C.C. did that manual front shift at at least one race. Tracy Moseley pretty much always runs a regular 2x10 setup.
  • 1 1
 Can you imagine Nico's cockpit if he didn't have di2?
  • 2 3
 Do those mud guards actually stop mud from getting in your eyes or just on your downtube?
  • 8 0
 yeah they work really well, most of the mud you get on your front flings off the wheel, through the fork arch, and then you ride into it. these stop that pretty well =]
  • 1 0
 yep, it stops water and other such juicy slop from flicking up right into your face. Does bugger all for the downtube.
  • 6 0
 Also helps with maintenance for the fork seals
  • 1 0
 Yeah, the fork seals are usually protected the best. I run a magic Mary up front often, and that tire will give you a faceful of dirt without a fender.
  • 1 0
 As one who has glasses, all my bikes have fenders on them. The difference they make is pretty astounding for the small cost. Your downtube still gets sloppy but i hate cleaning my glasses while riding.
  • 1 1
 How much travel is Richie Rude running in front on his SB5c?
  • 1 1
 And which dhf's he running, 2.3?
  • 5 6
 The way those seat posts are clamped in the first shot made me cringe...
  • 8 1
 It's fine, it doesn't hurt a dropper to do that
  • 1 0
 Looks like the front wheels are on the ground. The clamp just holds the rear end up!
  • 7 0
 I've been clamping the Yeti's by the dropper for as long as droppers have been around, and yet still have never damaged anything. If you have a great workstand, like the Feedback stands in the photo, and the dropper is of good quality, like the Thomson's, then you don't have anything to worry about.
  • 2 0
 Not any different to the forces you exert on it when sitting, and even if the clamp is plastic, the stanchion is hard anodised.

In saying that though, I still cant bring myself to do it Frown
  • 1 0
 Once you have your dropper apart you'll see that that "stanchion" is purely cosmetic. On reverbs everything important is inside another tube inside that one. So clamp it all you want!
  • 3 1
 You guys made me confused... :-/ I've always heard/read that you shouldn't clamp a dropper post by the "plunger" part. And now you're all saying the opposite. I've always thought you're supposed to treat it pretty much like the stanchions on a fork...







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