Jared Graves with his new Yeti 303 WC Carbon, one of only two in the world and the bike that he rode to a 9th place qualifying position. He has recently switched his focus from 4X, where he was consistently one of the fastest riders on course, to a full schedule of World Cup downhilling. Jared is no stranger to being a contender on a DH bike, though, as anyone who remembers the Angel Fire WC will know.
The carbon front end features very similar lines to the 'standard' 303 WC and uses the exact same suspension mounting points and swingarm (not to say that we won't see a carbon swingarm in the future), giving it the same 8.25'' of rear wheel travel as the aluminum version. Hidden up against the seat tube is the bike's vertical rail that the swingarm mounted shuttle travels up and down on. The upper link controls the bike's suspension rate, while the vertical rail determines its wheel path.
Yeti has gone with a standard 83mm wide threaded bottom bracket shell rather than employing press fit bearings. You can spot the shuttle (note the two steel bolts just behind and above the BB shell) tucked away between the swingarm uprights.
This removable cover allows access for maintenance and helps to keep the grime out of the system. It also makes for a very clean appearance.
The integrated fork bumpers (left) perform double duty as the entry point for the internal cable routing that exits the frame just under the forward shock mount (right). Not surprisingly, there is no accommodation for the Fox DOSS dropper post's cable, hence the tape job. ''This is pretty much the only downhill race in the world I can think of where I'd want a dropper post," said Graves.
Less is more for Graves, who is opting to run a Dura-Ace cassette (left) that has been trimmed down to seven select cogs. Internal cable routing is used on the swingarm as well. One weight savings specific nod to this track: Jared has had his DT Swiss EXC 400 carbon rims, hoops usually reserved for his 4X machine, laced up to the Yeti's standard DT 240 hubs. "They've been plenty durable for me," Jared insists "But at a place like Val di Sole or Fort William, I'd likely run something a bit more stout. For here, though, they're fine." His bike is also running inner tubes instead of going tubeless.
Yeti continues a relationship with WTB that seems to have been going on forever; Devo saddle with custom Yeti graphics. "I like the way the saddle feels, although I'm not really sitting on it much."
Many racers are going with dropper posts on their bikes, popping them up for the course's pedal intensive middle portion - the ability to sit in a lower and more aerodynamic postion while putting the power down could be a huge advantage. Here you can see the DOSS' dual lever remote. "Yeah, that's not likely to be on the bike much longer than this race," Graves told us.
The carbon number plate mount is not a Yeti designed item, but rather the creation of one of Jared's friends from back home; they are taking orders...
So stoked to have him on my dirt fantasy team. He's going to kill it tomorrow. He dominated fourcross, so theres no reason why he couldn't also dominate DH. Show us what you've got tomorrow, Graves.
@dhmountain mate im with u, im really into Yeti, but that bike is an evil copy. U took those "Below Thershold" comments like a man, idk why people are so whiners, if one doesnt like an opinion one make a comment with a valid argument, not just give a neg prop.
If you really think its garbage, give us a reason why... The old cop-out, "it looks like some other bike" isn't really a valid reason because it just shows how much you don't know about the bikes in question.
@plwaidner i find it astonishing how little of a valid argument there actually is to why this bike is "garbage" who cares if it looks like another bike! (even though it doesn't)
It does look a little vp-ish, but much more slack, and much, much nicer. Looks nothing like an evil. Garbage??? I definitely wouldn't sell that, looks like a weapon! Noticed he wasn't using it on his race run though.
so as his mechanic, i can safely say we had problems getting his dropper post to a comfortably low height to race on. That is why i built up the alloy bike to race on. The alloy frame has a slightly deeper section seat tube, which allowed the dropper post to run at the same height s his normal post. If anyone had come by the pits, you would have seen i had the carbon frame on display.... those people that think he snapped it weren't there obviously... Would i have had the frame on display if it had issues? Come on people! The 3 on the down tube was because it was the 3rd phase of the carbon bike. We have done alot of testing on this. 2 of these "3" phase bikes exist. 1 is with us here in SA, the other is in colorado.
So much hate.. such little love.. People - why all this talk about copying and wrong setups? If youre all such experts how come your sitting behind your screen being smart - instead of being.. say.. participating the world cup? Or being a mechanic or technical ingeneer or something, where all your(at least self claimed) talent can be to GOOD use.. Oops now Im a hater to because you made me one. Screw this im going shredding! ;-)
[quoten]A bit frustrating to hear/read some internet experts talking about me needing a change up in rims/tires/tubes. for the record, ive been running a tubeless setup all season that has seen me get a total of 3 flats all year, in total, all training included.......setup has been perfect, timing of random unavoidable occurances of malfunctions, not so perfect. Sucks but it happens I guess.[/quoten]
That's what Jared wrote on his facebook after the world champs, the 3rd flat includes the one on the Wichmann's bike...
I never said he should, I was noting that he did. but your'e right, 3 in a season isn't bad, the unfortunate circumstance was it was one in practice, then one in timed training, then a "freak" flat in finals. I don't think any tire would have necessarily survived that better than any other. It was just horribly unfortunate timing as he said...
Love it! A lot of attention to detail. Hoping Intense makes a carbon M9 or 951 soon. Not the first FR/DH bike I've seen with a dropper post. I've had one for years now. At first, the haters hated, and now the haters are on board.
What a beauty.. With Team color 2tone its even more awesome... Super stoked on the aluminum one but this one is just...sigh... Anyone know the approx weight? And what about the numberplate holder? Nice touch.. Get a podium win Jared!!
Can anyone tell me what Graves' plans are for the Olympics this summer? Obviously with no 4X that kinda hampers his training, but is he still looking to go to the games? I hope so. Good luck Gravesy!
so whos running the 2nd frame? only 2 in the world made. also, why does it look like they ps the yeti logo on the photo with the cable route into the fork bumper?
2nd frame is in colorado at the factory for some further testing by the Factory test rider Dave Ziegman. The yeti logo has been stuck on, then i ran the dropper post cable under the top tube, and to hide the zip tie a bit, i cut up a sticker and put it over the zip tie.
i Cant wait for it to come out so i can get it!!! Yeti is such a solid company, and their enginering and design that goes into their bike surely does show!
Looks like an Evil frame. Same taiwanese engineering team and vietnamese carbonfactory? Dropper post and carbon rims on a DH? XC anyone? Missed the theme. Uninspired bike and plain boring. Epoxiresin is extremely bad for the environment.
I've rode carbon bikes before and I don't like them. sure they are light for pedaling but when it comes to hard hits I feel most of the impact is transferred right to my bones.
You talking about the old carbon hardtails like cannondale or gt? They were harsh but these new dh bikes going to feel alot different with custom tuned shocks. Yeti mess with it but not full commitment like trek. Loose the aluminum rear end because that front looks good.
Steller choice to have the Specialized/Monster Energy tent in the background. I thought he rode for Yeti,after all the article is about his Yeti carbon.carbon
But I really love my dropper seat post. that is one impressive rig.
How many neg props do u reckon im gonna get? haha
anything else?
That's what Jared wrote on his facebook after the world champs, the 3rd flat includes the one on the Wichmann's bike...
Not the first FR/DH bike I've seen with a dropper post. I've had one for years now. At first, the haters hated, and now the haters are on board.
And what about the numberplate holder? Nice touch.. Get a podium win Jared!!
I've fallen for this bike soo much!!!
@dhmountain, too many similarities to miss out on.
Looks good in black, all I can say.
www.pinkbike.com/news/Pietermaritzburg-World-Cup-2012-Day-2-Timed-Training.html
www.pinkbike.com/forum/listcomments/?threadid=60436
If you still have questions, post it on the Mechanics' Lounge forum.