Spotted (Again): Yeti's eMTB at EWS-E Crans-Montana

Sep 8, 2021 at 12:41
by Alicia Leggett  

Last month, we wrote about Yeti's new eMTB after multiple readers spotted the bike out and about in Colorado. Now, it's being raced at the EWS-E in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, by Jared Graves, Jubal Davis, and Shawn Neer.

We were sent two new photos of the bike showing better angles. The photos confirm that the bike does use a Shimano EP8 motor and a six-bar suspension layout, with a short link that connects the chainstay to the frame, another link between the shock and seatstays, and then a long link that runs between the upper and lower link. It's reminiscent of the design that Commencal has been experimenting with on their DH bike this year, which Dan Roberts analyzed here.

Zooming in on the top tube reveals a 160e marking, more or less confirming that the bike will be a 160mm travel bike, in line with what most riders will be racing at the EWS-E race this weekend. That puts it right between the SB150, which Richie Rude and Yeti's other EWS racers ride, and the SB165, a 27.5" mini-DH machine that is intended more as a playful freeride rig than an enduro bike.

Jared Graves had a big crash a couple of weeks ago and injured his shoulder so he didn't start at the Loudenvielle EWS last week, but it looks like he'll be back on the race course at the end of this week on the new eMTB, though of course he hasn't officially announced that as the bike is still under embargo. Still, he's on the start list.

Shawn Neer and Jubal Davis are also on the start list, and although their Yeti-Fox Factory Team affiliation isn't included on the entry list, we can expect to see three Yeti eMTBs out on the course.

Note: Yes, some of our editors have had the chance to ride this bike and know more details about it. They have not been able to share those details with the rest of the team, as the review process for unreleased bikes relies strongly on trust. If you'd like to learn more about how we treat embargoed products that get spotted before they launch, click here.


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186 Comments

  • 275 7
 Oooo ooh fat yeti bam ba lam
  • 31 7
 She really gets me high bam-ba-lam (because with a motor greater elevation gain rides are possible, or so I've been told).
  • 28 6
 She's so rock steady bam-ba-lam.... (I was going to make a joke about the irony, given yeti's cracking reputation... but that's kinda a cheap shot.)
  • 21 5
 And she's always ready bam-ba-lam (if the battery has been charged, that is)
  • 4 4
 Sorry everyone, I just really like that song, was a cover of it in nwd 7? or 8?
  • 7 2
 @kcy4130: by a band called spider bait.
  • 13 0
 As far as I know and by definition, a yeti is meant to be spotted again and again. So nothing really new under our skies.
  • 6 1
 @StinkyTO: Wrong! Ram Jam in the '70 and covered by a lot of artists since then. The Spider Bait version rock af.
  • 11 0
 @inonyme: Wronger! First commercial recording was by Lead Belly in 1939, though it’s origins go back way further than that.
  • 4 0
 @speedfreek: Hiiiii! I call my self a jerk on this one and after a wiki read, I will listen to this song differently.
  • 3 0
 @speedfreek: James "Iron Head" Baker Smile
  • 2 0
 @danstonQ: a yeti is spotted a lot but not confirmed
  • 2 0
 Gonna have to fix more smiles, Dental bills to the sky. Woa Fat Yeti, bam ba lam.
  • 2 0
 @inonyme: thanks, I know Ram Jam was the original band, I believe the PB user I responded to was asking about the cover used in the NWD series.
  • 1 0
 @StinkyTO: i was wrong anyway
  • 2 0
 Dentist pay check ready, bam a lam, take out a loan get ready....
  • 172 15
 Man, the potato quality of the pics is so bad you can't even make out the cracks in the rear triangle
  • 17 6
 Can't even tell if it has a bottle mount. Jared Graves surely likes to have a bottle mount on his own bike.
  • 1 0
 @vinay: haha zing
  • 1 0
 Carbon mountain bike parts are a terrible idea. Unless you own one. Until you will all crack carbon parts and really hurt yourselves, then you will agree.
  • 136 6
 A knock off of YT's new Capra color. Real original, Yeti
  • 5 59
flag DylanHunter (Sep 8, 2021 at 21:44) (Below Threshold)
 Can’t tell if this is sarcasm because yeti has been doing this color way for decades
  • 36 3
 @DylanHunter: woosshh
  • 7 2
 Which is a knock off of Edoardo Bianchi’s celeste…
  • 3 26
flag hockeyyetiboy (Sep 9, 2021 at 3:40) (Below Threshold)
 wow....yetis been doing that color scheme since the 90's...probably longer than youve been alive or riding
  • 2 1
 @hockeyyetiboy: I’m pretty sure yeti is ripping off YT on this one.
  • 1 1
 @Randy-Verified: im pretty sure you're wrong. my first yeti in 1993 was yellow and turquoise
  • 72 3
 Let's play a guess the price game. $16k
  • 38 1
 $18.5k
  • 72 2
 I would say that's a reasonable guess, if you want the frame only...
  • 2 0
 @purplegorillaz: for the base
  • 5 1
 $17.3k
  • 1 0
 I heard "less than the pivot." So that'd theoretically put it somewhere around $11.5k with a nice build.
  • 40 1
 $1 dollar Bob
  • 4 1
 It is going to be at least as much as an S-works.
  • 7 0
 $275 per pound…..
  • 1 0
 $15k CAD
  • 14 1
 First bike to bust the 20000$ cad
  • 3 0
 I guessing around 200$-300$k
  • 2 0
 10k and 12k to be precise! This isn't a Specialized!
  • 1 0
 @HB208: Why is that?
  • 7 1
 a left pinky toe and the CEO gets to sleep with your wife.
  • 5 1
 $16,000. sure. for NX....
  • 3 1
 There’s 2 versions, a rhino grey at $10k and the turq one at $12k. I preordered back in May, it will be released on the 13th.
  • 1 0
 @purplegorillaz: the number of digits in pi K
  • 1 0
 $22K
  • 29 0
 Who cares about the bike, check out that tent!
  • 4 0
 Just imagine the stubbed toes in the flooring
  • 1 2
 @Corbanblamp: hon, is this how gynecology works?
  • 3 0
 opps I dropped a part.... and never to be found again
  • 1 0
 @Corbanblamp: ....imagine dropping a washer.....://///
  • 39 12
 if you can't dope, e-dope! Sorry not sorry
  • 6 0
 Exactly the comment I came here for.
  • 26 0
 I mean, at this point does anyone still care?
  • 23 0
 Separating the oral surgeons from the dentists since 2022.
  • 19 4
 I mean, I get it, news is news, but we are literally getting an article on this exact bike in the group test. Its not really a, "Spotted again".
  • 4 0
 Talk about overhyping a late-to-the-party-not-bringing-anything-new ebike.
  • 10 1
 Kinda disappointed it's not a high pivot with an idler like the Yeti patents. 6-bar suspension is cool, but on a pedal assist, I'm not really worried about pedaling efficiency anymore. Less anti-squat, less anti-rise, and more mechanical progression is the way for e-bikes.
  • 1 0
 The motor looks to be positioned really low to make room for that system. Wonder what the details are and what that means for ground clearance when riding.
  • 1 0
 Which patents?
  • 4 0
 @mattg95: checkout wheelbased.com
there are a couple of them.
  • 13 1
 Good to see Jared back on the bike !!
  • 6 15
flag Bushmaster123 (Sep 9, 2021 at 5:15) (Below Threshold)
 No it isn't , he's a major a hole.
  • 12 4
 I still do not like the EWS-E an all the E-bike evens. It's becoming to much to follow. It becomes very material intense if you are working with younger riders. It is good for the brands and for normal folks with some a little hight input of beer and food but otherwise it is just to much. Cycling was fun and now we carry batteries through the woods. I think it is silly
  • 3 2
 Amem
  • 2 0
 Bot much?
  • 6 1
 Great ... now can we have an update to the SB100/115. It's now almost 4 years old and sadly out of touch. As Joel
Harwood said ... give me the Spur's geometry with the SB115s suspension.
  • 1 0
 Yesss!! Exactly that.-
  • 4 0
 Really been wanting the 115 lately but so hard to purchase a bike knowing it’ll be update hopefully any day now.
  • 3 10
flag mcozzy (Sep 8, 2021 at 23:14) (Below Threshold)
 Who cares about the old bikes, put them in a museum. Eebs are the future.
  • 5 1
 I couldn't care less about their e-bike, but I am eagerly waiting to see if the new suspension layout filters to their mountain bikes and how they might ride.
  • 6 0
 Is it only me who finds this fake "spotted" articles cringeworthy?
  • 14 10
 You thought the S works' price tag was steep... This bike will set a new standard for expensive
  • 24 2
 S works Enduro is about 1k higher than the T3 150, so your logic is flawed...
  • 11 1
 Never underestimate the big S
  • 3 2
 It'll be $10k and $12k for the turq, sources say
  • 2 1
 10k slx, 12k xt, 6 bar with vertical shock, 170/160 29er apparently
  • 2 0
 @LuvAZ: I can sorta kinda see popping for a Turq if your Yeti is meat-powered, but e-powered? Seems a waste. Unless there is more to than couple hundred gram weight savings.
  • 4 0
 @brandaneisma: Thank you! I know Yeti's are expensive. But part of their reputation is just because they don't do a full range of bike products, just one line of high-end rigs. When I check out Trek's or Specialized's offerings online, their similar-quality bikes aren't crazy out-of-line with Yeti pricing. I just googled a quick example: Specialized Stumpjumper EVO pro is $8.600USD. SB130LR T2 is $8,000, or $8,800 with AXS (to make it comparable). The similarly-specc'ed Trek Fuel EX9.9 XO1 is also $8,000 (without AXS...also for some reason you could save $500 if you could find it in the orange colour scheme). Rocky Mountain's Instinct price points fall above and below at $9800 and $7250, but the spec value appears to be in-line with all the others as well.

The reality is that Yetis and other smaller high-end-only brands aren't that much more money than the equivalent bikes from companies that offer a full range of products. Sure, sometimes there's a small premium to be paid, but not always and not as much as people on PB would have you believe. Now...if you're good at taking care of your own equipment and not too worried about warranty issues, direct-sale brands do tend to offer a noticeably better value. That's where I'd be looking next time I need a new bike.
  • 1 0
 @brandaneisma: oooo what a bargain! I'll believe it when it's actually announced.
  • 1 0
 Nah. If there's one thing Specialized knows how to do extremely well, it's keeping the highest priced bikes crown.
  • 5 0
 F#ck the Yeti, I want a rundown on that huge tent and floor set-up.
  • 2 0
 ...you try find a dropped part on that floor!!
  • 2 0
 Do a search for inflatable tents and/or canopies. They are pretty common for teams that need to travel light.
  • 5 0
 Please let it be called the Turq-E
  • 1 0
 Is this the mystery bike that failed horribly on the huck 2 flat? I think Levy, Beer & Quinney said they couldn't talk about it yet but I heard the word "embargo" used in the same or next sentence... Rocky Mtn is breathing a sigh of relief in any event...
  • 3 1
 I keep seeing them on the Green Mountain trail network in Golden, CO. I think they are being used for lunch rides from the headquarters.
  • 1 2
 Really? I haven’t seen one yet. Oh and Green Mountain is in Lakewood.
  • 3 0
 @extratalldirtrider: Green Mountain basically sits in the Lakewood /Golden border if you are getting that detailed
  • 1 0
 @extratalldirtrider: or Morrison/Lakewood/Golden to really split hairs
  • 25 2
 @bman33: so many ways to spell Denver
  • 4 0
 @initforthedonuts: This guy gets it
  • 1 0
 Yep, I've seen one at Apex
  • 1 0
 @initforthedonuts: Exactly. Big Grin
  • 4 1
 Is it so heavy you gotta keep a hand on it in the bike stand to keep from falling over?
  • 4 0
 55 pounds - you heard it here first.
  • 2 0
 $300/lb
  • 5 2
 Just like SC said "we'll never build an emtb", next yeti will have a lite weight model and so on........
  • 2 5
 I'm waiting for transition to eat a large slice of humble pie when they release an eeb before their market share dwindles away. Delicious.
  • 7 4
 @mcozzy: dude any brand without an ebike in the range isn't going to be in business in a few years time, the high end bike market is disappearing fast. probably get 10-15 enquiries about ebikes to every 1 for a regular bike.
outside of like hunting on pinkbike the ebike hate brigade are very much a minority.
  • 5 2
 @b45her: its a real shame but unsurprising that everyone is inquiring about the easy option
  • 1 0
 I have no beef with ebikes but am I the only one that has bought one and hated them?

They sound like a f’n power wheel

youtube.com/shorts/9K4VwabbHhw?feature=share
  • 2 0
 THE FABRIC OF PAYOLA IS STRONG, ABLE TO SUSPEND MANY LAYERS OF COLORADO BOWLSHEET IN ITS WEFT
  • 2 0
 PB must be running out of staff who can write these articles and not break the embargo
  • 4 1
 Beautiful paint job tho
  • 8 10
 I wonder if people in Colorado are going to be telling Yeti to go back to California with this ebike? After all it doesn't fit with Colorado mountain biking culture, at least according to one local I crossed paths with in Crested Butte this summer.
  • 18 1
 A good chunk of the trails outside the Denver area are eMTB legal. Including the ones right by Yeti’s HQ.

I wouldn’t take a Crested Butte local’s opinion as representative of the rest of the state.
  • 8 7
 If all your product is made over sea's can you even be a CO brand?
  • 3 1
 @bocomtb: so was the trail I was on. It was legal for motos too. Go figure
  • 17 1
 One angry person in CB = All of Colorado
  • 2 1
 @salespunk: I was giving noah a tow while he was on the Evo. I think that's what pissed him off. Btw Noah managed to destroy the rear wheel at Winter Park even though you had installed Cush core.
  • 3 0
 Of all places that makes me laugh...so many of the CB trails allow moto already.
  • 1 2
 What are you talking about? I see e-mtbs out here every time I ride. I’m not a fan of them but they’re here to stay and will only gain popularity.
  • 10 0
 There's still "locals" in Crested Butte!? I thought it was all short term vacation rentals and vacation homes. The prols all live 30 miles down valley in Gunny.
  • 2 0
 @bocomtb: True that. Ask a guy from Durango.
  • 1 0
 @salespunk: isn't all of colorado a transplant from somewhere else?
  • 1 0
 @FrostyMugKiller: yes and we’re all some of the worst types of people around. We trash everything and are rude to everyone in our path.
  • 2 1
 @extratalldirtrider: so true. So best save yourself the troubles and not visit. Nothing to see here anyway.
  • 1 1
 @initforthedonuts: too late - I already moved to CO from CA and there’s nothing anyone can do about it expect complain and bully online. Good luck, mate!
  • 2 2
 @extratalldirtrider: youtu.be/BUrpYKVTsaE
  • 1 0
 @chacou:
Video is so dated. Everyone knows Oklahoma is the enemy these days
  • 3 0
 $10k slx/$12kXT
  • 4 3
 I would have thought Yeti would make a good looking e-mtb. There goes that idea.
  • 1 0
 C'mon, you have a full review ready to release, at least post a better photo, they are better photos on the internet.
  • 3 1
 Horst link Yeti? Come on, you’re better than that!
  • 1 0
 I think it an equilink. I think Focus bikes used it for a while.
  • 1 0
 Excited for the details. I imagine it'll be cost comparable to similar rides from SC, Spec, etc.
  • 1 0
 I wonder why they went with official Yeti colours and not the 'mule' colours you see on unreleased bikes (or cars)?
  • 5 4
 Now dentists can ride backwards up the jump line and hold you up on the way down
  • 1 0
 Wait, I can put 2 arms on my Feedback Sports stand instead of using a 2nd stand!!!!
  • 1 0
 Its ok, just traces of lithium and other battery metals were found in the urine.
  • 1 0
 looks like the bike is already part of shimano's new step advertisement in the banners on this site. nifty marketing.
  • 1 0
 spotted again right here on PB... but the link doesn't work? Smile

ep1.pinkbike.org/p6pb21301921/p6pb21301921.jpg
  • 2 0
 Chunky
  • 1 0
 Is that Fox's new 275mm dropper I see?
  • 1 0
 serious?
  • 2 1
 Someone must have that model of work stand - measure the clamp and scale to tell us the dropper travel please
  • 2 0
 @haen: lol no, the thing just looks massive
  • 6 5
 Looks like a Yeti with old man balls
  • 2 0
 Field test coming soon.
  • 8 6
 Motorbikes are cool
  • 5 4
 They are. Emtb is cooler though.
  • 2 1
 @mcozzy: That’s super!
  • 1 0
 Spotted at sunpeak bike park under the pinkbike summer field test tent…
  • 2 1
 Like you guys haven’t already tested it for the field test
  • 2 1
 Mount the shock Horizontally FFS.
  • 17 19
 Poor Young yeti haters always grow up to be poor old people who keep shouting “guys driving a Ferrari have a small dick” …. Envy is an unfortunate disease that gets worst as you age.
  • 10 0
 What is worse:

Yeti envy or Envy on a yeti?
  • 10 0
 Dam auto correct... enve on a yeti.
  • 2 11
flag mcozzy (Sep 8, 2021 at 23:12) (Below Threshold)
 Quite agree. Haters, do better at school. Money does buy happiness plus many fun toys.
  • 2 0
 @pink505: Autocorrect doesn't want to be damned, it seems.
  • 6 2
 No one envies e-bikes.
  • 5 7
 @axleworthington: you just keep telling yourself that.
  • 3 2
 @b45her: seems like the rest of us are agreeing with him and telling you through downvotes
  • 2 1
 @brass-munky: err I literally have the same amount of downvotes as you, maths not a strong point i quess.
  • 1 0
 Let’s make e bike affordable
  • 1 2
 horst-linkish rear swing arm pivot with switch infinity main pivot. vertical shock.... There is lots more going on there than a motor y'all.
  • 1 0
 So, based on the tags... some one told you the bikes name... uh oh?
  • 1 0
 This model for sure breaking $14,000
  • 2 0
 Spotted yeti again.
  • 1 1
 Haha!
Yeti the original all the way back to Tomac and Missy.
Lost their way??
Eat it haters.
The world is not flat!
  • 1 1
 Imagine a E yeti is going to have a limited marked, after all there’s only so many Billionaires in the world
  • 3 3
 I straight up don't care about a yeti ebike. Upper level doughey rich guys can flex on each other better now, great.
  • 1 0
 So now we know what was the patent of 6 bar link for
  • 1 0
 its 18.5k CDN, just got pricelist yesterday. Insanity
  • 1 0
 Damn! They’re ripping you guys off in Canada, the turq model in the US is $12k. I’d be driving across the border before I paid 18.5 for it! That’s why I don’t buy bikes here in the UK, way too expensive.
  • 1 0
 Looks like JG is using it for weight training?
  • 6 5
 Full review tomorrow!
  • 2 0
 Nah...will launch as part of the Field Test though it looks like.
  • 5 5
 This explains the upsells at my last dentistry appointment.
  • 1 0
 Can't wait for the TDF-E
  • 2 4
 Photo 1 shows:
The bike is really heavy

Photo 2 shows:
So heavy that the mechanic has squeezed one out in his pants and needs a wipe.
  • 3 2
 It looks like Commencal
  • 3 4
 Two Yeti stories in a day back to back!
  • 4 5
 Is this a bike for your dentist’s dentis?
  • 2 2
 Dentist#
  • 4 4
 @Chives09: thanks for the correction, I had absolutely no idea what you meant without the correction
  • 2 0
 @dexterfawkes: oh Dexter you silly goose.
  • 2 3
 Woo-hoo an even more overpriced eBike soon to be avIlable
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