jdejace

Wheelbase is more important than reach to assess front/rear balance. Wheelbase can vary quite a bit for a given reach with variances in head angle, head tube length, fork A2C etc..

@aphollis: that is an interesting insight regarding tubing.

I agree with @stormracing. Acknowledging there is an element of personal preference, I suspect the Large is running into the point of diminishing returns in terms of FC:RC and there were already reasonably proportional Large bikes available (with taller stacks to boot). Hence MK's impressions. In XL unless you've been on something pretty boutique (my Nicolai has similar FC:RC) then this Yeti will most likely feel like a revelation. Probably more like what every 5'8" rider on a Medium has been feeling in corners for years.

@gregnangatang: you're already a decade into the future :-)

Kudos to Yeti for pushing the mainstream in the right direction. Like the chainstays, the dual crown compatibility, the headset standard update. If I were forced to buy a mass produced plastic bike I think this would be the one. But my Nicolai from 2018 has the same geo :-)

I don't love low BB's. Depends on your typical climbing trails I suppose. I make up for the stack with spacers and high rise bars.

They had to keep the headtube short for dual crown compatibility. Hard to have it all.

By convention fork travel is measured in the plane of the fork (ie at ~65°), rear travel is measured vertically. If you solve the right triangle +15mm of fork travel at ~65⁰ actually matches the vertical travel of the rear end. The question is more whether less vertical front travel makes sense. I also like a bit shorter fork FWIW. There are probably a lot of variables.

@Uuno: I have run my saddle nose down for years, agreed. What is nice is the nose up position mimicks a longer dropper to some extent, if your frame insertion limits you from getting the next size up. e.g. my frame can fit a 210mm OneUp but not the 240mm. 210 + Switchgrade feels like ~220-230mm when the nose is up and doesn't require as much seat tube insertion. I don't know that everyone needs one, but it is a nicely made product and does what it says without fuss. There are use cases for it. I've had one for 3 seasons. Would I rather a longer dropper if that were a viable option? In most cases yes, definitely on a trail bike. On my enduro/park bike I do enjoy the nose up and I don't tend to have to switch it back and forth much throughout the day. In rolling terrain on a trail bike it would more likely get old.

How much ya weigh? You were riding the 28h models? Seems Berds get mixed reviews in terms of flex.