2018 Yeti SB5 TURQ LR Bike

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The fact that the bike is well beyond my capabilities didn't stop me from getting it and it certainly hasn't stopped me for enjoying it!! I came off of a Yeti SB4.5 with an upgraded wheel set. NOBL tr33 hoops with i9 Torch hubs. I was in love with that bike from the first pedal stroke.  I felt like there couldn't be a better feeling bike out there.... until i demoed the SB5 Lunch Ride.  From the first pedal stroke on the Lunch Ride i felt the same way about it as i did the 4.5 when i first rode it.  Mind you, i demoed the SB5.5 the same day as the Lunch Ride and while the 5.5 is a hell of a bike, it did not generate the same feels as the Lunch Ride did.   

The Lunch Ride SB5 has inspired SOOOOO much confidence in my riding.  On my first outing with it on my local trails, i was hitting features on trails that i had previously resigned to walking around, forever.  But the Lunch Ride felt so intuitive, flickable, nimble and light when riding, i felt as if i could conquer anything.  I actually hit the first feature by accident because i was so comfortable and confident on the bike.  Once that happened it was game on. haha  

The new TURQ frame has internal tubes for easy cable routing, but it also makes for a quiet bike, which i love.  I went to great lengths to make my SB4.5 quiet on the trails, aside form the hubs of course, but that's another story. haha  

For some of the haters, the SB5 Lunch Ride is nothing more than marketing material and you may be labeled a Yeti "fanboy" if you get one of these bikes.  But i assure you, this bike is all about anything but marketing.  When i visited the Yeti factory i got to see the staff's "lunch ride" bikes.  There were about 10 bikes in the lunch ride fleet and most of them were SB5 frames set up with SB6 suspension components.  They almost all had XO1 Eagle DT and Ergon grips.  They were well used and seemed to be obvious test mules.  They shop i demoed from talked me into riding the Lunch Ride bike and i'm glad they did.  I like riding jumps, features and chunky stuff.  But i also have to pedal a lot.  This bike seems to be perfect for all of the above.  May be the best all around short travel trail bike i've experienced.  Even though it's "short travel" at 127mm, it feels like there is loads more travel than that. 

I can't think of anything other than wanting to go ride my bike!!