2014 MOUNTAIN BIKE OF THE YEAR - Vital MTB Shreddy Awards 14

If there's a Shreddy Award that's sure to stir up more controversy than any other, it's the Bike of the Year. With hundreds of fresh rides introduced each year, it's our job to narrow down the list to the top contenders, ride them all, and choose the best of the bunch. This year's top performer immediately stood out the first time we hit the dirt.

It’s no secret that today’s trail bikes are very good, and many of them are capable of being ridden like a downhill bike. This particular ride sports just 5-inches of travel (that's 127mm), yet it's every bit as confidence inspiring as a well-tuned bike with an inch of travel more. And you don't have to just take our word for it, the bike's results under a powerhouse of a rider on the highly contested Enduro World Series speak for themselves.



Which bike are we talking about? The Yeti SB5 Carbon.

There are hundreds of 5-inch travel trail bikes on the market, but none work like Yeti’s newest creation with their “Switch Infinity” suspension technology. The bike’s front to back balance is superb, seemingly calming down the trail and letting you look further ahead. From the long and low geometry to the shock tune, details throughout are dialed. Now toss in the fact that it climbs like a mountain goat with sticky rubber hooves and you've got a bike that suits pretty much any rider on any day, putting it over the top.

SB5c Highlights
- Full carbon frame
- 5-inches (127mm) of rear wheel travel
- Switch Infinity suspension technology
- 27.5-inch wheels
- Tapered headtube
- Molded downtube and chainstay protectors
- Internal seatpost routing
- Removable ISCG05 mount
- Front derailleur direct mount with optional cover
- Press Fit bottom bracket
- 12x142mm rear axle
- Post mount disc brake tabs
- Available in XS, S, M, L, and XL sizes
- 5.1-pound frame weight (Size Medium)
- Black and turquoise color options

Are we gushing? Damn straight we are. The SB5c is that rad. We’d rate it among our top five 5-inch trail bikes of all time, and we’ve pretty much ridden them all. Congrats on making a great ride, Yeti. The SB5c is a winner.

Vital MTB's FIRST LOOK feature on the Yeti SB5c