|
   (Click Here for more FRO !) FRO:- 1984 to 1991/2 FOR RACING ONLY, One of the famous Yeti Mountain Bikes, available from early in Yeti's History, first made from 4130 PATCO straight guage steel tubing, featuring the famous Loop stays, early versions available with 'Portage pad' (Shoulder carrying pad). FTW stem was available early in the FRO Years. First Generation FRO had BMX size 1" headset (not MTB 1") Horizontal dropouts. Early FRO featured 1 part seat and chain stay, later had 2 part joined at the BB tube, this enable Yeti to make the stays butted and save weight. The Frames had a small oval tube from the BB shell to the chain stays, early ones had no gussetts, later frames, and also some that were returned had a small triangular shaped gussett welded on the strengthen this area. FRO's have a seperate seat collar.
- FACT:- Don Myrah rode for Yeti for a very short time, he requested that the small Oval BB to Chain Stays tube was replaced on his bikes with 2 small tubes to let the mud clear.
- FACT:- Som early FRO had 2 cable stops on the right of the top tube,and one on the left, however fTW and Chris Herting discovered that it was easier to build with the stops all on the right! as they did'nt have to turn the frame around.
- FACT:- FRO Frame numbers started at R340 after a model of Harley.
- FACT;- All the first generation FRO were built on the same frame Jig, all with the same wheel base and angles! as the seat tube was shortened, the top tube dropped, and the actual top tube measurement got shorter!
- FACT:-Bike pictured above left- Custom built (you can tell by no portage pad mounts on seat/top tubes) by Eric Herting, and later given to his Father, still used today, but in good condition, and complete with bullseye cranks and 6 speed XT. Low frame number
PRO FRO:- 1991 to 1995 PRO FOR RACING ONLY, The Original FRO was a little to heavy compared to its competition, so the famous Yeti evolved into the PRO FRO, the PRO featured Yeti designed Tange Double butted steel tubing, to save weight(1/2 lb) and increase strength. Also featuring slightly steeper angles, the PRO now handles better. 1993- PRO gets Riveted on Cable stops, like its big bro the ARC. PRO FRO has welded on seat clamp.
FRO:- 1997 to 1999 Relaunched in 1997,Chromo FRO and Alloy FRO, Chromo FRO- Tange 4130 Seamless Double Butted tubing, just like the 92-95 model, still featuring the computer bent loopstays. Alloy FRO- 7005 Yeti Custom Butted tubing, also with loop stays, both feature Troy Lee Graphics. 1998 FRO Alloy only available, now the loopstays get 'Symmetry' tail section, with increased mud and heel clearance.
FACT:- During a Factory move in 1999, Yeti employees found some Steel FRO tubesets, and built them up. Not featured in the Brochure.
FRO:- 2002 to 2003 FRO back again! Now made of Easton Elite alloy tubing, loopstays remain, now disc compatible.
_______________________
      (Click here to see More Ultimate) ULTIMATE:- 1989 to 1995 Built as a project for Mountain Bike Action magazine, the Ultimate was the best of everything, plenty of mud clearance, strong, and a great ride. All Ultimates (Except 1 or 2 one was repainted at least once.) had the trademark Yeti Loopstays,and oval top tube,1 1/4 Evolution Headset, 26.8 Seat tube. A handfull of Ultimates were made in 1995 to use up Tubesets
FACT:- The short tube between the down tube, Chain stays, and seat tube was known as 'the love story' because it was so hard to make!
FACT:- A few Ultimate tubesets still exist unbuilt in original boxes!
________________________
(Click Here to see more YAK) YAK- Yeti YAK, one of the first Yeti Bikes, available in the mid 80's, Built in Malibu CA before Parker and CO moved into the famous Agoura Hills factory. Built of Steel with Rack eyelets, in the FRO was for Racing, the YAK was a FRO for the long distance Haul. COST-$900 inc Fork also with Rack eyelet, also 3 H20 Bottle braze ons.
________________________
 (Click Here to see more Treefrog) TREE FROG:- 20" Wheel Trials specific Frame, Fork & Stem, Very rare, built in around the late 80's.
________________________
     C-26:- 1990-1991 Chris Hertings design, Tomac Raced one with drop bars, Juli Furtado rode one to victory at the worlds in 1990 in Colorado, The C-26 was Easton C9 Carbon bonded into Steel Lugs, The C-26 was the future, a Lighter tubeset with all the strength of steel. 50 Tubesets and Lugsets were made. Only a handfull of frames were sold, as the adhesive was pushed out of the Lugs as the tubes were such a tight fit, Yeti did not assemble the stock left over, this later got taken by staff at Yeti, some were built, some just dissapeared, only true Yeti built frames had stickers. Early development frames had cable stops bonded to the tubes, the race team,and production frames had the stops welded onto the lugs.
FACT- out side the team bikes, only 3 C-26 were made, 2 were given away and 1 was sold, Yeti made enough Lugs and tubes for 50 complete frames (and some carbon stays), but as the joint did not bond as Yeti wanted, they never made the rest, as Yeti were taken over, and moved factory, all the other parts were taken or stolen, and any C-26 without stickers is a 'non' genuine stolen/taken Yeti C-26 frame that have been bonded incorectly or just slotted together.
FACT:- C-26 stands for - C= Chris and 26= Chris Hertings age when he designed and built the C-26
________________________
        (Click Here to see more ARC) ARC:- 1992 to today, ARC Alloy Racing Composite, One of the very first Alloy frames available, Yeti Custom designed tubing(Easton 7005 series ProGram Varilite) , worked on by Chuck Teixira of Easton, welded up at Yeti despite Parkers strict instruction not to! The future of the MTB was here, In 1992 Yeti had won more NORBA, Grundig cup,and World Cup events than all other teams combined! Each frame featured Loopstays, Oval toptube, Riveted Alloy cable guides,and 1 1/4 headset. The tubes are 25% stiffer and lighter than Steel. 1996 ARC gets different design of chain and seat stays for more heel clearance. 1997 ARC gets Troy Lee Graphics and a 'flared' downtube, headset shrinks to 1 1/8. Yetiman headbadge remains for now. 1999 ARC gets large 'DART' style paint, Forged seat and chainstay Yokes with disc mounts, and for the first time,a replaceable drop out.Looses Yetiman and gains an AXE headbadge, last ARC Made in Durango around this time. 2001 same frame, different colours, made in Golden. 2002 ARC looses the forged Yokes,and the tubes take up the space. 2003 Easton Scandium top and down tube for the ARC, also gets a neater, lighter cool looking chainstay yoke.
Yetifan asked Chuck Teixeira which Yeti was his most favourite/was he most proud of?
I never really thought about having a favorite Yeti, that's kind of like asking me which of my five sister's I like best.
But since we made so few C-26's, which I'm found of because it was Easton's first, I'll go with the ARC. The tube set that I designed for the ARC push the weight limits of all bikes being built at that time. I can say with complete confidence that the ARC was the first mountain bike to use butted (Taper wall) tubes throughout the frame. The tubes were all made from 7005-T6 aluminum that used a special age that was developed to maximize toughness when used in a welded structure. The top tube was 1.500 in diameter and used .050/.030/.050 wall thickness and was crimped into the classic Yeti flat oval shape. The down tube was round at 1.750 in diameter and used .085/.035/.050 walls. This was the thickest walled down tube made at the time, but because it was only .035 in the center section it still was very light. Frames often broke at the head tube weld, gusseted or not so I wanted to solve that problem. The seat tube was 1.250 and was .098/.040/.060. The chain and seat stay loop was a cool piece of work and often goes unnoticed for what it was. The outer diameter was gradually swaged down from .875 to .750 between the front chain rings and the rear drop outs. We felt that using a constant diameter would either make the stay too heavy or too weak. We also new that the loop at the BB on the FRO's were a weak point so we eliminated that bend and cleared the tires and chain rings with an "S" bend. The internal walls also changed from .083 at the BB to .062 at the drop out and stayed thin to the seat cluster. The tubes were then sent to Yeti's bend to create the classic loop. Julie raced and trained on a single ARC and won everything in sight with out a failure, and I'm particularly proud of that.
Chuck
________________________
   (Click Here to see more ARC Ti) ARC Ti:- 1999-2002 Yeti ARC Ti, everything Yeti knows about the ARC in a Titanium frame.Early frames had the 'Dart' style decal on the down tube, some had 27.2 seat tubes, but some did come with 27.0 for an unknown reason, The detail on the frame is second to none, even with a jewelers eye glass, you would be very hard pushed to find anything untoward. The Bicycle version of a Chris King headset.
________________________
KOKOPELLI:- (See Kokopelli Here) (See also FS) 1996 (became FRO Alloy) Kokopelli HT designed and built in Durango Colorado, a Yeti for the European market, high import prices caused many Europeans trouble buying Yeti's, and the Kokopelli was the bike to address this problem, single colour paint, regular dropouts, and a 1 1/8th headtube were ways to bring the Yeti ride to a larger market, Still has, Oval top tube and rivted cable guides. Easton Varilite Elite and Elan 3 seat and chainstays made a four piece tail to out perform any other normal HT. Never a compromise, simply a solution said the 1996 brochure.
  KOKOPELLI - 2002-2003- More affordable AS-R for the masses, featuring a trick looking Extruded top tube, Fox lock out Shock, Easton Taperwall tubing, and Yeti loopstays, 3.7" of travel. The Kokopelli was sold as a frame or complete bike. 2002 had Bushings,and 2003 featured Bearings in the main pivot. Made in USA
________________________
YETI SHERPA:- 1996 A FRO under a different name?? Tange steel 4130 tubing. 1 1/4 headtube, single colour paint.
________________________
(Click to see more Road Project) ROAD PROJECT:- 1993 to 2002 Road Project, made in Durango, Easton tubing, 1" headset, Dart paint, Oval top tube with Riveted cable guides, 1995 now with downtube shifter bosses sub 3lbs. 1996 Single paint colour, 1997 Troy Lee graphics, 2.5lbs! 2000- Road Project available also in Ti, 1 1/8 headtube. Alloy Built in Golden.
FACT- 2003 Yeti made a Road Project, complete with carbon stays, No orders from dealers!
________________________
(Click to see more Zephyr) ZEPHYR:- 1996 Yeti Zephyr, made in Durango out of custom drawn Easton tubing, built to celebrate 10 years of Yeti. 1 1/4 headset, available in many different colour schemes. 50 were supposed to be built, it is thought only around 24 were made. 1 was signed by Parker. Very expensive new and very unique. Available in 18" only.
FACT:- A few Zephyr tubesets are un built.
FACT:- one was made in the late 90's by Vega the Yeti welder, the only one with cable guides and brake bosses!
FACT:- The red and Cream one pictured- This is a rare Yeti cruiser, one of only a handfull built, and the only one personally autographed by John Parker. This frame was donated by Yeti to Trails 2000 (a trail advocacy group) for auction at a fund raiser. It is gorgeous aluminum construction, powdercoated red and cream, with Yeti built forks, stem, and bars. Built up with a Nexus 7 spd hub, Persons spring saddle, Yeti grips, bell+horn, Schwinn teardrop taillight and repro tires. This bike is a delight to ride, but has been ridden very little. Has never been off pavement. What an attention getter!
________________________
       (Click to see more DJ) Yeti DJ:- 2004 onwards Yeti DJ (Dirt Jumper), available in 2 sizes short and long, with replacable drop outs, for QR, 12mm or singlespeed setups. Features box section loopstays, YETI decals on top and underside of down tube, Colour is silver.
For 2005 The DJ is in Black or RAW, the DJ frame features ISCG mounts that are integrated into the BB shell, NOT the weak welded on type.
08 Sees a team style paint job. Ridden to massive victories by Jared Graves & Ross Milan. Won world champs under Jared Graves in 2010.
       (Click to see more 4x) Yeti 4X - 2004 - 2011 Limited Production of this 4X weapon is sure to give the select few a racing advantage, only 75 of the 3.25" travel frame will be made in the Golden factory. This is the first time the 4X has been available to the public, and is built under the Yeti Special Projects banner. Each will be numbered with a special 'Yeti Frame number decal'. Shock fitted is a Manitou Swinger. Later this bike was added to the line up.
________________________
 (Click to see more ARC-X) YETI ARC X:- late 2007 onwards Yeti Launched the ARC-X cyclocross frame as a limited run, for 2008 it made it into the regular line up. TDWI ? Yeti will not tell us, but what we do know is - THE D--- W--- In, any ideas?
________________________
 (Click to see more Super-X) YETI SUPER X:- 09 ONWARDS.YETI Super X- Released in late 08 early 09 the Yeti Super X is their first production BMX. Limited to 200 special project frames to celebrate Jared Graves amazing ride at the Olympics. He made 6th in the finals after a turn 2 crash.
________________________
(Click to see more Bigtop) YETI Bigtop- Yeti’s first 29er, with alloy front end, bonded to a carbon rear, the big top saw Yeti enter the 29er market with one hell of a frame. Loved by everybody who rides one, the Bigtop comes with replaceable rear dropouts for gears or single speed, ISCG tabs that are removable, 100mm fork compatibility. Yeti called the bike the Bigtop in response to the joke that all 29ers are clown bikes, the top tube Yetiman even has clown shoes and a red nose. The first model up to 2011 was White/Turq, and switched to all black for 2012.
(Click here to see more 5) YETI 5:- 2010 onwards- Yeti 5 is basically a more modern, trail friendly AS-R, with 130mm of rear wheel travel, alloy or carbon front triangle linked to a carbon swingarm. With frame weights between 5-6lbs, its a very desirable piece of kit. With optional 142x12mm rear Axle, and a tapered 1.5 headtube, and 30-9 seat tube for dropper seat posts, its bang up to date. slack head angle and lower BB, makes this a trail weapon!
________________________
(Click here to see more SB-66) YETI SB-66:-2012 on. An all new suspension platform launched by Yeti for 2012, 150mm, with the main pivot in an eccentric, and an all alloy, or all carbon production, the SB-66 is built to last, no more 575 style flex, these things are solid, popular options in FOX 36 forks, such is the stiffness and capability of the chassis. With QR or 142x12 rar axle options, removable ISCG mounts, tapered inset headset, and dropper seat post guides, this is an all day, all mountain frame. SB-66 is approx 7 3/4lbs, Carbon is approx 1.5-2lbs lighter.
________________________
(Click here to see more SB-95) YETI SB-95:- 2012 on. Yeti’s second SB style bike and 2nd 29er, with all alloy contruction, and 5” of rear travel.
________________________
       (Click to see more 303)YETI 303 DH (06-09) & RDH- 2009 ONWARDS, 303 25th (2010 click to pics of 25th only) & 303 WC (2012 onwards):- Launched in 2006, under a cover(really) the 303 has gone a different way to all other DH bikes, using firstly 2 rails, and then onto 1 rail, to control either the Shock rate, or wheel path. The 303 is the only bike to use patented linear rail technology. In 2010 Yeti made a limited run of 100 303 25th, which were made in the USA, alongside the team bikes for Aaron Gwin & Joey Schusler. For 2012, Yeti have taken the 303 25th, and created a lighter, hydro formed model, called the 303 WC, made overseas, its also a lot more affordable, raced to 6th place in the first DH round of 2012 by Jared Graves. A carbon one is currently being tested (April 2012)
________________________
(Click to see more YETI Seven) YETI SEVEN - 2008- 10. A long travel XC bike, perfect for rough trails, but nobody seemed to catch on, sadly not a very well accepted Yeti, despite riding really very well, and climbing like a chubby mountain goat.
________________________
 (Click to see more Lawwills’) Lawwill Downhill - 1996 - The first Generation of Mert Lawwill's Yeti Mountain Bikes, the Lawwill DH had 3" of rear Travel, Floating rear disc brake,FETS- Full energy transfer system, and was fitted with the trick looking Risse Terminator shock, The bike in the Brochure had a Front mech, AND a 60T Paragon Machine works chainring!
YetiFan asked Mert Lawwill which Yeti was he most proud of?
Without question I am most proud of the "Lawwill" bikes. When I went to YETI because of John Parkers effort I never had any idea that the Lawwill design would turn into a down hill bike. My thoughts were more thinking of just a normal energy efficient mountain bicycle. The idea of the pull shock actually came from some advice of Penski Shocks. Formula one auto racing was doing a lot of work with pull shocks and it looked like a good way to go. However, with the advacement of technology in the compression shock the compression shock is the better way to go now. -Mert
     Lawwill DH-4 & DH 6 - 1997-1998 - Launched in 1997, Raced by such names as Voires, Lawyer, Randy Lawrence, the Lawwill 4 and 6 had upped the Travel to 4" & 6", fitted with Rockshox Pullshocks, the Lawwill 4&6 was a first, and were one of only very few bikes to use pull shock technology, Both bikes featured a Yeti 12mm bolt through axle design, and also the legendary oval top tube. Both Bikes can be run with single or triple chainrings.
Lawwill DH-8 - 1999-2000-The Lawwill DH-8, now with a full 8" of travel, full bearings througout (18in total!), Floating brake arm remains, and even now, some bike companies are still catching onto this, the shock is a Rockshox Super Deluxe on the 99, and a Rockshox Super Deluxe with piggy back on the 2000 frames. some later frames, had YETI on the top swing arm. The floating brake arm was for Hayes fitment. Almost Identical to the Schwinn Lawwill's, but both were made in seperate places. although the Yeti came with a Schwinn manual!
  Lawwill DH-9 2001-2004- From Push shock, to Pull shock,and back, the last and best version on the Lawwill design came with a tube main frame in 2001, and a Sweet Monocoque front triangle after that, now with 9" of travell, but you already knew that, early versions still had the 12mm axle, and Hayes brake mount, Later Lawwills had 15 or 20mm axles, with the later being a Razor Rock hotrod kit (drop links and hub), these featured Hayes or IS brake mounts, but IS was more popular opening up the Lawwill design to brakes fron Hope, Shimano and many others. The brochure picture in the 02-04 catalogues featured Custom team decals, these were never available, but were fitted to Nathan Rennie's Lawwill.
________________________
         (Click to see more AS-X) AS-X - 2001 - 2007 - The first AS-X was hand built in the USA, with optional travel of 4-5-6",fitted with a Fox shock here was a bike that went uphill,and could mix it with those that only go down. The 2001-2 AS-X was pretty heavy on the wallet. 2003 the AS-X turned into a new beast, new production techniques reduced the price, now with 6-7" of travel,and a 5th Element shock meant the bike was much easier on the ups, this AS-X was the first Yeti to feature the 1.5" headset, and most are fitted with Manitou shermans, for 2004 the AS-X gets a bearing linkage instead of the 2003 bushing version, this gives the frame a little more travel, and makes it more small bump sensative. Build weighs vary from around 30lbs, to almost 40! 2004 bikes have 1 length of outer cable on the main frame for the rear mech. 2004 bikes also got a longer shock. The shock mount on the top tube was moved forward to allow this alteration.
Production ends for 2008
________________________
            
  (Click to see more 575) 575 - 2004-onwards- 575 with a massive 5.75" of rear travel the 575 is a Enduro bike to Die for, Trail riders, this is your weaopn of choice, with a 5th Element Shock, Carbon Pivots, 5" fork ready, a 6.1lb frame can easily be built into a sub 26lb bike! Early Prototype looked a little iffy, but Yeti sorted the design,and now its a perfect member of the Yeti family , 2005 Sees more colours, and RP3 as an upgrade, late 05 sees the introduction of the DHX Air shock, some models of 575 get this, along with FOX 36’s. Dog bone gets bolts for easy bearing replacement.
2008- Totally redesigned, hydroformed main frame, carbon stays option, now with an upper stay brace to tighten things up, much bigger headtube, frame looks stronger, but is same weight. Lots stiffer.
2010 see a 575 Anniversary(Click to see pics) to celebrate 25years of YETI. and the 2011 version comes with the 25th upgrades, beefy chainstays, bolt thu axle, better geometry.
2012, see an all new 575, with inset headset, and full alloy rear stays.
________________________
  (Click to see more AS-R, SL & C) AS-R- 2000-2002- The AS-R,Active Suspension Race, described by some as one of the fastest pedaling FS bikes available, Launched in 1999 with 3.7" of travel, it came with Those Turcite bearings, but was later to come with Cartridge bearings in the main pivot. The Dog bone was introduced to cut down on side loading son the shock,All bikes had a FOX shock with lockout and rebound, early frames were quoted at 5.2lbs. The AS-R also had the famous Yeti Loopstays, and came ready for Discs or regular rim brakes. Seat post was 26.8 on these models.
         AS-Rsl - 2003-onwards- SL, what does it mean? Super light?
The AS-R SL is the evolution of the first generation AS-R, but with a big weight saving, 50g here, 100g there, New Ti Pivots on the stays,a first for any bike company, Full bearings throughout, Needle rollers in the dog bone. Fox for early 2003 and 5th Element for late 2003 and all 2004 frames. Designed for 80 -100mm forks the AS-R is as good on a race course as it is on the trail. Quoted frame weight is 5.1lbs. 2004 gets a new tubeset, with Yeti's new custom drawn downtube with figure of 8 section. Lighter and Stronger. All made in Golden factory. From 03 Seat post was 27.2
2005 Sees Fox RP3 shock, and finally Carbon stays., 2006 remains pretty much the same, but the bikes got an RP23. After this the 07 get a new paint job, Ti bolt option, Carbon seat stay & Chainstay option, and carbon stay option. 2008 - Carbon Stays, and now made in taiwan.
  AS-R SLC 2008 onwards. Full carbon Yeti frame, not much lighter than the AS-R SL, but a whole lot stiffer.
________________________
    (Click here for more ARC, AS, LT & AS-3 )ARC AS-1993-1996- Alloy Racing Composites Active Suspension,Based on the ARC, first featured in Yeti brochures in 1993, but raced by Missy Giove at numerous races including the Kamikaze the year before. With 1.5 Inch's of travel it was the start of something special. Early Models had the choice of either a Risse Air/oil shock, or a Yeti IRC Elastomer. Early models featured the EASTON YETI ARC decals on the down tube, then in 95 they just said YETI. 1 1/4 headset and 26.8 seat tube.
    ARC AS LT- 1994-1996- As above but Long Travel, with 3 inch's of rear travel, raced by Missy, Myles and Jimmy Deaton among others, All models came with a Risse shock, this is upgradeable, and can feature 4" in some frames. As with the AS bearings are Turcite.All made in Durango.
  ARC AS-3- 1997-1999- An evolution of the ASLT? the AS-3 was Designed by Schwinn for Yeti when they took over the company, featuring shorter chainstays and an interupted seat tube, this bike featued a coil shock or on later models a Rockshox Air shock, some came with lockout. Later frames had Disc mounts. The AS-3 had Troy Lee graphics, and came in various incarnations, from XC racer to 'All Mountian', which has evolved into Enduro. All Built in Durango featuring the good old Yetiman headbadge or new style Iceaxe. Worst Yeti ever made..
|