![]() Doesn’t that sound nice? A bike that descends like a brawler while climbing better and being lighter. The place where the Hightower felt the most like a Megatower was on the descents. The rear tire didn’t slip even when I was standing and mashing the pedals. The traction became apparent as the grades hit 25% and it took all I could do to turn the pedals. The added traction and small bump performance helped get the Hightower to the top of my tough (read: miserable) test climb. Once the trail got steep and rocky, the Hightower started climbing better and better. It’s not ultra fast, but it’s not slow either. The Hightower climbs about how you’d expect a 140mm trail bike to climb. That’s not to say they make bikes that can’t climb worth a hill of beans. Bikes are a game of compromises and true to their roots, Santa Cruz have made sure their bikes like to party on the downhills. A more active bike has a bit more pedal bob, but it’s that same active feel that gives you such great traction, small bump performance and planted nature. The new lower-link design from Santa Cruz does tend to make the bike slightly more active, however. The Hightower descends like a bigger, burlier bike while having the more mild mannered geometry and build of a trail bike. The two bikes are very much alike - and that’s a good thing. If you jumped on the new Hightower and the first thing you said was “It feels like a Megatower,” you wouldn’t be wrong. I don’t know what kind of voodoo magic Yeti has worked here, but kudos. ![]() My exit speed was apparently higher than on other bikes. Not something that can be said about every bike I’ve ridden. I found myself confidently weighting the front end and trusting the bike. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but the SB130 just wanted to be driven through a corner. Some of the really tight switchbacks gave me a bit of trouble, but overall I couldn’t have asked for any better through the twists and turns of my test rack. Even on an XL frame I never really struggled too much to get the bike around a corner. I’m not sure I’ve ever ridden a bike that corners quite like it. My favorite thing about the SB130 is how well it cornered. It’s not a point-and-shoot rig like its big brother the SB150. It will require you to bring your A game when things get really rough, though. Want to race an enduro or two? Go for it. Feeling a little zesty and want to ride the steeps? Just like a billboard attorney, it’s got your back. Want to go hit flowy blue trails all day? It’s got you covered. The great thing about a bike so well balanced is it covers a huge spectrum of trail riding. It’s planted enough without being wallowy and sporty enough without being a white-knuckle ride from hell. It has a very balanced way of approaching all kinds of terrain. When you turn the bike back downhill, the SB130 reveals its true nature - a through and through trail weapon. For a bike this built, the weight is rather impressive. Then again, most 130mm travel bikes don’t come with a 36mm stanchion fork, piggy back shock, meaty tires and big, powerful brakes. The SB130 is a little on the heavy side when compared to other 130mm travel bikes but it’s not unreasonable. The more upright climbing position allows you to get your hips over the cranks and your weight more centered between the wheels. The industry shift toward steep seat tubes has been very welcomed, especially with taller riders like myself. The steep seat tube puts you in a comfortable position even when the trail gets closer to vertical. The Switch Infinity platform offers enough anti-squat to keep the bike high in the travel and efficient. It doesn’t have the sprightly handling of an XC bike but it certainly is quicker than a long-travel hog. It feels balanced and comfortable right from the get go. It almost feels like that Goldilocks bike - not too hot or too cold, but just right. The YetiSB130 feels like you’d expect a burly trail bike to feel. On the trail the differences become rather apparent. Paint Colors – Turquoise duh, dark grey or dark blueīelieve me yet? These two bikes couldn’t be more similar on paper without actually being the same bike. ![]() Frame Shape – Like the rest of the new Yeti bikes ![]()
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