Ryan’s Yeti SB140

I rode an SB130 29er for the past 2 seasons and really got along with it well. It’s stable yet lively, capable and lightweight. I wanted to keep those attributes for my next build, but in a burlier package as I’m doing bigger days out on the bike and am enjoying pushing myself more on the descents, so I chose the SB140.

The Fox Float X rear shock is no-nonsense and I’ve never had an issue with one on previous bikes. I took the plunge to remove the graphics, and that was a good choice. It looks so clean now! I usually ride a Pike or Lyrik but decided to give the Fox 36 a go. The Grip 2 damper has loads of adjustability, and with the Kashima stanchions and gold theme it seemed like a no-brainer for this build. Slik graphics made us some awesome gold flake graphics which really pop in the sunlight. With 10mm more travel front and rear, the bike should be even more bomber compared to the SB130 without giving up much on the climbs.

Shimano cassettes shift so well, but they don’t have gold, so I guess I’ll have to live with an XX1, haha. I’m re-using Cane Creek’s titanium EE Wings 170mm cranks which are incredibly light, quiet, stiff and strong. Absolute black makes the nicest looking chainrings IMO, and they work great, so I’ve paired that up with a black SRAM chain. I know you’re wondering why I didn’t go with a gold one, but they were out of stock and perhaps too much gold is a bad thing?

Featured Components

Wheelset

I like quiet hubs or a slight buzz, so I chose the Chris King hubs for their reliability and best in class anodizing. As a lighter rider, I prefer softer feeling NOBL TR37 rims with Sapim D-Light spokes. I had good luck with the Vittoria Mazza tires last year but had a couple flats in the rear. So this time around I opted for the slightly higher air volume 2.6″ Mazza with trail casing up front, and a 2.4″ enduro casing Mazza in the rear.