First Look: The New 2023 Yeti SB120!

Brand new for 2023, Yeti has dropped the SB120 to replace their highly regarded short-travel SB115! With a refined suspension platform, reshaped frame, updated geometry, size-specific chainstays, threaded bottom bracket, and many other improvements, we see the SB120 as a contender for one of the best short travel bikes on the market. Join us as we give you all a first look at the new SB120!

2023 SB120 HIGHLIGHTS

FRAME HIGHLIGHTS

• NEW short travel trail frame platform
• NEW Switch Infinity assembly on T-Series
• NEW Threaded bottom bracket
• NEW High-clearance downtube
• NEW Dual-density downtube protection
• Universal Derailleur Hanger (UDH)
• Secure, fully enclosed internal cable management
• Compatible with long dropper posts
• 100% standard sealed Enduro Max bearings
• Floating collet axle pivot design
• Ultra-compact shock extender
• Boost spacing
• Sizes XS-X XL

SPEC HIGHLIGHTS

• Fox Factory 34, Grip2 damper (T1/T3) & Fox Float DPS Shock
• Fox Transfer dropper post
• DT Swiss XM Wheels
• 4-piston brakes
• ODI Elite Pro grips
• 180 front and rear rotors
• Trail tires: Maxxis DHF 2.5 & Aggressor 2.3 EXO casing
• Pinner T4 build featuring DT Swiss EXC 1501 Carbon wheels, Fox Transfer SL dropper, and Maxxis Rekon/Rekon Race tires

SB120 TURQ Builds

TURQ Series carbon fiber frame, Switch Infinity suspension technology, threaded bottom bracket, fully enclosed internal cable routing, 148mm x 12mm BOOST dropouts, sealed Enduro Max pivot bearings, integrated derailleur hanger, and axle.

SB120 C/SERIES BUILDS

C/Series carbon fiber frame, Switch Infinity suspension technology, threaded bottom bracket, fully enclosed internal cable routing, 148mm x 12mm BOOST dropouts, sealed Enduro Max pivot bearings, integrated derailleur hanger, and axle.

NEW SCHOOL GEOMETRY, MANIACALLY REFINED.

Industry-leading frame geometry has been revisited with a keen eye on making a more balanced ride. Yeti engineers and designers mined the depths of every millimeter to create a nuanced set of refinements that deliver another leap forward in how well a mountain bike can ride. No hyperbole here: these bikes ride even better than before. More to come on those millimeters.

FIG. 1 - SIZE-SPECIFIC SEAT TUBE ANGLES
Riders of all sizes stay in a powerful pedal position with seat tube angles that increase with frame size. This makes the transition from seated to standing easier, especially for taller riders.

FIG. 2 - A REACH FOR AGILITY
A more neutral position keeps riders weighting both wheels more evenly. This makes the bike more agile and sprightly. New reach numbers also scale with travel of each bike.

FIG. 3 - SIZE-SPECIFIC CHAIN STAYS
Chainstay length increases with frame size, ensuring the rear center of the bike is proportionately correct for riders of all sizes (XS-XXL).

FIG. 4 - BALANCED VERTICAL TRAVEL
Modern head angles are slack, so Yeti runs more front travel than rear travel to balance the bike. This delivers a brilliantly balanced ride.

LEVERAGE RATES REFINED.

With the release of the last generation of Yeti Switch Infinity bikes, Yeti focused on fine-tuning leverage rates. The results are apparent in their award and race-winning bikes. The new line of Yeti Switch Infinity bikes builds on this already successful set of suspension kinematics with subtly refined leverage rates that are adjusted for the added travel of each new bike. The new bikes maintain our balanced approach to leverage rate resulting in an incredibly predictable ride.

BETTER SHOCK TUNING

Yeti Cycles has been tuning its shocks in-house to ensure their kinematics pair seamlessly with their shocks. Using data acquisition and their shock dyno Yeti is able to correlate hours of ride testing, splitting hairs over tenths of millimeters, to deliver the most out of their suspension. Each new bike goes through countless hours of ride and lab testing with multiple, ground-up shock tunes before they settle on the final tune.

THE NEW SILHOUETTE OF SPEED

The refined main frame and swingarm silhouettes are more than just striking good looks — it’s an engineering approach that packages Switch Infinity and shock linkage in a tighter, more efficient package with added impact clearance. Holistic frame chassis stiffness has increased, along with frame ground clearance on all new models.

INCREDIBLE RIDE FEEL FROM THE INSIDE OUT.

Over the course of hundreds of virtual simulation comparisons and back-to-back carbon prototype testing, Yeti refined their carbon layups to deliver consistent torsional stiffness and flex profiles across all frame sizes. The feel is precise yet compliant while structurally balancing light weight and durability.

Switch Infinity Recalculated

Discover the next generation of translating pivot suspension designs. Setting new expectations for kinematics, longevity, sensitivity, and strength. All new T-series builds will be equipped with Yeti's new Switch Infinity system with improved seals, bearings, and hardware.

Speed Metal.

Yeti's new pivot designs use 100% standard-sized cartridge bearings secured with precision—machined floating collet axles. All bearings are pressed into the linkage assembly vs the swingarm or front triangle. Their new floating collet pivot design uses standard-sized cartridge bearings in precision and machined floating collet axles boosting longevity. The end result is perfect alignment and smooth suspension motion every time.

Patented compact wishbone link

A patented, two-piece wishbone shock extender is used on the SB160 ensuring optimal clamping, shock compatibility, and ease of shock removal for longer travel applications. This shock extender was designed to achieve specific goals: optimizing leverage rates while pushing the shock forward in the frame. This forward positioning allows for a large range of shock compatibility, decreases standover height, reduces shock tab sizes, increases water bottle compatibility, and increases downtube clearance.

Frame Protection

The new downtube protection system features two layers that work together. The foundation of the system is a rubber under-guard that provides a cushion against the frame. The external hard cap provides superior impact resistance. The new system brings edge-to-edge protection to the downtube and is easily replaceable. The hard cap is also removable to aid in dropper post cable routing.

Universally Ready

If a hanger bending crash occurs, the new Yeti models use the Universal Derailleur Hanger (UDH) interface — the industry standard mount for a rear derailleur. The UDH is available in nearly any bike shop, Yeti dealer or not.

Full Drop

As the capability of Yeti bikes continues to increase, so does their ability to run modern-day, full-stroke dropper posts. Our seat tube is shorter to allow for longer dropper posts. Most riders will be able to use 150mm dropper posts on Small frames*, 175mm on Medium frames*and 200mm+ dropper posts on L-XXL frames* respectively.
*Dependent on actual seat height on specific bike size

THREADED CO - MOLDED BOTTOM BRACKET

A threaded aluminum bottom bracket shell with internal ISCG-05 tabs is co-molded into the carbon during layup. No glued-in BB shells here — this critical drivetrain interface is more durable, cleaner, and easier to service.