THERE ARE SO MANY KINDS OF BIKES BECAUSE WE like to ride in so many ways. And that specificity allows us to optimize the riding experience in ever-smaller slices. But there is still much to be praised about an excellent multipurpose bike.
Consider the trail bike, the closest we get to an all-arounder mountain bike today. These bikes climb and descend well and are competent in lower-angle topography, something capable in a wide range of terrains. Trail bikes get wedged between racing categories, with cross-country on one side and gravity (downhill and enduro) on the other.
While those bookends have somewhat clear and specific parameters required for elite-level performance, trail bikes get tasked with doing a bit of everything. It's hard enough to try and be one bike for everything, but mix in a literal planet's worth of terrain and riders, and it becomes clear why there are so many different answers to the question "What is the best trail bike?"
An answer from Yeti is the SB120. More accurately, the SB120 is one of three answers from Yeti: The others are the SB140 and SB140 LR. Any one of the three can be the correct answer, but the SB120 is the trio's most complex and interesting bike.
The new SB120-a 29-inch-wheeled trail bike with 120mm of rear travel and a 130mm fork-takes the place of the SB115 (115mm rear/130mm front) as Yeti's shortest-travel full-suspension offering. But the SB120 is more accurately the progeny of the 2015 Yeti SB4.5c, the brand's first 29er featuring its signature Switch Infinity link. The 4.5c had 114mm of rear travel paired with a 140mm fork and was a lively all-purpose trail bike.
Denne historien er fra Spring 2023-utgaven av Bicycling US.
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Denne historien er fra Spring 2023-utgaven av Bicycling US.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
GETTING A FLAT CAN MAKE YOUR RIDE BETTER
ON A BEAUTIFUL LATE-SUMMER RIDE UNDER a cerulean blue sky, I got my second flat in three days.
THERE ARE WAY TOO MANY BIKES TO CHOOSE FROM
\"PERFECTION IS ACHIEVED, NOT WHEN there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.\"
THE CASE AGAINST STRAVA
I'LL BEGIN BY SINGING SOME PRAISES: Without Strava, I'm not sure I'd have re-engaged with cycling at the level I did. Coming from just occasionally messing around on mountain bikes as a teenager to trying my best to race at an elite level, Strava has played a role in pushing me to PR, hunt KOMS, and ride faster and harder than ever before.
LOOKING FOR CYCLING'S CAITLIN CLARK
WOMEN'S PRO CYCLING MUST FOSTER A COMMUNITY THAT WILL FEEL INVESTED IN THE SPORT FOR YEARS TO COME.
THE UPSIDE OF GETTING YOUR CAR STOLEN
AFTER I PARKED AT THE LAFAYETTE COLLEGE track for my workout, I did what I always do: I put my phone and wallet in the center console of my car and took the car key off the ring so I could fit it into the tiny pocket inside my running shorts.
UNLOCK THE SECRETS OF CYCLING'S SUPER AGERS
MEET THE SWEDISH SENIORS WHO PROVE YOU'RE NEVER TOO OLD TO RIDE HARD.
BIKE PACKING AMERICA'S LONGEST MULTIUSE TRAIL NETWORK
Even the slightest rain can sound thunderous inside a tent--and this was not slight rain. It came down in buckets, just as my partner Maggie and I were settling into our sleeping bags.
TWICE AS GOOD
WHY A DISCO-BALLINSPIRED DOUBLE UNICYCLE MIGHT BE ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT BIKES OF THE YEAR
THE ALCHE MISTS
They led a cycling revolution in Afghanistan where women were forbidden to ride. When the Taliban returned to power, their only hope was a harrowing escape to an uncertain future.
COUNTDOWN - TO YOUR FIRST CRIT
ONE INTREPID MEMBER, ONE WORLDCLASS COACH, ONE INCREDIBLE BIKE-THE OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME.
