New Shock Transforms Yeti's 4.5c From XC-Speedster to Trail Crusher
After falling in love with the 27.5” wheeled Yeti SB5c–it’s my favorite mountain bike–I was really, really excited to try out the 29” wheeled Yeti SB4.5c. I was expecting something similar to a 5c with bigger wheels. But when I rode the 4.5c, it was something different. The suspension was firmer and more progressive than I expected: it felt almost like an XC-race-bike tune, and not the 5c’s sensitive, deep-feeling suspension.
There’s bad, there’s good; there’s what I prefer, and what I don’t. The 4.5c’s tune wasn’t bad, and was good at some things. It felt very quick, climbed great, especially on steeper trails, and when climbing over successive ledgy hits, the suspension would stay up in its travel and prevent hobby-horsing.
But, for the style of bike and capabilities of the 4.5c, I didn’t like the tune. If I bought a 4.5c, I’d be looking for ways to change the compression tune and spring curve to get something similar to the 5c’s ride, perhaps employing an outside service like Push Industries.
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Apparently, there are like-minded individuals at Yeti. While some employees like the firmer tune that is shipping with the first batch of 4.5c frames, other riders inside the company were very vocal: they wanted a more trail oriented tune for the 4.5c’s shock. Yeti’s solution: offer both.
Starting in November, when a Yeti dealer orders a 4.5c, they will have the option to equip it with the “XC Tune” or “Trail Tune” shock. Externally, the difference is slight: the air sleeve is larger, for more air volume; internally, the compression tune is lighter.
Riders who purchased from the initial batch of 4.5c frames (with XC-tune shock) will have the opportunity to buy the trail-tune shock from Yeti. However, price and timeline for availability have not been determined.
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Yeti sent me a trail tune shock to install in my 4.5c test bike. As promised, it’s much more sensitive, plusher and sticks down better in chundery conditions, and with less weight on the saddle. It makes the 4.5c feel a lot like a 5c, which is exactly what I wanted.
Who do I love now; the 5c or the 4.5c? The 5c, with smaller wheels and, is still my true love. But the 4.5c is making a play for my heart. I may try polyamory.
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