Employee Rides: Big Al's 2018 Yeti SB4.5 (The Perfect All Around Shredder)

What are you riding?

2018 Yeti SB4.5

Why did you choose this bike?

Great question, I previously had an SB5.5 (amazing bike), but every trail around our shop and what I ride most has more pedaling and not too many 'gnarly' downhill trails so a little bit more trail oriented bike seemed like the perfect choice to go with. We have a few local trails which are chunkier and the 2018 Yeti SB4.5 is still more than enough to get down the trail so I think it's a perfect all around shredder for the local area!

What are some of your personal touches?

I built this bike from the ground up so the whole thing would be a bit of a 'personal touch', but I tried to build it as murdered out as I could. Some differences from a more common trail bike would be some 35mm rise bars, little bit more aggressive tires, and of course some powerful Shimano XT brakes.

How does this bike compare to others you have built in the past?

I previously had a 2017 Yeti SB5.5 and an EVIL Following MB, which had very similar builds to what I have now as far as components. I did change a few things to test some other products to fully get a good opinion on components, being that I talk to people all day about what components and the differences/what I recommend. I changed up the brakes and tires, coming from SRAM brakes & Maxxis rubber to some Shimano XT's and a pair of WTB's. As far as everything else, I kept with the tried and true SRAM Eagle and RaceFace cranks and cockpit. This bike also has Fox suspension which is a change from my EVIL which had Rockshox. Honestly, I love them both

Why do you run such a particular set up?

Few particulars that I like on my bikes would be carbon high-rise bars, Shimano XT brakes, high engagement hub, and some wider, aggressive tires. I prefer carbon bars for the flex and comfort that the carbon allows which makes my hands and arms feel a whole lot better on rough trails. The Shimano XT's have become my go-to for the feel of the moto style levers and the power of the brakes. After running a high-engagement hub and going back to a low engagement hub I can never go back, I cursed myself with this one. The high engagement really makes technical slower sections a little easier and makes it a little nicer to creep up steep rocky trails. Lastly, the wider aggressive tires are simply nice for the traction. I don't really care about the rolling resistance that heavier more aggressive tires come with, I'm not trying to beat my co-worker Zack up the climbs or set any KOM's...although if I wanted to beat Zack I would probably need an E-bike, guys fast.

How does it ride?

She rides like a fricken' Cadillac, climbs like a mountain goat with wings, and descends like it has 130mm of travel. It's pretty rad, if you've never hopped on an SB4.5, I would highly recommend doing so.

Is there anything you have thought of changing?

Honestly, not really I think I have down a pretty solid all around setup, but I have thought about throwing an oval chainring on or running a different model WTB tire or just another brand, in general, to see how I like them, but I am loving my Vigilant/Trail Boss setup currently. It's hard working at a bike shop surrounded by new product constantly being replaced. Do I need to replace anything? Absolutely not. Do I want to try the newest OneUp dropper, Shimano 4-pistons, or new Goodyear tires? Heck yes I do, and that's the wonderful thing about working at Worldwide Cyclery, I have the freedom and ability to do so.

Any last words?

I think I've hit everything about my sweet rig, I would say you should definitely hop on a Yeti if you haven't or even an EVIL, the Following MB, and Wreckoning are amazing bikes and I thoroughly enjoyed my Following MB!