The SB6c is yet to be released. We're looking forward to learning specifics such as price, weight and geometry in the coming weeks(Image credit: Josh Patterson / Immediate Media)
Graves is running a Fox 36 RC2 fork with 160mm of travel(Image credit: Josh Patterson / Immediate Media)
Graves chose to run a grippy Maxxis Minion DHR II front tyre with a fast-rolling Maxxis Ikon in the rear(Image credit: Josh Patterson / Immediate Media)
Light levers and powerful brakes for the Aussie enduro racer — Graves runs Shimano XTR Race brake levers with Saint calipers(Image credit: Josh Patterson / Immediate Media)
The Bar Fly 3.0 computer mount gets the job done(Image credit: Josh Patterson / Immediate Media)
Artful CNC machining on the 50mm Renthal Apex stem(Image credit: Josh Patterson / Immediate Media)
Graves mechanic, Shaun Hughes, claims that the SB6c pedals so well that Graves generally runs his Float X CTD in 'Descend' mode at all times(Image credit: Josh Patterson / Immediate Media)
Graves runs a 36t front chainring and an e*thirteen LG1+ guide with the lower slider removed(Image credit: Josh Patterson / Immediate Media)
Graves uses a Stages power meter mounted to the non-drive crankarm(Image credit: Josh Patterson / Immediate Media)
The SB6c can carry a water bottle on the bottom of the down tube(Image credit: Josh Patterson / Immediate Media)
Like the shorter-travel SB5c, the SB6c has an port for an internally routed dropper seatpost(Image credit: Josh Patterson / Immediate Media)
The Switch Infinity sliders replace a lower linkage, allowing the main pivot to move a few millimeters up and down(Image credit: Josh Patterson / Immediate Media)
...but he uses a hacked XTR shifter to actuate the seatpost(Image credit: Josh Patterson / Immediate Media)
Mechanic Shaun Hughes added a tiny cable stop to the end of the cable that enters the seatpost to make this setup work(Image credit: Josh Patterson / Immediate Media)
Jared Graves won four of the seven stages to secure the overall victory at the fifth stop at this year's Enduro World Series in Winterpark, Colorado, aboard his new SB6c(Image credit: Josh Patterson / Immediate Media)
Round five of the 2014 Enduro World Series took place this weekend on the alpine trails high above Winter Park, Colorado. It was a resounding win for the Yeti Cycles / Fox Racing Shox team. EWS series leader Jared Graves put his stamp on the event, winning four of the seven stages and securing the overall win ahead of teammate Richie Rude, who won the first three stages, finishing in second place.
While Rude opted to ride the new Yeti SB5c, the 31-year-old Aussie chose to ride what appears to be a production-ready SB6c, the 27.5in-wheeled successor to the SB66c.
The Fox 36 RC2 fork is favored by enduro racers for its adjustability
Like many other Fox-sponsored enduro racers, Graves is running a 160mm Fox 36 RC2 fork paired with a Float X CTD shock. Yeti mechanic Shaun Hughes noted that Graves runs the Float X shock in the fully-open at all times. Hughes claims the Switch Infinity suspension design does not require additional platform damping.
For the dry and loose course conditions Graves ran a Maxxis Minion front tyre with a fast-rolling Maxxis Ikon in the rear.
Customized components
The SB6c frame that Graves rides may be a stock medium, but Hughes added a number of custom additions that make the bike one of a kind.
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Like several others racers on the enduro circuit, Graves is running a hacked XTR front shift lever to operate his cable-actuated dropper seatpost, in this case a Thomson's Covert Elite Dropper. "This lever just feels natural," Graves said of the modified XTR lever. Graves prefers the infinite travel of the Thomson dropper over the preset positions offered by the Fox DOSS.
This XTR front shifter is used to operate the dropper seatpost
This hack required a bit more effort than it would have with a Fox DOSS. The Covert Elite Dropper is designed to have the fixed end of the shift cable routed from the seatpost to the lever. This is the opposite routing of a shift cable through a shift lever. Hughes' solution was to add a tiny cable stop, held in place with a set screw, to secure the cable at the dropper end.
This tiny removable cable stop makes the Thomson Covert Elite Dropper / XTR shifter hack work
Part of going fast is knowing when and how to brake. On the rare occasions when Graves does want to slow down, he wants ample power. To that end, Graves runs XTR Race brake levers mated to a pair of four-piston Saint Calipers with finned Ice Tech rotors to keep his speed in check.
Last but not least is Graves' custom chainguide. While clutch-equipped rear derailleurs and narrow / wide chainrings do a commendable job of reducing chain slap and improving chain retention, the combination is by no means foolproof. Many enduro racers, including Graves, still choose to run some form of chainguide. In his case, Graves runs an e*thirteen LG1+ with the lower slider removed. This setup provides the security of a top guide, protects the chaining against rock strikes, and the lack of a lower slider reduces chain drag.
More information on the way
Stay tuned for more information on the Yeti SB6c
There's still much we don't know about this new model. The SB6c's carbon frame was devoid of decals, although it appeared quite polished — and is probably ready for production. We expect that Yeti will release the full details of the bike shortly.
Complete bike specifications Frame: Yeti SB6 Carbon Fork: Fox Racing Shox 36 RC2, 160mm Headset: Chris King InSet, 1 1/8-to-1 1/2in tapered Stem: Renthal Apex, 50mm Handlebars: Renthal Fatbike Lite Carbon, 740mm Grips: ODI Troy Lee Designs Lock-on Front brake: Shimano XTR Race BR-M985 lever, Saint M820 caliper, 180mm XTR SM-RT99 rotor Rear brake: Shimano XTR Race BR-M985 lever, Saint M820 caliper, 160mm XTR SM-RT99 rotor Chainguide: e*thirteen LG1 (with lower slider removed) Rear derailleur: Shimano XTR RD-M986 Shadow Plus Front shift lever: Shimano XTR SL-M980 (hacked for dropper actuation) Rear shift lever: Shimano XTR SL-M980 Cassette: Shimano XTR CS-M980, 11-36t Chain: Shimano XTR CN-M980 Crankset: Shimano XTR FC-M980, 170mm Chainring: Renthal narrow / wide chainring, 36t Bottom bracket: Chris King PF30 Pedals: Shimano XTR PD-M985 Front wheel: DT Swiss EX1501 Front tyre: Maxxis Minion DHR II, 27.5x2.3in, (26psi) Rear wheel: DT Swiss EX1501 Rear tyre: Maxxis Ikon, 27.5x2.3in (29psi) Saddle: Yeti Team Edition WTB Devo SLT Seatpost: Thomson Covert Elite Dropper Stealth Accessories: Stages Cycling power meter, Bar Fly 3.0 Garmin mount
Critical measurements Rider's height: 1.7 m (5ft 10in) Rider's weight: 85kg (187lb) Complete bike weight: 12.38kg (27.3lb)
