SB130

Owns a 2021 SB130 (bought for €5,600) and compared it with a Ripmo AF: the Yeti feels like the better product and is much lighter and stiffer, with better climbing, but the Ripmo is better value.

“You can feel the Yeti is a better product in itself but for the 2k extra id say the Ripmo is at a better price / what you get range”

Owns an SB130 LR (their wife has a 27.5 SB140): both are awesome, but they prefer the SB130 for rolling over everything and the speed it carries; the SB140 is a little easier to throw around.

“They’re both awesome bikes but I prefer the SB130, I like the having the ability to rollover everything and the speed I can carry.”

Rode a 2020 SB130 LR back to back with a 2021 Pivot Switchblade: the Yeti is faster and holds more speed on climbs and in straight lines, but they had to ride it further forward to stop the front sliding in corners; a Cascade link fixed that at the cost of a lower bottom bracket.

“When I ride these bikes back to back the Yet is faster and more effective at holding greater speeds in a climb.”

Owns an SB130 with a Cascade link: a unique bike that climbs like a 120/140 bike and descends like a 150/160 one; they're about to sell it and already miss it.

“SB130 is a very unique bike. It climbs like a shorter travel bike (120/140) and descends like a longer travel bike (150/160).”

Rides an SB130 in Pisgah National Forest and hasn't found a rocky, chunky trail it can't handle; they push it to the edge of its travel without compromising climbing.

“I ride my SB130 in Pisgah National Forest, and haven't found any rocky chunky trails it can't handle.”

Test-rode an SB130 before buying a Fuel EX: the medium Yeti felt a touch too big, but it climbs and descends better than the Fuel; it's a longer bike with more potential via a Cascade link and 160 mm fork.

“Having said that I also test rode a SB130 before I bought. I am a Medium in the Fuel EX and the Yeti M felt a touch too big.”

Has ridden both the Trek Fuel EX and the SB130 extensively (the SB130 every day): the Yeti pedals better, and the two are about equal on descents.

“I have ridden both bikes pretty extensively SB130 all day everyday. Love the trek but Yeti just pedals better in my opinion both are about equal on the descents.”

Loves their SB130: it likes to stay planted and go fast and climbs ridiculously well for how capable it is downhill, but it's hard to handle in the air on jump lines compared with shorter, more playful bikes.

“I absolutely LOVE my SB130 but it likes to stay planted and go fast. It also climbs ridiculously well for how capable downhill it is.”

Finally bought the SB130 LR this year (size L at 6'1", very comfortable): it climbs like a dream, inspires great confidence on descents, holds a great line and is a ton of fun.

“As others have noted, it climbs like a dream, inspires great (too much??) confidence on descents, holds a great line, and is just a ton of fun to ride.”

Bought an SB130 late last season: it climbs like a dream, their uphills improved enormously (a PR with about 25% less time on the first demo ride), they now enjoy technical climbs, and descents are more fun because they arrive less tired; best season of their life at 40.

“I got an SB130 at the tail end of last season, and my uphills have improved tremendously, and I’m actually having fun attempting tech that I would have just groaned and walked up any other year.”

Their SB130 is still their favourite bike, even after buying an Ibis Ripley: it will make you faster, though bottom bracket clearance isn't the best.

“My SB130 is still my favorite bike, last year bought an Ibis Ripley which I had hoped would be lighter but isn't. That bike will make you faster”

A rider of 30+ years: their SB130 LR is one of their all-time favourite bikes; compared with a Fuel EX 9.7 it feels better balanced and very smooth, with no early stiction, no bottoming out yet, goat-like climbing and a centred feel up and down.

“I’ve ridden the Fuel 9.7 and it’s no slouch by any means, but for me the 130 feels better balanced and Cadillac smooth on my local trails.”