Of course, only a minority need an e-race bike, and the same applies to downhill bikes developed for use in the World Cup. But when a manufacturer like Yeti sets itself the goal of developing the "best" e-MTB, the racing circuit is the best place to test it.

At first glance, the 160E doesn't look like a Yeti; instead of your Switch Infinity system, it uses a newly developed platform called Sixfinity. However, it works in a similar way, with the lower link changing direction from top to bottom and back again during compression. This gives the bike very good traction. Yeti, like many other manufacturers, also installs flip chips, but these are not used to adjust the geometry, but change the progression of the shock from 30 (standard) to 25 or 35 percent.

The 160E comes with a Shimano drivetrain and is available in two equipment variants and two colors. The bike has an extremely high-quality finish and demonstrates great attention to detail, such as the elaborate cable routing.

The Swiss Yeti importer defines the following points that distinguish the 160E from other E-MTBs:

The main feature is the newly developed Sixfinity suspension platform, which offers:

• Optimal traction in every situation (up- and downhill)
• Good anti-squat values for efficient pedaling across the entire cassette range
• Top anti-rise values for predictable handling when braking
• Adjustable leverage ratio (spring characteristic) depending on riding style (25% = poppy, 30% = balanced, 35% = plush)
• Short chainstay despite 29-inch wheels and motor

Statement by: Lorenzo Bastianon, Product Manager Bikes & Tech Brands, TST-GPR AG

Special features

- Sixfinity system developed for E-MTB use
- Flip chips for adjusting the spring characteristic curve
- Elaborate, noise-eliminating routing of cables and cable housings

In the plane

On the Yeti, you adopt a central and rather upright position. The ride is correspondingly relaxed. The precise steering behavior - whether on open or winding roads - is surprising, which is rarely the case with e-bikes. The bike encourages you to accelerate and keep to the ideal line faster than usual. Despite the massive suspension travel of 170 millimetres at the front and 160 at the rear, the bike doesn't turn into a rubber cow; the suspension provides good support in the mid-stroke. In combination with the rather high bottom bracket, you rarely stand up with the pedals in ruts or when crossing slopes.

Up the mountain

This is where the Sixfinity system shows its full potential. The rear provides the best feedback from the ground and offers unimagined traction. It makes no difference whether the terrain is mega steep or heavily blocked, the 160E literally glides up as if there were no obstacles. As a result, you can ride trails where other e-bikes would spin the rear wheel or lose their balance. On moderate trails, you sometimes even have to brake uphill to negotiate bends. Somehow, you always ride a little faster than it feels. It's a real thrill when you master the most difficult uphills with a lot of balance and a smooth flow - without stopping. At the top of the summit, you think: Yes, the long development time was really worth it!

Down the mountain

On the way down, expectations are high. But these are dampened at first. Somehow it feels unspectacular for the first few meters, until the first bend comes, which you hardly get to because the speed is simply too high. That's when you have to push hard. It takes a moment to realize that this handling is new. The suspension irons everything out and the Yeti gives you a sense of security, but you simply don't realize how high the speed is that is reached in a short time. Every ride is accompanied by a rush of speed, the addiction factor is high. No matter what the terrain, the Sixfinity rear end and the Fox 38 master everything and it is almost unstoppable in high-speed sections - fast, yet controlled. At the same time, the bike offers balanced handling. It is very agile for an e-bike, but tends to understeer slightly in fast and tight corners. On very tight, steep and blocked terrain, it goes downhill with just as good balance as it does uphill. There is no feeling of rolling over and you can master previously impossible terrain at walking pace. The braking performance is also impressive, the grip doesn't fade and the suspension always remains active.

Conclusion

Yeti raises the bar with the 160E. Weak points such as the slight understeer or the battery cover, which isn't 100% perfect, have to be sought out. With this bike, you can master trails that you previously had to leave behind, and your brain produces neurotransmitters like never before - the Yeti is a real flash. While E-MTBs are mainly fun uphill, this machine also knows how to inspire downhill. The fact that there is a 2.5 kilo motor mounted at the bottom of the frame is quickly forgotten. A glance at the price tag reveals a substantial shock absorber, which may be off-putting at first. Almost 13,000 Swiss francs for a bike with Shimano XT equipment seems a bit steep. If you change your perspective and consider that almost six years of development were necessary for this truly outstanding bike - which also has to be financed - it no longer seems so extreme. And quite honestly, high-quality "drugs" have never been cheap, as every Ferrari driver knows.

Recommendation

Considering that some e-mountainbikes currently cost over 14,000 francs, the Yeti top model is not cheap, but it is worth the money. If you can afford it or save it, you get a benchmark in terms of E-MTBs.

Geometry

All data here: Link

Manufacturer/distribution

www.yeticycles.com / www.tst-gpr.ch

Test report published in issue 01/2022 of Ride Magazine.