2010 Yeti SB-66 Prototype No. 2
This is the second Yeti SB-66 prototype frame produced by the Sotto Group, a design company established and owned by David Earle in 2007. Following a favorable test ride by Yeti Cycles president Chris Conroy and chief technology officer Steve Hoogendoorn, Sotto would work with Yeti to refine the design and the aesthetics of the frame and give it the name SB-66. With "SB" standing for Super Bike and the 66 for 26 inch wheels and 6 inches of rear travel, the design was a big departure for Yeti into the emerging trail and enduro bike market. Previous Yeti suspension designs had been based on single pivots and Horst-links, whereas the SB is a dual link design with a lower link that "switches" direction at a defined inflection point in its travel. Chain tension during pedaling counteracts the initial chain growth and keeps the system from bobbing, allowing a plush bike for downhill to pedal well. By contrast, beyond the switch point the chain growth is dramatically reduced and chain tension has minimal impact on the suspension performance. Compared to the first prototype, this frame added a tapered headtube and 12 mm rear through axle, both of which have become industry standards. Sotto Group has also been responsible for component designs including bottom brackets and cranksets, with a prototype Turn crankset with over-sized 35 mm bottom bracket spindle featured on this bike.
The Build
Year: 2010
SN: N/A Frame: Soto Group Switch Prototype Fork: Fox 36 Float RC2 Stem: Thomson Elite X4 Headset: Chris King Inset Cartridge Bearing Bottom Bracket: Praxis Works 35 mm Handlebar: Truvativ Noir T40 Carbon Shifters: Shimano XTR M980 Front Derailleur: Shimano XTR M981 Rear Derailleur: Shimano XTR M985 Brake Levers: Shimano Deore XT BL-M785-B Front Brake: Shimano Deore XT BR-M785-B Rear Brake: Shimano Deore XT BR-M785-B Crankset: Turn Prototype Chainrings: Praxis Works 26-38 Pedals: Shimano XTR M970 Hubs: DT Swiss 240S Rims: Enve Mountain Carbon Tires: Schwalbe Hans Dampf 26 x 2.35 Schwalbe Fat Albert 26 x 2.25 Wheel QR: Fox 20 mm / Syntace X-12 Seatpost: Kind Shock i950-R Seatpost Clamp: DKG Machine Saddle: WTB Rocket Yeti Logo Grips: ODI Lock On Cogs: Shimano Deore XT M771 Chain: Shimano Deore XT HG95 |
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