Next mtb - what would I notice??
Discussion
Bit of my mtb history - I tend to buy new and keep my mtbs for a while, generally until they break or I’ve changed riding style.
My first proper mtb was a 98 GT Tempest, fully rigid - until I put some Marzocchi Flylight Z1 on them. Great bike to learn on.
Changed in 2003/4 for a Giant XTC as I was doing XC racing. Was good for what I needed but one race had me noticing how much quicker I could go on certain sections with better suspension.
So in late 06 I bought an ex-demo Yeti 575 - that wasn’t the plan. Went from a 80mm hardtail to a 140/140mm FS with waaaaaaay different capabilities. Still on 26” wheels with 9mm QR. But the speed! Man, the speed!
I cracked the frame 5 years later and did a deal with the same bike shop for the then newly released alu Yeti ASR5 - a 140/125mm FS still on 26” wheels but much burlier in the build - tapered head tube, thru axles, and just a slacker but generally chunkier feel, but no less capable uphill or down. Loved it, and upgraded to 150 Fox Factory forks and some Shimano Zee brakes was great fun everywhere. Hard to think it would get better.
But friends were dallying with 27.5” and 29”, some with 160/140 travel, so after 7 years I started to look around for a replacement. I cracked the ASR5 frame in 2019 after 8 years of hard riding, and settled on a last-of-the-line Yeti SB5.5 with 160mm RS Lyric. The brakes are the Zees from the ASR5.
This was a huge change - carbon frame, 29” wheels, 160/140 travel, long, slack yet reactive and still a great climber and comfy for 5-6 hours at a time. And fast.
So, here I am, 7 years later, wondering what I would get if this one breaks - it’s already done 2000km more than the ASR5. If I stay with the same style of bike - size and travel - what’s happened that would give the same sense of step-up that I’ve had each time so far?
My first proper mtb was a 98 GT Tempest, fully rigid - until I put some Marzocchi Flylight Z1 on them. Great bike to learn on.
Changed in 2003/4 for a Giant XTC as I was doing XC racing. Was good for what I needed but one race had me noticing how much quicker I could go on certain sections with better suspension.
So in late 06 I bought an ex-demo Yeti 575 - that wasn’t the plan. Went from a 80mm hardtail to a 140/140mm FS with waaaaaaay different capabilities. Still on 26” wheels with 9mm QR. But the speed! Man, the speed!
I cracked the frame 5 years later and did a deal with the same bike shop for the then newly released alu Yeti ASR5 - a 140/125mm FS still on 26” wheels but much burlier in the build - tapered head tube, thru axles, and just a slacker but generally chunkier feel, but no less capable uphill or down. Loved it, and upgraded to 150 Fox Factory forks and some Shimano Zee brakes was great fun everywhere. Hard to think it would get better.
But friends were dallying with 27.5” and 29”, some with 160/140 travel, so after 7 years I started to look around for a replacement. I cracked the ASR5 frame in 2019 after 8 years of hard riding, and settled on a last-of-the-line Yeti SB5.5 with 160mm RS Lyric. The brakes are the Zees from the ASR5.
This was a huge change - carbon frame, 29” wheels, 160/140 travel, long, slack yet reactive and still a great climber and comfy for 5-6 hours at a time. And fast.
So, here I am, 7 years later, wondering what I would get if this one breaks - it’s already done 2000km more than the ASR5. If I stay with the same style of bike - size and travel - what’s happened that would give the same sense of step-up that I’ve had each time so far?
Thanks all - kinda confirms my suspicions that there’s not been any seismic shifts in the last 5-8 years that would show up with a new bike. Maybe some nice trinkets and marginally improved drivetrains, but nothing like the shift to long/slack and to 29ers.
Riding for me is varied - it’s usually steep (up and down) and rocky though also lots of smooth, wooded trails and often a ride will combine all of this. A do-it-all bike really is worth having here - something that can climb, descend and be fun in the twisties. And ‘here’ being Sydney…
My current SB5.5 is a predecessor of the 140LR so I’ve already got 160/140 travel, 29” wheels, and a (Turq) frame that is suited to a wide range of terrain and trails.
And I’m not yet ready for eMTB. I know it’s a personal thing, and I do get them, just not yet
Riding for me is varied - it’s usually steep (up and down) and rocky though also lots of smooth, wooded trails and often a ride will combine all of this. A do-it-all bike really is worth having here - something that can climb, descend and be fun in the twisties. And ‘here’ being Sydney…
My current SB5.5 is a predecessor of the 140LR so I’ve already got 160/140 travel, 29” wheels, and a (Turq) frame that is suited to a wide range of terrain and trails.
And I’m not yet ready for eMTB. I know it’s a personal thing, and I do get them, just not yet
Left-field suggestion if you want to mix it up and freshen things up a bit, buy a trail hardtail to go with your squishy bike.
I find it really brings mellower trails alive with a lot more feedback and instant response, and more capable than most people realise (albeit more punishing of the body on rough trails).
I find it really brings mellower trails alive with a lot more feedback and instant response, and more capable than most people realise (albeit more punishing of the body on rough trails).
Edited by GravelBen on Monday 20th April 11:55
Have you considered a focussed XC MTB? Shorter travel suspension obviously, but generally a lot lighter and speed over smoother terrain is on another level. I got a Trek Supercaliber SLR and it is only about 10kg, which is mad for a FS bike. Clearly won't be as capable over hard terrain, but on light/mid sections is super fast and feels really light uphill compared to a DH or Enduro bike. I took it on a gravel race (flat, forest trails) and came mid field finish position against a pack of 90% gravel bikes.
Tyres also make a big difference - something more knobbly on a XC will make it pretty capable, likewise something a bit less extreme on an Enduro bike will make it a lot lower rolling resistance. Maxxis Aspens on mine which DH guys would probably describe as 'slicks' but actually pretty grippy if you aren't on loads of loose stuff.
Tyres also make a big difference - something more knobbly on a XC will make it pretty capable, likewise something a bit less extreme on an Enduro bike will make it a lot lower rolling resistance. Maxxis Aspens on mine which DH guys would probably describe as 'slicks' but actually pretty grippy if you aren't on loads of loose stuff.
GravelBen said:
Left-field suggestion if you want to mix it up and freshen things up a bit, buy a trail hardtail to go with your squishy bike.
I find it really brings mellower trails alive with a lot more feedback and instant response, and more capable than most people realise (albeit more punishing of the body on rough trails).
AgreeI find it really brings mellower trails alive with a lot more feedback and instant response, and more capable than most people realise (albeit more punishing of the body on rough trails).
Edited by GravelBen on Monday 20th April 11:55
I bought a Specialized Epic almost on a whim (bargain price and interest free credit) to go alongside my Santa Cruz Tallboy. It's an amazing bike - almost feels like a road bike in its responsiveness. It get's more use, especially for short blasts and has definitely improved my bike handling. Tallboy tends to come out if scary/technical descents involved, very long punishing rides or mellow group rides
Easier to clean and maintain too.
It sounds like unless you was going to need/want a ebike you have the right tool for the job. The only thing I would say is ride the same style of bike as what others ride in your group so no one is at an advantage or disadvantage. I’m 40 and while have have an ebike (to go along with trail bike and aggressive hardtail, I only got the ebike because I was the last one in the group to do so so wasn’t riding with others. Still prefer the trail bike.
Talking of trail bike, I built up a geomatron g16 back in 2016, it was the longest, lowest and slackest thing on the market then by such a jump that I only changed it at the start of 2025 for a v2 transition sentinel. I still have not completely gelled with it (more to do with me) and it does not feel like it pushed the game on. It is a better all rounder though to go with the ebike
Talking of trail bike, I built up a geomatron g16 back in 2016, it was the longest, lowest and slackest thing on the market then by such a jump that I only changed it at the start of 2025 for a v2 transition sentinel. I still have not completely gelled with it (more to do with me) and it does not feel like it pushed the game on. It is a better all rounder though to go with the ebike
Some good suggestions for a next bike, and I’ve had similar thoughts…
Go back to a HT albeit with longer travel front - I kinda like this idea as it would give lots of options on the local trails. But I’m now 54 and not as flexible or resilient as I used to be, though small doses would def be fun.
XC-style FS - I think I would get frustrated by the compromises though it would make me pick different lines, which can be fun. I’ve already got a gravel bike which I use on various singletrack and firetrail and that gives me the practice as well as allowing a blast along smoother stuff.
Ebike - only one of my riding group (all mid-late 50s) has an ebike and he much prefers his analogue Ripmo. I think we’re another bike away at this time.
It’s hard to think of a move away from the style of bike I’ve got, esp if there’s nothing significantly different out there that moves the game on.
Go back to a HT albeit with longer travel front - I kinda like this idea as it would give lots of options on the local trails. But I’m now 54 and not as flexible or resilient as I used to be, though small doses would def be fun.
XC-style FS - I think I would get frustrated by the compromises though it would make me pick different lines, which can be fun. I’ve already got a gravel bike which I use on various singletrack and firetrail and that gives me the practice as well as allowing a blast along smoother stuff.
Ebike - only one of my riding group (all mid-late 50s) has an ebike and he much prefers his analogue Ripmo. I think we’re another bike away at this time.
It’s hard to think of a move away from the style of bike I’ve got, esp if there’s nothing significantly different out there that moves the game on.
Looking at the geometry of the SB5.5, any new bike in the same travel category will have a much slacker head tube angle, longer reach and steeper seat tube angle - the SB5.5 may have been long and slack for its time but is short and steep by current standards, you can see those sort of numbers on XC/downcountry bikes now!
So a new equivalent will be significantly more stable on steep rough descents and high speed, and will probably climb steep trails better too as the steeper seat tube angle of newer bikes puts your weight more forward over the pedals. But may not feel as comfortable, agile or natural feeling for you on mellower flatter trails and would require some adjustment of riding style to get the best out of it - longer slacker modern bike geometry can require a more aggressive style, in simplified terms getting further forward over the bars to weight the front wheel for traction as the slack head tube angle puts it further out front.
With advancements in suspension kinematics since then you would probably find a newer equivalent to bob less and be more efficient pedalling too, whether the difference is enough to matter would depend on the specific example - I haven't ridden an SB5.5 (or any Yeti) to compare but I know they are generally regarded as being efficient for their travel.
So a new equivalent will be significantly more stable on steep rough descents and high speed, and will probably climb steep trails better too as the steeper seat tube angle of newer bikes puts your weight more forward over the pedals. But may not feel as comfortable, agile or natural feeling for you on mellower flatter trails and would require some adjustment of riding style to get the best out of it - longer slacker modern bike geometry can require a more aggressive style, in simplified terms getting further forward over the bars to weight the front wheel for traction as the slack head tube angle puts it further out front.
With advancements in suspension kinematics since then you would probably find a newer equivalent to bob less and be more efficient pedalling too, whether the difference is enough to matter would depend on the specific example - I haven't ridden an SB5.5 (or any Yeti) to compare but I know they are generally regarded as being efficient for their travel.
Interesting ^ thanks and sounds a bit like the difference I noticed going from 575 to ASR5, just a general evolution in geometry that made the bike better. As opposed to “Holy heck, what have I got here?” that I experienced, in a good way, going from the ASR5 to the SB5.5 
I also need to acknowledge that I bought the 5.5 just as it evolved into the SB130, and then Yeti put 29” wheels on the SB140…
And pedalling efficiency, especially uphill, is one of the things I appreciate about Yetis - was noticeable 20+ years ago when I first got my 575
Sounds like a test ride would be in order on anything from the last year or so, just to keep myself up to date! Also, any excuse for a browse…
I also need to acknowledge that I bought the 5.5 just as it evolved into the SB130, and then Yeti put 29” wheels on the SB140…
And pedalling efficiency, especially uphill, is one of the things I appreciate about Yetis - was noticeable 20+ years ago when I first got my 575
Sounds like a test ride would be in order on anything from the last year or so, just to keep myself up to date! Also, any excuse for a browse…
oddman said:
GravelBen said:
Left-field suggestion if you want to mix it up and freshen things up a bit, buy a trail hardtail to go with your squishy bike.
I find it really brings mellower trails alive with a lot more feedback and instant response, and more capable than most people realise (albeit more punishing of the body on rough trails).
AgreeI find it really brings mellower trails alive with a lot more feedback and instant response, and more capable than most people realise (albeit more punishing of the body on rough trails).
Edited by GravelBen on Monday 20th April 11:55
I bought a Specialized Epic almost on a whim (bargain price and interest free credit) to go alongside my Santa Cruz Tallboy. It's an amazing bike - almost feels like a road bike in its responsiveness. It get's more use, especially for short blasts and has definitely improved my bike handling. Tallboy tends to come out if scary/technical descents involved, very long punishing rides or mellow group rides
Easier to clean and maintain too.
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