Yeti unveil the 2022 160E – Here are all the details about Yeti’s first eMTB

All good things are worth waiting for! While we can’t tell you how Yeti’s first eMTB fares on the trail yet, we know that the Yeti 160E is packed with exciting features. We can’t wait to tell you everything about it! Can the first eMTB of the premium brand convince with its Shimano EP8 motor, 630 Wh battery and 170 mm suspension?

While Yeti have long established themselves as a cult brand in the analogue mountain bike world, eMTBers are more likely to associate the name with the legendary Himalayan creature. Apart from the mascot on the top tube, the frame of Yeti’s first eMTB has very little in common with its analogue counterpart. The American brand has spent a great deal of time developing the new frame and are now introducing their first eMTB with the 160E.

The 160E comes equipped with a Shimano EP8 motor that draws its power from a 630 Wh battery integrated in the downtube of the carbon frame. At first glance, all parts and components around the motor system such as the remotes and speed sensors are neatly integrated into the bike. In the cockpit area, all data cables are routed through the handlebars, which Yeti developed in house specifically for their eMTB. The 160E features 29″ wheels and offers 170/160 mm travel at the front and rear, respectively. According to Yeti, the bike comes to life on very rough terrain and at high speeds. For space reasons, the engineers had to ditch Yeti’s proprietary Switch-Infinity link and develop a new system from scratch – please welcome the SIXFINITY system. The complex system allows Yeti to adapt the kinematics and suspension characteristics of the bike to eMTBing. Moreover, the system allows you to adjust the progression of the rear suspension in three stages to suit your needs and preferences.

The geometry of the Yeti 160E

Yeti’s first eMTB will be available in four sizes, offering a suitable option for riders from 1.55 m to 2.0 m tall. Yeti combine a long frame with 480 mm reach (size L) and a rather low front (625 mm stack). At 78°, the seat angle is pleasantly steep and should ensure an upright and central pedalling position, at least in theory. On paper, the seat tube is too long in size XL (495 mm), making it hard to upsize if you like to choose your bike based on the reach. Chainstays are 464 mm across all sizes and rather short for a 29er.

Size	S	M	L	XL
Seat tube	380 mm	410 mm	450 mm	495 mm
Top tube	561 mm	592 mm	613 mm	642 mm
Head tube	95 mm	98 mm	104 mm	115 mm
Head angle	64.5°	64.5°	64.5°	64.5°
Seat angle	78°	78°	78°	78°
Chainstay	446 mm	446 mm	446 mm	446 mm
BB Height	350 mm	350 mm	350 mm	350 mm
Wheelbase	1209 mm	1240 mm	1262 mm	1292 mm
Reach	430 mm	460 mm	480 mm	505 mm
Stack	617 mm	620 mm	625 mm	635 mm

The spec variants of the 2022 Yeti 160E

Depending on the build, Yeti offer their analogue bikes in two different grades of carbon fibre, called the C- and Turq-series. To keep the weight of their electric bike as low as possible, Yeti relied on the lighter, high-quality TURQ carbon frame for both builds of the 160E. The 160E C1 entry level model costs € 10,990, while the Yeti 160E T1 high-end version retails for € 13,790. Both models are available in Yeti’s distinctive “TURQUOISE” and in the “RHINO” finish. As far as the spec goes, Yeti play it safe, relying on high-end FOX suspension with 170 mm travel at the front and 160 mm at the rear.

The spec of the Yeti 160E T1

The 160E T1 flagship model relies on a FOX Factory suspension, consisting of a 38 GRIP2 fork and X2 shock. A Shimano XT 12-speed drivetrain takes care of the shifting and transfers the power of the motor to the DT Swiss EX1700 rear wheel. The Americans consciously opted for a heavier and more robust alloy wheelset and combined this with puncture-proof MAXXIS Minion DHRII, with DoubleDown casing at the rear. Cool! The ASSEGAI front tire, however, comes with the thin and puncture-prone EXO + casing – we would have preferred both tires with the robust casing. SRAM CODE RSC brakes with a massive 220 mm rotor at the front and 200 mm disc at the rear do stopping duties.

The spec of the Yeti 160E C1

The 160E C1 is the slightly less eye-watering entry-level model and the gateway to Yeti’s eMTB dimension. However, the FOX 38 Performance fork comes equipped with a more basic GRIP damper, which offers significantly fewer adjustment options than the top-range GRIP2 version. The Float X shock also offers fewer adjustment options. Yeti also opted for a cheaper drivetrain and more basic brakes for their entry level model: shifting is taken care of by a Shimano SLX drivetrain while SRAM CODE R do stopping duties. For the wheels, Yeti combine a DT Swiss E1900 wheelset with the same tires as the flagship model.

Yeti 160E – Our first impressions

With the 160E, Yeti have finally joined the eMTB party – better late than never! However, the Colorado-based brand has taken its time to develop a well-engineered bike and adapt their proprietary suspension around the Shimano EP8 motor instead of rushing things and releasing an eMTB just for the sake of jumping on the electric band-wagon. The bike was designed primarily to shred rough trails at high speeds – and on the paper, the spec is just perfect for this! The attention to detail on Yeti’s first eMTB is just as stunning as its price. Needless to say, we’ll get you a first ride review as soon as we can put our hands on the new Yeti 160E.

More info at: yeticycles.com

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Words: Photos: Yeti PM