Bike Check: Yeti 160E – Richie Rude’s race bike

Yeti was one of the last brands to jump on the e-wagon. With their first ever eMTB, the Yeti 160E, the Colorado-based MTB cult brand won our big 2022 E–MOUNTAINBIKE comparison test, where it secured the title of best all-rounder. We took a closer look at American enduro sensation Richie Rude’s race bike.

As you can read in the review from our big 2022 group test the Yeti 160E has a near-perfect spec straight out of the box and delivers a top performance both up and downhill, proving a perfect match for both beginners and seasoned riders. As such, we were particularly intrigued to see how a pro team tweaks the already exceptional Yeti 160E for racing.

Richie Rude

Tipping the scales at 92 kg, Richie’s a real powerhouse with a very aggressive riding style. Despite measuring 1.82 m, he’s been riding a size M frame for several years. In the 2022 EWS, he placed second overall and before that he secured the EWS overall twice, competing as a factory rider for the Yeti Fox Factory Team. At the final race of the 2022 E-Series EWS in Finale Ligure, Richie competed in the eMTB category for the first time ever and yet managed to land on the podium, securing third place. Unfortunately, a crash on one of the 12 stages, four of which he managed to win, stopped him from bagging a first place overall.

Richie’s start times for the 12 stages on his Yeti’s top tube.

The calm before the storm or, rather, the tension before the race: Richie’s about to race his first-ever eMTB race at the EWS-E in Finale Ligure.

The bike

Race bikes are used by manufacturers as reference for further developments of production models, and Richie’s Yeti 160E is no exception. Alongside the not-so-exciting new rubber compounds of the MAXXIS tires, we’ve noticed some mysterious new FOX components.

Ready to race: the Yeti 160E race bike of the Yeti Fox Factory Team in the popular turquoise/yellow paint finish, which is reserved for anniversary models and custom builds.

Cockpit and electronic FOX suspension

Fully devoted to the “a quiet bike is a fast bike” mantra, the team mechanics wrapped up the cables to prevent them from rattling.

Richie replaced the stock 800 MM Yeti carbon handlebars with OneUp Components carbon E-Bars , which he cut down to 750 mm.

Like all FOX prototypes, Richie’s shock bears a RAD (Racing Application Development) sticker, meaning that FOX and the Yeti team are testing a new product in real racing conditions.

This prototype, three-button remote allows Richie to change his suspension settings on the fly. Neither Richie nor FOX wanted to give us exact details – how Rude!

The OneUp Components handlebars have 35 mm rise and are paired with a OneUp 50 mm stem. The production bike comes standard with a Burgtec Enduro MK3 stem, which also comes in 50 mm flavour. For quick trailside repairs, Richie hides a OneUp Components EDC tool inside the steerer tube.

Quite evidently, FOX are tinkering with an electronic suspension system and using Richie Rude as a test rider. Unfortunately, at this point we can’t tell you whether it’s a completely new system or a further development of their E-Live Valve. The latter, which was introduced by FOX in 2021, was the first electronic suspension system for eMTBs. The FOX E-Live Valve technology adjusts the compression damping of the fork and shock based on the current trail and riding conditions. On Richie’s race bike, the cables that are connected to the fork’s compression dial and acceleration sensor on the current FOX E-Live Valve system have disappeared. On the other hand, two mysterious FOX sensors have appeared on the brake calliper mounts. The current E-Live Valve adjusts the compression damping fully automatically, switching back and forth between an open and stiff suspension setting depending on the situation. On Richie’s 160E, however, there’s an additional remote on the handlebars, but when asked about it, the EWS champion wasn’t able to tell us more about it. If you want to know more about FOX’s electronic suspension system, you should read our The new FOX E-Live Valve for E-MTBs in the test – Intelligent suspension 2.0 article.

FOX Products Statement on Richie Rude’s Yeti 160E:In an effort to continually develop cutting-edge suspension products, FOX is constantly testing prototype components with the best racers in the world. While some of these components – or parts of them – will eventually make it into production, many of them don’t. Real-world testing is a critical part of our work as it allows us to understand what works best and what doesn’t, both for our professional athletes and, most importantly, for every rider who trusts in one of our products. The real-world testing protocol is part of our proven and long-standing RAD (Racing Application Development) programme.

Richie’s 170 mm FOX 38 Factory fork in the Yeti Fox Factory Team colours. In Finale Ligure, Richie set up the fork with 125 psi.

While Richie’s Yeti 160E race machine features Shimano Saint brakes with 203 mm brake rotors front and rear, the production bike comes standard with SRAM brakes, which are paired with a 220 mm rotor at the front and 200 mm disc at the rear. The upper piston of the brake calliper is covered by a FOX sensor for the electronic suspension.

The rear brake calliper, too, is partially covered by a FOX sensor, which belongs to the electronic suspension system.

Shimano’s proven EP8 motor provides an artificial tailwind on the Yeti 160E

Tires, rims & Co.

All major tire brands rely on professional riders and racers to test their prototype tires, and Taiwanese tire giant MAXXIS is no exception. However, the tread pattern on Richie’s tires looks pretty familiar, so we guess that he’s just trying out a new rubber compound.

Richie combines a 2.5″ MAXXIS Minion DHR II at the rear and 2.5” MAXXIS ASSEGAI at the front. In Finale Ligure, he inflates his tires with 27 psi and 24 psi at the front and rear, respectively.

In our big mountain bike tires test you’ll find all the information about MAXXIS tires and all our hottest recommendations.

Robust alloy wheels are the perfect match for rough trails. The DT Swiss EX 1700 was designed specifically for rowdy enduro riding and is therefore Richie’s wheelset of choice. Like most pro riders, Richie uses tire inserts front and rear, which help him protect both the rims and tires. The American rider relies on CushCore PRO inserts.

If you want to know more about the pros and cons of CushCore PRO tire inserts, we recommend reading our CushCore PRO tire insert long-term review – Strong performance for strong hands article.

Sporty eMTBs usually come with short 160/165 mm cranks, which help minimise unpleasant pedal strikes. The Yeti 160E comes with 160 mm cranks as standard. Like most professional riders, Richie rides clipless, using robust Shimano SAINT pedals.

Richie’s sponsor Ergon supplies the SM Enduro saddle, which is paired with a FOX Transfer dropper.

Success has many faces, or, what can make the difference between winning and losing

The last race of the EWS-E in Finale Ligure was all about Bosch launching their new Performance Line CX Race motor. Needless to say, everyone asked themselves to what extent the motor could make the difference between winning and losing. At that race, the first five places were secured by riders using the following motors: Bosch occupied the first two steps on the podium, followed by Shimano in third place, while Specialized/Brose and Yamaha secured fourth and fifth position, respectively.

For the full result list, head over to Enduro World Series.

Success at the E-MTB Race:

Athlete’s riding skills

Fitness and mental strengh

The motor only comes in third place

Todd Schumlick

Richie Rude chatting with his fitness trainer Todd Schumlick.

After the race we met up with Richie and his fitness coach Todd Schumlick to talk about success and all the different ways to get there. Todd is the owner and director of PerformX which supports several mountain bike (downhill & enduro), motocross and action sports athletes and also offers a wide range of online fitness training.

Our chat in a nutshell? Success in eMTB racing is hugely dependent on the athlete’s riding skills, fitness and mental strength – and despite all the rumours, the motor only comes in third place.

We wish Richie Rude all the best for the upcoming season! You can follow Richie’s adventures and progress on his richie_rude1 Instagram account.

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Words: Manne Schmitt Photos: Thomas Weiss