New Yeti LTe T3 on test – Yours truly, Colorado

A postcard from Colorado: 170/160 mm of travel (f/r), Sixfinity rear suspension, Bosch Performance Line CX motor – and it’s orange. At € 12,900, the new Yeti LTe T3 isn’t just gunning for a race plate, it’s aiming to put a grin on your face long after the ride is over. But how does Yeti 23.3 kg eMTB hold up when the going gets rough?

Speed, smiles and split times. The new Yeti LTe is a further evolution of the well-known 160E, which secured victory in our 2022 eMTB comparison test. The latest iteration was built with a crystal-clear mission: racing. Following closely after the launch of the lightweight MTe with its TQ HPR60 motor, the LTe raises the stakes by delivering full-power support from the Bosch Performance Line CX motor, paired with a robust 800 Wh battery. With the proven Sixfinity rear linkage and 170/160 mm of travel (front/rear), it’s ready to hit the roughest race courses. Despite its clear race credentials, Yeti kept things casual with their official tagline: “Racing Optional”. That’s because the LTe isn’t just built to excel between the tapes – it’s also designed to put a smile on your face on fun weekday sessions. With a price tag of € 12,900 and a claimed weight of 23.3 kg, the Yeti LTe T3 is neither cheap nor light. But what really matters is how it rides. So, how does it perform when the rubber hits the trail?

The new Yeti LTe T3 in detail

At first glance, the new LTe looks remarkably similar to its predecessor. The organic design language, balanced proportions and familiar silhouette are all still there. The only noticeable change is the slightly beefier bottom bracket area. Our test bike came in the fruity Manjo paint job – a colour somewhere between ripe mango and tropical sunset. If that’s a bit too much fructose for your taste, you can go for the more understated Raw Carbon look or Yeti’s iconic Turquoise finish.

The only cables you’ll find on this eMTB are the brake lines. These are neatly routed internally and disappear through the carbon frame through bolted cable ports. They only reappear briefly in the area above the motor, where they’re firmly secured. As with the MTe, the full-carbon frame is strengthened with Vectran in critical stress zones such as the chainstays and down tube. Originally developed for aerospace applications, this high-tech fibre is used in bulletproof vests and is around five times stronger than steel. To keep things quiet on the trail, Yeti added a generously-sized chainstay protector, as well as a bolted downtube guard and motor cover, which all do a great job at shielding the frame against stray rocks. A fender between the main frame and the swingarm helps keep mud out of the linkage, preventing dirt build-up in hidden areas. Meanwhile, the fitted chain guide ensures your chain stays put, even when things get rowdy. For your trail essentials, you’ll also find two practical tool mounts underneath the top tube.

The spec of the new Yeti LTe T3 – Race-ready Rig?

The Yeti LTe T3 X0 Transmission model we tested relies on a Bosch Performance Line CX Gen5 motor. Following its latest performance update, the mid-drive unit now delivers a mighty 100 Nm of torque and up to 750 W peak power. The motor draws its power from a permanently integrated 800 Wh battery in the downtube. For smaller riders or those looking to shave off a bit of weight, Yeti also offer compatibility with the smaller 600 Wh battery, which can be retrofitted with a bit of effort. Sizes M to XL are also compatible with the 250 Wh PowerMore range extender, which is available as an aftermarket option. Our tip? Go straight for the longer 200 mm cable – it’s a perfect fit!

The cable plugs into the charging port on the bottom bracket area, which is well protected against dirt and moisture by a solid rubber cover. In practice, however, the system can be a bit fiddly. The port opens facing forward, and the cable also connects from the front, which creates tension and can cause the plug to sit at an awkward angle. Unplugging it also requires a bit of patience, as the port is recessed deep into the frame — we’ve definitely seen more user-friendly solutions. The Bosch Kiox 400C display, neatly integrated into the top tube, gives you a clear overview of the entire drive system and even features a USB-C port for charging your devices on the go.

Given Yeti’s joint Enduro and Downhill World Cup team with FOX, it comes as no surprise that the LTe is equipped with suspension components from their long-standing teammates. Up front, a FOX 38 Factory fork with the GRIP X2 damper generates 170 mm of travel, while a FOX FLOAT X2 Factory air shock controls 160 mm of travel at the rear. The T3 spec variant we tested comes equipped with an electronic SRAM EX0 Eagle AXS Transmission drivetrain, which delivers impressively smooth gear shifts, even under load. SRAM MAVEN Silver brakes with chunky 200 mm HS2 rotors front and rear do stopping duties. SRAM also supply the wireless Reverb AXS dropper post, which offers 200 mm of travel in size L, ensuring plenty of freedom of movement on steep descents. In frame size XL, however, we wouldn’t have said no to a bit more drop. Up at the cockpit, Yeti spec their own 800 mm carbon handlebars, paired with a Burgtec Enduro MK3 stem. The wheels are DT Swiss HXC 1700 carbon version, fitted with 29” Schwalbe tires: a Magic Mary with Trail casing and Ultra Soft compound up front, and a Albert out back in the tougher Gravity casing with a more durable Soft compound. If you plan to push the LTe to its limits on rough trails, we’d definitely recommend upgrading the front tyre to the Gravity casing as well, just to give those carbon rims a fighting chance.

Tuning Tip:
– If you’re riding rough and rowdy trails, go for a front tire with the thicker Gravity casing
– Play around with the different progression flip chips

Other spec options for the Yeti LTe

The Yeti LTe is available in three build specs and colour options. Our test bike sits right in the middle, priced between the top-tier model and the entry-level version.

The T4 XX Transmission flagship model brings the biggest change to the drive system: instead of the standard CX motor, it features the Bosch Performance Line CX-R, paired with a FOX 38 Factory Podium fork, an electronic SRAM XX Eagle AXS Transmission drivetrain and SRAM MAVEN Ultimate brakes. Yeti are asking a hefty € 14,500 for the premium package, with a claimed weight of 23.4 kg.

Like our test bike, the entry-level C2 E90 Transmission variant comes equipped with a Bosch Performance Line CX motor but swaps the FOX Factory suspension for the more affordable Performance series. At the rear, a FOX Performance FLOAT X shock takes care of damping. This setup offers significantly fewer adjustment options, and the trail performance noticeably lags behind the Factory series. Shifting is taken care of by a mechanical SRAM Eagle E90 Transmission drivetrain, while SRAM MAVEN Bronze brakes with thinner Centerline rotors do stopping duties. Yeti spec robust DT Swiss H1900 aluminium wheels. This makes for an entry point into the LTe line-up at € 9,900, with a claimed weight of 23.5 kg.

The geometry of the new Yeti LTe T3

The Yeti LTe is available in four sizes, S to XL, offering a suitable option for riders between 1.55 to 2.00 metres tall. In size L, the Yeti features a relatively long 485 mm reach, while the chainstays are slightly longer than average at 449 mm. The head angle is a slack 64 degrees, while the seat angle sits at a pleasantly steep 78°.

If you want to fine-tune your setup, a flip chip in the shock yoke lets you easily switch from a classic full 29er to a mullet setup – without affecting the geometry. On top of that, a progression chip in the lower shock mount allows you to dial in the rear suspension’s progression curve. Depending on the chip position, the LTe can deliver a firm and sporty feel, a balanced all-round setup, or a plush, ground-hugging ride with plenty of pop in the final third of the travel. This gives you loads of options to tailor the LTe to your riding style – quickly and easily. Nice!

Size	SM	MD	LG	XL
Seat Tube	390 mm	420 mm	440 mm	460 mm
Top Tube	566 mm	598 mm	620 mm	647 mm
Head Tube	92 mm	100 mm	111 mm	122 mm
Head Angle	64.0°	64.0°	64.0°	64.0°
Seat Angle	78.0°	78.0°	78.0°	78.0°
Actual Seat Angle	72.0°	72.1°	72.2°	72.3°
Chainstay	449 mm	449 mm	449 mm	449 mm
BB Height	350 mm	350 mm	350 mm	350 mm
Wheelbase	1223 mm	1257 mm	1282 mm	1312 mm
Reach	435 mm	465 mm	485 mm	510 mm
Stack	618 mm	625 mm	635 mm	645 mm

The new Yeti LTe T3 on the trail – Racing optional, performance guaranteed

Swing a leg over the Yeti LTe T3 and you’re greeted with a nicely centred riding position that works just as well on long days out as it does on fast-paced trail sessions. The steep seat angle lets you pedal efficiently on fire roads, while the relatively low front end gives you plenty of pressure on the front wheel. Even on steep climbs, the front stays planted without requiring you to shift the weight forward. The Sixfinity rear linkage delivers solid traction, barely bobs under power and doesn’t get hung up on edges or roots. On technical climbs, the suspension sits high in its travel and avoids diving unnecessarily. Backing all this up is the Bosch CX motor, which offers strong support, smooth modulation and an impressive amount of overrun to help you clear tricky steps with ease. All in all, the YETI LTe T3 proves to be a seriously capable climber.

Pointed downhill, the LTe strikes an impressive balance between agility and composure. On rough trails, it holds its line with confidence, while the intuitive handling lets you steer with precision and feel in control, even at high speeds. The suspension is on the firmer side, encouraging you to push hard and carry speed through flowy sections. At the same time, it’s sensitive enough to absorb root carpets and smaller trail chatter with ease. The centred riding position gives you a strong, confident stance on the bike, no matter the terrain. One standout feature is the relatively low front end. Despite having 10 mm more stack than its predecessor, it still keeps that sporty, aggressive feel and adds a welcome dose of precision in open corners. That said, on extremely steep descents, we occasionally found ourselves wishing for a slightly taller front to feel a bit more integrated into the bike. 

Who should take a closer look at the new Yeti LTe T3?

The Yeti LTe T3 is aimed at riders looking for a capable all-rounder with cult status and who are willing to pay a premium for it. If you value efficient climbing, a well-sorted suspension and precise handling, this could be your perfect match – whether you’re lining up on race day or just chasing daylight after work. If you’re after a more playful eMTB with lower weight and a more natural ride feel, the Yeti MTe is likely the better choice for you.

Conclusions about the new Yeti LTe T3

Four years after the 160E, Yeti’s engineers are back with another competitive eMTB that proudly carries its heritage. On technical climbs, the Sixfinity rear linkage delivers an efficient climbing performance and plenty of traction. Point it downhill, and the LTe shows exactly why Yeti and FOX race together at World Cup level. The suspension is top-tier, and the bike strikes a confident balance between stability and agility, inspiring trust on demanding trails. Only real drawback? On super steep descents, we’d have liked a slightly taller front end for a more centred feel. Expensive? Yes. But also seriously impressive.

You’ll find more info on Yeti’s website.

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Words: Benedikt Schmidt Photos: Peter Walker