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Yeti Dirtjumper first ride
James - 22nd July 2007
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When we first set out to build an all round hardtail I had no idea how hard it would be, despite all the recent tech advancements it is still thin on the ground for components that will fulfil the requirements of a bigger than average rider. If you're 5ft 10 and 11 stone you're fine, with a 6ft 4 frame and a less than smooth riding style it stretches the kit beyond its design restraints.
The Yeti Dirtjumper frame is performing admirably, taking on all the challenges with little problem.
In the last month or so the bike has been on a lot of outings, mostly XC as this is the most alien terrain for the bike but with some downhill and jumping thrown in. The first major tweak was the forks, i'm running them quite soft at the moment but time will tell whether this stays the same, I tend to prefer a stiffer setup. Anything over 120mm on the travel U-Turn adjuster makes the back a little too laid back on the tight singletrack, mostly I run it at around 90mm on the cross country run. The flexibility that the Rockshox Pikes allow is brilliant, so many adjustments, so little time! For full on downhill work I reckon they will be up to the task but a set of Lyriks may make the ride a little more comfortable, but this is an all round bike!
The first problem we had was the USE Sumo seatpost, it just didnt want to hold the angle I wanted it at, one bump in the trail and whoosh, it felt like I was a drug smuggler at the customs desk. Luckily though with a bit of wearing in it hasnt moved yet, and hopefully thats the end of the problem. You have to be quite gentle when attaching the saddle to the seatpost.. something my caveman like skills dont appreciate.
I was a little unsure how well 185mm rotors would hold me back on the trail but damn, now they're worn in I can grab the brake and my eyes pop out the front, cant complain at that. If you dont want to pay the premium of Avid Juicy Carbons, the Juicy 7's are the same brake without the titanium and carbon hardware, no real performance differences, they just weigh a minute amount more!
The Kenda Nevegals are strange tyres, it seems I can drop the pressures a lot lower than I would normally and they still resist pinch punctures. Admittedly I am running downhill 1.5mm thick tubes in them but this is worth the grip advantage, very predictable and sticks like shit to a shovel.
The Deity bars at 28 inches wide make hard work when you get into tight forest sections and I have taken a few chunks out of trees on XC tracks, but theyre worth their weight in gold on the DH tracks. Solid and no flex, perfect.
DT Swiss make awesome wheels, they have taken a lot of abuse and so far are still perfectly true. One thing is important, get a good wheelbuild, we took ours to Pearce Cycles in Ludlow and havent got any complaints.
I mentioned in the last build article that DT have their own QR system, and its brilliant! Got stick of playing with QR axles on the rear, so swapped it out for their 10mm axle (instead of a standard QR 4mm) and its solid as anything, does what it says on the tin.
Gearing is performing well, in the end I did buy a front mech, I think I will get away with a middle and outer ring, run with a bashring but at the moment the triple ring it is perfect for XC. Gets up most hills without a problem, its not a skinny legged xc whippet but what cross country bike is happy to hang it out on corners? I now actually ride the uphills just to get at the fun on the other side.
So you can build a bike to do everything, it might not be a race bike but hardtails are pure, less maintenance and a whole load of fun. Ditch the 10" of bounce and try it out, get back to basics!
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