The reborn ASR – As much as nothing else – press release about the mountain bike

A Ten years ago we bowed out of the Lycra game while we were busy getting down. XC has a lot more X and demands the comeback of a legend with an insanely light, superfluous carbon layup that goes far beyond what was previously possible. With 115 mm flexible strut suspension for 100% usable travel and energy-saving compliance on small bumps. It helps today’s racers be faster where they need to be. At first glance it may seem like it has no equal, but don’t get it twisted, the reborn ASR is like nothing else.

The new ASR marks the largest carbon project we have ever undertaken. We’ve never made a lighter full-suspension bike, but that’s only half the story. It brings the right suspension to real mountain bike racing. The kind that requires skill, not just lungs.

Made for the victorious world

The ASR is back to win at World Cup level. Super light and radically responsive despite pedaling efficiency? Check. But these are just XC table stakes. The bike for modern XC use needs a modern geometry that is just as stable at 45 km/h as it excels on chest-high descents and rests on the inside line on the steepest serpentine climbs.

OUR FASTEST CLIMBING POSITION
Puts the rider in a powerful position to turn efficiently, load the wheels evenly for traction, and transition more smoothly from the saddle to full-throttle sprinting.

MORE RESPONSIVE, NO TWICE
Modern XC rewards brilliant overtaking, which requires brilliant cornering. The ASR’s forward-facing geometry provides responsive steering and predictable characteristics for fast racing.

Just the right bottom bracket height
A bottom bracket positioned high enough to pedal through rock gardens, but low enough to sit under the axles and corner like you’re on a rail thanks to that coveted “in the bike” feel.

Tuned and used to win
With 30% sag (yes, you read that right) and near-linear leverage that compensates for short bumps, small bumps and track noise dissolve. What remains is a sprint-efficient chassis that also offers 100% usable suspension travel in order to meet the special features and constraints of today’s XC routes.

• Tailor-made SIDLuxe FA, SIDLuxe ULT and SID Luxe Select
• Yeti designed a compression stack and custom volume architecture to improve small impact compliance without sacrificing control over deep hits
• The 40mm shock stroke optimizes the compression ratio to reduce end-of-stroke harshness typical of small-volume shocks. Higher compression ratios can result in the rider not being able to utilize full suspension travel
• Flight Attendant-controlled locking lets you focus on the race on our Ultimate T-Series model
• 3-position TwistLoc lock on T-Series and C-Series upgrade builds

No redundant carbon
Through tailor-made layer shapes, important material selection, intelligent draping methods and smooth transitions between the individual carbon layers, unnecessary carbon was eliminated and radical strength was achieved while being super lightweight. Such a cross-border schedule, based on detailed carbon analysis tools, is a first for Yeti.

• 36 unique layups during development
• 1448 grams: Frame without shock absorbers – T-Series wireless
• 1552 grams: frame without shock absorbers – T series

It’s what’s not in it that counts
We wanted to eliminate carbon redundancy everywhere, not just where it was easy. Our 20+ years of experience with carbon fiber has shown us that we can reduce the massive volume at the pivot points and still exceed the demands of XC without sacrificing performance or bearing life. Slimmer full carbon dropouts support the axle with significantly less carbon while maintaining the same strength. More efficiency, better response, less weight. Unlike the traditional pivot placement method for longer travel applications, the ASR’s pivot points are positioned so that the existing pipe walls form a significant part of their shape and structure. To further reduce unnecessary carbon and save weight.

Size specific stiffness. Finely tuned.
Another goal was to design each frame for the same ride characteristics, giving every rider the same feel regardless of size. Each ASR frame features size-specific carbon tuning plans at a much more sensitive level, as well as precisely tuned torsional stiffness and chassis flex profiles. Boring? Yes. It is worth it? Absolutely.

A legacy of Flex

The year was 2003 – our flex-strut design was decades ahead of the curve for full-suspension XC. Today, the reborn ASR takes into account the relationships between leverage ratio, link size, carbon layup material properties and modern short-travel shocks to deliver responsive, efficient and amazingly lightweight XC-specific suspension.

Dedicated wireless frame. Eliminates routing and saves weight
The T-Series Ultimate construction features a special frame optimized for modern, wireless drives. We deliver the lightest frame in the ASR range by eliminating unnecessary cable connections.

Space for two water bottles in the frame
Space for two water bottles provides racers with energy for their greatest efforts.
XS: 21 ounces on seat tube, 15 ounces on down tube
S-XL: 21 ounces on seat tube, 24 ounces on down tube

Custom integrated chain guide
Our specially designed chain guide mounts efficiently into the lower pivot pin, providing a lightweight, clean and effective solution.
28-36t Max (38t MD-XL) chainring compatibility.

Internal lockout routing ensures clean sprint efficiency
Combined with our secure cable connection system, internal routing allows for clean integration with the RockShox 3-Position TwistLoc Lockout system.

Generous tire clearance for modern solid rubber
Clearance for a 2.4 tire with 30mm inner rims ensures maximum traction and ride quality.

On the hunt for grams
Once we had achieved the desired kinematics, we considered how we could save weight with our link. This search transformed the one-piece 7075 aluminum alloy joint on T-Series frames into a structurally rigid exoskeleton that is as functional as it is sculptural. The ASR rear axle has been refined to save excess grams without sacrificing rigidity.

Integrated frame protection
On the muddiest racing days, the integrated rear fender prevents dirt from hindering suspension movement. Because it weighs next to nothing, it’s a frame feature that you won’t notice much of a difference once you no longer have it. To protect against stone chips, the ASR has replaceable down tube protection. Recessed into the guard is our cable access door, allowing easy maintenance access to internally routed cables.

Threaded bottom bracket
Threaded aluminum bottom bracket shell. This important powertrain interface is now more durable, cleaner and easier to maintain.

Cable management
Secure clamps and eyelets at the entrance and exit of the frame prevent rattling noises and prevent dirt from entering the frame. Private riders will appreciate the external brake routing from the bar to the frame, eliminating the need to bleed the brakes after the ride.

Interface without hanger
The hangerless interface ensures the strongest and most precise shifting as T-Type derailleurs can be mounted directly to the wheel axle and grip both sides of the frame. Thanks to the included Universal Derailleur Hanger (UDH), the hangerless interface is also perfect for older drives.

ASR highlights 2024

Wireless T-Series

• RockShox SID Ultimate 3-Position Flight Attendant and
• RockShox SIDLuxe Ultimate 3-Position Flight Attendant Shock Absorber
• RockShox Reverb AXS Dropper Post
• SRAM XX SL gear drive with power meter
• DT Swiss XRC1200 wheels
• ESI Chunky handles
• Wireless frame only
• 1448 g (frame without shock absorbers) 1813 g (frame and shock absorbers)

T2/T3

• RockShox SID Ultimate 3P and RockShox SIDLuxe
• Ultimate 3P shock absorber with TwistLoc ULT remote locking
• Fox Transfer SL Dropper Post
• 180mm front and 160mm rear brake discs
• 1552 g (frame without shock absorbers) 1830 g (frame and shock absorbers)

C series

• 1727 g (frame without shock absorbers) 1985 g (frame and shock absorbers)

DT Swiss XRC 1200 Spline wheelset
Yeti Cycles is proud to be one of the few brands to bring this new XC racing wheelset to market. This wheelset will be available as a carbon wheel upgrade option on both the Yeti Turq Ultimate build and our T-Series builds.

• DT Swiss 180 hub – the lightest hub from DT Swiss – with ceramic bearings and a straightpull spoke interface.
• DT Swiss recently released Revolite spokes designed for an optimal balance between durability and weight saving.
• Front and rear specific asymmetrical rim designs for greater agility on the trail, more consistent spoke tension and improved spoke angle.
• Designed and handcrafted by DT Swiss using a new production technique, resulting in DT Swiss’ lightest carbon rims to date.
• Wheelset weight: 1303g (597g front, 706g rear).

For more information, see Yeticycles.com.