yeti asr 5 vs pivot vs santa cruz

ronenwe

Hi,

I am looking for a nimble XC/trail bike. I am looking for a bike that has a hard-tail feel, snappy acceleration and
sharp steering, agile climbing ability, though with extra traction of full suspension and added stability and speed
going downhill of a trail bike.
I have narrowed down my choices to the Yeti asr-5, Santa cruz blur TR and pivot mach 5.
which of these might be most suitable for my preferences, any other bike out there more suitable?

Thanks
ronen

lawman

if you want nimble and quick steering, stay clear of the yeti and santa cruz, the angles are pretty slack, circa 68/67 degrees, which makes them abit more stable on the downs, but less snappy through tight turns, for the rest of your requirements, they fit well, so if you can live with that, then are both superb bikes, something like a blur xc with a 120mm fork would be ideal imo

ronenwe

cheers lawman,

I gave the santa cruz XC a test ride, and it is a very sweet ride. somewhat concerned it is aimed too much
towards XC and 100mm rear travel would prove limiting (hoping for more trail oriented ride than XC, some small jumps,
fast passes over low ledges).

Both bikes i mention are a bit slack, but was hoping they might offer a decent compromise.
(maybe I am a bit greedy, hoping to eat my cake and have it to).

Ronen

Frodo1095

Hi Ronen

I ride a TRc with a 140mm fork which gives it an approx 67 degree head angle and I only get slight wander at the front end on very steep climbs and even then it is only minimal and with a slight shift in weight easily handled.
Depending on what you ride you could easily set it up with a 130 fork bringing the head angle to 68 or go with 120 to make it slightly steeper.
I am sure which ever one you buy you would be happy as they are all very capable bikes but I highly recommend the TRc it is highly capable, very agile, fast and stable.
The slackening of the head angle and the extra stability on the downs, coupled with a light stiff frame eaily makes up for any slight wandering on the steeper ups.

Hope this helps