The Yeti ARC series has cyclocross and cross country models in aluminum and carbon, some of which are pretty average, with others less than impressive. For the most part, you can be assured of good speeds and responsive riding, but these bikes may just be a little too expensive for what they deliver.
Yeti started out just as the popularity of MTB riding was reaching impetus, back in the 80s, and soon went on to sponsor some world class athletes. Considering this company has had some pioneering technology in its time, the ARC series was kind of a let down, at least to us.
While the enthusiast-level road aluminum cyclocross model performed incredibly well, we feel thanks to the Shimano Ultegra groupset, the carbon trail and cross country models failed to do justice.
We liked the performance on the ARC-C X01, a responsive and quick to accelerate bike. The average specs gave us nothing to complain about. But over at the entry level, you’ve got to pay over $3000 for some very underwhelming performance. Now, if you’re just learning the ropes of cross country, you’re not focused on performance. But at this price, you’re not getting a good deal. The cheaper SRAM components, sluggish wheelset, and pointlessly heavier-than-average frames did not deliver.
+Pros:
Some models ultra light
Excellent enthusiast level cyclocross
XC models pretty average
Good acceleration and responsiveness on ARC-C
-Cons:
Cheaper SRAM components on some models
Expensive for the specs
Sluggish 29ers
The Verdict
Unimpressive componentry and frames, and way too expensive for bikes of the same grade.
Yet is a good brand, but for what the Yeti ARC bikes are supposed to deliver, we wouldn’t say these are really up to the mark. If you don’t mind spending somewhere like 2K on the enthusiast-level cyclocross ARC-X, then that’s probably a worthwhile buy.
