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Yeti DJ frame impression as do it all hardtail

RaID

Turbo Monkey
So im in the process of building it up a general fun/trail hardtail.
I was set on a DOC Long, however finding one of those for a reasonable price inc shipping is quite hard.

I was set on a steel frame, however had a look at the Yeti DJ in
Long. The numbers seem to fit everything I want from a hardtail.

What peoples opinions on this frame?
Geo?
Im 6'2" so looking at the long model
how is the fit for taller guys?
is it possible to get full (or almost) leg extension on this with something like a 410 thomson post?

It will be built up with Pikes, front der, mid weight wheels ie try to achieve an "all mountain" build. Something thats not too beefy yet will survive the occasional DJ/Street play around.

Im also open to suggestions on other frames as well

Thanks
 

thejames

Monkey
Oct 22, 2004
133
0
austin
you may have some issues getting anywhere near leg extension, the seat tube is pretty short. i can't on my short and i am 5' 10". also the 2008 frames do not have guides for a front derailleur. other than that it would be a super fun bike. i got a 2008 frame a month ago and it is the best hardtail i have ever ridden(super stiff responsive and manuals like a unicycle:busted:)
 

ZHendo

Turbo Monkey
Oct 29, 2006
1,661
147
PNW
i have an 07 and it could take a front derraileur. there are no differences other than paint between the 07 and 08 from what i understand, and i personally like the look of the 07 better because the team paint for 08 is different than before, i'm not sure i like it. the 07 is also anodized. i just looked at the yeti site and the bike they have pictured definitely has the cable routing for a front derraileur, look at the back of the seat tube. anyways, i've ridden it a ton as a do it all, and although i'm riding it with a 36 tooth single ring, it's been great. i have a pike 426 u-turn on mine and when i'm heading downhill, i just crank it up to 120mm. the bike proceeds to shred everything, this bike can really get going. i do recommend a high volume tire like the wtb mutano raptor 2.4. rear tire clearance isn't too impressive, but i haven't had problems yet because i've never found myself riding it in the wet. the geometry on the long makes for a really fun trail bike, but i'm a little disappointed with its street riding abilities. the bike is easily the best jumper i've ever ridden and it is even better at slalom and 4X type stuff, but it just doesn't work to well for urban. the stays aren't the shortest, which is understandable for a frame that isn't intended for street really, but the long top tube makes things that much worse. the wheelbase is just over 46 inches long with the fork in the 100mm travel setting. my solution for this problem is going to be the purchase of a cheap bmx.
basically, it's the best hardtail i've owned or ridden. i have my gripes with its abilities on the street and in the skateparks, but otherwise, it is fantastic. when i ride street i really wish i was on something like a black market, but that bike wouldn't handle trail riding or slalom as well. the bike is perfect for it's intended purpose.
 

ZHendo

Turbo Monkey
Oct 29, 2006
1,661
147
PNW
i take back what i said before about the color. i like the new color a lot, very nice rig bpatterson
 

bikenweed

Turbo Monkey
Oct 21, 2004
2,432
0
Los Osos
Those Yeti's are sick. The Santa Cruz Chameleon is also really similar, and another great option. A large Chameleon might really surprise you. Ride one if you get the chance. If I remember right, the medium Chameleon and Large DJ rode very similarly.
 

Jonny5

Monkey
Feb 13, 2007
502
0
I've got the older one in a LONG. Its a 4x/Trail/XC bike. Rolls faster than my cheap XC bike, so it ends up getting used. For 4x though I find the bike too long in the rear, but it works. Over long rides I also find that back end bloody unforgiving. On a 2hr ride I feel it. Mines setup with 4x forks and the normal sort of gear. I have a norco 4x to try now, so this bike may end up on the scrap heap.
 

Nick

My name is Nick
Sep 21, 2001
23,926
14,438
where the trails are
I loved my Chameleon. 5'11 on a large worked just fine. I'm now on an Evil DOC but it isn't nearly as versatile as the SC, in fact now that I've been hooked on riding the steel frame I believe that a steel Chameleon, but with adjustable dropouts like the DOC, would be pretty much perfect for a DS/DJ frame that you could/would still take on trail rides.

bpatterson: that bike looks great!!
 

Spunger

Git yer dumb questions here
Feb 19, 2003
2,257
0
805
I don't have a Yeti DJ but a Specialized P.1 for a everything frame. It felt great on trail rides with a 130mm fork. I liked how snappy the hardtail is vs. a full suspension. Nothing robs you of power LOL. I don't climb on it because the setup is more for a 4x/DJ bike (50mm stem, 170mm cranks) and my seatpost even at full extension feels fine, but it's not comfortable pedaling around uphill whatsoever.

The SC Chameleon or the DOC were my other 2 choices. I picked the specialized because of the stupid cheap deal I got on it. Otherwise I'd be in on one of those.
 

RaID

Turbo Monkey
thanks for the opinions guys

looking at the numbers between the Yeti & chameleon they are quite similar
Long vs L

same top tube
yeti slightly longer wheel base and slightly shorter stays
yeti 1 deg steeper ha and lower bb
 

bikenweed

Turbo Monkey
Oct 21, 2004
2,432
0
Los Osos
Keep on the lookout for either one. It won't really matter one bit if you pick one or the other, they're very similar rides. And both very good rides for very similar things.

Don't trust the published numbers too much, there's a lot of uncertainty caused by tire size, fork choice, and measuring practices.

Get psyched, cuz you're getting a sick bike!
 

bjanga

Turbo Monkey
Dec 25, 2004
1,356
0
San Diego
You might take a look at the Transition Vagrant. I am 5'10" and I can get full seat extension with a Thomson 410mm post. The Vagrant does have somewhat long chainstays though (16.5" if I remember correctly, might want to check becase it has been a while) and also has a slack (for a hardtail) head angle.

Also, I just put a 2.7" Kenda Blue Groove on the rear and it clears but there is zero room for mud and the tire would likely interfere with the chain in the first chainring.
 

RaID

Turbo Monkey
Keep on the lookout for either one. It won't really matter one bit if you pick one or the other, they're very similar rides. And both very good rides for very similar things.

Don't trust the published numbers too much, there's a lot of uncertainty caused by tire size, fork choice, and measuring practices.

Get psyched, cuz you're getting a sick bike!
dont worry im excited i havent had a hardtail for a while,

I was more comparing the physical frame details ie chainstay top tube lengths not so much the measurments which are component dependant
 

Christiaan

Monkey
Feb 27, 2004
525
0
Weesp, The Netherlands
I have a 2006 Long DJ, and that works for trailriding too, the newer model has a really short seattube, so it will be hard to find a seatpost long enough to get good extension.

for 4X she is great!
 

RaID

Turbo Monkey
So this is what I ended up with

Two words: Stiff and Solid
makes an STP feel like a wet noodle

First ride impression are its what i was looking for





SPECS
frame: 08 Yeti DJ Long
forks: 07 Pikes 409
front wheel: Formula Hub on Sun Rhyno rims
back wheel: Deore on Sun Rhyno rims
brakes: Juicy 5s on 6" rotors
pedals: Crank Brothers 5050XX
cranks: Holzfeller
bb: Howitzer
Chain Guide: E13 STS 36T with 36T E13 chain ring
chain: something shimano
tyres: Front 2.1 Ignitor Rear 2.0 Larsen TT
bars: Race Face Diabolous low rise
stem: Race Face Diabolous
seat: Transition AM
seatpost: thomson elite 410mm to get the full leg extension

weight: 14.5kg

Shes a bit on the porky side, but weight could be lost if I wanted to spend
more money in certain areas which at this stage id rather not. Plus ill get fitter
riding it this way. Given that im used to the 20kg sunday she feels light. Still want to chuck a front derailleur on her for the
XC rides however Yeti decided to remove all fd cable stops without telling anyone or updating their new website so im trying to find a bolt on fd cable stop and that
will go on there.