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Transition Scout vs. Yeti SB5c

stoney

stoney

Part of the unwashed, middle-American horde
Jul 26, 2006
21,615
7,276
Colorado
Helping a buddy buy and build a new bike. He's 6'6", 245# so we're looking for a true wookie bike. The longest we've found are he above noted. He's leaning towards the Yeti,but the frame is $1500 more expensive assuming the exact same spec. Realistically, if the goes Transition we will probably go for the Pike RC3 with travel adjust vs. the non-travel adjust and the Shimano XT 11-speed setup vs. Sram 1x10 using OneUp rings.

Has anybody ridden both or have enough feedback on both to give a solid opinion?
 
HAB

HAB

Chelsea from Seattle
Apr 28, 2007
11,580
2,006
Seattle
I haven't ridden the Yeti, so I'm no use in a direct comparison, but the Scout is a really, really good bike. Saving $1500 off the frame and going that route seems like a no brainer to me.
 
stoney

stoney

Part of the unwashed, middle-American horde
Jul 26, 2006
21,615
7,276
Colorado
He's a giant. Needs a stupid long frame. At this point, these are the two we are looking at.
 
boostindoubles

boostindoubles

Nacho Libre
Mar 16, 2004
7,880
6,178
Yakistan
6'4" here on an XL Scout. It's even got a 35mm stem which doesn't feel short.

edit... In other words, it's a giant frame.
 
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boostindoubles

boostindoubles

Nacho Libre
Mar 16, 2004
7,880
6,178
Yakistan
I don't have time on the yetis, or any of the other new geo squishy bikes with lil bigger wheels. I've been on a noodly Blur TR, and a few rides on an Intense 27.5 bike that felt like a dirt bike.

I weigh 195~ and keep about 240 lbs in the Monarch shock. I don't touch the knobs really or change the modes. It climbs efficiently and I am able to motor up lots of steeps and technical challenges. I started with a 50mm stem, moved to a 40mm, ended up with 35mm. The shorter stem feels better climbing and descending. On fast descents I feel like the bike disappears and I am surfing the trail, until I eat it of course. The front end is poppy and the bike bunnyhops naturally. I can pick up the rear wheel and reposition it without it feeling forced. It sends jumps well and feels planted on lips and landings. The rear triangle is stiff, not noodly at all. Only gripe is the wheelsize seems to want to blow out tight turns when railing. Had alot of pedal strikes in the beginning but now its a non-issue.

Glad I chose this bike, was looking at the Spitty also and still want to try one, with 26".

scout1.jpg
 
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M

marshalolson

Turbo Monkey
May 25, 2006
1,770
519
Check the reach measurements. The sb5c is kinda short.... At 6'2'' the xl would require I run a 70mm stem for be for I am used to.
 
toodles

toodles

ridiculously corgi proportioned
Aug 24, 2004
5,516
4,766
Australia
Dunno about the Yeti, but my Scout has been one of the best bike purchases I've made in the last 10 years. Really, really happy with it.
 
tootall424

tootall424

Chimp
Sep 24, 2006
2
0
Thanks for the replies guys. I am the person Stoney is referring to. I got fitted at a local bike shop and this is what it they said:

Height: 199 Centimeters
Sternum Notch: 163 Centimeters
Inseam Length: 97.5 Centimeters
Arm Length: 66.5 Centimeters
Shoulder Width: 49 Centimeters
Flexiblity: 6
Weight: 245 Pounds
Foot Size: 14 US Mens


Road
Frame Size Center-to-Center: 63
Frame Size Center-to-Top: 65
Handlebar Width: 46
Overall Reach: 70.00
Saddle Height: 86.09

Mountain
Frame Size Center-to-Center: 21
Frame Size Center-to-Top: 22
Handlebar Width: 46
Overall Reach: 70.00
Saddle Height: 86.09


Seeing that I need a bike with an overall reach of 700mm I am looking for something that has an ETT of at least 640-650, so that I dont need a super long stem.
 
Jeremy R

Jeremy R

<b>x</b>
Nov 15, 2001
9,698
1,053
behind you with a snap pop
Here is my Scout. It is easily my favorite bike I have owned. Also, at his weight, he may want to consider going with a bigger fork. I run my Fox 36 at 150, and it works great with his setup.

 
stoney

stoney

Part of the unwashed, middle-American horde
Jul 26, 2006
21,615
7,276
Colorado
Jeremy R said:
Here is my Scout. It is easily my favorite bike I have owned. Also, at his weight, he may want to consider going with a bigger fork. I run my Fox 36 at 150, and it works great with his setup.

Click to expand...
You might be the only person that has extensively ridden both the Scout and an SB frame (close enough for govt work). I know you are sponsored on both sides, so... realistically. If you were paying full retail for the frame (assuming they were equal cost) which would you pick? What are your thoughts on handling, climbing, etc. on one vs. the other?

If we bump up to the 36/Lyric, my concern is still the leverage ratio and an air shock.
 
jonKranked

jonKranked

Detective Dookie
Nov 10, 2005
85,981
24,535
media blackout
stoney said:
What is the max PSI on that Monarch? That might be problematic depending on the leverage ratio of the frame...
Click to expand...
not sure what the shock options are, but the CCDB inline has a max recommended pressure of 250lbs, and CC's guidance for air pressure is 20psi lower than the rider weight.
 
boostindoubles

boostindoubles

Nacho Libre
Mar 16, 2004
7,880
6,178
Yakistan
stoney said:
What is the max PSI on that Monarch? That might be problematic depending on the leverage ratio of the frame...
Click to expand...
I think it's 350lbs but not sure. The shock is definitely the weak link on the bike for me. 240lbs barely gets me to 30% sag which is where Transition says to set it up. The shock itself feels weird when pushing through the travel sitting still. The beginning is firm, mid way it hits a shelf, and after that it blows through the remainder of the stroke. When on the trail I don't notice it though. It has done this since I pulled it out of the box.
 
Jeremy R

Jeremy R

<b>x</b>
Nov 15, 2001
9,698
1,053
behind you with a snap pop
stoney said:
You might be the only person that has extensively ridden both the Scout and an SB frame (close enough for govt work). I know you are sponsored on both sides, so... realistically. If you were paying full retail for the frame (assuming they were equal cost) which would you pick? What are your thoughts on handling, climbing, etc. on one vs. the other?

If we bump up to the 36/Lyric, my concern is still the leverage ratio and an air shock.
Click to expand...
I don't think I can answer that question fairly, and not because of some some bro deal sponsorship either.
The medium scout is the exact geometry and sizing that I would want if I was buying a custom frame. It fits me perfect, and also every geometry number is exactly what I prefer. Transition did do a really good job as well on the suspension. It climbs great, feels lively and poppy, and it really rails at speed. The combo of the 16.7 chain stays and 12.9 bb make it a blast to ride. The reason it is my favorite though is just from the handling alone. It feels balanced at all times and rewards jackassery even on mellow rides. So, I would pick the Scout over my old SB even though I really liked that bike as well. And that is with the cost being even..... but the cost is no where near being even. : ) Also, I not sure about the air shock situation. I weigh 175 or so and I run 150psi on my inline.
 
stoney

stoney

Part of the unwashed, middle-American horde
Jul 26, 2006
21,615
7,276
Colorado
Thanks, Jeremy. That is actually a solid statment, given how much I know you loved the SB.

As for the shock situation, I have a feeling I will be calling transition later today.
 
Full Trucker

Full Trucker

Frikkin newb!!!
Feb 26, 2003
10,553
7,645
Exit, CO
Just spent a week on the Yeti 6c and it is significantly longer than the 5c. The 5c is shorter than the 66c with the same size stem, but I'm riding the same size and am okay with the reach difference. Cannot comment on the Transition. GG MegaTrail is also wookie sized... particularly if the wookie is also a candidate for the wookie Big & Tall store.





**This post may or may not provide any helpful, useful, or insightful information.
 
HAB

HAB

Chelsea from Seattle
Apr 28, 2007
11,580
2,006
Seattle
The Megatrrail is definitely a good choice for bigger folks, and a really, really great bike in general (I own one). That said, it's definitely a step burlier/more aggressive than the Scout or 5c. Whether or not that's desirable is kinda up to you.
 
jackalope

jackalope

Mental acuity - 1%
Jan 9, 2004
7,610
5,925
in a single wide, cooking meth...
A few more things to possibly consider is the Scout uses a threaded BB ( :clapping: ) versus the Yeti's press fit BB and while I am not aware of any "pre-production" issues associated with the SB5c, the SB6c certainly seemed to have a number of unfortunate incidents during recent reviews. Yeti supposedly addressed this with at least the SB6c by beefing up the swingarm, and I'd assume they would definitely take care of customers with unusual frame failures. And FWIW, I think you can run a front derailleur on the Yeti whereas the Tranny looks to be a single ring only deal.

Will also second HAB's statement if you decide you want something with moar burl.
 
stoney

stoney

Part of the unwashed, middle-American horde
Jul 26, 2006
21,615
7,276
Colorado
jackalope said:
A few more things to possibly consider is the Scout uses a threaded BB ( :clapping: ) versus the Yeti's press fit BB and while I am not aware of any "pre-production" issues associated with the SB5c, the SB6c certainly seemed to have a number of unfortunate incidents during recent reviews. Yeti supposedly addressed this with at least the SB6c by beefing up the swingarm, and I'd assume they would definitely take care of customers with unusual frame failures. And FWIW, I think you can run a front derailleur on the Yeti whereas the Tranny looks to be a single ring only deal.

Will also second HAB's statement if you decide you want something with moar burl.
Click to expand...
Yeah... Transition it is!
 
DaveW

DaveW

Space Monkey
Jul 2, 2001
11,209
2,729
The bunker at parliament
One of my regulars at my shop is about the same as you, only 6'5" but out of proportion legs and arms.
He was on an XL Sultan but that was ridiculously too small for the guy.
Ended up putting him on an XXL Santa Cruz Tallboy.

Bike was crazy tall/long, with the dropper dropped I couldn't touch the pedals anywhere below mid stroke (I'm 5'10" ).
 
W4S

W4S

Turbo Monkey
Mar 2, 2004
1,282
23
Back in Hell A, b1thces
Jeremy R said:
I don't think I can answer that question fairly, and not because of some some bro deal sponsorship either.
The medium scout is the exact geometry and sizing that I would want if I was buying a custom frame. It fits me perfect, and also every geometry number is exactly what I prefer. Transition did do a really good job as well on the suspension. It climbs great, feels lively and poppy, and it really rails at speed. The combo of the 16.7 chain stays and 12.9 bb make it a blast to ride. The reason it is my favorite though is just from the handling alone. It feels balanced at all times and rewards jackassery even on mellow rides. So, I would pick the Scout over my old SB even though I really liked that bike as well. And that is with the cost being even..... but the cost is no where near being even. : ) Also, I not sure about the air shock situation. I weigh 175 or so and I run 150psi on my inline.
Click to expand...
Looking for some help here, about to buy a Scout but it looks like I'm right between a small or medium, i'm pretty sure i would prefer the Medium as the small seems, well, Small. (406 reach) i'm 5'6" on a good day with short legs, longer torso, will the medium with 50mm stem be too long?
 
Jeremy R

Jeremy R

<b>x</b>
Nov 15, 2001
9,698
1,053
behind you with a snap pop
W4S said:
Looking for some help here, about to buy a Scout but it looks like I'm right between a small or medium, i'm pretty sure i would prefer the Medium as the small seems, well, Small. (406 reach) i'm 5'6" on a good day with short legs, longer torso, will the medium with 50mm stem be too long?
Click to expand...
Truthfully, since I wrote this I have owned some longer bikes, and if I got another Scout, I would get a large (I am 5'10). It is such an easy bike to throw around I think the added wheelbase would be a benefit. I would go for the medium even if you had to run a stem shorter than 50mm.
 
Adventurous

Adventurous

Starshine Bro
Mar 19, 2014
10,343
8,902
Crawlorado
W4S said:
Looking for some help here, about to buy a Scout but it looks like I'm right between a small or medium, i'm pretty sure i would prefer the Medium as the small seems, well, Small. (406 reach) i'm 5'6" on a good day with short legs, longer torso, will the medium with 50mm stem be too long?
Click to expand...
I'm a wee bit taller than you with similar proportions and in the all telling parking lot test the Medium Scout felt better to me.
 
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