Yeti AS-R sl (2004)

Pink Yeti FAQ

I'm forever being asked, "But why Pink Yeti?"  The purpose of this page is to explain everything.

What is the purpose of this website?

The primary purpose of this website is to showcase the first Yeti AS-R sl with a carbon swing-arm and first pink Yeti. It charts the history of Pink Yeti from inception to the present day. As this is the first pink Yeti AS-R sl, the name Pink Yeti seems appropriate.

What is a Yeti?

Legendary creature but also a make of bicycle.

The Yeti company of Golden Colarado USA manufactures Yeti bicycle frames.

What goes into a Yeti?

See here

What types of Yeti are there?

Yeti's are known buy a mix of letters and numbers.  Now maybe somebody thought this was a good idea.  For example there is your 575 and your ARC.  Pretty obvious what that's about isn't it!  Now unlike cars, you cannot include the engine size.  And you cannot get a ruler out and measure the vital statistics of a Yeti and derive any satisfaction in knowing if the bigger Yeti is better than the smaller Yeti.  But these different Yeti types are something to do with the usage they are put to.

Why does the frame look so odd?

I'm not really sure about that; sorry!

What material is the frame?

The main tubes are aluminium.  The rear end or swing-arm is carbon fibre.

What's the difference between an aluminium and steel frame?

(1) An aluminium frame is lighter than a steel frame.

(2) An aluminium frame must be welded.  This takes great skill.  A steel frame is brazed; this means the steel tubes are joined together by a material which has a lower melting point than steel.  Brazing is easier than welding.

So what type of Yeti is Pink Yeti?

It's known by that memorable moniker AS-R sl.  Apparently AS-R means Active Suspension Race.  And sl?  Well that means super light!

So what does Active Suspension Race mean exactly?

I think it's something to do with the type of rear suspension deployed.

And what type of usage is the AS-R sl designed for?

Easy that one, I quote from the Yeti web site "a perfect choice for weight-conscious trail riders and cross-country racers."  So there you have it, a bicycle designed for slimmers or runners who don't care for synthetic tracks.  So expect to see either very fat or very thin people riding an AS-R sl.

Are you being serious?

I'm just quoting the Yeti web site.

And Pink Yeti, why pink?

Hold on a minute, there's something else I forgot to mention.  Pink Yeti, whilst being an AS-R sl - such a lovely name that, rolls off the tongue - is also benefiting from a carbon fibre swing-arm.

What's a swing-arm?

The swing-arm is the lower frame arm at the back of the bike. It pivots near the bottom bracket; hence swing arm.  On this Yeti the swing-arm is made from a carbon composite material.  And what's good enough for Formula 1 cars and the space shuttle is good too for bicycles.

Why?

Because it weighs less than metal and has all kinds of other sexy qualities.

Oh I see, or I think I do.  Can we move on and talk about pink now please?

Of course.  Pink Yeti is pink 'cause that's the colour those nice people in Golden painted it.  Simple eh!

And that's special?

Well, at the time it was introduced, it was new colour for Yeti.  A very bold colour perhaps.  And some people kinda like pink.  And I suppose the market research people at Golden discovered a latent untapped market for pink bicycles. [See here for more details.]

Are there more Pink Yeti's out there?

There's only one Pink Yeti but there are many other pink Yetis.

Are there more AS-R sls with carbon swing-arms out there?

There are now many AS-R sl with carbon swing-arms. And of course there is also a whole carbon composite AS-R sl now too.

Where can I buy a Yeti in the UK?

See the Evolution Imports web site.

Where can I buy a Yeti outside of the UK?

See the dealer section of the Yeti website.

Thank you, that was all very informative.