It always brings a tear to my eyes when you meet a person on the trail and say " I'm all alone" 😁😉

I have ridden my new A.R.C about 150 miles offroad and have just competed in a regional MTB XC race and have to say that if fitted with a Fox SC34 fork 120mm, standard seatpost (no dropper post)and standard headset (no slack-r), Yeti has accidently created a seriously impressive and stable XC rocket! It may of been marketed as "down country" but underneath it is a very capable XC bike.

A few more things... 1) Everyone has a different riding style, terrain, and body proportions. When you learn to steer with the feet (new school) instead of at the bars (old school), you unlock an entirely new level of excitement (and speed and control). Watch riders like Jeff Kendall Weed and how straight he keeps bars when cornering. I find the bike to ride much better with the skack-r for this style. If you steer at the bars and ride a bit more old school, you may prefer it in stock for without the slack-r. If that's your style, I recommend sizing down. 2) I also realize that the geo chart shows an effective sta of 76*. It feels slacker than this to me. Take a look at how the seat tube sits back further than most at the bb junction. This makes it feel slacker than the numbers suggest even though it looks steep. It feels like I'm sitting farther behind the bb than on other modern bikes. 3. This bike is REALLY good. If I were to do a shootout with a bunch of different hardtails, I would expect it to win almost every shootout(with the slack-r installed). This is the hardtail most people are searching for. 4) This frame feels fantastic. Yeti knocked it out of the park with how comfy the frame feels, yet it's still stiff under acceleration. 5) I don't see any reason to run this bike with a fork longer than 130mm. The 130mm on here feels incredibly balanced, and i can charge as hard as o want. More fork would hurt it even on the spicy trails. The only reason to go bigger than 130mm is for hucks and big jumps, but this isn't the right bike for that anyway. 6) This bike is like a BMW. Luxurious, refined, comfortable, fast, but lacking a bit of personality. Some other bikes ride more like a lotus: raw, less refined, but incredibly fun and spirited. 7) I really appreciate yeti sending me this bike for review. I've been really curious about this bije, and j think they did a fantastic job. Like most bikes i review, there are some things that I think could be improved, but most people are going to fall in love when they ride this thing, especially if they have a slack-r installed. 8) I haven't spoken to yeti about this mod. While i recommend it from a performance and handling perspective, i don't recommend it from a warranty perspective. a slacker head angle like this puts more stress on the head tube area. Check with yeti before performing this mod, and make sure it doesn't void your frame's warranty. I am not responsible for any warranty issues you cause by following what i do here.

For anyone considering Steve's patreon service to assist picking out bikes and/or components, I highly recommend it. He helped me navigate the myriad of frame and component choices so that selections best fit my needs, terrain, and riding style. It was nice to be able to get confirmations on things and it made the selection process more fun. Now if he could only make my Nimble 9 arrive sooner so I could get my first build underway.

I love that description of special sauce, I know what you mean. Some bikes for no real explanation leave you with a perma-grin, that silly smile that doesn't go away for hours. While some bikes are good but don't leave you with that same goofy elated grin from riding.

Great recommendation! I just installed the 1.7 Slack-R and ripped my ARC today. Steve nails everything in his review; better at speed, better handling and definitely a lively ride. Thanks for the experiment and sharing the results. Sending some patreon gratitude your way!!!❤

Just got an ARC two months ago and rode it over 500 miles already. I find the bike has great character and spice no slacker is needed. I put this bike through every terrain possible and it did not disappoint, in fact, the ARC is such a fast, nimble and playful bike that it always puts a big smile on my face. I highly recommend the ARC if you're looking for a versatile and high-performance hardtail.

Instant order on the ankle set! Didnt know it even exists. Allways wanted my Arc slacker! Ty

“For just $100 you can make your $5,700 bike ride like it should!” Maybe for 2022 there will be an Arc ‘HP’ edition????

I'm terrible at building bikes, but running the cables on this was super easy, even for me. The cables are all guided through the frame, so no fishing is required. You can even run the dropper cable without removing the bottom bracket. It is the best internal cableing that I have ever messed with.

Still waiting on that big wig review lol I'm freekin dieing over here.

Interesting review. This has made me consider asking my local bike shop to leave a little longer steerer tube than normal so I have the option of the SLACK-R angle reducing headset when they get my Yeti A.R.C. built up. I will be using the Fox Factory 34 SC fork which runs 10mmm less travel anyway and the bike will be primarily used for XC racing and light trail use.

I've been riding this bike since it was released. It's my only bike and I just switched to a 140mm air shaft. Totally agree with everything you said about this bike needing to be slightly slacker from factory. It's just better in every way.

Looking forward for this review. You made very interesting points, and that angle set for the ARC, gave me lots of ideas! Love the bike, but that head angle is a tad conservative, but hey, Hard Tail Party is here to show us the way. 😎 Thanks

Can't wait for the Spot review.

I’ve just recently discovered hard tail party I rode several full sendy suspendy bikes and when I rode my current ride it was no question I wanted the hard tail. It just felt efficient. I guess something to be considered when you look at these bikes for example pivot verses yeti the areas they are designed like colorado verses Arizona. One factor is Terrain. Its totally different and the rides these bikes are devopled on are apples to oranges. I was seriously Jones’n for a ARC it felt it’s was more of a “down country” bike. Not a do all bike so I kept looking. Now I’m seriously considering it again I don’t have tons of disposable income and my days riding are plentiful but pretty 50/50 up/down so now I’m back shopping the yeti but with the slack R upgrade. All that said now I’m looking at the paradox. Seriously to many options these days.

Man I've been waiting for this! This could be a dream bike of mine for suuuure

Regarding warranty, Yeti is aware of this mod and gave me the following response when I inquired about using it: "The Slackr headset definitely looks rad, and looks to do it's job well. However, since this is an aftermarket part that uses dramatically more fastening torque than a standard headset preload calls for, this isn't a part that we can approve the use of on our end since we have carbon cups in our frame. While it won't void your warranty just by using it, any damage that could come from use of the Slackr would not be covered by us under our warranty." I tried it out and found the following: - Improved climbing, especially attacking steep log and rock obstacles - More stability, including at lower speeds while on obstacles - For whatever reason, I don't need to drop my dropper as frequently or as low as before the mod - I haven't noticed any decrease in performance Prior to this mod, I had probably 4 or 5 crashes where I went over the handlebars in just a few months, which seemed much more frequent than on my prior hardtail. Time will tell if the Slack-R reduces this, but it feels like it might. The Arc was one of the few bikes I could get in a reasonable time due to COVID-related delays, and I'm super happy it's been such a fun ride. I really liked the bike a lot before this mod, and I agree that it rides even better now. Steve, thanks for the review and for suggesting the Slack-R.

I was a bit suspicious at first... but put one on my Yeti Arc and there is a significant change and I like the new feel.

Very interested to see how you compare this to the Spot Rocker. This Yeti seems super cool. Going on a long ride tomorrow to see how my new Rocker rides!

Woohoo !!! Steve, you ride more bikes in a month than I would in a lifetime. Grateful for your knowledge and experience. Bike due Monday, I know the steerer hasn’t been cut short. Slack-R ready for install 👍🏻👍🏻

Great insight on slackened Yeti, videos just keep getting better and better!

I cant wait for the rocker review...nothing wrong about the yetti review its very honest.

I think that it might be better for you. It would be way better before the slack'r where I live (midwest). I think that part of it is the type of bike you have been riding and what you are used to.

Still want to see you on that slack R aluminum Chameleon. Loving how you make changes to bikes you review. It’s different than all other review channels and gives a broader look at a bikes possibilities.

The doctor of hard tails

The Volkswagen Golf of mountain biking,does every thing good but there is no excitement

ARC SLACK-R day has finally come!

I always enjoy your perspective on the different bikes you ride keep up the awesome docenterainvideos going.

Amazing ! I’ve just picked up my new yeti arc. It’s exactly what I was hoping for. Bike for life 👍🏻

Still editing on the Big Wig, eh? Can’t wait for that.

I watched this video to relax after replacing an OEM Rekon on the front with a Minion and am happy to see you running that exact combo. I'd rather lose traction on the rear before the front washes out.

Hey Steve, great video as always and really enjoying the Big Brain Party channel! I have a Yeti SB4.5 that was rebuilt from the frame up with all new parts a couple years ago. Love the bike, but wish is was a bit slacker. It's over forked with a 150mm which brought the head tube angle to just under 77, but I'd love to get it closer to 75 and this seems like a good option. I'd love to hear your opinion. I've been a fan of yours and Dusty Betty's for years, keep it up!

I really hope you get to review a Curve Downrock, one of these days. The geo on that bike seems to tick all the boxes you usually talk about. Like the higher stack, mentioned in this video.

It is nice to hear how you compare $5700 modified Yeti to Paradox and still prefer Banshee. It motives me to go out and ride my Banshee. Love your videos. Best wishes from muddy UK trails.

That’s cool you’re able to make it more slack and fun. I’m about to throw a 130mm fork on my Karate Monkey. Would love to ride those trails you hit in this video with it.

Great review, Tempted to try the Slack R now that I have 6 mo on the ARC.

Hey Steve, thanks for the great review on the slacker ARC! You say it would be second to the Paradox... how does the Big Al stack up against the ARC?

I'm in a really weird sync with this channel. Found it right after buying a Soma Riff (hardtail!) frame. Watched your Honzo ESD review (where you said 150mm fork < 130mm) right after buying a 130mm fork; just saw this after observing my HTA ~66° and liking it way more than my 70° rigid mtb. I'm amusing by this timing

You know that 95% of the Yeti Tribe that buys that frame will NOT be using an angle set. They’re probably just going to be riding more mellow trails or streets and saying “look at how light my bike is” Perhaps, who knows? I definitely agree that Yeti has designed a nice frame, especially because it has clearance for bigger tires. Those XC carbon frames that we all know from the past are so outdated.

Great video. Would a bar with more rise sort the stack issue out seeing as how the forks come cut pretty short?

I'm running this bike with an ENVE Mountain fork (with a DHR II 3.0) which is suspension corrected to 120mm and I know the ARC is designed around a 130mm fork. I've been SHOCKED with this bike so far. I'm an older dude (50) and LOVE Rigid Hardtails with Plus tires. Coming off a rigid Monocog with a Chupacabra 3.0 on the front, I was expecting to get BEAT TO HELL on this Yeti. But...I wasn't. Floored me. EXCITED me especially after spending this kind of cash to build one up. I was surprised how stable it was and how well it climbed with no wandering front end. My question is, what might I expect by going with this SLACK-R given my setup. I live in CO and bought this bike for XC-ish/trail/adventure riding and will use my SB for rowdier stuff. Hope this question isn't pushing the limits of what you offer for FREE ☺️😜😬...

So glad I've got a paradox 👌

Could run riser bars to get a bit of extra height on the front end? I suppose only the owner of this can truly answer that....

I've been riding a steel frame for three years. After test riding the Arc, I couldn't tell the difference between the two in the rear end.

Great review! You did a similar thing to an Ibis Dv9. Does the slack Yeti Arc beat the slack Dv9? I have a Dv9 and I'm contemplating doing what you did. Thanks!

The Yeti ARC looks so cool !! 😃

From what I've seen, you've always liked the bikes better after moving from a 67 to 65 degree angle. My question, what are you giving up when you make the switch? Are there any drawbacks to going slacker or would the steeper head angle work better on a specific terrain?

Very interesting, I am considering this frame ! As a bike build

Awesome. Now it's really on my short list.

Man, I'm definitely gonna order one for my Stache this weekend. Too bad I can't stretch it out an inch too, haha. I see no reason why modern hartails have head angles above 65.5°. Slack-r and carbon wheels are up next for me.

Would a 120mm fork like the new sid help the seat angle issue without losing too much HA with the slack-r?

So witch SLACK-R spec is it on the bike and is the fork 130mm or 140mm? Thanks for the awesome video!

Do not think that the preload 30 Hm is a lot for the steering?

Great review. Can I ask do you prefer the ARC to the Chameleon C? They have a similar price point and geo.

That was fun, thanks for the ride.

Love the 401k vs Vegas analogy!

Steve, i've been planning a 2020 Epic HT build with a short offset SID select+. I was hoping to use that increased axle to crown length to slacken the 68.5 HTA of this bike... but now i'll have to throw in this kit with their new IS42S / 52 size to make this even better!

This is an excellent experimental ride review.

Hi Steve awesome review and we have very similar riding styles. quick question i have a yeti ARC T1 my friend has bought my forks off me so i have the choice of getting a long stem for the slack R however it got me thinking what of instead of putting in slack-R couldnt i achieve the same result (Slacker head) by increasing fork offset from the factory 34 in 44mm to the factory in 51mm offset. what are your thoughts on that. the other option could be go for a 140mm fork with a 51 mm offset would that help the geometry. love to know your thoughts and really enjoy watching your vids

Nice review, i found after using my head seat Slacker on the Yeti ARC only better if i use the bike like a XC bike, as soon take the Headset Slacker away and use my normal Chris King and i go at full speed and put my weight above my handlebar i get so much more control of this bike and really have better control without the head set slacker. I notice at slower driving in the corners that the Yeti ARC not handle well, but if i take the same corners at full speed and not sit on my saddle but put my weight nearby the handlebar i driving on a bike with the most control i ever had on a hardtail. I have more bikes like, the Cannondale FSI, and the Specialized Epic and Santa Chameleon Carbon 29er, but with the Yeti i can go more fast, but on the end really also the most tyred becous i have to stay more above my handelbar. On the Yeti you really have to work to get the most of the bike, but on the end i am faster whit the Yeti than my other bikes. So for my the Headset Slacker give bad results for fast riding, but better results by slower cornering and more sitting on your saddle.

Would you say that it need's the Slack-R if a guy owned a bike like this? It sounds like you are pretty fired up about it being installed!

Would like to hear real life experience on the Yeti Arc vs the new Ibis DV9 (not just based on looks or geo on paper or Yeti image, etc.). Both frames look fantastic, but Ibis seems to get less love, even though the geo out of the box is slacker. Thoughts?

I like the bike with the slack-R sized up. I’m right on the cusp between L and xl, but I sometimes wonder how interesting the bike would be in size L stock. I think you sized up as well and wish you could have gotten a review on a small as well…….I think 475 is around my magic hardtail number. And I wish yeti added XXL and overlapped sizing a bit more for guys and gals in between.

Interesting review. 2 questions 1) what length stem/ bar width did you use in comparison to the stick combo. 2) do you think, given your reach comments, you’d have been better on a Small rather than Medium? Thanks

Any noise from the internal cabling? I take it from the fact they have internal noodles possibly not? I currently ride a 2017 ASR-C with Fox 32SC with a head angle of 69 degrees (although running 32's would probably be 69.5-70 degrees headangle) so the new A.R.C. running on Fox 34SC would run slacker for me any how.

WHERE'S THE LAMB SAUCE?!!! (special sauce)😁 This makes me want one but even if i had the money like you said it needs some tweaks. For sure is still awesome tho. If i had this frame with that Blue i would even on a RockShox i would paint the lowers orange and make a Gulf racing theme LoL i just love that color combination hehee

ha buddy good review don't mind me asking what size frame is this and your size bud 🤙🚒

It's 2023 and big name brand bike manufacturers still can't get the geo right , most bikes have a 74---75 degree seat angle and it's just wrong , further forward is better to climb its so simple for them to fix but the old school thinking is there,where they won't change for the better !! Ps stock head angle at 67 is woefull

Maybe it is a stupid one to ask but - if you put any angle set headset on a bike and changing the HT angle, isn't it dangerous? you changing the pressure on some point on the bike? Asking cause I like to do it to my HT Titanium bikes :)

So many many good bikes it’s crazy

If you are against internal routing, just take an old cable, attach a magnet to it and get another magnet to guide the cable inside the frame. All your problems will be solved with ease

Really love that Yeti frame! What do you think of the Fox 34? Thanks!

Hi, do you think just having just this bike as the only bike be good enough to do most of the work. I am a gravel rider and I ride trails and singletracks on my gravel bike here in Southern California and I am just thinking of getting a hardtail that can do an XC race sometimes or maybe and just to enjoy riding rocky singletracks here as my local trails. Thank you.

Cool bike and a clear and straight forward review. Have you ridden the Mondraker Vantage? Just curious how that bike rides on your choice of trail.

How would this hold up on red trails?

Are the Yeti Arc and the Ibis DV9 with the slacker headangle comparable? Would be interested in your opinion.

I have a question: you normally experience slackening, but I'm curious what the reverse process would look like. My Pipedream Sirius for me, after many kilometers, still feels very slack. Would you advise mounting an angleset to reduce the headset by 1.5 degrees?

at 76 degrees effective seat tube angle, on paper it looks pretty steep. why do you think it feels slack to you? is it because you're adding the length of the fork with the slack-r to that raises up the front end, therefore decreasing the angle of the seat tube? or does "effective" seat tube angle mean seat tube angle at sag?

I put a 120mm fork on my Niner Air9 RDO and like it much better, I don't race just trail ride. Like to see you test a Air 9 RDO with 120mm fork and head set slacker.

Yeti's published HTA is 67deg. but something isn't right. I am comparing the following two bikes that I have in my hands: >>>2021 Yeti ARC OEM build with prescribed 130mm fork publishes a 67.0 deg HTA in their geometry charts. >>>2020 Ibis DV9 OEM build with prescribed 120mm fork publishes a 67.4 deg HTA in their geometry charts. Based on this the Yeti would be a tad slacker but I wouldn't expect it to be noticeable looking at the two side by side. INSTEAD the Yeti is noticeably STEEPER, visually anyway. Using some basic tools (speed square & torpedo level) confirms the Yeti is steeper, to what degree I can't be sure. The fact that it's visually noticeable leads me to think it's significant. I certainly don't believe that either company would get these numbers wrong. Could it be that Ibis measures HTA after 25% sag in fork and Yeti measures HTA unsprung. Even if Ibis did it this way it still appears the Ibis would be slacker. Any ideas as to why I find this to be the case???

The first company that hires you to design a bike will destroy the industry...

You'll need deep pockets to party on this hardtail!

Sweet review 🤘

I get the "special sauce" statement. I think people adding this bike to a stable of full suspension bikes will absolutely love it. I get my slack bike feel from my other full sus bikes, and this one gets me the more XC feel, with the ability to do more than I would on the previous 70° HTA on the 2016. I think its a good mix. Now I'm intrigued with what the feel would be like by slackening with that SLACK-R, but are you effectively reducing the BB height? What does a shorter stack mean?

Wow! A light bike is fun to ride! Who would have thought!

Steve, what trail is this. I like the XCish flow! I wanna check it out.

your vids are great - thank you!

ohhh poor yeti, i wonder if they got that beautiful cad model with the stunning top tube-seat stay line and just called it there. All looks but maybe all fluff.

I wonder if I could have fun in golden. Spend time at yeti spot and commencal

Your channel is absolutely great! I just ordered a Merida Big Trail 500. Any chance you could review one of those? Not many on KZfaq.

Since your complaint was partially related to reach and seattube why isn’t that a sizing related issue? It seems like a shorter reach would solve the seattube complaint and a more slack head tube for shorter reach could be aided by a slight rise in the bar or smaller size with shorter reach. I typically avoid sizing up myself, but when working at a bike shop it seemed like guys shopping for more aggressive or enduro bikes tended to want to size up more often if in between sizes, partly I think because they want to not be on a “small” or want to be a “large” instead of a medium similar to a guy who’s 5’10” wanting to be 6’ I don’t really care but it definitely is a thing given where Specialized is going with their sizing labels.

Which part number SLACK-R did you get? TIA

Could you provide an opinion of the "polygon syncline c5 carbon" ads are popping up in my facebook feed and I'm tempted to purchase since they are shipping in April

So at the end the experiment says you have to change a lot of things on this bike if you buy it and is not goin to perform 100% because you can't do nothing to steep the seat angle

Sooo... which of all the Slack-R kit is the one that fits the yeti? Thank you in advance!

Hello , by your experience witch did you like most ignoring price , rosco 9 or te arc?

Hello Steve. I'd be interested in a following up/long term review of the Advent X drive train now that you have some more time on it. How's it holding up? Are you still as impressed with it now as you were when you first installed it? Which bikes are you running it on?

Can you make a video about The Canoyn Stoic 4

Very nice follow up.