160E 2024

The Yeti 160E 2024 is the Colorado brand's first full-power eMTB, a carbon Switch Infinity (six-bar) enduro chassis built around the Shimano EP801 motor. Headline numbers: 170 mm fork, 160 mm rear travel, Shimano EP801 at 85 Nm and 600 W peak (2.7 kg), 630 Wh removable Shimano BT-E8036 battery, a 64.5 degree head angle, reach 430 to 505 mm across SM to XL, 446 mm fixed chainstay, 22.7 kg claimed weight (genuinely class-leading for a full-power 170/160 mm carbon enduro at this output), and a premium £8,999 (C3) to £9,000 (C1) trim ladder. Production status is discontinued. The community verdict, from @Singletrackmind, is "absolute beast, wants to ride fast. Push Industries suspension transforms handling, best stock suspension on any ebike". The chassis is universally praised; the price is more contentious.

Drive system and range. The Shimano EP801 at 85 Nm and 600 W peak is the standard current-generation Shimano full-power unit, programmable via E-Tube. @Lightme reports "EP801 motor was more underwhelming than expected" relative to his Amflow, but the bike's Switch Infinity suspension was "better than expected". The 630 Wh BT-E8036 is removable. @Gavalar reports "Yeti 160e with Shimano EP800 ran 2,360 miles over 2 years with no issues", confirming Shimano reliability on this platform. @Singletrackmind calls the 630 Wh "limiting compared to 700/750/800 Wh competitors" and that is the practical headline trade-off.

Geometry and handling. The 64.5 degree head angle is bang on category-norm. Reach progresses 430, 460, 480 and 505 mm across SM to XL with a fixed 446 mm chainstay and wheelbase scaling 1208 to 1292 mm. @Rob Rides EMTB notes the 160E "BB heights around 350-355 mm, approximately 20 mm higher than Reign E+", a pedalling-clearance choice that improves rock strikes at the cost of cornering centre-of-gravity. The Switch Infinity six-bar suspension is the Yeti signature, with progressive end-stroke and supportive mid-stroke that @Singletrackmind calls best-in-class. @Gavalar at 180 cm fits a Large well with 50 mm stem and 38 mm rise PNW Loam Bars.

Build and value. Two trims, C3 at £8,999 and C1 at £9,000, both at 22.7 kg claimed. Standout choice is the chassis: Switch Infinity rear and 22.7 kg are exceptional for a full-power 170/160 mm carbon platform. @Lightme reports buying the 160E "at close to 50% off", suggesting end-of-line discounting on discontinued stock makes the platform much more attractive. Questionable: at full RRP the price-per-component versus rivals is hard to justify, with @Hob Nob calling £12k for the top trim "on a bike with an off-the-shelf EP8 system, when you can buy an almost identical specification bike from another brand, for literally half the price". @Gavalar recommends Shimano Linkglide drivetrain as a "true workhorse, faultless drivetrain, with insanely affordable replacement components, works great on Yeti 160e".

Community-verified strengths. First, the chassis and suspension: @Singletrackmind's "absolute beast" headline plus "best stock suspension on any ebike" with optional Push Industries transformation. Second, the class-leading 22.7 kg weight for a 170/160 mm full-power carbon enduro. Third, Shimano EP801 reliability: @Gavalar's 2,360 mile/2 year run "with no issues" is exactly the kind of long-term ownership data buyers need.

Caveats and known gripes. Frame creaking is a real flag: @Singletrackmind notes "carbon frame can flex/creak after 2000+ miles", which on a £9,000-plus bike is not what buyers expect. @MarkE192 reports motor rattle on his 160E with EP8 contributing to his decision to move on. The 630 Wh battery is small for the price. Yeti customer service is described by @Hob Nob as "legendary abysmal", a long-standing brand reputation issue. The single rear-shock specification across both trims (Push-tuned Float X2) limits trim differentiation.

Verdict. The Yeti 160E 2024 is discontinued. Buy a 160E at end-of-line discount (the £8,999 to £9,000 trim ladder is realistically discountable to £6,000-class secondhand or sale prices) if you want a 22.7 kg full-power carbon enduro with class-leading Switch Infinity suspension, you accept the 630 Wh battery and EP801 motor as the cost of the chassis, and you can live with Yeti's premium pricing and patchy customer service. Look elsewhere if you want a current-gen platform, the 800 Wh battery option, or full-power 100-plus Nm. The 160E is a properly capable enduro tool but only really compelling at clearance pricing.