Yeti ARC

The Goal: Sub 24

Once I got my ARC built up, it weighed in right around 24.2 lbs, which was pretty light compared to my last hardtail (around 27.2 lbs). I wanted to get the ARC under 24 lbs, so I decided a good way to drop some grams would be to replace my handlebar and saddle, which were both a couple years old and due for replacement. Shown above is the new cockpit.

Selle Italia Flite Kit Saddle
The saddle I'd been using, a WTB Laser V, weighed in around 268 grams, so I knew a lightweight saddle could drop some substantial weight. After doing some research, I went with a Selle Italia Flite Kit saddle, which weighs in at 154 grams! The seat has carbon fiber rails, which I was a bit worried about at first, but after reading some reviews on several forums, it seems to be OK for mountain bike use. Additionally, Selle Italia lists the "use" of this saddle as "Road / Off Road" so it should work just fine. Here she is...

Easton Monkeylite SL Riser Bar
The handlebar I'd been using was a Titec Hellbent XC, which was pretty lightweight itself, but the bar was a couple years old so I figured it would be good to replace it. Everybody seems to rave about the Easton Monkeylite SL Riser Bar, so thats what I went with. It weighs in at 141 grams, which was about 40 grams lighter than my Titec bar. Here's the new bar...

So, the current weight is at 23.78 lbs. Not sure what I will change next because I'm really liking the bike the way it's currently setup. Over the winter I am probably going to do something with the wheelset...either a new lightweight setup like the Mavic Crossmax SLR, or I might even rebuild my current wheelset with some lighter spokes/nipples (like a bonehead, I had my LBS use straight gauge spokes). Here's the current weight...

Stay tuned.... but for now, I'm going riding...

My Avid Juicy Ultimate Brake Set showed up today...

Today, the final piece of the puzzle showed up, my Avid Juicy Ultimate Brake Set. On one of my other bikes, I had been using Avid Mechanicals, which are hard to beat for the price. But I've ridden a few bikes with hydraulic brakes and they seem to have better feel and stopping power. So, I decided to try these...in white of course...

Now I could have went with one of the cheaper versions of the Avid Juicy brakes, but I really want to try and save some weight on this bike. Yes, the Avid Juicy Ultimates are expensive, but as shown below they are SUPER LIGHT, weighing in at 706g (calipers, levers, lines, 160mm rotors). And you'll notice in the photos that I've left the adapters on and I don't think I'll need them so the brakes will end up slightly lighter. And just as an FYI, I weighed my Avid BB7 Mechanical disc setup (calipers, Single Digit Ti levers, lines, 160mm rotors) and those weighed in at 1012g... so I'm saving over 300 grams, which is close to 3/4 of a pound. Every little bit helps when you are trying to build a lightweight race bike...

Some detail shots of my Yeti ARC frame...

I'm still waiting for a few more parts to arrive, so I thought I'd throw up some detail shots of my Yeti ARC frame. I've owned several high end frames over the years (Ibis, IF, and so on), and the ARC frame is right up there with the best of them. The welds are really nice and the attention to detail is just awesome. I love the headbadge and Yeti Cycles badge on the front of the seat tube. Here are some detail shots...

ARC Parts are finally starting to arrive...

Some of the parts I've ordered got here yesterday....

Here's what I got so far...
Shimano XT Crankset (175mm, 22/32/44T)
SRAM X.O Rear Derailleur
SRAM PG-990 Cassette
SRAM PC-991 Chain
Crank Brothers Egg Beater Pedals
Yeti Lock-On Grips
Carbon Headset Spacers

On the way...
Shimano XT Front Derailleur
SRAM X.O Twist Shifters
Avid Juicy Ultimate Disc Brake Set

And I'm using the following from a previous bike build (although each will probably eventually get replaced)...
Mavic 717/ Hope XC Wheelset
Thomson Elite Stem and Seatpost
WTB Laser V Saddle

Unpacking my Yeti ARC frame and Fox F100 RLC fork...

I ordered my Yeti ARC frame from Jenson USA a week ago and it showed up yesterday. Today I got a chance to unpack everything and here's the scoop...

The frame comes in a large Yeti box and is enclosed inside another piece of cardboard to protect the frame, which is also wrapped in certain areas to protect the paint. Excellent packaging job and luckily Fed Ex delivered everything in pristine condition...

When considering a front fork for the ARC, there was no question what to get.... a Fox F100 RLC. This seems to be the fork-of-choice for Yeti ARC (and AS-R) riders and I've read tons of good things about it...

Stay tuned as I start to gather parts to complete the build. I can't wait!

My Yeti ARC frame has arrived...

Finally.... it's here...

Stay tuned...