Yeti FROacuda

[eshew]

Ready to ride, proper 1-1/4 Atac Stem, period correct fork, non period correct wheels... but they go BUZZZZZZZZZ


Frame: Yeti welder Special. Yeti Pro Fro with Barracuda down tube & wishbone gusset on the non drive side.

Fork Manitou Three with fresh elastomers (remind me to go firm next time)

Wheels: Bontrager 1st Gen Racelites with CK Hubs.

Rear D: Shimano XT with test parts engraving

 

[Lhatch4]

Great bike. What's the plan with this one?

 

[eshew]

Putting in my Yeti chamois to find out

 

[eshew]

The plan today was heading out for a ride, making it a mile, fixing a flat tire, riding 28 miles and having a beer... Fast bike, with a little roadie drafting less than an hour and a half

 

[Bram J]

Nice bike! What's the story behind the Barracuda down tube?

 

[eshew]

Pretty sure it's one of two possibilities. It was a frame that a yeti welder built for himself in 94 and there was an unused Cuda down tube from the 93 batch, decided to plop it in there. Or it was from when they were clearing out the shop in 1999 and it was a built from parts they had laying around the shop... Or somewhere in between. Year is a little fuzzy, came with circa 94 parts to me. Regardless, it's a great ride, just need a shorter, higher rise stem and it's good to go.

It did have 94 esque parts on it, including a "team" engraved XT 8 speed rear derailleur, can't say for sure what team, but it was marked 94. Only reason the engraving stood out was it was similar to a '14 Kona I bought from the Kona team manager a few years back, the saint rear D & Saint levers had similar engraving as well.

 

[pw_pw_la]

Pretty sure it's one of two possibilities. It was a frame that a yeti welder built for himself in 94 and there was an unused Cuda down tube from the 93 batch, decided to plop it in there. Or it was from when they were clearing out the shop in 1999 and it was a built from parts they had laying around the shop... Or somewhere in between. Year is a little fuzzy, came with circa 94 parts to me. Regardless, it's a great ride, just need a shorter, higher rise stem and it's good to go.

It did have 94 esque parts on it, including a "team" engraved XT 8 speed rear derailleur, can't say for sure what team, but it was marked 94. Only reason the engraving stood out was it was similar to a '14 Kona I bought from the Kona team manager a few years back, the saint rear D & Saint levers had similar engraving as well.

Ah that's interesting!

Also: the dog's hyped!

 

[eshew]

Lil update. Riding like a dream. Swapped the fork lowers, these looked a little nicer, had the fork stanchion boots which I prefer for looks and protection, used firm elastomers in the rebuild, much bette. Even though I only weigh 170 with a pack the elastomers were way to soft for my taste. Also added a shorter high rise Atac stem to keep things comfortable.

 

[eshew]

A little update, finally got sick and tired of the 22" bars and gripshift. After trying to source period correct 26" wide flat bars and coming up empty handed (non existent) I tested out some wider 26" chi ti bars & XT rapid fire shifters. Exactly what I wanted, much more comfortable and shifts like a dream.

Swapped the Flite for a Flite Alpes in a little better condition. My butt still prefers a WTB Volt 142, this will get ridden a lot more now, will have to wait and see if I can break myself in or give up and go modern for the saddle.

Might swap out the headset sometime in the future if a black 1.25" CK or black XT come along. As close to perfect for me now...



Sept 2025 update Now with black CK headset, and a comfortable seat... I tried to get used to the Flite, but it was an ass hatchet. Absolutely perfect, the miles have been piling up.