Yeti 160E

The Yeti 160E is the sort of full-power eMTB that makes a big day of steep climbs and rough descents feel like an invitation rather than a logistical problem. It is a past-season model rather than part of Yeti's current range, but a well-specified example still has plenty to offer committed mountain bikers. This is not a towpath machine.

Its place is on technical trail-centre loops, steep natural climbs and repeated descending where a composed chassis matters more than having the biggest battery headline. Confident intermediate and expert riders will get the most from it, particularly those who want to ride hard without losing the supportive, planted feel of a long-travel enduro bike. For gentle forest roads and occasional spins, it is more bike than you need.

Compare Yeti 160E prices and UK offers

With the 160E now archived, exact identification matters more than a retailer's model-year label. Name the build first. The latest version uses the Shimano EP801 motor, while earlier first-generation bikes use Shimano EP8; both have a 630 Wh battery headline, but they use different battery models and their drivetrains, brakes and suspension packages should not be treated as interchangeable.

An offer without a named build needs a closer look before it earns a place alongside the final EP801 bikes. Establish whether it is EP801 or EP8, then focus on frame size, battery condition, suspension service history and the fitted parts. That approach is far more useful than assuming every 160E shares the same kit.

What is the latest Yeti 160E version?

The latest 160E revision pairs Shimano's EP801 drive unit with 85 Nm of torque, a 630 Wh internal battery, EM800 display and E6002 charger. It is proper full-power assistance for steep, awkward climbs and repeat laps. The battery capacity is fixed, though: the EP801 frame does not support a larger factory battery, so riders chasing the longest possible assisted days may be better served by a newer large-battery platform.

Earlier Shimano EP8 builds remain first-generation 160Es, not a different frame generation. Their 630 Wh battery has a different model designation and the original T1 and C1 specifications use different components, so keep those bikes separate from the later T3 and C2 when weighing up an offer. Same frame family, different details.

Sixfinity frame, geometry and ride character

The 160E's party piece is Sixfinity, a six-bar rear suspension layout with nominal 160 mm rear travel and a 170 mm fork. You can set progression to 25%, 30% or 35%, shifting the balance between support and bottom-out resistance; the setting can alter rear-wheel travel by approximately +/-2 mm. It gives a keen suspension tinkerer useful scope without changing the frame.

A 64.5-degree head angle, 78-degree effective seat angle and 446 mm chainstay point the bike towards stable, accurate high-speed riding while keeping enough support for technical climbing. The dual 29-inch wheel layout prioritises rollover and grip on rough trails. It is intended to be ridden actively, rather than merely pointed downhill and left to flatten everything in its path.

Sixfinity's adjustable character also leaves room to tune the bike around your riding. A correctly sized 205 x 65 mm trunnion air or coil shock can be used with the appropriate hardware, and a higher progression setting can make particular sense with a coil setup. A 27.5-inch rear wheel can physically fit, but Yeti does not recommend the conversion because it changes the geometry without correction. Keep the dual-29 set-up if you want the bike to retain its intended handling.

Yeti 160E T3 versus C2

The 160E T3 X0 AXS Transmission is the premium final build. Wireless SRAM X0 Transmission, Fox Factory suspension, Maven Silver brakes, a Cane Creek 110 headset and Reverb AXS dropper make it the more electronically equipped option. It will appeal to riders who value wireless shifting and a high-end suspension package.

The 160E C2 takes a more straightforward route with mechanical SRAM GX Eagle shifting, Fox Performance suspension, Maven Bronze brakes and a OneUp dropper. Its longer supplied dropper posts are especially notable on the larger sizes. For many riders, mechanical shifting is a practical, familiar choice for muddy winter miles.

Both final builds receive 220 mm SRAM HS2 rotors front and rear, useful hardware for managing speed and heat on sustained descents. They also use the same 10-52 cassette range and 34T chainring size, so the core climbing range is not the deciding factor between them. Choose on suspension level, shifting preference and the rest of the finishing kit.

UK servicing, battery care and wet-weather ownership

A long-travel eMTB ridden regularly through British mud asks for routine care, not panic. Clean grit away gently, avoid pressure washing around the electronics, and make the specified monthly Sixfinity linkage-bolt checks part of normal bike maintenance. Brake pads, rotors and drivetrain parts are consumables on a hard-used assisted bike, especially through wet, abrasive conditions.

Access to a Shimano STEPS-qualified workshop is worth factoring into the purchase, particularly if your nearest Yeti support is a long way away. Secure ground-level storage or an e-bike-rated rack also makes life easier with a machine of this type. Capacity is fixed.

The latest EP801 version has a 130 kg maximum permissible system weight. That figure includes the complete bike and anything carried, not just the rider. There is front-triangle bottle provision, although size S is limited to a 15 oz Hot Lap bottle, so smaller riders planning long rides may prefer to carry additional water in a pack.