It is quite laterally stiff, which is helped by the swing link. The frame design/5th element setup actually allows it to pedal really well. Though I haven't taken it off any huge drops to flat yet, it absorbs the big hucks and bumps like it should, and it is still pretty compliant over the little bumps. The swing link setup also helps with making the shock more progressive and helps to take care of single pivot characteristics. Frame build quality and attention to detail is first rate; they even face the brake mounts at the factory.

I can't complain about weight because it is built strong to be strong. One thing that isn't really a weakness but should be noted is that while the 5th element works wonders in keeping the wheel on the ground and helping pedaling stability, it feels less playful than other shocks, and it takes a while to get used to the feeling of it in order to be able to load it up to hop and such.

I am not truly a straight up downhiller. I use it as a great all around bike that can still hang with the baddest rides out there. The point is that I could only afford to build up one badass ride, so it had to be able to do anything. It's expensive, but still way less than anything else anywhere near it in quality, so I gotta give it a 5 for value. Frame buid quality is really amazing, with beautiful welds, formed tubing, and the YETI name stamped on everything. The way I have it built up it's pretty damn heavy for a do anything bike, and I am no longer the first one to the top of the hill; what's important however, is that I CAN pedal it to the top, and usually I'm not in too much more pain than the guys on the XC rigs. But on the way down the hill; it's all worth it; nothing but grins. I would definately buy this bike again, but I better not have to, or the guy that steals it will be in the ICU.

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most of the good small company, american made stuff available

This bike/ machine is build like a brick s!@#house. The geometry and stlye far surpass its competitors in the same category. The 5 element in one word..."plush". I can't believe how fast this set-up allows you to go. Speed is not an issue... it's unlimited. As far as stlye is concerned, the combination of the green upper half and black bottom is a real head turner. Some might confuse it with a 125cc without the engine. :) I think the real eye catcher is the bright and shiney 5th hovering between the two massive green girders.

It could be considered a litle heavier than an XC if your chichen legs weren't conditioned.

This bike rocks! If you're lookin to throw down a few grand on a ride, this ones worth considering. Stepping it up to a free ride is the only way to go. The 03'Yeti ASX allows you to climb the uphills and bomb da down hills. Cause as we all know...that's what's all about, da downhills.

Life’s too short to deny oneself from the extreme pleasures of a solidly built toy. "Keep Riding"

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Santa Cruz Bullit, Intense Tazer

Eats up the trail bumps and drops like they are not even there. 20mm front axle + 6" Sherman fork + 1.5" head tube + 31.88 mm handle bars = the most solid bike I have ever ridden. No bob on pedal stroke, although bobbing doesn't bother me that much anyway. My yeti ASR bobs but I don't even notice it. ASX is a Very cool looking bike. Progressive 5th element frame shock works hassle free. 2003 ASX main pivots and rear triangle create a very smooth and solid feel. This bikes pedals so smooth and absorbs everything. You just pedal and point it. Do not bother to pick hard tail lines, it will go over it if you pedal and point it.

Haven't found any yet except uphill climbs are a bit more laborsome.

A bit heavy compared to my Yeti ASR but I have traded some added weight for some of the best on the trail action that I have ever experienced. Let's face it, the most fun part of a ride is not a gravel road climb, but single track and downhill. Which is more dangerous, climbing a fire road at 6 mph or dropping a wet, mean, rock ladden section in Pisgah? Which makes more sense, going uphill a tad faster without any added safety/fun or riding faster and feeling way more secure on single track and downhills? This bike lets you ride over roots, rocks, logs, etc at a way higher speed at twice the confidence level of a cross country bike. I know this because I have owned a super light Ti Litespeed hardtail and a Yeti ASR. I don't ride either of those bikes anymore. Once I got a taste of the Yeti ASX, I was spoiled forever. It seems many people are scared to ride a heavier bike, but I can tell you this, once the climb is over and you hit the single track or the descent, you will not want to ride any other bike.

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Yeti ASR, but this is only a 4 inch cross country bike. No comparison to the ASX with 7 inches of travel in the rear.

Everything! This bike kicks a**. It climbs like a 30 pound XC rig, and then descends like a demon.

FSA Pig headset. (barely sealed?) I don't care much for the ARC wheels.(bearings developed play quickly)

Killer all purpose, all mountain, all day trail bike. This bike does it all! It takes the abuse and just wants to be ridden faster. I have been a professional bicycle mechanic for six years and have never been this stoked on any bike ever before. The last and ONLY bike you'll ever need.

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None. (recent HT convert)

everything.

FSA headset

This bike is everything. It really is that good, eats bumps, the fifth-element is amazing, the maniton is more than I need, did anyone say plush yet? Rides like a Cadillac. My bike built is fourty one pounds, but it rides like a lot of 30 pounders, the bike has an incredible balance, at home in tight winding singletrack as well as huge drops. Everyone complains about the climbs but...well climbs will kill on anything with this much suspension, I don't care what it is. This bike has made me a better rider. Look at how much people say about this bike. We can't gloat enough. Only four chili's cause the price was way over my budget, but worth every penny.

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Nothing is like this bike.

Light weight for the amount of travel.
good value for money.
looks really sweet.

bushings collapsed in forks - has been fixed.
blown fifth element after 1 month. - has been fixed
ovalised 7" pivot hole (has happened to others AS-X's.)- not been fixed

NOT A DOWNHILL/FREERIDE BIKE.
its a sheep in wolves clothing just an xc bike

If you bottom out the bike too often it will result in you ovalising the 7" pivot hole.
(apparantely not covered under warranty)

If you are feeling a rattle in the back of your AS-X take a look there.

Other than that huge gripe. It looks trick as hell, rides good, the head tube is just trick as - just a pitty i am getting rid of mine after only two months after waiting months for it.

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Bullit, RM7, Big Hit, Supercross, Joker, Stab.

-plush plush plush!
-hardly any pedal bob.
-quiet (hardly any chain clatter, especially in stutter bumps).
-very stable on descents. not skitterish on loose gravel
-no brake jack

with my set-up, not the best bike for climbing (as my leg cramps will attest) but hey, that's not why i bought this puppy!

best bike for the buck! i'd recommend it to anyone who wants to upgrade to a full suspension rig.

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santa cruz bullit

beautifully built bike. stiff front end. Good parts spec.
pedals pretty good, I am very suprised an happy with its climbing ability

none so far

bike goes down hill super smooth. have done 6 foot drops with no problem. bike pedals pretty good for its weight. I manage to get up everything, but it is painful at times. Almost bought an ellsworth joker 1.5 but am glad I bought the yeti. I use the sherman in the 5 inch travel mode on technical single track. The bike seems to handle much better in the 5 in mode.

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santa cruz bullit

Stiff rearend, stable handling, superb build quality, fit and finish top shelf, components are correct for the intended application, no creaks, squeaks or rattles. Very solid bike.

If I have to come up with one....the paint seems to chip fairly easy, but That kind of thing isn't a real concern to me.

This is a follow up review.

I have been riding this bike almost daily for a little more than 3 months now, and I am just as impressed as I was on the first day. On technical terrain it just swallows up rocks, mows over roots, and takes sudden drops without breaking stride.

Although long, steep climbs will take their toll, the downhill and technical abilities will more than make up for it. A quick note: my cranks are 28/38/bashring; I think a 22/32 would greatly help keep the climbs manageable.

The 5th Element rear shock has so far exceeded my expectations; one must be patient setting it up, but when you get it set up to your liking...WOW! I have experienced no noticeable bobbing on climbs, no bottoming out, although the largest drop I have tried is only 6 feet (give me a break, I am almost 35 years old and I am not as courageous as I used to be!!).

Reliability

I have had zero mechanical problems with the bike or any of it's components. The Sherman fork just keeps eating up rocks and obstacles, staying very stiff and really plush. The Dee Max wheelset hasn't made even the smallest complaint about the abuse, staying true and stiff. The Hayes brakes make a phantom rubbing noise on occasion, which usually stops just as suddenly and mysteriously as it starts. The FSA stem and bars are very stiff and strong, as are the Truvative cranks. The chain shifts crisply and precisely from one ring to the next every time. The tubeless tires are really working out better than I had expected; I am running about 32psi, and they just spread out over roots and rocks to give outstanding traction.

Adjustable travel:

The AS-X lets you choose between 6 and 7 inches of rear travel. This was important to me, as i have been riding a 4 inch XC rig for a couple of years now, and I wanted to make sure I did not get "too much bike". I use the travel adjustment on the Sherman fork fairly regularly, but I have never even considered using the rear adjustment. The bike just handles and performs every task so well in the 7 inch setting there is no need to change it.

On the other hand, a rider could go with a 5 inch 1 1/8" fork up front, a lighter component selection, and set the rear at 6 inches, and have a low 30 pound trail bike that just blows everything else away! I have seriously considered buying another frame and doing just that. Yes, I like this bike that much.

Overall Impressions:

I was a little apprehensive when I ordered this bike; after all, the SC Bulitt is the Tried-and-True big hit bike on the market, and the AS-X is an all new design this year. The yeti costs about as much as a Bulitt, but you just seem to get a lot more bike, with very high quality, hand made in colorado no less, for your money. I ride this bike as an all around trail bike, urban assault bike, and big hit bike, and I love it.

I would highly recommend this bike to anyone looking to pull the trigger on a long travel bike; It is an excellent pedaling bike, excellent on technical terrain, and superb at the downhills. As far as the long climbs go, it will only make me a stronger rider. Do yourself a favor: go ride one of these!!

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2001 AS-X, Balfa 2 step, C-dale gemini

Great Freeride bike, Pops up very easily, ok climber, pretty good race bike too.

135 mm axle

It's a very good bike that does what ever you want it to do. It can take a beatin but still run. So buy it!

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Demo's, sx trail, every other yeti, stinky's, and High Octane's