First Ride Review: 2026 Yeti ASR Shimano XTR DI2 Build!

Yeti Cycles is no stranger to creating the fastest bikes on the planet. So when they threw their hat back into the XC competition, it was no surprise that they would re-enter the market with one of the fastest and most capable XC bikes with the Yeti ASR. Fast forward one year, and that same platform is just getting better! 

"The Yeti ASR really is that XC bike that is capable of both showing up on race day and also skipping the race to ride all day long with one big smile on your face" -Mo Awesome

With the launch of their MY26 line, Yeti Cycles has just updated their builds across the entire line in preparation of the 2026 riding year. With lots of new colors and build options, one thing is clear, Yeti really does listen to feedback and is continuously searching for ways to make great bikes even greater! Across the line you will see updates to brakes, suspension, build options and even some subtle carbon wheel upgrades that are now included!

Over the last few weeks I have been spending time on the new T4 XTR Di2 Yeti ASR build, Yeti Cycles first full Shimano build in quite some time. The Yeti ASR quickly became one of my favorite XC bikes last year as part of our Awesome MTB XC Shootout and is a bike that I am both quick to recommend as well as see on the trails! 

So what is new? 

The ASR itself features 120mm of front travel, 115mm of rear travel, a flex stay suspension platform, size proportional chain stays, and a carbon construction that makes the Yeti ASR both one of the lightest options out there but also most refined feeling out on the trails in terms of frame comfort. Nothing changes in terms of the actual ASR platform, but you do have an awesome Purple Haze color!

The build that I am testing, the T4 XTR DI2, has been awesome so far. I am quickly falling in love with XTR DI2 and the speeds at which shifts are possible has made me realize how much I loved the older SRAM AXS. For XC in tech areas, the ability to get into the gear you need exactly when you need it is crucial and the XTR DI2 has been more than up for the job! 

Complementing the XTR DI2 are 2 piston Shimano XTR brakes. While these brakes have plenty of power and bite, I still need some more time here for a final verdict especially as I compare them to SRAM Motives, which are quickly dominating the XC scene.

The ASR I am testing also has the new DT Swiss 1700 carbon wheels that became an option earlier this year and are a welcomed addition to all T series ASR builds. While they might not be the lightest wheels on the market, the stiffness profile is pretty awesome and they complete the ride feel of the ASR well. Carbon wheels are a non-negotiable item for me on XC bikes and it is awesome to see these wheels across all T series builds.

Also new for 2026 is a non Fox Transfer SL dropper post, something that was either loved or hated by the XC crowds. With only 2 positions (fully up or slammed down), the Transfer SL was light but did not give you many options in terms of seat height. As someone who does like to drop the saddle an inch or two for tech climbs this was frustrating.

Instead for 2026 we have the Crankbrothers Highline 11 carbon dropper post, coming in at an impressive 497g, less than 100 g heavier than the Transfer SL but with infinite drop options. While I am impressed with the weight here I still need more time to adjust to this post as the return speed is somewhat slow for my liking. I do think I would have liked to see a Reverb AXS on all builds however that would also come at the weight penalty of 200g. 

First Impressions:

Overall the new Yeti ASR T4 XTR DI2 build has been insanely awesome out on the trails. I am quickly finding why I fell in love with this bike the first time. The overall ride comfort is pretty next level due to an amazing carbon construction and well balanced geo. It is also pretty insane how a bike that is coming in at 25lbs with pedals can also be so capable on the downhills, the traction profile via the flex stay platform is pretty insane and at times mind boggling. I love the size proportional chainstays and the overall geo numbers of the ASR are as close to perfect as I have found on a XC bike in 2025!

The Yeti ASR really is that XC bike that is capable of both showing up on race day and also skipping the race to ride all day long with one big smile on your face! I look forward to spending more time on it in the next few weeks. Stay tuned for a long term review of the ASR! 

-Mo Awesome

Check out the bike here: https://yeticycles.com/en-us/bikes/asr