History of Yeti Cycles

11-03-23 | Simon

Yeti Cycles is a bicycle manufacturer based in Golden, Colorado, USA. The company was founded in 1985 by John Parker, who started building mountain bike frames in his small workshop. Parker named the company Yeti, after the mythical creature that was believed to inhabit the snow-covered mountains.

In the early years, Yeti built high-performance mountain bike frames that were known for their unique designs and quality construction. One of their most iconic designs was the FRO (For Racing Only) frame, which was introduced in 1989 and became a favorite among professional racers.

Throughout the 1990s, Yeti continued to innovate and introduce new technologies, such as the ARC (Aluminum Racing Technology) frame, which was one of the first aluminum mountain bike frames to feature a full suspension design. Yeti also sponsored top-level professional teams and riders, including the legendary mountain biker Missy Giove.

In the early 2000s, Yeti faced financial challenges and was forced to shut down its production. However, the company was revived in 2001 by Chris Conroy and Steve Hoogendoorn, who had worked for the company in the past. They began building high-quality mountain bikes once again, using advanced materials and modern manufacturing techniques.

Today, Yeti Cycles is known for its high-performance mountain bikes, including the SB (Super Bike) series of full-suspension trail bikes and the ARC carbon hardtail. The company continues to innovate and push the boundaries of what is possible in mountain bike design and technology. Yeti also sponsors top-level athletes and teams, including the Yeti Fox Factory Race Team, which competes in international downhill and enduro mountain bike races.