Showroom: Yeti MTe T3 X0 AXS 2026

YETI is cult — period. Even though it’s been a while for me, when I think of YETI I immediately see those images from my youth that, from the very beginning, gave the then-young sport of mountain biking its fascination. The colors were bright, the bikers cool, and the photos — those legendary downhill panning shots of Missy Giove and John Tomac — were something like my photographic role models. It wasn’t just the outfits; it was a wild era of great freedom that created images for eternity, like Heinz Zak’s legendary photo of Wolfgang Güllich’s Free Solo in Yosemite — it was a way of life that seemed boundless.

It’s therefore no coincidence that, between free climbers and surfer beaches in the then-young Silicon Valley, the mountain biking movement also picked up steam. California was the right place at exactly the right time. In 1985 the talented Hollywood welder John Parker switched professionally from film sets to mountain bikes, and with that the YETI brand was born.

So much for my little excursion into history — just so you don't wonder why I might be a bit biased in the next paragraphs. Because even though the YETI brand moved to Durango, Colorado, shortly after the 1990 MTB World Championship and has had a varied history ever since, my heart still beats faster when a bike like the new MTe rolls into the photo studio.

The heart of the new MTe, besides the lightweight, quiet and elegant TQ HPR 60 motor, is above all the frame, specifically the Sixfinity suspension. Not only does this complex rear-end construction provide top anti-squat values (so it doesn’t bob when it shouldn’t), the damping characteristics can also be adjusted very easily to personal preferences thanks to the Flip-Chip. Added to that are numerous frame details such as perfectly routed cables, a neatly integrated chain guide and, more generally, an aesthetic and build quality that will make tech fans’ hearts beat faster. Both 27.5” and 29” rear wheels are possible and, thanks to the flexible rear-end construction, do not change the geometry.

Tech Specs

• Sixfinity suspension
• Relatively light at 17.5 kg for the top model with a 290 Wh battery
• Fine-tune the flip-chip exactly to your riding style
• With cutting-edge technology from the MTB E-Enduro World Cup
• Higher anti-squat values than YETI's full-power eMTB
• Constant anti-rise values across the entire travel for optimal traction
• 29" or 27.5" mullet setup possible
• 580 Wh battery (plus an optional 160 Wh range extender)

The attention to detail on the YETI MTe runs from its ingenious frame design to the choice of components. It's clear that in the price range the MTe sits in you generally don't have to make many compromises; nevertheless the MTe T3 is fitted with all the big-name components. SRAM Maven Silver brakes, DT 1700 wheels, FOX suspension, carbon handlebars — nothing to complain about. These are, across the board, components we know well and would choose ourselves at any time.

Geometry

Details such as the easily accessible and neatly closing charging port, the integrated tool holder (on the underside of the top tube), or the sturdy frame and motor protection are also well executed. Often it is precisely these unassuming but well-thought-out and cleanly constructed little details that can make the difference between frustration and enjoyment on the trail. Here the MTe at least already makes a great impression in the studio, which will hopefully be confirmed in use.

The TQ HPR 60 is the latest motor generation from TQ. It is not a conventional mid-drive motor - and that is exactly what makes it special. While many manufacturers rely on planetary gears or belts, TQ uses a so-called harmonic pin-ring gearbox. This was originally developed for aerospace and robotics applications, is extremely compact and almost silent. Instead of conventional gears, a flexible inner ring ensures that the drive torque is transmitted evenly and with minimal resistance. In practice the motor has already proven itself many times in other bikes on our reporting assignments. In its latest iteration it offers more performance compared with the HPR 50, namely 60 Nm and 350 W (instead of 50 Nm and 300 W) and that at a motor weight of 1,924 g.

How the Yeti MTe actually performs on the trail, who knows? I can already tell you that the new, more powerful LTe model quite impressed my colleague Ralf. The raw specs of the MTe are certainly promising, and our numerous experiences with other lightweight e-bikes equipped with TQ motors have been consistently positive. I think it could be a lot of fun, especially for ambitious riders who like to pedal a lot themselves, to still get support from a potent motor when needed. With a 580 Wh battery there should also be sufficient range in the battery cells for this target group.