First Ride Review: Yeti Cycles MTe T-Series T3 at Gisburn Forest
We had the pleasure of putting the all-new Yeti Cycles MTe T-Series T3 through its paces during our latest Wednesday night ride at Gisburn Forest and while it usually takes a few rides to truly get a feel for a new bike, this one made a serious impression right from the start.
The Motor: TQ HPR-60 – Power Where It Counts
At the heart of the new MTe T3 is the TQ HPR-60 motor, an evolution of the HPR-50 found in bikes like the Trek Fuel EXe. As the name suggests, the HPR-60 brings an extra 10Nm of torque to the table. That might not sound like much on paper, but on a lightweight, mid-power e-bike, the difference is instantly noticeable. The increased punch makes for a more engaging and responsive ride, especially on technical climbs.
Components: No Compromises
This bike is built to perform, and it shows in the spec sheet. Every component is premium, no corners cut, no downgrades. Yes, that comes with a higher price tag, but you’re getting S-Tier quality across the board.
Let’s talk brakes: the MTe T3 comes equipped with SRAM Mavens, some of the most powerful and confidence-inspiring brakes available. If you’ve experienced them before, you’ll know exactly how sharp and reliable they are under pressure.
Tyres & Suspension: A Game-Changing Combo
The new Schwalbe Magic Mary Radial tyres were a standout. I hadn’t ridden them before, but they’ll be the first upgrade I make to my own bike after this test. Grippy, predictable, and confidence-boosting, everything you want from your rubber.
Up front, the bike features the latest Fox 36 fork with the all-new Grip damper and redesigned lower leg chassis. It’s significantly smoother off the top than previous versions and feels far more composed over chatter and rough terrain.
Battery & Range: Real Numbers from the Trail
Powering the system is a 580Wh battery, and during our test ride, I ran the bike in full power mode the entire time. Here’s what I managed to squeeze out:
- Distance: 13.04 miles
- Elevation Gain: 2,000 ft
- Ride Time: 1 hour, 37 minutes
- Battery Remaining: 59%
That suggests that on a full charge, you’re realistically looking at 30+ miles and 4,500+ ft of elevation in full power mode, seriously impressive for a mid-power setup.
Final Thoughts: Lightweight Missile
In the right hands, this bike is an absolute missile. It’s perfectly suited for riders coming from an analogue bike who want to keep up with their e-powered riding crew, without diving into the bulk of a full-power e-MTB. It’s light, responsive, incredibly capable, and yes, I’d own one in a heartbeat if I could.
📋 Yeti Cycles MTe T-Series T3 – Specification Sheet
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Frame | T-Series carbon fibre, 148mm x 12mm BOOST dropouts, integrated hanger & axle |
| Fork | FOX Factory 36 GRIP X2 – 160mm travel |
| Shock | FOX Factory Float X |
| Front Tyre | Schwalbe Magic Mary Trail Pro 2.5 Radial – Ultra Soft |
| Rear Tyre | Schwalbe Albert Trail Pro 2.5 Radial – Soft |
| Front Rotor | SRAM HS2 – 200mm |
| Rear Rotor | SRAM HS2 – 200mm |
| Headset | Cane Creek 40 |
| Wheelset | DT Swiss EXC1700 Carbon – 30mm internal width |
| Grips | ODI Elite Pro |
| Handlebar | Yeti Carbon e-Routing – 35 x 800mm |
| Stem | Burgtec Enduro MK3 – 35 x 50mm |
| Crankset | SRAM XO – 160mm |
| Saddle | WTB Solano Chromoly |
| Brakes | SRAM Maven Silver |
| Derailleur | SRAM XO Eagle AXS Transmission |
| Cassette | SRAM XO Eagle Transmission – 10-52T |
| Chain | SRAM XO Eagle Transmission Flattop |
| Shifter | SRAM AXS Pod Controller |
| Seatpost | SRAM Reverb AXS 31.6mm |
