I’ve tested a lot of e-bikes, and it’s been fun to ride them, but I never considered adding one to my quiver until I rode the Yeti 160E. When Yeti set out to build the 160E, the brand’s first e-bike, they weren’t satisfied with slapping a battery and motor on an existing frame and trying to retrofit their Switch Infinity suspension around those parts. The race-driven company wanted to build a bike to go as fast as possible with the same feel as the rest of its line, giving riders the best possible experience up and downhill. So, they started by developing a new six-bar suspension platform called Sixfinity, paired it with Shimano’s Steps battery and motor, added a Turq carbon frame, and the Yeti 160E was born.
The Specs: What Makes the Yeti 160E Stand out From the Pack
The 29-inch wheel 160mm rear travel, 170mm front travel bike is the first pedal-assist enduro bike I’ve ridden with instantly responsive handling, and power delivery so smooth I barely felt the assist engaging and disengaging. The new suspension design let Yeti keep chainstays short, the headtube slack, and the seat angle close to the geometry of the brand’s premier pedal enduro bike, the SB150. The 64.5-degree head angle, 78-degree seat tube, and 446mm chainstays are nearly identical. The geometry and finely tuned antisquat and antirise made the ride lively, thrilling, and so much fun.
The bike has clearance for a 2.6-inch tire clearance in the rear. Custom guards protect the frame, and the fork clears the downtube on all sizes. A rear mud fender protects motor and linkage. A shock drainage port lets water and mud out. All sizes are water bottle compatible with superb standover.
Better Performance With Sixfinity and a Flip Chip
Similar to Yeti’s Switch Infinity linkage, Sixfinity switches direction as a rider gets deeper into this bike’s travel, giving it Yeti’s signature “bottomless suspension” feel while accommodating the weight and speed that comes with a motor and battery. It’s quiet, and the power delivery is smooth. This bike had none of the jerky, surgy power of other e-bikes I’ve ridden, and when I stopped pedaling, the power didn’t keep my wheels engaged.
Yeti’s team honed in on kinematics, too. When you’re pedaling an e-MTB versus a traditional pedal bike, you use a greater range of gears climbing; you sit down more; and an e-MTB bike is typically a lot heavier than a pedal enduro bike. So Yeti recalibrated antisquat and antirise to give the bike consistent, predictable performance regardless of what gear you’re in. It doesn’t bounce, it doesn’t dive, and its low center of gravity provides an extra boost of confidence in the most technical terrain.
Because Yeti knows its fans like to tinker, they added a flip chip so you can pick your ride feel. The 30 percent stock position lends a well-balanced ride. When you want a more efficient feel with greater terrain feedback, flip the chip to the 25 percent position. For a plusher feel with more pop, flip the chip to the 35 percent position, which will also be ideal if you swap the shock the bike comes with for a coil.
Yeti tested this bike to downhill standards, and riders who are keen to run it with a double crown fork can. Jared Graves and Jubal Davis are racing EWS-E (an e-bike extension of the Enduro World Series) aboard the 160E. EWS-E racing rules limit power output to 25Km/h, so the pedaling efficiency of Sixfinity suspension should give Yeti riders an advantage when they’re pedaling above the power limits.
The 160E comes with Shimano’s slowest charger and takes around 12 hours to go from 0 to 100 percent. That’s not a downfall, per se. Yeti chose the slowest charger to give the bike maximum charge cycles, but Shimano also sells faster chargers if you want to go that route.
Take Note, There’s a Learning Curve for the Yeti 160E
The biggest learning curve on this bike wasn’t downhill, it was up. Three modes—eco, tour, and boost—let you decide how much assist you want on climbs and descents. It might take a few rides to figure out how to best navigate twisting, rock-littered trail at higher speeds, not to mention with the torque of a batter and motor supplementing your legs.
You’ll go farther faster on this bike, but don’t think it’s a free ride. When you pedal the 160E, you’re moving a heavy bike around, concentrating non-stop, and covering a lot of ground. I always come back tired, and sometime sore in new places because I’ve just done four days of riding in one.
If you plan to ride pavement, rail trails, or want a commuter, don’t buy this bike. It’s tuned for singletrack shredding. If you’re an avid rider but weren’t convinced that pedal assist could ever meet your standards, this bike will change your mind.
[Available in S-XL in two builds, C-1 Turq ($10,100), and T-1 Turq. ($12,700); yeticycles.com]
There’s no doubt when the weather turns colder as we settle into winter, stouts take center stage. And while we enjoy all its iterations: standard stout, imperial stout, and robust barrel-aged stouts, we think this malty, chocolate-filled beer’s close cousin deserves a little respect as well. Of course, we’re talking about the oft-overlooked porter. And the best porters, oh buddy, they’ll have you rethinking your seasonal bevvie of choice.
For those uninitiated, the porter style had its genesis in England like many other iconic beer styles. It first appeared in the 1700s and is (you guessed it) named after porters—individuals tasked with transporting luggage.
A confusing origin story
“Stout is the direct descendant of porter. In the 1700s, it was common to use the word ‘stout’ to refer to a bolder, higher-alcohol version of any beer style, much in the same way we use the word ‘imperial’ today,” says Zach Fowle, advanced cicerone and head of marketing for Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. in Phoenix, AZ. “Porter was the most popular beer of the day, and over time, “stout porter” became a popular variant. But by the late 1800s, demand for regular porters evaporated, and stout porter shortened simply to stout.”
But more has changed between the 1800s and today than just our penchant for wearing top hats. “Today, most brewers seem to market beers as either stout or porter based on vibes, rather than on any notable stylistic differences,” he says.
Specifically, porters are known for their dark, almost pitch-black color and rich, sweet flavor profile. If you were to drink a porter and a stout side by side, you might even have difficulty discerning the differences between the two.
Stout versus porter is an enduring topic of discussion in the brewing industry. “While there’s no debating the porter came first—and stout used to be called stout porter, so it was a stronger version of a porter—the lines have become very blurred over the years,” says Rob Lightner, co-founder of East Brother Brewing in Richmond, CA.
“I would venture that even among professionals, a blind taste test would often yield inconclusive results,” says Lightner.
The difference between porters and stouts
Porters tend to be on the milder, more chocolatey end of the spectrum, Lightner says, whereas stouts are typically a little stronger and more roasty. Of course, this isn’t a hard and fast rule
Fowle agrees, “Porters tend to be fruitier, sweeter, and less bitter than stouts, with cocoa and caramel flavors in balance with dark malt bitterness. And stouts are usually hoppier, drier, maltier, and more coffee-forward—and may even have a touch of acidity.”
Whether or not they fit neatly into boxes, one thing’s for sure: both make for incredible cold-weather brews.
“As the nights grow longer, drinking a light, summery beer just doesn’t seem right,” says Fowle. “Porter is the perfect style for the transition to winter: warming and toasty yet not too heavy, with flavors of coffee, chocolate, and pie crust that correspond with autumn weather and holidays.”
It’s the perfect time to broaden your repretoire. Sweet, robust, warming, and well-suited to the season, here are the best porters to drink now.
1. Deschutes Black Butte Porter
There are few porters more well-respected than Deschutes’ iconic Black Butte Porter. It’s brewed with Cascade and Tettnang hops as well as 2-row, Chocolate, Crystal, and Carapils malts as well as wheat. This 5.5% ABV year-round offering is great for cold-weather drinking because of its mix of roasted malts, coffee, and chocolate. It’s a robust, subtly sweet beer perfect for imbibing on a crisp fall night.
The key to 360-degree muscle: 90-degree eccentric isometrics. It might seem like we’re throwing a lot of geometry at you, but the concept behind time under tension (TUT) is simple, says Joel Seedman, PhD, owner of Advanced Human Performance: “Perform the lowering phase of a movement in a slow, controlled fashion, usually 3 to 5 seconds; pause in the stretched position, typically around 90 degrees; then perform the lifting phase in a powerful yet controlled fashion.” Believe us, a time-under-tension workout can humble even seasoned lifters…Eccentric isometrics are like the pressure cooker of training.
“Rather than mindlessly performing slow-tempo reps, you’re using the increased time under tension as a means to fine-tune your body mechanics and alignment, which requires more mental engagement and focus,” Seedman adds.
If you want to forge functional muscle mass and strength while simultaneously bulletproofing the joints and connective tissue, give this 10-move, full-body eccentric isometrics workout a go.
Directions
Perform the following moves as 90-degree eccentric isometrics following the above protocol. Use heavy weight, but not at the detriment of proper form. Rest 60 to 90 seconds between sets and 2 minutes between circuits. Perform once every 2 to 4 days for optimal results.
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Circuit 1
A. Barbell Back Squat
Set a squat rack up with heavy weight, then grasp bar and step under it. Squeeze shoulder blades together, then stand to unrack bar and step back with feet shoulder-width apart. Inhale, hinge at hips and slowly bend knees to 90 degrees. Pause, keeping natural arch in low back, then extend through hips to powerfully stand. 3 x 4-6 reps
B. Renegade Row
Start in the top position of a pushup with hands shoulder-width apart on moderate-to-heavy dumbbells (shown). Explosively drive right elbow back to row dumbbell toward ribs while balancing on opposite hand and feet. Pause, then slowly lower weight, stopping a few inches above floor. Switch sides after all reps are done. 3 x 5 reps each side
Circuit 2
A. Dumbbell Bentover Row
Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding two moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in front of thighs, palms facing you. Push hips back and hinge torso forward so it’s nearly parallel to floor, soft bend in knees. Dumbbells should be near shins. Drive elbows back to row weights toward ribs. Pause, then slowly lower down for 3 to 5 seconds. 3 x 4-5 reps
B. Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised
Set an adjustable bench to a 30- to 45-degree angle and lie back with dumbbells in either hand. Engage core and lift legs off floor, flexing feet. Press weights overhead, palms in. Slowly lower to 90 degrees, staying tight and compact. Pause, then drive weights up directly over chest. 3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 3
A. Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat
Stand lunge-length in front of a flat bench, holding heavy dumbbells in each hand by your sides, palms facing in. Rest the ball on top (shoe’s laces) of your right foot behind you on the bench. Slowly lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the floor. Pause, then drive through your heel to stand. Switch sides after all reps are complete. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
B. Single-leg Romanian Deadlift
Stand with feet hip-width apart holding dumbbells or kettlebells. Drive right leg up, foot flexed, knee aligned with hip, making a 90-degree angle. Hinge at hips as you slowly lever your torso toward floor, lowering weights and driving right leg back for counterbalance. Hold, then squeeze glutes to reverse. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Circuit 4
A. Pullup
Hang from a pullup bar using an overhand grip with legs extended and feet flexed. Engage lats and draw shoulders down your back, then pull yourself up until chin is higher than hands. Pause at the top, then slowly lower. Pause at bottom, then reset before your next rep. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
B. Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press
Hold a bar with moderate-to-heavy load at shoulder level with forearms perpendicular to floor. Kneel at end of bench with feet flexed to grip edge for support. Inhale, engage your core and glutes, then press the bar overhead, pushing your head forward so it passes your face, exhaling at the top. Slowly lower until elbows are at 90 degrees, then hold to maintain tension. Begin your next rep from here. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 5
A. Dumbbell Pushup
Place hands on dumbbells (this provides greater range of motion) at shoulder width and feet wider than shoulder width with just toes touching the ground. Keep head neutral and hips high to increase tension on core, chest and tris and reduce stress on spine. Slowly lower to the floor. Stop once elbows hit 90 degrees, pause, then push up to start. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
B. Biceps Curl
Stand with feet hip-width apart with moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in each hand hanging by sides. Engage biceps to curl the weights up, keeping upper arms still. Pause at the top, then lower slowly. Don’t let arms drop all the way down to keep greater time under tension on biceps. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
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If you haven’t picked up a jump rope since elementary school, you’re missing out on a fantastic cardio workout. Not only will you burn a ton of calories in a short amount of time—200 to 300 calories in 15 minutes—but jump ropes can also improve your coordination and agility. Better yet, jumping rope doesn’t require much space, so it’s easy to do at home, and it’s often more mentally stimulating than jogging or swimming.
Choosing a Jump Rope
When deciding which jump rope is best for you, it’s important to determine what your goals are. While lightweight speed ropes are popular for cardio-focused training, weighted or drag ropes will be best for those focused on strength training.
No matter what your training goals are, we’ve got you covered with this roundup of 10 jump ropes from top brands including Crossrope, TRX, Rogue, and more.
The Best Jump Ropes of 2022
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