Discussion
I'm looking into venturing off road and into trail riding. No serious downhills just exploring cannock chase and sherwood pines.
I've come across a 2016 whyte 905 at a local shop which has 20% off at the moment due to the new models coming out. I've done a bit of research and noted that these are quite a long bike which is great for me as I'm tall with most of my height being in my body, I've sat on it and it feels comfortable. The spec looks good with it having a sram 1x11 drivetrain dropper post etc.
Before I spend my money does anyone have any advice?
I've come across a 2016 whyte 905 at a local shop which has 20% off at the moment due to the new models coming out. I've done a bit of research and noted that these are quite a long bike which is great for me as I'm tall with most of my height being in my body, I've sat on it and it feels comfortable. The spec looks good with it having a sram 1x11 drivetrain dropper post etc.
Before I spend my money does anyone have any advice?
My experience of Whyte is limited to hardtails (is 905 a full sus?) and they have all been awesome, all 19's and range from steel through Alu to carbon.
Great spec and awesome geometry. If it looks a good deal just buy it. There will always be something slightly more compromised for less money, or slightly better for more, but every bike has a buyer so if this one tickles your fancy just get it.
Great spec and awesome geometry. If it looks a good deal just buy it. There will always be something slightly more compromised for less money, or slightly better for more, but every bike has a buyer so if this one tickles your fancy just get it.
I have a 26" 901 which is fabulous. The extensive fork rake makes it stable and confidence inspiring.
Mine's a 2x10 but Whyte has the ratios spot on so I imagine the 1x11 you're looking at will be fine too.
Not the lightest bike but feels unbreakable. I'm 100kg so it needs to put up with a lot. I've had mine 5 years now and it's still putting up with me. Haven't had to replace anything yet although I have a pair of new tyres ready to go on in the next few weeks.
Mine's a 2x10 but Whyte has the ratios spot on so I imagine the 1x11 you're looking at will be fine too.
Not the lightest bike but feels unbreakable. I'm 100kg so it needs to put up with a lot. I've had mine 5 years now and it's still putting up with me. Haven't had to replace anything yet although I have a pair of new tyres ready to go on in the next few weeks.
Just looked at the review and it's a really nice hardtail.
Possibly not the right thing for you if you're just starting out, the long low and slack geometry would be perfect for someone who likes to hit corners fast on steep and technical trails, but if you can get on it with it you'll frigging love it!
Possibly not the right thing for you if you're just starting out, the long low and slack geometry would be perfect for someone who likes to hit corners fast on steep and technical trails, but if you can get on it with it you'll frigging love it!
Cheers guys. I've been warned about the geometry but it felt good when I sat on it. I'm not a massive fan of the colour but I can overcome that for the saving.
One of my mates is quite into mountain biking and he's advised to have a look at cubes instead so I'm going to have a try of them first I think but I do like the whyte.
One of my mates is quite into mountain biking and he's advised to have a look at cubes instead so I'm going to have a try of them first I think but I do like the whyte.
Bungleaio said:
Cheers mate but I really can't do a lefty fork. I know they work, I know they are strong but I just wouldn't feel right on it.
I think they are awesome, don't notice mine at all. And makes the bike so light and responsive. Sort of shouldnt work, but just does. Heck of a lot of bike for the cash. I'm heavier than you, do motocross and take my 2013 spec to BMX tracks and clear doubles on it! It's a beast of a bike for the money.
But all "modern" 29ers are pretty special, it's hard to buy a bad bike nowadays.
I like the whyte stuff and have just bought a whyte 405 for my daughter for xmas, that's being custom painted. They're nice bikes and nice to buy British!
Go for the Whyte it's the sort of geometry that hard tails should be unless you are a hard core XC racer. It's similar to my Ragley MmmBop and that's the best hardtail I've ever ridden. I don't pick up my XC bike anymore when going for a ride no where near as fun even if it's 2 KG lighter and made almost entirely from Carbon and titanium.
Recent Whyte 905 owner here.
Bought mine to go with my Kona Process full suss (have been eating through consumables on that at an alarming rate) and so far its not a poor cousin on the trails I've tried.
Price has gone up with 2017 but its got a few things that made it worth it to me (125mm dropper v 100, cleaner frame with bigger clearances, boost, wider rims, nothing major really).
Love the whole package, my Process is quite a long bike and the numbers match in some areas (much longer TT on the 905 though) so it feels great to me (also 6ft).
Comes tubeless ready, with dropper, Yari fork is benchmark entry level RS now, its really good. Its no Pike, but for all except the ultra sensitive its sturdy and works. Comes with short stem and wide bars (I've gone up to 785 as that's what I like to run), 1x drive train is all solid stuff (I prefer Shimano but the GX SRAM stuff works perfectly well), cable routing is lovely and neat, mud clearance is particularly good, standard tyres are 2.4's and look good but I think the rear is a little less than ideal for slippy conditions.
As for ride, it rails very nicely indeed. About 300 miles in and I have few complaints. Covers all my local riding with ease and enthusiasm, have done a bit of Wales on it and its good for a few hours in the saddle. Climbs easily, loves going down, felt instantly planted on the bike, feels secure, its keen. No complaints about ride.
Downsides? Well I suspect the 'TranX' dropper isn't going to last as well as the KS one in the 2016, but that's pure speculation so far. I'd have preferred SLX 11 speed to GX, but again, this is a very minor point.
Its actually in a group test in this months MBUK, they like it but think its heavy (27lb v the 30 for my Process means it rides light to me) and think the ride is too stiff (can't say that I've noticed, certainly better ride than my old Kona Kahuna 29er). Worth a read, plus theres free socks this month. Win.
As for the Cube. Great bikes, would always recommend, I have a Peleton road bike and it was dirt cheap and is a great package. A friend has a 140 travel Sting 29er and he loves it. However, I don't think there is a hardtail in their range that I'd buy, they all seem a bit xc and upright. Full suss bikes (Stereo 140 in particular) have been great these last few years but their hardtails are still very...Euro. I wouldn't consider a Cube hardtail over any Whyte personally, it doesn't make them bad bikes and I guess it depends what you plan on doing with it.
Other bikes I considered, Orange Crush and P7. Both excellent bikes, they lack droppers but then are cheaper than the 905. What turned me off was the weight, 905 rides lighter, not sure if it is or not but the Crush felt too chunky to me.
Bought mine to go with my Kona Process full suss (have been eating through consumables on that at an alarming rate) and so far its not a poor cousin on the trails I've tried.
Price has gone up with 2017 but its got a few things that made it worth it to me (125mm dropper v 100, cleaner frame with bigger clearances, boost, wider rims, nothing major really).
Love the whole package, my Process is quite a long bike and the numbers match in some areas (much longer TT on the 905 though) so it feels great to me (also 6ft).
Comes tubeless ready, with dropper, Yari fork is benchmark entry level RS now, its really good. Its no Pike, but for all except the ultra sensitive its sturdy and works. Comes with short stem and wide bars (I've gone up to 785 as that's what I like to run), 1x drive train is all solid stuff (I prefer Shimano but the GX SRAM stuff works perfectly well), cable routing is lovely and neat, mud clearance is particularly good, standard tyres are 2.4's and look good but I think the rear is a little less than ideal for slippy conditions.
As for ride, it rails very nicely indeed. About 300 miles in and I have few complaints. Covers all my local riding with ease and enthusiasm, have done a bit of Wales on it and its good for a few hours in the saddle. Climbs easily, loves going down, felt instantly planted on the bike, feels secure, its keen. No complaints about ride.
Downsides? Well I suspect the 'TranX' dropper isn't going to last as well as the KS one in the 2016, but that's pure speculation so far. I'd have preferred SLX 11 speed to GX, but again, this is a very minor point.
Its actually in a group test in this months MBUK, they like it but think its heavy (27lb v the 30 for my Process means it rides light to me) and think the ride is too stiff (can't say that I've noticed, certainly better ride than my old Kona Kahuna 29er). Worth a read, plus theres free socks this month. Win.
As for the Cube. Great bikes, would always recommend, I have a Peleton road bike and it was dirt cheap and is a great package. A friend has a 140 travel Sting 29er and he loves it. However, I don't think there is a hardtail in their range that I'd buy, they all seem a bit xc and upright. Full suss bikes (Stereo 140 in particular) have been great these last few years but their hardtails are still very...Euro. I wouldn't consider a Cube hardtail over any Whyte personally, it doesn't make them bad bikes and I guess it depends what you plan on doing with it.
Other bikes I considered, Orange Crush and P7. Both excellent bikes, they lack droppers but then are cheaper than the 905. What turned me off was the weight, 905 rides lighter, not sure if it is or not but the Crush felt too chunky to me.
PS, I was originally having the 2016 bike when I ordered it in May but my local shop couldn't get stock (a place in Brum had them but couldn't face having to visit Mordor if it needed to go back for warranty work so remained patient), 2017 bikes didn't turn up until Sept in the end (originally it was going to be mid July).
Cyclestore in Brum were doing 2016 ones for 1250 when I was passing through recently which I thought was an excellent deal.
You didn't ask, but heres some pictures anyway.
Cyclestore in Brum were doing 2016 ones for 1250 when I was passing through recently which I thought was an excellent deal.
You didn't ask, but heres some pictures anyway.
Edited by AndyWoodall on Thursday 29th September 08:50
I'm another owner of a 905 since Feb this year. I love it and as my first proper mountain bike (aside from the usual Halfords stuff) I can't fault it. I have used it on downhills; cross country; roads and even cyclocross and love it. The problem you will have is that there are a lot of hardtails and even some full suspension bikes at this price point and the choice is bewildering. I don't think that you would regret it though if you decided to go for it.
There's a demo weekend this weekend at Rother Valley where you can ride Giant, Specialized, GT, Cube, Whyte, Haibike, Orange, Cannondale, Kona and Frog amongst others.
Depending on where you are it could give a good introduction to different styles and you actually get to ride them off road as well.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1155839511154234/
Depending on where you are it could give a good introduction to different styles and you actually get to ride them off road as well.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1155839511154234/
My friend has a 901, so same frame.
It's bloody brilliant. The geometry is some sort of voodoo, and it makes me sad that I spent so much on a full suss bike when his is arguably more fun in a large proportion of the riding I do.
It's very forgiving for an Ali hard tail, and comfortable for sitty down pedalling.
However, it absolutely comes alive when you get on it. It rails corners with so much stability, it's so confidence inspiring. And it's so comfortable in the air. Its an absolute thrasher of a bike when you push it. Brilliant, brilliant thing.
It's bloody brilliant. The geometry is some sort of voodoo, and it makes me sad that I spent so much on a full suss bike when his is arguably more fun in a large proportion of the riding I do.
It's very forgiving for an Ali hard tail, and comfortable for sitty down pedalling.
However, it absolutely comes alive when you get on it. It rails corners with so much stability, it's so confidence inspiring. And it's so comfortable in the air. Its an absolute thrasher of a bike when you push it. Brilliant, brilliant thing.
AndyWoodall said:
PS, I was originally having the 2016 bike when I ordered it in May but my local shop couldn't get stock (a place in Brum had them but couldn't face having to visit Mordor if it needed to go back for warranty work so remained patient), 2017 bikes didn't turn up until Sept in the end (originally it was going to be mid July).
Cyclestore in Brum were doing 2016 ones for 1250 when I was passing through recently which I thought was an excellent deal.
You didn't ask, but heres some pictures anyway.
Why such small chainring on the front and such a large granny ring on the rear? Spend a lot of time climbing incredibly steep hills? Don't your legs spend a lot of their time maxed out?Cyclestore in Brum were doing 2016 ones for 1250 when I was passing through recently which I thought was an excellent deal.
You didn't ask, but heres some pictures anyway.
Edited by AndyWoodall on Thursday 29th September 08:50
Had a 909 for 18 months... an absolute hoot. Great all round bike. I have the 1x11, with 650b wheels, and its all I ever need. Geometry is spot on. It just works so well.
You won't be disappointed..
Just to add, there are a couple of 909's on Ebay, same as I have with the Pike fork... if 2nd hand is an option.... you could do worse than grab one of those!
You won't be disappointed..
Just to add, there are a couple of 909's on Ebay, same as I have with the Pike fork... if 2nd hand is an option.... you could do worse than grab one of those!
Edited by Minnsy on Thursday 29th September 21:31
Cheers guys. I'm really tempted with it but having not ridden a mountain bike for a long time I think I need a demo first. Unfortunately I can't make the demo day this weekend but I have signed up to the one Rutland cycles are doing at the beginning of November.
I will have a look at the 909s on eBay. These have a much better colour scheme in my eyes.
I will have a look at the 909s on eBay. These have a much better colour scheme in my eyes.
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff