Whyte 905

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Discussion

AndyWoodall

2,624 posts

258 months

Saturday 12th November 2016
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FD3Si said:
Best in mind the SRAM stuff you're basing is low end. Low end Shimano isn't that great either. Guides, for instance, are streets ahead. I really like my RSCs, I'd take them over XTs with their random bite point technology any day of the week.
I've not tried the higher end SRAM stuff, but those Level T's (I've no idea where they sit in the range) are not a patch on the low end Shimano M506's (amazing brakes for the price). But they do work, which I guess is the main consideration!

jshell

11,006 posts

204 months

Saturday 12th November 2016
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AndyWoodall said:
jshell said:
I really liked my Whyte 901.

Since upgrading all the SRAM/Avid shyte to Shimano (bar the forks) - I fecking LOVE my XL 901!
Yeah I'm just waiting to clip the mech on something so I can have a bit of an excuse to bin the lot. The drivetrain is though, perfectly fine, it just feels cheap and nasty. I'm 900 miles in though and nothing that end has faltered so I guess I can't complain.

The brakes however are not SRAM's finest hour. They worked well at first but have really dropped off, also the lever feel is ghastly. Basic, non-series branched Shimano is far far superior.
For me the Avid Elixir calipers exploded, the brakes always screeched - no matter what I did, and the jockey wheels wore down to pointy stars in a season or 2. The rear shifting degraded over time - no matter what servicing and eventually just went onto CRC and bought a Shimano XT package. Chuffed now!

I like the RS Recon forks and the Whyte 901 saddle is the comfiest I have ever used!

Bungleaio

Original Poster:

6,324 posts

201 months

Saturday 12th November 2016
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I appreciate the assistance guys. I've never had sram before and the only experience I've had with Whyte is on the recent demo day. I took the 901 that they had out twice, so about 40 minutes and the brakes and gears felt pretty good to me, certainly no worse than the other bikes that I tried during the day. I'm new to proper mountain biking so I have nothing really to compare it against, I think I might have to order one and see how I get on.

AndyWoodall

2,624 posts

258 months

Sunday 13th November 2016
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Bungleaio said:
I appreciate the assistance guys. I've never had sram before and the only experience I've had with Whyte is on the recent demo day. I took the 901 that they had out twice, so about 40 minutes and the brakes and gears felt pretty good to me, certainly no worse than the other bikes that I tried during the day. I'm new to proper mountain biking so I have nothing really to compare it against, I think I might have to order one and see how I get on.
It'll be fine, the GX is solid enough for the time being.

Enjoy! Been to Llandegla on mine today rather than the full suss and it was a hoot.


Bill

52,482 posts

254 months

Tuesday 15th November 2016
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What are they like for climbing? The only criticism I've found is the geometry mailing the front light.

(I'm eyeing up the 801 but the geometry is similar...)

AndyWoodall

2,624 posts

258 months

Wednesday 16th November 2016
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Bill said:
What are they like for climbing? The only criticism I've found is the geometry mailing the front light.

(I'm eyeing up the 801 but the geometry is similar...)
Coming from a Kona Process full suss (not the best climber, but certainly not the worst, its just a bit of a plodder), the 905 is a whippet.

Its no long stem xc bike, but I'm faster on it in every way compared to my older 29er Kona hard tail (st coil forks, heavy wheels) up hills.

For competition there is probably something in the fact that its more gravity/trail orientated than hardcore whipping up climbs style, but for general trail riding its a happy balance. Given the amount of people I seem to see at trail centres riding massive frames with tent pole stems, bar ends and 500mm bars then I think most people wouldn't be so bad selecting more relaxed, fun bikes than climbing frames where it looks like they are going to pitch off at any minute. But that's just me. biggrin

For what its worth, I was keeping pace with a friend on his 160mm enduro bike around Llandegla on Sunday without taking any risks or going out of my comfort zone, not scientific at all, but he mentioned it not me so worth saying. Now Llandegla is pretty smooth, well maintained and has nothing hairy, so perhaps at a more techie location I wouldn't have kept up. So far though I think the 901/905 has a very flattering set up which means it turns a surprising pace. I absolutely love it.

Their entry full suss bikes, the T-130 and the like, must be totally unstoppable. I'm not sure now why I paid over the odds for the Kona Process when they Whyte stuff is cheaper, better and lighter (The Process is fun though, and I love it).

Bill

52,482 posts

254 months

Wednesday 16th November 2016
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Brilliant, thanks. Going shopping this week...

Bungleaio

Original Poster:

6,324 posts

201 months

Thursday 17th November 2016
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905 is ordered, collecting at the weekend hopefully.

Thanks for all the assistance guys.

AndyWoodall

2,624 posts

258 months

Thursday 17th November 2016
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Enjoy!

Bungleaio

Original Poster:

6,324 posts

201 months

Tuesday 22nd November 2016
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Collected at the weekend and it looks great. Still yet to ride it but I'm glad Ive got it, picked up some new shoes in the sale too.

As mentioned the rear tyre looks like it won't have much grip. Any suggestions for new tyres? I'm tempted to go tubeless as I haven't got any spare tubes yet.


Craikeybaby

10,369 posts

224 months

Tuesday 22nd November 2016
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It looks good, although the chain may be a bit long.

I like Continental X Kings (Protection version), but I'm sure others will be along with recommendations. It is well worth going tubeless, although it can be a pain in the arse to set up. Even if you are set up tubeless it is still worth taking spare tubes on a ride, as the sealant can only seal small holes. A tube and tyre boot could save you from a long walk.

yellowjack

17,065 posts

165 months

Wednesday 23rd November 2016
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Tyres?

For winter slop I used to use Maxxis Beaver. They were pretty good. This time round, because of poor availability of the Beavers when I needed them, I've stuck some Schwalbe Nobby Nic on. They're probably a bit too aggressive though - heaps of confidence and grip, but they really get 'held' in the loose stuff. You can feel your speed being absorbed by the trail surface so it needs more effort to maintain speed.

Whatever you choose, you should consider putting your most aggressive, grippy tyre onto the front. You can afford to have your rear wheel slip sideways on a wet root and actually enjoy the 'tail out' feeling, but if that happens to the front tyre you can swiftly end up on your face in the mud.

AndyWoodall

2,624 posts

258 months

Wednesday 23rd November 2016
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Excellent, enjoy!

I wouldn't think twice about going tubeless, just do it, rims and tyres are all ready to go. But carry tubes obviously.

As for replacement tyres, I haven't decided yet, but I run Maxxis High Roller II's on the full suss. I'm tempted to try them on this when these things die or I get sick of them. I used to run High Roller II and Ardent rear which was a bit faster rolling.

J886ATV

134 posts

89 months

Friday 25th November 2016
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You're going to kick yourself if you got one recently - Cycle Surgery are doing a black Friday deal on 905s today - £1,199

Definitely a good buy at that price

Bill

52,482 posts

254 months

Friday 25th November 2016
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That's for a 2016 bike, if there's any difference.

Bill

52,482 posts

254 months

Friday 25th November 2016
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And only then in small...

J886ATV

134 posts

89 months

Friday 25th November 2016
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Sorry - didn't check the small print, just read the headlines!

AndyWoodall

2,624 posts

258 months

Friday 25th November 2016
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J886ATV said:
Sorry - didn't check the small print, just read the headlines!
Its a good deal, but they were also doing 2016 bikes for 1250 in any size back in the Summer.

Bill

52,482 posts

254 months

Saturday 26th November 2016
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Oops. I seem to have picked up a cycle scheme quote for a 901...

One place I was in were doing 15% off them for today btw. (Pedals cycle centre, they shut at 5.30 so be quick...)

Edited by Bill on Saturday 26th November 17:10

Bungleaio

Original Poster:

6,324 posts

201 months

Sunday 27th November 2016
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It's worth noting that Whyte insist that any retailer sells the bikes directly to the customer, they don't allow postage. Luckily I was less than an hour from where I bought mine from but it's worth knowing if anyone sees a bargain but it's miles away.

I've still not ridden my bike but I have ordered new tyres for it along with the necessary gubbins to go tubeless. I've gone for Hans damph and nobby nics.

A mate has managed to source a second hand saris bones bike rack for me so I'll soon be able to get it dirty!