Whyte 905 alternatives

timothius

Hello all,

I've been thinking of getting back into cycling. I previously had a Kona Lana'i which over the years I upgraded with XT parts. Unfortunately, it is currently in the state in which it is not really worth upgrading further as it has crap (SR Suntour) forks, no disk mounts and needs new bearings, wheels etc.

My budget is up to £1500. I've been looking at the Whyte 905, but for the price I am surprised that is has Deore parts. I'm also wondering if I should get a bike with less travel, as I'm only 60kg and don't really ride very difficult trails. I'm looking for a comfortable ride, as my 18" (too big) Kona was incredibly harsh!

I've also looked at the Boardman Pro HT. In what ways is the Whyte better?

Link to Whyte specs: http://www.whytebikes.com/2010/905.html
Link to Boardman: http://www.boardmanbikes.com/mtbht/ht_Pro.html

Thanks,

T

Powers

It is crazy when you consider the Whyte is 1.5 times the price of the Boardman. The ltd edition Boardman also looks very similar!

Put simply for £1000 you won't find a better specification bike than the Boardman pro.

The spec of the Whyte is better but accumulatively not £500 better.

jay12

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/custom-mountain-bikes/merlin-mountain-bikes/merlin-malt-41.html
with xt groupset,reba team forks,shimano mt65 wheels,race face evlove xc
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/custom-mountain-bikes/rock-lobster-mountain-bikes/rock-lobster-tig-team-sl1.html
with xt groupset,rs reba team,race face deus xc
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=45411
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=44333
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gary-fisher/big-sur-disc-2010-mountain-bike-ec020820
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/scott/scale-40-2010-mountain-bike-ec020588
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gt/zaskar-expert-2010-mountain-bike-ec020930
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/stumpjumper-comp-2010-mountain-bike-ec020342

Powers

That Cube reaction GTC pro looks great for the money.

timothius

It does! I'm incredibly tempted - although having never ridden one, I'm wondering if I would be wasting money instead of getting a cheaper £1000 bike.

(The barends woudl have to go, and I'd rather have platform pedals...)

I've been looking for some reviews, but I've not found any yet.

So difficult to choose!

supersonic

Plenty of good hardtails at this price. Some seem to put the money in the frame, and not the components, but this is more easily seen with carbon and titanium.

Have a look at the Genesis bikes too.

timothius

I have a feeling that if I go carbon, I'd be best to buy it new, such that the warranty is valid.

I've never had any experience with air sprung forks. I take it they are not as fit and forget as coil sprungs?

supersonic

Air forks need the pressure adjusting but that means they can be tuned to your weight.

They are more delicate inside, but also lighter.

ExeterSimon

Try and find last year's 905. SLX and XT drivechain plus a few bits of carbon bling.

Whyte have done a great job keeping that bike at £1500 when all around them larger manufacturers have added a couple of hundred quid (Spesh Stumpjumper FSR comp now £1800?!?!?! per-lease!)

I'd still be tempted with the Whyte even tho it is lower specced than last year's model and, admittedly, not as good value as the Boardman. But what you get for your extra £500 is excellent after sales care (3 free services) plus the chance to ride something you won't see everyone else on (vain...I know).

Plus you'll replace components over time anyway.......

And I've ridden both and the Whyte kicks the poop out of the Boardman.

So IMHO the Whyte is worth the extra £500. Especially if you are lucky enough to find one of last year's hanging around. Very unlikely mind!

timothius

Thanks to everyone for the advice!

Does anyone know what kind of warranty Cube have on their bikes? I've not been able to find much info yet.

I'll look out for the Whyte 2009.

supersonic

And I've ridden both and the Whyte kicks the poop out of the Boardman

Is best to test though.

Stumpy Comp is still 1500, the FSR Stumpy Comp is the one at 1800.

This was the recent award winner in WMB:

http://www.southwatercycles.com/product ... 5214&rs=gb

ExeterSimon

supersonic wrote:

And I've ridden both and the Whyte kicks the poop out of the Boardman

Is best to test though.

Stumpy Comp is still 1500, the FSR Stumpy Comp is the one at 1800.

This was the recent award winner in WMB:

http://www.southwatercycles.com/product ... 5214&rs=gb

This is the first time SuperSonic has ever quoted me! I have finally arrived........

timothius

I might be able to stretch to this one:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/rocky-mountain/vertex-rsl-50-2009-mountain-bike-ec022009?query=2009

Still, I'd probably be just as happy with an aluminium frame with a better fork...

Powers

The shock on the vertex in my opinion is one of the best.
A great bike if your small!!

timothius

There's a medium here http://www.rutlandcycling.com/11233/Roc ... arbon.html

supersonic

Very good price, for a lot of bike. Probably racier than the Whyte though.

Powers

If you find me a large I will buy one at that price.
Amazing the number of recent posts on this forum about HTs.

supersonic

Hardtail revolution lol. too many people overbiked you see

Powers

Overbiked or underprepared.

timothius

Perhaps that was a large. According to the geometry section at http://www.bikes.com/main+en+01_102+VER ... 1&SCATID=2 18" is large.

FS has never really appealed to me. I don't want the added complexity.

Powers

17.8" is tiny for a large HT. I would need an Xl then! Rarer than hens teeth I would imagine.

supersonic

But what length is the top tube? Maybe designed to have a long seatpost.

Powers

452mm so not big enough.
All this talk of HTs have even got me looking.

timothius

All this talk of HTs has got me hugely confused! Just cannot decide how much I want to spend.

supersonic

Have a look at the Zaskar Carbon expert, which can be got for 1200. 24lbs, tough, sensible spec.

timothius

I think all the 1200 (2009?) models are out of stock.

Edit: Or not - Pauls have them

supersonic

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... 1b1s2p2230

timothius

Heh, thanks

Your right - that is really rather well spec'd (I think)

I'm not the biggest fan of the triple triangle - but the price seems right...

supersonic

Aye, not bad! Not worth the original price maybe, but at 1200 is a bargain.

timothius

I'll probably just end up getting the Boardman. It does everything I need it to and I can spend the £500 saved on some MTB gear.

I'm quite happy with Alu.

MudPig

ExeterSimon wrote:

But what you get for your extra £500 is excellent after sales care (3 free services) plus the chance to ride something you won't see everyone else on (vain...I know).

3 free services? Do all Whytes come with this?