Whyte Stirling or Moda Chord?

handful

Hi, first post in the Commuting forum, usually in the dark side of mtb.

I have been trying to find the ideal bike for my on road short commute, training rides when it's too boggy for mtb and general leisure riding. I have narrowed my choice down to the above and am struggling to get much info on the Moda Chord.

http://www.eurobike.uk.com/details.aspx?p=314#techspec

If I forget the fact I'd never heard of it, I really like the look and spec of it and in arranging for one to be sent to a LBS for me to try have been impressed with the customer service,

The Stirling looks like a quality bit of kit that also fits the bill well.

http://www.whytebikes.com/2012/bike_page.php?ModNo=W-1-019-12

Ultimately I will decide by trying but wondered if anyone with more knowledhe of bikes and components could offer any advice?

Thanks guys, hope I get more response than I did in the Road section.

Btw, I am buying on Cyclescheme so no point in suggesting Boardman.

mrtuk

Had to go for the sterling. I don't have riding experience of either, but the discs of the sterling would swing it for me (as even with discs it's a similar weight to the moda). The moda however does look sexier !

apreading

I am also coming from the MTB side and looking for a faster bike for commutes and road training.

Just test rode a Whyte Portobello and while the ride was lively and involving, it was really hard and crashy over any imperfections or bumps in the road. I know the Stirling will be better with carbon forks, but it wasnt just the forks, the frame was really rigid and communicated all the vibrations through to you.

Also test rode a Spesh Sirrus and it was like night and day - soooo much smoother and more comfortable ride, but less involving and I didnt like the sit up and beg style. Sirrus also has a painfully low spec components and some of them feel really cheap. Gears were also a bit too short for me, based on what I am looking for.

Have today ridden a Boardman Hybrid Team and it seems to be the best of both worlds - riding position closer to the Whyte, involving ride but not uncomfortable. Less smooth than the Sirrus but doesnt feel dead and uncommunicative. Most of the fun and most of the comfort but without the major drawbacks of both.

In fairness, I have pondered whether the Whyte would be sorted by different tyres but I dont think the bike shop will start swapping and messing about with tyres for me - I am happy with the Boardman so will go for that.

handful

Thanks guys. The Boardman would definitelybe a contender but not an option on Cyclescheme unfortunately. Interesting view on the Portabello, I am trying the Stirling on Saturday so will be expecting the worst!.

I agree with mrtuk in some respects on the disc brakes swinging it a bit for the Stirling against the Moda but according to the reviews on some of the components on the Moda, the wheels are excelent and the brakes are also very good rim brakes and I don't intend taking it anywhere too muddy so I don't think discs are a deal breaker.

The Moda to me is definitely the better looking bike IMO in a photo at least! It has a lifetime warranty on the frame as well although how much that's worth with a company that's only been going for 2 years is up for cconjecture.

Any more opinions on components or even better actual experience of either bike would be most welcome.

ince

The Moda for me, no experience with either brand. My LBS stock some of the Moda range and they do look great.

I have a set of AC 420 wheels on my Trek atm, when I was looking into the wheels sets the AC Victories kept coming up with good reviews.

handful

Thanks ince. It's going to have to be decided on the ride then, I was hoping for some more opinions on components in case the ride is a close run experience for both.

handful

Tried the Whyte yesterday and thought it was outstanding. I can only assume the carbon forks did their job soaking up some of the bumps because it certainly didn't feel crashy as preading said the Portobello was. Trying the Moda in the week and will make my decision then but it will have to be very good to better the Whyte.

Incidentally, if there are people reading this thread trying to research the Moda as there is very little info or reviews available, I have spoken with 2 LBS about them now (including the one that let me try the Whyte) and both say that Moda make excellent gear and are very much an up and coming brand with some major backing and with the import rights for some top notch components. I will post my opinion on the Chord when I've ridden it.

apreading

I am wondering if tyre pressures are part of the issue with the test ride I had. Been playing with pressures on my Boardman Hybrid today and it makes a massive difference. The Specialized was the really soft ride though - if you want MTB comfort that is the one if you get on with the position and poor spec.

Carbon forks do seem to make a big difference - so much so that I am wondering about a carbon seatpost and maybe carbon bars to maximise the comfort...

Mdrenwick

i've had a Stirling since May '11.

And I love it.

I commute 10miles each way 5 days/week, mostly road and cycle path, but with the odd 1/2 mile on single track. And the Stirling can really shift.

I swapped out the "puncture resistant" tyres supplied - after they punctured in the first week, but even with a heavy pair of marathon pluses the bike is still as light as a feather (and no need to carry pump, puncture repair or inner tubes with them babies!)

The ride is super comfy, but I had to lower the seat by 1cm after a few rides - the longer top tube seemed to affect the best riding position some how.

The heel clearance isn't generous. I have (very) occasionally knocked one or other heel onto the oddly shaped chain stay (so shaped to accommodate the unusual disc mount), but after a toal of 2500miles travelled, I'd say it's been 2000miles since the last time.

The 2011 model was very well spec'd, and it looks like the 2012 model has improved things further.

In summary, I'd buy it again if I lost mine. 5*

handful

Yeh, I was seriously impressed with it. Just waiting for Saturday to try the Moda before deciding for definite. Thanks for the response.

handful

Just got in after trying the Moda earlier and first of all it's a stunning bike to look at. The nominated LBS were excellent and tweaked it a bit for me, including flipping the stem due to a slightly too racy feel. Having done this I went for a quick blast and all I can say is WOW,
what a great ride, incredibly quick off the mark and surprisingly comfortable.

The carbon forks look and feel more stable and smoother than the Whyte (although I wasn't riding on the same roads so I can't be 100% sure about that. I think the lighter wheels definitely make the minor weight advantage tell though. It looks like it would take wider tyres comfortably and the guy in the shop said it would be easy to convert into a drop bar road bike as the geometry would suit that fine. The V brakes were also very impressive but obviously can't speak for wet conditions so the Whyte's Elixirs may nick it in those conditions.

Overall I liked both bikes very much but the Moda wins by a short head for me. I found a site with a super-sized image as well, http://www.freetownsports.co.uk/prodimages/hi-rez/fts1182.jpg and click on the picture if you are considering buying this bike and want a closer look. From extensive research I think this has the same frame and forks as the more expensive Legato which is a cyclocross bike and I have heard some say the frame is made in the same Taiwan factory as Cube but I don't know for sure if this is right.

Although I can't really recommend on the basis of a 10 minute ride, I would certainly say it would be worth looking at trying if you're in the market for a hybrid / flat bar road bike at the £1k price point. Moda were very responsive to emails and I was in regular exchanges with Paul Stewart who is the MD so a nice personal touch not to be found with bigger manufacturers!!

meccanomind

This is great information guys, thank you. Just this morning my LBS introduced to the MODA Chord 2012 and I have to admit it is a sexy bike, the 2013 model doesn't come in gloss finish which for me makes it even sexier.

What I do like is that the MODA is a UK business so supporting the locals for me is important, for the same price you can get many of the big name bikes. I am not a bike expert but all the reviews I have read about the MODA bikes make me want to support them.

Thanks again

handful

I suppose I should update this, I have nothing but praise for the Moda, I am more than happy a year on. I've used it a fair bit in between my first love mtb rides and even did a 100km sportive on it and it was very comfortable, no problems at all with the lack of hand positions. I am able to keep up with some roadie mates as well on the odd occasions I've tried that, not a hugely fast pace mind you but that is down to my limitations and not the bike's!

I notice that this year's spec has ditched the Sram Apex groupset and shifters, not sure if that was a wise move but other than that I would thoroughly recommend it.

Rambling Rex

I have just joined (5th Mch 2013 !) Because of the article Moda verses Whyte. Most informative and useful.

As it happens for the summer I have purchased an "On-One" "Dirty Disco" with the straight handlebars. Much of the work and assembly done at Rotherham, ENGLAND ! ! ! !

But next winter I will be needing a bike with mud guards. From the discussion "Whyte Sirling" verses the Moda I think I will go for the Moda Immer. Disk brakes - a MUST for me ! ! !

The gentleman that purchased the Moda Chord is from Somerset (?) I am at Ilminster, South Somerset. Which and where ? Was the cooperative bike shop ?

May much more sunshine and lots less floods be with you all in 2013 !

R.R. from S.S.

handful

Hi Rambling Rex

I got my Moda from Badass bikes in Burrington Coombe, near Blagdon. this was on the recommendation of Paul Stewart from Euro Bike who make Moda. They were excellent as well to be fair. This was in the early days when they were trying to get themselves established and I see Moda are available in a lot more places now including Evans. With mine I made contact with them and they send the bike to the nearest recommended bike shop for me to try with no obligation.

I've been really pleased with mine but having got more into road cycling recently I'm actually converting it to drop bars currently, not an issue as it's built with a Cyclocross geometry in mind.

Good luck if you go the Moda route, I can certainly recommend it for build quality although I know nothing about the Immer.

bobmanbike

great thread, guys. Busy researching bikes and getting thoroughly addicted to bike porn! Have pretty much settled on the Moda Immer vs White Stirling.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/mod ... e-ec044917
http://www.bikeradar.com/commuting/gear ... g-13-46925

am finding it quite hard to find direct comparisons between similar hybrids, particular as a bit of beginner.

if anyone has anything else to add, I'm all ears. cheers.