Dilemma!! Whyte, Genesis or Giant??

openside

Hi guys, just getting into MTB and have just sold my Boardman as I feel it was a little bit too XC orientated and want something a little more robust. Im smack in the middle of Afan Argoed and Brechfa and will be riding these most of the time and some xc strolls with the wife.
I'm going to spend up to £1000 and whittled it down to these 3: 2011 whyte 901 for £800, a Genesis core 50 for £910 or a second hand Giant X4 trance full suspension for around £900.
I will be riding predominantly red routes and wondering if I really need a full suss. I'm looking for something that's going to last, and keep me smiling as I get itchy feet and always looking for something better. Typical bloke really!!

Thanks for any advice

supersonic

Have you got links to the said bikes? Makes it easier to see exactly which models.

rockmonkeysc

£900 for the used Trance is a bit much. How about these?
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... 1b0s1p3709
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... 1b0s1p3504
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... 1b0s1p3618

All great bikes, old stock but they should come with a full manufacturer warranty

Ian-G

RockmonkeySC wrote:

£900 for the used Trance is a bit much.

Agreed! I just got a second hand 2011 Giant Trance X Ltd (link below) for £800. Great bike though.

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/trance.x.ltd/7868/48596/

openside

Thanks for the replies guys.

Here is he links to the bikes
http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/produ ... _Bike_2011

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/produ ... _Bike_2011

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Giant-Trance- ... 500wt_1202

rockmonkeysc

The used Trance looks tidy but is a large frame. How tall are you? I'm 6'1" and had a medium trance, the large was too big for me.
Forks & shock on the X4 are a bit poor. I would look for a X3 instead.

supersonic

Is a very good saving on the Whyte, but the Genesis has the better spec and fork.

Full sussers open up a few other options though.

andy_welch

Which Boardman did you get rid of? I've not ridden both (and it would be good to hear from anybody who has) but on paper the Trance and the Boardman FS look pretty similar (head angle, travel etc). So, if you found a Boardman FS too XC oriented you might feel the same about a Trance.

Not saying that the Trance isn't capable. I've got an X2 and love it, but I suspect that I would have loved a Boardman FS as well.

Cheers,

Andy

openside

I am 5'11 so your probably right the trance would be too big.

The genesis does seem to have better components, and it's only £110 more.......but I'm still drawn towards the whyte! Maybe it's down to aesthetic!
What size frame would you go for in the whyte. I'm thinking large for 5'11??

supersonic

Height and frame size are very roughly linked - you'd be best visiting the shop and sitting on it. Reach plays a big factor.

andy_welch

RockmonkeySC wrote:

The used Trance looks tidy but is a large frame. How tall are you? I'm 6'1" and had a medium trance, the large was too big for me.

But then again I'm 6'0'' and a medium was too small for me (large was just right).

Cheers,

Andy

openside

Thing is its impossible for me to try these bikes out. Just going to have to take a gamble!

jt_intheuk

I would gamble with the Core, they are rated quite highly in the MTB mags and just because I own one too.

openside

jt_intheuk wrote:

I would gamble with the Core, they are rated quite highly in the MTB mags and just because I own one too.

Have you got the core 50 mate?

jt_intheuk

Have not actually got a Core 50, but got a 2010 Core 20. As far as I know the frames are similar throughout the range and I really like their clean classic no frills look. Really being pleased with mine since I've had it. Have a look at the Genesis Bikes website for a couple of past reviews.

jt_intheuk

Here is a link to another thread with some nice close up shots of the Core 50 you are looking at.
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=12791317

openside

Thanks for all the info guys. Feel like my heads going to explode......whyte or genesis......genesis or whyte....both good bikes by the sounds of it. Guess I'll just have to toss a coin!