Do it all....... er...... hardtail?

OceanOne

Just bought a Whyte 901 650b as a do it all bike. It is awesome absolutely love it and no limitations for me. Try one out and you wont stop grinning.

son1

Yeah, I was looking at it. Think it's s bit overpriced and would prefer shimano brakes n gears

buddy_club

benpinnick wrote:

Bird Zero

http://www.facebook.com/birdmtb.co.uk

Go on sale in about 10 days. Plug over!

Oh so you're the Ben from Bird

marcus'73

I think there is a real advantage in having a steel ht over an alloy one. I ride fairly hard but I m not that heavy at 11 stone and I cracked the last Alloy bike I had just through metal fatigue in the rear forks. I currently ride a Ragley Piglet and it's taken a real battering without complaint. I guess it depends what sort of riding you do mostly but I've found the Piglet is great in most of the UK - but some of the trail centres in Scotland and a on trip to the mountains in Spain I would have rather have had the Blue Pig.

passout

son1 wrote:

Ok so probably rule out steel and 29er. Carbon 456 or an Alu whyte. Now we're getting somewhere. Anyone know if whyte frames are the same across the range. Next step 120 or 140 fork[/quote

You have the 19 frames at the top end and the but the 901 & 905 frames are the same - I think there might be a higher spec too 909 or something...? I have the 905 (2012) and love it - levely frame & ride. Thay can handle 120mm or 130mm forks I think - 905 comes with 120mm. Nice and light & but also very comfortable indeed.
Chack at Winstanleys bikes for discounts.

paulneenan76

You really need to do a bit more research based on what riding you do/or would like to do, and go from there. On one do great frames at great prices, great bikes, and some great packages - frame and forks etc. You've asked people for their opinion, (what you got back is mostly useful, although there is a lot of b*llocks written in this thread) so take it on-board but best to get a ride on a few before parting with a grand
I love my carbon frame 456 and would like to try the Evo but the steel 456 in 650b looks interesting.

With what you have already I'd suggest doing a frame swap and going for 140 - 160mm travel forks (rockshox rev or pike) and a few nice bits.

Look at the Cotic Soul, Production privee Shan (favourite), carbon 456, Ragley blue pig, or the whyte's.

Also worth checking the hardcore hardtails thread in your bikes section. You can do a budget build quite easily with a bit of effort.