whyte 905 vs bird zero 3 vs orange crush need to make final

manc20

Hi all after what seems like months of research I have narrowed my hardtail choice to 3 bikes. Could you let me know your thoughts on the forks and geometry (this is the hardest bit to get my head round although they all loom quite similar). They will mostly be used for red trail centre routes with a little bit of xc.

I can get the whyte and orange on bike for work so they will end about the same price as the bird after saving 40% tax....

http://shop.birdmtb.com/zero/zero-3.html

I think am leaning towards this one due to the lifetime frame warranty and because I am not sure I like the idea of internal cable routing. It has thru axles on back and front. However are the x fusions much worse than the revelations on the other two?

http://whyte.bike/gb/models/trail/trail ... 50b/905-2/

Seems to be getting rave reviews, I am just not sure about internal cable routing and also whether geometry is too extreme.

http://www.orangebikes.co.uk/bikes/crush-am

Included because it would probably work out cheapest, most travel on the forks. However, no stand out reviews so might just be a bit average and I think the brakes are more basic?

Ultimately will get one of these 3, just want to pick the best one possible!

cooldad

Can you get the other two on the cycle to work scheme? Both over £1000

TrailAndError

Nothing wrong with the XFusions, but depending on the terrain you ride there is a bigger dilemma given your intended use.
I was looking at all three of those bikes you mention, but having ridden a Bird Aeris and realising I could buy one for 50 quid less than a Whyte 905 it became a no brainer, sacrificing weight for a 150mm travel 'All Mountain' full bouncer.

If you already have a full susser and/or definitely want a hardtail then I don't think you can go wrong with any of your choices, it may boil down to budget and what size and geometry suits your body and riding style best.
The Whyte 905 is probably the best bike, at a price. The Bird Zero the best value.

manc20

Full suss feels like a big commitment in terms off replacing bearings, front and rear shock serving costs every two years, I think I want the simplicity of a hard tail for the moment!

Definitely can't get bird through bike for work as it is a halfords run scheme. The other two bikes can be sourced from a bike shop that is on the scheme

matzou

Are you able to get bike over 1K£ with halfords scheme ?

When I used it this summer it was 1K£ maximum (hopefully since it's ended stolen...).

Also in terms of value per £ why not the Whyte 901 also ?

supersonic

I didn't know Halfords could source those bikes either.

if this can be got on the scheme:

http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBOO456CXT/ ... ntain-bike

The Rookie

The Halfords scheme can be used at selected LBS ...... So again the on-one is out.

Of course you won't save 40% on it either.....

manc20

Yep the scheme goes up to 5k but only want to spend about a grand after the saving. Want 650b as well and think these three look the best for the money and circumstances