Looking for new ht mt bike but whats better Whyte, Cube,Scot

mccltd

Hi,
Been looking around for an new MTB Hardtail. Use 50/50 on road off road.
I went into a shop yesterday and they nearly sold me a Whyte 729 but wanted to read some reviews.
http://whyte.bike/gb/models/crosscountrytrail/x29-performance-xc-hardtail-29er/729-2/

Searching online there are some but not many, are people not a fan of Whyte?

Looking to spend around £1200 and obviously want best bike for money.
Any advise?

cooldad

Whyte make decent bikes, but rarely best value for money.

Shindo

Have a look at Radon stuff on Bike-Discount - the ZR Team 29 8.0 is priced at €899 (£638) and is kitted up as well as most £1000-£1500 big brand bikes!

If your wanting to spend the extra though you could look at the ZR Race 29 8.0 or LE

There are also Canyon Bikes, something like a Grand Canyon AL SLX 7.9 would be under your budget at £1099

If your willing to buy from previous years models you could always try Paul's Cycles.

If you're looking for best value for money then you will be hard pushed to find much better than the above mentioned websites!

mccltd

Thanks for the replies,

Thats ZR Race 9 sounds very appealing.
Currently I have 27 gears and use them all will I notice a big difference going to 20, what area does 20 miss out if any.

WhyteSky

I have a Whyte. Think it's a 629 but can't actually remember and it's in my lockup so I can't just nip into the shed to check. I'm fairly certain the x29's all have the same frame, just different paint job and components.

It's a great bike to ride but the standard kit is really poor for the price of the bike.

Tektro Gemini brakes - changed for Deore.
RockShox XC30 - Changed for Recon Gold

SRAM x5 up front, x7 at the back, x5 shifters.

Like I say, for the money there are better kitted out bikes.

The Boardman Pro seems to have near on identical geometry but has top spec kit on it.k

EDIT - gearing depends on your current range really and the range on your new bike. If the lower and upper gearing is the same then the only difference is the step between changes in between.

mccltd

Thanks for the replies.

I also now looking at a cube hpa Sl 29 or maybe a scott but not knowing the difference between brakes, shocks and gears can someone help.
Cube http://www.cube.eu/bikes/mtb-hardtail/reaction/cube-reaction-hpa-sl-29-black-anodized-2015/
Scott https://www.scott-sports.com/global/en/products/238235007/SCOTT-Scale-940-Bike/

WhyteSky

That Cube is a stunning looking bike!

It isn't about how it looks though, it's about how it feels.

You could really do with getting a go on everything you're considering and then getting the one that feels right for you.

Have you considered buying used? Save a fair bit of cash which you can use for upgrades.

WindyG

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19638554#p19638554]mccltd[/url] wrote:

Thanks for the replies.

I also now looking at a cube spa Sl 29 or maybe a scott but not knowing the difference between brakes, shocks and gears can someone help.
Cube http://www.cube.eu/bikes/mtb-hardtail/reaction/cube-reaction-hpa-sl-29-black-anodized-2015/
Scott https://www.scott-sports.com/global/en/products/238235007/SCOTT-Scale-940-Bike/

The Cube is the better spec bike, XT throughout, RS SID forks, much better tyres

mccltd

[quote="Have you considered buying used? Save a fair bit of cash which you can use for upgrades.[/quote]

I haven't thought about used ,no but was hoping to buy a bike I didn't need to upgrade.

WhyteSky

I haven't thought about used ,no but was hoping to buy a bike I didn't need to upgrade.[/quote]

It doesn't matter what bike you buy, you WILL want to upgrade it. It's as simple as that.

Don't buy on spec, buy on what feels right. What fits. What's comfortable.

Components wear out over time and need replacing. You can upgrade such things as and when they need replacing. You can't make a bike feel right in the same way.

Seriously, try them out. Take them for a ride if you can. Borrow one from a friend or go to a demo day. Hire one.

rockmonkeysc

Getting the best fork for your money is important at this price, forks are more expensive than frames and the difference between good and bad is huge with forks but there's very little difference in frames and very few bad frames.