[Closed] Hardtail buying advice

Think I'd be tempted to go for the 805 over the bizango although I think the bizango is still technically better VFM, the 805 looks nicer.

I think it's a case of which feels better if you try them out.

The Vitus sentier is worth a look

I had looked at Vitus but no one stocks them locally to take a look.

The other 2 I can look at and test locally.

I do like the 805 better, but can see the Bizango has great reviews and value for money especially if picking up for around £550 mark.

The Whyte 905 gets great reviews but is more than what I need, therefore next step down is the 805 2018, and for £700 thought it was a good deal.

I had a look for the 629 2018 but cant find in my size or price

https://www.sunsetmtb.co.uk/shop/index.php?product_id=6819&8420=40342&9047=43381&8680=41572

One of these Clockworks for £900 after you add the extra 10% off?

Orange also nice bikes but higher price than I want to go, don’t have my size anyway.

The 805 seems good at £700 price just wondering more if it’s worth the extra compared to the bizango especially if I can get it around £550

Bizango has 1x11 gearing over the 805's 1x10. Other than that, it seems the cost of the 805 is paying for the branding - Whyte & Rockshox.

I think I may just go with the 805 as seems a good option for the price prob not worth the original £900 but £700 is decent

Bizango is hard to fault for the price. Whyte is good but as above, not sure it's worth the extra price.

The bizango does get great reviews, only negative that I’ve seen on it is that the paint job on it is poor and chips very easily.

I originally had the 801 2018 as was £600 discounuted, the 805 at £100 more appeared better buy out those too.

Agree paying more for name but £50 more seems ok, not the original £900 price. Not sure how often the bizango gets a discount just know it’s been down at the £530 range before

Noticed after I commented above the Whyte has tubeless ready rims too if that interests you or not.

You might want to check out the 629 as well- 29er, comes with largely equivalent parts but better brakes, and imo just slightly better geometry- Whyte seem more confident with 29ers.

All 3 are going to be fantastic tbh.

Something I’ve not thought too much about, that was one of the main differences between the 801 and 805, 805 ready, 801 compatable rims. Other than fork being 120 and 130mm

801 was also decent at £600

629 was on my list mentioned earlier but can’t find it in a large for the £775 price Edinburgh bike co is doing it for...2018 model

Personally I'd go with the Whyte if we're sticking with the original 805 and Voodoo.

You're getting more than your £50's worth in the proper spec tyres over hard nasty cheapies and better rims.

I'm generally a SRAM fan but Deore M6000 is a major upgrade over NX 11. You've got the same range of gears (11-42) just with fewer steps and don't have the boatanchor that is the NX cassette weighing down your tail.

It's probably evens between the Suntour Raidon and the Rockshox Recon forkwise but the Rockshox may be easier to live with down the line service wise.

I can’t source a 629 or 801 for size and price so 805 is the best deal out of those 3.

The 805 is 27.5, bizango 29 am I going to notice the difference, Whyte does seem to be all 27.5 with the exception of a couple 29 ranges. The 905 I believe is 27.5 also, just much thicker tyres

Someone suggested an orange 109 29 2019 in an earlier post but not available in my size and was £900

Just noticed this one around £800? Orange clockwork 27.5 2019

https://www.sunsetmtb.co.uk/shop/index.php?product_id=8356&10804=51494&10805=51496&10806=51498&10807=51503

Didnt manage to pick up the 805 as missed out, but have managed to source a 629 2018, opinions on this one welcome, will be same price as below link 775

https://www.edinburghbicycle.com/whyte-629-2018

Impossible to fault at that price, cracking bike.

I wasn't quick enough to get the Whyte 629 so few other options below, advise would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

Whyte 801 2018 £650

https://whyte.bike/products/801

Orange Clockwork 127 2018 £800

https://www.orangebikes.co.uk/bikes/clockwork-127/2018

Orange Clockwork 109 2018 £800

https://www.orangebikes.co.uk/bikes/clockwork-109/2018

https://onza.com/collections/mtb-bikes/products/jackpot-27-5-steel-hardtail-orange

Jackpot 27.5" Mountain Bike – Orange

That's a lot of bike for the money and its what I would go for at that price range.

10% off if you sign up to email. Buy that onza

800 was my top end range but if 10% off that is manageable.

It’s not one I’ve come across before, better than the clockwork then?

Looking at sizing 19” would be ok for 6ft

I suspect you'd be better off with something more conservative like the orange if you're only doing light trails and riding for fitness. That onza has a 150mm fork which is at the extreme end of the scale for a hardtail!

Yeah my use will be light trails, out with the kids, fitness.

Have you looked at the Boardman? Great spec for the money if they have your size.

https://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductMobileDisplay?catalogId=10151&langId=-1&categoryId=165499&productId=1173726&storeId=10001

Originally looked at the Voodoo Bizango, then there was a good deal on the Whyte 805 which I missed out on, then same with the Whyte 629 which both looked better option than the Voodoo.

The orange was suggested hence looking into this as £800 seems good price, I haven't looked at the Boardman.

I wish I had been quicker to get the Whyte 629.

The decision I think has to come down to the Orange or Onza, concerned about the comments on the Onza regarding my intended use tho

Hey

Coming back to this now that the prices are starting to drop on left over 2018 and some 2019s in wake of the 2020

Options below... whats best for the price, this is be for out and about on light trails with the kids and fitness overall.

Orange Clockwork 27.5 2019 (£890)

https://www.orangebikes.co.uk/bikes/clockwork

Whyte 805 2018 (£849) or 2019 (£799)
https://www.edinburghbicycle.com/whyte-805-2018-mountain-bike

https://www.edinburghbicycle.com/whyte-805-2019

Whyte 629 (£1099)

https://www.edinburghbicycle.com/whyte-629-2019

Whyte 529 (£799)

https://www.edinburghbicycle.com/whyte-529-2019-29er-hardtail-mountain-bike

Voodoo bizango (£650)

https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bikes/voodoo-bizango-29er-mens-mountain-bike-16-18-20-22-frames?istCompanyId=b8708c57-7a02-4cf6-b2c0-dc36b54a327e&istFeedId=367c5610-f937-4c81-8609-f84582324cd6&istItemId=wtqtxmaam&istBid=t&_$ja=tsid:94971|cid:868641099|agid:42483199823|tid:aud-297219197929:pla-593195114592|crid:203186066784|nw:g|rnd:7085953916185225402|dvc:c|adp:1o1|mt:|loc:1007302&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgafIjObK4wIVyOFRCh1QugdBEAQYASABEgI1t_D_BwE

They'd all be great bikes for your intended purpose. Get which ever one you like the look of most or from the nearest most convenient retailer. Don't underestimate this if it comes down to getting problems or a warranty claim sorted.

Re listed in price order

Voodoo bizango (£650)

Whyte 805 2019 (£799)

Whyte 529 (£799)

Whyte 805 2018 (£849)

Orange Clockwork 27.5 2019 (£890)

Whyte 629 (£1099)

Looks like the voodoo has a straight steerer fork from what I can make out. If so avoid.

My Whyte 529 was a fantastic frame!
I upgraded everything elese but it was brilliant.
Light, good quality and modern geomtry.

I wouldn't be looking to carry out any upgrades just use as it comes, thinking the 805 2019 for the price is good value?

If I could pick up the 2018 version cheaper this could be a good option?

Would I notice much difference on the 529 compared too 629?

Clockwork looks good but cheaper options prob better value?

Merlin have some good deals on at the moment; the [url= https://www.merlincycles.com/marin-nail-trail-97-29er-mountain-bike-2016-144496.html ]Nail Trail[/url] looks interesting (only available in small or medium though) but as a pootler I'm not clever enough to know how it stacks up against the others (2016 model so possibly out of date).

https://www.merlincycles.com/mountain-bikes-75266/?price=349-824

Thank Pjay, but going to stick with the list I have to choose 🙂

For light trails and fitness, take your pick as taxi said they’d all do it well. If you can see yourself progressing to more challenging riding then it may be worth stretching to the 629 which is a step up in quality, in terms of components.

The 629 would be preference however can’t see myself developing much more for next few years at least.

Last year’s 629 dropped to 750/800 mark but I missed out on it not sure if 2019 will drop as much it seems to have dropped to 1099 as the 2020 is out now.

I think the 805 would be good buy if can maybe get the 2018 for under the 2019 price.

How would the 805 compare to 529 is this
Mainly down to 27.5 and 29?

Really like the orange but think for the price the others are as good better value

Yeah wheel size is the main difference between those two, there are only minor differences in the components. So either pick the wheel size you think would be best for you or pick your fave colour!

The 629 seems higher level for what I need so unless it comes down a fair bit I can prob count that out.

Orange as I said before I can prob get similar for cheaper?? Or anyone think the Orange is worth the extra?

Really down to what price I can get the 805 or 529 for, I don’t have a preference over 27.5 or 29...would prob edge towards 29 if it came down to same price.

I’d get the Bizango - the others aren’t better enough for the extra money for me. If you catch Halfords doing a sale or have British cycling membership you can get another 10% off I think.

Not sure whether CRC / Wiggle have got any discounted Vitus Sentiers or not but they might be worth a look too.

I'd go bizango too.. It's a tough bike to beat at the price point. Especially if you don't really want to stretch the budget much further and aren't really sure what you want.

The Bizango with a 20% which Halfords do from time to time is a great price, but if I can get the 805 or 529 down nearer the £700 mark it would be hard not to go with them.

Absolutely kicking myself that I missed out on the 629 2018 at the start of the year at £775. Can not find a large anywhere. If anyone happens to know of one lurking anywhere let me know

You’re spending a lot of time posting on here and fumbling about looking at deals - meanwhile the summer is slipping by and you could be out riding on a shiny new bike.

Yes the Whyte has probably got more progressive geometry than the Bizango and probably the linked Orange (which is quite conservative - I’d be looking at the clockwork 137 or clockwork Evo personally), but do you really need that?

I’d just pick one that’s in stock and go for it and get out enjoying yourself in the sunshine!

I get what you are saying, but, I am in no real rush to buy, I work FT, have 2 kids, pets, kids clubs and other activities so not all the time in the world to cycle anyway, I would rather get a good deal for something that will see me the next few years, that rush into something.

The orange evo and 137 are nice but I want to stay under the £1k mark.

I get what you are saying but I also have a little girl, a dog, work very much full time (and more really). Any of those bikes will keep you going for a good few years.

If you don’t want a Bizango hen knock that off the list and fix the maximum budget you are actually willing to pay. That will shorten your list down and then it’s easier to pick one and go with it. If £1k is actually the maximum and what you are willing to spend then there are a lot of options.

Are you looking for best spec or best geometry - if the latter - what does that mean for you?

I am really looking for a good all rounder spec wise, so I dont need to make any improvements. £1k is my max but ideally would like to pick up something that was originally £1k+ for around £700-750 no real preference if this is 2018 or 2019, 27.5 or 29

I think I will just consecrate on the Whyte 805 and 529 prices and see how they go. If the 629 drops anywhere near like the 2018 629 one did then I would jump at that.

Im going to throw the below in which is reduced to £1099 but gets you a significantly better fork / wheels / finishing kit

https://www.bird.bike/product/zero-tr-clearance-edition/#configuration

For your needs any of the bikes you listed are absolutely fine. Personally I'd go with the Whyte 629, but I prefer 29er. Its a more than capable bike for you should you want to ride more serious trails in the future, is on sale at a good price point and in your size.
I'd get it bought before it is out of stock.
Also, I'm not sure about why you're hung up on this being a big decision. With the type of riding you are going to be doing, all the bikes you listed are suitable. Without wanting to sound condescending, but you could get by with a Calibre Line 20, or the Line 10 with a Recon and a Dropper for £650.

https://www.bikeradar.com/reviews/bikes/mountain-bikes/calibre-line-10-review/

Or get this or the Jackpot....
https://onza.com/products/payoff-29-steel-hardtail-orange

Thats a bike that you'll be able to use more as you decide you want to try more testing trails.

I'd go Whyte 805 + a dropper seatpost.