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Still really enjoying my T129 and after sticking 130mm Pikes on to replace the 140mm Revs it's going really well but the tight clearance at the back continues to be an annoying thing about it. I'm trying a 2.25 Beaver on the back now that the trails have gone messy and it's not a massively wide tyre but the tyre rub (Antalya when cornering hard) is an arse. Pivot points are all tight and the wheel is plenty sturdy so nothing untoward there.
It's a great frame otherwise so what else could I be looking at?
A Transition Smuggler or Nicolai Helius TB are the ones I've spotted so far but the Nicolai is pushing the price limit.
So what else? Must be 29er and capable of taking a 130mm fork. Threaded BB and 142mm back end also preferred.
Depends how much you want to spend...
My T-129 was bought as a stop gap whilst I waited for my Evil Following (the delays were huge when it was first announced, no problems now though). Like you I thought the T-129 was a great bike spoiled by poor rear tyre clearance. Mine also had the frankly crap Fox CTD Shock on it, and having ridden them with a Rockshox Monarch on instead, if I'd have kept it I would have changed the shock too.
As for the Evil... There's no getting away from it that £2500 is a whole lotta money to spend on a frame, but it's quite simply awesome! It's definitely stiffer than the T-129 (I had the SCR version), it's a bit slacker, it's more playful, it pedals better and it has much more tyre clearance (it's not as roomy as some, but a 2.25" Maxxis fits with mud clearance easy enough).
It's not cheap, but it's highly effective!
Transition Smuggler or Nicolai Helius TB are the ones I've spotted so far but the Nicolai is pushing the price limit.
Not ridden the Nicolai, but have had a go on the Smuggler (was also considering one of these a while back). It pedalled better than the T-129 with the Fox CTD shock for sure, but the bike felt too upright for me. The seat angle is crazy steep, so it feels like you need to buy a size smaller than recommended and fit a 20mm layback seatpost if you get me...
Ta. Mine has a Monarch fitted and it seems to do the job well enough. The Evil seems to be well rated but is probably a bit over budget (the Nicolai would be a bit of an indulgence) and (no offence intended) it's just got too much going on in terms of appearance.
It's a right pi$$er as another few mm each side on the chainstay yoke would make it close to perfect!
My suggestion would be Smuggler or Camber EVO. I am slightly biased as I have a smuggler but I am a massive Whyte fan....909 and 829 owned in the past.
The smuggler with pikes and some nice wide rims will smash over pretty much everything. Was more than capable at Afan and BPW in September, more than I was expecting.
I am a massive Whyte fan....909 and 829 owned in the past
Out of interest how did they compare?
Each to their own, but the steep seat angle is one of the things I like best about my Smuggler. But then I enjoy climbs as much as descents.
Clink - Different beasts. 909 is REALLY good fun, properly chuckable with loads of grip and I always feel in the zone when riding one. For twisty and technical stuff it would be my go to bike.
829 - I added pikes to mine and that made a world of difference. Quite aggressive and definitely not just an XC machine. The big wheels dont get in the way on the twisty stuff and again will plough over most things. ALL my best strava times both up and down have been set on the 829 which surprised me given the other bikes I ride or have ridden.
Whyte are really good at geometry. Ive ridden most of their range over the last 2-3 years as I know one of their test riders and they have all been great in their own little ways.
Kona Process 111 has very similar geometry to the Whyte - short chainstays, etc. Must be a much wider rear though as the 2016 version has 30mm internal width rims with Minion 2.3 tyres if memory serves.
cheers variflex
Banshee phantom should be on the list.....
Salsa Horsethief?
Rocky Mountain Instinct BC edition. Full carbon, 130/140 travel and 9 geo settings via ride 9 system.
Thanks for the suggestions.
The Banshee does look good but is starting to get a bit short in the top tube. The Whyte is about 620mm and ideally I'd like a touch longer. None of the options I've found so far are longer though.
Size wise I need a large at 6'1"
A couple of compromises aren't too much of an issue looking at how much I paid for the Whyte but at upwards of £1,500 for frame only it's more significant.
Maybe taking the plunge for the Nicolai with a few custom size tweaks is the answer, although I guess then it becomes removed from the original idea of a Whyte with better clearance?!?
My suggestion would be Smuggler or Camber EVO. I am slightly biased as I have a smuggler but I am a massive Whyte fan....909 and 829 owned in the past.
If you're very long in the leg, and relatively short in the body, the steep seat angle of the Smuggler will work well for you. It does pedal well, and the geometry is pretty bang on aside from the (for me) steep Seat Angle.
As far as the Camber goes... A customer took my Evil Following out the other day, he's had a Camber Evo for 6 months now and said though it's a good bike, it's not particularly brilliant at anything. He came back grinning like the proverbial cheshire cat after a quick spin out on my Following! Crucially he said that not only does it pedal better, but that it's far more confidence inspiring to ride.
It's hugely expensive I'll grant you, but a Nicolai ain't cheap either!
Banshee phantom should be on the list.....
Fantastic bike, but a little weighty for its travel IMO
The Banshee does look good but is starting to get a bit short in the top tube. The Whyte is about 620mm and ideally I'd like a touch longer. None of the options I've found so far are longer though.Size wise I need a large at 6'1"
I see from your profile you're Cannock based... I'm only just the other side of Brum from you, more than welcome to come and swing a leg over my Large Following.
Yeah loads of tyre clearance in the back of the process 111.
Not a light frame though.
Cheers all.
Size wise my height bias is upper body with a modest inseam.
Process looks good but I'm only looking for frame only as I have a near perfect (for me) set of kit.
Mboy, thanks for the offer, if the Evil shapes up as a viable option I'll be in touch.
I started a similar thread to yourself not long ago about 29ers. I'm 6ft 2" , but all legs and arms.. I'm looking at having to buy an XL to get something with a decent sized toptube . I had considered the 129 but the clearance issue put me off and 3k is a bit pricey for the SCR. I'm leaning towards a tallboy or an orbea occam Tr..
Pyga OneTen29
I have Schwalbe 2.35 on the back with no clearance issues, I'm 6' on a large
+1 for the Pyga.
Cracking bike.
Is the rear clearance much better on the 2016 Smuggler?
Looked pretty tight on the original model.
Clearance is fine on seatstays and chainstays it's just that brace on the seatstays where there's an issue on the 2015 models (can't really run a tall tyre). I think they've modified it for the 2016 but i've not seen one in the flesh to know how much better it is.