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Was reading the mbr mag and I saw that the Whyte 901 got huge reps from them. I mean they really loved that bike.
Looking at it though I just don't think the specs are very good.
Am I wrong ??
Hmm seems there's always been a lot of love of the Whyte 90x bikes (especially from MBUK/Bikeradar lot). Lightweight Alu UK-specific designed frame, racey xc geometry with slack headangle (that's now even slacker) and decent forks. Makes it a pretty good all rounder. Granted you get better groupset/brakes if you got a cube or a canyon, but you wouldn't get the whyte frame. I'm biased as I have a 905, but really like it, playful, light, and fast - although would swap for a 909 🙂
Yes, and no. There no doubt that you could get a better spec'd bike for the money, probably from a direct dale brand like canyon. Quickly comparing it to the Spech Rockhopper (similar price point) and I say the Whyte has a [i]much[/i] better fork and everything else is of a similar spec (or worth the sacrifice of the better fork)
That said the everything is of a reasonable spec & will work fine, and the step up to the 905 probably isn't the best value, though a m8 loves his.
When I was looking for a new bike, and the got the 905, you could definitely get better drive train, brakes etc for the money (not necessarily forks) even some full sussers were as well specced. But the components are pretty good and the 905 is a great ride, as I suspect the 901 would be.
*cough* 2014 909 in the classifieds *cough*
PS. They're rad as Ken. (Ken's pretty rad)
Last year's 901 with XT brakes and conti trail kings for sale here. £750. Done the Ciaran Path in less than twelve parsecs...
Nice bike though, details like the fork don't really tell the whole story.
When I was looking for a new bike, and the got the 905, you could definitely get better drive train, brakes etc for the money (not necessarily forks) even some full sussers were as well specced. But the components are pretty good and the 905 is a great ride, as I suspect the 901 would be.
I've got a T-130 Works and for the money I think the spec is excellent. Only change I'v made is to swap the brakes from Codes to Hope E4s just because I've had Hopes since the original C2s and I prefer them. May swap the stem out to try a 60mm one otherwise everything else is staying until it wears out.
I've got a separated shoulder (non bike related injury) so I've only done approx. 100 miles on it but so far the bike rides really well.
HTH
They are great bikes however its a bit tight they don't come with a dropper - particularly the 909 which is over £2k for a hardtail.
The bike is crying out for a dropper and most people that buy one would be looking for one as they are ideal bikes for ragging about.
I have the 2014 905 BTW
Think the spec is quite good to be honest. Direct offerings give you more, but bike is not always the sum of its parts.
The bike is crying out for a dropper and most people that buy one would be looking for one as they are ideal bikes for ragging about.
I have the 2011 905 and don't want to put a dropper on it, manly as I don't want to add 700g to it and most rides I get away with minor seat tweaks if I need to (but enjoy ragging it round places like lee quarry). I've ridden few bikes with them on, nice addition but wouldn't say these are cyring out for them.
Thanks so much for the feed back guys. It was just one of those things I wanted to hear from people with these bike.
Got a 2014 901 with Reverb fitted, cannot fault it at all spec or ride, has put the full suss spesh stumpy in storage as i prefer to ride the whyte.