[Closed] Whyte t129 pre 2016 opinions

I've got a 2015 Works (same geo as 2016?), absolute cracking bike, only issue is rear tyre clearance. I run a 2.25 Maxis Ardent and its tight.

Ive read that somewhere, might be an issue as even a lot of the natural xc trails around here are rocky.

Wife has one, it's an ace trail bike.

As woodentop says, rear tyre clearance is tight but 2.25 from Maxxis, schwalbe, etc. fit.

Also hard (not impossible) to run <36t front chain ring if that could be an issue for you.

owned 129s 2014 model for a few months. Have done many miles of black mountains gnar in south wales, had a great time each ride.
-I can't really say much about how well it works compared to other similar bikes as I've moved to it from 5 years on a hardtail. (oo Its squishy!).
-£750 for the £2k new model (monarch shock) is what I paid, it was in good condition bar the dropper post which went in the bin. I felt it was a fair deal but will probably never service the shock (upgrade instead).
-The head angle is slack enough that I've been a bit more confident than I was on a 70deg hardtail when it come to steep rockiness.
-Its not very light. I use it competitively so might have chosen a lighter bike with same travel from a rival brand however; it feels so solid and stiff on descending that I will take it on trail centres / uplift days confident that it can take everything I point it down and won't break. I've also put 34mm fork and wider rims to make it a 'burly xc' build which i don't think would make sense on many lighter rival 120mm bikes.

Thanks for the replies so far , @ digger95 thanks for the reply , im also in South Wales but im coming from a 160mm bike. Looking for something more xc/trail and like the look of the 129.

I've also got a 2014 T129S that I bought from new. Great bike - hard to fault although rear wheel mud clearance is tight and the WTB wheels could do with replacing with something a bit stronger. Reverb seatpost is great. I've also got a 905RS hardtail but much prefer the faster rolling & more comfortable ride of the 129.

Thanks all , I've just bought a 2015 model in that lovely green colour 🙂

Great bike.

I have the 2016 SCR model.

Positives:
It's fast. Noticeably quicker than my last bike (Santa Cruz Bronson CC).
It's slack enough and long enough to allow aggressive riding (see also negatives)
The build quality is superb, and the components excellent.
They are a ruddy bargain if you look in the right places!

Negatives:
It's slack enough and long enough to allow aggressive riding which quickly throws the light on the fact it only has 120mm travel!
The front end is quite low. I fitted some high rise bars.
The ride is firm, rather than supple, but that may be a positive, depending where / what you ride.
Rear tyre clearance is woeful. I have a 2.3" Maxxis Minion SS and it JUST fits.

Overall it is a great trail bike but it is possible to find its limits which is unsurprising given its only 120mm travel but more of a compliment about its geometry!

I've had a 2014 Works model from new. I ditched the dropper which saved a little weight and I've fitted some 140mm Pikes. Brilliant bike. Big improvement with the Pikes, though. Rear clearance is a tad tight, I've got a 2.3 Purgatory in (just).

Thanks guys, I'm really looking forward to getting out on it when it arrives . No doubt it will be a noticeable difference to my 160mm bike but I'm going to be doing more natural Xc rides in future and maybe some non competitive events if fitness allows.

Tres bon. I had a 2.4 conti tyre but it was a no go unsurprisingly.
I don't tend to get through more than 75% of the travel even at 32% sag. Does anyone know where the official set up guide is? I don't know what sag or rebound to go for so have left as per the previous owner

I have a 2014 129. Added 140mm pikes, just like failedengineer, bikes a ripper.

I don't tend to get through more than 75% of the travel even at 32% sag.

My 2014 T129 frame came with 5 volume bands in the shock and I struggled to get full travel. Weighing under 70kg I took two out and found the setup was a lot better for me.

My frame was second hand, so could have been a change of setup from the previous owner, but I'm pretty sure that they came like this from new as I saw it mentioned in a review somewhere.

Good to know about the pikes and volume bands.

cheers tomtomr
looks fairly painless to change
http://www.mbr.co.uk/news/product_news/five-minute-tune-rockshox-monarch-shock-324308

First ride on the new to me Whyte t129 today , easy ride to make sure everything is ok with it . Just need some decent tyres before it does any proper rides . Felt good straight away , needing only a few tweaks .

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Just picked up a T129 second hand. It felt bob on during the car park test (replacing a stolen 29CS, but wanted something with a little bounce this time around) and nothing has changed that - doesn't feel like a 29er at all.
Previous owner had done half a job of 1x .. so I removed the front mech, shifter, inner chain ring. Swapped the Ardent to the back and the nobby nic to the front(!). First bike I've had that does that 'it rides light' thing - it feels a bit hefty but it's a hoot to ride and climbs well enough.

I've found the suss a bit wallowy myself so I'm running it quite firm - this is the first linkage suss I've had though others were single pivot - the Mrs Stumpy FSR feels quite like this. Paid 650 and think it was a bit of deal myself - only thing I might change is some lighter wheels.

Like that colour btw, wish mine was fluro.

It does ride light , can't wait to get some decent tyres on mine and give it a good outing . The colour does look really nice .