2013 Whyte Review Reprint by ATB Sales Ltd

2013 WHYTE BIKES REVIEW REPRINT Best of British - tested and scored

Reprinted Feb 2013

BIKES REVIEWED Whyte's Terrific T-120s Whyte's Marvellous M-109 Whyte's Sensational Stirling Whyte's Xtraordinary X729

Whyte's UK designed bikes tried and tested by the UK's most respected mags and websites.

"The Whyte is seriously fast, trail tough and an absolute blast. That price is a bargain."

Rides and Rates the T-129s

New Trail 29er Best in Test t-129s wIns maJor grouP test In mbr

Loving Whyte's "Progressive Geometry" "The perfect hardtail trail setup."

urban Warriors Group Test

Stirling takes top honours.

Reprinted with kind permission of MBR Magazine - IPC Media

Whyte T-129s ÂŁ1,999.99 01

To keep everything stiff at the rear, Whyte has gone with 142x12mm maxle dropouts.

Cable guides on the side of the down tube, combined with rubber cable sleeves and frame patches, provide a belt and braces approach to eliminating cable-rub.

The new Quad 4 suspension shares pivot hardware with previous Quad designs and comes with the same lifetime guarantee on the bearings.

With an ultra-short, 100mm tapered head tube you can run a riser bar on the T-129s and still get the front low enough for climbing.

specification

Frame 6061 aluminium 120mm travel

Shock Rockshox monarch RT3

Fork Rockshox Reba RLT Wheels Whyte hubs, WTB sTi19 rims, maxxis Ardent/ Ikon tyres

Brakes Avid elixir 5 Drivetrain sRAm s1400 Chainset X9/X7 mechs, X9 shifters Components Whyte bar/ stem/ saddle, Rockshox Reverb seatpost Sizes s, m, L Weight 13.2kg (29.1lb) Contact whytebikes.com

angle finder

Size tested m Head angle 68.3 degrees Seat angle 66.7 degrees BB height 335mm Chainstay 432mm Front centre 705mm Wheelbase 1,137mm Down tube 695mm

new suspension design for Whyte's T-129s clearly takes its lead from the Specialized Camber, but can the underdog really beat the big dog at its own game?

Frame

The aim of the T-129s design was to combine the improved rollover of bigger wheels with the flickability of a 26er. To do that, Whyte needed to get the chainstay length as short as possible, and the classic Specialized FSR suspension design enables an impressively short 432mm back-end as well as a front mech. With chainstays that are almost 20mm shorter than the Camber and an even longer front centre, the geometry here arguably out-Specializes even the Specialized.

Suspension

A relatively long, 63mm-stroke Monarch RT3 rear shock pumps out 120mm of travel and gives the T-129s a very low leverage ratio. As a result, even with one of the lightest damping tunes on offer, the rear suspension didn't feel particularly active or springy. It was, however, controlled and planted, with no unwanted mid-stroke wallow. Also, with the shock not being worked so hard, the bike pedals very efficiently; so well, in fact, that we never felt the need to use the firmer "Floodgate" settings. While it was nice not to be constantly twiddling with adjusters, we would have liked the option to go softer on the rear shock to gain extra grip or more comfort on fast, rocky trails. Up front, the 120mm Reba 29 fork was smooth, controlled and offered more

support than the Fox CTD units featured elsewhere in this test.

Wheels

Lightweight wheels completely transform a bike, especially a 29er, and none in this test are lighter than those fitted to the Whyte. The STi19 WTB rims are wide enough for all but the fattest 29er tyres, and with Maxxis rubber fitted as standard, it's hard to put a foot wrong on the T-129s.

Groupset

The 38/24t gearing on the SRAM chainset is standard for a 29er, but because Whyte specs a smaller GPX spider it is possible to fit a 36/22t combo if your legs or the terrain demand it. SRAM's X9 shifter pods use bearings rather than bushings, so the shifting is much lighter and more positive than with the X7 units found on the Specialized and Giant.

Components

All of the components on the T-129s are spot-on. Factor in the 100mm drop RockShox Reverb post and slick seatpost QR for those "are we really going down there?" moments, and the Whyte comes out on top once again.

Performance

The combination of the slack head angle and roomy cockpit provided us with all the confidence we needed to really let the T-129s run. OK, so the suspension wasn't the plushest in the test, but it is very controlled and stable and doesn't spike like the old Quad design. Better still, the new suspension platform

offers a very neutral pedalling response in any gear combination and is hugely effective at getting the power down without breaking traction. Lofting the front-end for drops or manualling through the countless puddles littering the trails couldn't have been easier, but the flipside of the super-short chainstays is that the Whyte also climbs more like a 26in bike - you have to get your weight forward and keep your head low to stop the front-end from lifting. As always, it's a trade-off, but one that plays to the Whyte's strengths.

Verdict

Silent in action, stealth in appearance and blisteringly fast, the T-129s is much more than a new 29er from Whyte; it's a turning point in the identity of the brand. It is also the most accomplished suspension bike the company has produced to date, and the only thing standing between the T-129s and a perfect 10 rating is the rear suspension's slight bias towards pedalling efficiency over outright grip or playfulness. In that respect, Whyte hasn't beaten Specialized at its own game - but in every other department the T-129s manages to inch ahead.

test winner!

Best in Test Whyte T-129 S

Specialized Camber Comp Scott Spark 950 Giant Trance X-29er 1 Diamondback Sortie Niner 2

we love

the fit of the T-129s

Conclusion

Sometimes it is incredibly difficult to establish the pecking order in a bike test - repeatedly swapping between the bikes trying to discover each one's strengths and weaknesses while weighing up the pros and cons of the compromises made to achieve a certain ride quality, hit a target weight or simply meet the desired price point. Not in this test. On the very first outing, in the worst possible weather conditions, the Specialized Camber Comp quickly established itself as top dog. Struggling to come to terms with the more stretched XC riding position on the Scott, the soft suspension on the Giant and the back-end hanging off the overweight Diamondback, the Specialized Camber was racing ahead en route to bagging another test win. Then the Whyte showed up in the office. Fashionably late, air-freighted straight to us with its soft-touch matt finish barely dry, our five-bike 29er

test suddenly descended into a two-horse race. With easily the best spec in every department, the Whyte T-129s instantly had the upper hand over the Specialized. The slacker head angle and shorter back end meant that the Whyte handled better on the steeper trails we were using for our initial back-to-back tests. Truth be told, we couldn't have had a better first impression of the Whyte. Even so, something about the dynamic geometry of the Specialized Camber, afforded by its more active suspension kept it in the running and kept putting a smile on our faces. It also made us question the more staid response of the Whyte's rear suspension. It wasn't until we went to Afan, however, that the spanner was thrown in the works of the Whyte's runaway 10 rating. Basically it was the only bike that left our hands and feet tingling at the bottom of the Skyline descent. Given how well the T-129s pedals, Left: Chainstay pivot makes for a true four-bar design Right: Quad-Link system isn't quite a match for Specialized Far right: Rockshox Reverb dropper post at this price-point is very welcome

with the shock in the fully open setting, and the fact that the rebound was a touch sluggish from the off, we suspected that the rear shock on the Whyte was slightly over-damped. It's not that the suspension on the Whyte is bad far from it. It's just not as effective or lively as the Specialized Camber. And with the Whyte T-129s streets ahead in every other respect, we wanted to see if it was possible to squeeze the final five percent of performance out of the new Quad 4 suspension design. It turns out that it's not going to be possible with the RockShox shock, but that still wasn't enough to dampen the Whyte's spirits. With the best geometry, spec and handling, the Whyte T-129s is the standout package in this test.

Reprinted with kind permission of Cycling Plus Magazine - Future Publishing

Flat-bar bikes come into their own when you're navigating busy city roads, letting you keep your head up and get through the traffic safely. We test the commuting credentials of four, with a variety of frames, gears and brakes on offer...

ust as there is more than one way to separate a feline from its fur, so there are different ways to design a commuter bike. You could use a touring bike or folder, or even a drop-bar road bike for fast commutes. But many commuters prefer flat bars, and here we put four very different flat-barred urban runarounds to the test. All four qualify for the Cycle to Work scheme. While drop bars offer a wider range of riding positions, flat bars give a more upright riding position. With your face higher up you're better placed to observe

traffic, stray pedestrians who prefer texting to looking before they cross roads, and the other regular and unexpected happenings that befall the city cyclist. Flat-barred bikes also lend themselves better to disc brakes. These offer powerful, controlled braking, prolong the life of your rims - there are no pads to grind grit and road-borne detritus into them - and should your wheels go out of true, you can ride them a while longer too. Two of our quartet have discs, while the others both have V-brakes, which proved impressive stoppers in their own right.

HOW WE TESTED THEM

We spent most of our time on these bikes putting them through a variety of rides in their natural environment city streets. At this time of year that means increasingly rutted, potholed and frost damaged roads. We did our daily commutes - which take in some pretty decent climbs and fast, busy descents - and

swapped bikes on a regular basis to see which ones coped best. But in addition we put them through their paces on longer rides at the weekend to see how comfortable they are when the miles mount up. And while there are setup issues that might affect their suitability for long-distance

riding comfort - notably bar height in one case - there's no reason why any of these have to live their lives purely in the commuter bike ghetto. Weekend rides, rough-stuff rides, leisure riding and even training are within the compass of these machines as they stand or with the merest component tweaks.

GROUP TEST VERDICT The Whyte's more compact geometry and slimmer seatpost means it just takes the comfort honours. Overall the Whyte just takes the winner's spot. Its compact frame results in a comfortable ride; it's fast, tough, the geometry is ideal for urban riding, and Whyte has absolutely nailed the brakes and gearing.

The stability is balanced by a shorter stem, which offers the sort of nifty handling you need in city traffic STIRLING SERVICE

The term 'hybrid' can mean many things in the cycling world. It can take in anything from a super-heavyweight bike-shaped object bought from your local supermarket, to more modest, reasonably

WHYTE STIRLING £999.99 ★★★★★ SPECIFICATION WEIGHT 9.65kg (M) FRAME 6061 hydroformed aluminium FORK Carbon, alloy steerer GEARS SRAM Via 2x10-speed BRAKES Avid Elixir 1 WHEELS Alex Black Dragon rims FINISHING KIT Whyte bar, stem, seatpost and saddle, 28mm Maxxis Detonator tyres www.whytebikes.com

a very long wheelbase: 107cm on our medium model, about 5cm longer than on a similar size road bike. The result is a very stable ride when you get up to speed, and thanks to the reasonable overall weight that's quite easy to do. The stability is balanced by a shorter stem, which offers the sort of nifty handling you need in city traffic. The Stirling also has a narrower handlebar than the Charge - 58cm - with Ergon's excellent rubber grips. Whereas the Charge is ideal for faster, flatter riding, the Whyte has more versatility. It's no slouch when required, but it has both a higher number of gears and a significantly lower bottom gear. If steep climbs are part of your daily grind, the 32x32 (small chainring/large sprocket) bottom gear offers a real bailout option, while the 48x11 top gear is higher than 52x12, let alone a compact's WE SAY... usual 50x12 - so you're not going High quality kit to run out of top end gears. on a mountain Nominally a city bike, the bike- style frame Stirling is actually light and creates a great comfortable enough and has urban bike the versatility to be pressed into longer rides too. It has a full complement of rack and mudguard fittings, and it'll do sterling service whatever you use it for. We even fitted it with mini tri-bars for some fast fitness riding and it performed perfectly. In spite of its stealth looks - or possibly because of them - this is one that thieves might have their eye on, so if you do leave it locked up, make sure you've got decent security.

specced machines from your local bike shop and even a very well considered machine like Whyte's Stirling, which is probably why Whyte prefers to use the term 'fast urban' rather than hybrid. Fast urban certainly sums it up nicely. At first glance and ignoring the colour, it might look a little like the Charge, so you might wonder what you get for your extra £600. Well, it has higher-spec kit than the Charge, most notably in the shape of a carbon fork, Avid's excellent hydraulic disc brakes and 2x10-speed SRAM Via gearing. The hydroformed 6061 aluminium frame is pretty similar to what you'd get on a £1000 road bike, and very well finished too, but the geometry is different. It's based around mountain bike geometry, with a relaxed head angle and

Reprinted with kind permission of What Mountain Bike Magazine - Future Publishing

£2799-£3500

marathon bikes

e all know marathon bikes are extremely fast and athletically adept, but you’d be forgiven for thinking that they aren’t much fun to ride. And to be fair, until very recently you’d have been right. Previous generation marathon racers ran on fragile, slippery, skinny-walled and slick-treaded tyres. Their short travel suspension with aggressively firm compression damping tunes for

"If looking at a bike for long distance trail adventures we'd at least try a 29er" pedalling did nothing for their traction or rough terrain comfort. Add steep steering angles and the twitchy narrow bar/long stem handling favoured by pro racers and the results handled like spooked race horses on roller skates. Then 29in wheels came along. Before anyone kicks off we know we’ve already been accused of becoming far too focused on what is

how we tested them We get to ride some lovely bikes in some pretty special places, but out of all the tests each year this is the one we look forward to most. Strapping on kneepads and playing silly buggers on black runs is fun, and hooning hardcore hardtails round the local woods is a blast, but nothing scratches our mountain biking itch more than plotting a barely plausible compilation of all the best bits of an entire area and trying to hit them all in a single ride. That's exactly what these bikes are designed for: sub-zero night time Strava assaults on local knowledge singletrack loops, Sunday dawn dambusting raids, head-to-head rides through off-the-grid gamekeeper trails in the middle of moorland nowhere... or just flat-out, quick-fix thrashes

round techy singletrack. These bikes have seen it all. Thanks to John Houlihan, two of them even got to compete in the legendary, invitation-only 'Man of Porage' epic race in the Scottish borders. We're viciously competitive, so every ride has seen each bike being further honed to the peak of its potential to eke any advantage against its peers. To reflect the potential buyers we've put them under previously hardtail-only fanatics, kneepadded trail warriors, epic champions who've only ridden 26ers before and all our regular, 29er-familiar test team. That way we can be pretty sure we've covered every question you might want answering - as well as every bit of epic singletrack we know - before we reluctantly stopped riding and start writing.

still very much a minority size when you consider what’s actually out on the trail. If you’re planning to ride a long way, at high speed, with maximum control then 29ers totally come into their own. Smaller 26in wheels (and bikes) are lighter and accelerate better, so they punch their way round smooth cross-country courses brilliantly. They’re more manoeuvrable in a flick, flare and fly way too, so they’re great on tighter trails and bermed, jumpy trail centres. The ability of 29in wheels to roll smoothly over rough trails without losing much momentum – and the way they find grip even with the fastest-rolling tread – is an absolute morale crusher if you’re following on a 26er. Because they hit rocks at a shallower angle, tyres we’d never thrap through rock fields in a smaller format hold up fine on a wagon wheeler. The increased stability and traction of the bigger wheels mean most of the 100mm bikes here will hang with a much longer travel but smaller-wheeled bike on fast descents too. The latest relaxed geometry, short-stem, wide-bar cockpits are unavoidably higher (because of the bigger wheel) and make these bikes feel a lot more capable, confident and fun. So, if you’re looking at a new bike for long distance trail adventures we recommend at least trying a 29er – preferably with your normal riding buddies there for comparison. We think you might be surprised how much difference three inches can make.

These bikes have got to perform as the hills get high and the miles clock up

Fox's CTD suspension Several of the bikes here feature Fox forks and shocks with the company's proprietary CTD compression damping system. These offer Climb (almost locked out), Trail (strong initial resistance to firm up pedalling) and Descend (fully open) modes at a sweep of a shock lever or click of a bar remote. CTD TA adds three extra levels of fine adjustment in Trail mode. The wheel size The obvious theme of these bikes is the 29in diameter wheels they roll on. While there are still a lot of very good 26in short-travel race bikes available, the gains in acceleration from their lighter hoops are more than outweighed by the sustained rough terrain speed of 29ers over rougher trails and long days.

The tyre choices Look at the minimalist treads prevalent here and you'd think they'd be suicide on all but the driest summer trails. But 29er tyres give a longer contact patch, so grip is much better for a given tread - we've run semi-slicks right through this winter test without any worries. A decent compound is crucial though. Look for a fast rolling race-bred tyre with a very low centre line tread and a more pronounced shoulder for cornering.

your testers Guy Kesteven, bike test editor Guy loves nothing more than blasting the best singletrack of his local North Yorks Moors and Dales for as long as possible, whether test bikes like it or not. John Houlihan, tester When it comes to mileages well beyond the reach of mortals, few riders have the experience and reputation of multiple mountain bike orienteering champion and Polaris winner John.

Jargon buster Compression damping: Oil flow that controls how easily and/or how fast the suspension can move when you hit a bump. Lockout: Complete closure of the compression damping oil flow to stop the suspension moving. Used for smooth terrain climbing or sprinting. Tapered: Headtube or steerer using a 1.5in diameter bottom bearing and a 1.125in top bearing for increased stiffness without obvious weight penalties.

£2799-£3500 marathon bikes

Remote control Suspension is great for increasing control and traction, but being able to lock it solid for sprinting or stomping smooth climbs is a boon in marathon/race situations. Several bikes here have bar-mounted lockout controls for fork, shock or both. Specialized's Epic has an automatic inertia valve lockout for the rear shock, while Lapierre offer an optional electronic lockout.

Full suspension We've also gone for a complete set of full suspension bikes, for the same fatigue and control reasons as we've gone for 29in wheels. Hardtails have definitely benefited from 29in wheels for technical control and comfort gains that make them much more suitable for marathon use, so don't discount them for big distances.

EXPERT ADVICE YOU CAN TRUST What Mountain Bike is brought to you by the most authoritative team in the business.

Our tests are: Relevant We test bikes that are relevant to you and your budget; we test the benchmark products against the newcomers; and test through all conditions and many miles of real-world riding to arm you with the facts you need about each and every bike to help you buy better. Comprehensive We test more bikes than anyone else. We put in thousands of miles ridden each year to give you the complete picture of how each and every bike shapes up both initially and over the long term. Independent WMB is part of Future Publishing and is subject to the company's

strict code of conduct on testing. Products from advertisers are tested to the same exacting standards as every other product. Advertising considerations never influence our reviews, even if this policy works to our commercial disadvantage. Accurate We research the needs of a typical buyer to ensure that our tests are accurate to their needs and spend hours poring over the facts. We measure, check and re-check all bikes and gear using our own equipment and facilities to ensure that you get accurate and impartial hard data and not the figures claimed by manufacturers.

How we test: We test every bike in the UK on one of our test routes in Bristol and Bath, the Mendips, the North York Moors, and the Yorkshire Dales over

real-world terrain and in conditions that you'll encounter day in, day out, as well as testing on manmade trails the country over. - Each bike is ridden as many times as it takes for us to feel 100% at ease with our final judgement by a variety of expert testers and trusted real-world riders. - We combine ride testing with empirical testing and analysis wherever necessary to give you the true and full picture of how products perform. - We check all claimed facts and measurements after our initial ride tests so that no preconceptions cloud our judgement and we test the bike as a whole - not merely the sum of its parts. - Our verdicts are the results of many hours of debate among WMB testers, not just one journalist's view, to give you the most accurate and considered judgements possible.

The big rear axles The latest (and suddenly very popular) rear axles use a 142mm wide dropout spacing (rather than 135mm) with a 12mm wide hollow axle. The noticeable extra stiffness is particularly useful on the longer chainstays and bigger wheels here. There's no single standard yet, and this test includes bikes with the Syntace X-12 and Shimano E-Thru systems.

HOW WE SCORE THE BIKES We give one single overall score which is the summation of how the bike performs as a whole, taking into account the following: Uphill - How well a bike climbs. Lighter bikes with good power delivery and well balanced pedalling posture offer greater efficiency to let you concentrate on enjoying the ride. Downhill - How the bike behaves on a descent. Bikes that perform well downhill will have plenty of controlled confidence. Singletrack - How the bike handles at all speeds on tight and twisty trails. Value - How well does the frame, spec and overall performance package justify the bike's price? Overall - This sums up the bike in its entirety and the higher the score, the better. An overall score of five represents the pinnacle of performance and value.

What the scores mean

★★★★★ Exceptional: a genuine class leader.

★★★★★ Very good: one of the best you can buy.

★★★★★ Good: it'll do the job and do it well.

★★★★★ Below average: flawed in some way.

★★★★★ Poor: simply put, don't bother. What Mountain Bike Awards

WINNER

VALUE

Our pick of the bunch and the undisputed best on test in terms of overall quality and performance. Excellent value for money in its class that is pound-for-pound a great buy.

WHYTe m-109 s £3000

Other options If you're on a tighter budget or unsure about carbon wheels, Whyte has an SLX/Deore-based M-109 for just £2000. There are two slacker angled, 120mm RockShox-forked models too: the £1750 T-129, and the £2000 T-129S - which gets a Reverb dropper post as standard.

Top attention to detail The spoon-levered seat clamp uses an internal wedge rather than a grit swallowing rear slot, and the toptube has clips waiting for a dropper post cable. Replaceable bolt receivers proof the post mount rear brake against heavy handed tightening. Tidy.

AT A GLAnCe

A new suspension style Whyte's switched from its old twin linkage, extended one-piece swingarm suspension to a conventional four-bar setup. This allows the back end to be kept super short without compromising tyre space. It's much less pedal influenced than the older system, and the cartridge bearings are lifetime warrantied.

Whyte's marathon bike isn't just fast - it's brilliant fun too

hyte’s transferred its thirst for laugh-inducing, playride geometry onto its new 29er lineup, so even its 100mm mile eater is a blast on techy descents.

The facts

Whyte has made a decision to create a fun bike rather than just a fast one, and while it’s not a light frame it’s trail tough. The hydroformed alloy tubes include a big, sloped toptube and chunky stays ending in deep U-beam dropouts and a 142x12mm axle. The chainstays are super short despite decent tyre space, the bearings are lifetime warrantied and it’s dropper post-ready. The Fox CTD shock and fork prove why they’re the benchmark dampers in the rough, and the single-finger XT brakes keep a firm grasp on your speed. It’s the same story with the light but accurate, clutch mech-stabilised shift of the XT transmission. The Whyte finishing kit is decent stuff, with a well-swept flat bar keeping hands low over the inevitably tall front end. Remarkably, Whyte’s managed to include its own carbon-rimmed wheels in the £3000 price too, and they’re shod with our favourite fast-rolling Maxxis Ikon tyres.

TRAVeL 100mm (F & R) HIGHs Inspiringly agile and stiff 29er frame with excellent suspension setup. Outstanding value spec includes impressively light and tight own brand carbon wheels. LOWs Alloy frame means weight is slightly high for a 100mm/£3000 bike. Foam grips don't last long with heavyhanded riders. BuY IF... You want a naturally fast bike that's also an absolute blast on technical singletrack or the toughest trail centres.

The feel

With the back end tucked in tight, the front lifts easily for drops or hauling round rising hairpins – and you can really ride it dynamically on lipped, hipped, pumping and jumping trails. The carbon wheels are impressively tight, boosting the accuracy of the solid frame for a surefooted feel that begs you to abandon the brakes and let it rip at every opportunity. The excellent balance and tight tracking lets you pick fights with roots or off camber sections in a most un-29er like way, and you can drift the tyres at will.

The Fox shock is perfectly tuned for the new Whyte suspension, with the ‘Trail’ setting screening out chatter and rubble far better than its efficiently firm pedalling feel suggests it will. That lets you stay on the power hard whatever’s happening under the wheel, and there’s none of the jack up or wheelspin of previous Whyte designs if you wind up the wattage.

Summary

The overall weight’s high for a race bike, but the lightweight wheels offset a lot of mass during acceleration and direction change. There’s no flex when you stamp the power down, so while the Specialized and Lapierre leave it behind on long climbs, it holds its own with the rest when gaining speed or altitude. Even the low-slung medium gets a generous toptube for plenty of breathing space even with the short stem.

Having the middle setting so sorted means you can use the Climb and Descend settings as intended, and when the Whyte points down and the shock flicks to fully active it revealed its true talents. The combination of smooth suspension, an ultra-short back end and long, relatively slack front give it a fantastically agile and fun feel.

Whyte’s marathon bike is relatively heavy compared to the others here, but it’s light where it matters. Most importantly it’s more controlled, capable and flat-out fun than much heavier, longer travel bikes. And to top it off, the excellently judged kit list makes it an absolute bargain.

★★★★★ "The Whyte is seriously fast, trail tough and an absolute blast. That price is a bargain."

£2799-£3500 marathon bikes

Best in Test Whyte M-109 S

Cube AMS 100 Super HPC Race 29er Lapierre XR 729 Specialized Epic Comp Scott Spark 930 Focus Super Bud 29R 1.0

unWRAPPeD LIGHT & TIGHT WHEELS

Whyte told us it realised how important light but stiff wheels were early in the development of its 29er range - which is why it decided to develop its own. The carbon-rimmed set on the 109 S is very impressive. By keeping 28 spokes up front and 32 at the rear, stiffness is good between rim and hub. We've been hammering a set across rocky trails and up to eight foot drops for four months without any hint of wobble or flex. The carbon rims are totally unscathed so far too, and for a £3000 bike they're an absolutely stunning piece of equipment.

"There's no flex when you stamp the power down"

THE espite VERDICT some properly challenging

weather, this test was brilliant to do. We expected the bikes to be quick on climbs but underestimated how fast and fun they’d be on descents. Even with narrow bars and light, semi-slick tyres we blasted big off-piste plummets far faster than we would on most 26in-wheeled trail bikes; proof that 29ers do dominate the high velocity high ground.

wInner

Not all bikes are created equal though, and in this case Focus’s mismatched kit and heavy frame bury its potential too deep to dig out easily. Apart from that, the remaining five are all genuinely fantastic fast bikes. The Epic is an absolute classic racer, the fastest smooth ground machine here and very enjoyable singletracker. Despite a slightly disappointing shock feel, Scott’s Spark is still a proper ripper on descents with unique suspension-switching advantages. Lapierre’s XR 729 is a stunning new bike; ultra-light yet controlled, and the obvious winner for race heads. Cube’s new full-carbon 29er is a versatile and friendly racer or trail rider, as well as a total bargain in equipment terms. But after months of riding, cross checking and deliberation there’s one bike that really stands out. Whyte’s M-109 S isn’t the lightest or fastest in purist cross-country terms, but it more than holds its own on technical climbs and when blitzing techy trails – and for plain, piss-about fun it’s superb. The fact it’s a UK-proofed bargain does its test winning tick list no harm either.

WHYTe m-109 s £3000 ★★★★★

"It more than holds its own on technical climbs and when blitzing techy trails"

Whyte 729 100mm XC 29er Hardtail review Riding the Whyte 729 for a few weeks around the local singletrack of the Isle of Purbeck felt a little like coming home, not in a location sense, but by the quality of the bike ride. The 729 was such an easy bike to get on with in any given situation; it's a stripped down, no nonsense hardtail that's built with the changeable British climate in mind. With its slightly longer wheelbase and excellent bar width combination it all helped keep the riding slot-car secure as I railed the corners faster and faster with each run. Whyte 729 100mm XC hardtail 29er. But there's more to the Whyte 729er than an easy ride because along with the latest generation of 29inch bikes, and I know that I'm not alone in thinking this, but it's not quite as easy to identify the difference between a 29er from a 26inch bike, which is good - and it's a proportional thing. Now, frame and forks, combined with the right geometry come together for a more aesthetic look. Gone are the awkward looking steerer tube and stem combinations. And let's face it, looks are important, and the Whyte 729 looks as good on paper, as it does in the flesh. But it's not a case of form over function here; the Whyte 729 is a bike handling dream: lightweight and steady underfoot the 729 simply flows through the trails and will keep any trail hungry novice, or experienced rider grinning from ear to ear. A British box of tricks 'Progressive geometry' is how Whyte describe their design ethos with the 729 and it is part of their X-29 performance hardtail series. Whyte have always done things their way, as a bike company they have a history of innovation, they are stylishly British, and they are not afraid to fly the flag for Britain - albeit, a green version. Following on from this ethos Whyte have based the design of the 729 around their carbon 29C hardtail frame, which although the 729 doesn't mimic the 29C geometry to the full, the formula works extremely well. Take a proven XC race bike, soften the angles a little, throw in a little more wheelbase stability and away you go - the perfect hardtail trail setup.

bikemagic.com Frame Whyte use the same frame on all their alloy X-29 frames for 2013 and the triple butted 6061 hydro-formed frame is clearly a highly effective heart of the 729er. Extra clearance for mud-shedding, Crud Catcher ready bolts, and a forward facing seat slot are all trademark features for Whyte and denote their commitment to British riding conditions. Graphics on the 729 are neatly understated, stylish and proved to be durable. Even after riding the rain soaked abrasive sandy trails of the Isle Purbeck Jurassic coast, a gentle wash down revealed unscathed decals and resilient paintwork - much to my relief. Finishing kit and components The all-Whyte finishing kit of saddle, stem, bars, lock-on grips, and seat post are a nice touch and in keeping with the overall look of the bike. The lime green decals and lettering are easy on the eye and don't detract from the overall appeal of the bike either. The padding and support on the saddle was firm and friendly (so to speak) even after a good soaking day after day, although the saddle looked a little duller after a permanent layer of abrasive wet sand between saddle and rider had set in each day; but then I think any saddle would have. No problems either from the mix of SRAM X9 and X7 shifters, chainset, chain, and derailleurs, which again, when sourced from the same manufacturer, makes a bike seem more complete, rather than looking like a basket of fruit. The 2 x 10 setup shifted well throughout the course of my loan, aided of course by lashings of chain lube demanded from the continual effects of it persisting down in biblical proportions for days on-end. Avid Elixir 5 Matchmaker's take care of the braking department. A 160mm rotor brings up the rear with a 170mm up-front. The ergonomics of the levers are fine with plenty of reach adjustment for my smallish

hands. Ok, there was a little squealing to be heard in the rain, but I'm not sure if that was me or the brakes as I pushed myself and the 729 even harder on the descents.

At an SRP of £1,499 the 729 is a bargain, made even better with the inclusion of the REBAs. Whyte are getting the spec' right at the areas that matter most - frame, forks, and their own XC 209 double sealed wheelset which continued to run smoothly and tracked incredibly well throughout. The oversized QR on the front wheel helped keep ﬂex to a minimum here and, as previously mentioned, front wheel tracking and steering was spot on. The sum of all the main parts of the 729er make this bike so easy to get on with.

Whyte’s own parts are on the spec list, but that isn’t a bad thing.

The ride I loved it. The more I rode the 729 the more I realised what Whyte are about - they put a great deal of thought into their design work and after all, aesthetics aside, isn't it the ride that counts? In a straight line I felt the bike could almost ride itself, and the front end came up easily with a slight tug on the bars and a push with the pedals; even with the 70mm stem ﬁtted upside down, the effect was the same, just the slightly racier position pushing my weight forward; but that only helped the front wheel grip to aid the rock-steady steering even further. The long, rocky descent of Godlingston Hill (a perennial Purbeck favourite) can be sketchy at the best of times, but in the wet it can be a little scary at speed if you take your eye off the line. The 729er paid no attention to my worries and carried me down with ease. The combination of big wheels, Maxxis Icon 2.2in tyres paired with the 729's long wheelbase, simply ignored the smaller rocks and steps to let me carry the speed over the bigger stuff without hesitation. At the bottom, I simply turned around and rode the bike back to the gate to start again - I'd never been inclined to do that before; especially in the rain. The climb back up over the loose rocks was as sure-footed as the descent, nothing skittish, and even the tall front end (a 29er trait) behaved well. I must make a point here that the stem was in its racier, inverted position for this little exercise; reassuring to know that I had this much control on the descent, and nicely positioned with a weight bias to the front on the climb. The 100mm RockShox REBA RLs performed faultlessly during the test, and were nicely bedded in by the time I'd got my hands on the bike.

The frame is good looking and well balanced making the bike fast and fun to ride.

Verdict The 729er is low-maintenance in the sense of getting on with, and it's certainly fun to be with - even when pushed. Easy on the eye and reliable, the Whyte 729 makes for an altogether easy relationship and incredible value for money. A marriage made in heaven, maybe?!

Reprinted with kind permission of bikemagic.com - MPORA

bikemagic.com

whyte reVIews

We’ve had our fair share of positive press since the ﬁrst UK designed Whyte bike hit the trails late in 1999. At the time the PRST-1 challenged convention with its innovative design, unique appearance and game changing performance. Since those early days we’ve never been afraid to turn convention on its head and push a few accepted limits if we believe it’s going to result in a better ride. Our unique approach has helped us win bike test awards and rave reviews on an annual basis. It’s something we’re very proud of here at Whyte and inside this reprint you’ll ﬁnd some of the highlight reviews we’ve received so far on our 2013 products from the UK press and on this back cover, some from around the world and years gone by.

“Best Bike Ever?” PRST-1 Maximum MTB Mag 2000 “The ﬁrst ﬂawless complete bike we’ve come across” Whyte 46 What MTB May 2004 “In a class of its own” PRST-4 Cycle Magazine April 2004 “Our new ‘Best Trail Bike’ Benchmark” E-120 MBUK 2007

Whyte Stirling Reviewed 5/5 Cycling Magazine - Jan 2013

For more information about Whyte Bikes, please visit www.whytebikes.co.uk

DESIGNED IN THE U.K.