Anyone have experience of the Whyte t-130?

[Numnut]

Back off to twisted oaks tomorrow, hopefully there’ll be less crashing this time!

[Numnut]

Had another good day out on Sunday at Twisted Oaks, we tried the 4x track for the first time which turned out to be so much fun we probably did it about 10 times. I didn't brave the wooden wall though, that's for another day.

Still managing to improve on jumps, and found a line through the 'growler' trail that I can build on. Made a proper effect to focus on the exits of berms which definitely meant I was carrying more speed through them - if I don't pay attention I end up staring just in front of my front tyre which isn't a great idea.

All in, another pretty good day. We always start the day with the intention of taking photos/videos, but never seem to get round to it!

[weeksy]

Had another good day out on Sunday at Twisted Oaks, we tried the 4x track for the first time which turned out to be so much fun we probably did it about 10 times. I didn't brave the wooden wall though, that's for another day.

Still managing to improve on jumps, and found a line through the 'growler' trail that I can build on. Made a proper effect to focus on the exits of berms which definitely meant I was carrying more speed through them - if I don't pay attention I end up staring just in front of my front tyre which isn't a great idea.

All in, another pretty good day. We always start the day with the intention of taking photos/videos, but never seem to get round to it!

Excellent stuff, the progression will come and come. You thought about getting any coaching ?

[Numnut]

Yep, already noticing that things that were scary and total non-starters are now just plain easy, which is good. Where I've had a few crashes recently I also managed to work out why they've happened which is pretty helpful.

I quite like the idea of coaching as it goes. There's a guy that does it at Twisted, but have been considering a half day at FOD with Katy Curd - for £60-80 it seems like a good deal.

[Numnut]

Not sure there's a need for a new thread yet as it might come to nothing, but a good deal came up on FB for a 2020 G170 (it was in Edinburgh so too far away (probably)), which got me thinking... I'd quite like to try a longer travel bike for a while and see whether I prefer that over the 130. I had thought about going to 29 wheels, but if I stay 27.5 I'll be able to add to my spare tyre collection...

The G170s has a lower spec than the T130s of the same year (SRAM SX vs GX) so I'm thinking a 2018/19 RS or CRS as they're around the 1k mark.

Could be a fun couple of months!

[weeksy]

The G170 will make things a bit easier in the way you want.... and a bit harder in the commute/pedalling.

It's a heavy beast but they're also really capable to ride and have fun on.

I'm not seeing a downside... but i'd keep the T-130 as well.

[Numnut]

I don't see the T-130 leaving whether I get a G170 or not, if anything the 603 will go and I'll have to accept the 'nice' bikes being used for the commute.
My wife said she'd sooner I got another mtb than a motorbike so that was really all I needed to hear.

I'll see what I find!

[Mr Moofo]

Buy a Privateer…

[Numnut]

Buy a Privateer…

Disappointingly they’re not quite in budget. They’re lovely bikes though.

[weeksy]

https://m.pinkbike.com/buysell/3539888/

[Numnut]

Nice bike that, I'm going to try and get something for around 1- 1.2k. Even with 2nd hand sales being (apparently) slow, I'm not sure that 141 is going to drop £500! There's a few on FB and on pinkbike that will be getting messages so we'll see how they go.

[Numnut]

Still looking... there a Bird Aeris 160 I've nearly bought a few times over the past day or so. It's an ML so should fit me fine... maybe today will be the day. Also talking to someone about a g170 which may be a better option. Let's see what today brings.

[weeksy]

The Bird and the G170 are quite different, despite being similar in terms of travel.

[Numnut]

The Bird and the G170 are quite different, despite being similar in terms of travel.

Oh are they? I was seeing the Bird as being a little more trail orientated than the 170, is that right? Or have I got it all wrong?

I was leaning towards a Whyte due to familiarity but as this is an experiment I thought a change in manufacturer might be good. Happy to listen to reasons why it might not be though!

Here's the Bird: https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/3482660/

[weeksy]

Well the G170 is a taller stack height and a more old school geometry. The Bird is more LLS, long low slack.

I'd say a G160 would ride closest to your T-130 and the G-170 would be next... The Bird would be more 'diferent' but that doesn't mean that's a bad thing, many people love LLS.

[Numnut]

Think I’m going to take a look at a g180 in a local shop to get an idea of how it feels compared to the t130.

I’ve given the Bird a miss for now, but have been offered a ride on one by someone on the owners group on FB. I’ll slow down and take a bit more time.

[weeksy]

how it feels compared to the t130.

Bouncy!

[Numnut]

Worth a bid, or avoid like the plague... I'm thinking the latter...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/22554693378 ... R_7ohvz4YQ

[Mr Moofo]

I would have bought the Bird and stayed clear of the Whyte - 170mm is overkill for trails - unless you are in the Alps. I don't like Whyte riding position - the bikes are small / short top tube. And heavy..

I run a FlareMax - 140 front/ 120 mm rear. It would be not enough for Morzine, pushing it for Rogate, but spot on for everything else .

[MingtheMerciless]

According to most of the Friston Massif you need at least 160mm of bounce both ends for our Sussex Alpine descents...........

Admittedly the trails around Butts Brow you probably do but that's less than 0.1% of the stuff I ride.