Looking for a bike to ride from the door onto the Cotswold bridleways with a bit of FOD/trail centre action.
I’ve got no spare parts so will buy new complete. Budget £1600ish
My list includes
45650b
Ns eccentric
Whyte 905
Bird Zero
Any thoughts on these or others I may have missed

I live in Stroud and had the same decision, I went with an Orange Clockwork 120S from Delta in Dursley (i independantly upgraded a few bits post purchase and sold the new unused originals on eBay). The Whyte 905 was the closest contender, and if I’m honest it came down to me wanting a 15″ (actually 15.5″) frame as opposed to a 16″. The Whyte geometry seems to reflect all the current trends nicely. Personally, the Bird HT is ugly (especially in small), very burly and more than I need, but very well spec’d for the money. I think the 905 out pipped the 120S in an MBR test by 1 point.

PS: I sat on the fence for ages with the Orange, mainly due to 440mm chainstay on a 650b and being unable to test ride a small. It’s taken a while to get the hang of lifting the front (coming from a 26″ Cove HJ with 140mm), but I’m getting there. Climbs the most brutal steep climbs very well, digs in like a whore on crack.

I guess you should add the Orange Crush to your list as well.

PPS: I really like my 120S frame looks good, except for the rear caliper mount which is a propper gopper (WTF Orange?).

No Soul275?

i bought a 45650b off the shelf back in Feb. With the wide bars, the long travel forks and the 1×11 SRAM drive chain. It does everything and it’s given me my mojo back The full-suss hasn’t seen the light of day since….

nukeproof scout

Think the orange 120 might not work for my riding style and agree the Bird is Fugly…
I used to have a 456 and loved it, and the spec is Very good on the top end model.
Nukeproof also looks good

I love my 45650b. With 150mm forks, it is so capable

I had a Bird Zero.2 for 6 months. Lovely bike. Way more capable than me, but I’m catching up fast…

Very confidence inspiring, and feels light too. I went for the slack set and have had it at it’s slackest for the past month. It’s not any worse at climbing or flats, but is a bit better at downs and fast rough stuff (although, that might be more of a psychological thing), but not enough of a difference to worry about.

The blue is a much nicer colour in person, but it does seem to chip quite easily.

Let me know if there is anything specific you want to know about it.

I have a 45650b (£1k deore spec version which they’ve changed since) which I absolutely love. However, from your list i would be tempted with a 905.

When I was looking the crush seems poor vfm. I like the look and spec of the bird as well. NS eccentric gets fairly average reviews if you believe the magazines.

IIRC the NS eccentric has the crap R OEM damper in the Sweep forks, (instead of the RL2 that is a nice damper),

For what’s it worth I have gone for a 905 and after 2 rides out am lovin’ it.
Llandegla followed by a trip around Rivington so far.
I’m off on a 2 day trip this weekend from Conwy down to Barmouth via Llyn Cowlyd, Penmachno and Coed y Brenin and am looking forward to seeing how my body copes without the rear suspension after a few years not riding a hardtail.
😀

Think the Ns spec is not all that. Cotic start at 2K+
Bit of love for the 45650b anyone rode a 456 and can compare?

This website just popped up via an industry rep I know.

Onza relaunches with a nice looking range of hardtails

After 10 years, it stepped into mountain bike trials

did they not go bust and someone (some shop in Nottingham?) buy the brand name?

Bit of love for the 45650b anyone rode a 456 and can compare?

I came straight off a 456-evo onto a 45650b….rode it 3 times and sold it.

There was nothing ‘wrong’ with the 45660b but the 44mm head tube, the 30.9mm seat tube and larger down tube made the bike harsh in comparison to the 456 (that had a 27.2 seat tube, 1 1/8 head tube and tubing delightfully thin)….the larger wheels beefier frame meant the 45650b arguably covered ground faster but not every ride is a race and I started to find it a chore.

I looked around for Dialled Alpines, Cotic Souls and 456’s with old school tube sizing but the world moves on, people seem to want head tubes for tapered steerers, seat tubes for droppers and bolt through back ends….and then wonder where the flexy steel feel has gone!

I admitted defeat and got a Ragley, it has all the things I hate (31.6 seat tube, 44mm head tube, stays like girders) but it’s bombproof and should be a reliable bike for years to come….went back to 26 inch wheels though, they are more fun despite current fashion, I liken it to riding a large BMX on the trails…650b and 29ers just don’t feel like that.

Onza relaunches with a nice looking range of hardtails

They look lovely but with a press fit bb, I’m out. I really don’t get geared to singlespeed frames. If i wanted singlespeed I’d buy singlespeed. You don’t see hardtails that can be converted to full sus for the summer etc…

I really like the look of the maxlight ff29 withwith 650b wheels and 28″ tyres. Anyone got one?

Considered anything from commencal?

They have some good prices on the outlet store.

Considered anything from commencal?

My eyes, my eyes!

Looks ok other than the pink

Genesis Latitude?

The 20 is a quality, well balanced spec, but you could also have a very nice custom build for your budget. Wanting a complete bike doesn’t mean you can’t pick the parts…

Looks ok other than the pink

Ah that’s the Meta SX 26″/150mm.
The Meta HT Trail is 650b/120mm, black on orange, or orange on black – and looks the tits inho. Low, but not as long as the 905.
The Meta HT AM is 650b and 150mm (yellow/black or black/yellow).