Been looking at getting a hardtail beater to keep my from getting lazy and to ride through the winter. Usual suspects (Marin, Orange, cotic etc) are pricier than I’m looking to spend, plus COVID-tax means some people are asking for silly money.
Whytes seem to avoid this though. Something like a nice spec 901 or 801 isn’t much more expensive than an optimistically priced Boardman or Voodoo, but seem to benefit from sensible spec, much more progressive geo, modern standards and typically 1x.
What’s the catch?
Less visible as a brand to the ordinary punter?
No catch. The 901 is awesome for everything. Would happily take as a winter beater over any of the other brands mentioned. Maybe the kids don’t like orange?
Got a Whyte 629 here. Quality of the frame is awesome and as cheap parts wear out they Do benefit from upgrading! Running xtr and Chris king wheels on mine and upgraded the forks And she’s a proper flier. Most people never heard of them so they fly under the radar.
Good Qn. I bought a G160 for £1000 and it's just astounding and has transformed my riding. I've had a couple of T-130s which were also brilliant too. Their RRP is lower than most too, but not quite CAnyon levels... overall, they're generally bargains IMO.
The two times I've considered them, when I ended up with a Capra and Bronson, the decently priced models were nice looking, but lower spec obviously, and then higher end ones with decent spec were a bit too much in terms of branding/paint jobs/decals, and not exactly light (though I'm by no means a weight weenie!).
I very nearly bought a nice powder blue 905 3 years ago, as their hardtails look better IMO, but then came away from the idea of HT's altogether.
Ive had 2 x 905s a 109 a G150 and a G160 and simply all have been ****ing brilliant the G160 I wished i never sold. no catch but second hand no warranty and no comeback
I think most people like myself are put off by the colours. Although the frames are designed really well and they have great components, the colours are minging.
I have 2 whytes (T130 and S120) and love them both. Great bikes and good value for money.
Poor brand appeal imo. They just aren't and have never been 'cool'. Doesn't mean they aren't decent bikes just never been as desirable so resale is less.
I've just sold a T130. Held its value extremely well (although I know the market is unusual at the mo.)
What's with the colours? Agree all the matching decals on wheels and shocks are a bit OTT, still bought the bike though.
Nobeerinthefridge
a bit too much in terms of branding/paint jobs/decals
I think that's it, they can look a bit dated when new, second hand they're just not that attractive looking. Makes for a bargain, if you're not fussed, for all the reasons the OP mentions.
I think they're just seen as a bit of a "value" brand and the frame styling and colours on the FS bikes feel a bit old-fashioned. Even though the geometry is better than most brands.
The hardtails looks great though.
Whyte occupies the space left by Marin dont they?
G<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;">ood value, perfectly competent, good supply, and a bit Ford Mondeo?</span>
I think its because they are bought by people who 'know' bikes, and sold to the same sort of demographic.
These former owners and new buyers understand the likely values of a 2nd hand bike and price/buy accordingly.
Other 'name' brands get all kinds of attention from less-savvy buyers.
Interesting, I haven't found this when looking for second hand bikes (pre-covid madness). I found they held their value a little too well, perhaps due to being made in smaller numbers than Trek, Spesh and Giant.
As a 629 owner, I prefer codybrennan's reasoning more than Scienceofficer's. 😁
I really like it. Hefty to be sure, but doesn't feel like it to ride, only when lifting it over gates and such.
I’d agree with the others - aesthetics. Might be great to ride but I’d never consider buying one as they look very uninspiring. That’s FS more than HT though.
Loads of nicked ones as well, just over a year since my T130CRS was stolen :o(
Brand recognition from the ebay crowd.
As said above bit like Marins they were everywhere mid 90s early 2000 then they never kept up bit like Kona really can say this about Marin have owned a lot of bikes in the last 30 years and that is the only brand of frame which has gone on me two Ti hardtails and a Marin team issue and they were XC race bikes.
I think my S150 looks great, and rides great. Not really arsed what others think.
The gravel bikes seem to hold value well. Gisburn, Friston and the other one seem to always sell for not much less than new. Perhaps it’s the association with dodgy energy drinks!
When I first got into mountain biking in 2005 Whyte were seen as being a bit different to the cool brands like Turner, Santa Cruz, Orange, Cove, Ellsworth etc. But equally as good to ride. Unfortunately they were bought by older folk so the brand has never been cool in my mind, kind of like berghaus in outdoor clothing.
My wife is looking at one of their flat barred road bikes and I think it's a beautiful bike.
Well made bikes though hence the extra heft.
What’s with the colours? Agree all the matching decals on wheels and shocks are a bit OTT, still bought the bike though.
Yup my green and pink fork decals and pink wheel ones came off pretty quickly!
Un cool
Yup my green and pink fork decals and pink wheel ones came off pretty quickly!
👍🏻 mine was de-stickered too!
Whyte have won many awards but are predominantly a UK focused brand with the emphasis on being designed for UK trails. They never appear to spend big money on marketing either.
They dont seem to produce many bikes and in every previous year have tended to sell out of most models pretty early from my experience. It's rare to see them in the sale, bar the odd model.
They have a loyal following and only select shops sell them. We have one Whyte dealer in our region compared to several scott, orange, specialized, giant and trek.
From looking at eBay, used prices remained very strong during lockdown.
They are realistically priced to start with but not cheap, also a tad heavy. They ride amazingly though often like much much lighter bikes.
The 905 and T130 have been the best overall UK focused trail bikes for years in my opinion.
Whyte make some great bikes but are far too high volume to be ever considered niche and lack the brand recognition of Spesh / Trek / Giant.
A bit like Cube and Merida (although Whyte tend to be a bit more progressive when it comes to on trend geometry)
So they can often be had for a bargain 2nd hand or even new.
Which is great when you manage to find an ex-display 2019 S-150 for £1,900!
So, a bit uncool, in some cases a bit lardy, but they ride well and are well built.
Count me in!
Cause nowadays they are uninspiring gash beasts
bring back niche models and the ti whyte I had was nics if a little twitchy up front
Are they still making bikes? I thought they'd switched business to making energy drinks these days.
Whytes seem to avoid this though. Something like a nice spec 901 or 801 isn’t much more expensive than an optimistically priced Boardman or Voodoo, but seem to benefit from sensible spec, much more progressive geo, modern standards and typically 1x.
What’s the catch?
No catch - I know which brand I would be going for.
More recent bikes seem to have dropped the matching flouro colour schemes & are spot on in terms of "modern geometry" without being excessively (unecessarily) long/low/slack.
I would never dismiss a bike based on the image of previous models - if you can get a relatively new Whyte for a good price, then great.
Listen to the opinions of people who have ridden the recent bikes & then decide.
I found the newer models held their price well, when looking recently - maybe it is more model specific?
Pre Covid the 90x series and t130 bikes held up really well second hand.
I sold a 2017 629 for £350 prior to Christmas after having it up for ages. Gutted as I'd have at least double that in the lockdown bike boom.