Whyte 905 or something else

I'd be tempted just to swap the tyres for some 2.35 or 2.4s. You can usually find decent 27.5 tyres for 30-odd quid. 

I've had a 901 for a few years as my winter / crap conditions bike, on those tyres. I've never really found them hard going. 

I usually ride 10-30km loops, and most of the time it's on quite aggressive mud tyres with not brilliant rolling resistance. 

I've had a 901 for a few years as my winter / crap conditions bike, on those tyres. I've never really found them hard going. 

I usually ride 10-30km loops, and most of the time it's on quite aggressive mud tyres with not brilliant rolling resistance. 

I've had a 901 for a few years as my winter / crap conditions bike, on those tyres. I've never really found them hard going. 

I usually ride 10-30km loops, and most of the time it's on quite aggressive mud tyres with not brilliant rolling resistance. 

I've had a 901 for a few years as my winter / crap conditions bike, on those tyres. I've never really found them hard going. 

I usually ride 10-30km loops, and most of the time it's on quite aggressive mud tyres with not brilliant rolling resistance. 

I had a 905 for a few years and loved it. I found 2.6’ a better compromise but still retained most of the benefits of a higher tyre.

Geometry is spot on and they can tackle anything, would have another one gladly, just pretty dialled. Found mine quite poppy and easy to manoeuvre whilst being no slouch on singletrack. 

Thanks for the replies so far.

Any alternatives I should consider?

You want a decent modern hardtail, tonnes of choice.

i like the stif squatch if happy with 29r and the weight of steel, Sonder transmitter is underrated (don’t be out of by the price, well designed bike), nukeproof scout in 650 or 29 versions, canyon stoic if going new

Sonder transmitter 

nukeproof scout in 650/29 version to suit 

I like the stif squatch if happy with steel and 29r

canyon stoic (as I have one and that’s the rules, love the short chainstays)

Really like the nukeproof scout but this is hopefully a CTW purchase so has to be new.

I suppose my concern is having something that’s a modern hardtail, bigger tyres etc and finding it too slow.

I've found that, when I had a 27.5+ designed bike in the past, that I had less grip than something like a 2.4 in muddy conditions. It felt like the tyres liked to bounce a bit more off roots like a balloon, and float over mud instead of getting into the grippier stuff just beneath. Takes a bit of experimenting with pressure. 

This actually all changed when I got 2.8 Wild enduros. They were grippy as hell, could stop on a vertical wall on them...but comedically slow to roll on at that width. I actually bikepacked the West Highland Way on them (didn't intend to - just after covid when nothing else was available) and it was diabolical on the endless fire roads.

With that said - you could probably get a second set of wheels in 29" flavour. In a lot of cases a slimmer XC tyre on 29" is a very similar overall diameter to a 27.5"+. That's what I did (Trek Roscoe fyi) and it was great - could switch between an XC type ride or a bit more smashy plus bike just by swapping them out. Different frames may vary out back but the fork would certainly take it. 

I have a Whyte 901 with 2.8's and find it no problem, that's coming from a Orbea Rise previously. Really don't think you can go wrong with a hardtail from Whyte.

Sorted geometry and components for £1,500

https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/mountain-bikes/trail-bikes/stoic/stoic-4/3339.html?dwvar_3339_pv_rahmenfarbe=SR&dwvar_3339_pv_rahmengroesse=XL&utm_keyword=&utm_matchtype=&utm_content=&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADpzu2CORCJGeHKhee9KiWAM-F_uY

fyi the whyte 90 series can’t take a 29. Many a photo proving this in the Whyte owners Facebook group! 

Bird Zero 29?

Posted by: nicksr

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Really like the nukeproof scout but this is hopefully a CTW purchase so has to be new.

Whyte no longer make any hard tails apart from the 629, so you may struggle to find a 905 in stock anywhere.

What about the Whyte 629? With some lighter wheels and fork would be a great alternative to the 905. Are you near the Yorkshire Wolds?

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Cube Reaction TM Pro 

Thanks for the input, still procrastinating.

Making it onto the list, Specialized Fuse (with Pike or Fox 34) and also the very spendy Santa cruz chameleon.

Never had a santa cruz but the package in middle spec does everything I'm looking for and looks cool as.

Santa Cruz builds are never that great value for money but somehow the bikes always seem to ride so well that you quickly stop caring.

Does the current Chameleon still have the sliding/swappable dropouts for 27.5 rear wheel etc.? It seems to get great reviews in every format and every generation of frame so I'd be very tempted by that.

Didn't know the 901 and 905 had been discontinued. Anyone know why? Such popular bikes.

https://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/bikes/hardtail-mountain-bikes/whyte-905-mountain-bike-2023-gloss-cementroseslate__389860?currency=GBP&chosenAttribute=W9052MV5&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAwtu9BhC8ARIsAI9JHakk8FzO7JYaoupCHsBi9mh3p5F8W3iX-F5UVz6G9jRU0OS8C37eHq4aAk-8EALw_wcB

Whyte were still making 27+ bikes in 2023? Sheesh. They were fun in some situations but a big compromise in others.

Just get a more conventional 29er hardtail OP - do you know which brands are available to you via C2W?

Its the compromise that concerned me. It was leisure lakes where I had a look.

I can have pretty much anything I want so long as it comes from a UK supplier.