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Dbukdbuk - how did you find it with a 50mm stem? Have you switched back to 60mm because of reach, or handling?
I’ve now spent some time on the new Large size T130 frame (having changed from a Medium). And…it feels much better. In fact, I’d just say it feels ‘’right’’. The length feels balanced, with plenty of room and the front end no longer feels too low. Conversely, the medium just never felt right.
Thank you so much to those who have listened to my banging on about it like a broken record, and offered their advice! It’s really helped. I guess it’s a real lesson too – 1. Always test ride both sizes, even if you presume one size will be more appropriate than the other. I have always been a medium, but for this particular bike, I am clearly not. 2. Trust your instincts on how the bike feels to you as an individual, regardless of what the shop advise. It was complicated further on this occasion by the fact that even Whyte themselves’ were adamant I should be a Medium.
Currently, I am just running the bike with the standard 750mm bars and 70mm stem. Even at 5’10” it feels good reach wise, but I think the ideal (for my arm length, height etc) will be around 60mm. 50mm would be my choice, all things being equal, but 50mm may even be a tad short (even though I’m at the very bottom of the Large size chart!!), unless I switch out to some bars with less backsweep.
What is surprising/a bit shocking, is that (in my opinion), I can’t really imagine the Large T130 fitting anyone over 5’11” that sweetly. I’d even go as far to say as the large would fit someone of 5’8.5” – 5’9” well with a 50mm stem, but this would really depend on whether their inside leg was long enough (probably 31” and upwards).
As above, only my opinion and preference, but glad I made the swap.
Hope this might be of some guidance to prospective buyers.
I've had my t130 works two weeks now and love it, such a good bike! Previously rode a 150mm up front HT which I loved because of how playful it was. I borrowed a mates 2012 nomad for a few weekends and it was just too much for me, the t130 works is somewhere between the two where it's still really playful yet more capable on the downs.
Size-wise, I'm 5'10 so was confused between a medium and a large. The bikeshop I was initially looking to purchase from built me up a medium on the basis that one of the lads who worked there and raced on one was 6'1" and rode a large. I ended up taking the medium but will be going for a slightly shorter stem (standard is 70mm) and potentially a wider bar. My friends nomad was a medium and feels noticeably more cramped than my t130 in a medium.
Best bet re. sizing is to try for yourself as already said.
Only problems so far with the bike were that I'm finding the seat uncomfortable, even more so than I did on my HT! So that's been swapped out and for this weather the standard tyres don't seem suited so will be getting swapped out until the spring. My bike came poorly set up too, whether this is manufacturer or retailer I'm not certain. Gears needed setting up properly, reverb needed bleeding as it only worked on slowest setting or not at all, bars needed centralising and tilting to the 'right' angle (I suppose the right angle is subjective). But yeh, awesome bike!
Slightly disappointing review of the T130.
To be expected I guess. More fun, lively and engaging on moderate, everyday trails. But when the going gets rough, the G150 takes over.
Fine, but why dock stars and slate a bike that has its compromises, when the G150 also has clear compromises? i.e. less fun, engaging and spritely in everyday trails that make up the majority of Joe Public’s riding. As both bikes have clear compromises, both should be equally slated.
It seems that there is a clear bias in the media at present for long, low and slack…despite the compromises and despite the fact that a slightly steeper, shorter bike may suit a lot of riders better, for the type of riding they do.
It would be a bit like slating a cross country bike for not being as confidence inspiring as a trail bike. Each bike has their intended purpose, but it seems that unless a ‘trail bike’ falls as far as possible towards the Enduro end of the spectrum, it gets criticised. Meh.
All bikes are a compromise in one way or another. You just choose the compromises that suit you best.
Magazine reviews - take them all with a pinch of salt. It's just one persons opinion which will be skewed by personal preference, fashion, marketing BS, advertiser relationships, peer pressure or any number of factors. Sometimes they are useful, sometimes not.
[i]What is surprising/a bit shocking, is that (in my opinion), I can’t really imagine the Large T130 fitting anyone over 5’11” that sweetly. I’d even go as far to say as the large would fit someone of 5’8.5” – 5’9” well with a 50mm stem, but this would really depend on whether their inside leg was long enough (probably 31” and upwards).[/i]
This is my quandary. I spun a large around the car park and it felt ok, but would need a 150mm Reverb so I could drop the seat further and would like to try a shorter stem as I'm use now to the 50mm I have.
I'm going to demo one once I can first.
B r - how tall/inseam length are you?
"For a little more weight you could have a lot more travel". They really haven't understood this bike with that closing sentence. That's precisely the reason people choose this bike, they don't want to go down a trail and not feel anything, it's boring. The T130 is capable, yet fun. The G150 doesn't offer that but they just seem hooked on comparing it against one.
[i]B r - how tall/inseam length are you? [/i]
6'2" and +34" inseam
The G150 doesn't offer that but they just seem hooked on comparing it against one.
I test rode a G150 - it's a brilliant bike. But it's TOO much bike for most of the trails I ride & what I enjoy riding. Like a lot of modern day reviews it's all fluff & bullshit -
yet it's a 3.5 review?The T-130 is blinding fun to ride
The Bikeradar review of both the Santa Cruz 5010 and the Cube Stereo 140 further call into question the worth of the T130 Works review.
Both the SC and the Cube get rave reviews...yet the angles are almost identical to the T130 Works (the Santa Cruz is actually steeper in the head angle and the size Medium is shorter in the top tube). And the kit on the T130 is considerably better value!! Makes no sense.
I demo'd a T130 today (Large, I'm 5'10") and was unimpressed with it. I wanted to like it I really did but I didn't think the rear suspension was very good at all. I dropped the pressure in the shock and backed off the rebound but it still wasn't what you'd call plush. Not as good as my Remedy, or the Cube Stereo I rode after the Whyte. Sorry.
Interesting that throughout this thread, did anyone actually choose to by the T129 over the T130? I live in Kent and mostly ride Bedgebury trail centre Red Route. I'm currently on a 2010 Whyte 905 HT, and am considering going for a full sus.
Waiting for my T-130 Works replacement, insurance claim after it was hit whilst on my towbar mounted rack, and I was very happy riding a medium as I'm 5' 10". It's not unusual that different folk find the same big to feel very different even if they are the same height it really depends on how you like a bike to feel.
I went with the T-130 because the T-129 seemed too big for someone 5' 10" and the G-150 is more bike than I need for 99% of my normal year's worth of riding.