New Planet X Whippet (Rigid content)

This thread got me thinking about the whippet again, so I refitted the original fork (I’d put a 120 Reba on it) and a pair of xx1 cranks from the spares bin. It’s now a 22lb rigid rocket!

Anyone find the rear brake mount position a bit arse and hard to get an Alan key in?

Yep. Quite a few frames have the calliper mount in the rear triangle nowadays.

Think I used a long thin extension through the triangle and a socket ratchet wrench.

How are people getting on with their Whippets? I’ve managed to snag a whole bunch of a great deals on parts over the last few months to build up a light XC hardtail race bike. Fox Factory 32, XT/SLX 12 speed, Stan’s Crests, etc… Considering throwing these on a Whippet frame because I just can’t find anything else of comparable value in the market and secondhand market is dry in my XL framesize. I know this is just an open mould FlyBike frame, but the PlanetX pricing isn’t really any different to China once I factor in custom paint and shipping, and it’s actually in stock now versus 1-2 months away. So, is there any reason I shouldn’t order a Whippet frameset for a light but not too serious race bike?

So, is there any reason I shouldn’t order a Whippet frameset for a light but not too serious race bike?

No reason whatsoever.

Only reason not is that there is one with a cosmetic paint defect on the planetx eBay outlet with a significant price reduction.
Now you have choices!
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/403287741115?hash=item5de5d292bb:g:XM0AAOSwsX5hi5Md

Only reason not is that there is one with a cosmetic paint defect on the planetx eBay outlet with a significant price reduction.

Oh thanks! I wanted the orange too. Will see how it stacks up compared to their web website.

I got an XL a few months ago and think it’s great for the price. Once you get used to it not being LLS it turns in to a very comfy XC bike.

The paint on my black frame is pants, so I’d have no problem buying one with chips and scratches if it was reduced enough.

Oddly enough, mine has some sort of baby blue paint as an undercoat. Seems too thick to be a primer or key – not brave enough to strip a big section back to see if it is all the frame though.

Was out on my rigid build yesterday. It does ride nice and is certainly light enough to make use of some good components.

I bought a reduced frame for mrs gasket, in orange, and it just had one tiny chip and the paint has been fine. I heli-taped the main parts and she loves it (riding today in the Lakes actually).

Thanks all for the responses, I ended up ordering new with a 10% off coupon as the eBay option wasn’t available to ship to Australia. Frame arrived today and the build has started, really looking forward to riding it.

I entered an XC race on my 150mm trail bike this weekend and I was well over biked, so I’m looking forward to having something a little more zippy, closer to my gravel bike but with a bit more comfort on the rougher stuff!

My one in full gravel mode (hybrid!) with speedrocker mudguards.

Very nice. Have you loaded her up for any touring/ b-packing duties yet? Looking at something similar for the next build. Love my gravel bike (Sonder Camino) and took it bikepacking a few times this year. Whilst it was capable I can’t help but think that wider bars, wider tyres and mtb gearing and slightly less nervous geometry would be a better set up for actual off road b/packing.

Looks great. What tyres do you have on? I cannot make them out. Patio could do with a sweep 🙂

At the moment I have riser bars on my Whippet, but they feel a bit awkward. Anybody tried flat bars?

They’re gravel kings. It has a long top tube and I’m hoping that my other bikes don’t feel too short once I get used to it.
With mudguards, bell, lights and sus seat post it’s 10.5 kg.

Flat bars and a pair of RaceKings on mine and it flew round the King Alfred’s Way back in August.

Has anyone stuck 27.5 plus wheels in their’s and got pictures?

Thanks Eddiethegent, I might give it a try.

My Whippet is full off-road at the moment, but I’m thinking of sticking some Halo Twin Rails or Vittoria Mezcals on along with the flat bars. Basically I want a fun bike, a big-boys-bmx.

@zippykona Mine has now settled as a rigid 27.5+

Also gone 2×10 as of yesterday, so really not with the times any more 🤣

Will take a few pics and expand on thoughts etc later today, although in a nutshell it’s great.

Double post delete.

@twonks ,that will be excellent.
I’ve got too many bikes ,the whippet will replace my fatty and my skinny bike.

@zippykona Apologies for the longer than anticipated delay – we’ve had family round all day.

Pics are attached below, although they are not the best either in composition or subject presentation.

I’ve had the Whippet in fully rigid SS, 1×10 front suss, 1×10 rigid with 30mm wide 29″ rims, and what it is now, 27.5+ with NN 2.8″ tyres.

One of the biggest regrets I have was selling the On one full fat bike that I converted to 2×10 with a wide range cassette. It had so much grip and such a low gear that it used to fall over backwards before I lost grip or power when climbing. Was hilarious trying to find something to winch up, but I didn’t really use the bike too much at all, so it was sold on.

I didn’t especially like the Whippet as a rigid 29″ bike, although it was a bit of a flying machine. It was just too harsh for my aging (50) body.

I’d also upgraded the main HT to a set of carbon wheels, so put it’s old ones on the Whippet just to see how it felt. (un) Surprisingly it is great. There is so much traction, more give in the tyres and the overall ride quality is a lot better than the 29″ rigid.

However it is not forgiving at all over typical trail centre well rutted paths with braking bumps.
I get fed up quickly over such terrain without front suspension, so it doesn’t go there. Around local woods and forestry type loam trails, it is awesome and very fast.

As of yesterday I made the front 2X with some ebay rings and a £6 mech on offer from Merlin. Have yet to finish the install but am hoping to gain some of the winch type fun that the old fatty used to give, whilst allowing a higher gear or two for fast spins.

As said, sorry for the crap pics and yes I know it needs a wash and he chain some oil – damn Christmas getting in the way of bike faffing.

For info, the wheels are ARC40 rims on Pro4 hubs and the bike as in the pic weighs 10.4KG

If you want to know anything more specific please let me know either here or by PM. I’ll be happy to discuss.

What size tyres are they? There’s some 40 mm rims with 3.0 tyres on eBay that are tempting me.

2.8″ Nobby Nics

Do you think 3.0 nics would fit in the back?

Been out to finish the 2x up front – which works a treat, front mechs seem to have progressed no end since the last time I used one.

Rear tyre clearance, I wouldn’t run any bigger than 2.8″ – especially in the winter slop.

In theory if it is only 0.2″ difference then 3″ should be ok as there is 6 to 7 mm per side at the closest point (chainstays), but it is pushing it a bit if the tyre deflects when cornering and mud build up etc.

what cranks are they? struggling to understand what spec I need to be to clear the chainstays!

I’ve had X01 dub boost 12 sp cranks with 30t ring and now XTR M9020 2×10 and never had any problems with crank arms anywhere near the chain stays.

I’m still loving the Whippet, it’s a good, fun bike.

I’ve just stuck Halo Twin Rails on as I wasn’t getting on with the supplied Rubans – they seemed to stop rolling the instant I stopped pedalling. I’ve only had a quick ride-around on the new tyres as we’re in the middle of storm Eunice, but they are loads faster and seem to grip well enough for my non-gnar riding style.

Has anyone tried putting flat bars on their Whippet? Something feels not-quite-right and I think it might be the riser bars.

What do people use their whippets for? How good is it on technical terrain? I have a 130mm 29er which I am beginning to feel is too much, but not sure if a whippet is too much of a step down…

Any recommendations on size. I’m 5″10 so right between medium and large.

I’m 5’7″ on a medium. Reckon you’d need a large.

Cheers I might bung planet X an email.

6/2 on an XL here. They are pretty big bikes IMO.

I’m 5 9 on a large.

I’m 5′ 11″ with short legs and ride a large – pictured above, setup as I ride it.

I’d say large if you want to ride XC type and don’t want a cramped chuckable bike.

Thanks for the info.
Two KS could I ask you to measure the standover height in the middle of top tube and post it here? Would be much appreciated. It’s not quoted on website, I guess due to differences in tyres.

I’m 5’8″ and have a medium. In a perfect world it would be a teensy bit smaller, but it fits me well enough.

@anagallis_arvensis Take it you mean me.

As it is in the pictures above, with the carbon forks and 27.5 x 2.8″ tyres, it is 80cm to the top of the top tube around mid way along. Slopes quite severely so this measurement may not mean much.

As another guide, the dropper in my bike is 150mm.

I take a 30 inch leg jeans and have quite a bit of seat post showing in my picture above.
If that helps.