Ok thanks, so you think a large t130 will still be more playful, agile etc than a g150 in medium?

Sorry for all the questions!

Cheers for the comprehensive review Mboy, that does make sense. It also makes me think maybe my T130 is SUPPOSED to feel compact and a little short. and if so, perhaps my medium is right after all? Will I lose a chunk of fun/involvement by going up to a large?

In the shop it felt that way, with heel flat on pedal the reverb still had a little extension left. But I didn’t go for a pedal. Then at FOD the other day I had a pedal around on someone’s large (he was 5’10”). The reverb was 1cm from being fully into frame yet I could pedal it fine at full extension. So maybe the “heel test” is a bit flawed.

Still concerned large will indeed be a touch big but hopefully it’ll be ok.

You still liking yours? How was Spain?

At 5’10” I think the G150 is a good fit in Medium, as its already quite long. But At 6’0″ you’d probably be better on a large g150.

Well, Bike shop have come back to me…

They can either “buy the bike back” and I’d lose around £600. OR they can order a new front triangle and transfer all my parts and rear triangle over. So a lot of labour, but for around £200 all in.

I chose the latter option! Quite chuffed. Will be ready next Friday. Yes it’s a sting but better than living with a bike I’m not happy with.

And thank you for the tip on cutting down the seat tube, I shall use that if needed, but should be ok without modding. Ultimately though, seat tube aside, the large will be spot on where it counts- the top tube length and wheel base are spot on. And I’m looking forward to rrunning a shorter stem too.

Hmm, I think it’s pretty conclusive I should be on a large. The brief pedal I had on a large the other day confirmed it I think. Even with a 70-80mm stem in it, it didn’t feel that stretched out. With a 50-60mm stem it should feel great. Furthermore, on the medium I have the reverb out the collar by about an inch or so anyway, so on the Large, it should be fine with the post all the way into the frame. There won’t be quite as much room for manoeuvre on descents, but it should be do able.

I’ve had the bike a whole month now, but I am trying my luck with the LBS to get an exchange, even if it means taking a hit for wear & tear/restocking costs etc. Not sure how likely it will be, they are well within their rights to tell me to do one. But having spent £3000, and having a nagging feeling it was too small since they sold it to me (and voicing those concerns to them on more than one occasion since), hopefully they will show some leniency. As above, the front end feels a touch low and the toptube & wheelbase that bit too short.

And Mboy – after having the T130 for a while, how did you find the G150 compared in terms of ”fun-ness” for general riding?

Cheesbeans – did you feel the large was preferable to the medium? Also, did you find you could get the saddle out of the way enough to really throw it down descents and get low over the frame through turns?

And did you demo the G150 too?

How do you mean, sizes up? By amount of seat post showing?

I bought the latest issue of MBR yesterday and they have a first ride review of the T130 works and a proper review of the T129 Works SCR.

Alan Mundoon loved the T130, saying he thought it even out-ripped the G150 due to superior rear suspension performance. He rode a large. Bit concerning again, as he doesn’t look that tall. I tried out someone’s Large T130 at FOD the other day, only in the carpark and annoyingly it actually felt ok size wise. Previously in the shop, the seat tube had felt too long. That said, I’m still having a blast on my medium. The bike absolutely nailed the descents of Verderers trail, while still climbing spritely. You can whip the bike through direction changes so fast. And getting really low over the back of the bike through corners feels amazing.

MBR were actually surprisingly critical of the T129 Works SCR (8/10), saying that the rear suspension was poor, the wheels flexy and the ride not as engaging as the Specialized camber. Really expected it to get a glowing review, given that it’s the top spec version!

A lot comes down to personal preference as well.

Just look at Neil Donoghue and his Santa Cruz bikes (Nomad and Bronson). They are notoriously short in the top tube (584mm for a medium). He is about your height and rides a Medium Bronson and Nomad, with a 50mm stem. And he riiiips.

What bikes are you used to? What were you riding previously? I only ask, as the Medium in the Canyon (and Whyte T130) look fairly standard for the industry. i.e. neither long nor short in the toptube. So you’d expect them to fit up to around 5’10”.

However, as you say the T129 (SCR version anyway) has a very long toptube for it’s given size, compensated for with a tiny 40mm stem. If that fitted to your preference, then you may be better off with the Large canyon. Watch out for the seat tube length though. At 32″ leg, you’ll probably be at the limit of having enough clearance. Did you try out a T129S or T129works, how did they feel?? Both of them have a toptube of 596, i.e. very similar to the T130.

Cheers Thorpie. It’s crazy money sp might hole off for a while.

How is your new ride, enjoying it? What’s your take on the frame sizing out of interest, do you feel the size up small for their size?

Cool.

I’d probably be looking to get a Renthal Carbon Lite (740mm) and a Renthal Apex 60mm stem. I am pretty clueless about these things, but would there be any technical problems with installing these, or would anything in the headset etc need to be changed?

Sweet photos!

Handlebars- I’m also considering upgrading to some renthal carbons or Easton. Do you know off hand whether the backsweep is less pronounced than the Whyte ones that come standard? That’s what I’m looking for as it’ll offer more reach.

I went to shop in the end and both staff were adamant I was a medium. And they seemed genuine.

Ok to put it another way, when my heel was on the pedal, with the leg bolt straight, the reverb was perhaps an inch from full extension. That and the staff just said the large just looked a bit too big. But both sizes were in stock before I bought the medium, so it doesn’t seem that they had any reason to tell porkies.

Either way, have ended up with the medium. I appreciate the standover, and being able to slam the saddle on bike park Wales runs. Plus there’s the flickabiliry Whether I’ve made the right choice though I’ve got no idea and it’s bloody annoying! So many conflicting opinions.

I know I posted the review of the cube above, but I do actually own a Whyte T130 works (Medium). I’m 5’10”. And it’s awesome. Component wise, it’s all top-notch stuff – the frame, brakes, wheelset, fork, shock, gears, saddle etc are all fantastic. Brilliant value too. Perhaps the only thing I’d change would be the front tyre for a bit more bite. And maybe add 1 cm to the toptube and take 1 cm off the stem. But regardless of those fairly minor points, it rips.

It climbs well enough, don’t have any complaints there. Efficient pedaller too.

It descends like a terrier! The bottom bracket is low. But on the medium especially, the standover and seat tube are low too. The large was just a bit too big for me in this respect. Combine that with a fairly slack head angle (67.5) and reasonably compact wheelbase, you get a really playful, poppy and flickable bike, with a healthy dose of stability and confidence mixed in. Especially with the Pike up front. So on gently sloping, twisty singletrack, or when descending proper, the bike is just so much fun to ride with the saddle slammed and your weight really low, carving slalom turns, popping off of lips and pedalling hard out of the saddle between turns.

Yes there have been some occasions when I wonder whether I should have got the G150 for that long wheelbase, long toptube/short stem, slacker head angle, or even a T130 in large…it would certainly add more confidence and stability for really fast and bumpy situations. It also arguably has a more modern, ‘enduro’ geometry. But the T130 is just so FUN and responsive in most situations, while still remaining confidence inspiring enough when needed (especially with your weight really low, as mentioned above). The flickability and playfulness is infectious, it’s just so fun boosting off things on the trail and dropping into corners.

I must admit, it’s also refreshing to see the Cube 140 get a glowing review, despite not conforming to the long top tube/long wheelbase fashion of late. Bikes are getting longer and longer, which is fine for enduro racing or fast, rough stuff, where stability at speed is paramount. But for more everyday stuff, for more everyday riders, it does seem to rob a bit of responsiveness and playfulness.

http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/category/bikes/mountain-bikes/full-suspension/product/review-cube-bikes-stereo-140-hpa-27-5-15-48934/

Glowing review for the cube there.

P.s. Lefty boy and Princejohn- what bikes did you own before getting the t130?

Mimmiethecat- interesting, did you not find the t130 more poppy, agile and plaplayful after being on the t129? It’s the other way of looking at it. And what did you think of the g150?

It’s a pity the t130 doesn’t reflect the t129 in terms of geometry for the scr version. T129 is almost identical to the t130 but the scr t129 is a fair bit longer.

Richwales- thanks will go in and have a play. Certainly the Santa Cruz 5010 medium would be too small, but the t130 is of course bigger.

Weirdly though, the shop phoned whyte, who advised I should be on a medium. I also phoned 3 other shops and they all advised a medium too.

Perhaps it’s paranoia/remorse at having spent 3000. Plus all these reviews of late, banging on about long top tubes, short stem.

Alternative is a t129 scr in medium which has long top tube, short stem. But concerned it won’t be as playful.

I sat on a large in the shop. The reverb was 1cm away from being entirely in to the seat tube. Even with the post extended a mere 2 inches, I was on tip toes already. However, I may go in again to re-try, with it all the way down. Also, I guess the XC/Climbing saddle height will be a bit higher than me on tip toes.

On my medium, the reverb is about 3cm away from being entirely into the seat tube.

What is your inside leg and height??

Been on a couple of rides on the T130 works (Medium) so far. One at Whites Level at Afan and a quick blast around Ashton Court in Bristol. Whites Level was a lot of fun – bike was a great all-rounder.

However, since getting the bike, I have had a nagging feeling that it’s just that bit too small. With the reverb extended, reach is OK on the whole, as the seat angle pitches you back (although my knees get very close to the bars on switchbacks, even with the 70mm stem). However, when standing it just feels that bit too short in the top tube and wheelbase for my height. I have a 32” inseam and my height is 179cm, so 5’10.5”.

It’s really been nagging on me, after dropping £3k on a bike, you kinda want it to be spot on. I’d definitely not want to run a longer stem. Similarly, the Large T130 is too big for me (the seat tube is just too long).

So with regret, I think the bike is going to have to go back. Bike UK are really accommodating like that, with their 7-day exchange. Thing is, I got this bike with a credit note from a previously returned bike!! Just stumped for options though – the T129 Scr would be ideal in terms of geometry, but I’m not keen on the wheel size – tried last year’s T129 and didn’t gel with the way it handled. The G150 in medium was a perfect fit. But it was a lot more sluggish at Ashton Court (pretty flat and pedally terrain), so I worry it won’t be a very fun/agile/playful all-rounder like the T130 is. The flip side is that it would be better for the rougher trail centre/bike park descents that I’d be doing often! Also, I may get used to it.

Or, it’s scrap that entirely and go with a different brand. The shop can get in: Marin, Orange, Saracen, Santa Cruz and Whyte.

Any advice?!

Been on a couple of rides on the T130 works so far. One at Whites Level at Afan and a quick blast around Ashton Court in Bristol. Whites Level was a lot of fun – bike was a great all-rounder.

However, since getting the bike, I have had a nagging feeling that it’s just that bit too small. With the reverb extended, reach is OK on the whole, as the seat angle pitches you back (although my knees get very close to the bars on switchbacks, even with the 70mm stem). However, when standing it just feels that bit too short in the top tube and wheelbase for my height. I have a 32” inseam and my height is 179cm, so 5’10.5”.

It’s really been nagging on me, after dropping £3k on a bike, you kinda want it to be spot on. I’d definitely not want to run a longer stem. Similarly, the Large T130 is too big for me (the seat tube is just too long).

So with regret, I think the bike is going to have to go back. Bike UK are really accommodating like that, with their 7-day exchange. Thing is, I got this bike with a credit note from a previously returned bike!! Just stumped for options though – the T129 Scr would be ideal in terms of geometry, but I’m not keen on the wheel size – tried last year’s T129 and didn’t gel with the way it handled. The G150 in medium was a perfect fit. But it was a lot more sluggish at Ashton Court (pretty flat and pedally terrain), so I worry it won’t be a very fun/agile/playful all-rounder like the T130 is. The flip side is that it would be better for the rougher trail centre/bike park descents that I’d be doing often! Also, I may get used to it.

Or, it’s scrap that entirely and go with a different brand. The shop can get in: Marin, Orange, Saracen, Santa Cruz and Whyte.

Any advice?!

Mimmiethecat, what did you find do small about the T130, the top tube length? Just general breathing room?

Finally picked up my T130 works. Beautiful it is.

Had another restless night regarding sizing, i.e. whether to go Medium or large at 5’10”. Look at forums for Santa Cruz owners and almost invariably, people of my height feel much better on a large, with the medium feeling far too small. Given that the top tube on the medium T130 is only 1cm longer than a santa cruz 5010, I had my concerns.

So I sat on the large today to make my mind up. While the reach was fine, perhaps even preferable to the medium (and would be with a shorter stem), the seat tube was ridiculous. Shop measured me up and I have a 32″ inside leg. With the reverb all the way down in it’s collar, I could only raise the saddle maybe 2 inches before I was on tip toes! I.e. there was still about 10cm of post left unused.

While the T130 in large has the same TT length as a medium G150, both the head tube and seat tube are considerable longer on the large. The latter is a massive 4cm longer.

Likewise, the whole bike just felt generally a fair bit bigger and unwieldy.

The above said, the medium is not perfect and spending £3k is a bit galling when things aren’t perfect. i.e. I’d make the top tube 1cm longer and take 1cm off the stem. Maybe I’d put the fork up to 140mm. But then everything else about the bike is spot on. I suppose you can never have it all! Furthermore, when descending, you are generally slightly further back anyway, meaning the stance and body weighting should be more centralised. I guess if you are 5’8 1/2 you would fit the medium perfectly. Likewise a 6′ rider would probably fit the large perfectly. The rest of us have to sort of make the best of it, to the closest size that we can live with.

But yeah, I hope the above is of some help to those with size issues.

It’s a stunning looking bike dbuk, yellow or not! My t130 works is ready to pick up, just waiting for shop to fit tubeless free of charge, and gotta sort insurance too.

Nice one Arbie. Mine is being built up for Tuesday, can’t wait. re sizing Arbie, how did the small feel for you, if you tried it? Could you have gone either way? Really concerned the medium I’m going for at 5’10” is gonna be too small. Or rather, that it won’t fit the “ideal” of longer front centre/short stem of a large. I test rode medium and it felt fine, but of course sizing and fit issues often come out in the wash after a lot more time on the bike.

Hmm this is concerning re sizing. Did you feel like you could have gone with either size, or was medium noticibly too small?

Not sure but wouldn’t be surprised if it does. However, it does come shod with a decent maxxis ardent race anyway, unlikely you’d need anymore for a rear tyre.

I think they’re both capable trail bikes and there is a lot of crossover. But yeah, they err towards one side of the spectrum respectively, as you have outlined.

The above said, the new t129 works scr looks incredible.

I’ve test ridden a T129S (2014)and a T130 Works.

The T129S was fun, but I only tried it in quite tame trails. While it flowed beautifully and was absurdly fast, I knew within minutes that it wasn’t the bike for me. The bigger wheels tended to ‘fall’ into turns more, really making themselves’ obvious. There was just something about the way the 29er wheels cornered that I couldn’t gel with. Furthermore, it was just generally a bit sluggish compared to a smaller wheeled bike. I really wanted to love it, (and did admire it), but was left a bit underwhelmed.

Demoed the T130 more recently. Even just at Ashton Court it was incredible. Very playful, poppy and agile, but still felt confident and planted, railing corners beautifully. Looks great too. Bear in mind that the components, which made up that T130 works were significantly better than the T129s I tried previously. Also tried a G150, but decided after much deliberation that it had too much travel/weight/slackness for 80% of my riding. T130 should prove a superb all-rounder. Just awaiting delivery of my T130 works now…

N.B. I’m 5’10” and demoed a medium in the T129, T130 and G150. The latter was a big bike, simply cannot imagine going for a Large. T130 felt great in a medium, again can’t really imagine going much bigger. And same with T129. It may be that bikes are more than the sum of their angles on paper. i.e. Santa Cruz almost invariably gets commented on as coming up small for size, yet Whyte tend to be the opposite. On paper the T130 is quite compact with a fairly average top tube length, but in reality it felt balanced for my 5’10” height.

Arbie- sounds very encouraging. Can I assume that you’re loving it?!

Mboy- how exciting, hope you enjoy it. My t130 works has been pushed back to “next week sometime”. I’m not holding my breath, but still really excited.

Thanks guys, I’ll look for some contents cover.

Lefty- that’s good they have sorted it, must have been a bit of a hassle!

Arbie, you got your t130 works yet? How is it?

Thanks for your comments, I’m sure it’ll be fine. Also, if I made it down red runs at bike park Wales on a steep angled, 100mm hardtail, I’m sure the t130 will feel great!

Leftyboy- I think your tyres are on the wrong way. The ardent race is designed to go at the rear. Faster rolling, less aggressive tread.

Silly isn’t it, I’m worrying about being under biked on the t130 and over biked on the g150. I guess main concern with the former is the more compact top tube length. Medium seemed fine the other day at 5’10”, but on paper, those dimensions would probably get criticised in the mags as being too short.

Sorry, sounded overly harsh about the revelations, I appreciate they’re brilliant forks.

Ok cheers guys, I guess the t130 should be sufficient. Just a bit blinded by all these rave reviews of modern, slack, enduro type bikes. I appreciate it might partly be a fashion, but bikes released now, which 2 years ago were considered cutting edge and very capable, are now slated. For example, WMB reviewed the trek remedy 27.5 this month. It has similar angles to the t130, even a 67.5 head angle…yet was criticised for unadventurous angles and nervousness on descents. Meanwhile, the bird aeris, with its looong wheelbase is raved about, even referred to as poppy and enthusiastic!

So yeah, I guess I’m concerned that the t130 may be (relative to the current trend) nervous on descents.

As a side point, presumably the Pike fork will make the t130 works markedly more composed on descents than the S version?

All my mates who ride are telling me I’m making a mistake getting the t130 and should go for the g150 for the riding we do. Bike park Wales, afan, cymcarn, forest of Dean, llandegla, saying that 130mm travel is a bit restrictive on the descents, whereas the g150 would be more fun and confidence inspiring. Anyone taken the t130 down fast, rough ish descents yet? Worried I’m making a very expensive mistake.

Any of you t130 owners ever found yourself wishing for more travel? Is it confident in rougher, faster terrain or a bit nervois? Only tested it on tame trail and loved it, but do have my concerns still.

Yeah you’re right, I think it’s those roam wheels coming into stock which is key here. Couldn’t believe it when LBS told me end of next week, thought I’d be bike-less for another couple of months.

Lefty- glad you’re loving it.

Sound ninja- I’d say your requirements in a bike perfectly fit the g150. I thought it was incredible when I rode it the other day, even in relatively flat trails. Just felt the t130 was more suited to my style.