I’d agree with firestarter on the wheels. The original set on the Fisher were ok but heavy. Built up a lightweight set of Crests and it transformed the ride, especially climbing and accelerating.

It think it very much depends on how and where you ride.

Personally I found my 29er Fisher ht with its 100mm forks to be the quickest and most fun hardtail I have ever owned. Better than my mmmbop with 140mm forks. Faster and more fun through the woods, and up and down.

Riding on the South Downs most of the time though so it is not the most technical, steepest or rockiest of places. And my DH and air skills are not the greatest.

I think you have to try it before you know. We are all different.
I am now breaking and selling my 26er FS to fund a new 29er FS so I am hooked.

Had one for a month or so but again not really used it in anger, mainly due to the crap weather. Have taken some other bits on it and it seems pretty good quality, especially for the price. Made my own very basic chest mount that I think will work. I’ll use it this weekend and report back.

Yes, sorry, had big problems with my X9 shifter not wanting to shift when if was putting it all together. Finally got out a bit later than planned but still not working so spent more time fiddling than riding. Lets hope for a cold spell again soon…

OK. Just swapping all my bits over to a new frame at the moment so if I get it al done I may well be there.

Are we talking playing in the woods or more xc/trail riding?

Where you thinking of heading? Might join you if I can.

Made in China I believe. And I’ve not heard of any failures. I think it was a particular batch that have had this problem around the BB area.

Cheers Chris. I should have mine up and running by the time you do Rnd 2 so I will probably be putting it through its paces on the Downs. Might see you out there one day – I think you’re pretty local to me.

Yes to the crown race. Ordered an (FSA) headset with the frame but need to convert from tapered to 1 1/8th. Jensen USA do them but can’t see anyone online over here. Chris/cklein87 used one on his build according to his blog. I know Hope do one but as far as I can tell it won’t fit an FSA headset.

c-klein87 – Just ordered a Gaea following your post and a further bit of investigation. 1 quick question, where did you get your FSA headset reducer from? Cheers.

Another vote for the Bonty XR4. Excellent tyre.

andrewlowe – Yes, I have been told this week that they will be arriving on 21st. So they will probably sit in Customs or the carriers warehouse until New Year… Maybe we will see them 2nd week of Jan…?!

pickle – I hear what you are saying, but in fairness to Whyte they are actually sorting it and have never said that they won’t Just been a f@@@ing long wait! The problem was caused by the factory that made the frames and it is only in the paint/top coat. I have ridden mine as normal since finding it (well, ‘normal’ after a week or so when I became convinced it wasn’t going to fail on me) and it has not got any worse. And as carbon bikes go they are still cracking value. (Excuse the pun…).

OK, thanks. I’m off to give it a go…

Unfortunately I shall have to do my riding on Saturday next week but the week after would be a possibility if you are going.
Was very nice out this morning. So nice to have hard ground under your wheels for a change.

Only just seen this. I’d have joined you. Just got back. Lovely out there. Maybe join you in the next couple of weeks?

It is (was) lovely out there. Got out just after sun up. Two hours on frozen ground, best conditions for ages. Just starting to thaw as I got back. Feet still not thawed though.

I would have thought the quality will be good. Otherwise they would have to replace them a second time.

Jeffus – where did you get your frame?

sjp1 – That’s what I am told…
These are different to the main run of frames, a special run with the new strut but supposedly without the routing for the ‘stealth’ Reverb that the new frames have got, and in the original black and white. Apparently the factory that make them for Whyte are having to pay for them too hence why they are taking so long.
Have you been given a date yet? Emailed Whyte for an update but not heard back… Ominous…

Love the look of these, especially the orange frame. Am I right in thinking that all these (cheap) ones are the 135 qr rear end?

c klein87 – That looks pretty identical to the build I had in mind. Any idea what the weight is? And what teething problems…?

The only difference is an additional brace between the seat and down tubes.

Still waiting for my replacement frame. Now due some time in December…
At least I am getting replies from Whyte/ATB now, much to the relief of my LBS.

Although I have been less than impressed with the wait (since March!) I have found the bike to be fantastic. I had new bearings after a year, but the bike has had no other problems and always rides fantastically well. But… its time to move on, 29er style, so when my brand new 2013 ‘special’ frame (in the same black and white colour scheme of the original) does arrive it’s going straight in the classifieds if anyone is interested.

Anyone else that’s had a demo think the M109 rides ‘heavy’ I tested one at the weekend and loved it going down,along and through the singletrack, but going up it seemed quite a lump. I’m coming from a 146 so weights should be about the same but the M109 definately seemed heavier and also tended to lift the front wheel more than the 146. Shame cos I was quite sold on getting one.

The only problem with wood/bark chippings on top of a membrane is that they move around a lot easier. If you have any pets or are in a windy spot they would be better on the soil and just apply a weedkiller to any weeds. Even if you have to do it once or twice a year its not exactly high maintenance. The bark will break down over time anyway and help improve the texture of your soil ahould you ever change your mind and want to plant in it.

So I guess because mine is still rideable (but not sellable) I keep getting pushed to the bottom of the queue. I can understand that to a degree but getting extremely fed up with them now that is just going on and on. Like I say, just some honest communication would be nice. Was thinking of selling and replacing with the M109 but my trust in them is seriously lacking now.

deluded – that’s the email that now (this week) has got the autoreply saying they no longer deal direct with the pulic, only via the dealer.

Northwind – It is a 146S frame. It is definately a frame availablility issue. there are none available and I understand that because they have changed the frame slightly they have, or are having a batch done in the same colour as the originals (ie black and white, the new ones I believe are black carbon) But like I say, 7 months with still no date is not acceptable. Just some honest communication would be nice…

Pretty certain. Get on well with them and I know he is in regular contact as he has a few other bikes with problems and wants it sorted as much as I do. (Even though I got it from another dealer). He has been forwarding on my emails with his own comments added as I have been copying him in.
I can understand that a frame failure may get priority treatment but 7 months for a replacement or even a date is taking the p@@s.

Riding in the same area and have had Bonty XDX on my 29er 2 summers and last winter. Excellent tyre but sadly hard to find these days. I think the 29-3 is quite similar though.
29er tyres definately grip better anyway and I haven’t felt the need for anything more aggressive locally.

Frankly, unless you’re actually racing i don’t think the difference is measurable or even relevant to the vast majority of riders.

I would have agreed with you until I got hooked on bloody Strava! Definately measurable, and annoyingly relevant.

Paceman (and anyone else) – What’s the weight comparison between your 26 and 29er? How much is down to weight, as I am conscious that my 29er HT is pretty light compared to my 26 FS which obviously helps.

I think this is all way more complicated than it looks.
Like above I have ridden the same local route a number of times on my Fisher 29er HT(23lbs) and my Whyte 146 26er fs (27lbs)to try and ascertain which is faster. South Downs so nothing too rad, but some ups, downs, rooty twisty singletrack, ruts etc.
My quickest time overall was on ths FS by about a 0.2mph. But my quickest Strava segments bar 2 are on the 29er. So now I am totally confused.
The 29er ‘feels’ faster.
Both are great fun to ride.
Both are 1×10 and I run out of gears on the 26er on the long, gentle downhill bits, so would a bigger ring make it even faster than the 29er?
Would a lighter FS be quicker?
Would a 29er FS be quicker than both? Even though it would almost certainly be heavier?
Does it matter for us mere mortals?
Bloody Strava!

What takisawa2 says – bent teeth? Or knackered chain? Or rear mech spring knackered? Or a combination.

I would love to ride it as it is, but having seen it and witnessed the pro’s crashing on it first hand, I can see why they want to sanitise it. If it were left as it was I can see a steady procession of ambulances and air ambulances going too and fro, and it wouldn’t be too long before someone tried to sue.
The track itsef is easily rideable but get it slightly wrong and there are some big hard rocks only just off line that would do serious damage.

Sorry to hear that Si, it happens to most of us at some time. Some of us it happens to more than once. Or twice. Or even 3 times.
Like others have said, this is not the end, and although if you do split it will feel like you’ve taken a whole load of steps backwards in life, it does work out for the best.
What I would say is be nice but always look out for no.1 If it is not working out in a month or so then agree to the split, but don’t give up on things (whether its items from the house, the house or riding) because you feel guilty or want to be nice. That is something you will regret later.
I gave up riding after my 2nd marriage went down the pan, and started again 5 years later when my 3rd wife went awol. Now THAT is a waste! 😉
(BTW, I’m not really a serial monogamist, just went for the wrong type of woman. Now very happy with a lovely lady.)

Mine has just had bearings replaced after 1 year and Im still awaiting a new frame 3.5 months on for a ‘cosmetic’ crack around the the bb/seat tube area.
I think because they only believe it to be cosmetic I keep getting pushed to the back of the line. They are only going on pics though… Having said that I’m still riding it and it hasn’t broken yet! No probs with brakes.

Isn’t it more down to the hub/fork combo? Running Elixirs and Hope floaters on both bikes with no probs.

Running 29er Crests with Bonty XDX tubeless ready tyres. Didn’t have any trouble getting the tyres on at all.

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SAM_3415[/url] by Kevaroo[/url], on Flickr[/img]

In its post ride dusty-ness.
1 x 10, just built Crests and 22lb.

Thanks for the tips all. Went there this morning and can thoroughly recommend it. Luckily by chance met my bank manager (!) there who took us on a 2.5hr ride round the area, otherwise I think it could have been 15 mins riding out and 2hrs trying to find the car park again. Some great XC singletrack. Will def be back.