The Big Wheel Debate

This weekend FMFT ploughed right into the big old mountain bike wheel size debate. Having ridden a couple of 650b wheeled bikes, this time was all about what has been argued is the best trail 29er out there. On paper the Whyte T129 Works is an awesome bike. Virtually full XT and with Fox suspension doing the business both ends, and a Hope hub sneaking in at the back to add to a brilliant package.

The bike also looks the business and only this month came fourth in the What Mountain Bike Trail Bike of the Year test.

I rolled out to ride it over the same Chilterns loop I hammered the Kona around the week before. With the combined power of Sports Tracker and Strava I could compare the performance of the two and I fully expected the Whyte to be quicker on the faster rolling wheels. Riding with an open mind I was excited to see how it performed.

So, the results. Well, let's start by saying that if I was to pick a bike to ride the length of the Ridgeway, or the South Downs way then the Whyte would be the only choice. It's fast and smooth and deals with those wide open fire roads and lanes superbly. However my niggle was when things got a bit more fun. It's a very planted bike, not launching off anything it can find like the Kona and that makes it a bit less grin-inducing. In addition pointing it at rooty or rocky downhills led to the wheel flexing rather than tracking over the target. Undoubtedly down to the wheel size and the fork length it just inspired less confidence on the drops and jumps and felt less precise in the steering when things got tight and twisty.

Overall the decision came down to not the best bike on paper, or the lightest, or the fastest (although there's little in it between them) but the bike that is most fun to ride. Isn't that what it's all about?

With the Whyte for the weekend it was telling that it didn't make me want to go and thrash it at Swinley, but rather go and take it round another bridleway Chilterns route with the related more open profiles on the trails. Once again it was good, but just not as surefooted or fun as the Kona. When the rain came on the flex in the platform was compounded with slippery roots adding to the deflection. So, a great bike but not the bike for me.

A