"Jed Thompson" <
[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Anyone ridden a Whyte bike? www.whytebikesusa.com How was it?
Had one on loan for the day a couple of years ago
The suspension action of the front fork is second to none over obstacles and the front doesn't dive
under load (descending or braking) which is great but the J path the wheel describes is both it's
strength and it's ultimate flaw (for me). The trouble is that as the suspension moves the wheel
length changes. It's no problem until you reach a tight singletrack section and really attack it, as
you steer from corner to corner the wheel length changes which messes up the steering which you
correct but as you do that the wheellength goes back and you have to correct again, real fight to
keep it on the line you want. Some people say you get used to it but I'm not sure I ever could.
Rear is a standard Marin type suspension action - the wheel quick realease is just plain wierd. The
annodised finish on the early ones was thinner than a very thin thing but may be better now.
Great bike for long XC riding with open tracks, superb on open bumpy DH, add a lot of tight
singletrack and there are better bikes out there IMO.
Looks horrible IMO but then again I ride an Orange Sub 5 so what do I know
YMMV.
Russ