Whyte's 900 series comprises 3 of the best trail hardtails going. Made from 6061 hydro formed T6 aluminium, the 900 series frame benefits both from Whyte's mountain bike frame geometry and being a dedicated to the single chainring (SCR) concept. The 900 series geometry positions the front wheel further out in front of the rider at a super-slack 65 degree head angle, creating a confidence inspiring front end, that absorbs impacts better and is more prone to self-correcting, conserving your speed and momentum brilliantly. The whole frame is designed with a lower centre of gravity to enhance stability and carving corners at speed. To retain precise and direct handling, the 900 series is equipped with short stems and wide handlebars, so you can utilise the speed granted by the front end, with super-close control. The rear wheel is tucked right in on the 900 series, keeping them playful and responsive, the final piece of the puzzle in creating a simultaneously stable and responsive bike.
This trail-shredding geometry also benefits from being built for SCR groupsets. Removing the front dérailleur and extra chainrings brings a range of benefits for mountain bike geometry. It means that the chainstays can be symmetrical and therefore stronger and lighter, than the weaker and heavier chainstays required to accommodate front mechs. Weight distribution benefits greatly as there is considerably less weight on the right hand side of the bike, the front mech, extra chainrings and cables all done away with. An SCR drivetrain also allows for an increase in rear pivot span, which boosts stiffness and therefore handling and power transfer between rider and frame. Overall this makes the bike lighter, making it handle and accelerate better, whilst making it more robust with less complex components to be damaged.
The stunning 909 is Whyte's top 27.5inch hardtail. Building on the excellent blueprint of the 900 series frame, the 909 is equipped with some top tier components, including SRAM's 12 speed GX eagle groupset including Guide R hydraulic disc brakes and Fox's highly rated Float Performance 130mm fork. The 909 has the biggest gear range a 900 series Whyte has ever had, with a 34 tooth chainring turning a massive 10-50 12 speed cassette, meaning you're officially out of excuses if you can't get up a climb on this beast. SRAM's guide R hydraulic disc brakes have excellent feel and modulation for controlling your pace on tricky trails and powerful stopping performance if required. Fox's Float Performance provides tonnes of feedback and support with it's Grip 3 position damper giving you a choice of different dampening for different surfaces, making the 909 an incredibly versatile off-roader. For optimal grip and the option to run extremely low pressures the 909 comes with tubeless ready 35mm wide WTB rims and 27.5x2.8 inch top quality Maxxis tyres. The width added for 2018 bolsters the 909's ability to put it about on even more technical trails than before, making for a properly adventurous hooligans hardtail. The 909 is fitted with Whyte's own dropper post, making sure it has the full suite of necessary components to run the gauntlet of the vast majority of trails out there, whether up, down or rough as a very rough thing, the 909 will triumph over it.
No matter how much fun a bike provides, its naff if they break all the time. Not just providing top quality performance, Whyte's practical ingenuity is plain to see with the 909's weather-proofing measures. Their BBX internal cable routing for protection from the elements and easy maintenance, keeping the dropper post in fine working order too. Whyte's use their own alloy double sealed cartridge bearing hubs for the 909's front wheel, turning to Hope's highly regarded Pro 4 hub for the rear wheel. Both hubs offer great protection from grit and water ingress, whilst the rear wheel, which takes the majority of big hits and power transfer, will really benefit from the upgraded Hope hub. Reliably rough route ready the 909 is a perfect trail bike for British conditions. The king of Whyte's rowdy 900 hardtail series, the 909 is fully equipped for combative trail thrashing, with its aggressive geometry, super grippy fat Maxxis tyres, wide ratio SRAM GX Eagle groupset and highly capable Fox fork.