Opinions on Whyte Portobello?

[SpaceGhost]

I'm looking for a bike to replace my 5 year old cheapo mountain bike for the following use cases:

• every day travel to various locations within 20 miles of where I live
  
• I keep bees as a hobby so I need to carry stuff, so I'm going to get some new panniers.
  
• 90% of my travel is on roads although I have to travel down the odd footpath but nothing you wouldn't want to walk down with decent shoes on.
• It's pretty hilly so I want something with decent gearing and light.
• Needs to be reliable
  
• I may want to commute with it I go into Moorgate once every few weeks - although to be honest the train/tube is no effort

I had a go on a friends Whyte bike and it seemed to tick all the boxes and I've got a budget of about £700 (plus extras), although I can go higher than that if worth it.

The Portobello seems a nice bike and has decent reviews; are there any alternatives which offer better value?

 

[JMAG]

My first bike when I started cycling in January was a Trek 7.2 FX disc. I wasn't overly happy with it as I couldn't get the Alivio groupset to change smoothly and neither could the LBS I bought it from after 2 or 3 visits. They said it was fine for what it was. It was also a boneshaker, which even caused a phone holder to shatter despite having carbon forks and 32mm tyres. Poor road surfaces on my commute didn't help obviously.

Then I had a test ride on a Portobello at another LBS and the difference was huge even though it had narrower 28mm tyres. It was a joy to ride. The only reason I didn't get one was that I got in to road bikes, but I got rid of the Trek anyway. Expensive mistake.

Having been through a similar scenario with road frames (Spesh Allez to BMC SSX frame), I have come to the conclusion that you won't go wrong if you get the frame right and not to buy a bike without a decent test ride. Test ride bikes for yourself and you will find one that suits you.

If the Portobello is the one for you, you can pick up a 2015 for £600, which would leave some money for extras.

www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/73667/Whyte_Portobello_2015_Bike_W15PO2M?gclid=CMiqsYms38cCFQb4wgodZX4C-g

 

[vickster]

I had a Cambridge which was great, however I just sold it as it was always a little small for me. Shame you werent here 2 weeks ago as I sold it for £250! It had full mudguards and a pannier rack

Look at discount cycles direct, they have a number of past year Whyte models with decent reductions, such as the Cambridge around £600, depending on your size. Note winstanleys above only have the medium, which based on my Cambridge would be for 5'5ish to 5'9ish

http://discountcyclesdirect.co.uk/catalog/search_results.php?searchwords=Whyte+Cambridge

 

[EltonFrog]

You'll be very happy with the Portobello, Whyte bikes are very well made, with good attention to detail for the money, and very good after sales service. I had a small warranty issue with my Coniston and it was dealt with promptly and efficiently.

Buy your Portobello with confidence they are great bikes.

 

[SpaceGhost]

Thanks folks, I'll be picking in up in the next eight weeks or so.

 

[vickster]

8 weeks? It'll be winter by then, buy it while there's still some warmth and daylight!

 

[SpaceGhost]

8 weeks? It'll be winter by then, buy it while there's still some warmth and daylight!

Sadly I'm on a project in Europe until then, no point buying it for it to sit in the shed