Whyte Stirling v3 (or Pimlico v3) ... Great bike for money or just OK?

[All uphill]

Deore is approx equivalent of 105 in MTB groupsets anyway.

If you keep inventing reasons not so think something is perfect, then you will never buy anything.

I don't mean to be harsh, but as they say in Yorkshire "its time to shoot or get off the pot".

Agreed.

Stop thinking.

Start cycling.

 

[Sloth]

I understand what you're saying chaps, and trust me, I'd much rather be getting on with it and enjoying riding a new bike.
The trouble is guys, there's no bloody stock, anywhere of anything I shortlist, in the size I want.
Therefore sitting on or trying a bike (historically and understandably, a vitial part of the decision making process) is virtually impossible, that's why I'm dithering, cus it's all 'on paper' rather than based on trying or even just seeing various bikes in the metal.
I can only get so far in deciding to spend over £1,000+ without actually seeing what I may be buying.
I wouldn't buy a £50 pair of shoes without trying them on, let alone a £1,000 bike.
I think my hesitancy is not unreasonable given the current circumstances.

 

[vickster]

We’re not all chaps…

Get on a train to London, get a travel card…there are dozens of bike shops close to tube or rail stations 👍🏻 Make a list, phone them first, buy a bike, take it home on the train. Just avoid strike days!

 

[Sloth]

We’re not all chaps…

Sorry, and chapess's

 

[vickster]

Balfes have stocks of the Whytes in London…and they’re reduced. The saving will cover the train
They sell a bunch of other makes too, including Specialized
…and do test rides

 

[SpokeyDokey]

I understand what you're saying chaps, and trust me, I'd much rather be getting on with it and enjoying riding a new bike.
The trouble is guys, there's no bloody stock, anywhere of anything I shortlist, in the size I want.
Therefore sitting on or trying a bike (historically and understandably, a vitial part of the decision making process) is virtually impossible, that's why I'm dithering, cus it's all 'on paper' rather than based on trying or even just seeing various bikes in the metal.
I can only get so far in deciding to spend over £1,000+ without actually seeing what I may be buying.
I wouldn't buy a £50 pair of shoes without trying them on, let alone a £1,000 bike.
I think my hesitancy is not unreasonable given the current circumstances.

I never tried either of my bikes (Giant TCX1 & Trek Domane ALR5 Disc) and they both fit great.

I just used the website measurements and shop staff advice and all was fine.

At the end of the day if the fit is pretty much ok then fine tuning can be accomplished with a different length stem and/or some fine tuning of the fore/aft position of the saddle and/or straight vs layback seatpost.

I may be insensitive but I have ridden friends bikes of a similar size to mine from different manufacturers and they have all 'felt' the same. Fatter tyres (ie more than 23-28mm) are about the only thing that I can detect making a difference to ride quality.

Whyte are a well known brand in cyclist's circles and make great bikes - most non-cyclists will not have heard of Giant, Trek, Specialised etc. Who really gives a fig about friends etc never having heard of a particular bike brand?

Carbon bits make not a jot of difference to the performance of the average cyclist imo.

Get a bike with hydro discs - miles better than rim brakes despite what those wedded to the past say. They work in all weathers and are easy to maintain (ie they need very little tlc).

Ditto thru-axles - wheels go back into the right position every time when you put them back on after taking them off. No idea what the two bikes that you mention use.

That's my thoughts and not everyone will agree but hey-ho.

 

[Cycleops]

Thanks, and possibly by ‘carbonizing’ some bits, like seat post or even handle bars?
Also, would the 1x11 Deore 5100 feel clunky and ‘agricultural’ compared to say, the 2x11 105 set up?

Or you could just take the loose change out of your pocket

 

[Sloth]

...or have a really big dump before going out?......
....or cut one arm off and ride one handed.....or.......

 

[Sloth]

....or don't eat for a few days before...

 

[Sloth]

....or find someone lighter than myself and let them ride in my place.....

 

[vickster]

....or find someone lighter than myself and let them ride in my place.....

You could just lose a kg off yourself
Which will be easier once you actually have the bike

 

[Sloth]

...so we're back to cutting off body parts then?

 

[Sloth]

...anyway, that will come if I ever get riding again!

 

[Sloth]

...losing weight that is....not cutting off body parts....

 

[vickster]

...so we're back to cutting off body parts then?

Well it might solve the weight and stand over issue