Whyte 605 Budget 27.5 Hardtail Review

Our reader survey revealed that 38% of readers will spend between € 2000 to € 3000 on their next bike, where there is a huge range of excellent bikes to choose from. But what if you have less than € 1000 to spend, the range of bikes doesn’t look so appealing. Many brands seem to have lifted their frame geometry directly from the early 1990’s, mixing super steep head angles with short, tall and clumsy frames that simply guarantee that you will not enjoy your first delicate steps into mountain biking. Brands focus on highlighting one component to draw in customer attention and give the sales staff something to promote, “it rides awfully, but it’s got an XT rear mech – wow!”.

Whyte have never accepted that first time riders should have to ‘suffer through’ on a bike with terrible geometry, and extend their concepts of good angles right down to their entry level 605 hardtail. The first thing that strikes you when you step onboard the Whyte 605 is a familiar and comfortable reach and standover. With a 627.9 mm top tube in the size Large and low standover height there is a feeling of spaciousness and control, and the trail friendly 68.5 degree head angle should be enough to stop the front from feeling like it will tuck at every opportunity.

Geometry of the Whyte 605 Hardtail

One thing we were certainly not expecting on a budget hardtail was size specific 6061 tubing. Rather than using the same tube butting, Whyte customise their tube thickness for each size, it’s far more expensive to produce bikes this way, but as the ride is so important it’s an expense that Whyte are happy to take. Staying with the frame the unique S shaped stays improve mud clearance which is an important consideration for UK riders. The forged rear brake mounting on the dropout is bulky, but importantly helps to stabilize the stays and provide solid braking performance on the trail, which is a lesson many other brands should learn from.

Looking at the specification, it’s clear that Whyte have focussed on reliability rather than pushing for any ‘false promise’ highlights. For the money the coil sprung Suntour XCR 100 mm fork is a very confident performer that offers comfort and a good degree of steering accuracy. The rebound is adjustable and features a lockout that allows you stiffen out the forks for maximum efficiency should you want to use the bike for commuting on the road. The 3 x 9 drivetrain is a mixture of Shimano Acera and Alvio, with 22-30-40 chainrings and a Shimano M3000 crank.

We were pleased to see Tektro Auriga hydraulic disk brakes as Hope Mini pads can be fitted for better performance. The wheelset features WTB SX-19 rims and WTB Nano 2.1 tyres that offer fast rolling performance on hardpack. We were especially delighted to see some very sensible touches like continuous cable routing which keeps the bike running sweet for longer, and the slot for the seatpost which is located on the front to stop all the crap from heading into the seatpost tube

Riding the Whyte 605.

Before we started this test we had to readjust our expectations a little, at just € 880 the complete Whyte 605 comes in cheaper than the price of many popular suspension forks so we could (and should) not expect electrifying performance in demanding terrain. However, in the trail centres and flowing trails where the bike is targeted, we discovered was a character filled gem of a bike that punches far above its price tag.

Climbing aboard the bike, the relaxed and easygoing geometry is instantly familiar and is a refreshing change from some of the clumsy competition. The long top tube, good standover and agile head angle add up to a stable and engaging ride on trail centre terrain, that is both efficient and enjoyable. While the stiff rear dropouts provide good cornering accuracy, the S shaped rear stays also offer a small degree of compliance, helping to soften out the most aggressive of impacts.

The Suntour XCR 100 mm fork holds its line well and the Tektro brakes haul down the speed well without juddering or fade. Of course if you push the bike into rough terrain it soon finds its limits, but for general trail bashing and trail centre fun, it’s a great ride. It’s hard to point criticism at such a great value bike, for sure the WTB Nano Tyres lack bite in all but smooth hardpack, and the 13.4 kg weight is a little lardy, but for £625 it’s a total bargain. However one thing could certainly be improved and that is the 680 mm bar and 80 mm stem. The narrow grip reduces control and makes the bike feel cramped, in contrast to the confident feeling frame. We switched in a cheap 750 mm bar and 50 mm stem and the ride of the bike was instantly transformed, offering bags more control and precision.

Bottom line

The Whyte 605 is an exceptional bike for the beginner rider looking for a fun and comfortable bike on which to learn, offering incredible value for money. It’s premium geometry sits in contrast to a budget price tag, and the reliable build kit provides more smiles for less. With the addition of a wider bar and a shorter stem the Whyte 605 would take a new rider from humble beginnings far into intermediate territory.

For more information check out the Whyte Bikes homepage

Words and photos: Trev Worsey

Did you enjoy this article? If so, we would be stoked if you decide to support us with a monthly contribution. By becoming a supporter of ENDURO, you will help secure a sustainable future for high-quality mountain bike journalism. Click here to learn more.