Conclusion
In the introduction to this test, we discussed the different approaches that all four brands have taken when designing a 29er trail hardtail. Fork travel is the most noticeable variation, but add in a mix of chainstay lengths and tyre specifications and the results reveal four bikes with quite distinct personalities.
One area of consistency though, is hardware. Dropper posts, 1x drivetrains and a rethink of cockpit dimensions have brought a huge dose of ability to 29er trail hardtails, and all the kit on the bikes here tick those boxes, with very few complaints.
At £1,599 the Kona Honzo is currently the cheapest bike on test and stays true to its original concept – it’s manoeuvrable, fun in the tight stuff and has bags of personality and pep.
The only thing that’s really missing is a model that sits between this entrylevel bike we tested and the top end Honzo DL at £2,399. We’re cool with the 11-speed transmission, but feel the frame deserves a spec with more powerful brakes and a stouter fork that still comes in below the £2K mark.
With three models in the range Nukeproof has no such issues and we quickly warmed to the Scout’s smooth, compliant yet solid-feeling ride. The build kit is stellar too, with a strong gravity-focus. With this in mind we consider that its sizing feels a touch dated, as riders looking to push the Scout frame to its limits would definitely benefit from a shorter seat tube and a shade more reach.
Merida’s engaging ride quality and feature-packed frame instantly impressed us – making it a very compelling choice. With its low weight and sweet handling the Big Trail 600 ripped, especially in drier conditions. It’s game for wet, steep stuff too, especially if you upgrade to softer compound tyres. Also Merida offers the Big Trail in five frame sizes, so if you’re 6ft 2in or over we’d recommend taking advantage of that and upsizing to the XXL.
So that just leaves one bike. With its relatively narrow 2.3in tyres and 120mm travel fork, the Whyte 629 V4 doesn’t have the look of a hardcore hardtail.
But don’t be fooled by its limousine-like proportions, as the Whyte soon became the reference point for this test. It rarely put a foot wrong and had us pushing hard, searching for limits – ours and its – both uphill and down.
Yes, Whyte’s price hike over the course of the test from £1,750 to £1,999 makes it the most expensive bike in test, but given that it also has a sublimely forgiving ride quality, an enlightened blend of geometry figures and a well chosen spec it’s the one hardtail here that that had us completely hooked.
Also all of the brands here are in the same boat, so there’s potential for price increases from Kona, Merida and Nukeproof as we head further into 2022.
The hike still stalled us though, questioning the 629’s value and made us evaluate the bigger picture. With aluminium hardtails from boutique brands now nudging the £3,000 mark – with spec’s not a world apart from the Whyte’s – we remain convinced that the rating should remain unchanged. The Whyte 629 V4 is the bike that impressed us the most and in many ways mirrors its stablemate, the 905, in setting new hardtail standards, this time for 29ers. Ultimately the Whyte 629 V4 is balanced, composed, stable and precise, and whether you’re a relative beginner, or an experienced trail rider, you’ll instantly become addicted to its ways…
66.5° 74° 76.8° 312mm 415mm 787mm 1,202mm 750mm 455mm 645mm 479mm
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