{"id":46832,"date":"2023-03-06T14:00:36","date_gmt":"2023-03-06T13:00:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=717670"},"modified":"2023-03-06T14:34:14","modified_gmt":"2023-03-06T13:34:14","slug":"hardcore-hardtail-head-to-head-ragley-mmmbop-1-0-vs-whyte-905","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/hardcore-hardtail-head-to-head-ragley-mmmbop-1-0-vs-whyte-905\/","title":{"rendered":"Hardcore hardtail head to head: Ragley Mmmbop 1.0 vs Whyte 905"},"content":{"rendered":"

Two UK-designed bikes with no rear suspension battle it out <\/p>

By Mick Kirkman\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Monday, 06 March 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

Hardcore hardtails feel like a particularly British phenomenon. Think about mucking about on a slack-angled bike with no rear suspension, and chances are you\u2019re imagining a rowdy slip-and-slide on a track scratched straight down the fall line by folks who should know better.<\/p>\n

Hardtail mountain bikes<\/a> such as this pair from Ragley and Whyte are designed to eat this stuff up, along with all the greasy linked turns, steepness and daft fly-offs you can chuck at them. Not to mention the odd jump session, some trail-centre laps or even the occasional big pedalling-heavy day in the countryside.<\/p>\n

UK brands kickstarted this category in the first place and really celebrate this side of mountain biking culture. Therefore, it\u2019s unsurprising that the Mmmbop and 905 tested here are built for messing about in the woods as much as for getting from point to point off-road as quickly as possible.<\/p>\n

And, since both brands have been at the forefront of aggro hardtail design for years, you\u2019d hope they know a thing or two about what makes one sing by now.<\/p>\n

Both bikes are aluminium-framed with front suspension and 650b (aka 27.5in) wheels<\/a>. They\u2019re no-nonsense, tough and easy to chuck about. Wear your jeans and hoodie on them to kick about at the pump track or jumps, or don your trendy riding kit to chase your mates on full-suspension mountain bikes<\/a> down proper downhill tracks.<\/p>\n

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Both frames are built from 6061 alloy, but the Mmmbop feels more supple and comfy.<\/span><\/figcaption> Mick Kirkman \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Slack geometry<\/a> is a key ingredient of this versatility, keeping you upright and off your backside in the woods.<\/p>\n

Both bikes here have powerful four-pot brakes and grippy mountain bike tyres<\/a>\u00a0to maximise downhill capability on faster and steeper tracks. A UK hardcore hardtail also needs to be reliable enough to handle winter wetness, with plenty of mud clearance.<\/p>\n

Obviously, you don\u2019t have to ride exclusively gnarly trails on these bikes. However, with their slack geometry and mid-size wheels pumping up manoeuvrability and liveliness, our pair lean more towards playtime than big distances or adventure days in the mountains.<\/p>\n

For that kind of riding, a modern 29er<\/a> hardtail is probably a better fit.<\/p>\n

Whyte offers the 905 only through local bike shops, while many of Ragley\u2019s sales come via online giants Wiggle\/CRC. That helps explain the price difference of \u00a3100 in the Mmmbop\u2019s favour, even though it has some higher-level kit. Whether that swings things away from the low-slung and low-to-the-floor 905, you\u2019ll need to read on to find out.<\/p>\n

One spoiler we will reveal is that, although both bikes have alloy frames, 650b wheels and head angles within half a degree of one another, it\u2019s remarkable how differently they ride on UK winter trails.<\/p>\n

Introducing the bikes<\/h2>\n

Ragley Mmmbop 1.0<\/h3>\n
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The Ragley\u2019s metallic lilac finish is eye-catching.<\/span><\/figcaption> Mick Kirkman \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Slack-angled and aggressive-looking, the Mmmbop frame sports a funky metallic lilac paintjob on its fat tubes.<\/p>\n

Ragley has all the kit essentials sorted, with a chunky 150mm-travel<\/a> RockShox Yari fork, Maxxis tyres, four-pot brakes and a Brand-X dropper seatpost.<\/p>\n

The Shimano SLX-based 12-speed drivetrain is a highlight, too, with gears turning on a massive 10-51t Shimano Deore cassette and stiff Race Face cranks.<\/p>\n

Ragley Mmmbop 1.0 details<\/h4>\n
  • Skinny stays:<\/strong> Ragley uses slimmer (and thus flexier) tubes for the Mmmbop\u2019s rear end, which add comfort and damping, both when stood up and sat down<\/li>\n
  • Burly fork:<\/strong> Sharing its sturdy chassis with RockShox\u2019s beefy Lyrik enduro fork, the Yari steers precisely<\/li>\n
  • Sorted shifting:<\/strong> The Shimano SLX\/Deore drivetrain is a cut above in terms of smoothness and solidity<\/li>\n
  • Strong stoppers:<\/strong> SRAM\u2019s new DB8 mineral-oil brakes are impressively powerful and have a smooth action<\/li>\n
  • Right-on rubber:<\/strong> The Maxxis Minion DHF\/R II combo is perfect for the majority of UK riding, with a puncture-resistant EXO+ casing and superb grip<\/li>\n<\/ul>

    Ragley Mmmbop 1.0 specifications<\/h4>\n
    • Sizes:<\/strong> S, M, L, XL (L size tested)<\/li>\n
    • Weight:<\/strong> 13.7kg, without pedals<\/li>\n
    • Frame:<\/strong> Butted 6061-T6 aluminium alloy<\/li>\n
    • Fork:<\/strong> RockShox Yari RC, 150mm travel<\/li>\n
    • Brakes:<\/strong> SRAM DB8, 200\/180mm CenterLine rotors<\/li>\n
    • Cranks:<\/strong> Race Face Ride (1\u00d712)<\/li>\n
    • Cassette:<\/strong> Shimano Deore<\/li>\n
    • Chain:<\/strong> Shimano Deore<\/li>\n
    • Shifter:<\/strong> Shimano SLX<\/li>\n
    • Derailleur:<\/strong> Shimano SLX<\/li>\n
    • Wheelset:<\/strong> Nukeproof Neutron wheels<\/li>\n
    • Tyres:<\/strong> Maxxis Minion DHF EXO+ 3C MaxxTerra 27.5\u00d72.5in WT (f) and Minion DHR II EXO+ 3C Maxx Terra 27.5\u00d72.4in WT (r)<\/li>\n
    • Bar:<\/strong> Ragley, 800mm<\/li>\n
    • Grips:<\/strong> Ragley A20 Compound<\/li>\n
    • Stem:<\/strong> Ragley, 50mm<\/li>\n
    • Seatpost:<\/strong> Brand-X Ascend, 170mm<\/li>\n
    • Saddle:<\/strong> Ragley<\/li>\n
    • Price:<\/strong> \u00a32,000 \/ $2,000<\/li>\n<\/ul>

      <\/p><\/div> <\/section>

      Ragley Mmmbop 1.0 geometry<\/h4>\n
      <\/colgroup>
      \ufeff<\/th>S<\/b><\/th>M<\/b><\/th>L<\/b><\/th>XL<\/b><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
      Seat angle<\/b> (degrees)<\/td>74<\/td>74<\/td>74<\/td>74<\/td> <\/tr>
      Head angle<\/b> (degrees)<\/td>63.75<\/td>63.75<\/td>63.75<\/td>63.75<\/td> <\/tr>
      Chainstay<\/b> (mm)<\/td>425<\/td>425<\/td>425<\/td>425<\/td> <\/tr>
      Seat tube<\/b> (mm)<\/td>380<\/td>420<\/td>460<\/td>500<\/td> <\/tr>
      Top tube<\/b> (mm)<\/td>595<\/td>617<\/td>640<\/td>663<\/td> <\/tr>
      Head tube<\/b> (mm)<\/td>110<\/td>120<\/td>130<\/td>140<\/td> <\/tr>
      Fork offset<\/b> (mm)<\/td>42<\/td>42<\/td>42<\/td>42<\/td> <\/tr>
      Bottom bracket drop<\/b> (mm)<\/td>45<\/td>45<\/td>45<\/td>45<\/td> <\/tr>
      Wheelbase<\/b> (mm)<\/td>1,167<\/td>1,192<\/td>1,217<\/td>1,241<\/td> <\/tr>
      Standover<\/b> (mm)<\/td>740.5<\/td>750<\/td>758<\/td>778<\/td> <\/tr>
      Stack<\/b> (mm)<\/td>610<\/td>619<\/td>628<\/td>637<\/td> <\/tr>
      Reach<\/b> (mm)<\/td>420<\/td>440<\/td>460<\/td>480<\/td> <\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>