Just read the E-5 test in What mtb,very impressive,now I really want one,must sort out a test ride.

2 more weeks I think, before the LBS in worcester has a Demo bike I think !!!


Looking to try it myself!!

I've had my PRST1 three years now, and apart from wrecking wheels by bad/hard riding it's been relatively trouble free. One bearing replaced under warranty and that was a week ago.

Does most things I want, climbs well, good on technical stuff and thrives on neglect!

"thrives on neglect"

Since I'm useless at being a mechanic my PRST-4 suits me admirably.

Does the other things too I might add.

i have just known too many of whyte designed bikes break, my prst's my friends prst-4, another freinds east peak quad, the build quality just isn't there. and i cant say im a huge fan of the geometry on any of his bikes either, but then i ride totaly diferent trails to john whyte (whyte sponsoring one of the welsh trails shows what trails he likes) as Dylan knows i like technical trails both up and down. on moorland and the dales i would agree the whyte geometry is good (and the prst forks did work well on moorland singletrack which was flowing) but whytes are definately not for me.

So Whytes aren't technical rock munchers then I guess.

The Marins I've jumped on haven't been for me either, but I do like the Zero maintenance of the rear suss setup.

the only reason its zero maintenence is the fact whyte put bearings that cost 50 pence in the pivots and then act all great and kind ofering to replace them when they die. which in a quad happens quite often! but you are still without your bike, oversize SKF bearings or Bushes with zerk grease nipples are where its at :)

Ahhh thats the score is it, not bomb proof just real cheap to sort, drattss

Hmmmm funny that,on all the research I've been doing on Whyte's (not just here but many other sites)mainly the 46 plus some Marin's no one has complained about pivot bearing longevity,geometry,quality etc etc etc,the only points I've found 1. paint quality on 04 models,2.indifferent welds on 04 model,3.some found the high b/b not to there liking,why do people buy bikes with the geometry that doesn't suit them,dont you test them first ???? as for quality don't you check the bike over before purchase ?? appears people buy something on a whim and the complain because they've failed to do any adequate research,Ohhh and according to many 46 owners I've contacted they are more than happy with its techcnical rock munching ability something the tests I've read confirm,simply try before you buy and do some research before parting with your hard earned cash,I will and if I don't like it then I won't buy it,if you buy on a whim then find you don't like it then tough,don't whine you cocked up not the bike.

Hmmmm funny that,on all the research I've been doing on Whyte's (not just here but many other sites)mainly the 46 plus some Marin's no one has complained about pivot bearing longevity,geometry,quality etc etc etc,the only points I've found 1. paint quality on 04 models,2.indifferent welds on 04 model,3.some found the high b/b not to there liking,why do people buy bikes with the geometry that doesn't suit them,dont you test them first ???? as for quality don't you check the bike over before purchase ?? appears people buy something on a whim and then complain because they've failed to do any adequate research,Ohhh and according to many 46 owners I've contacted they are more than happy with its techcnical rock munching ability something the tests I've read confirm,simply try before you buy and do some research before parting with your hard earned cash,I will and if I don't like it then I won't buy it,if you buy on a whim then find you don't like it then tough,don't whine you cocked up not the bike.

I agree Simon, the Marins and Whytes don't suffer from bearing problems (in general) even it appears when people use pressure washers on them. It's the cracking frames and swingarms that let them down.

A friend of mine has just had his second PRST replaced with a 46, I'll keep you informed :-) I also understand that the PRST's are being phased out.

my LBS has a 19.....looks much better in the flesh.....such a good lookin bike and the spec is sweet.......if only i wasnt skint :(

Sell the pink landy?

LOL.....could get a few whytes for that....sell me gran first i think

"on moorland and the dales i would agree the whyte geometry is good"

Guess my handle tells you where I ride mostly. Much prefer heading for the tops than technical stuff in some wood. Each to his own though.

Dan: I hope you're getting on with your uni stuff rather than spending too much time on here ;-)

Yup PRST's are going......bugger. Still the carbon swingarmed replacements look good! Too expensive for me though.

well from my experence i found the bearings to be crap. and the local bike shop agrees (they always have a huge stock of the bearings for marins and are often ordering more)

"Ohhh and according to many 46 owners I've contacted they are more than happy with its techcnical rock munching ability something the tests I've read confirm"

those would be the same magazenes that said that the maverick forks are amazing and are so stiff, they are now saying ah ok so they are not that stiff but they are light.

"Dan: I hope you're getting on with your uni stuff rather than spending too much time on here ;-)"

....LOL......have the 1st draft in, should get it back tomorrow.....cheers for the help btw

those would be the same magazenes that said that the maverick forks are amazing and are so stiff, they are now saying ah ok so they are not that stiff but they are light.

Never read any artical claiming they were completly happy with them ??? which ones ??? all I've read was stiff fore and aft flexy latterally,easy maintance,works well for the job its designed for.
Maybe your LBS benefits from off loading so many bearings,it just seems odd that so many others don't appear to have any problems,I've researched not only UK sites but U.S ones as well(who tend to be quite critical of items that don't live upto expectations) plus other worldwide sites,only the odd bearing change appears and most put this down to something to be expected after a period of time eg after a few of years,
simple fact is the bike does what its designed for,if someone doesn't like it then they bought the wrong bike for them,if its unreliable then your research prior to purchase should of highlighted this and it should of been avoided,they've been around long enough now for problems to be highlighted and finding out such info is easy.
Maybe others far more knowledgable here could be able to confirm something I think I read a while ago (I could be wrong) but were not the bearings used on the PRST the same as used on the suspension of the Bennetton F1 car,sure I read this some where a while ago???

Mike,could you let me know what your friend thinks of the 46 after the Prst,
thanks, Simon.