Re: Need Weird Whyte JW/PRST buying advice prospective purchase
I have one of each! Jealous?
Seriously I hope you find a good one. I have been a fanatic since I bought a new one in 2005. It was a final year (2004) JW4. I tried a good few bikes up to about £1500 and when I rode the JW4 I assumed that the suspension had way too much pressure in it since it didn't bob when I pedalled. I had to look at the shocks to confirm that they were, indeed, working. This translated to fantastic cross country performance. With no striction from a telescopic fork the small bump sensitivity is amazing. The virtual pivot point at the rear was years ahead of it's time.
The pivots were worn by 2011 so I scrapped it. A decision I immediately regretted when I rode it's replacement. Bush kits are still available from ATB Sales. I should have bought one.
instead I got my JW4 frame in 2016 for £225 from Ebay and built it up with parts from my stocks. This year I have replaced the shock mounts and bushes and it's as good as new. ( I replaced the shock oil but not the seals)
I got the PRST4 about a year ago, also from Ebay. It was a frame with shocks, seatpost and rear wheel for £165. I have used the bars and stem from my first JW4 so it's quite old school.
The lineage was that in, I think, 1998 Jon Whyte had designed and presumably prototyped the PRST 1 but ATB sales, the Marin importer, thought it was too radical for Marin so they started a new brand called Whyte.
The PRSTs had "big gripper" latched drop outs to make them stiff like a through axle. The swinging arm was a wrap around design of single pivot. The PRST2 and cheaper JW2 had a new single pivot swinging arm which looks just like a Marin Rift Zone Mk1. The JW had a tubular fork rather than the more expensive welded aluminium box section on the PRSTs and a quick release skewer at both ends.
The "4s" then introduced the virtual pivot rear ends. Apparently the earliest PRSTs had a weakness in the rear shock mount which could fracture. It was changed at some point.
Small medium and large sizes were made. Mine have all been medium and I'm 5'9", they are a good size for me.
It's vital that you don't set the suspension by setting the sag when your sitting on it. If you do that you won't be putting enough pressure in and it will bob like mad. Instead add your body weight in pounds to the rear and 75% of this figure to the front.
I rode a local red graded circuit in 11min 31 sec on my modern FS bike but in identical conditions I managed 11min 12 on the PRST4. I didn't feel as lively on that day either so I think the figure genuinely show the PRST to be a faster circuit racer. Or just enjoy the unique ride, you don't need to thrash yourself! They feel a bit flimsy on the rougher downhills where 100mm at each end may not be quite enough. The PRST does feel stiffer with the fancy dropouts.
You may be able to guess that these bikes are for life for me so I won't be able to sell you one. If you're local I'd certainly let you accompany me on a test ride, though.
As a final disappointment to inform you of...………..my wife's brother, who is a collector of tech., not a biker, bought a PRST1 which had been assembled but had never had pedals fitted. £850. If he ever decides he doesn't need it I'll end up with 3! You could look at my recently started blog to hear about my Strava KOM attempts on the PRST4.
Andrew.
