The Cannondale F-Si and Whyte C29 are among the best cross-country hardtails on the market. They're both rapid carbon fibre models, and share a similar spec, but the way they ride is very different.
Both feature non-standard forks: the F-Si features Cannondale’s Lefty, while the C29 comes equipped with the upside-down, Rock Shox RS-1. They also feature SRAM XX1 11-speed gearing, and neither are cheap – they each cost between £4,500 and £5,000.
They also both weigh around 23lb (10.5kg) and have shortened chainstays to improve their handling.
With this in mind, it would be easy to assume they’d have a similar ride quality too, but on the trails, one is sharp, stiff and precise, and the other is laidback – and more comfortable over longer rides.
In the video below, Jon Woodhouse and Tom Marvin discuss the two bikes, giving their first ride impressions and their thoughts on the relative merits of each one:
Cannondale f-si team and whyte's 29c team xc
Video: First ride impressions on the Cannondale F-Si and Whyte 29C