Just got back from the launch.
IMO it’s good to see a bit more colour in the range. In most bikes, there is say 3 options, and one of them will have a more safe/boring colour scheme and safer componentry choice.
Highlights for me…
-The T-130 is going to be big, mark my words! All the good of the T-129 in a wheel size flavour that doesn’t upset those with a short inside leg. Despite my very poor technique, it also pops the front and wheelies like no other 130mm travel FS I’ve ridden (largely due to the short stays I’d suggest). The Blue version at £2k is excellent, the Suntour fork on it may scare a lot of people but it shouldn’t it’s a better fork than an equivalent priced Rockshox. The Works SCR version is rather nice with a Pike too…
-The 29C Team looks stunning in the flesh with it’s Rockshox RS-1, and despite the fact it weighs naff all, it’s built to take a real hammering too! Shame about the price IMO as it’s about £1k too much for all but the richest of privateer XC racers I’d say. But then in real terms, the £3k 29CS doesn’t lose out much in performance or weight terms, and it’s got a much better spec than last year.
-The T-129 brings more of the same as the last model. It’s been a popular seller for good reason, the new mainframe(s) make much more use of hydro and air forming and are sleeker. The SCR version actually has a different frame to the cheaper versions (same with the T-130 too actually) and you CANNOT run a front derailleur or more than one chainring on them! The benefit is that the main pivot is larger and stiffer, and you don’t need asymetric chainstays any more without a front derailleur. It remains to be seen whether or not that it was necessary to make a whole different frame (rather than just a spec change), but kudos to Whyte for trying it at least.
-The Shoreditch and Whitechapel, with 1×10 and 1×9 gearing respectively, will make excellent commuter bikes. Instead of a 34/50 chainset (which commuters would either always be in the top 4 cogs on the 50, or the bottom 4 on the 34) they’ve fitted a single 42T ring up front and 11-36 cassette with a clutch mech on the back… The lack of a front derailleur and extra rings means spec is higher elsewhere (hydro discs) and they’re lighter than rivals!
-The Stowe and Cornwall Carbon Disc Brake Road Bikes are light, and come with proper hydro discs. I’d not tried either SRAM or Shimano road setups before (have used various cable systems though) and they’re impressive. Total bike weights aren’t bad considering disc brakes (less than 500g heavier than most non disc equivalents on the market I’d say), clearance is there for big(ger) tyres and full guards too. They’re a modern, winter road bike if you will. The ally versions are more of the same, only heavier and less well specced (but much cheaper) as you might imagine.
-The 603/604/605 use last year’s 800 series frame (the 800 series gets a new frame), on their new “entry” level bikes. Bold colours, good geometry and neat touches should appeal well to buyers in the £500-£700 market.
-The Strawberry Hill is something you wouldn’t expect. An old school styled sit up and beg bike, that has actually been designed to be lightweight and quick as well as just comfortable and solid. It’s 12.5kg including guards etc! And with 3×8 gearing, gets up any hill. MUCH better than pig iron wannabe’s, even if it is about £200 more expensive than a Raleigh or Dawes with similar styling.
-Tubeless compatibility is there across almost the entire range (well, above a price point anyway). And now all bikes that come with tubeless ready rims, come with proper tubeless ready tyres too (last year, many didn’t).
There’s still a number of very typical Whyte features across the range that people will either love or hate still (but they Whyte have always been like that), but for those that like the brand already and those curious but have felt the range hasn’t quite catered for their needs entirely in previous years, the news is good… 🙂
Posted 10 years ago
