Cotswolds-based Whyte have some exciting new additions to their lineup for 2010, including two 'entry-level' models.
But don't worry, they won't be losing their premium brand image any time soon as their cheapest full-suspension bike will still set you back over two-and-a-half grand.
Whyte's older models all boast upgraded specs for 2010. Check out www.whytebikes.com for more details – the new models should be added shortly. For now, here's a look at the new machines...
901 Trail
The 901 Trail is Whyte's new ‘entry level’ cross-country/trail hardtail at £1,099, slotting in just below the 905, whose award-winning geometry it shares.
It boasts a lightweight butted 6061 aluminium frame, a 120mm-travel RockShox Recon Race fork with Maxle Light, Mavic rims, Continental Mountain King folding tyres, Avid Elixir 5 brakes and a mix of SRAM X5 and X9 shifting kit.
19 Trail 631 steel
Whyte are keeping their successful 19 Trail range of alloy and titanium hardtails for 2010 and adding a new steel model.
The 19 Trail 631 Steel shares the geometry and many of the features of the Ti frame (BB30 bottom bracket, replaceable dropouts, etc) but its main tubes are air-hardened, custom-drawn and multi-butted Reynolds 631 steel.
Whyte say it has been designed to offer a similar ride experience to the titanium bike at a more affordable price, £1,599.
It comes with a 120mm-travel RockShox Reba SL fork with Maxle Light axle, a mix of SRAM X9 and X5 shifting gear, Avid Elixir R brakes and an FSA Afterburner crankset.
19 Carbon
Whyte are offering three complete bikes based around their 19 Carbon hardtail frame for 2010: the £3,999 C Works XX (Full SRAM XX including RockShox SID XX fork, Fulcrum Red Metal 1 wheels, 19.7lb); the £2,799 Race (RockShox SID Race, full XT, Red Metal 3s); and the £2,399 C, pictured below (RockShox SID Race, XT/SLX mix, Red Metal 5s).
All boast the same frame made of high modulus uni-directional carbon, which is available separately for £1,249. It looks like the 2010 frame will initially only be available in gloss carbon with silver and white highlights, but custom colour frames are in the pipeline for later next year.
E-120
The only new addition to Whyte's full-suspension range is an 'entry-level’ E-120 S model, costing £2,699. This white beauty boasts the same high modulus uni-directional carbon frame as its more expensive siblings, the Works XX (£5,499) and XT (£2,999), but loses some of the high-end kit.
It comes with a 130mm-travel RockShox Reba SL fork with Maxle Light, Fox Float RP2 shock, Mavic XC-317 rims, a mix of SRAM X7 and X9 shifting with a Shimano SLX crankset, and Avid Elixir 5 brakes.
For more details on Whyte's 2010 range, check out www.whytebikes.com.
