Exclusive | Whyte Bikes New T-130 C Trail Bike - Sneak Peek

For the last two months occasional leaked instagram images have created quite a buzz about this stylish and sculptured new carbon bike from UK brand Whyte Bikes. Until now actual details have been scarce and shrouded in secrecy, but while covering the Tweedlove Whyte Bikes Scottish Enduro Championships we found one in the Whyte pits, and promptly grabbed it for some photos. Whyte Bikes Enduro Team manager and racer Neil Halcrow was race testing the new carbon bike on the tough Scottish trails, so we took the opportunity to get more details. This is not a prototype but a fully sorted production bike that will be officially announced soon and should be available from January 2016. So here you go, hot off the press, the new 130 mm Whyte T130 C is coming very soon.

The new Whyte T130c blends an aggressive frame design with the T130's established geometry — The new Whyte T-130 C blends an aggressive frame design with the aluminium T-130’s established geometry

Whyte were one of the first brands to produce single ring specific bikes, embracing the potential of new 1x drivetrains, and it’s no surprise to see that the T-130 C follows suit. Losing the front mech provides a lot more freedom to shorten and stiffen the rear triangle – indeed the T-130 C features ultra short 420 mm chainstays for maximum cornering agility. The T-130 C will also incorporate the new Boost technology with a 148mm rear axle and 110mm front axle (in the Rockshox Pike version).

The T130c features a short 420 mm rear end. Neil did not have a boost rear wheel so fitted a standard 142mm back end for the race (hence the colour mismatch) — The T-130 c features a short 420 mm rear end. Neil did not have a Boost rear wheel so fitted a standard 142mm back end for the race, (hence the colour mismatch). The production bike features a Boost 148mm rear.

Whyte have maintained their tradition for aluminium rear ends, making rock strikes less worrying

Whyte offer a lifetime warranty on the bearings, great to know if you plug away through the winter

The geometry of the new T130c is all business, and typical of Whyte, long, low and aggressive. The 67 degree head angle should give the bike a sharp and agile nature, while the long top tube (611.1mm in Medium, 631mm in Large) should permit the use of a 40-50 mm stem for most riders. The 331 mm bottom bracket height is ground skimming low and should make the bike super fun to drive round berms and through compressions. We are looking forward to testing this bike on the trails.

The bike will be available in two specifications, the RS with Pike. Monarch Debonair, X1 and ROAM 40 wheels for around £3500 and a Works version with Raceface Next SL cranks and carbon bars, Fox Factory 34's and an EVOL rear shock, with Whytes own carbon wheels for around £4500. — The bike will be available in two specifications, the RS with Pike. Monarch Debonair, X1 and ROAM 40 wheels for around £3500 and a Works version with Raceface Next SL cranks and carbon bars, Fox Factory 34’s and an EVOL rear shock, with Whytes own carbon wheels for around £4500.

The Carbon layup comes from the same factory as Santa Cruz and Devinci — The Carbon layup screams quality, with striking lines

The superlight Raceface SL crank will be fitted on the Works Model — There’s no provision for a front mech, which we think is great! Single ring drivetrains now have all the range needed for fun trail riding. The superlight Raceface SL crank will be fitted on the Works model

The sweeping angles give the new T130C a purposeful, aggressive look — The sweeping angles give the new T-130 C a purposeful, aggressive look

The head angle is around 67 degrees, retaining agility for fast trail work — The head angle is 67 degrees, retaining agility for fast trail work

Whyte are targeting the new T130c firmly at the trail market, but the bike has bags of potential, a real Swiss Army knife. — Whyte are targeting the new T-130 C firmly at the trail market, but the bike has bags of potential, a real Swiss Army knife.

Whyte have always prized geometry and their 130C looks like a ripper — Whyte have always prized geometry and their T-130 C looks like a ripper

We expect the new T130c to be a big hit with trail riders — We expect the new T-130 C to be a big hit with trail riders

The new Whyte Carbon T130c will be available in January 2016 — The new Whyte Carbon T-130 C will be available in January 2016

In previous tests we have always been big fans of Whyte’s geometry, especially the G-150 and T-129 and look forward to getting hold of a T-130 C for a full review. The bike will be officially announced soon and we will bring you the first ride tests as soon as we have put in some pedal time.

Words and photos: Trev Worsey

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Exclusive | Whyte Bikes New T-130 C Trail Bike – Sneak Peek

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