British company Whyte have always championed good geometry and the Whyte T-130C RS epitomises that approach with numbers that, even on paper got us excited. With its sharp lines and long, low and mean demeanor the Whyte looks like a hunched sprinter ready to explode out of the blocks, but would the numbers add up on the trail?
The T-130C is UK company Whyte’s top of the line agressive trail bike, offering 130 mm of travel and a potent geometry for those that enjoy some gnar in their daily riding sandwich. Designed in the UK, the T-130C bristles with clever design solutions for the rugged British weather, from the generous mud clearance, and ingenious integrated seat clamp to secure bearing covers to keep the worst of the grime out. The RS spec features SRAM’s Roam 40 wheels, a Rockshox Pike RC fork and Monarch Debonaire RT3 shock, all good choices in our books. The SRAM X1/X0 11 speed drivetrain provides precise shifting and SRAM Guide RS brakes keep the speed down. The T-130C RS is single ring specific, allowing the pivots to be wider and stiffer.
The geometry of the Whye T-130C RS is race bred: the longest in our test. With a reach of 467 mm and a low 594 mm front end, it defines low, long and mean. From the first pedal stroke the the frame feels taut and efficient, running high in its 130 mm of travel with no sag or wallow. While it’s certainly not uncomfortable, it doesn’t have the magic carpet feel possessed by plusher bikes, instead going for a feedback-rich, racy tune. In short? It’s a sprinter, not a cruiser. On flowing trails, the T-130C’s proven geometry shows its hand: the low bottom bracket, long top tube and aggressive, own brand 50 mm stem and 760 mm bar allow you to carve rapidly down a trail with flow and poise. The long top tube and low standover make throwing the bike deep into turns intuitive, while the short 420 mm rear end makes it easy to play with drift or grip in the turns. It’s a racy bike, and when the terrain gets really rough, the Whyte feels a little firmer than some of the competition and requires more muscle to hold at the limit. But then the Whyte starts to really sing. It’s a sporty thoroughbred with a taut and supportive suspension platform, with a geometry that encourages hooligan behaviour.
Specifications of the Whyte T-130C RS
Fork: RockShox Pike RC 130 mm
Rear Shock: RockShox Monarch RT3
Brakes: SRAM Guide RS
Drivetrain: SRAM X1/X01
Seatpost: RockShox Reverb Stealth
Stem: Whyte Gravity Stem
Handlebar: Whyte Custom Alloy
Wheelset: SRAM Roam 40
Tires: Maxxis High Roller II/ Ardent Race
Weight: 12.45 kg
Price: £ 3,499 (currently no € prices available)
Whyte have hit the nail on the head with the T-130C in almost every way. The only thing we didn’t like was that the SRAM Roam 40 wheels lost their tension frequently when ridden hard, but when running well the ride is razor sharp.
Conclusion
The Whyte T-130C RS is an excellent bike, happy to be pedaled all day with a geometry that unlocks skills and style that you didn’t know you had. If the reason you ride is to have as much fun as possible, then the Whyte T-130C RS is intoxicating. It’s a very enjoyable bike to ride fast, and in the hands of an experienced rider can hustle along at ridiculous speeds.
+ Confident geometry
+ Nimble and fast
– Roam 40 wheels needed constant attention
– Needs a firm hand over rocks
Further information you get on the Whyte website.
[/emaillocker]For an overview of the test fleet head to the main article: Battle of the super powers: 9 of the best trail bikes in comparison
All bikes in test: Canyon Spectral CF 9.0 EX | Cube Stereo 140 C:62 SL | Giant Trance Advanced 1 | Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Expert 650B | Radon Slide Carbon 140 10.0 | Ibis Mojo 3 XT 1x | SCOTT Genius 710 Plus | Yeti SB 4.5c X01
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Words: Photos: Trev Worsey, Ross Bell
