Whyte has just publicly revealed its 2024 bike lineup and brand new e-MTB model, the E-Lyte, following a behind-closed-doors event in Bristol (UK) a couple of weeks ago. Whyte had also previously shown us an E-Lyte 140 Works prototype at this year's Eurobike show.
The British brand has significantly cut back on the number of conventional mountain bikes it offers, with just four options available in its 2024 model year. But despite an overall reduction in e-MTB options too, Whyte is still going hard on electric bikes with the launch of a new range of (mostly electric) urban bikes, dubbed RHeO.
The off-road star of this year's catalog is undoubtedly the new E-Lyte which is built around Bosch's lightweight Performance Line-SX motor and comes in three high-end models – 140 Works, 150 RSX, and 150 Works – with the possibility of more affordable options further down the line.
Whyte's popular and well-received E-160 and E-180 electric trail and enduro MTB ranges continue. The E-160 in its S, RS, and RSX options, while the E-180 is available in S and Works spec, with the RSX model getting the chop.
The massively cutdown conventional (or acoustic in Whyte parlance) mountain bike range consists of two alloy hardtails – the 529 and 629 – and two alloy full-suspension trail MTBs – T-140 S and T-160 RS. Prices on all these bikes are lower than the 2023 models and Whyte says the specs are improved. But that means goodbye to the G-180 and Whyte's more capable 909 and 905 hardtails, along with its existing commuter, leisure and gravel ranges too. Though gravel will "almost certainly return" at some point.
Pricing on the E-Lyte and across the Whyte 2024 range is definitely competitive in terms of what you get for your cash. See details on each bike model below for more on that.
Speaking at the launch, Whyte's lead designer, Ian Alexander, was keen to highlight a long-held focus on producing well-balanced electric bikes that have a center of gravity at the lowest possible position to make them more stable and easier to maneuver. The brand has invested in testing kit to help track this attribute with a bespoke machine made by a vehicle dynamics motor company. Ride-able, 3D printed frames made it possible to test real-world bike feel before production samples were made up too.
Whyte E-Lyte
The new lightweight E-Lyte e-MTB is Whyte's flagship model for 2024. At a claimed 16.4kg for the 140 Works model (in a medium frame), this is a seriously light trail-lite/downcountry e-MTB. Two longer travel (150mm) trail/enduro-orientated options, 150 RSX and 150 Works weigh in at 18.9kg and 19.2kg respectively.
All three models have a full-carbon frameset and are powered by Bosch's latest Performance Line-SX motor delivering up to 600W power and 55Nm torque. This is pretty much double the assistance you get from most other lightweight e-MTB motors, and means riders will be better equipped to keep up with those on full-fat motors (admittedly by doing more work), but on a far lighter and much more natural-feeling bike.
The E-Lyte models are powered by Bosch's Compact Powertube Battery with a 400Wh capacity. They're also compatible with the Powermore 250Wh range extender – which attaches to the frame at the lower bottle cage position so it has as minimal an effect on the center of gravity as possible. Whyte has included a secondary bottle mount on the downtube if you want to carry water while using the additional Powermore battery. When running the range extender, the power system has been designed to exhaust the Powermore before starting to drain the main battery, so you can remove the additional power source once it has served its purpose.
Whyte's design team told me that while they could have gone for a lighter spec on the E-Lyte Works 140 model – with two-pot brakes, lighter rims, etc – they wanted a bike that wouldn't feel lacking in any area when out on the trail and the weight they arrived at was low enough to give a conventional bike feel as opposed to a full-fat e-monster truck.
Spec-highlight-wise, the 140 Works runs Fox Factory suspension in the form of a 34 fork with a FIT4 damper and an Evol LV shock. The bike rolls on DT Swiss XRC 1501 carbon rims shod with Good Year Escape 2.4 tires, which Whyte said are lightweight at 800g but still offer more grip than a pure XC tire. The drivetrain is SRAM's excellent XX Eagle T-Type Transmission, while the brakes are also SRAM in the form of Level Ultimate Stealth four-piston.
The E-Lyte's designers were keen to point out that they've gone hard on keeping water out of the frame to prevent ingress from damaging crucial (and expensive) electrical systems. A rubber gaiter covers the seatpost clamp, the headset has internal seals and all the cable ports are rubber sealed as tightly as possible too.
The more capable E-Lyte 150s get a beefier spec with a RockShox Lyrik Select fork and Deluxe Select+ RT shock on the RSX, while the Works runs a Fox Factory 36 fork and Factory Float X shock. Both bikes use Whyte's new TeXtreme Innegra carbon wheels with a Maxxis Minion tire pairing of a 2.5 DHF in EXO MaxxGrip up front and a 2.4 Dissector in EXO+ MaxxTerra on the rear. Both bikes run SRAM T-Type Transmission drivetrains, the RSX gets GX while the Works runs XO. See further down the page for more E-Lyte specs.
All three models come with 29in wheels, though can be converted to mixed-wheel mullet bikes by using Whyte's Whyte's Shape.It Link. They also have high/low geometry adjustment enabling rider to set the head angle 0.5 degree slacker or steeper from the standard 64.4 (E-Lyte 140) and 64 degrees (E-Lyte 150).
All three E-Lyte models are due to be available from December. Pricing starts at £7,999 for the 150 RSX, £9,999 for the 150 Works, and £10,999 for the 140 Works. EU prices are TBC and at the time of writing, Whyte doesn't have confirmed US distribution.
Whyte E-160
The 2023 E-160 got a brand new frame, so as you'd expect, the 2024 version is built around the same chassis. The same trail/enduro-focused models continue as last year, with the S, RS, and top of the range RSX version. The E-160s are all powered by Bosch's full-power Performance Line CX motor with 600W of power and 85Nm of torque. All three also get 750Wh batteries.
Gone are the three different wheel setups available for each tier of the range. Instead, all three also have size-specific wheels, with the S and XS getting 27.5in options, while the other models roll on 29in wheels. The 29er sizes can be converted to a mixed-wheel mullet setup by using Whyte's Shape.It Link.
All three bikes come with high/low geometry adjustment allowing for the 63-degree head angle to be slackened/steepened by 0.5 of a degree.
The RSX and RS get SRAM's latest GX Eagle T-Type Transmission wireless drivetrains with the ability to shift under serious load making them ideal for e-MTB use. The two higher-end models get Fox suspension with a 38 Performance fork and Float X Performance shock (in Elite guise for the RSX), while the S model runs a RockShox Zeb and Deluxe Select R shock.
All three E-160 models should be available around now. The S version is priced at £5,499, the RS £6,399, and the RSX at £6,999.
Whyte E-180
Like its shorter travel sibling, the E-180's frame is unchanged from last year. The range has been compressed from three models to two – S and Works (farewell to the RSX), but the super-enduro bikes continue in mixed-wheel mullet guise.
Unsurprisingly, like the E-160s, the E-180 models run the same Bosch's powerful Performance Line CX motor and 750Wh batteries. Both bikes get high/low geometry adjustment allowing for the 63-degree head angle to be slackened/steepened by 0.5 of a degree.
As you'd expect, the suspension is burly with a RockShox ZEB Ultimate fork and Super Deluxe Ultimate shock on the Works option – the gets the S gets the same suspension in Select R format.
The Works model gets a suitably fancy SRAM XX Eagle T-Type Transmission drivetrain, while the S model's gearing is not to be sniffed at either, coming in GX Eagle AXS wireless guise. Claimed weight for both models is 26kg in a size medium.
The E-180 models are not available until March 2024. The S option is priced at £6,399 and the Works £8,999. Like the rest of Whyte's range, EU pricing and US availability are both TBC.
Non-electric MTBs
Despite the drastic cutting back of its conventionally powered bike range, four MTBs remain. Two entry-level hardtails – the 529 and 629 – and two full-suspension MTBs – the T-140 S and T-160 RS.
Geometry-wise, the tough trail/enduro focussed T-150 RS has a reasonably slack head angle of 64.7 degrees with a size-dependent seat angle of 75.1 (M), 74.8 (L), and 74.6 (XL). The suspension comes in the form of a 160mm RockShox Lyrik Ultimate RC2 with a Super Deluxe Ultimate shock. It rolls on Race Face 29in AR-30 wheels shod with an aggressive tire combo of a 2.5 3C EXO MaxxTerra Maxxis Assegai up front and a 2.4 Dual Compound EXO+ Minion DHR II rear. Gearing is conventional 12-speed SRAM GX complemented with Code R four-piston brakes.
As you'd expect, the shorter travel T-140 S is very much trail-focused and comes with a 140mm RockShox Pike Select up front and Deluxe Select+ shock. The drivetrain is a 12-speed Shimano Deore Shadow Plus, while the brakes are four-piston TRP Slate Evo. Wheels are 29in WTB ST i30s with a Maxxis 3C MaxxTerra EXO pairing of Minion DHF up front and a Dissector to the rear.
The 529 and 629 hardtails are due for release in March priced at £1,250 and £1,650, while the full-suspension bikes will land in April at £1,999 for the T-140 S and £2,999 for the T-160 RS. Whyte says it has improved spec on all the bikes and cut prices with the 2023 T-140 S priced at £3,299, while the 2023 T-160 RS was £4,199.
We'll have full reviews of the E-Lyte 140 Works and 150 Works on the way very soon.
Is Whyte on the way to becoming a fully electric bike brand?
For now at least, despite the cull of purely human-powered bikes, it would seem not. But I spoke with Whyte about the big drop in conventional bikes and this is what a representative said. "For 2024, we’ve condensed and focused the range with an increased bias toward electric MTBs. According to our internal sales and marketing data, unfortunately, there continues to be a decline in mechanical MTB sales. In contrast, though, eMTB sales have continued to grow since 2019. A recent mid-year Bicycle Association report reflects this trend in the wider industry.
"We’re not going fully electric, though. Some very popular and key mechanical MTB models are featured in the range, such as the 529 and 629 hardtails, T-140 29 S trail bike, and T-160 RS all-mountain/enduro model. Recognizing that there is still demand among both experienced riders and newer riders entering the sport, we’ve worked hard to increase the value of these models. We’ve managed to maintain or even increase spec levels while slashing suggested retail prices by up to £1,300.”
Tech specs: Whyte E-Lyte 140 Works
Tech specs: Whyte E-Lyte 150 Works
- Discipline: Trail/enduro
- Price: £9,999 (EU and US TBC)
- Frame: Full carbon, Boost width
- Fork: Fox Float 36 Factory 29in, 150mm travel, 44mm offset, GRIP2 damper
- Shock: Fox Float X Factory Series, EVOL
- Motor: Bosch Performance Line SX drive
- Battery: Bosch Compact PowerTube 400Wh
- Optional range extender: Bosch PowerMore 250Wh
- Wheels: Whyte TeXtreme Innegra infused, 29in Carbon Trail on Hope Pro 5 hubs
- Tires: Maxxis Minion DHF, EXO TR MaxxGripp 2.5in front; Dissector, EXO+ TR MaxxTerra 2.4in, rear
- Gears: SRAM XO T-Type AXS, SRAM AXS Pod shifter
- Crankset: Hope E-Bike Cranks, 155mm length, 36T
- Brakes: Hope Tech4 V4, four-piston, 200mm front and rear
- Seatpost: Whyte Drop.It II Adjust, 30.9mm (M/L 140-170mm; XL 170-200mm)
- Saddle: Fizik Terra Aidon
- Bars: Race Face NEXT R Carbon, 20mm rise, 35mm bar bore, 800mm wide
- Stem: Whyte Trail Full CNC, 40mm Extension, 35 Bar bore
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL
- Weight: 19.2kg (claimed size medium)
Tech specs: Whyte E-Lyte 150 RSX
- Discipline: Trail/enduro
- Price: £7,999 (EU and US TBC)
- Frame: Full carbon, Boost width
- Fork: RockShox Lyrik Select+, 150mm travel, 44mm offset, DebonAir+,Charger 3 RC2 damper
- Shock: RockShox Deluxe Select + RT, DebonAir
- Motor: Bosch Performance Line SX drive
- Battery: Bosch Compact PowerTube 400Wh
- Optional range extender: Bosch PowerMore 250Wh
- Wheels: Whyte TeXtreme Innegra infused, 29in Carbon Trail on Whyte alloy hubs
- Tires: Maxxis Minion DHF, EXO TR MaxxGripp 2.5in front; Dissector, EXO+ TR MaxxTerra 2.4in, rear
- Gears: SRAM GX T-Type AXS, SRAM AXS Pod shifter
- Crankset: Whyte 155mm ISIS arms, GX Gen4 direct mount 36T
- Brakes: SRAM Code Bronze Stealth, four0piston, 200mm front and rear
- Seatpost: Whyte Drop.It II Adjust, 30.9mm (M/L 140-170mm; XL 170-200mm)
- Saddle: Fizik Terra Aidon
- Bars: Whyte Custom 6061 alloy, 20mm rise, 35mm bar bore, 800mm wide
- Stem: Whyte Trail Full CNC, 40mm Extension, 35 Bar bore
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL
- Weight: 18.9kg (claimed size medium)
- Discipline: Trail/enduro
- Price: £7,999 (EU and US TBC)
- Frame: Full carbon, Boost width
- Fork: RockShox Lyrik Select+, 150mm travel, 44mm offset, DebonAir+,Charger 3 RC2 damper
- Shock: RockShox Deluxe Select + RT, DebonAir
- Motor: Bosch Performance Line SX drive
- Battery: Bosch Compact PowerTube 400Wh
- Optional range extender: Bosch PowerMore 250Wh
- Wheels: Whyte TeXtreme Innegra infused, 29in Carbon Trail on Whyte alloy hubs
- Tires: Maxxis Minion DHF, EXO TR MaxxGripp 2.5in front; Dissector, EXO+ TR MaxxTerra 2.4in, rear
- Gears: SRAM GX T-Type AXS, SRAM AXS Pod shifter
- Crankset: Whyte 155mm ISIS arms, GX Gen4 direct mount 36T
- Brakes: SRAM Code Bronze Stealth, four0piston, 200mm front and rear
- Seatpost: Whyte Drop.It II Adjust, 30.9mm (M/L 140-170mm; XL 170-200mm)
- Saddle: Fizik Terra Aidon
- Bars: Whyte Custom 6061 alloy, 20mm rise, 35mm bar bore, 800mm wide
- Stem: Whyte Trail Full CNC, 40mm Extension, 35 Bar bore
- Weight: 18.9kg (claimed size medium)
