FIRST LOOK: Whyte T-130S

Words: Sebastian Jayne . Photos: Matt Rousu

The Whyte brand out of the UK have a proud heritage of producing fun bikes. Their signature geometry of slack head angles, low bottom brackets and short chainstays are found on most of their bikes including their updated T-130s. This mid-travel trail bike with 27.5” wheels looks to offer trail riders a fun and capable package for tackling whatever trail they want to face it down.

The updated T-130 range comes with two aluminium models and three carbon models. The new range features updated geometry including a slacker head angle and seat tube angle, longer wheelbase and chainstays along with longer reach. Slacker and longer is the new trend in trail bikes, and most bikes in general, though it will be interesting to see how these changes feel out on the trails.

 

The model currently being tested around the Bright trails in Victoria is the T-130s. This is the second model in the range and is the top aluminium model. For $4650 you get Sram GX Eagle running gear, Guide T brakes and a 140mm travel RockShox Revelation RC fork paired with a RockShox Deluxe RT shock delivering 130mm travel out the back.

If you want the works, you might want to look at the T-130C Works edition, with Sram XX1 Eagle, carbon everything and a Rockshox Pike RCT3/Deluxe RT3 combo.

Many people will have different thoughts when they think of a trail ride, so we will be riding a wide range of trails throughout the test to find the limits of the T-130s. The geometry points to a bike that will make a very capable descender but just how capable could a trail bike be? Is this a bike for XC loops, or flow trails, what about double black diamond enduro trails? Check out the review in issue #172 due out in December to find out if the T-130s could match your local trail ride!

Don't miss our review of the original T-130 S and the last edition of the T-130C-RS. The bike we have on test has a similar name but new geometry and suspension kinematics. We're keen to see how it goes!