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Trail and Enduro Bikes

WHYTE T-130

Hit any popular trail centre and you’ll see an ever growing number of bikes from Whyte. Designed in the north Cotswolds here in the UK, they’ve very quickly become a brand whose frame designs have gained a huge amount of respect.

‘Progressive geometry’ is a phrase thrown around repeatedly at the moment but there really are only a few brands that have instilled this thinking throughout their range – not just on the longer travel bikes. The T-130 trail bikes are a great example of this and really are an exceptional design.

As the model name suggests, the frame dishes out 130mm of rear wheel travel, matched up front by a fork dishing out the same. Wheel size is 27.5” with Whyte offering the T-129 for those wanting the larger 29” wheels on a trail bike.

The SCR (single chainring) frame design takes advantage of the latest ‘1x’ transmissions and along with Boost spacing front and rear gives great mud clearance along with increased stiffness. The sizing is a breath of fresh air too. So often with these mid travel bikes we’re seeing dimensions that are stuck in the past – hanging onto their XC roots. With the T-130 there’s a very generous reach based around the standard spec 40mm or 50mm stems. The four sizes offered should cover most riders with little or no tweaking needed.

‘The T-130 is all about snapping into a crisp line through singletrack, hitting downslopes with precision’

Geometry is a strong point with Whyte, and this, along with the sorted sizing has given this bike the ride and handling that it’s so well known for. A 67 degree head angle and a low 331mm bottom bracket height are key pointers to how this bike rides. The rear stays of the T-130 are kept short, giving the pop and agility you need to bring the trail alive. Combine this with a purposeful fork and well-tuned rear shock and you have a tight and fast feel that is very capable when the trail turns rough.

The Whyte T130 S and RS are our picks from the five bike aluminium line up.  At just shy of £3K you would expect a good spec and the RS certainly has that. The wheel package sports a rear Hope hub with 29mm wide rims giving a good shape to the chunky WTB tyres – ideal for the intentions of this hard-hitting trail bike. XT eleven speed is driven from a Raceface single 32T ring crank, a proven combination. XT brakes, a hit in last year’s Dirt 100 are also good to see. With a Reverb dropper fitted as standard and a 760mm width handlebar, Whyte have got all the details covered. The cheaper S model, pictured in our photo shoot, is cracking value too. With a RockShox Yari fork up front, 1×11 transmission and dropper post it leaves very little in need of upgrading or swapping out.

This all-aluminium bike doesn’t mind a touch of abuse – and why not? That’s what’s it made for after all. Yet again we see Whyte pushing to the front of what’s happening not just in the UK but worldwide. The T-130 is a truly brilliant trail bike.

WHYTE T-130

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Selected for Dirt 100 2017

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