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Whyte E-120 XT (08)
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Whyte E-120 XT

BikeRadar verdict

5 out of 5 stars

"Race bike responsiveness and guaranteed good time handling. Our new 'best trail bike' benchmark"

By Guy Kesteven

Whyte have always been a low weight choice, but the new E-120 adds a big dose of authority and aggression to create a real hard riding trail bike, not just a race day special.

Frame: Full carbon construction with nice attention to detail

A super deep squared-off down tube and 1.5in bottom race head tube dominates the head end with a flat top tube tapering back before deepening again at the seat tube junction. The swingarm also tapers back from a super deep start to create a lamb chop effect on its way down to the latched Big Gripper dropouts. Short hollow carbon H links complete the full woven construction, with smooth arcs moulded into the frame and lifetime warrantied bearings. 

It runs the same lower leverage and large XV can shock set-up as the Marin Mount Vision. Above the intricate weave is smooth convex detailing, neat cable lines and a lovely broad lever seat quick release.

Ride: Awesomely fast out of corners, floats over rought stuff

While the deep chested, broad backed frame was our first shock, the second came when we realised how light it was (a sub-24lb weight is likely on Race versions). The third shock comes from a combination of the first two. 

While its trail stance is underlined with the authority of a much bigger bike, its 'snap' up to speed is outstanding, and its remarkable mainframe and inline rigidity capitalises on the slight stiffening of the suspension under power to create a rock solid feel for an exhilarating velocity. It'll just hurl itself out of corners - we've dug it out of unsaveable stalls several times. We lost count of the 'crikey we're in the big ring' moments we had too.

A sensitive start to the shock stroke means it can occasionally kick against square edges or spit traction under full power. But the dynamic feel responds well to bodyweight shifts making manuals, drops and 'floating' over rough terrain effortless, even for the most flightless riders. New linkages and shock capacity mean it hoovers up big stuff deeper in the stroke for a 'more speed, less thought' character. 

Handling is straight out of the attacking ride handbook - stable enough to keep it running true through the roughest sections, but with commitment to turns at any speed. Visible flex between the swingarm and seat tube only reveals itself as a twang when you're ripping it sideways - it's certainly within acceptable limits for such a lightweight bike. Bang on race weight, but with real trail authority and a dynamic character, this bike feels like it's supplied with your mate's giblets tied to the seatpost. 

There's definitely a new contender in the 'ultimate trail bike' hot seat.

Equipment: N/A

Our bike is Whyte's preproduction 'confirmation' sample, so it's built with a luxury lash-up selection rather than proper production specs but 'real' bikes won't be that far removed from last year's E5 spec. Framesets will also be available for £1,699.

User Reviews

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  • User review of Whyte E-120 XT (08)

    looks ace, but have yet to ride one.how does it ride compared to the 07 whyte 46 ?.

    0.3
  • User review of Whyte E-120 XT (08)

    Wow... had my XT version for a week. It goes up hill well but on fast flat or downhill singletrack it is amazing !! I love my new bike

    0.3
  • User review of Whyte E-120 XT (08)

    Test rode one these, saving up to buy one asap. really really great riding, and looks so cool.

    0.3
  • User review of Whyte E-120 XT (08)

    Been riding my XT version for about 6 months now, the carbon frame took a little getting used to, namey just to build my confidence that it was strong enough! Well it most certainly is, took it to Swiss Alps in July 08 and it rocked!!

    I would recommend upgrading the brakes to hope's or at least increasing the rotors.

    This is a seriously quick bike, up and down the hill !

    0.3
  • User review of Whyte E-120 XT (08)

    just been looking at this bike i have always had giants looking at 09

    any recommendations

    0.3
  • User review of Whyte E-120 XT (08)

    Well its been nine months and i can say that this bike is tough, having thrown it down McMoab, it bounced 4 times... and crashing it at speed twice and not a mark on it... so don't worry about it being carbon!!

    As for how it rides... going up it just seems to go forward no matter how tough the climb and it is so efficient that i can climb again and again and never feel blown, it is just stiff and efficent...then when you hit the flat pedal for it singletrack it just rockets along, a burst of power and off you go leaving your mates wondering how you got so good so quick... and then when you point it down it is like a laser guided missle, i have nailed many trail cntres on this and blitzed plenty of guys on big travel rigs... it is awesome, i barely brake as i just point the thing and hang on...

    Its pricy but you will not regret the investment... the best bike i have ever ridden and a real treat to own

    Buy it, love it...

    0.3
  • User review of Whyte E-120 XT (08)

    Not for the heavier rider (over 13 st) as it flexes too much.

    Too tall

    Wheelbase too short (shorter than my hardtail !!)

    Good at xc not so clever downhill.

    Frame looks very poor very quickly.

    Overrated

    0.3
  • User review of Whyte E-120 XT (08)

    Just an enquiry to MidLife Cyclist... i'm confused

    I'm near 15 stone when kitted up and wearing my backpack etc and have no issues with flex.

    The wheelbase has never been an issue and i find that being able to manual easily improves the riding experience.

    I ride with several mixed groups of riders and very few can gap me downhill sections... in fact only 2 or 3 guys out of about 20 and they are riding 140mm or more travel bikes.

    Had my bike since April last year, thats 9 months, and have been all over riding all sorts of trails and have ridden 3 times a week all winter and i'm guilty of not really looking after the bike very well and on the odd occasion i do clean her up i am constantly amazed at the fact it looks brand new.

    Just as a footnote i have been riding Whyte's since i got the first ever PRST 1 superbike which i only recently sold, 2 years ago. I have cracked 1 PRST 1 frame which was instantly replace FOC and i clean snapped a PRST 4 frame which was replaced instantly FOC...

    I guess we all have our own opinions and you are of course entitled to yours but i can't see how you came to yours... and i am curious as to how you came to own a near 3k bike without test riding it first...

    I love it, you hate it.... wanna sell me yours cheap

    0.3
  • User review of Whyte E-120 XT (08)

    I'm with you mbnut, having had an e120 for 6 months and just bought a second after my wife insisting on having one too, I just don't see where MidLifeCyclist is coming from. At 14plus stone I've never ridden a stiffer fastest full suss bike?? I do have a few small marks in the lacquer but if it were paint over alloy the frame would be chipped. With reference to the wheelbase, I did find the cockpit a little short and found a longer stem/ layback post just ruined the handling for me, the answer was to go for the large frame over my more usual medium choice, simple.

    Think your final message hits the nail on the head, we all define value form our own perspective and are entitled to our opinion but if you're gunna spend 3k on a bike make sure you thoroughly test it first!! :)

    For me it's the best bike I've ridden by some margin and I spent some time shopping for it...

    0.3
  • User review of Whyte E-120 XT (08)

    As before.....25 years of riding hundreds of trails, bikes and racing NPS for years have given me an insight that most riders don't get. I get to ride different bikes everyday, from your old school classic to this the Whyte E120...

    There is something so so sorted and British about this bike... True I found the Bottom bracket to be as high as some of my old freeride or even down hill bikes... but then again good pedal clearance is a must in rocky areas and. I found at 15 minutes in I forgot all about the ride height and was feeling that familiar confidence that this bike is a superb classic all day trail bike.

    The head angle gives a surprising tight turning circle , but what I would say is that it should only give the most nervous of riders any problems. If your just getting used to it try putting a fatter tyre on the front to slow the front end down a bit, I found a Schwalbe racing ralph 2.25 on the back and a 2.4 on the front works well . Likewise if your going to more open and faster and technical trails much the same but with knobs on.... But as you get fitter,stronger and more confident due to riding the thing so much... you will probably revert to it's original spec.

    The short wheel base did give me concern before riding until I moved the bike above that magic 25 mph speed... and the stability was still there and I found it stayed there on even faster sections, Just keep in mind this is NOT a down hill bike... This is a trail bike that is tough enough to push outside of most other light weight trail bikes comfort zone but few limitations if you wanted to race it. It's all about your weight distribution! So leaving room for handlebar height adjustment can add more versatility to the bike as a whole.

    All in all its a keeper...like most of the Whytes. I would recommend a test ride before buying, but purley to prove the point and ease you into spending at this price point.

    The ease at which this bike handles is ridiculous... It does a total dialled job of making you forget about it and just enjoy the riding.

    The finish on the frame takes some getting used to but seems to have its own benefits over painted frames... no stone chips here. Look after it and it will look after you!

    If the whole bike is a bit of a stretch the frame option is great value...

    Superb! totally recommended!

    0.3

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Specification

Name:
E-120 XT (08)
Built by:
Whyte
Price:
n/a

Year:
2008

Frame & Fork:

 
Frame Material:
Carbon
Fork Brand:
Fox
Fork Model:
F120 RLC
Rear Shock Brand:
Fox
Rear Shock Model:
Float RP23

Brakes:

 
Brakes Brand:
Hope
Brakes Model:
Mono Mini Hydraulic Disc

Transmission:

 
Rear Derailleur Brand:
Shimano
Rear Derailleur Model:
XTR
Front Derailleur Brand:
Shimano
Front Derailleur Model:
XT

Wheels:

 
Rims Brand:
Sun
Rims Model:
MTX S Type
Front Hub Brand:
Ringle
Front Hub Model:
Demon

Contact Points:

 
Stem Brand:
Thomson
Stem Model:
Elite
Handlebar Brand:
Easton
Handlebar Model:
Monkey Lite XC

:

 
Handlebar Type:
Riser

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