All Arround MTB

The S-150 is designed to use a fork with a reduced offset (42mm) – the idea being to calm the steering without dulling the bike’s nimbleness. Working alongside that to boost stability further are a slack 65.3-degree head angle, 435mm chainstays, a long 1,212mm wheelbase and a ground-huggingly low 333mm BB – which is why Whyte spec 170mm crank arms, to limit pedal strikes. With those angles and a generous reach (458.5mm on the medium), the S-150 feels surefooted and commanding from the outset. While it’s still fun to throw around at slower speeds, it’s when the pace picks up that the geometry shines, particularly in high-speed, chattery turns, where there’s a calmness through the bar that really helps when you’re trying to hold a line. It carries speed well on flatter sections of trail and, providing it’s not too muddy for the shallow-treaded rear tyre, will claw its way up pretty much any climb you point it at. Here, you’ll appreciate the wide gear range, courtesy of a SRAM GX Ea...

TheWhyte 905’s position as the benchmark progressive hardtail was put in doubt last year, but even more radical geometry and the best plus tyres in the business put it right back at the cutting edge. The frame A tall head tube and deep triangular top tube give impressive front end accuracy. The big down tube is extensively shaped, with cables routed internally through sealed rubber plugs. Wide-splayed tubular chainstays and ‘keyhole’ seatstays give generous clearance for 27.5x2.8in tyres (but should you want to fit 29in wheels, space is extremely limited). The kit The Revelation RC fork is the only dedicated 650b+ (not 29in) fork in the test, and gets a custom 42mm (rather than 46mm) offset too. Gears are 11-speed SRAM GX, but the cranks are from the Eagle family so they get the latest X-SYNC 2 chainring, along with broad 170mm arms. The SRAM Level brakes feel OK but are less powerful than Guides, particularly with the 180/160mm rotor set-up you get on every 905 apart from ...

We gave you a peek at Whyte’s new 650b enduro bike in MBUK 346, and now we’ve got our hands on one to give it a proper thrashing. Building on the old G-160, the geometry has been tweaked, as has the suspension design, to make it more progressive and deliver 10mm more travel. The C Works is the most expensive steed in the range, with a carbon frame and a suite of top-drawer kit, including a RockShox Lyrik RCT3 fork and Super Deluxe shock, 12-speed SRAM X01 Eagle drivetrain, SRAM Guide RSC brakes and Race Face carbon bar. It rolls on Whyte’s own 30mm carbon rims, laced to Hope hubs. And for a bike of this capability, the 13.64kg weight (medium, without pedals) isn’t bad. Price $8250

While UK-based Whyte can’t compete directly, spec for spec, with the direct-sales brands, the equipment choices on the G-160 S are really well considered and the geometry is superb – and in some areas, really quite radical. At 479mm, the reach of the medium G-160 trumps that of all the nominally larger bikes here. The angles that count aren’t as crazy or out-there as you might think, though, with the head angle measuring in at 65.5 degrees and a seat angle of 74.5 degrees. At 332mm, the BB is one of the lowest on test and really does bolster the bike’s corner-carving potential. Everywhere we tried the Whyte, it was its shape that really stood out and made us want to ride that bit harder. Its proportions and cohesive build kit make it a lot of fun to ride at speed. Whyte’s competitive pricing and traditional sales model explain why the G-160 is the only bike in the top six to come with a RockShox Yari, with its less sophisticated damper. It’s still a great fork, but the Lyrik is ju...

Big wheels, carbon and a big price tag. They’re two hardcore team issue hardtails, but which adds fun to your riding if you’re not racing?

Excellent spec and upgraded frame for Whyte’s top trail bike The top bike in Whyte’s T-130 trio gets a significantly upgraded frame and fork for a more aggressive and capable ride that’s still all-day UK friendly.