British brand announces new ebikes, upgrades and colourways
The highlight of Whyte’s 2024 range is undoubtedly the E-Lyte lightweight electric mountain bike, which features Bosch’s Performance Line SX motor.
In keeping with market trends, Whyte has also released a new line of hybrid bikes called the RHeO series, with the majority of models being electric bikes.
Whyte has also launched new branding, which features a modern design language.
Elsewhere in the 2024 range, there are updates and spec changes to existing model lines such as the T-140 S and T-160 RS, as well as the E-160 series of full-powered electric mountain bikes.
Whyte’s trail hardtails have also been updated, with the 529 and 629 both featuring a refresh that gives them new trendier two-tone colourways.
2024 Whyte E-Lyte 140 and E-Lyte 150
We were first introduced to the E-Lyte platform earlier this year at Eurobike.
It is Whyte’s first carbon fibre electric bike frame, using a Bosch Performance Line SX electric bike motor with 600W of peak power and 55Nm of torque taking energy from a Compact PowerTube 400Wh battery.
The frame also includes geometry in the shock extender that can slacken the head angle by 0.6 degrees and lower the bottom bracket height by 8mm.
Available in two travel options, the E-Lyte 150 features a 150mm fork with 142mm of rear-suspension travel, while the E-Lyte 140 has a 140mm fork with 135mm at the rear.
The bikes are finished in a two-tone colourway that combines high-gloss paint with matt-lacquered carbon.
Only the range-topping E-Lyte 140 Works, priced at £10,999, is available at launch with a Fox Factory 34 fork, Fox Float Factory rear shock and SRAM’s XX T-Type Transmission.
Whyte claims this build tips the scales at 16.4kg for a size M.
The bike comes with a Bosch PowerMore 250Wh range extender for those looking to take in more trail time.
There will be two E-Lyte 150 models available, with the E-Lyte 150 RSX priced at £7,999 and the E-Lyte 150 Works at £9,999.
The RSX model features RockShox suspension in the form of a Lyrik Select+ fork and a Deluxe Select+ rear shock. It uses SRAM’s GX T-Type Transmission for shifting gears.
We have delved deeper into the details of the E-Lyte 150 Works in our latest Bike of the Week article.
- Whyte E-Lyte 140 Works: £10,999
- Whyte E-Lyte 150 RSX: £7,999
- Whyte E-Lyte 150 Works: £9,999
2024 RHeO
The RHeO series is Whyte’s new city and leisure hybrid range. It’s built around the C7 frame design the brand has used on a variety of its previous hybrid bikes, as well as the eC7, which was the basis for its electric hybrid bike.
Whyte has simplified its naming structure for its hybrid bikes, removing city names for a more uniform numbering system.
The electric bikes in the RHeO line-up use a KMC Kynamic 250W hub-based motor and take power from a 252Wh battery integrated into the down tube – a notable aesthetic improvement from the eC7.
For each model in the series, there is the option of having a step-through (ST) frame, which should make mounting and dismounting the bike easier. However, this comes at the sacrifice of having only one bottle cage mount.
Much to the detest of Oscar Huckle, every bike also features 700 x 45C Maxxis Reaver tanwall tyres.
The series starts with the non-assisted RHeO 1, which features an angular frame design that has GT-esque seatstays, which connect to the top tube and seat tube.
Featuring Tektro T3020 hydraulic disc brakes and a Shimano Deore 10-speed rear derailleur, the RHeO 1 is priced at £999.
The bike looks suitably modern, with a straight fork, and is finished in a high-gloss fashion grey – or what car manufacturer Porsche may call ‘Crayon’.
The RHeO 2 and RHeO 3 both feature the same Shimano Cues 9-speed drivetrain and Tektro T3020 hydraulic disc brakes, except the RHeO 3 is fully equipped with lights, mudguards and a rear rack.
- Whyte RHeO 1: £999
- Whyte RHeO 2 and RHeO 2 ST: £1,999
- Whyte RHeO 3 and RHeO 3 ST: £2,299
Other highlights from Whyte’s 2024 range
While the other models in the Whyte line-up aren’t as headline-grabbing as the E-Lyte and RHeO, they have been treated to updates and spec changes.
Whyte E-160
The E-160 range is Whyte’s trail and enduro-focused full-power electric mountain bike, built around Bosch’s Performance line CX motor that punches out 85Nm of torque.
For the coming year, Whyte has given the bikes a two-tone paint scheme that separates the front triangle from the motor and linkage.
We especially like the E-160 S and its ‘acid lime’ colour that matches the accents on the RockShox Zeb fork and Deluxe Select R rear shock.
- Whyte E-160 S: £5,499
- Whyte E-160 RS: £6,399
- Whyte E-160 RSX: £6,999
Whyte 629
Whyte’s 629 is a well-respected trail hardtail with a 120mm RockShox 35 Gold RL and SRAM NX groupset.
This year’s model remains unchanged in the spec department, but a new colourway of gloss silver and gloss black complements the bike’s angular frame design, replacing the muted tones of the previous version.
The transition between these colours sees a graffiti-inspired design, which is a nice easter egg.
- Whyte 629: £1,650