The updated V2 evolution of Whyte’s T-140 platform is all about combining maximum fun with efficiency, wherever you ride. Whyte's T-130 was a classic trail bike, rolling on 27.5" wheels, and the T-140 took over, picking up where it left off.
Whyte says that the T-140 is a versatile all-rounder with big-hit capabilities, combining climbing efficiency with a confidence-inspiring attitude to descents, using every bit of its 140mm of suspension travel. It sounds like this UK designed trail bike is bang on for most of our riding – sweeping singletrack, blue and red routes at the bike park, or wilderness epics. Very much a match for another sorted trail bike – the Trek Fuel EX.
Let's dig a little deeper... just what makes a great trail bike for UK riding? A trail bike needs to be a finely balanced design – one that keeps the urgent feel of an XC race bike with the confidence-inspiring handling of a heavier weight enduro machine...
'Our award-winning mid travel trail bikes have rewritten the rules on what 27.5in wheels and 130mm of rear suspension could do' – Whyte
We've recently taken delivery of the V2 generation of the carbon framed T-140 C-R, so here we take a look at the design basics, the spec and try and speculate just what the secret sauce is that Whyte adds to its test winning bikes.
FRAME
The T-140C-R V2 combines a sleek carbon main frame with a robust aluminium rear triangle, adding premium quality pivot bearings and plenty of mud clearance – ideal for for all year round use here in the UK. Whyte balances the rear travel with that of the 140mm suspension fork, giving plenty of descending ability but not taking away the lively feel that's needed when pushing on hard in tight and twisty singletrack.
'The T-140C R gets a new lightweight carbon fibre front end for outstanding punch and play' – Whyte
Whyte is a brand at the forefront of progressive mountain bike design. All the boxes are ticked with this V2 evolution of the T-140... a suitably slack head angle, low bottom bracket, long reach and short stem length combine to give the award-winning handling that this brand is renowned for. Add in the nimble feel of the smaller and lighter 27.5" wheels and you get a handling dynamic that's a touch livelier than that of a 29" wheeled trail bike.
Attention to detail gets better each year with Whyte's designs too. Here we see fully-evolved internal hose/cable routing, a tidy integrated seat clamp and neat down tube protection along with proven and practical touches such as a BSA threaded bottom bracket shell.
The RockShox Deluxe Select+ RT rear shock is straightforward to set up and intuitive to use - with a two position compression switch to firm up the ride when climbing or on road transitions.
SUSPENSION FORK
The T-140 uses Whyte’s OTO geometry, designed around a shorter 37mm offset fork crown. The more neutral handling and extra front end grip this creates allows Whyte to make the most of the 140mm travel fork, fully exploiting the capabilities of the frame design and the chunky 2.6" Maxxis tyres. A RockShox Pike Select RC fork is standard kit on this C-R model – it's easy to set up, as well as being a proven performer.
This fork spec, along with Whyte's contemporary sizing and progressive geometry numbers, results in handling that works well at all speeds and for every type of rider. Whether you're a newcomer or a handy black run expert, you'll find the T-140 a sound choice for trail riding.
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
TRANSMISSION
This T-140 C-R spec models gets a blend of components that hit the spot for us. The SRAM GX Eagle 1x12 transmission is a solid choice and is noticeably slicker in operation than the lower spec NX and SX offerings as well as being more durable.
A wide range 11-50T cassette and 32T chainring give ratios to suit most conditions and the 170mm crank length is an ideal match for the frame's low bottom bracket height. An integrated trigger shifter (with the brake lever clamp) and the genuine SRAM chain are details that are great to see too.
DISC BRAKES
Taking hints from harder-hitting bikes from the range, Whyte has chosen to equip the T-140 C-R with powerful 4 piston brakes – SRAM's G2 R model – and 180mm rotors. Ideal for pushing on hard into the steeper stuff, or on longer bike park descents.
WHEELS AND TYRES
As with the frame, the spec of the wheels and tyres needs to be a finely balanced affair. Enough ability and robustness to deal with the terrain that this type of bike can encourage you into – but with no more weight than needed and a rubber compound and tread pattern to suit a wide range of conditions. 27.5" wheels are still an important player in Whyte's trail bike range and rightly so – smaller, lighter, potentially stronger, and many would say more fun too...
Whyte has chosen wisely here on this T-140. WTB's i30 rims are laced to cartridge bearing hubs, with a sensible 32 spoke count front and rear – more than many brands are using and good to see. Maxxis is the choice of rubber, with 2.6" widths on both wheels. The ever-popular Minion DHF II is up front (EXO casing and 3C compound) with a faster rolling Dissector on the rear (tougher EXO+ casing).
HARDWARE
As we've said, Whyte's attention to detail is second to none and its shows through in the finishing kit too. A short 35mm stem is stock on all sizes, along with a size specific handlebar - higher and wider on larger sizes, lower and narrower on smaller sizes.
The dropper seatpost is the latest 'drop.it II Adjust' from Whyte's own range of components. It's an adjustable stroke dropper allowing fine tuning if you are moving up a frame size for length but not needing the added height. A really neat touch and typical of Whyte's focus on bike fit and sizing.
Bay Cycles website link HERE
Price: £3799 (Fully built, checked and with suspension set up)
Read more on the Whyte Bikes website HERE
