Whyte is making one of our favourite trail bikes even better
T-130 gets updated geometry, refined spec, plus new G-170C Works 29er
Whyte has given its hugely successful T-130 range a major overhaul with updated geometry, suspension and refined specs. The brand has also announced a 29er version of its range-topping G-170C Works enduro weapon.
The T-130 has long been a favourite at BikeRadar and the previous model won our Trail Bike of the Year award in 2016.
The design has undergone major updates for 2019 with a move to metric shocks for the latest version of Whyte’s QUAD suspension, as found on the 2018 S-150 and G-170.
Whyte calls its latest geometry Optimised Trail Offset (OTO), which entails the use of reduced offset forks. The brand says this improves steering stability and moves the mass of the fork and wheel closer to the steering axis for a more neutral steering feel.
The changes go deeper than simply swapping forks however, as doing so would shorten the wheelbase. The geometry takes account of the reduced offset to maintain the desired numbers.
The new T-130 will take tyres up to an official 71mm (about 2.8in), meaning you’ll be able to take advantage of the latest and greatest trail rubber on properly wide rims.
Whyte 2019 T-130 spec highlights
Whyte’s 2019 bikes will be hitting shops in the coming months. The new T-130 range includes two alloy and three carbon models, starting with the T-130 SR, which retails at £2,299.
T-130 SR
The entry-level bike gets 11-speed Shimano SLX and Fox Performance suspension, with a 140mm 34 fork up front, TRP Slate brakes and Whyte’s own dropper.
T-130 S
Next up is the alloy T-130 S, perhaps the sweet spot for value in the range. £2,650 gets you SRAM GX Eagle 12-speed kit, a 140mm RockShox Revelation RC and a Deluxe RT shock, SRAM Guide T brakes and a KS dropper.
T-130C R
The T-130C R is the cheapest carbon model at £3,050 and it gets the same suspension and brake spec as the T-130 S but drops down to SRAM’s slightly more affordable NX Eagle shifting kit.
T-130C RS
The £3,499 T-130C RS gets a Pike RC up front instead, along with GX Eagle and Guide RS brakes.
T-130C Works
Got a whole lot more money to spend? You’ll be after the T-130C Works, which retails at an unapologetic £5,250 with XX1 Eagle Gold and a Pike RCT3.
It’s the only model in the range with a Reverb dropper and it rolls on carbon rims. The brakes are SRAM’s Guide RSC, and Whyte pitches this as “the ultimate trail bike”.
G-170 C Works 29er
New for 2019, the G-170 C Works 29er is a big-wheeled enduro racer that’ll take tyres up to 2.5in wide.
This race-ready spec is pretty tasty, with SRAM X01 Eagle 12-speed, Code RSC brakes, a 160mm RockShox Lyrik RC2 fork and a Super Deluxe shock, Hope’s own 30mm carbon rims, Hope hubs and a Reverb Stealth post.
The frame’s open front triangle will take a full-sized water bottle regardless of what type of shock is fitted and the bike comes with Maxxis Minion DHFs as standard.
Authors
Matthew is an experienced mechanic and an expert on bike tech who appreciates practical, beautifully-engineered things. Originally a roadie, he likes bikes and kit of every stripe, and he's tested a huge variety of it over the years for BikeRadar, Cycling Plus and others. For a long time Matthew's heart belonged to the Scott Addict, but he's currently enjoying Trek's lovely aluminium Emonda ALR and having a torrid affair with a Giant Trance e-MTB. At 174cm tall and 53kg, he looks like he should be better at cycling than he actually is, and he's ok with that.
