UK brand Whyte recently unveiled a range of disc brake-equipped road bikes designed for longer commutes, touring or winter training. There are three new models, with pricing starting at £799. Aiming to offer cyclocross durability with road bike handling, the RD7 bikes look like the sort of versatile machinery we're due to see a lot more of this year.
RD7 Sussex (£799)
The most affordable bike in the RD7 range is the Sussex. It shares the same 6061 alloy frame as the rest of the bikes in the lineup, and is full of practical touches such as a mudguard and rack eyelets.
Up front, the alloy fork uses a tapered steerer and includes a post disc mount. Speaking of discs, the Sussex is fitted with cyclocross mechanical discs from Promax and uses 160mm rotors front and rear, the latter tucking away on a chainstay-located post mount.
The Sussex rolls on a wheelset produced by Alex Rims, with 28 spokes up front and 32 out back. Elsewhere, a Shimano Sora groupset is paired with an FSA Vero compact chainset. Locking skewers are standard fit, meaning you'll need a special tool to remove the wheels - an impressive security addition.
Whyte RD7 Sussex road bike
RD7 Dorest (£999)
For an extra £200, buyers can upgrade to the Dorset. That means a carbon fork, Tiagra gearing and a better FSA crank. The bike is finished in a darker colour than the Sussex, and the contrasting anodised alloy components are green rather than blue.
Whyte RD7 Dorset road bike
RD7 Suffolk (£1,199)
Send the price north by £200 again and you end up with the Suffolk. The extra cash secures a mixture of Shimano 105 and Tiagra components for the drivetrain, along with an FSA Gossamer compact double chainset. The Suffolk also gets TRP's cable actuated HY/RD hydraulic road disc brakes.
Whyte RD7 Suffolk road bike
For more information see www.whytebikes.com.
