We got the lowdown on the Whyte E-Lyte 140 Works e-MTB prototype and it looks insanely good
This full-suspension downcountry/trail e-MTB weighs in at under 17kg and features the new Bosch Performance Line SX lightweight motor
New Whyte e-Lyte anyone ?
- Thread starter The Hodge
- Start date
I like that. 
Ark
Active member
motors being[parallel to the floor look weird now 
Finally it seems Whyte are moving away from boring paint jobs
Finally it seems Whyte are moving away from boring paint jobs
samjlevy
Active member
Wonder if the full fat bikes will start to get lighter? I love my E-160 RSX but 3-4kg lighter would make a huge difference
- Thread starter
- #8
Jeez ..wouldn't like your weekly grocery bill ...if 3-4kgs =1 mealSkip a meal and your there or have a good s**t before going out on a ride.
( notice I said nothing about the size of a dump ...
)
put a limited range battery on it plus flimsy wheels, and XC tyres etc and ...voila you will have a SL!!
samjlevy
Active member
I don’t want an SL, just not 26.5kgput a limited range battery on it plus flimsy wheels, and XC tyres etc and ...voila you will have a SL!!
Ark
Active member
grind all the fins off the motor that'll probably be about 50grams and get ride of any gears you don't use on the rear so you can drop a few chain links for maximum gains.I don’t want an SL, just not 26.5kg
don't be afraid to snap a few spokes off either
I’ve always wondered about intake v outake ratioJeez ..wouldn't like your weekly grocery bill ...if 3-4kgs =1 meal
( notice I said nothing about the size of a dump ...
samjlevy
Active member
- Thread starter
- #14
The only time weight has ever been an issue was when I ran out of juice on the way back from Slaley Forest to Blanchland which involved a climb of just over 1 mile ..right at the end of a full day ride ..
That apart I really think the weight of the bike helps to keep things planted when things get gnarly ..I've absolutely no interest at all in a lightweight bike ..
That apart I really think the weight of the bike helps to keep things planted when things get gnarly ..I've absolutely no interest at all in a lightweight bike ..
Another One
Active member
I'm a full fat but this does look great really like it.
- Thread starter
- #16
I don't think that paint job will make it to production
... Which is a shameI don't think that paint job will make it to production
I have the Whyte E160 RSX and I love it..............but what I was pointing out is that it is easy to strip weight off it, as long as you only want to use it as a trail bike on mild trails. As it stands it has heavy but puncture resistant tyres, hybrid DT Swiss wheelset (prioritising strength with heavier duty spokes, thicker walled hub, steel ratchet freehub, oversized bearings) a 38 stancion fork, a 750w/h battery, double lug seat stay connection, oversized headset, solid downtube. There are no compromises to save weight and every effort to be reliable over the long term on rough terrain. Sure you can bult a pure trail EMTB much lighter but dont expect it to last if you exceed the bike's category restrictions on drops and jumps!!
I see a lot focus on a bikes gross weight but very little on what really matters as far as weight is concerned. The most significant difference you can make to any bike is with the unsprung weight, especially the wheel/tyre combination since that is rotational weight. Lighter unsprung weight enables softer suspension settings especially at the top of the stroke......and potentially lighter springing ( shock/fork).
As far as the sprung weight is concerned the weight of the rider is the main mass.
Thereafter, it matters how low the centre of gravity is which impacts how the bike handles anytime it is in anything other than a perfectly vertical stance; and how well balanced the combination of rider and bike mass is in respect to the front and rear tyre contact patches such that only subtle rider re positioning is required to maintain grip on either wheel.
An EMTB is never going to be as easy to to perform manoeuvres requiring front wheel lift as a MTB simply due to the weight and position of the battery............not impossible though as Chris Akrigg adequately demonstrates.........on an Whyte E160RSX.
I credit Whyte with describing this entry into the half fat category for what it is..................A trail bike.
I see a lot focus on a bikes gross weight but very little on what really matters as far as weight is concerned. The most significant difference you can make to any bike is with the unsprung weight, especially the wheel/tyre combination since that is rotational weight. Lighter unsprung weight enables softer suspension settings especially at the top of the stroke......and potentially lighter springing ( shock/fork).
As far as the sprung weight is concerned the weight of the rider is the main mass.
Thereafter, it matters how low the centre of gravity is which impacts how the bike handles anytime it is in anything other than a perfectly vertical stance; and how well balanced the combination of rider and bike mass is in respect to the front and rear tyre contact patches such that only subtle rider re positioning is required to maintain grip on either wheel.
An EMTB is never going to be as easy to to perform manoeuvres requiring front wheel lift as a MTB simply due to the weight and position of the battery............not impossible though as Chris Akrigg adequately demonstrates.........on an Whyte E160RSX.
I credit Whyte with describing this entry into the half fat category for what it is..................A trail bike.
Personally I think it's their best looking ebike, I'm curious about the price, will it be yet another £10k plus bike?We got the lowdown on the Whyte E-Lyte 140 Works e-MTB prototype and it looks insanely good
This full-suspension downcountry/trail e-MTB weighs in at under 17kg and features the new Bosch Performance Line SX lightweight motorwww.bikeperfect.com
Simmo3801
Member
I have a Whyte e160 rs and have had an issue with it's weight a few times. Once when there were stiles to cross on a trail and another time there was a swing gate. I really struggled to lift it over both obstacles 
Same..... But I knew it would happen and I knew what I was getting..I have a Whyte e160 rs and have had an issue with it's weight a few times. Once when there were stiles to cross on a trail and another time there was a swing gate. I really struggled to lift it over both obstacles
An acceptable trade off for a great bike (right now at least
)
Last edited:
in which case that "trail" is a footpath!!I have a Whyte e160 rs and have had an issue with it's weight a few times. Once when there were stiles to cross on a trail and another time there was a swing gate. I really struggled to lift it over both obstacles
Simmo3801
Member
It is through the Pentland Hills. A natural trail, just not in a trail center
As mikerb said its a footpath, you only get stiles and kissing gates on footpaths
militantmandy
Well-known member
The ONLY time I even think about the weight of my 160 is when I have to lift the bloody thing. It's one of the best riding bikes I've ever ridden, E or not. That's not the same as me saying if you could magically knock 4 kgs off it I'd say no btw!
militantmandy
Well-known member
It's in Scotland and is therefore accessible to both foot and bike.
steve_sordy
Wedding Crasher
You could always buy a buch of Helium-filled balloons and fasten them to the bike. With a bit of luck, you could float over those doubles!
militantmandy
Well-known member
You'd need a LOT of balloons!!You could always buy a buch of Helium-filled balloons and fasten them to the bike. With a bit of luck, you could float over those doubles!
the is no LEGAL differentiation but the use of stiles etc can still be used to prevent cycle or vehicle access. The difference in Scotland is therefore that pedestrians are not protected by the LEGAL classification of a footpath as in England. So if you chose to ride what has been optimised for use by pedestrians you have to accept it is not going to be made easy for you !!
militantmandy
Well-known member
In this case the styles are generally to allow access over fences that keep in livestock. But I take your point.
EMTB Forums
Latest articles
-
The most reliable motor brand (in Norway)
A poll was posted on a big Norwegian emtb facebook group. There are...- Knut Nes
- 3 min read
- Views: 1K
- Reaction score: 5
- Comments: 9
-
2025 Canyon Spectral:ONfly CF Ltd review
We were quite surprised to read about the new lightweight Canyon...- Knut Nes
- 7 min read
- Views: 1K
- Comments: 1