Whyte E-150 S 29ER V1 or E-160 S V1?

[Polst99]

I’m looking to getting back into riding after a break of 12 years and want an EMTB. Obviously so much has changed (so go easy!). I’ve got around 5k to spend and after months of looking at all brands, I’ve decided on a Whyte E-150 S 29ER V1 or E-160 S V1. Both are around the same price so need help in which to go for. I live right by Epping Forest so it would mostly be used there which has a mixture of downhills, simple trails, a few jumps but plenty of roots and rough tracks. At 48, I’m not looking to do anything outrageous!

As far as I can tell, the most obvious difference between the two are the wheel size (27.5 or 29) and suspension travel (160 or 150). What is each bike specificity built for?

Also, at 5’6”, would the 27.5 wheels be better?

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Mr President]

I’m looking to getting back into riding after a break of 12 years and want an EMTB. Obviously so much has changed (so go easy!). I’ve got around 5k to spend and after months of looking at all brands, I’ve decided on a Whyte E-150 S 29ER V1 or E-160 S V1. Both are around the same price so need help in which to go for. I live right by Epping Forest so it would mostly be used there which has a mixture of downhills, simple trails, a few jumps but plenty of roots and rough tracks. At 48, I’m not looking to do anything outrageous!

As far as I can tell, the most obvious difference between the two are the wheel size (27.5 or 29) and suspension travel (160 or 150). What is each bike specificity built for?

Also, at 5’6”, would the 27.5 wheels be better?

Any advice would be appreciated.

First experience - Whyte E160 S

Hi All Two weeks ago I purchased a Whyte E160 S. I thought it might be useful for the community and myself to state my reasoning for the purchase and discuss the sizing decision. I'll follow up late with early experiences of an E-MTB in general and the Whyte in particular. Here I'll state why I...

www.emtbforums.com

have a look at my forum thread attached for discussion on the E160 S.
Not sure I am qualified to comment beyond what I have put in there, since I didn't try a 29er. I am 400 miles in on the E160 S and very satisfied.

 

[Polst99]

First experience - Whyte E160 S

Hi All Two weeks ago I purchased a Whyte E160 S. I thought it might be useful for the community and myself to state my reasoning for the purchase and discuss the sizing decision. I'll follow up late with early experiences of an E-MTB in general and the Whyte in particular. Here I'll state why I...

www.emtbforums.com

have a look at my forum thread attached for discussion on the E160 S.
Not sure I am qualified to comment beyond what I have put in there, since I didn't try a 29er. I am 400 miles in on the E160 S and very satisfied.

Cheers, I’ll take a look.

 

[The Hodge]

E160rs rider ..and previously on a Whyte T130rs ..both had / have 27.5 " wheels ..
First of all congratulations on choosing the right brand !..
I've only ever ridden one 29'er ( SC Hightower)in non ebike format and thought it had all the nimbleness of a barge ..so its a nod in the direction of the E160 from me ..
By the way ..at 48 yrs old you are still in nappies compared to a lot of us on here?

 

[Polst99]

E160rs rider ..and previously on a Whyte T130rs ..both had / have 27.5 " wheels ..
First of all congratulations on choosing the right brand !..
I've only ever ridden one 29'er ( SC Hightower)in non ebike format and thought it had all the nimbleness of a barge ..so its a nod in the direction of the E160 from me ..
By the way ..at 48 yrs old you are still in nappies compared to a lot of us on here?

?you made my day, I am still a youngster then ?. I feel I’m edging towards a E160 but not sure why one has 150 travel and the other 160. Does 10mm make that much difference?

 

[The Hodge]

Could well be because of the wheel size difference..?
Also the E150 came out earlier in the year ..

 

[Jamze]

I made the same decision last year - between the 29er 150 or the 160.

I already had a T-130S so knew how their 27.5 bikes rode.

What I ended up doing was demo an E-150 V1 and an S-120 29er which gave me an idea of how the 29er would feel. It was close, and still not sure I made the right decision ? My conclusion was the 29er would be better for big rides out on the Ridgeway, and the 27.5 more fun in the woods. As I ride both, I went for the 160S.

There's a Guy Kesteven review of the E-150 V2 on YouTube where he's riding with somebody on the E-160, he mentions how they compare when the 160 disappears into the distance on a DH bit.

 

[Polst99]

I made the same decision last year - between the 29er 150 or the 160.

I already had a T-130S so knew how their 27.5 bikes rode.

What I ended up doing was demo an E-150 V1 and an S-120 29er which gave me an idea of how the 29er would feel. It was close, and still not sure I made the right decision ? My conclusion was the 29er would be better for big rides out on the Ridgeway, and the 27.5 more fun in the woods. As I ride both, I went for the 160S.

There's a Guy Kesteven review of the E-150 V2 on YouTube where he's riding with somebody on the E-160, he mentions how they compare when the 160 disappears into the distance on a DH bit.

Thanks, I’ll have a look on YouTube. The vast majority of the time would be in the woods on my doorstep.

 

[nosuchuser]

I'm 5'10, 27.5 all day long. 29ers feel like too big for my preference. Understand the arguments for them but having ridden a couple they feel huge and unwieldy. 27.5 more fun imo...