Whyte models....difference?

Mikerb

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
May 16, 2019
6,568
5,058
Weymouth
To keep myself busy whilst I wait to see if the police have any success tracing the scumbag that stole my Levo Comp, I am looking at what bike I should buy to replace it.....or not.

I was in the very lucky position of having the 2019 Levo Comp as my trail bike and a 2020 Whyte E180 RS as my Enduro bike. So I still have the E180 and I love that bike for gravity and gnarly type riding. It will do the job of a singletrack/ trail bike but leans towards being super stable and capable of hitting all the big lumps at speed, rather than being throw around/agile. Compared to the Levo it feels harder work on a ride that mostly consists singletrack and natural forest trails.........and that is mostly my local riding terrain. I have used the Whyte on trips to the Peak District and Wales etc confident it will cope with anything you throw it.

OK so that was my scenario. now with the Levo gone and possibly never to be seen again I am looking at options.
1. Just use the E180 and learn to tolerate the type of terrain it finds boring.
2. Complement the E180 with another trail bike......probably the E150 RS
3. Part ex the E180RS and get an E160 RS ( ie have just one bike)


If I chose option 2 my choice would probably be the Whyte E150 RS 2022.

So here are my questions for those that have tried different Whyte E models.

Is the E150 RS far enough apart from the E180 RS in terms of riding performance to emulate what the Levo did for me?

I have dismissed the E160 as being too close to the E180 to have both bikes.
 

Rahr85

E*POWAH Master
Sep 6, 2020
495
1,058
nottingham
How much power do you need? I'd be sorely tempted to go orbea rise h15 for a different feel to the 180.
 
Last edited:

Whitby Chris

Active member
Jul 13, 2021
145
84
Whitby
I have a 160rs v2, Its great for me what ever type of riding I do.... I have entered enduro races and found its great, also had a very bad off at Maclyneth earlier in the year and the bike took it well although I didnt :p:eek:. I do singletrack and its great. Also doing a lot of FoD as its my old local and now going to Hamsterley and on the downhill trails its great. To me its a great all rounder and i cant fault it. Single track, enduro, downhill I never regret the money I spent :). If I had to say one thing I am not sure on its I am debating changing the rear shock.
 

volts

Active member
May 15, 2018
343
266
DK
How much power do you need? I'd be sorely tempted to go orbea rise h15 for a different feel to the 180.
With a Rise you can have another shock and rear wheel and change it from 150/140 to 170/160 with much slacker geo in about 5 minutes. Saves you from having another bike. I like this setup, because then I can also fit in a DH bike in the fleet without filling up the house with bikes.
 

Giff

Active member
Subscriber
Oct 14, 2019
459
127
Cheshire UK
Has anyone compared an e160rs to an e180rs....would the e160rs be the same bike as the e180rs if you upgraded the components ?
 

Mikerb

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
May 16, 2019
6,568
5,058
Weymouth
No. E180 is longer, slacker and with significantly more travel and very different kinematics. It is more dedicated to Enduro and less all round than the E160. Whyte do a good job of tuning the E150, E160 and E180 specifically to their intended use...........E150 Trail, E160 All Mountain, E180 Enduro.
 

Giff

Active member
Subscriber
Oct 14, 2019
459
127
Cheshire UK
Thanks Mikerb. I have had an e160rs V1 for about 20 months and really like it..I have upgraded a few items and wondered if the e180rs would be better as the next bike as it does seem much better specced. I'm not an aggressive or particularly fast rider.
 

Mikerb

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
May 16, 2019
6,568
5,058
Weymouth
I would wait for a while..........the 2022 Whyte bikes will be different.
 

Giff

Active member
Subscriber
Oct 14, 2019
459
127
Cheshire UK
Good advice....I had wondered that with seeing the latest tech. No: 1 I hope they fit the new Kiox system.
 

Renton

Member
Aug 4, 2021
124
69
Droitwich
I had a 2021 Whyte e150s and to be honest found the rear end a little firm. Its also been measured as having only 134mm travel at the back by a few testers too.

Much preferred my Orbea Wild and the Gen 3 Levo i had
 

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