From the moment we first saw SRAM’s single-ring XX1 groupset back in 2012, we knew it would only be a matter of time before bike designers took advantage of the new technology to influence the frames of the future. Sure enough, after Whyte announced its single-ring specific T129 a few months ago, here’s another one — the long-travel gravity/enduro G-150 S.
Designing a bike around the 1×11 SRAM drivetrain is a brave move as it limits choice for the consumer, but eliminating the front derailleur does allow you to make some bold changes to the frame. Firstly, Whyte is able to run symmetrical chainstays, which are much stiffer than the conventional asymmetrical versions you see on bikes with front mechs. No front derailleur in the way means the main pivot can also be wider, and this puts less leverage on the bearings, so they should last longer. The straight chainstays mean that pedalling is much more direct, and losing the derailleur, chainring and all the other paraphernalia associated with front shifting also saves about half a pound in weight.

>>> Click here to find out more about geometry with our handy guide

While re-designing the swingarm, Whyte also took the opportunity to tweak the G-150 S’s mainframe. The straight pipes on last year’s bike are now shaped and curved, there’s a fully sealed integrated seat clamp called InterGrip, and the dropper routing now follows a more direct route through the down and seat tube (you can actually see it cross between the tubes in the pictures) rather than into the seat tube from the side. The same frame is shared across both G-150 models, the S here and a top-end Works version that retails for £3,999.

“Last year, we were amazed at how Whyte was able to offer such a high level of equipment for the money — and this year it has upped the ante even further”

When we tested the cheaper G-150 last year we were amazed at how Whyte was able to offer such a high level of equipment for the money — and this year it has upped the ante even further. Highlights include the RockShox Pike fork, Monarch DebonAir RT3 rear shock, a full SRAM X1 groupset and the latest SRAM Guide disc brakes. Whyte has even ditched the eight-year-old WTB Wolverine rear tyre for a more up-to-date Trail Boss to complement the excellent Vigilante on the front.