Help with new bike purchase - Whyte, Cube or Haibike

[moseven]

Hi Guys, dipping my toes into this emtb game but first some help needed

So I've decided to buy a new ebike after hourse of research I've narrowed it down

1. Cube Stereo 160 HC SL - £4100

2. Whyte E160s - £5100

3. Hiabike XDuro allmtb 3.5

All three have Bosch motors which I prefer having ridden one briefly they seem very good.

The hiabike I like because they offer an option for another battery to increase the range and for all day rides I like this idea

I obviously prefer the price of the Cube BUT I dont mind paying extra for the others if it's going to be worth it?

With them all having the same Bosch motors - the decision for me will be "what handles the best"?

My style of riding is looking to the more "challenging" routes and trails

SO WHAT WILL BE THE BEST FOR THIS PLEASE?

Any help gratefully apreciated and ideally from someone who has ridden them.

The Whyte is always getting reveiws of "this bike handles like nothing else" etc so is this the one?

Hiabike appeals because of the add on battery but I suppose I could always purchase a second battery on the other two

The Cube obvoiusly appeals because of the price but I wouldnt want handling compromised because of this.

So an impossible choice?

All the best and thanks for any help

Mo.

 

[Blue Moon]

Take a look at the Trek Rail 7. I‘ve read on this forum it’s been voted best “budget” EMTB in a magazine. We’ve 2 in our family and they’re brilliant. With some haggling at an LBS you should get em down to £4500ish.

 

[MitchF]

Whyte of those three

or go up a model, Cube 160 HPC TM, that’s what I did, no regrets.

the 2021 160 Whyte is a special piece of kit

Don’t take too much time deciding ???

 

[simonk]

Without hesitation I’d be handing my hard earned over to the Whyte dealer.

 

[moseven]

Great stuff - thanks for replies so far. Whyte clear winner - So with the Whyte is it worth spending the extra £650 for Fox suspension and brakes/tyres (looks like they are the differences) for the RS model compared to the R?

RS comes with Fox float 38 compared with the Rockshox Zeb on the S
RS - Fox Float rear - S = Rockshox Delux
RS - Brakes SRam Code - S = Sram Guide
RS Mech - sram x01 eagle - S = Sram GX Eagle

I'm not clued up on the differences - the help is appriciated. Thanks again.
Mo

 

[steve_sordy]

I've had Whyte bikes before, designed by Brits for British conditions. The bearings come with a lifetime warranty.
Guy Kesteven's review sells it for me.


And if you prefer a written review:

Whyte E-150: First ride

Whyte’s new E-150 is the best handling e-MTB I’ve ever ridden

www.bikeperfect.com

 

[Philly G]

Another plug for the Whyte! Rode the 2020 model and loved it. Just didn't like the exposed cable routing under the motor, so ended up with a Trek Rail. But the 2021 Whytes have the cables routed better, I would go for it definitely out of your 3 choices. The one I rode handled very well indeed, my first ever e-MTB ride and I felt right at home. Also coming from the UK, the bearings are designed by Whyte to be well-sealed against the wet UK weather

 

[moseven]

WOW - I wasnt expecting this for the Whyte - a clear winner - Glad I asked.

So now one final bit of help for those in the know - £650 extra for the RS or go with the S - I like the colour better on the S though

all the best
Mo

 

[Philly G]

From the reviews I have seen, the Zeb and the Fox 38 are pretty close, the Fox has the captive axle (or whatever it's called) feature that gives it extra rigidity, I'd like that feature on my 29er Rail for sure. Don't know enough to say whether the Fox shock is better than the Rockshox, you'd imagine so, for the extra spend. Brakes and drivetrain definitely better on the RS model, you do want good brakes for these heavier bikes. Drivetrain though is a component that wears, so you could upgrade this yourself in time if you wanted. I would look at reviews of the Zeb and the Fox 38 and perhaps base your decision on that? But I'd be leaning towards the RS, if you have the extra cash to spend

 

[R120]

Definitely the Whyte imo, handling wise its brilliant, and its truly but for UK riding as it was developed and tested here - you quite often see Whyte with test mules out in the Surrey Alps.

The only thing worth pointing out with it is that the battery, whilst removable, is not designed or meant to be done regularly, meaning that you will need to charge the bike with the battery in situ and where the bike is stored.

 

[moseven]

From the reviews I have seen, the Zeb and the Fox 38 are pretty close, the Fox has the captive axle (or whatever it's called) feature that gives it extra rigidity, I'd like that feature on my 29er Rail for sure. Don't know enough to say whether the Fox shock is better than the Rockshox, you'd imagine so, for the extra spend. Brakes and drivetrain definitely better on the RS model, you do want good brakes for these heavier bikes. Drivetrain though is a component that wears, so you could upgrade this yourself in time if you wanted. I would look at reviews of the Zeb and the Fox 38 and perhaps base your decision on that? But I'd be leaning towards the RS, if you have the extra cash to spend

I agree but I think I like the colour better on the S - -

 

[moseven]

Definitely the Whyte imo, handling wise its brilliant, and its truly but for UK riding as it was developed and tested here - you quite often see Whyte with test mules out in the Surrey Alps.

The only thing worth pointing out with it is that the battery, whilst removable, is not designed or meant to be done regularly, meaning that you will need to charge the bike with the battery in situ and where the bike is stored.

Good advice - The extra battery is really for when planning big days out - I like the idea of a bolt on instead of carrying one on my back - Not sure if Whyte are going to bring out one of those add one bottle things or not.

 

[steve_sordy]

Ref the RS vs the S:
You can do a lot for £650. Stuff that matters to you, not the average rider For example, Rockshox do a load of stuff by which you can improve the performance of your suspension to get it exactly how you want it.

But if what you are getting for £650 appeals to you, then by all means get it, Whyte will be able to buy it better than you can.

 

[N9VNS]

Another vote for the whyte here. I’m slightly biased though as I’ve just bought a 160RS.

 

[moseven]

Ref the RS vs the S:
You can do a lot for £650. Stuff that matters to you, not the average rider For example, Rockshox do a load of stuff by which you can improve the performance of your suspension to get it exactly how you want it.

But if what you are getting for £650 appeals to you, then by all means get it, Whyte will be able to buy it better than you can.

Just what I'm thinking. I've read reviews on the suspension, nothing in it and I think I'd probably get more out of giving them to a suspension tuner to make it better anyway IF NEEDED - brakes look better on the RS bigger rotors as well from 200 on s to 220 on rs - slightly better tyres on the rs probably - I suppose it's going to come down to what colour I prefer really - For the groupset I'd probably downgrade it anyway when the time comes to the S version one or something else because of the cost.

My current thinking which will probably change at leaste 10x between now and when I order is to ge the S and put the extra towards a spare battery which should allow me some big days out.

GREAT HELP FROM EVERYONE - APPREICIATE IT - THANK YOU.

 

[R120]

I would go with the RS, the extra kit is worth it and nothing you need to change, except contact points to your preference

 

[simonk]

When I first saw the 160rs pop up on their site it was like somebody at Whyte had decided to design me a bike. I bagged one of the first ones in the UK and it’s pretty much perfect. I swapped out the levers to Code RSC’s as I already had them but otherwise left it as is. It’s a monster bike.

 

[moseven]

amazed about the love for the whytes - glad I asked - sounds like I'll be a new whyte owner soon

 

[MadsB]

I’ve got the 150S and had it 2 months, no issues or complaints at all. I don’t regret going for the RS yet ? absolutely brilliant bike that makes you grin!

 

[Varaxis]

+1 on Whyte. They have a reputation for bikes that are very trail and mountain-worthy. I'd pay a premium for one, as I see their engineering and design to be a clear step above many of the discount brands, but figure that ebikes will go full enduro with modern geo by the time I save up.

 

[MitchF]

If you’re going to be a bear, be a Grizzly ??

 

[kendo]

Hi Guys, dipping my toes into this emtb game but first some help needed

So I've decided to buy a new ebike after hourse of research I've narrowed it down

1. Cube Stereo 160 HC SL - £4100

2. Whyte E160s - £5100

3. Hiabike XDuro allmtb 3.5

All three have Bosch motors which I prefer having ridden one briefly they seem very good.

The hiabike I like because they offer an option for another battery to increase the range and for all day rides I like this idea

I obviously prefer the price of the Cube BUT I dont mind paying extra for the others if it's going to be worth it?

With them all having the same Bosch motors - the decision for me will be "what handles the best"?

My style of riding is looking to the more "challenging" routes and trails

SO WHAT WILL BE THE BEST FOR THIS PLEASE?

Any help gratefully apreciated and ideally from someone who has ridden them.

The Whyte is always getting reveiws of "this bike handles like nothing else" etc so is this the one?

Hiabike appeals because of the add on battery but I suppose I could always purchase a second battery on the other two

The Cube obvoiusly appeals because of the price but I wouldnt want handling compromised because of this.

So an impossible choice?

All the best and thanks for any help

Mo.

Vitus Esommet VRX...choose your spec, better them all by quite a way. £4,999 could get cheaper options. Better bike than those at twice the price.

 

[craige robertson]

Vitus Esommet VRX...choose your spec, better them all by quite a way. £4,999 could get cheaper options. Better bike than those at twice the price.

Thats got a shimano motor ! He wants a bosch, and he's made a wise choice. shimano gear great, but there motor is poor compared to bosch, perhaps this new shimano motor will be better, perhaps...

 

[Hobo Mikey]

Another vote for Whyte here, I got a 2020 RS for the price of the S and am very happy with it. The only thing I don’t like is the gear cable but hoping to get that sorted now the 2021 bikes have it done. If you search you may get a good deal on a 2020 bike.

 

[kendo]

Thats got a shimano motor ! He wants a bosch, and he's made a wise choice. shimano gear great, but there motor is poor compared to bosch, perhaps this new shimano motor will be better, perhaps...

Disagree, delivers the power best of all the motors, its not just about torque but how that powers is delivered, only quip is it is a bit noisier. Shimano E8000 motor is best in its class.

 

[craige robertson]

Disagree, delivers the power best of all the motors, its not just about torque but how that powers is delivered, only quip is it is a bit noisier. Shimano E8000 motor is best in its class.

Horses for corses i suppose, i live up cwmcarn so im climing just as much as going down, Demo'd a heckler yesterday, loved the ride just can't live with the motor, i have a 2020 levo and the brose is on another level compared to shimano, More power, quieter, Better tuning Ap, imo Brose does everything better. Suppose we should be comparing the old brose to the existing shimano as its so old. iv tried a whyte with the bosch Gen 4, and thats better again.

Anyway... Moseven wants a bosch powered bike.

 

[moseven]

Thanks for all the replies/help everyone - all helped and some got me thinking again which isn't great!! - but I'm going with the Whyte 160 hopefully the S but if they cant get them in the shops soon then I'll go with the RS

I'd love to be able to try a few different bikes back to back with different motors etc.

Not sure there will be anywhere this year to do this, with the covid situation and well sometimes you just need to get it done and bought...

looking forward to joining the ebike revolution - all the best. Mo

 

[kendo]

Horses for corses i suppose, i live up cwmcarn so im climing just as much as going down, Demo'd a heckler yesterday, loved the ride just can't live with the motor, i have a 2020 levo and the brose is on another level compared to shimano, More power, quieter, Better tuning Ap, imo Brose does everything better. Suppose we should be comparing the old brose to the existing shimano as its so old. iv tried a whyte with the bosch Gen 4, and thats better again.

Anyway... Moseven wants a bosch powered bike.

Horses for courses indeed, must choose to differ though, tried all brands of ebikes and accompanying motors and the Brose is good, over the last few years but the LEVO I found was still a clumsy bike when taking bigger hits and drops, Kenevo was pretty good but really a downhill specialist and I would have had one but wanted more enduro, Haibike Enduro 6.0 excellent in their build geometry and tried a few others but for those in the know VITUS are superb, great geometry and so well balanced in the toughest of trails in Scotland including Fort William DH. My advice would be as I say to many other riders on ebikes is not to get hung up on the torque power of the motor which many do as they want to blast up hills as fast as they can, As far as the E8000 motor goes the STunlocker is a brilliant app where you can change absolutely everything if you so wish. Whyte seems to be the trend at the moment and know a few riders who have been riding them...look forward to trying one out.

 

[R120]

I have the Vitus, and I still rate it as the best handling bike out there, but at the same time its long in the tooth now in terms of battery and motor - I have spent a bit of time on the 150 Why and it was my favourite of all the latest generation bikes.

 

[craige robertson]

Thanks for all the replies/help everyone - all helped and some got me thinking again which isn't great!! - but I'm going with the Whyte 160 hopefully the S but if they cant get them in the shops soon then I'll go with the RS

I'd love to be able to try a few different bikes back to back with different motors etc.

Not sure there will be anywhere this year to do this, with the covid situation and well sometimes you just need to get it done and bought...

looking forward to joining the ebike revolution - all the best. Mo

Great Choice, i think my next bike will be the E180.

You will love the world of emtb.