Whyte isn't hanging around, launching their new e-180 MX Super Enduro eMTB hot off the back of Bosch's new Performance Line CX Race motor release. The new e-180 MX range includes an e-180 Works MX which is the first of the best electric mountain bikes to be confirmed to be specced with Bosch's best eMTB motor.
It's only the e-180 Works MX that is equipped with the new motor though, with the other two bikes in the range being fitted with the regular Bosch Performance Line CX motor. All the bikes feature big 750Wh internal batteries to cover a full day of racing or shuttling.
The e-180 MX has Whyte's rotated motor and low-slung battery configuration that helps make the Whyte e-160 and Whyte e-150 handle so well. The biggest change is the move from 27.5 front and rear to an MX (or mullet 29 front and 27.5 rear) wheel set-up, which is becoming increasingly popular for gravity bikes.
The bikes come equipped with 180mm of travel up front and 170mm of travel at the rear. The geometry reflects this gravity-following intention too, and Whyte has tweaked the numbers for the new e-180 MX.
The head angle is a degree slacker at 63-degrees while the seat tube remains between the 75- to 75.5-degree mark depending on the frame size. Reach also remains much the same as the old bike with 483mm on a large while the wheelbase has grown by 20mm to 1290.8mm on a large. The bottom bracket height has increased by 10mm, and the bike features a flip chip that adjusts this by 8mm. However, Whyte's press release doesn't specify whether the provided height is in the high or low setting. Interestingly, despite the move to a smaller rear wheel Whyte has kept the chainstays the same length at 444mm.
Whyte e-180 MX availability, range and specs
While all the specs are important, it's likely availability is of most interest as it could be the first chance for riders to get their hands on the new Bosch motor. Whyte says that all e-180 MX spec bikes are available to pre-order now at whytebikes.com with e-180 RSX MX available in late October. These will be followed by the e-180 S MX and CX Race-equipped e-180 Works MX in December.
Whyte e-180 WORKS MX
- Motor: Bosch Performance Line CX Race / 750Wh battery
- Suspension: RockShox ZEB Ultimate, 180mm Travel / RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate RCT (170mm)
- Groupset: SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS 12 Speed
- Cranks: Race Face Affect E-Bike, 165mm
- Brakes: SRAM Code RSC, 220mm discs
- Wheelset: Hope Fortus 30
- Tires: Maxxis Assigai 29x2.5in 3C MaxxGrip EXO+, TR / Maxxis Assigai WT 27.5x2.5in, 3C MaxxTerra, EXO+, TR
- Handlebar: Race Face Turbine R, 800mm
- Stem: Race Face Atlas, 35mm
- Seatpost: Crankbrothers High-Line 3
- Saddle: Fizik Terra Aidon
- Price: $TBC / £9,799
Whyte e-180 RSX MX
- Motor: Bosch Performance Line CX / 750Wh battery
- Suspension: Fox Float 38, Factory, 180mm Travel / Fox Float X2 Factory (170mm)
- Groupset: SRAM X01 Eagle AXS 12 Speed
- Cranks: Race Face Affect E-Bike, 165mm
- Brakes: SRAM Code RSC, 220mm discs
- Wheelset: Hope Fortus 30
- Tires: Maxxis Assigai 29x2.5in 3C MaxxGrip EXO+, TR / Maxxis Assigai WT 27.5x2.5in, 3C MaxxTerra, EXO+, TR
- Handlebar: Race Face Turbine R, 800mm
- Stem: Race Face Atlas, 35mm
- Seatpost: Crankbrothers High-Line 3
- Saddle: Fizik Terra Aidon
- Price: $TBC / £8,799
Whyte e-180 S MX
- Motor: Bosch Performance Line CX / 750Wh battery
- Suspension: RockShox ZEB, 180mm Travel / RockShox Super Deluxe Select R (170mm)
- Groupset: SRAM GX Eagle Lunar, 12 Speed
- Cranks: SRAM EX1, 165mm
- Brakes: SRAM Code R, 220mm discs
- Wheelset: DT Swiss Hybrid 30
- Tires: Maxxis Assigai 29x2.5in 3C MaxxGrip EXO+, TR / Maxxis Assigai WT 27.5x2.5in, 3C MaxxTerra, EXO+, TR
- Handlebar: Whyte Alloy, 800mm
- Stem: Whyte Enduro Stem, 35mm
- Seatpost: Whyte drop.it II Adjust
- Saddle: Whyte
- Price: $TBC / £6,799
