The Whyte S-120 is an efficient and fun short-travel 29er. The aggressive geometry and practical suspension numbers are a recipe for a sensible daily driver. Unfortunately for the Whyte, performance is significantly hampered by a few poor component specifications and the tires are the most egregious. In addition, this bike is significantly heavier than other 120mm carbon fiber bikes. We'd rather have a full aluminum frame with a better component spec instead of a carbon fiber front triangle with some corner cutting. Complaints aside, this is still a rock-solid bike. Descending is stable and confident making this bicycle quite capable of handling high speeds and a little bit of chunk. Despite its 31lb+ weight, the S-120 scoots uphill efficiently. At $3,399, this bike is a decent value as it delivers nice performance, but will need a couple of upgrades to reach its full potential.
Whyte S-120 Carbon R 2019 Review
Cons: Weak tire specification, heavy for carbon fiber, harsh fork
Manufacturer: Whyte Bikes
Our Verdict
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 This Product
Whyte S-120 Carbon R 2019 | |||||
| Awards |  | |  | | |
| Price | $3,399 List | $5,099 List | $7,299.00 at Competitive Cyclist | $4,999 List | $5,399 List |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Cutting-edge geometry, proper reach measurement | Excellent climber, aggressive geometry, rim/tire combination | Excellent climbing abilities, impressive downhill performance, high fun factor, tremendous build kit | Well-rounded, modern geometry, fun on a wide range of terrain, more capable than previous model | Lightweight, playful, well-rounded, modern geometry, solid component specification |
| Cons | Weak tire specification, heavy for carbon fiber, harsh fork | Expensive, big impacts are less supportive, handlebars have too much backsweep | Expensive, pivots came loose a few times during testing | A little heavy for carbon, chattery over high frequency chop | Not a brawler, Fox 34 fork can be overwhelmed |
| Bottom Line | A new-school short-travel 29er that lacks the components to back up its aggressive attitude. | An aggressive 29er with geometry to get rad while retaining a sporty and nimble feel | A fantastic trail bike that blends superb climbing abilities with fun and well-rounded downhill performance. | The Santa Cruz Tallboy is a highly capable, versatile, and hard-charging short travel trail bike. | We loved the old version, but believe it or not, the new Ibis Ripley is even better. |
| Rating Categories | Whyte S-120 Carbon R | Ibis Ripmo GX | Yeti SB130 TURQ X01 | Santa Cruz Tallboy Carbon C S | Ibis Ripley GX Eagle |
| Fun Factor (25%) | |||||
| Downhill Performance (35%) | |||||
| Climbing Performance (35%) | |||||
| Ease Of Maintenance (5%) | |||||
| Specs | Whyte S-120 Carbon R | Ibis Ripmo GX | Yeti SB130 TURQ X01 | Santa Cruz Tallboy... | Ibis Ripley GX Eagle |
| Wheel size | 29" | 29" | 29" | 29" | 29" |
| Suspension & Travel | 4-Bar - 120mm | DW-Link - 145mm | Switch Infinity - 130mm | Virtual Pivot Point (VPP) - 120mm | DW-Link - 120mm |
| Measured Weight (w/o pedals) | 31 lbs 5 oz (Large) | 29 lbs 7 oz (Large) | 29 lbs 9 oz (Large) | 30 lbs 10 oz (Large) | 28 lbs 14 oz (Large) |
| Fork | RockShox Revelation - 120mm, 35mm stanchions | Fox 36 Performance - 160mm, 36mm stanchions | Fox 36 Factory - 150mm 36mm stanchions | Fox 34 Float Performance 130mm | Fox Float 34 Performance 130mm 34mm stanchions |
| Shock | RockShox Deluxe RT | Fox DPX2 Performance Elite | Fox DPX2 Factory | Fox Float Performance DPS | Fox Float Performance DPS EVOL |
| Frame Material | Carbon Front Triangle, Aluminum Rear | Carbon Fiber | Carbon Fiber "TURQ" | Carbon Fiber "C" | Carbon Fiber |
| Frame Size | Large | Large | Large | Large | Large |
| Frame Settings | N/A | N/A | N/A | Flip Chip | N/A |
| Available Sizes | S-XL | S-XL | S-XL | XS-XXL | S-XL |
| Wheelset | WTB ST i29 w/ Whyte Branded Hubs | Ibis 938 Aluminum Rims 34mm ID w/ Ibis Hubs | DT Swiss M1700, 30mm ID w/ DT Swiss 350 hub | Race Face AR Offset 27 with DT 370 hubs | Ibis 938 Aluminum Rims 34mm ID w/ Ibis Hubs |
| Front Tire | Maxxis Forecaster 27.5 x 2.35" | Maxxis Minion DHF WT 29 x 2.5" | Maxxis Minion DHF WT 29 x 2.5" | Maxxis Minion DHF 3C EXO TR 2.3" | Schwable Hans Dampf 2.6" |
| Rear Tire | Maxxis Crossmark EXO TR 29 x 2.25" | Maxxis Aggressor WT 29 x 2.5" | Maxxis Aggressor 29 x 2.3 | Maxxis Minion DHR II EXO TR 2.3" | Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.6" |
| Shifters | SRAM NX | SRAM GX Eagle | SRAM XO Eagle | SRAM GX Eagle | SRAM GX Eagle |
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM NX Eagle - 12 Speed | SRAM GX Eagle 12-Speed | SRAM X0 Eagle | SRAM GX Eagle | SRAM GX Eagle |
| Crankset | SRAM Descandent 32t | SRAM Descendant 30t | SRAM X0 Eagle Carbon 30T | SRAM Style 7K DUB 175mm (size Large) 32T | SRAM Descendant Alloy 32T |
| Saddle | Bike Yoke Devine | WTB Silverado | WTB Volt | WTB Siverado Pro | WTB Silverado 142mm |
| Seatpost | Bike Yoke Revive 160mm | KS LEV-SI-150mm | Fox Transfer 150mm | RockShox Reverb Stealth | Bike Yoke Revive 160mm |
| Handlebar | Whyte Alloy - 780mm | Ibis Aluminum Bar - 780mm | Yeti Carbon - 780mm | Race Face Ride 760mm | Ibis 780mm Alloy |
| Stem | Whyte 35.0 - 50mm | Ibis 3D Forged Stem 50mm w/ 31.8mm Clamp | RaceFace Aeffect R 35 | Race Face Aeffect R 50mm | Ibis 31.8mm 50mm |
| Brakes | SRAM Guide T | Shimano Deore XT | Shimano XT M8000 | SRAM Guide R | Shimano Deore 2 Piston |
| Measured Effective Top Tube (mm) | 643 | 628 | 628 | 620 | 625 |
| Measured Reach (mm) | 478 | 473 | 477 | 470 | 475 |
| Measured Head Tube Angle | 65.4-degrees | 65.8-degrees | 65.1-degrees | 65.7-degrees H / 65.5-degrees L | 66.5-degrees |
| Measured Seat Tube Angle | 75.2-degrees | 76.1-degrees | 76.8-degrees | 76.4-degrees H / 76.2-degrees L | 76.2-degrees |
| Measured Bottom Bracket Height (mm) | 336 | 343 | 335 | 337 H / 334 L | 338 |
| Measured Wheelbase (mm) | 1227 | 1220 | 1231 | 1214 | 1210 |
| Measured Chain Stay Length (mm) | 432 | 436 | 438 | 432 short / 442 long | 434 |
| Warranty | Four Years | Seven Years | Lifetime | Lifetime | Seven Years |
Our Analysis and Test Results
Should I Buy This Bike?
The S-120 Carbon R is an interesting choice for riders seeking a short travel bike with the angles to get radical. Although there are some glaring holes in the build kit, this bicycle has excellent bones and could easily be transformed into a shred-worthy bike with a minimal monetary investment. All-in-all, there is a lot to like with this bicycle. Stellar climbing abilities are met with stable and predictable descending prowess and a simple and proven suspension design. If this seems like the bike for you, we would recommend scrounging up an extra $600 and purchasing the $3,999 Carbon RS build with much-improved components.
Another bike to consider is the 2019 Giant Trance 29 2. The Trance 29 2 is an aluminum bike with 115mm of travel and a $3100 price tag. The Trance offers more confident downhill performance compared to the Whyte. If you frequently ride choppy or loose trails, we prefer the composure and planted feel of the Giant. Neither bikes are featherweights, both weighing about 31-pounds. That said, the Whyte has a better climbing position and the less aggressive tires roll quickly. The Trance is a better option for technical climbing thanks to its superior rear wheel traction.
Do you like to party? The Transition Smuggler is a ripping bike with a fun-loving and aggressive attitude. The Smuggler is a 120mm travel 29er that punches far above its weight class. The Transition is significantly more composed on the descent compared to the Whyte. When grinding uphill, the Whyte is a bit more efficient. Both bikes offer spacious and airy cockpits. We tested an aluminum Smuggler GX which sold for $3999. For 2019, complete bikes are only available in carbon fiber with build kits starting at $3999. You can, however, still purchase an aluminum frame for $1,999.
The new and improved Ibis Ripley is an exceptional short travel trail bike. The recent redesign of the Ripley has made this playful trail more well-rounded and capable than the previous version. The whole bike has been stretched out giving it more stability at speed, but it's not so long, like the S-120, that it's difficult to handle in tighter terrain. The Ripley also has a slacked out head tube angle that make it confident on descents and a steep seat tube angle for comfortable and powerful climbing and mountain goat-like scrambling abilities.
Frame Design
The Whyte S-120 rolls on 29-inch wheels but can also run 27.5+ tires up to 2.8-inches. This bicycle has 120mm of rear wheel travel and uses the tried and true 4-bar suspension design. It has a main pivot just north of the bottom bracket, a pivot on the chainstay just forward of the rear axle, and a pivot with a rocker link approximately halfway up the seat tube. The 4-bar suspension layout grants a lot of design freedom. Traditionally, this system delivers excellent bump compliance and a smooth feel. It does, however, rely heavily on the climb switch to reduce pedal bob.
We measured our large test bike. It has a 643 effective top tube and a 478mm reach measurement. The chainstays are 432mm long and the bottom bracket sits 336mm off the ground. The wheelbase measures a lengthy 1227mm. The head tube angle is 65.4 degrees and the seat tube angle is 75.2-degrees. Our large test bike hit the scales at 31 lbs 5 oz without pedals and set up tubeless.
Design Highlights
-120mm of rear wheel travel, designed around 120mm fork
-Quad-4, 4-bar suspension design
-Uses reduced offset fork
-29-inch wheels come stock/can run 27.5+
-Boost spacing
-Press Fit Bottom Bracket
-Carbon front triangle, aluminum rear end
-Available in small-XL
-Three build kits ranging from $3399 (tested) to $5299
Downhill Performance
The S-120 has the angles and attitude to get shreddy on the descent. The long and low geometry inspires confidence on steep trails and when the speedometer gets cranked up. Unfortunately, weak cross-country tires really limit how hard you can ride this bike. This is especially frustrating because it is very close to being a shredder. Complaints aside, downhill performance is good, if not thrilling.
The Whyte isn't an especially playful bicycle. Given its length and relative heft for its travel class, it prefers to be on the ground, rolling fast. Manuals, wheelies, and bonks aren't necessarily its strong suit. It isn't opposed to some trailside shenanigans, but it's longer wheelbase creates a more business-like attitude. If you're looking for a more playful short-travel rig, the Ibis Ripley and Transition Smuggler are better choices.
In years past, long and low geometry has been reserved for enduro bikes. The slack head tube angles and low-slung bottom brackets deliver excellent stability when charging downhill at high speeds. It also puts the rider in a better position on steep sections of trail. In the past year or two, short-travel bikes have been getting more aggressive geometry. When you combine a snappy and efficient short-travel design with aggressive angles, you are left with a shred-worthy, yet sensible, daily driver. This is exactly what Whyte was going for. When perched in the saddle, the S-120 feels like it wants to charge. The front axle is way out in front of the bars and it oozes stability. Shortly, we will get into some of the specification flaws that detract from performance, but it should be clear that this bike has good bones. The frame design is on point.
The 4-bar suspension design is both comfortable and effective. This tried-and-true design may not be the most exciting, but it works well. When charging over small to medium sized chatter, the rear end feels calm and composed. The suspension is quite muted and remains quiet as you pinball down the trail. The RockShox Deluxe shock is not a flashy specification, but it stood up well. We found the Whyte's suspension curve to be near perfect. It is supple enough on small bumps without blowing through its travel on bigger hits. This bicycle has a reasonable amount of anti-squat but trends towards the active side of things. This means the suspension moves under pedal loads. As you get on the gas on a downhill, the suspension isn't all that firm and you will move into the travel. This also lowers your bottom bracket and cranks. As a result, beware of high-speed pedal strikes on the descent. Nobody needs to clip a pedal at 25 miles per hour.
If you've been paying attention, we have a smooth and capable suspension design paired with aggressive, new-school geometry. You may be asking yourself "so what's the problem?" Well, the component specification, particularly the tires, are the proverbial party pooper. You have a bike that wants to go fast and be ridden hard, and Whyte outfitted it with weak rubber. The Maxxis Forekaster 2.35 front tire is okay at best. On the right soil, it can back up some aggressive movements. It performs best in softer conditions. In loose or loose-over-hard conditions, things get sketchy. The Forekaster has a tendency to wash out easily and it can be difficult to control. The Maxxis Crossmark II rear tire is drifty and has no braking bite. It works fine in a straight line but it is easy to lose traction in the corners. It is especially bad when braking through corners as the braking forces reduce the already poor traction. When it comes to shutting down speed, there is zero braking bite and the tire just slides.
The 120mm RockShox Revelation fork is decisively fine. We would never say it is plush, or that it feels good, but it works well enough as a stout fork. This bike came outfitted with SRAM Guide T brakes that needed a bleed immediately. Once we got the air out of the lines, they worked well enough. That said, mediocre brakes with mediocre tires is a recipe for disaster.
Climbing Performance
The S-120 is a capable and predictable climber. This bicycle is a little portly, but the extra weight isn't debilitating on the ascent. The Whyte is efficient although it does benefit from the use of the shock's climb switch. Handling is stellar for a bike this long, although proper line choice really helps in tight sections of trail. The components were a mixed bag on the ascent.
Despite its long and low geometry, the Whyte offers a pretty comfortable climbing position. The 75.2-degree seat tube angle isn't particularly steep or slack. A steep seat tube angle puts the rider on top of the cranks and transfers power more effectively. A slack seat tube angle puts the rider behind the bottom bracket and it can feel like the pedals are out in front of the rider's hips. 75.2-degrees is somewhere in the middle and delivers solid efficiency. The roomy 478mm reach measurement is airy. The cockpit is not cramped in the least and it offers plenty of space for the rider to shuffle weight around.
The Whyte's 4-bar suspension is fairly active. Under pedaling loads, particularly while standing, the suspension moves quite a bit. This can be beneficial for technical, ledgy, climbs. While it seems like suspension movement always reduces efficiency, more active suspension keeps your rear wheel in contact with the trail surface when things get chunky. On smoother, buff, climbs, the S-120 benefits from the use of the shock's climb switch. When you firm the shock up, this bike cruises uphill.
Climbing handling was quite impressive. The 1227mm wheelbase and slack 65.4-degree head tube angle is definitely noticeable but doesn't feel clumsy or clunky. To be sure, bikes with more conservative geometry like the Specialized Stumpjumper ST or Ibis Ripley offer more direct steering, but the Whyte does just fine. The longer running length creates a rock-crawler feel, if you can line this bike up and punch it up a technical pitch, the S-120 will crawl right up. Tighter, technical switchbacks can require some attention. As with most bikes this length, a well-laid-out game plan goes a long way. A clean and smart entry into the switchback is a recipe for success.
The component grouping functioned better on the climb compared to the descent. The less aggressive tires do have the benefit of rolling fast. When you're spinning up smooth trails, the Maxxis Forekaster/Crossmark II combination offers little resistance. As a result, this bike can feel pretty fast. Things go south when you are climbing loose or technical terrain while standing. The Crossmark rear tire has a tendency to spin out very easily given its lack of tread. As a result, riders need to be very careful not to lean too far forward and remove weight from the rear tire. The SRAM NX Eagle drivetrain is decisively fine. It certainly isn't the lightest or most crisp drivetrain, but it works and the 50-tooth climbing gear is nice and light.
Photo Tour
Value
At $3,399, the S-120 Carbon R represents a decent value. Whyte can't quite match the component value delivered by other consumer direct-brands like YT, Commencal, and Canyon. Even though you are getting a carbon fiber frame with the S-120 Carbon R, the aluminum options from the other consumer-direct brands aren't much heavier with significantly better components at lower prices.
Conclusion
The Whyte S-120 is a good bike that is hindered by some questionable components. Still, this bike has a good design platform. It scoots uphill quite effectively and has the attitude to shred the downhill. With a little bit of love, this could be an absolute weapon.
— Pat Donahue, Joshua Hutchens