2018 Whyte 405 Blue

Whyte's 400 series sets out to provide serious bikes for younger riders, developed with the same technological innovation as their adult range. The choice of 26” wheels may seem large for a kids bike but a low bottom bracket keeps the standover height reasonable meaning there's no downside to the larger wheel choice. The upside of larger wheels is lower rolling resistance and greater surface area, when compared to 24” wheels, for improved conservation of momentum and handling. The 400 series 6061 hyrdo formed T6 aluminium frame is as much a product of Whyte's ideology on mountain bike frame geometry as all their top Works bikes. The front wheel of the bike is pushed out, for greater stability and self-correcting ability and the low bottom bracket results in a low centre of gravity for even more stability. Keen to not impede the ability for sharp turning, Whyte echo the design of their top bikes, with a wider than average handlebar, so that even small arms can generate a lot of leverage and whip the front wheel around when it counts. The back of the bike is very compact so it can be brought around nice and easily too. Just like any of their adult bikes Whyte design the 400 series frame with their BBX internal cabling system designed to weather proof cables and make them easy to manage. The seatpost comes with Whyte's “Get a Grip” clamp system, a weather-proofed quick release clamp designed to make it easier to change the position of the seatpost quickly and securely, even with small hands. Whyte's philosophy is just because its for kids, it doesn't mean it shouldn't be every bit as good as one of their adult bikes.

It's not just the frame that makes these bikes so good for younger riders. The 405's SR Epixon 100mm travel is a great fork, syncing up with Whyte's geometry nicely for top quality front end control and feel, key to getting the most out of any off-roading experience. WTB front and rear specific tyres, help to make the most of the geometry and suspension, with great grip a pre-requisite for the predictable handling all mountain bikes desire. Emulating all of Whyte's top bikes, Whyte kit the 405 with single chainring (SCR) drive. This keeps the 405 sweetly simple, with one less dérailleur and shifter for reductions in weight and maintenance, both greatly desirable on a kids bike. The 405 comes with SRAM's high quality 11 speed NX groupset. Pairing a 28 tooth chainring and a 13-42 cassette, it gives a great range of gears, for all the drive needed to get up hills and an equally generous top gear for when they want to stretch their legs. The 405 uses SRAM NX trigger shifter, the same style as found on their adult bikes, making the eventual transition onto bigger things feel more natural. Safety is of course paramount and Whyte equip the 405 with Tektro's trusty Auriga hydraulic disc brakes, perfect for keeping control and getting stopped in time. It may be targeted at a younger audience but the 405 is a proper bit of kit, equipped with similar components to Whyte's 800 series hardtails aimed at dedicated adult riders, so kids can also have proper off-road experiences.