2018 Whyte 802 Compact Magenta

Whyte's 800 series consists of nippy aluminium hardtails, offering a sweet blend of fun, control and speed. The 802 is the compact geometry equivalent of the 801, it utilises the same components, but is designed to accommodate riders with proportionally longer legs and shorter torsos, as well as coming in an extra-small size for petite riders. Updated for 2018 the 800 series now has a dedicated single chainring (SCR) frame, with every 800 series bike now running an SCR groupset, for a plethora of benefits. Removing the front dérailleur and extra chainrings means that the chainstays can be symmetrical and therefore stronger and lighter, helping equalise weight distribution and improving rear end handling and responsiveness. The removal of excess components reduces weight on the right hand side of the bike and streamlines the design with less to maintain or potentially break. SCR drivetrains offer more than adequate gear ranges with the 802's cassette ranging from 11-42 teeth with a 30 tooth chainring at the front, for easy climbing and lively descent shredding.

The tweaks for SCR work in beautiful symbiosis with Whyte's highly regarded mountain bike geometry. Starting at the front with a slack 66.5 degree head angle and pushed out front wheel, the 800 series bikes are perfectly equipped to eat up the terrain and provide convincing stability; with a super compact rear end, aided by the SCR frame design, ensuring that snappy and reactive handling is not hindered by the long and relaxed front end. The 802 uses RockShox 30 Silver 120mm fork to enhance front end control and support, making it capable of gnarly trail work, but keeping it spritely enough for fast fun flowing runs.

British trail bikes face a range of climatic challenges and the 802 is ready for them. Benefiting from Whyte's BBX internal cable routing technology, cables are kept weather-proof and manageable. Similarly Whyte's “Get a Grip” seat post clamp protects against the elements whilst being easy to operate so you can re-position your seat post with ease. Tektro's Auriga disc brakes provide quality braking performance in all weather conditions, helping you master the trail all year round. Whyte's own hubs and rims are fitted with Maxxis front and rear specific tyres, rounding out the very capable 802 nicely. A great option for avid off-roaders who need a compact geometry bike, the 802 has all the hallmarks of an advanced British hardtail for just £899.