2025 Whyte ELyte EVO | Now with Bosch CX motor

Whyte has just released a new version of the acclaimed ELyte. Where the new Evo version gets MX wheels and the latest Bosch CX motor with 85Nm torque. Alan Muldoon takes the bike to the Forest of Dean for a first ride/review and to speak with Sam Shucksmith, the engineer behind the ELyte project. Alan also shares his thoughts on the new Whyte ELyte Evo Stag Works.

The current Bosch SX equipped Whyte ELyte 150 RSX is our SL E-bike of the Year winner, so with more torque, less noise and more control from the new Bosch SX motor, the ELyte Evo steps it up another notch.

With the bigger, heavier motor, and tougher casing Maxxis tyres, the weight of the top-end ELyte Evo Stag Works is now 22.34kg (49.25lb). So is it still an SL e-bike?

2025 Whyte ELyte Evo Stag Works Specification

Frame UD Carbon
Frame travel 142mm (140mm measured)
Shock Fox Float X Factory 210x55mm
Fork Fox 36 Factory Grip X2
Fork travel 150mm (44mm offset)
Motor Bosch Performance Line CX 85Nm, 600w peak power
Battery Bosch CompactTube 400Wh + 250Wh Powermore
Control unit Bosch Smart System Controller + Mini remote,
Hubs Hope Pro 5 110/148mm
Rims DT Swiss HX531 30mm rims
Front tyre Maxxis Assegai EXO+ MG 29x2.5in
Rear tyre Maxxis Minion DHR II DD MT 27.5x2.5in
Chainset Hope E-bike 36t, 155mm
Shifter SRAM AXS Pod 12-speed
Derailleur SRAM XO AXS T-type
Cassette SRAM XS 1295 10-52t
Brakes Hope Tech4 V4
Rotor sizes 200/200mm
Handlebar Race Face ERA carbon 800mm
Stem Whyte Trail, 32mm
Saddle Fizik Terra Aidon
Weight 22.34kg (49.25lb)
Sizes S, M, L, XL

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[trailpimp]

Well done Al. What a bike and Sam is such a legend. We had Whyte here in the US for a while and I love this brand.👊👊

[pa]

great review thanks for posting all specs in bio so i can check them fast

[davefreeman]

Now your talking, look at that colour also 👌great job Whyte 👏

[cornishcactus]

I've ridden the 23 160 and 180, and the 24 150 and 140.
The 160 and 150 were both size large and gave me lower back ache, the 140 and 180 were xl and fitted perfect.
I'm 5'11" and even the Whyte rep after my 140 ride didn't know why when I'm firmly in large sizing.
Quick take aways, the Tech 4's on the 150 are astounding, they went straight on my old 18 T130 the week after the demo.
The Level Ultimates on the 140 are horrifically bad at stopping a bike that rapid, the few grams saved were not worth it, bung the Tech 4 E4 combo on it.
I hated the 160 and 150, loved the 180 and 140, a good fit matters.

[rollingon]

Just makes me wish Whyte hadn't given up developing regular trail and enduro bikes and gone 'all in' on their ebike range. A new T-160 would have been mint, the old one's long in the tooth in terms of appearance even if it rides great

[jeanmarc_in_Hudson]

The end of mid-powered e-mtbs? Battery, tires, wheels, components all weight the same, only real difference is the motor. Great bike! 👍

[finbox]

Great work and information as always! Any idea if Bosch`s new 600wh battery can be fitted?

[Chrisuk]

How is your van for fitting a bike in? is it the SWB or LWB vito, looking for something I can fit a bike in without taking the front wheel out, what's it like to drive on long distances?

[Mockle]

If that was a fully modular, removable internal battery with 400 or 625 options and the range extender, that may well be peak EMTB trail bike right now. As it is it’s still a compelling option - I don’t understand why ANYONE would buy the SX version other than price, given the great discounts on the older SX-equipped model right now.
It’s a shame the Bosch battery architecture means you can’t drain the extender then remove it for when you are doing laps like you can with the TQ or Specialized, it seems a real miss to have to run them in a combined system.

Great real world video too 👍🏻

[andymoss]

What does SL actually mean, Short lived ?

Is a 400wh battery going to last 90minutes in Redlands at full power? Or are you going to have to constantly manage it? This bike vs the classic e160 full fat, which would you buy as your first e-bike, especially given the price difference….

[SPEEDRACEREVO]

What’s the size of the bike you are weighing?

[kentnilsson]

👉A real nice, good looking, well thought out bike👌

[KevBee]

Every CX motor and Fox 36 etc weigh the same, every time.. What would this "bike" weigh without the motor or batteries? If you provide details about the specific motor and battery weights we would be able to understand the build intention.
The question that remains unanswered is bike weight, over and over again. It's the only way to judge the strength of the build and how it compares.
Let's have a spread-sheet with component data or simply state the frame weight.?

[syncroGgolf]

Have to be honest I’d rather have this than the Amflow even if it is a couple of kg heavier.

[link]

That's Def not SL weight !, SL is really below 19kg, over 20/21 is just normal full power 🤷🏻

[rawmancemtb]

So real weight on a 750Wh battery is going to be 23kg and with range extender 24kg. The tradeoff just isn't worth it to have such a small battery and still weighs maybe 21kg. Full power needs full battery. 750Wh minimum. Would prefer 800Wh and a range extender option. Which I guess this bike might have as it is gen 5.

[TAZMON]

So two batteries to charge, I simply couldn't be bothered, or I could have been with a Bosch 600wh batter plus the range extender, now that would be a worthy combination, as it is, no thanks.

[chrismortimer]

Why weigh the thing without pedals? You can't ride a bike with no pedals. I don't understand that the bike industry thinks that is an acceptable practice. So really it weighs at least 22.7kg.

[golfiev]

I see Sam dosnt have that god awful Whyte. Emblem on the front of his bike?! Can you ask him how I take mine off please as I really don’t like it! Thanks.

[dit]

What a stupid motor + battery combo. At least make the battery removable...so you can have multiple.