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Whyte is a British bicycle company established in 1987 as ATB Sales, the brand was established in 1999 by Jon Whyte. The bicycles are manufactured for Whyte in Taiwan. and then distributed to shops in the UK and Europe and the rest of the world.[1] Whyte's first bike back in 1999 was a full suspension machine and had a girder fork with twin wishbones, with a main frame made of two halves welded down the middle, and used Fox shocks for both fork and swingarm. The prototype's appearance was likened to Preston the robot dog of Wallace and Gromit fame, which later gave the production bike its name, the PRST-1.
| Formerly | ATB Sales |
|---|---|
| Company type | Private |
| Industry | Bicycle |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Headquarters | , |
| Products | Bicycle and Related Components |
| Website | whytebikes |
Jon Whyte
editThe brand was established in 1999 by Jon Whyte, who had previously helped to develop aerodynamics and suspension systems for Benetton Formula, most notably the 1994 Formula One title winning B194. He later joined ATB Sales Ltd as chief designer and helped to develop the full suspension system for Marin, ATB's then UK distributor. This helped Paul Lasenby to win the national championship in 1996, the first for a full-suspension bike. The suspension system later became the Whyte Integrated Fork System. By 2002, the company sold its 1000th bike. Whyte would leave after 11 years to set up his consultancy business in 2006; ATB retained the name rights to the Whyte brand.[2][3]
Present
editAs of 2021 the range comprises Childrens/Youth, Commuter, Gravel, Road, XC, Trail, and Enduro ranges, with E-bike versions in several of these categories.
The RD7 range is a road bike but with disc brakes and a more relaxed design, named after UK counties and places. A common frame is used on all models: the wheel set, forks, group set and brakes are changed as the price increases.
Whyte continues to collect awards for their designs, which are always on the pulse with current trends in geometry and equipment, backed up by superb value for money and after sales service[citation needed]. Whyte also have their own line in accessories, some designed specifically to fit their bikes, including mudguards, saddles, grips, and handle bars.
In 2019, Whyte won a court case against British drinks company Rich Energy, regarding the potential theft of their stag logo.
In November 2023, Whyte announced a rebranding along with the launch of a new range of electric bikes, including the E-Lyte lightweight mountain bike and a new line of hybrid bikes called the RHeO series.[4]
in February 2024 Whyte announced their CEO and chairman, Nikki Haywes, formally of Cannondale bikes.[5]
Further reading
edit- BikeBiz (1 November 2000). "Whyte aims to get its folder under £1000". BikeBiz. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- BikeBiz (24 September 2004). "MTB designer Jon Whyte produces folding bike range". BikeBiz. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- BikeBiz (5 February 2000). "The Whyte stuff". BikeBiz. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- BikeBiz (17 May 2000). "Preston for time". BikeBiz. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- Trapp, Roger (16 November 1997). "Formula One know-how drives Jon's super-bike". The Independent.
- Cunningham, Richard (22 August 2018). "Now THAT Was a Bike: Whyte PRST-1". Pinkbike. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
References
edit- ^ "Interview: Whyte's Ian Alexander talks geometry, 29ers and the future of mountain bikes". Bike Magic. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
- ^ BikeBiz (19 September 2006). "Jon Whyte sets up consultancy business". BikeBiz. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ BikeBiz (19 February 2002). "ATB Sales sells 1000th Whyte bike". BikeBiz. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ dimesuper. "4 highlights from Whyte's 2024 range | New electric mountain and hybrid bikes unveiled". www.bikeradar.com. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
- ^ Blackham, Daniel (7 February 2024). "Whyte Bikes announces new CEO and chairman". BikeBiz. Retrieved 10 February 2024.