Designed as a metropolis e-bike, the Whyte Rheo 3 is filled with options to make travelling by bike as easy and as straightforward as attainable. From built-in lights to the rear rack that is able to load, this electrical bike ought to make getting about city a breeze.
However what in case you do not reside in a city? Can all these features nonetheless be put to make use of within the rural hills? I hopped on to seek out out if the Whyte Rheo 3 is without doubt one of the greatest electrical bikes for any rider no matter the place they reside.
Development
On the coronary heart of the Whyte Rheo 3 are an aluminium body, hub-based motor and 250Wh inside battery, teamed with a straight-bladed alloy fork. This deviates from the present development of including entrance suspension and higher-range batteries to e-bikes, as seen on bikes such because the Specialised Turbo Vado, in favour of protecting the general weight down as a lot as attainable to a claimed 16.9kg/ 37lbs (dimension medium).
Whyte says that the Kynamic hub motor will ship 450W of peak energy with 45Nm torque. Evaluating this once more to the above Specialised, it has a smaller battery, with virtually half the torque. Nonetheless, based on Whyte’s Cheif Designer, Ian Alexander, the Rheo 3 nonetheless delivers a excessive power-to-weight ratio.
Battery location has additionally been a key design side of the Rheo 3, with Alexander drawing on the model’s off-road bike expertise, explaining that it is vital to get proper. “You may’t improve the body geometry,” Alexander explains, including that the placement of the battery as little as attainable within the down tube creates a low centre of gravity that may guarantee sure-footed dealing with and assured trip really feel.
When it comes to vary, as all the time, it is close to not possible to foretell as a result of exterior components, resembling pace, rider weight, terrain, and even temperature all affect efficiency. Whyte suggests wherever between a 20 to 65-kilometer vary, with a 3.5hr cost time from empty to full, though an after-market vary extender shall be obtainable from this December.
The Rheo 3 is specced with a Shimano Cues drivetrain
(Picture credit score: Future)
The frameset and electrical set-up are tied along with the revered Shimano Cues 9-speed groupset, and intriguingly a Whyte dropper seatpost, which supplies 100mm drop. Whereas not maybe an apparent addition to a hybrid e-bike, the crew behind the design say it is a very sensible addition that permits you to increase and decrease the saddle as you want for simple on- and offs, versus aiding in tackling steep off-road terrain and hole jumps.
The bike is mounted on Whyte’s own-brand wheels, with WTB STp I27 rims. Tyres are fast-rolling, broad, high-volume Maxxis Reaver Tanwall 45c rubber for a assured and comfy trip alongside potholed city streets or tough, uneven rural terrain.
The bar profile and attain and stack dimensions present a cushty upright trip.
(Picture credit score: Future)
Up entrance, the Whyte one-piece bar and stem has a 720mm width, 20mm rise, seven-degree backsweep and four-degree upsweep. Stack is 599mm and attain is 435mm for a dimension medium, which, together with the cockpit, supplies an upright using place. Alexander explains that the design borrows from up to date mountain bike geometry to assist riders really feel assured with the Rheo 3’s dealing with whereas guaranteeing a nimble entrance finish.
The Journey
The Rheo proved simply as competent within the woods because it did within the city
(Picture credit score: Future)
With its broad, chunky tyres and mountain bike aesthetics, I instantly judged the Whyte Rheo 3 as a do-all, go-anywhere electrical bike. And I wasn’t far fallacious.
City to rural, flat to hilly, tarmac to trails, all have been tackled with the identical ease as if it have been purpose-built for every using terrain.
The nine-speed Shimano Cues drive practice and hub-based Kynamic motor are an excellent mixture. Even dwelling in a hilly location, I discovered that degree one or two of the three pedal help choices have been enough. Degree three help was reserved for tackling the steepest climbs, usually those after a lifeless cease when surrounded by site visitors and I needed to energy out of potential hurt’s method.
I respect its responsiveness and the slight overrun of the motor 99% of the time, which prevents that jerky ‘on/off’ really feel that was noticeable on the Mycle Cargo electrical bike. Nonetheless, when relying considerably on help up a hill, I discovered that if I might uncared for to knock the facility ranges again as soon as on the summit, I may very well be slung across the subsequent nook.
Moderating motor degree earlier than any descent is one to observe for, particularly if you’re a nervous rider. That mentioned, the surefooted nature of the bike goes a great distance towards constructing rider confidence.
Apart from incapacity for human carrying, the Whyte was an in depth second to cargo bikes as a automobile substitute possibility. I liked the built-in setup, by no means having to recollect to cost or connect lights, and the mudguards and rack have been an excellent addition. My solely gripe was that the cable traces lower throughout the entrance gentle beam. It is a fast repair for the model, however one which I wasn’t in a position to do with out rewiring.
I discovered myself simply hopping on the bike after I wanted the headspace for a motorcycle trip however did not have the vitality for a full outfit change or a bodily exercise. With the Rheo 3 I used to be in a position to pop on a pair of trainers, a heat jacket, gloves, helmet and be out of the door in just some minutes. After a bracing trip into the hills, I might return nonetheless contemporary sufficient to sit down on the laptop computer with out having damaged a sweat.
Initially perplexing, the dropper seat publish made sense after I inspired my bike-riding novice sister to hop aboard the Whyte. Mixed with the step-through body design, the dropper seat publish allowed her to really feel assured with each ft on the bottom when stopped, however then to regulate the peak again up for a significantly better using place.
Watching my sister using the bike made me realise simply how gentle the Whyte Rheo 3 is in comparison with its e-bike friends. Whereas I discovered it nimble sufficient to manoeuvre in tight turns or gaps, my bike-riding novice sister wanted to manhandle the bike extra, which she did with absolute ease due to its light-weight.
After all, it’s light-weight as a result of the battery is small, which hampers vary. On hilly terrain and cooler days utilizing plenty of degree two help, I used to be near utilizing 75% of the battery in solely 20 miles (45km).
Nonetheless, it is so light-weight that for a flat trip of 10 miles (25km), with degree one help used sporadically, and degree three as soon as to overcome the house hill, the battery remained virtually full for the length, solely dropping right down to 80%.
Worth and conclusion
The Whyte Rheo 3 is an agile and nimble e-bike that’s able to city and rural forays. It is quick rolling and on take a look at, I discovered it wasn’t fazed by any terrain or topography.
It was an excellent addition to the family, utilizing it for errands, enabling mixed-ability household rides and even simply heading out for a refreshing cycle with out the faff issue usually related to a sweaty conventional trip.
The worth of the Whyte Rheo 3 makes a particular mark on the e-bike market. It is low sufficient to offer the top-end e-bike conversions, such because the Skarper, a run for his or her cash, and has a extra refined energy help. It’s also considerably cheaper than many e-bikes.
Evaluating the Whyte Rheo 3 instantly with the Specialised Turbo Vado, it shares comparable ranges of versatility nevertheless it’s a few third cheaper and 10kg lighter.
Specification
- Body and forks: 6061 alloy, 12mm thru-axle, mudguard mounts
- Drivetrain: Shimano Cues, 9 pace, 11-46t
- Motor: Kynamic hub motor, outputting 450w peak and 45Nm torque
- Battery: 250Wh internally mounted
- Brakes: Tektro T3020 hydraulic
- Seatpost: Whyte dropper 100mm drop
- Tyres: Maxxis Reaver Tanwall 700x45c
- Saddle: White customized
- Weight: 16.8 dimension medium (claimed)
