Designed as a metropolis e-bike, the Whyte Rheo 3 is full of options to make travelling by bike as easy and as simple as potential. 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 dwell 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 dwell.
Building
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 pattern of including entrance suspension and higher-range batteries to e-bikes, as seen on bikes such because the Specialised Turbo Vado, in favour of preserving the general weight down as a lot as potential 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, in line with 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 possibly can’t improve the body geometry,” Alexander explains, including that the placement of the battery as little as potential within the down tube creates a low centre of gravity that can guarantee sure-footed dealing with and assured journey really feel.
When it comes to vary, as at all times, it is close to not possible to foretell as a result of exterior components, corresponding to velocity, rider weight, terrain, and even temperature all impression 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 might 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 offers 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 means that you can increase and decrease the saddle as you want for straightforward 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, extensive, high-volume Maxxis Reaver Tanwall 45c rubber for a assured and cozy journey alongside potholed city streets or tough, uneven rural terrain.
The bar profile and attain and stack dimensions present a snug upright journey.
(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, offers an upright using place. Alexander explains that the design borrows from modern mountain bike geometry to assist riders really feel assured with the Rheo 3’s dealing with whereas guaranteeing a nimble entrance finish.
The Experience
The Rheo proved simply as competent within the woods because it did within the city
(Picture credit score: Future)
With its extensive, 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 mistaken.
City to rural, flat to hilly, tarmac to trails, all had been tackled with the identical ease as if it had been purpose-built for every using terrain.
The nine-speed Shimano Cues drive practice and hub-based Kynamic motor are a fantastic mixture. Even residing in a hilly location, I discovered that stage one or two of the three pedal help choices had been enough. Stage three help was reserved for tackling the steepest climbs, usually those after a lifeless cease when surrounded by visitors and I needed to energy out of potential hurt’s method.
I admire 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 would uncared for to knock the facility ranges again as soon as on the summit, I might be slung across the subsequent nook.
Moderating motor stage earlier than any descent is one to look at for, particularly in case you are 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 a detailed second to cargo bikes as a automotive substitute choice. I liked the built-in setup, by no means having to recollect to cost or connect lights, and the mudguards and rack had been a fantastic addition. My solely gripe was that the cable strains minimize 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 once I wanted the headspace for a motorbike journey 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 journey into the hills, I may return nonetheless recent sufficient to take a seat on the laptop computer with out having damaged a sweat.
Initially perplexing, the dropper seat put up made sense once I inspired my bike-riding novice sister to hop aboard the Whyte. Mixed with the step-through body design, the dropper seat put up allowed her to really feel assured with each ft on the bottom when stopped, however then to regulate the peak again up for a a lot 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 numerous stage 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 journey of 10 miles (25km), with stage one help used sporadically, and stage three as soon as to beat 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 check, I discovered it wasn’t fazed by any terrain or topography.
It was a fantastic 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 journey.
The value of the Whyte Rheo 3 makes a particular mark on the e-bike market. It is low sufficient to provide the top-end e-bike conversions, such because the Skarper, a run for his or her cash, and has a extra delicate energy help. Additionally it is considerably cheaper than many e-bikes.
Evaluating the Whyte Rheo 3 immediately with the Specialised Turbo Vado, it shares related ranges of versatility but it surely’s a couple of third inexpensive and 10kg lighter.
Specification
- Body and forks: 6061 alloy, 12mm thru-axle, mudguard mounts
- Drivetrain: Shimano Cues, 9 velocity, 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)
