Furthering their low center of gravity design ethos, Whyte Bikes has just announced the new Kado eMTB lineup. Calling it their most capable and affordable eMTB yet, the Kado is a full-powered, 150mm travel bike built for trail or enduro riding.
The new Kado eMTB lineup includes options for full carbon, carbon/aluminum, or aluminum framed models. The bikes all come equipped with 29” wheels but can be converted to MX setups. Whyte went with Bosch drive systems, employing their newest Performance Line CX motors for all Kado models.
Whyte Kado – Frame Features and Specs
Depending on the model, the Kado features either a full carbon, carbon/aluminum, or aluminum frame. The bikes provide 150mms of rear travel, and all models come with 160mm forks.
Whyte equips their bikes with custom-tuned rear shocks, but they didn’t provide details on how exactly the shock is tuned. They do note the Kados are compatible with coil or air shocks. The Kados’ linkages rotate on phosphate-coated bearings packed with marine grease to ensure long-lasting performance.
A big priority in Whyte’s eMTB frame design is achieving the lowest possible center of gravity. The new Kados’ center of gravity is 12.5mm lower than Whyte’s previous mid-travel E-160 eMTB.
“By tilting up the motor, we’ve been able to slide the battery towards the bottom bracket and down towards the ground. This lowers the bike’s centre of gravity as much as possible, reduces the effect of the weight, and makes the bike more agile and a lot more fun to ride,” says Sam Shucksmith, Head of Mountain Bike Design for Whyte Bikes. Shucksmith also happens to be the National and Series Champion of the 2024 British E-Enduro racing series. Both titles were won on prototype Kados.
All Kado models come with 29” wheels, but they are MX-compatible. Riders can replace the stock “Shape.It” links with Whyte’s MX version to fit a 27.5” rear wheel. Swapping the link/wheel has no effect on geometry or suspension kinematics.
The Kados come with Trans-X Rad dropper posts on RS and S models, and KS Vantage posts on the RSX model. Small frames get 150mm posts, mediums run 170mm, and L/XLs get 200mm posts. The aluminum framed S model accepts a 30.9mm post, but the carbon front ends on the RS and RSX models run 34.9mm diameters.
All Kado frames are UDH/T-Type compatible, and rear axles are Boost 148mm. The frame offers ample clearance for 2.5” rear tires, and all frame sizes can accommodate a water bottle.
Kado frames feature fully sleeved internal cable routing through the front and rear triangles. For protection, they include chainstay and lower down tube guards.
Bosch Drive System:
The new Kados all get their power from the fifth generation Bosch Performance Line CX motor, which produces 600W peak power and 85Nm of torque.
The RSX and RS models feature an 800Wh Bosch PowerTube battery. The S model comes with a 600Wh battery, but a different version with an 800Wh battery is available in certain regions (which were not specified).
Whyte did not provide any estimate of the Kados’ range or charge time for the batteries. All models come with a 4A charger.
Except for small frames, the Kados can accommodate the Bosch PowerMore range extender, adding an extra 250Wh of capacity.
Whyte made sure the battery is easy to slide out of the frame so storage, swapping, or out-of-bike charging is a cinch. Whyte also noted they were able to maintain a strong down tube design by not cutting a large hole in it.
Bosch’s Mini Remote provides compact controls on the handlebar. The Bosch System Controller in the top tube houses the power button, plus indicates the assist level and battery life. Whyte gives the Kado RSX models a Purion 400 display unit too, so you can easily see your speed or other metrics as you ride. The drive system offers four assist levels to choose from, including Bosch’s power-regulating eMTB mode. Bosch’s eBike Flow App can be used to customize settings, update software, etc.
With all those electronic components, it’s reassuring to know Whyte has extensively tested the Kados year-round in wet, muddy U.K. conditions. The Kados include several weatherproofing touches (eg. sealed cable and hose ports) to keep your electronics safe and dry. The battery charge port was also located out of the path of rear wheel spray, and an integrated rear fender helps keep your bike cleaner.
Geometry:
All Kado models are available in S, M, L, and XL frame sizes. The Kado frames include a flip-chip that offers High and Low geometry settings. The Low position slacks out the bike by 0.6° and drops the BB by 8mms.
For a quick look at key geo numbers, the Kado’s head tube angles are 64.4° in Low position or 65° in High. Seat mast angles range from 77.5° – 77.9° depending on frame size. Reach on a medium frame is 460mm, while a large measures 485mm. Chainstay length on all frame sizes is 450mm, and BB height is 350mm (High) or 342mm (Low).
Model Lineup:
As noted above, the top-level RSX models have carbon frames, the mid-spec RS models are carbon front/aluminum rear, and the lower-end S models feature aluminum frames.
The AXS-equipped RSX models include one very nice touch – The derailleurs are wired in to get their power from the bike’s main battery. But what if you drain the battery, you ask? Whyte has cleverly wired the derailleur to the battery’s reserve lighting cells, so even if you run out of assist power there’s a little juice left to keep your derailleur working.
Weights for all models were not provided, but Whyte says a size medium Kado RSX weighs 24.2 kg/53.35 lbs.
Kado RSX: €8499
For full build specs on each Kado model visit Whyte Bikes’ website. Here’s a quick rundown of key components: The Kado RSX features a Fox Float X Performance Elite rear shock and a Fox Float 38 Performance Elite fork. It rolls on a pair of DT Swiss Hybrid HT1900 wheels. This model gets a SRAM S1000 AXS derailleur and AXS shift pod. Braking is handled by Magura’s MT7s with 203mm rotors.
The RSX model is available in two color options – Gloss Light Silver or Gloss Midnight Blue.
Kado RS: €7299
*Please note the Kado RS is built with some incoming components from SRAM. We can’t show you a photo just yet! Full build specs will be announced later in March.
The Kado RS gets a RockShox suspension package, with a Zeb Select up front and a Deluxe Select R rear shock. This model gets a WTB ST Tough front rim and an HTZ Trail rear rim laced to a sealed bearing rear hub. SRAM’s four-piston DB8 Stealth brakes with 220mm rotors ensure ample stopping power.
The Kado RS is sold in one color only – Gloss Dune Tan Yellow with Matte Black.
Kado S: €4999 (or €5699 with 800Wh battery)
The lowest-end Kado S runs a RockShox Deluxe Select R rear shock and a Psylo Gold fork. It rolls on WTB ST Tough rims front and back, laced to Shimano Center Lock hubs. This model offers an 11-speed Shimano Cues drivetrain, with Shimano M4100 four-piston brakes grabbing 220/203mm rotors.
Two color options for the S model are Gloss Dark Silver and Metallic Gloss Aston Green.
Whyte covers their Kado eMTBS with lifetime warranties on the frame (carbon or aluminum) and the pivot bearings to the original owner. Be sure to register your bike within 28 days of purchase, and see Whyte’s website for further details.
The new Kado eMTBs are available at Whyte dealers as of today. The bikes can be purchased through Whyte’s website and picked up at your local dealer.
