WHYTE SAXON CROSS £1499

› Can Whyte’s mountain bike-inspired handling work on a ’crosser?

WWhyte’s UK designers have a reputation for pushing past accepted mountain bike-handling standards – and it’s obvious straight away that the Saxon Cross isn’t following conventional handling wisdom when it comes to drop-barred bikes.

Following the lead of its mountain bikes, Whyte has used a slacker head angle and a longer front end than normal to create a more pronounced self-correcting character to the steering. This immediately adds straight-line stability, which is great for confidence at higher speeds and/or on rougher terrain. But that same stability does mean you might have to recalibrate your steering reactions at first. Otherwise it’s easy to get drawn into the Whyte’s confidence and end up entering corners faster than you expect, then doubting your own bravery and sailing past the apex points and running wide.

However, should you use the short stem to push the bar more aggressively into turns you’ll find the Whyte fully committed and whipping around so fast it might startle you in completely the opposite way. Even when you’ve fully adjusted to the Whyte’s SPECIFICATION

Weight

naturally more confident and cocksure handling, you still have to give the rubber due respect – as it’s dealing with higher traction demands than normal. Thankfully the WTB Cross Boss tyres have a relatively soft compound and come tubeless as standard, maximising the supple rubber’s connection to the surface and reducing the chances of punctures.

The shortish 80mm stem and the accuracy of the 15mm thru-axled fork also help to manage cornering lines and tyre loading so you can take the tyres right to the edge of sliding and still get them back before your hip hits the deck.

The WTB Cross Boss tyres have a relatively soft compound and come tubeless as standard