Whyte Suffolk 105

The Whyte Suffolk shares the same frameset as the Dorset that we tested a couple of years back. It's still a brilliant frame, especially for long or tough jaunts, and here you get some updated components and a move to full hydraulic braking. All in all it looks a pretty good bundle for its £1,299 asking price. 

For the 2016 season the Suffolk now comes in two guises: the one we have here on test, and the cheaper £1,199 option with Shimano 105 and TRP Hy/Rd disc brakes. Everything is pretty much the same except our test bike has the new Shimano 105 hydraulic brake levers and BR-R785 disc callipers for its £100 price increase.

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The bikes in the RD7 range, which includes both the Suffolk and Dorset, are designed to be good all-rounders. Something you can commute on during the week whatever the weather and then take to the lanes or hills at the weekend for a bit of adventure or light touring.

Taking cues from Whyte's cyclo-cross range, the RD7 frameset offers loads of clearance, plenty of stability and a neutral riding style to cope with whatever is under your wheels, but with the geometry given more of a traditional road tweak to further enhance its ability on the asphalt.

The fork is a cyclo-cross model, the theory being the extra 20mm length from crown to axle gives clearance for larger tyres and mudguards, allows a shorter head tube for stiffness, and puts the front wheel ever so slightly more forward, which reduces the chances of toe overlap.

That's the theory, but how does it all come together out on the road?

The ride

Impressively, is the simple answer. The Suffolk is such an easy bike to ride, so stable, so forgiving – it's absolutely spot on for the type of riding it's been designed for.

The steering is so neutral that the Suffolk will be ideal for newer riders as it never needs taming, even on the roughest of roads and greasiest of surfaces. But don't go thinking that it'll be too boring if you're a more advanced rider and like a bit of excitement. You can push the Whyte hard into the bends and it'll hold a line neatly with loads of feedback about what the front and rear wheels are up to. It hasn't got the pin sharp handling of a race bike – I wouldn't expect it to – but actually it's not far off, the tapered and oversized head tube really tightening up the front end. Going for a quick change of direction can be a little slower, for instance, but unless you're really trying to hold onto a wheel or something you aren't going to notice.

However, I must point out that all these results were achieved by upgrading the standard spec 28mm Maxxis Rouler tyres to Schwalbe Ones for the majority of the test miles. Although their rolling resistance is very impressive, the Maxxis just don't offer the level of grip the bike deserves, breaking away pretty much without warning even on dry roads. I couldn't leave them on for testing the Suffolk's handling to its limits because I just couldn't put my total faith in them. The frame deserves so much better.

When things aren't so frantic, the Suffolk is beautifully composed. The longer wheelbase – compared with a road racer – gives a stable ride even when off road, on gravel towpaths and that kind of thing. One of the test rides I carried out was in the dark with one of the many storms blowing sleet, branches and all sorts of debris about in its 50mph wind, and the Suffolk was really in its element. Even a strong sideways gust from a gateway did little to upset its composure, the type of dependable attributes you want from a bike when you're sharing a commute home with rush hour traffic.

Those mild manners make for a machine that is suited for long hours in the saddle as does the impressive level of comfort. Aluminium alloy frames have a reputation for being harsh and in some cases that's totally justifiable. The Suffolk frame isn't one of the most refined that we have seen over the last six months, but it's far from crass or unyielding.

Considering its stiffness levels, though, it is still a very comfortable bike with a decent level of shock absorbance, helped out by the large volume tyres and sensibly padded own-brand saddle.

Those stiffness levels help the Suffolk to climb too, as you certainly don't feel you're wasting any effort through the bottom bracket as you crank out of the saddle. It'll come as no surprise, given its 10kg weight, that it's no spring chicken up the ascents but it's no slouch either. And the fact that Whyte has specced an 11-32 cassette and 50/34 compact chainset makes things easier with a few bailout gears on offer.

Frame & fork

At the heart of the Suffolk is the RD7 frame, designed in the UK and built in Taiwan from 6061-T6 aluminium alloy to Whyte's spec. That includes custom drawn tubing with regards to butting and size before being hydroformed (using high-pressure fluid) into the shapes you see here – adding stiffness while reducing weight plus bringing in some flex where it's needed.

You get internal cable routing which not only gives the frame a clean, smooth look but also keeps the cables out of the elements during winter.

The fork also has internal hose routing for the front disc through the carbon leg, which stops it getting snagged.

Overall finish is high. The welds might look a little on the agricultural side but it's not something that bothers me on a bike like this; they haven't been sanded down, but covered with the matt paint job they help the bike look purposeful, a tool for the job. That paint will take some whacks too before you end up scratching it.

As far as the geometry goes, it's pretty racy. Our 54cm comes with a 555mm top tube, 160mm head tube and steep 73/73.5-degree head/seat angles, which creates that forward sitting position and positive handling, even though at its heart it's very much an endurance style beast – a bit of aggression never hurt anyone!

Whatever the numbers, the Suffolk just feels right beneath you. I've mentioned its stability already, and it's because of the geometry that the Suffolk feels so planted. Your body weight is exactly where it needs to be. It's confidence-inspiring.

Finishing kit

For your money you are getting a decent specification. For year-round, all-weather commuting and general riding, disc brakes are becoming a real must-have, especially if you are on roads mixing it with a lot of traffic; you want that knowledge that you're going to be able to stop effectively and efficiently, wet or dry.

Whyte obviously takes this into account as brake specification has always been key to its builds. The Dorset model that came out after the one we tested actually dropped its groupset down a rung from Shimano Tiagra to Sora to facilitate better TRP Hy/Rd brakes for the same price – a bold move by a manufacturer, but a very sensible one.

It's no surprise then to see Whyte has opted for Shimano's new 105 (RS505) hydraulic disc brake setup, with the slight price increase over the Hy/Rd-equipped model.

Dave Atkinson tested the brakeset recently, so I won't go into massive amounts of details, but suffice to say they are a welcome addition, offering very controllable and modulated braking both front and rear, here paired with BR-R785 callipers and 160mm rotors.

There hasn't been a whole lot of love for the looks of the ST-505 shifters and I, too, am not a massive fan. I didn't find the shape of the hoods quite as comfortable to ride as Shimano's higher spec hydraulic levers either.

Another sacrifice you have to make with the ST-505s is with the shifting quality. It's nowhere near as good as the mechanical 5800s can offer, in fact I've found the latest Tiagra generation to offer a crisper, more positive gear change. 

The ST-505s have lost that positive click as each gear snicks into place, replaced by a vague feeling of never quite knowing whether the gear has gone in or not, especially on the down shift. It's not really something I'd be willing to accept even with the improved braking performance; if it was my money I'd probably be looking at the cheaper Suffolk option.

> Check out some more options in the £1,000-£1,500 price range

Shimano 105 makes up the majority of the group, with the only deviation being the FSA Gossamer Pro Evo chainset. It's a nice bit of kit whose stiffness and shifting is comparable to the Shimano unit it takes the place of.

To keep costs down Whyte uses a lot of own branded components and there is no shame in that as it all seems to be good quality stuff, with tasteful logos and a bit of colour coordinating with bolts and the like giving the Suffolk a very complete, expensive look.

The saddle is a high point, with just enough padding to be comfortable without being squidgy. I like a firm saddle and this seems to strike a decent balance for long rides.

The wheels are Whyte's own too. Using 32m-deep alloy rims and a very sensible spoke count of 32 rear and 28 front, they may be a chunky set of wheels but they are right on the ball for what's required for the type of bike.

There weren't any issues with trueness or reliability over the test period, and they certainly saw some grim conditions. Nearly every ride was a wet one, with the sealed bearings of the hubs keeping water and grit at bay.

You also get lockable wheel skewers, should you need to leave the bike out in the open.

I've mentioned the tyres already, and I'll repeat that I'd recommend upgrading to something stickier because grip isn't that great. They are fast rolling, though, and pumped up, with a smooth road surface, you'll be buzzing along at a decent old lick.

Conclusion

Overall, I think the Suffolk is a brilliant bike, a great design delivering totally on its brief. It's not the lightest, the fastest or the most nimble, but that's not what it's about. It's about getting you out there whatever the conditions, or to try out that road you've never been down before – and if the tarmac disappears, well, who cares, the Suffolk will just take it in its stride.

For me, the flies in the ointment are those tyres and I'm not exactly smitten with the shifting from the Shimano levers. Neither are things I, personally, could live with. Don't let it take too much shine away from the overall package, though. The Whyte frame is one of the best out there for this type of bike, and with sensible finishing kit it comes in at a competitive price point.

* Please note, the buying link at the start of the review is for the full-105 model, while the shop link below is for the 105 mechanical/TRP Hy/Rd brake model – which would be Stu's choice.

Verdict

An excellent frame with great riding characteristics but let down by its tyres