AS FEATURED ON THE E-120
Despite the increased stresses placed on a mountain bike, the way in which the rear wheel is clamped into an XC frame has not fundamentally changed for 100 years, except from the addition of a quick release! Some downhill bikes feature oversize bolted through-axle systems which were originally designed for use on high performance motorbikes because they offer significant stiffness benefits, however this system is not particularly user friendly because it lacks a quick release facility and requires special non-standard hubs.

Whyte's patented "Big Gripper" dropout system offers all of the stiffness benefits of a through axle, but with a slick quick release system that allows you to remove your wheel as fast and easy as a conventional QR. When the dropout is opened it swings the rear derailleur back, moving the jockey wheel and chain out of the way and allowing the rear wheel to be removed with ease. When the rear wheel is clamped into the dropout it is supported by the wrap around clasps through a full 360 degrees, unlike a conventional dropout which only clamps through 180 degrees. This has the dual advantage of increasing stiffness and also ensuring exact wheel alignment time and again, a real benefit for use with disc brakes.

Any standard 135mm hub can be converted to fit the Big Gripper system. This allows riders to up-grade their wheels at any time and still enjoy all the added benefits of the Big Gripper system.