As featured on the Whyte 19 Steel 631
For the ultimate steel frame we went straight to the masters of steel tubing technology – Reynolds. Manufacturing butted tubing for bicycle frames in the UK since 1898, and still producing the high end tubesets like 631 in Birmingham, as they have for 110 years, Reynolds still push the boundaries of what is possible with steel like no other manufacturer.
Why 631? As we designed the frame for the steel Whyte, we were clear on a few essentials; the frame must be strong, light and stiff but still have that essential compliant and “springy” ride we expect from steel. It must also exceed CEN test standards (as all frames in the Whyte range do).
631 met all these criteria perfectly, and actually even exceeded 853 in back to back ride testing when we were testing various prototypes to find the optimum ride feel – especially when combined with the classic and elegant compound bend rear stays we first used on the 19 Titanium
We’ve used the same, 120mm fork, award winning geometry as the rest of our trail bikes (such as the 905 and the 19 Titanium) – by most accounts some of the best numbers in the industry, and added BB30 bottom bracket for added power transmission/stiffness and reduced weight.
Also featuring our celebrated 19 dropout system, allowing adjustable geometry and even singlespeed/hubgear compatibility.