Forum menu
My main gripe is the name! As silly as it is I wouldn’t want a bike branded with their surname.
Specifically theirs, or brand name that’s the founders surname?
Specifically theirs, or brand name that’s the founders surname?
Not really thought about it for anyone else. Like I say I am not quite sure why I feel like that, and it also doesn't matter as I wouldn't buy one anyway as they are out of my price range.
On the price, I don’t think they are in the same market as SC/Yeti/sworks (yet). Comparing them to Antidote, Unno, Huhn, Actofive, project12 etc and other niche boutique euro brands puts them around the same price as those. While some well heeled noobs might buy a couple, I think it will be folk who have been riding a while, and want to build from a frame up.
Had I not just built something else, I’d be seriously considering one.
My main gripe is the name! As silly as it is I wouldn’t want a bike branded with their surname.
Same here. If you're going to all this effort to create a bike company you could at least give it a proper name.
Specifically theirs, or brand name that’s the founders surname?
A bit of both for me in this case.
Avengers graphic, 150 travel (seems low for purpose), expensive, longevity (what happens if an untested company folds in a year and you need parts?).
Prices are,as expected, high, but next to other ’boutique’ options like Yeti’s Turq series and SC CC models they’re cheaper for one of the numerous off the peg options, and same ballpark for the custom.
I know it's the 'cheaper' C carbon, but for less than the cost of the base Atherton model you can get a Hightower C in XT spec with better forks, wheels (inc I9 hubs), finishing kit (carbon bars & Burgtec stem).
If you've got the money then the higher spec Atherton seems better' value' with nicer Stans wheels, X01, RSC brakes (I'd still want Codes instead), carbon bars and Fox Factory suspension for just over £1K more.
€374 for postage to Austria? Bargain
Not sure they've to the visual appeal of an Antidote or an Unno though. They've got a much more functional look to them, which is a big thing at that end of the market
Interesting. I reckon I could name more car brands named after founders than not. Doesn’t seem to be a problem there. Is it because you know of them more through racing first, and have read loads of interviews/feel like you know them?
Or that it’s just not a very exotic name? Like Gary Fisher…
Not sure they’ve to the visual appeal of an Antidote or an Unno though. They’ve got a much more functional look to them, which is a big thing at that end of the market
There’s folk that will buy a £200k Land Rover Defender.
Is it because you know of them more through racing first, and have read loads of interviews/feel like you know them?
Definitely a bit of this. I've just always thought they had a bit of a joyless buzzkill vibe about them like they're never enjoying anything. Also it just seems lazy and it ties the bikes to people's opinion of you instead of letting them be their own thing.
I'm well impressed with the effort made to strike out on their own and the bikes look alright. Too pricy for me. I thought direct sales was supposed to mean good value.
Boardman, Isla, Hoy, Fisher, Bontrager, Ritchey, Merckx
Hardly a new idea using your name on a bike
To me it would be daft not to use the name. Surely that’s the main thing they bring to the party. Not that that I think I’d spend that on a bike. Although they look cheap as chips compared to pivot
I know it’s the ‘cheaper’ C carbon, but for less than the cost of the base Atherton model you can get a Hightower C
Santa Cruz are mass produced to a degree that these frames come no where close to. If you’re going to build 22 sizes, without contracting out to the Far East, you have to charge more. That is an inescapable reality.
If you’re going to build 22 sizes, without contracting out to the Far East, you have to charge more.
But people only need to buy one size.
Santa Cruz are mass produced to a degree that these frames come no where close to. If you’re going to build 22 sizes, without contracting out to the Far East, you have to charge more. That is an inescapable reality.
Not disputing that, just pointing go out that the budget build is miles off what can be got from a premium brand at the same price point. I appreciate that for the Atherton you’re paying a premium for the small scale local manufacture.
FWIW I think they look great and would love a go on one as really liked the DW link Turner I had a few years ago, but I don’t have the £7600 required to buy one with a decent spec and there’s too many compromises at the base spec level.
a premium brand
Premium brand and premium production methods and locations do not all go together. There is no reason at all why a Santa Cruz should cost any more than any other brand with the same scale and using the same production methods in cheaper countries (but not perceived as being so premium). These bikes aren’t just from a premium “brand” they are far more expensive to make. I can’t afford them either, but they are not comparable to Santa Cruz.
I can’t afford them either, but they are not comparable to Santa Cruz.
My point was being made in relation to posts above that were comparing SC and Atherton spec levels at the price rather than arguing that the frame manufacturing costs were comparable.
Prices are,as expected, high
Doesn't seem too over the top for a 3D printed titanium and carbon frame assembled and finished in the UK.
They really need to sort out their support structures for AM. I'm 99% certain I could print that with less than 5% of the witness marks from where the supports attach. You'd get a MUCH nicer finish and less post processing (hand fettling) after the build.
Enjoyed that Dream Build video thanks ^^^ 🙏
Of course they're going to call the bike after themselves. For these folks it's all about recognition, and outside of MTB, that name is the only thing that would have traction. The sorts of folks that'll buy these bikes have a greater chance than not of having heard of them - or if not, be impressed by their palmeres when/if they do some research into the people behind the name. I wonder who many folks that buy Merckx bikes now know anything other than the "cyclist" or same with LeMond, or Campagnolo and so and on...
I don't doubt for a minute that they'll meet their production targets.
That Dream Build video is great - impressive to see the Ti printing process and frame build.
The work that goes in to finishing the lugs etc is more than I thought it would be.
I reckon a stick on head tube badge would know £500 off the price!!
But people only need to buy one size.
Good luck to them. £6700 for the base bike is 2x outside what I would ever spend on a bike.
Seeing how robot bikes faired I think the Atherton name is vital for sales, that build video was interesting, I did wonder about the upper seattube lug, injecting glue after the tube slides through so it's not a lapped joint like the others.
There's got to be a better way to remove those lugs after printing, it's soooo labour intensive and I wonder how long before those machines will pay for themselves, its definitely a good method for custom geometry but you'd think it would be cheaper than hand laying carbon with costly molds and ovens, £4650 for custom option frame is pushing it.
I'd like to see one fully painted in colours, its not like the carbon has got an attractive weave showing like a Hope or Unno.
When you watch that video and see the work that goes in to building the frame - from printing, finishing, tube cutting, test fit and final assembly you can see where the £4k goes.
It all manufactured, assembled and finished in the UK by someone.
Compare that to £3.5k for a (mass produced - in comparison) carbon frame made overseas and it doesn't look too bad value.
Yeti SB150 Turq frame is £3.6k and looking about the same for the Santa Cruz CC frames.
Does anyone know if the Ti powder that isn't used is re-used on the next cycle?
Would be interesting to know what sort of waste and the amount they produce compared to one of the mass produced carbon frames.
As above poster - got to be a better way than using an air chisel to remove the parts from the build plate!
Good luck to them. £6700 for the base bike is 2x outside what I would ever spend on a bike
I get that, I saved for quite a while to spend a similar amount, and it wasn't a base-level bike. But personally I don't think money is the gatekeeper for mountain biking- I think it's fitness, but that's another thread. There's been 5 figure bikes for sale for decades now, and they keep on selling - S-Works always sell out and a few years back you couldn't move for eight grand Bronsons and Nomads. My only question here is when does the e-bike version hit the shelves, as that'll be the money spinner for them.
Re. the other threads, artisan bikes...
'When you watch that video and see the work that goes in to building the frame – from printing, finishing, tube cutting, test fit and final assembly you can see where the £4k goes.
It all manufactured, assembled and finished in the UK by someone'
its not like the carbon has got an attractive weave showing like a Hope or Unno.
Personally I think carbon weave looks a bit naff now, but the mention of Hope is relevant as a UK carbon manufacturer of comparable scale (but with significantly more resources).
The HB 130 is £3.6k for the frame.
The new high-pivot Hope frame will probably be nudging £4k.
I'm another rider who would only pay that much for a full bike, but maybe I can see the value in these - if they are actually good.
I suppose another good comparison would be Deviate. Small company, carbon, U.K. based. 3 sizes and made….. somewhere as a quick Google didn’t narrow down exactly where, but not Stirling. A Highlander starts at £3,100 with the cheapest shock option, £3,400 by the time you’ve got a Fox on it.
Comparing value is an interesting game
Deviates are made in the Far East, not sure which country specifically though.
Yup, assuming Taiwan but not was surprised to not quickly find the answer
Does anyone know if the Ti powder that isn’t used is re-used on the next cycle?
I think that there is a process to the recycling of the powder so not necessarily in the next cycle, but the powder is cirtainly reusable. The removable support sprigs are also recyclable iirc.
<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;">Even though I own a bike with an RRP of 7/8k, a 4k frame is going to always be out of my budget - well not without a lotto win or similar. I generally shop around for deals and rarely buy at RRP. My current bike is a custom ti hardtail which I've think I've 'spent' less than 3k on over many years of buying and selling parts and frames. </span><span style="font-size: 0.8rem;">I cirtainly wouldn't buy a fully built bike at over 6k in one go.</span>
<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;">An Atherton frame (currently) wouldn't be something I'd buy anyway as it's definitely not for the sort of riding I do.</span>
Another comparator are Arbr bikes, I bumped into a guy riding one at Porridgepots a few weeks ago. Handmade UK carbon, retail is £4250 with a shock.
But personally I don’t think money is the gatekeeper for mountain biking- I think it’s fitness, but that’s another thread.
Hmm, that's an interesting one. I think money totally is a gatekeeper, although I can certainly see where you're coming from in re: fitness. Will keep an eye peeled for another thread 😀
While it sounds like an Atherton frame is at least in the same ballpark as other UK built boutique carbon frames, at the end of the day the draw for this brand in particular is either the build technique(s) and the sizing flexibility which comes with that, or the association with the Athertons themselves. And you'd have to imagine with their race results and tie-in with Hardline and Dyfi Bike Park that's got to be a selling point for some people at least.
It's not something I can ever see myself buying but good luck to them 🙂
razorrazoo
Full MemberAnother comparator are Arbr bikes, I bumped into a guy riding one at Porridgepots a few weeks ago. Handmade UK carbon, retail is £4250 with a shock
From 1 extreme to the other - Arbr RB2 available in 1 (one) size
I'm still waiting for the release of the 130mm and the hardtail. Given that robot hikes had released the r130, and were flashing the r-zero around. My presumption would be that Atherton bikes purchased all the IP from robot so should just be able to settle on some sizes and they're good to go... But I fully expect the e-bike to take priority.
There was also mention on the pb comments that there might be a 'cheaper' Atherton branded bike incoming. Aluminium and far east manufactured at a more affordable price point.
There was also mention on the pb comments that there might be a ‘cheaper’ Atherton branded bike incoming. Aluminium and far east manufactured at a more affordable price point.
Well that's interesting, and what some of us said they should have been doing in the first place.
An aluminum DW bike with great geometry and reasonable pricing could be very appealing.
They’ll struggle to get parts for an ebike, tiny numbers of motors will have them a long way down the priority list
Unless you want/need custom geometry this just looks like a really expensive way to build a carbon frame.
Its basically reviving a 30 year old idea.
How is it supposed to be better than a conventional carbon frame?
They’ll struggle to get parts for an ebike, tiny numbers of motors will have them a long way down the priority list
Unless they ordered years ago.
How is it supposed to be better than a conventional carbon frame?
See your first sentence.
Powder is recycled. It’s sieved, mixed with virgin powder and reverted into the machines.
You don’t get 100% revert but it’s not far off.
As for supports being recycled, not without significant energy input. Needs melting and alloying, then atomising. Could ball-mill (gaffaw) but that leads to poor morphology, so only good for other processes where flow is less important.
“How is it supposed to be better than a conventional carbon frame?”
I think the other argument (than ease of changing geometry) was that this approach is stronger and tougher than full carbon by using titanium for all the complex shapes and keeping the carbon for simple tubes.
Look at that Arbr RB2 !! Cor!
Luckily I am too short and it is also £££££s.