Atherton S170: First Ride Thoughts

The Atherton S170 is no alloy look-a-like; Atherton has applied excellent engineering and delivered a mighty fine aluminium mountain bike.

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By rhyswainwright

Get the full story here:

https://singletrackworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/atherton-s170-review/

what might just be one of the finest aluminium mountain bike there has ever been

I’ll stick with my GeoMetron.

I’m mixed about this Atherton. Like the idea of aluminium and the price doesn’t seem outrageous at all, but there’s something about the looks I’m not sure about! I should like it without question but the angle/arrangement at the bottom of the downtube isn’t the finest looking angle.

the price doesn’t seem outrageous at all

Really ? A bike that starts at £5k ??

I think it looks much nicer than the carbon bikes, looks like the love child of an original PACE bike and an Orange.

The bottom bracket area does look its a bit of a plough, maybe its awesome for planting crops out in the fields?

It looks a bit CDT project, but I don’t dislike it.

I’d still have preferred to see them come up with a conventionally constructed alu frame at Bird/Privateer prices (or a little above if they’re licensing the DW link).

As it is, could you get a Geometron (like Ally’s) for a similar price? And enjoy the best customer service in the industry.

Not a gripe, but it must be bloody hard to write a bike review these days- beyond a neutral handling bike with just the right balance of stability vs agility in the bike park environment and The initially linear rate progressively ramping up to offer support in the mid to latter part of the stroke through fast berms and compressions  there’s not really anything said about the ride and handling other than to compare it with the author’s preferences. A few notes about design details and spec sheet and done.

As someone who only rides the bikes they own, presumably within a market segment most decent bikes are much of a muchness these days?

I like it, I cant do a bike like that justice but I still like it!

Really ? A bike that starts at £5k ??

I was more looking at the frame + shock price of £2.8k not being an outlier compared to similar stuff. Obviously depends how ‘similar stuff’ is defined, but for the type of bike/company/construction – can we still say ’boutique’? – I don’t think it’s that bad.

As it is, could you get a Geometron (like Ally’s) for a similar price?

Almost but not quite: £3.4k for a G1 inc EXT Storia, which is what I’d buy over this Atherton. Not that I’ve looked. Much. My older-but-immaculate G16 was <£1k inc a new CC coil shock.

I was liking until I saw the chainstay on the drive side .. from the none drive side ..  Not a good looking piece of metal. And heavier than the gravatational pull of a small moon.

I’d save up a bit longer and get the carbon one myself. (Which I love, by the way)

I like it – frame/shock price isn’t too bad, especially when you consider it’s hand built in the UK.

Might look at one if my Mega 290 ever gives up the ghost.

Can’t see wheel size(s) in the review – I believe it’s a mullet.

Tempted…. How noisy? no tube in tube routing so is it noisy?

Good first ride impression on Pinkbike, just a bit up from the story about why Bernard Kerr’s bonded Pivot frame broke 🙂

Is bonding frames just a solution to a non-existant problem?

Maybe its just the camera angles but for a slack “hardcore” type frame it looks really squashed up with a short wheelbase (not checked the figures, I’m not that bothered!).

Like the rear end. Very neat. BB/lower shock mount area looks “industrial”.

^It’s bonded due to the type of aluminium used. Same as the Pole bikes.

Nice. 👍

It’s 38 lb with the high spec build. That’s means 40lb for the cheapest build. It’s clearly not meant to be pedalled anywhere at that weight

Oh no, it’s got the worst down tube/BB shelf I’ve seen so far with no protection on it either, I wish that design trend would fro, it’s not just ugly it’s also inviting rocks to hit it.

What are you getting v ibis ripmo af which has the same suspension platform and cost less for a complete bike than this frame

Always highly skeptical when a company makes their expensive bike with their ideal suspension platform which does exactly what they want and then makes another cheaper bike which also uses their ideal suspension platform which does exactly what they want but is completely different.

That aside, I love the looks, sure it’s pretty clunky looking in places but it carries it well and it all seems functional (is it? I don’t know, I’m not a bike engineer, but it’s good enough that it looks functional and purposeful I think. I’ve seen similiar downtube/bb unions that are every bit as hideous but don’t have a shock in the middle frinstance.

The article does mention that the hole covers etc are still a work in progress.

Reviews are sometimes confusing to me, it’s seems to be that a pricey, favoured brand, can turn out a heavy and flexible frame and call it compliant (or have 3d traction) and weight doesn’t matter, does it, yet a less favourable brand, it appears, would be criticised for it being a flexy boat anchor. Even in this article, veiled comparison is made with a the carbon version, suggesting that stiffness is lacking.  But compliance is good.

Confused.

As an aside, those voids under the chain stays would be a mud magnet round here.  Will need moto foam in them.

<quote thing not working and I’m too stupid to add the html>
rockhopper70
Full Member

Reviews are sometimes confusing to me, it’s seems to be that a pricey, favoured brand, can turn out a heavy and flexible frame and call it compliant (or have 3d traction) and weight doesn’t matter, does it, yet a less favourable brand, it appears, would be criticised for it being a flexy boat anchor. Even in this article, veiled comparison is made with a the carbon version, suggesting that stiffness is lacking. But compliance is good.

Confused.
<ununquote>

The future mags once reviewed the exact same stem twice in a year but being sold with different branding, and described it as “too flexy” the first time and “stiff and solid” the second time.

And in fairness, I loved my Soda because it was a noodle, other people would hate it for the exact things I liked. Reviews are always going to be subjective. Up to us to read them and think “well I don’t like a soft feeling frame” or whatever- if I see comments about how efficiently a long travel bike pedals because of it’s antisquat I know it’s not for me even if the reviewer thinks that’s a good thing, etc etc.

Cold drawn tubes welded together FTW.

Not a bike I’m interested in, but hoping to see a shorter travel, somewhat lighter 140-150mm version.

 

The suspension layout around the BB looks suspiciously like it’s been setup to accommodate a motor in a future revision.

Looks wise I’m mixed, in the close up photos it is stunning, with all its fine details but from afar, the downtube/bottom bracket junction is very function over form. Which in general I do like on brands like Nicolai and Orange but on the Atherton it would take a bit of getting used to.

As with all reviews, the reviewer’s riding style, personal preferences and terrain/location the bike will heavily influence the final outcome. Not to mention what side of the bed the reviewer got out of that morning.

Maybe all reviews should start with the reviewer’s name, age, experience and how long they’ve been a cycling journalist. Maybe not as that would be really annoying (Guy Kesteven anyone?)

Looks like a lot of fancy engineering just for the sake of it. I can’t believe the absolute pasting the new Privateer got for its looks and this is somehow better or more acceptable. It’s a mess of pockets and holes and angles.

I’d buy a G1.

I can’t believe the absolute pasting the new Privateer got for its looks and this is somehow better or more acceptable

No hump > hump.

I quite like the industrial look of the bike, but i cirtainly prefer the cleaner look of the A series frames. Also a fan of lug and bonded frames and their advantages, same for the material choice – but It’s in the wrong category of bike for me to be interested though, maybe it they had a lighter 130mm travel trail bike 🤔

Is bonding frames just a solution to a non-existant problem?

Feels like they’re trying to retain a USP when it doesn’t really make sense.

Surely a normal welded Taiwanese frame would be lighter and cheaper? They’re not using the lugs to enable semi-custom sizing like on the carbon frames, are they?

No hump > hump.

Whatcha gon’ do with all that junk
All that junk inside your trunk?
I’ma get, get, get, get you drunk
Get you love drunk off my hump

The suspension layout around the BB looks suspiciously like it’s been setup to accommodate a motor in a future revision.

What use is a motor though without a battery ?

Is bonding frames just a solution to a non-existant problem?

I can’t see a company offering a welded frame in 18 different sizes – or using 7075 tubes. Not many able.to offer a full lifetime warranty on an alloy frame either.

As someone that’s always been, at 5’10”, between a large and medium frame, getting the correct size frame for me (custom ti) was an eye opener of how much of a compromise all other bikes I’ve owned has been.

It’s 38 lb with the high spec build. That’s means 40lb for the cheapest build. It’s clearly not meant to be pedalled anywhere at that weight

To be honest watching there YouTube sales pitch they are clearly aiming it a bike park riders, so weight not so much an issue.

Would be nice to see a proper 140/150mm trail bike that can actually be pedalled. But just get the impression their price would still be silly.

Not many able.to offer a full lifetime warranty on an alloy frame either.

Agreed, but what is lifetime these days? With standards changing that quickly you probably wouldnt get 20 years out of it

It’s 38 lb with the high spec build. That’s means 40lb for the cheapest build. It’s clearly not meant to be pedalled anywhere at that weight

To be honest watching there YouTube sales pitch they are clearly aiming it a bike park riders, so weight not so much an issue.

Would be nice to see a proper 140/150mm trail bike that can actually be pedalled. But just get the impression their price would still be silly. And I guess for now they are selling bikes that they are familiar with ie they run a bike park, not a trail centre

Not many able.to offer a full lifetime warranty on an alloy frame either.

Agreed, but what is lifetime these days? With standards changing that quickly you probably wouldnt get 20 years out of it

noeffsgiven
Oh no, it’s got the worst down tube/BB shelf I’ve seen so far with no protection on it either, I wish that design trend would fro, it’s not just ugly it’s also inviting rocks to hit it.

Agreed

THIS is how you do a DW Link DT/ST/BB junction

 

 

Surely a normal welded Taiwanese frame would be lighter and cheaper? They’re not using the lugs to enable semi-custom sizing like on the carbon frames, are they?

Or perhaps they wanted to make the frame in the UK but couldn’t due to the lack of skilled aluminium welders in this country? Even if they had got someone like Fivelands to make the frame there is still a premium over Taiwan. And no Taiwanese factory will want to deal with all those sizes. Now one can argue what’s the point of some many size options on a long travel MTB, but that’s another argument.

We’ve been making prototype blanking covers for it for a while but yesterday was the first time we got to see it. Personally I like the industrial look and would prefer that frame over a mid range far eastern carbon one.

And no Taiwanese factory will want to deal with all those sizes.

Are they doing all the sizes in aluminium? In that case I retract my criticism.

Though I do think a range of Taiwanese welded frames in S, M, L & XL might have been a better idea to make the brand more attainable.

12 sizes

Or perhaps they wanted to make the frame in the UK but couldn’t due to the lack of skilled aluminium welders in this country?

The Athertons took over Robot Bike Co as a starting point, and bonded lug frames was how they were making bikes. It’s an interesting way to manufacture, glue rather than weld, one off geometry is possible etc. Sometimes it just comes down to a USP, doing something different. I like them.

Watched the video and am nonplussed…
My Geometron G1 offers more adaptability and probable performance and can be ridden everywhere….
🤷🏻

I like it. I like the geometry. I like the range of sizes. I’m confident that the suspension will do the right things in terms of pedalling, braking and how it uses the travel (the DW6 AM170 does and DW4 should be barely any different – I’m sure DW6 was to allow custom geometry inc chainstay length with their AM manufacturing technique). I like that it’s made of aluminium.

I like that it allows them to continue UK manufacturing at a larger scale and more affordable price. I suspect that it’ll be very strong and durable – partly because the Athertons own Dyfi and like to ride stupidly gnarly stuff and enormous jumps and partly because this construction method looks really strong and fatigue resistant.

I don’t ride gnarly enough terrain often enough or get enough air to justify a bike like this but if I had more riding time then I’d be interested in a shorter travel version.

The obvious route they could have taken would have been a Taiwanese-made welded hydroformed alloy DW-link frame – basically an Atherton Ibis HD6. This approach means no hydroforming, no welding, no realignment, no heat treatment, no final realignment, no painting. Just cut the tubes to length and glue them into the machined parts, with all the parts anodised before assembly. Even the tube cutting is simpler because you don’t need to shape the ends for how they meet another cylindrical shape.

Without the Taiwanese supply chains and expertise, this approach makes a lot of sense. And then you get loads of sizes so we can all have a bike that fits. And probably much longer fatigue life, especially for a park bike (I’m not a serial frame snapper but I’m impressed/scared at the rate some riders go through frames!)