New S-Range bikes from Atherton

So the Atherton’s are releasing two new alloy bikes –  S150 and S200.

Guessing pricing will be similar to the S170.

They seem to be making a good go of it at  Atherton bikes . It’s cool how it seems to be standing on its own 2 feet without relying on the name recognition thing .

The race team has done well without Gee or Rachel which has helped .

I really like the bikes , they’ll probably be out of my price range but that’s true of most high end stuff these days .

I’d love one. The weight of the alloy frame and price of the carbon puts me off

4.1kg without shock for the S170 according to Bikeperfect.

AM170 carbon is 3.5kg so still a heavy bike.

Raaw Madonna 3.9kg, a well known heavy alu brand. Competitive comparable carbon bikes we’d be looking at 2.5-3kg I think.

Having seen the S170 at Bespoked manchester I was very interested in a possible S150. In the end I ordered an A150 after some contemplation and a convincing test ride.

Interesting that the Ss are all mullets like the A200 and A170 whereas the A150 and A130 are 29ers.

It’s cool how it seems to be standing on its own 2 feet without relying on the name recognition thing .

Not sure I agree with that, given how well the Robot Bike Co wasn’t doing before the Athertons became involved.

However… saw a S170 at the weekend. Wasn’t expecting much from seeing photos, but thought it looked cracking in real life

Robot wasn’t winning world cups/champs though, which Atherton have, with and without an Atherton piloting them. Also think Atherton have had a lot more funding poured in, via govt grants and crowdfunding that Robot didn’t.

The A and S range both look very nice imo, I was at Dyfi bike park a few weeks back and saw lots in the flesh.

The aluminium one might not be super light but it’s got a lifetime warranty and looks like you’d never need to take advantage of it.

I think they are still too niche market.

ie those that are loaded, or very very good riders.

Niche maybe what they are trying to do is establish a ‘thorough bred’ market before releasing cheaper bikes that 90% of the mtb riding population will get use of.

From 4.8k and available on c2w means that whilst it’s not cheap, it’s on par with other much bigger manufacturers.

Who decided alloy suspension frames should start becoming absolute tanks, the S170 is over 10 pounds with air shock, over 11 pounds with coil, a medium 2020 nukeproof mega alloy was about 8 pound with a super deluxe ultimate air shock fitted, adding a full kilo seems a bit excessively overbuild.

adding a full kilo seems a bit excessively overbuild

For a brand headed by Gee, Rachel and Dan….? I think built for “anything” is exactly the right positioning. Strong enough for the average rider to do average riding would be short of the mark.

From 4.8k and available on c2w means that whilst it’s not cheap, it’s on par with other much bigger manufacturers.

Personally I can’t see myself ever buying one, even though they are on par, purely down to cost. Other manufacturers will have end of season sales and discounts, which I can buy into – Atherton never will due to the on demand manufacturing process.

Yep, weights on most Enduro frames have been going up, I would be surprised if there are any 170mm Enduro frames at 3kg now.

They need to be capable of the extreme Enduro  demands.

I guess with weight the question is whether you consider a bike that fits “optimally” (ie loads of reach/stack increments) is more important than one which weighs less?

I’m a bit surprised orange don’t go down the custom geo path – they have so many SKUs/colours its clear that they build each frame to order – surely it can’t be that much harder to allow full (within reason) custom geo?

Who decided alloy suspension frames should start becoming absolute tanks

This does seem to be a bit of a trend, but I’m fairly relaxed about that.

There are lighter frames available for riders like you and me who prefer them.

I have a lighter aluminium trail bike and a heavy framed enduro bike actually.

Will be keeping an eye on the 150. I’m thinking of changing my Ripmo AF at some point next year, unless Ibis release a new AF themselves.

FunkyDuncFree Member
I think they are still too niche market.

ie those that are loaded, or very very good riders.

The A range is pricey, but its a top end MTB

you can easily spend the equivalent on a Santa Cruz or a Pivot, in fact I’m pretty sure some of the peg spesh stuff is more than an Atherton

you can easily spend the equivalent on a Santa Cruz or a Pivot, in fact I’m pretty sure some of the peg spesh stuff is more than an Atherton

indeed. On my list were the new SC Hightower and Ibis Ripmo. Rode the A150 figured I didn’t need to ride the others. Nice bikes with some great features though.

regardign weights, given the athertons, and their riders, batter the absolute crap out of them at Dyfi, you would expect that building lighter bikes, with an inevitable higher failure rate, is less of a priority.

yes for the average dad the failure of a tank of a frame is less likely but given the crap/grief brands get on re-occuring frame failures erring on teh side of caution for a new brand (where riders are actively encouraged to go as hard as possible!) is probably wise.

i really like the look of them and would love one. Weight wouldnt be an issue for me but i’d need to live somewhere where the trails justified the bike. there is no wharncliffe on the south downs for example.

i’ve avoided buying brands frames that have weight limits or use parameters. i’ve not snapped many frames (ive done 2) but I’m not gentle.