Atherton Bikes has seen a series of “soft launches” since we first got wind of their prototype DH Bike back in early 2019. The Welsh company, headed up by the most famous family of mountain bikers in the history of mountain biking, has been developing a 200mm Downhill Bike and a 150mm Enduro Bike at the HQ in Machynlleth for the last three years, testing out prototypes on Dan Atherton’s renowned Dyfi Bike Park tracks.
Actual availability of the bikes was very limited at first, partly due to financial constraints, and partly due to limitations with production capacity. Now, following successful crowdfunding, the brand are ready to ramp up production of the DH and Enduro Bikes ahead of the launch of more bikes in Spring. In conjunction with the launch of their new direct to consumer website, Atherton Bikes have a few updates on the 150mm Enduro Bike to share with us.
The new version of the 150 will have port-to-port cable routing, downtube protection, a steeper seat angle for more efficient pedaling and a longer seat-post insertion for more dropper post options across the range of sizes. Atherton Bikes’ production methods, involving 3D printed titanium lugs and proprietary carbon tubing, has allowed them to conduct rapid prototyping of their bikes, and it allows them to offer a massive range of sizes for each of their bikes; choose from 22 sizes of enduro bike, and 12 sizes of DH Bike.
The 22 sizes of Atherton Bikes 150mm Enduro Bike cover reach figures stretching from 410mm to 530mm. A fit calculator on their website asks for your height, arm span and inside leg measurement in order to provide suggestions on which of the 22 sizes would be best for you. If you’re convinced none of them are quite right for you, Atherton Bikes still offer a custom sizing option.
Atherton Bikes CEO Dan Brown said, “Unlike the majority of high-end brands we don’t rely on carbon molds or Far East production. Every one of our bikes is individually tailored in CAD to produce titanium lugs which are bonded to carbon fibre tubes with aerospace grade adhesive. Not only are our bikes very strong but we can react quickly, with vast potential for variations in size, geometry and the incorporation of new learnings in a continuous process of improvement”.
Dan Atherton said, “It had always been our dream to set up a bike company with the Atherton name on it. We started using Formula 1 technology and aerospace engineering to make mountain bikes in Wales which was exciting for us and our desire to do things differently”.
World Champion Rachel Atherton said, “Every bike is made to order and built to last so there is no waste. We all love it when we see our bikes out on the trails, we’re definitely still in start-up mode but I hope this next phase of our company’s development will give many more people the chance to try our bikes”.
Atherton Bikes frames start from £3999, increasing to £6700 for a full build.
