New: 130 mm trail bike from Atherton Bikes
Atherton Bikes have expanded their portfolio and present a new Trail bike in two different versions. The Atherton AM.130 and 130X. The Welsh company wants to shake up the market with these bikes. The bike should be at home on trails as well as in the bike park.
To achieve this balancing act, the new trail bike also relies on the patented DW6 rear triangle, which provides 130 millimetres of suspension travel. The fork has 140 millimetres in the simple version or even 150 millimetres in the downhill-heavy X version.
The fact that the Atherton trail bike is suitable for the bike park is proven by the laboratory tests it passed in categories 4 (enduro) and 5 (downhill). In addition to its suitability for the park, it should have good propulsion and also be great fun on pedal-heavy single trails. On the Atherton AM.130, material has generally been removed in uncritical areas in order to achieve a lower weight.
Models and prices
There are a total of three different models and a frameset. Atherton bikes are ordered directly on the Atherton website and sent to your home in a parcel. There is an additional cost of around 150 euros for shipping from Wales to Germany. Here are the prices of the respective model variants according to the manufacturer:
- AM.130.1: 7475 Euro
- AM.130.2: 6325 Euro
- AM.130.X: 6995.83 Euro
- Frame incl. shock absorber: 4025 Euro
More suspension travel on the Atherton AM.130.X
The AM.130.X stands for extra suspension travel on the fork. And instead of Rockshox, there's Fox Factory suspension. Instead of the 140-millimetre Pike, the X model from Atherton comes with a Fox 36 Grip 2 suspension fork with 150 millimetres - for even more suspension fun for bike park use and demanding terrain. As with the other two models, the frame and rear suspension travel remain the same.
Manufacture
With 22 different frame sizes Atherton bikes are unique on the market. They owe this to the special production of their frames. In this process, carbon tubes are glued into 3D-printed titanium sleeves. With the takeover of the company Robot Bike this technology.
The lugs are manufactured in-house, which simplifies customisation. The length of the carbon tubes can also be customised, making it possible to offer such a wide range of frame sizes at the factory.
The DW6 rear triangle is an updated version of Dave Weagle's 4-bar linkage design. Thanks to the customisable length of the tubes and the variability of the sleeves, Atherton can generate more traction on the MTBs.
Geometry
The unique frame design allows almost limitless freedom in terms of frame size. As an option, you can get a customised bike, which the size calculator on the Website customised. Anything is possible, from a short 410 millimetre reach to a long 530 millimetre reach. The wheelbase also changes by 139 millimetres from the shortest to the longest wheel.
The simple AM.130 has a steering angle of 65.5 degrees. If you opt for the AM.130.X, the angle flattens out by 0.5 degrees. The chainstay length also increases with the size change, but at 430 to a maximum of 436 millimetres, it is of the more playful variety. The seat angle also varies by two degrees, from 77 to 79 degrees. This means that people with long legs still have a central riding position.
The features of the Atherton AM.130
The AM.130.2 is available in the € 6500 class and comes with a Rockshox Pike Select RC suspension fork and a Deluxe Ultimate RCT shock, plus Sram's GX Eagle drivetrain and G2-R brakes. The top-of-the-range AM.130.1 model comes with Ultimate versions of the fork and the Super Deluxe shock with equalisation chamber. The gearing is taken to the next level with the Sram X01. For this, around 7500 euros have to be paid to the Welsh forge.
For those who prefer Fox Factory suspension elements, the Atherton AM.130.X comes with a Fox 36 Factory Grip2 with Float X2 shock and the matching Transfer seatpost for around € 7000. A Sram GX Eagle is also fitted. If these equipment variants still don't suit you, you can order your personal dream bike. The components can be customised individually.
"We set out to develop a bike that is super fun on any terrain. The AM.130 masters tricky, technical terrain with flying colours, but is also super playful on gentler trails. In the frame construction, we have removed even more material that does not directly contribute to the strength of the bike. This makes for a lighter ride and fantastic handling on climbs, but this bike still rides like an Atherton - the perfect combination for a big adventure or a ride through the local forest."
- Dan Brown, CEO Atherton Bikes
