[Closed] Can you actually buy an Atherton bike?

I thought they were going to be releasing stuff late summer. I wonder if the abundance of surgery has pushed things back a bit?!

I actually tried the other day, not found anything for sale via their website. Probably either still in development or ramping up capability to actually sell and fulfill demand.

It's one thing to make a few prototypes, quite another to manufacture loads to order.

I thought I’d heard spring next year was when stuff would be available, but can’t find where I heard (read?) it.

Drop them an email, contact details are on the website.

I seem to remember that they said that they wouldn't sell anything until they had confidence that they could meet demand and expectations.

Given that they are doing something for the first time I think they are correct to be patient. Although I shudder to think what they've spent with no income this year. Or do you think Endura covered the cost of competition last year?

Re surgery. I don't think Rachel wss planning on being nippy on her pins to actually assemble the bikes.

Presumably the delay is getting the people doing the lugs to make sure what they send is of consistent strength and shape. Then they'll be making sure that they can glue it all together reliably. Plus headaches over the web interface allowing people to spec' their own geometry online. The software will have to be able check that you'll still have room for a wheel, that the swing arm won't hit anything, the head angle doesn't mean that the forces ripping off the head tube aren't more than the bike can handle. Plus the huge question "will you build a bike you know will be a total dog just because some one says it's what they want"

Oh add presumably FOX and SRAM won't supply stuff until they're sure you'll get it right

They’ve done it all before as Robotbike, unless they’re changing processes to cut costs, so I suspect any delays are due to nailing down geometry and kinematics - which is hard to do when Rachel and Gee are injured!

According to their Instagram it looks like the DH Bike is starting to be sold (50 bikes)

So it is. And they say the trail bike is ready too, inviting people to dm/email them to buy.

I seem to remember that they said that they wouldn’t sell anything until they had confidence that they could meet demand and expectations.

Given the brakes take 6mo on back order not sure how that works?
(Did notice that team riders are not all using the dirtissimo though)

They’ve done it all before as Robotbike

this...but maybe they're struggling to find a supplier willing to 3d print the lugs, given that Robotbikes were declared insolvent

They should be on sale as it's a uci requirement to race

“will you build a bike you know will be a total dog just because some one says it’s what they want”

I sort of very much hope so, it's the whole point of the process surely (kinda)? You get the bike you want, regardless of what someone else thinks of the geo. It might be rubbish, but it might be what you expect, and might be amazing. I'm sure they've said they plan to do a "normal geo please" option.

Noticed on Instagram that the first 50 are starting to be assembled.

View this post on Instagram

View this post on Instagram

Be interesting to see what the reviews are like.
Some very lucky people out there.

Looks like price on application. If you don’t think you can afford it then you probably can’t. Disappointing lack of info on the bikes really.

I'm a big fan of the Athertons, Rachel is by far my favourite in the woman's field and Gee easily in my top 5.
But I'm not very optimistic about the bike brand endeavour.

Let me quote myself from my post at the controversial cycling opinions thread:

"An year passed since the big “next big thing” announcement and nothing happened.

Either:
– they announced the bikes way too early into development
– they faced unexpected issues
– the Bikepark thing was much more work than anticipated
– turns out there’s not much interest in the product

They keep saying “we are still fine tuning the geometry or kinematics or whatever”, but often when you fine tune a product too much you end up tuning it specifically for yourself. It’s not rocket science (unless they are into problems).

Maybe Gee’s sub standard season (for what he’s capable) also didn’t help. On WC footage I recal him on a seemingly quite nervous and unstable bike, compared to both the competition and what I remember from his Trek"

Either:
– they announced the bikes way too early into development
– they faced unexpected issues
– the Bikepark thing was much more work than anticipated
– turns out there’s not much interest in the product

Good example of a false dichotomy there - well done. Or it could be that this was the plan all along - I don't recall there ever being a specific date when bikes were going to be available.

JP

That's true as well, I agree.

I heard from a friend in the industry that the problem was finding someone willing to pay thier price to replace trek. To be fair it's only Rachel who is at the top of the field anymore and there is lots of competition to get a big buck sponsor

The bikes are hoaching looking tbh, mibbe the Athertons don't want their name to them after all...

They could do with tweaking the rocker link, maybe just paint the damn thing.

I'd like to see a 29er 130/150 trail bike from them.

Also agree that it would be good to see the geometry of the standard dh bike, spec list and prices. If they don't move on it soon all the marketing impetus will be long dead

Gee did win the Hardline on his bike, so to me it seems to be a very good DH bike.

I hate to even suggest it, but will there be a big enough demand for these marmite frames, I remember the price of robotbikes frames being over £4000, I shudder to think what a custom geometry dh frame with world champ pedigree will cost and I can't see full builds being competitively priced given the low and slow production numbers, those trickstuff 900 euro brakes and fox X2 & 49ers.
Paying their own salaries plus Mille and Charlie's must already have taken a big chunk out of the dragon's wallet.
Rachel maybe quite close to retiring and Gee's world cup finishes are usually way down the list, La bresse and hardline being the rare glimpse of previous form, so who's gonna keep that brand in the spotlight and on the world cup podium in a year or two.

but maybe they’re struggling to find a supplier willing to 3d print the lugs, given that Robotbikes were declared insolvent

I don’t think Robot printed em expect Renishaw did,they also make the printer.

I have a vague idea the printers around £500k if anyone fancy’s ago 🙂

You're right Trimix the Trek session 9.9 is a very good DH bike, as is Bernard Kerr's Pivot. 😁

If I were the Athertons I'd think about Pivot-ing and teaming up with an aluminium frame manufacturer to make bikes normal people can afford.

There's still space in the market for more reasonably priced, progressive geometry bikes sold direct and they could have a permanent demo/showroom setup at their bike park.

Chakaping’s idea does seem a sensible one and the way I’d have thought people in the Atherton’s position would go.

Supplying a privateer bike with a bike with a WC pedigree sounds like an easier way to make a living than selling WC bikes to privateers.

Do you think Endura paid enough to run all the world cups and give then a salary for the year? I hope the bikes work out. Part of that hoping that something positive has been going on behind the scenes. Like demand seemed high so they waited off until they could meet it. Perhaps they want to replicate the whole thing in the US as well

I’m not being a downer on the venture. I’m sure they know what they are doing and I hope they succeed. I am just surprised that they are going so high-end.

are they still offering custom frames?

Paying their own salaries plus Mille and Charlie’s must already have taken a big chunk out of the dragon’s wallet.

That wallet has $100 million in it, according to google. I bet they’re not even out of the schrapnel compartment yet.

don’t think Robot printed em expect Renishaw did

...and sadly Renishaws have announced redundancies in the last few days.

https://www.businessleader.co.uk/renishaw-announces-fresh-redundancies-after-profits-nosedive/77657/

Frame only prices are basically the same as a santacruz frame. So there must be plenty of people happy to pay that much.
Personally, I really like the manufacturing process and being on my 3rd dw link bike, I definitely like how they tend to ride. If I could find the readies and the trail bike isn't just an out and out enduro race bike, I'd definitely buy one.
Looks like it's just taken a bit longer to get to market, with a product they are really happy with, than anticipated.

Nice idea but from the images I've seen they look pretty minging. I'm sure there is a market for bikes that cost a fortune but look like several pieces of scaffolding stuck together but personally I'd rather have something that looks like it was designed this century.

I’ve always seen the big problem with DH bikes is that almost everyone who wants one thinks they should be sponsored and get it for free.

Having seen one of the trail/enduro bikes in the flesh at a recent group ride in FOD ridden by Charlie.  I can confirm it looks lovely in the flesh.

@brant it's these bloody entitled millennials again 😉

I was thinking more about Master And Vets!

The rot goes back a long way then 😉

Frame only prices are basically the same as a santacruz frame. So there must be plenty of people happy to pay that much.

Santa Cruz have a huge dealer network, easy access to spares, fantastic warranty, proven design, high residuals for future sell on, and have a great race pedigree. Oh, and they look good.

So aye, just like Robot. 🤣

I'll go against the grain here, I think they look amazing. A very simple design. Would I buy one?? Possibly but I would need a lot more Info on repairs, warranties etc. I've had a couple of DW bikes and the suspension has always been ace.

I like them, I could see me owning one at some point, if they prove to be reliable and a good ride.

Nice idea but from the images I’ve seen they look pretty minging. I’m sure there is a market for bikes that cost a fortune but look like several pieces of scaffolding stuck together but personally I’d rather have something that looks like it was designed this century.

Harsh but Mike Burrows was using sand cast aluminum component lugs and aluminium pipe in the 80’s an latterly carbon pipe on his windcheetah Which I think was actually superb engineering way ahead of its time.

I would be interested in the Trail bike they are doing. Unless I buy a flat in Morzine I can't justify a proper DH bike.

I’d buy one if I had any money or a need for a new bike. And I like the way they look. How much is a Santa Cruz frame in the uk? Last time I bought one it was £999. It was a while back.

im not a vet, but I am a stay at home dad which is a bit like dealing with a sick and injured animal. Though I must admit to being a master of nothing. Do I still get a free bike? Can I choose which one?

How much is a Santa Cruz frame in the uk? Last time I bought one it was £999. It was a while back.

Triple that.

Another thing, and I'm not trying to be a doom-monger here, but say you did spend £3k or whatever on one of these frames... will they still be around to honour the warranty in future?

Only if they continue to trade. Given Robot’s history and Atherton’s bizarre approach to retail now, I have my doubts sadly.

Has anybody heard about prices yet, given that a 160 robot bikes frame was about £4 grand, what do we think the price of a DH frame is gonna be and what would be too much, any thoughts or guesses.
I'd love to know how much Piers Linney has spent so far on production, R&D, one racing season, travel, riders salaries plus mechanics, physio's etc. How much of his 85 million has he allocated to this venture, surely he's got his fingers in many other pies.

but say you did spend £3k or whatever on one of these frames…

Plenty of people, me included, bought into Deviate who had neither the well known backer behind them, nor the World Cup racer kudos/marketing draw. They were £5.5k+ or £3.3k for a frame and drivetrain, minimum. They are still around, and expanding. I just hope folk haven’t been worried/put off by Shyster Bicycle Company, of Worthing.

Assuming the first 20 or so of the 50 frames will be for team riders/Piers (one of each model per rider?) and mag tests, that’s still a fair chunk of money into the business, so I really wouldn’t be fretting just yet.

Interesting that Deviate have ditched the Pinion gears on their latest bike.

Not really. Different tools for different jobs. Pinions are great for winch and plummet riding, less so for more undulating trail riding.

My understanding is that they have to be selling within 12 months of first use of racing (thinking about Santa Cruz when they started using 29er wheeled bikes, others just adapted theirs rather than a whole bike).

Deviate have identified the things that were blocking them making more sales (gearbox, small wheels, price) and have addressed it, good for them.

What's likely to block sales for Atherton Bikes? The look and the cost? Will they be so easy to adjust?

I've never been an early adopter of anything so the idea of sinking that much money into something that's not been peer tested and reviewed by many before me makes me feel ill. Plus the custom geometry thing means an even greater chance of ruining the bike.

But I'm clearly not their target market!

If you know what geometery suits you and want something to your spec, then the bike is going to do just that. There are riders who fit that demographic.

There are probably a lot of riders who can just ride whatever they get and wont feel/know the difference. A lot of us just ride our bikes and probably wouldnt know what the seat/head angle is, let alone things like trail or fork offset. Most riders will tell you that thier new bike is the best thing they have ridden 🙂

I reckon if they made a bike with the same geometery as other respected manufacturers then they would ride fine and sell just like any other boutique brand with a pro rider backing it.

I love the look of them personally but then I've got a braised steel full sus with straight tubes for comparison. I'm certainly no lover of unnecessarily swoopy carbon frames and I love the tech that went into the ROBOTs.

I'm surprised they haven't just function tested the old ROBOTs and rebranded them for the trail/enduro crowd. iirc they were well regarded and as others have said the DW Link platform is well proven and popular. Obviously a new DH bike would need to be a ground up build with all the testing that requires so that would take a while longer but I'm surprised the bikes they effectively already had are taking so long.

On the ROBOT insolvency. I hadn't heard that rumour and while I'd not be surprised given how labour intensive they obviously are, how many staff needed paying and the retail price I assumed they were a going concern that got absorbed by the Atherton thing. Is that not the case?

If I win the lottery I'll be up for an ultra tech carbon/printed ti modern geometry IH Sunday update. ;o)

They're not for me, for a couple of reasons.

I'm not much of an Atherton fan, I don't mind them, but they're a bit PR Polished and Professional for me so the brand won't make me want one anymore more than I wanted a Robot Bike, I didn't.

The looks don't work for me.

I think they're over-priced (if £3k a frame is right) I seem to recall Robot used to say that 3d printed ends and generic carbon tubes would make frame building cheaper in the long run, these seem expensive.

Someone like me shouldn't be allowed to choose their own geometry.

I agree to me they look like a cheap design that is pretending to be expensive. Straight carbon tubes and 3D printed lugs don’t seem to be cutting edge as far as I (not even vaguely an expert) can see.
If I’m gonna spend load I love a good swoopy curvy Carbon frame, me...
Also she won downhill World Cup races on one...she could probably beat everyone on a Raleigh Grifter on a good day...

If you know what geometery suits you and want something to your spec, then the bike is going to do just that. There are riders who fit that demographic.

Let's be honest, the target demographic isn't fast privateers looking for the best bike they can lay their mits on to give them the marginal gains that get results on their CV and a lucrative move onto a factory team from where in years to come they can retire and tell MBUK that their favorite bike ever was that Robot. It's dentists (or Vets, accountants, or whoever else it is these days that we use as stereotype for the middle classes).

Someone like me shouldn’t be allowed to choose their own geometry.

I'm sure they'd quite happily recommend some for your height/weight/riding style that you wouldn't be able to tell was "custom" from the first ride. There's only so much you can adjust and I doubt they'd let you do anything daft with it as if it turns out to be a dog, it reflects on them.

THIS was a bit of an experiment and I'm sure I read in subsequent writing the Paul Aston thought he'd taken it a bit too far.*

* But I can't find it.

FirstFifty

£3.4k frame only and build options at £5.5 and £7kk for the Enduro
£3.7k frame only and build options of £6 and £8k for the Downhill

Prices comparable with most high end manufacturers. Look very normal which I like 🙂

Good luck to them

Oooh, looks interesting.

Mid-life crisis (no. 3) DH bike.......................ooooh, so tempting.

I’d love to know how much Piers Linney has spent so far on production, R&D, one racing season, travel, riders salaries plus mechanics, physio’s etc. How much of his 85 million has he allocated to this venture, surely he’s got his fingers in many other pies.

You know what they say; The best way to make a million in the bike industry is to start with 2.

Well, if I had that sort of money Id spend it on a racing team and not bother about the cost. You can't take it with you.

When your in your adult nappy in the old peoples home, all you will have left is memories.

Those prices appear to exclude tax....?

Those prices appear to exclude tax….?

They do?

Not sure about either of them, I was slightly interested in the DH but the geo is pure race machine

I was slightly interested in the DH but the geo is pure race machine

Surely racing is the only reason someone would buy a DH bike?

I was slightly interested in the DH but the geo is pure race machine

Could you not tweak it to dial it back a bit?

simondbarnes

Subscriber

Surely racing is the only reason someone would buy a DH bike?

Nah, I raced all my previous ones (well, except my ellsworth, it was awful) but the current one's just an uplift/fun times big bike. Takes some wear and tear off the main bike and let me build it a little less tough.

Nah, I raced all my previous ones (well, except my ellsworth, it was awful) but the current one’s just an uplift/fun times big bike. Takes some wear and tear off the main bike and let me build it a little less tough.

Fair enough 🙂

I like the look of the Enduro - frame only and do a Shimano build.

Prices comparable with most high end manufacturers. Look very normal

The fact that that much money for a bike is now considered 'normal' just goes to show how ridiculous prices are now.

It's all a bit too quiet on the Atherton front, they haven't posted anything on their youtube channels for ages, the bike media don't seem to have anything to report and their pr team must be in hibernation. I've lost interest.

They seem to be the opposite of Sick Bicycles. Releasing products but not telling anyone. I guess that PDF is from a newsletter because their website hasn't been updated in over six months.

I like the fact that there is not much PR. When the bikes are ready people will buy them. When the races start they will race. It's their team, they dont need to be in your face on Social Media to keep a profile. Refreshing.

What makes me laugh is all the comments on IG

‘Publish details’
‘DM us to discuss’
‘How much are they?’
‘DM us to discuss’
‘Why can’t I buy one?’
‘DM us to discuss’
‘When will they be on the website so I can buy?’
‘DM us to discuss’
‘OMG I can’t buy one’

(On the first 50) ‘These are selling well’
‘How can they be, I can’t buy one!!11!!’

I guess they want to avoid all the negative comments from people who were never going to buy one anyway, especially over a degree or mm here or there and the price. Plus means they are only dealing with folk who have more than a ‘just looking’ interest. Then maybe look at what was popular to then produce a more standard offering for folk who don’t know what they want from a fully custom frame.

The fact that that much money for a bike is now considered ‘normal’ just goes to show how ridiculous prices are now.

It’s called inflation

Thats a good business plan. Customers can be a right pain in the backside, especially with Social Media giving idiots a voice they dont deserve. Sell to a select few you have chosen safe in the knowledge they know what they want.