Atherton Bikes Launches New Mixed-Wheel DH Model

Jul 13, 2022
by Mike Kazimer  
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After a strong showing at the Lenzerheide DH World Cup, Atherton Bikes have announced that the AM.200.M downhill bike is now available to the public. M denotes the bike's mixed-wheel configuration, a setup that Gee Atherton was running as far back as the 2019 Red Bull Hardline. The 200mm of rear travel is delivered via the Dave Weagle-designed DW6 linkage.

Atherton Bikes' use of additive manufacturing (the bikes use titanium lugs to join the carbon tubes) allows them to offer a wide range of sizes, and the AM.200.M is no exception. There are 12 stock sizes, with reach numbers ranging from 410mm all the way up to 510mm.

The frame alone is priced at $4,441 USD, or there are two complete build options – the 200M.2 for $7,366, or the 200M.1 pictured above for $9,100 USD.


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Geometry
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bigquotesHaving this bike to ride that I helped design with Gee and Athy and that feels so good to ride is a big part of what gave me the confidence to come back and race. We’ve done so much work on compliance so all of our bikes grip the track so well, I love the way it hooks round corners but it’s so stable and opens up more line choices than ever.— Rachel Atherton


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More information: athertonbikes.com

Posted In:
Reviews and Tech Press Releases DH Bikes Atherton Bikes Am200m


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56 Comments
  • 41 0
 Suddenly,a boutique brand like Atherton has prices in line with mass production manufacturers. Very nice to see.
  • 7 0
 Kind of shocking actually when you consider the size of the production runs and the fact that they're doing additive manufacturing.
  • 38 0
 @rbarbier12: thanks!! - we pride ourselves on a hand-crafted finish and because we are small, and manufacturing to order, in-house, waste is greatly reduced and quality control is optimised - we think our bikes are pretty good value for money!!
  • 4 0
 @Athertonbikesteam: Love seeing what you guys are making. I guess the pricing also makes sense because unlike other boutique brands, additive manufacturing is very competitive at small scale.

Do you guys plan on scaling up or remaining small? Also, do you plan on doing any custom work like DJ or DS bike frames?
  • 4 0
 @rbarbier12: maybe just highlights how much profit is baked into the big companies’ msrp?

Who knows.

I wouldn’t spend that much on a dh bike, but if I were to consider this price range I’d definitely be looking at atherton frames.
  • 3 0
 @Athertonbikesteam: I concur with @rbarbier12 that a slalom/slope bike would be killer! I know Dan's heavy on his dirt jumps, and I bet this construction would provide a real nice ride quality on a little bike.

Please god also make some fun anodized titanium lugs. Some blues and purples on the same raw carbon tubes would go so incredibly well for a World Champs custom bike
  • 1 0
 @Athertonbikesteam: Congrats, this looks great! You've accomplished something no other brand has been able to.
  • 11 0
 So cool that the lug design offers so much flexibility in terms of sizing. Won't be surprised to see more manufacturers go in this direction - seems like an elegant solution to today's supply chain issues and general inventory management, assuming the frames can handle comparable abuse to traditional frames (which is likely given the name on the frame...)
  • 23 0
 about handling abuse...We are really proud of how strong these bikes are, our whole design ethos is geared to what will make these bikes strong - so we put high strength to weight ratio titanium in areas of maximum stress and where loads come from multiple directions, straight carbon tubes ( never bent because that would weaken the structure) where loads are uni-directional - in fact not only our DH bike but our Enduro bike passed EWFBE's Cat 5 Tri Test with flying colours ... more on the website!
  • 6 1
 @Athertonbikesteam: Just what are you trying to do sell bikes or sumpin'?
  • 11 0
 10 years since I’ve owned a dh bike..... this is making me want another
  • 42 0
 you're worth it ...
  • 1 0
 Yeah, between this and the Specialized Prototype the "need" for a DH bike for me is definitely intensifying. That being said I raced DH for about 10 years from 02-12 and then had a DH bike until 2016. My current Enduro w/ a Push 11/6 is just as capable as DH bike I've ever owned. I can't imagine how much more capable a modern DH sled actually is.
  • 2 0
 @harryhood: You'd probably be surprised. While enduro bikes have really come impressively far, a proper DH rig just can't be matched on the right track. That being said, I think newer enduro bikes are more fun on bike park jump lines and flow trails, so it really depends on what you like to ride.
  • 3 4
 @harryhood: I find your racing background to be sus if you honestly think your enduro is comparable to a proper dh rig on an actual track
  • 6 0
 @nvranka: he was comparing a modern enduro bike to DH bikes from 5+ years ago.

Then stating he knows a modern DH bike would be even more capable than a modern enduro bike.

If you’re going to question somebody’s riding pedigree, make sure your reading comprehension is up to par Wink
  • 2 4
 @dungeonbeast: why would reading comprehension have any relation to riding ability or opinions of such?

Regardless, 5+ yr old dh > enduro any day of the week on a proper track.
  • 4 1
 @nvranka: because you made unfounded claims about a person’s riding ability based on improper comprehension of what they said. Thus comprehension plays a critical role.

And I would take a Forbidden Dreadnaught in my correct size on a World Cup DH track over any DH bike from 2010-2015. Are you going to question my riding skills now?
  • 4 0
 @Athertonbikesteam Seeing as there is so much flexibility with sizing, is there an option for doing custom frames around a dual 27.5 set up? I know 29 and MX setups are currently all over the WC circuit, but there are a lot of people out there who aren't racing the clock and are just out having fun/ park ratting it up. For those building from the frame up or re-using parts, it would be sweet to get a new frame without also needing a new fork/ wheel and tire.
  • 2 0
 I like that I saw the sizes, saw which one I think I would be most comfortable on, put my specs into their size calculator, and it gave me that exact size out of the 12 sizes. It's almost like they thought it through instead of thinking everybody needs crazy reach numbers?
  • 3 0
 Seems like the most straight-forward thing to do? In all serious though our fit calculator took years to perfect.

Taking in the Athertons experience on hundreds of different size combinations for both DH and Enduro to find the perfect fit for ever rider is no easy task, but we're so confident in it now and are blown away from the feedback our customers give us. A perfect bike fit makes all the difference!
  • 10 5
 No routing trough the headset?
  • 3 0
 Hey! Every frame has port to port cable routing from the headtube all the way through to the chainstays, internal routing isnt an issue at all!
  • 2 0
 @athertonbikes:
internal routing isnt an issue, thats true.
But, routing trough the headset, thats an issue!

Thx for answering! Stay awesome athertonbikes
  • 3 0
 Would be even better if it could give birth to a run bike and very shortly afterwards still threaten the podium at a World Cup.
  • 3 0
 @Atheronbikesteam any chance we'll see a mullet enduro bike option? I've got a 162cm spouse with a short inseam that sure would like one!
  • 6 0
 You might be in luck
  • 5 0
 Super clean
  • 1 0
 I saw one of the enduro bikes in person and gotta say, these bikes are special. I love my aluminum rides but if I were looking for a carbon frame this would definitely be my top choice
  • 4 0
 12 sizes? Holy shi
  • 12 1
 Because Additive Manufacturing is an entirely digital process and we aren't tied to expensive moulds we can offer a much greater range of sizes - our enduro bike model offers 22!! Most people are really well catered for by our expanded size range but if for if not we also offer a custom-sizing option
  • 1 0
 @Athertonbikesteam: right on, tbh I didn't even look close enough to notice the tube/hub design. Cool stuff!
  • 1 0
 @Athertonbikesteam: Any chance you could publish Top Tube Lengths on your geometry charts?
  • 2 0
 I was hopng for a new mine tunnel trail really.
  • 3 0
 don't rule it out !!
  • 2 0
 I can't place why but it looks like a brontosaurus to me idk
  • 3 0
 the modern Sunday
  • 2 0
 Doesn’t look like a Session.
  • 1 0
 @Athertonbikesteam Great looking bike, any chance of a custom one with a pinion gearbox Smile ?
  • 2 0
 Simple and beautiful!
  • 3 0
 …profile. Details are not so simple to make. But beautiful.
  • 1 0
 Looooong bikes these days!
  • 1 0
 Doesn't look like an Orange.
  • 1 0
 Definitely the rig I'd buy if I lived near a lift access park.
  • 2 1
 take some notes Danger holm, THAT is a proper looking bike.
  • 3 4
 looks like a demo
  • 1 3
 Atherton, sounds like a cough sweet.
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