Atherton A.150 versus S.150 – Differences. Which bike is better?

Reading time: 5–6 minutes

Last year Atherton bikes expanded their lineup towards a more affordable variant of their unique bikes. Alloy CNC parts are bonded to alloy tubes instead of 3D-printed titanium lugs to carbon. While both bikes share similar DNA, the differences resemble siblings of a family. Same, but different. You can try to make your decision easy on which version is for you by trying to look at the price tag alone. But that is far from what these two bikes are about. Let’s get straight to the frame of the matter. In this article, we will provide you with insights on how the two versions feel on the trail and help you get an idea of which one would fit your riding style.

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• Geometry: Atherton A.150 and S.150

• Suspension: DW4 vs. DW6

• Ride impressions A.150 vs. S.150

• Conclusion

• Video about the bike

• Whats next?

First things first: the nomenclature "A" stands for additive manufacturing, the proper way of saying 3D-printed titanium lugs. "S" stands for subtractive manufacturing, which means CNC’d alloy parts. Both get carbon or alloy tubes, respectively, and everything is bonded together. A fancy way to say glued. But unlike your high school crafts, this bonding material is also used in aerospace applications. These adhesives can withstand way much more torque, and you probably break a frame before you break the bond.

On the aluminum version, Atherton uses custom-profile drawn aluminum tubing cut specifically to length. The lugs and the two-piece rear triangle are machined from a solid plate of 7075 aluminum. Custom tuned to ride feel. So let’s weld them together! Not really. This specific blend has some characteristics making it challenging, and bonding is more common with this. Why go with something so special, while everyone uses weldable aluminum? The 7075 has higher fatigue durability (think aerospace applications). Fancy right? Thinking about what the pros show of what is possible on this bike, you get it. They (and you nerdy biker) want this material.

Bikers are material-driven. We have a ranking of what we consider premium, and naturally, titanium and carbon make the top of the list. By this, the A frame is still the pick over highest grade aluminum. And with great premium comes great sizing responsibility: you get 22 sizes on the Ti-Carbon frame. That’s basically a tailor-made suit. The alloy S version offers a still-impressive 12 sizes, which feels stingy only if you’ve already tasted the luxury of having 21 other options.

Still not satisfied? Want your geo just a bit spicier than what the family has to offer? Custom geometry is on the menu too, if you're going with the titanium version and don’t mind a little extra charge. Because dreams don’t come cheap, but they can come with exactly 63.3747° of head angle and 497.4221mm of reach.

CNC is a widely common manufacturing method, even carbon took over the last couple of years in the premium sector.

Printing the lugs do not provide a finished product. Cleaning them up (by hand) and machining some of them is necessary.

Geometry: Close, but not the same

Geometrically, the two versions are extremely similar. Chainstays grow in length with the frame sizes, and there’s a mere half-degree difference in head angle. Minor tweaks here and there, but unless your last name is Atherton, you have to be a top-level nerd to notice them in a blind back-to-back test on the trail. In the unlikely case that you still can't find the size or version you are looking for, you can get a custom version of the A-series. You may need to get in contact with Atherton for the details.

"Our motivation for the entire S-Range was to bring the learnings from our award-winning halo-range to a more accessible price point." – Rachel Atherton

Geometry Atherton S.150
Size	A Reach	B Seattube	C Headtube	D Stack	E WB	F HA	G Eff. STA (*)	H Act. STA (*)	I CSL	J BB Offset	K BBH	L Eff. TT
1	415	395	90	618	1171	64.5	77.5	74.5	430	-16	339	554
2	425	395	90	618	1181	64.5	77.5	74.5	430	-16	339	564
3	435	395	90	618	1191	64.5	77.5	74.5	430	-16	339	572
4	445	395	90	618	1201	64.5	77.5	74.5	430	-16	339	582
5	455	420	100	636	1220	64.5	78.5	76.0	435	-16	339	586
6	465	420	100	636	1230	64.5	78.5	76.0	435	-16	339	594
7	475	420	100	636	1240	64.5	78.5	76.0	435	-16	339	604
8	485	440	100	636	1250	64.5	78.5	76.0	435	-16	339	614
9	495	440	125	649	1266	64.5	79.5	77.5	440	-16	339	615
10	505	460	125	649	1276	64.5	79.5	77.5	440	-16	339	625
11	515	460	125	649	1286	64.5	79.5	77.5	440	-16	339	635
12	525	480	125	649	1296	64.5	79.5	77.5	440	-16	339	645
Geometry Atherton A.150
1 (410 Low)	410	395	100	619	1167	65	77	69.5	433	-30	343	553
2 (420 Low)	420	395	100	619	1177	65	77	69.5	433	-30	343	563
3 (430 Low)	430	395	100	619	1187	65	77	69.5	433	-30	343	573
4 (440 Low)	440	395	100	619	1197	65	77	69.5	433	-30	343	583
5 (450 Low)	450	395	110	628	1216	65	78	71	438	-30	343	583
6 (450 Reg)	450	415	125	641	1216	65	78	71	438	-30	343	586
7 (460 Low)	460	395	110	628	1226	65	78	71	438	-30	343	593
8 (460 Reg)	460	415	125	641	1226	65	78	71	438	-30	343	596
9 (470 Low)	470	395	110	628	1236	65	78	71	438	-30	343	603
10 (470 Reg)	470	415	125	641	1236	65	78	71	438	-30	343	606
11 (480 Low)	480	395	110	628	1246	65	78	71	438	-30	343	613
12 (480 Reg)	480	415	125	641	1246	65	78	71	438	-30	343	616
13 (490 Reg)	490	415	125	641	1268	65	78	71	443	-30	343	626
14 (490 Tall)	490	440	125	641	1268	65	78	71	443	-30	343	626
15 (500 Reg)	500	415	125	641	1278	65	78	71	443	-30	343	636
16 (500 Tall)	500	440	125	641	1278	65	79	72.4	443	-30	343	625
17 (510 Reg)	510	415	125	641	1288	65	78	71	443	-30	343	646
18 (510 X-Tall)	510	460	125	641	1288	65	79	72.4	443	-30	343	635
19 (520 Tall)	520	440	125	641	1298	65	78	71	443	-30	343	656
20 (520 X-Tall)	520	460	125	641	1298	65	79	72.4	443	-30	343	645
21 (530 Tall)	530	440	125	641	1308	65	79	72.4	443	-30	343	655
22 (530 XX-Tall)	530	475	125	641	1308	65	79	72.4	443	-30	343	655

Suspension: DW4 vs. DW6 – Let the Link Wars Begin

Here’s where things get spicy. Both frames sport DW-link suspension, but the A version goes full DW6, while the S keeps it simpler with DW4. The "A" has more moving bits and bearings (and yes, that usually means more maintenance, but also more tuning ability in the kinematics). Fewer moving parts on the S mean lower costs. It will also come with a subtly different ride character.

So, is more always better? Not necessarily. And again, unless you’re switching between bikes back-to-back with a spreadsheet in hand, you will need to bring plenty of experience to the table to feel the difference.

There is one more link hiding at the bottom bracket area of the DW6 on the left. On the right the DW4 features a kinematic which also is used by other brands.

Ride Impressions: Nerd Mode Activated

We tested both bikes in less-than-perfect trail conditions, so no wild claims here, but both bikes? Absolute rippers.

Let’s start with the S.150 alloy frame. It’s efficient, responsive, and has a knack for returning energy when you pump it through berms or rollers. It doesn’t feel muted or over the top ground hugging; more like it’s ready to party and wants you to bring the watts. Furthermore, it absorbs bigger hits just fine, but you’ll definitely feel more of what’s happening beneath your tires. Some call that feedback. Others call it “more demanding.” Either way, it’s engaging.

The feel of the A.150 titanium-carbon version? Think of the adjective "refined." This bike is a veteran, just like the Atherton family. While riding it, you feel that it has many (MANY) iterations behind itself and is refined to a platinum level. The differences are not only in how the frame feels alone. With the DW6 layout and the fine-tuned chassis, you get a few key advantages:

• Less chatter from trail noise

• Reduced chain slap and pedal feedback

• Better tracking through chunky sections

• A calm, composed ride feel

Don't get us wrong here: The difference to the S.150 isn’t night and day; it’s more like finally adjusting a high-end suspension fork just right. You feel the smoothness, the predictability, the dialed-in nature. The bike flows. It encourages rather than demands.

So... Is the A worth the surcharge?

That brings us to the big question. The Gretchenfrage, if you will.

The Ti-Carbon A.150 frameset alone will set you back £4,500. For the same price, you can get a complete S.150 alloy build, ready to ride, basic components, but solid and capable.

So, does the surcharge of the titanium-carbon bike justify the difference in price tag? If you are a reasonable person. But is a person riding a two wheeled vehicle through the forest over roots, rocks, hitting jumps reasonable? Is the A.150 better in subtle, wonderful ways? Absolutely. Will you notice? That depends. Some riders are all about ground feel and rawness; the S will suit them just fine. Others want smoothness, support, and sublime quiet; the A is for them.

But ultimately, we can’t make the decision for you. What’s your riding style? What’s your budget? What gives you that bike-nerd sparkle in the eye?

Titanium and carbon, or good ol’ alloy?

Your call.

What’s next?

We hope to expand on this first impression and provide you a more in depth comparison of both versions from the Atherton lineup. Until then you may listen to the podcast with Dave Weagle to learn about what is even more important than only kinematics and geometry of a frame.

Atherton Website

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Autor – Jens Staudt

Height: 191 cm

Weight: 200 lbs (incl ride gear)

Riding style: With his racing background, the lines are planned, even if there is anything bigger in his way. If possible, sections will be jumped over. You should use the entire width of a trail. Others would say - uncompromising.

Motivation: A product should function carefree and for as long as possible. If you have to screw less, you can ride more. He likes to tinker and see how the bike can be optimized.

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