€8,549.05 | Manufacturer website
Numbers have a way of simplifying things. They explain, they compare, they tell stories. Power in watts, torque in Newton metres, travel in millimetres. Numbers give you a framework and help make sense of performance.
Atherton’s story can also be told in numbers. The family have carried them on race plates, climbed result sheets with them, and stood on countless podiums. First, second, third. World Cups, titles, fastest times. On paper, the record speaks for itself.
But the Atherton’s ambition for their bikes was never defined by numbers. That may well be the secret behind the brand’s success. While others start with a spec sheet and build the bike around it, Atherton turn that process on its head. For them, development doesn’t begin with a power curve, but with one simple and decisive question: what does it feel like to ride?
Ride feel came first, everything else builds from that.
-Atherton
While other bike brands are already unveiling the third or fourth generation of their eMTB platforms, the Welsh brand took their time. Not out of hesitation, but out of conviction. For Atherton, an eMTB should never feel like a compromise, not in its geometry, suspension, weight distribution or looks.
That thinking is exactly what shaped the new Atherton S.170E. Atherton have paired 180/170 mm of travel (f/r), DW-link rear suspension and a mullet setup with the new Avinox M2S motor system. Combined with the permanently integrated 700 Wh battery, the system delivers up to 1,500 watts and 150 Nm of torque.
Our test bike in Build 1 comes with a top-tier spec and, at €8,549.05 before taxes and shipping, feels comparatively fairly priced. In size 8, it also tips the scales at a solid 24 kg. But can the Welsh brand make a strong start in the eMTB segment?
The new S.170E is part of Atherton Bikes’ S series, and that series is defined by its manufacturing process. Instead of carbon, the Welsh brand rely on a chassis made in Wales from high-strength 7075 aluminium with a distinctive raw finish. The front triangle is built from aluminium tubes joined together with precisely machined lugs. The “S” stands for “subtractive” and refers to the CNC machining process behind it.
Excess material is removed from solid aluminium billets until the finished joining elements take shape. The rear triangle, too, is machined from solid. It’s a complex and labour-intensive process, but one that offers an exceptional level of control, allowing wall thicknesses, tolerances and material distribution to be tuned with great precision. Atherton have also explored the additive manufacturing process used for the A series, but in the highly stressed motor area of an eMTB, subtractive manufacturing is the more robust, efficient and ultimately more economical choice.
The result is an exceptionally tough frame that has even been tested to EFBE Category 5. Even though the complete bike falls under Category 4 because of the motor classification, that still shows just how seriously Atherton take durability.
What design details does the new Atherton S.170E feature?
The aluminium frame is protected by different guards. The motor cover is designed to shield the drive unit from nasty impacts. On our test bike, it was still a 3D-printed pre-production part, but the production version is set to be significantly more robust. The remaining plastic components are functional, but both in appearance and feel they come across as quite plain and basic. The chainstay protector does an effective job of preventing chain slap, but it consists only of bonded-on rubber. It does the job, but doesn’t feel particularly premium.
The cables of the S.170E are routed internally and disappear into the frame via rubber ports on the head tube, which prevent them from rattling on the trail. However, over extended testing, the simple rubber guides refused to stay in place and slipped into the frame. The cable ports carried over from the pre-production phase have been replaced with significantly more robust solutions for the production models. At the rear, the cables run through sleeves secured with cable ties. Around the battery in particular, the routing of the dropper post cable is rather tight, which could make day-to-day use or maintenance a bit fiddly.
The new Avinox M2S motor of the Atherton S.170E
The new Avinox M2S system proved to be the technological key to Atherton’s first eMTB. Only the motor’s compact design allowed the Welsh manufacturer to realise their preferred proportions, weight distribution and frame layout exactly as intended. The 700 Wh battery complements this approach, with its round cell format fitting neatly into Atherton’s design philosophy. For the brand’s distinctive frame aesthetic in particular, it turned out to be a perfect match.
Technically, the battery is one of the most interesting solutions currently available on the market. It weighs 3.18 kg, which translates to an exceptionally high energy density of 220 Wh/kg. Depending on the build spec, Atherton pair it with either a 4 A or 12 A charger. With the 12 A charger, the 700 Wh battery can be charged in under two hours. The charge port is built in-house by Avinox, and is neatly integrated into the frame and protected by a sprung magnetic cover which didn’t particularly stand out in testing, but worked as intended.
Combined with its high-performance cells, the Avinox M2S motor of the Atherton S.170E delivers 1,500 watts peak power, and 150 Nm maximum torque. However, the real story isn’t the headline power figure so much as how that power is delivered on the trail. Nowhere is this clearer than on technical climbs, where precise, controllable assistance proves far more valuable than outright brute force — but more on that later. Control comes via the familiar twin remotes on the handlebar, paired with a sleek touch display integrated into the top tube — one of the best implementations currently available. The Avinox Ride app is equally impressive, offering a wide range of tuning options.
In summary: key information on the new Avinox M2S motor system
- Maximum power: 1,500 W
- Maximum torque: 150 Nm
- Battery: 700 Wh (3.18 kg, 220 Wh/kg)
- Drive unit weight: 2.63 kg
The spec of the new Atherton S.170E
On our top-tier Build 1 model, Atherton spec a new FOX 38 Factory fork with GRIP X2 damper – unlike our test bike, which still came with the previous version – paired with a FOX X2 Factory shock at the rear, delivering 180/170 mm of travel (f/r). Shifting is taken care of by an electronic SRAM X0 Eagle T-Type Transmission drivetrain, paired with a cassette and chain from the cheaper GX series. With up to 150 Nm of torque on tap, clean shifting under load is essential, and the Transmission handles it with impressive precision even when the chain is under serious tension.
For deceleration, Atherton rely on Hayes Dominion A4 brakes with 203 mm rotors front and rear. The Dominions are amongst the most dependable four-piston brakes currently available on the market, offering plenty of power, superb modulation and pleasantly low lever effort.
Our test model was still fitted with Stan’s wheels, while the production bike comes with aluminium Mavic E-Deemax wheels. These are robust and, paired with Continental Kryptotal tires in the tough DH casing and SuperSoft rubber compound front and rear, make for a very capable setup. The DH casing delivers excellent stability and puncture protection, though naturally it adds weight, while the SuperSoft compound on the rear tire also increases rolling resistance. Riders looking for a longer-lasting setup should swap to a rear tire in the Soft compound once the original SuperSoft tire has worn out.
For the cockpit, Atherton combined FSA Gradient carbon handlebars with 25 mm rise, and a 35 mm stem. The FOX Transfer Factory dropper with 210 mm of travel is a perfect match for a modern eMTB, offering plenty of adjustability and disappearing neatly into the seat tube when dropped. It’s a thoughtful detail that gives you plenty of freedom of movement on descents. The Prologo Proxim 450 saddle remains a matter of personal preference, but it suits the bike’s sporty character.
Tuning tip: fit a rear tyre with a harder compound for improved durability
Specifications
Motor Avinox M2S 150 Nm
Battery Avinox 700 Wh
Display Avinox 2″ O-LED
Fork FOX 38 Factory GRIP X2 180 mm
Rear Shock FOX Float X2 Factory 170 mm
Seatpost FOX Transfer Factory 210 mm
Brakes Hayes Dominion A4 203/203 mm
Drivetrain SRAM X0 Eagle AXS Transmission 1×12
Stem FSA Gradient 35 mm
Handlebar FSA Gradient Carbon mm
Wheelset Mavic E-Deemax 29″/27.5″
Tires Continental Kryptotal DH Super Soft/ Continental Kryptotal DH Super Soft 2.4″/2.4″
Technical Data
Size 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Weight 24 kg
The geometry of the Atherton S.170E: size madness?
While some manufacturers cut corners with smaller batteries on smaller frame sizes or make compromises in geometry, Atherton take the opposite approach. Twelve frame sizes, all with the same battery, identical performance and full dropper integration across the entire range. For Atherton, fit is not a comfort feature, it is a performance factor.
Fit is performance
-Atherton
Reach values span from 405 mm (size 1) all the way up to a substantial 515 mm (size 12), with 10 mm increments between sizes. If you find yourself on the fence between two sizes, you can choose between a more agile ride or one that offers greater stability at speed.
The head angle sits consistently at 63.6°, which is on the modern side but not excessively slack. Paired with the mullet wheel configuration, this should ensure plenty of stability at speed without sacrificing agility as you tip into corners. The seat tube angle ranges from 75.6° on the smaller sizes to 77.6° on the bigger ones. Chainstay length grows with frame size, from 435 mm to 445 mm, ensuring a consistent ride feel across the entire size range. Atherton have deliberately chosen to forgo a flip chip.
| Size | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top Tube | 569 mm | 579 mm | 589 mm | 599 mm | 600 mm | 610 mm | 620 mm | 630 mm | 632 mm | 642 mm | 652 mm | 662 mm |
| Seat Tube | 395 mm | 395 mm | 395 mm | 395 mm | 420 mm | 420 mm | 420 mm | 420 mm | 440 mm | 460 mm | 460 mm | 460 mm |
| Head Tube | 110 mm | 110 mm | 110 mm | 110 mm | 120 mm | 120 mm | 120 mm | 120 mm | 140 mm | 140 mm | 140 mm | 140 mm |
| Head Angle | 63.6° | 63.6° | 63.6° | 63.6° | 63.6° | 63.6° | 63.6° | 63.6° | 63.6° | 63.6° | 63.6° | 63.6° |
| Seat Angle | 75.6° | 75.6° | 75.6° | 75.6° | 76.6° | 76.6° | 76.6° | 76.6° | 77.6° | 77.6° | 77.6° | 77.6° |
| Chain Stay | 435 mm | 435 mm | 435 mm | 435 mm | 440 mm | 440 mm | 440 mm | 440 mm | 445 mm | 445 mm | 445 mm | 445 mm |
| BB Drop | 7 mm | 7 mm | 7 mm | 7 mm | 7 mm | 7 mm | 7 mm | 7 mm | 7 mm | 7 mm | 7 mm | 7 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,194 mm | 1,204 mm | 1,214 mm | 1,224 mm | 1,243 mm | 1,253 mm | 1,263 mm | 1,273 mm | 1,297 mm | 1,307 mm | 1,317 mm | 1,327 mm |
| Reach | 405 mm | 415 mm | 425 mm | 435 mm | 445 mm | 455 mm | 465 mm | 475 mm | 485 mm | 495 mm | 505 mm | 515 mm |
| Stack | 638 mm | 638 mm | 638 mm | 638 mm | 647 mm | 647 mm | 647 mm | 647 mm | 665 mm | 665 mm | 665 mm | 665 mm |
What other spec variants are available for the new Atherton S.170E?
Atherton offer the S.170E in three preconfigured builds, with prices ranging between € 6,649.05 and € 8,549.05. All builds share the same frame, identical kinematics and the same drive system. Each version also comes equipped with Hayes Dominion A4 brakes, Mavic E-Deemax wheels and Continental Kryptotal tires – nice! The differences lie mainly in the suspension and drivetrain.
The entry point model is the Atherton S.170E Build 3, which features a RockShox Select suspension with a ZEB Select fork and matching Vivid Air shock. Shifting is taken care of by a mechanical SRAM Eagle 90 Transmission drivetrain, while the cockpit consists of FSA Gradient aluminium handlebars.
Retailing at € 7,599.05, the Atherton S.170E Build 2 sits neatly in the middle of the range as a well-balanced option. It comes with RockShox Ultimate suspension consisting of a ZEB Ultimate fork up front and a Vivid Air Ultimate shock at the rear. Shifting duties are taken care of by the electronic SRAM GX Eagle Transmission, powered directly by the bike’s main battery. The cockpit is the same FSA Gradient alloy version.
How does the new Atherton S.170E perform on the trail?
What is the uphill performance of the Atherton S.170E like?
Climbing on the Atherton S.170E, the riding position feels well balanced, though slightly stretched and less geared towards long-distance comfort. For shorter ascents, that suits the bike’s sporty character, but on longer transfers and full days in the saddle, the S.170E is no laid-back tourer. Even uphill, it remains firmly rooted in the gravity camp.
The DW-link rear suspension works efficiently and has very little bob on fire roads, while still maintaining excellent traction at the rear. The most noticeable trait on the climbs, however, comes from the motor’s character. The Avinox M2S delivers its power with authority, yet remains easy to control. Below around 1,000 watts, the drive unit is extremely quiet and unobtrusive. Only when you tap into its full output does a more pronounced electric whirr become noticeable, underlining the sheer amount of power on tap.
The high power output fundamentally changes how you approach technical climbs. Instead of picking your way up tricky sections at low speed, right on the edge of balance, you find yourself charging through many of them at a much higher base pace. Where you would normally be carefully modulating your effort at around 8–10 km/h, you are often seeing speeds well above 20 km/h here. That extra speed stabilises the bike, allowing you to roll through loose rock slabs or steep root sections with consistent pressure on the pedals and significantly more momentum.
As a result, the limit shifts. Traction remains significant, but it becomes less of a bottleneck, as the motor delivers a constant surge of power to carry you through technical terrain. The M2S responds very directly to rider input, releasing its power quickly without ever feeling nervous or abrupt. Modulation remains predictable and intuitive at all times.
With a peak output of up to 1,500 watts, the Avinox M2S motor system operates at a level that currently stands out in the e-MTB segment. Whether that kind of power is truly necessary or makes sense in the long run remains open to debate. In practice, however, it is impressively well controlled, unlocking new possibilities on the climbs and turning the S.170E into a seriously capable uphill performer.
How does the new Atherton S.170E ride on the descents?
Within the first few corners, it becomes clear just how intuitive the bike feels. The Atherton S.170E is unapologetically geared towards descending. With its generously high stack, the tall front end combined with the nicely centred riding position, inspires confidence from the get go. You never feel perched on top of the bike, but rather well integrated between the wheels. In steep terrain especially, that translates into a real sense of security.
Frame stiffness plays a big part here too. In fast berms, under heavy braking and through deep compressions, the aluminium chassis shows remarkably little flex. The bike feels precise rather than punishing, controlled rather than overly rigid. This translates into impressive accuracy, especially through fast, rough rock gardens, where the bike holds its line without starting to fight you.
The suspension is one of the S.170E’s greatest strengths. It combines huge amounts of traction with plenty of support, making for an exceptionally capable setup. The FOX 38 has plenty of mid-stroke support and a great deal of reserves deeper into its travel. It rides high without passing harsh impacts straight through to the rider and remains sensitive off the top. The FOX X2 complements this with a very well-judged balance of sensitivity and progression. The rear end uses plenty of travel without bottoming out harshly or ever feeling vague. Through repeated successive hits in particular, the rear suspension stays impressively calm and gives you a huge amount of confidence.
All of this adds up to a remarkable sense of speed. On the descents, the S.170E feels seriously fast and holds its chosen line with real conviction. Rather than encouraging you to pump every edge and chase airtime, its immense traction keeps it firmly glued to the ground. Manuals and quick weight shifts onto the rear wheel are possible, but they require deliberate input. The S.170E isn’t a playful companion—it’s a bike that generates speed through traction. Combined with its stable, composed geometry, this results in an incredibly planted feel on the trail, allowing it to carry impressively high ground speed.
That character also comes through on flow trails: huge confidence, excellent balance and loads of rear-wheel grip. Whether you’re in technical terrain or charging through faster sections, the bike feels assured and predictable. The only real criticism is the noise level, which increased slightly over time. That is most likely down to the less-than-ideal cable routing around the head tube.
Shoes Shimano GE900 HS
Who should take a closer look at the new Atherton S.170E?
The Atherton S.170E is clearly aimed at riders chasing maximum performance on the descents – those who prioritise speed, immense traction, and exceptionally capable suspension over playfulness or long-distance comfort. If your plans lean towards long, leisurely rides with a relaxed pedalling position or multi-day adventures, this isn’t the bike for you. Despite its unmistakable gravity DNA, the handling is surprisingly approachable, making it accessible to a wide range of riders with varying skill levels. It doesn’t demand elite bike-handling skills, instead inspiring confidence from the very first metre.
Our goal is to create bikes that feel spot on from the first turn.
-Atherton
And the Welsh brand have absolutely nailed it.
The right bike for:
The high-speed hunter
If all you want on the descents is maximum ground speed, the Atherton will make you very happy. This bike generates huge amounts of traction, feels incredibly composed on the trail and holds its line with stubborn determination, even when things get seriously fast and rough.
The Race-DNA Rider
If you are after a bike that does not feel watered down or overly agreeable, but one that is clearly shaped by gravity and racing DNA, you will click with the Atherton in no time. The S.170E is not trying to do a bit of everything. Its main goal is to do one thing exceptionally well, and that is descending.
Not the right bike for:
The Tour Rider
If you’re looking for long, leisurely rides, a relaxed riding position and maximum comfort on transfers, this is not the bike for you. Despite its strong climbing performance, the Atherton never feels like a classic tourer on the way up.
The Flow Trail Jibber
If your idea of fun on a flow trail is playing with the terrain, pushing through turns, pumping every roller and turning every lip into airtime, the S.170E is not the most playful tool for the job. This bike would rather stay planted and generate brutal speed through the ground.
Conclusions about the new Atherton S.170E
The Welsh manufacturer waited until the technology caught up with their ambitions – and you can feel that throughout the bike: in its well-balanced weight distribution, its purposeful geometry, and its outstanding suspension performance. It feels glued to the ground, generating huge levels of traction while combining composure and precision at an exceptionally high level. On the climbs, it remains impressively composed, with a powerful motor system that’s easy to control. There’s still room for improvement in the cable integration, which could benefit from a more refined, premium finish. At its core, however, this is a ruthlessly well thought-out eMTB that stays true to its racing DNA while bringing it into the electric age with total conviction.
Tops
- Exceptionally capable, well-balanced suspension
- Huge traction and impressive composure
- Extremely high motor output that is easy to access consistently
- 12 frame sizes
Flops
- Cable routing could still be improved
For more information about the Atherton S.170E, visit the Atherton website.
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Words: Benedikt Schmidt Photos: Peter Walker, Lars Engmann