ATHERTON S.170 ENDURO REVIEW

October 16, 2026

The Atherton S.170 is a UK-made, DW-link equipped bike park and enduro brute, with 170mm travel and a unique lugged alloy construction. Can these ingredients set it apart from the rest of the enduro mountain bike competition? We were excited to find out as we put it head-to-head with 7 of the best competition in The Loam Wolf 2026 enduro bike group test.

We’d like to extend a huge thanks to the supporting brands who kitted us out and made this series possible. Without their financial support, this eight-bike comparison test would not have happened. Go and show them some love!

Fidlock covered our hydration needs with their excellent TWIST bottle system and neat hip packs. The system allowed us to maximize the hydration capacity on each bike, which was helpful for those long testing days.

Peaty’s provided their Monarch Pro Mushroom Thin grips and new Monarch saddles to give consistent touch points across the bikes. Their cleaning and lubrication products helped to keep the bikes running smoothly throughout the testing.

iXS kitted out our testers with their gear and protection. The Trigger X helmet is amongst our favorites here at TLW, so we were glad to have the opportunity to wear it as we attacked the trails, and their apparel was comfortable and helped us look good.

Pirelli equipped all of our bikes with their new Emperor Hardwall Super Soft and Black Sting DH Wall Soft tire combo. These burly tires offered excellent traction and control to help us push these bikes to the limit.

ABOUT THE ATHERTON S.170

The S.170 is the enduro and bike park machine in the Atherton Bikes lineup, operating exclusively with mixed wheels and built with their unique lugged aluminum construction. With a DW4 suspension system delivering big travel and some purposeful geometry, the Atherton S170 is a brutish machine that can still serve as a daily driver thanks to its solid climbing performance.

ATHERTON S.170 FRAME & SUSPENSION

The “S” designation in Atherton Bikes’ range refers to their aluminum frame construction, but it’s not your typical welded 6-series alloy. Instead, Atherton uses 7075 tubing and CNC-machined lugs, with bonded double lap shear joints to connect them. It delivers unique looks, and according to Atherton, an optimized frame structure. Confident in this construction, Atherton backs up the S170 frame with a lifetime warranty.

With the DW4 dual-link suspension system delivering 170mm of rear wheel travel; a 180mm fork as standard; and a mixed-wheel setup only, it’s clear that the Atherton S.170 is a bike designed for some aggressive descending. However, not every bike park or enduro trail is accessed by a chairlift, so Atherton also ensured a suitable suspension platform and geometry package to pedal up the hill efficiently. The DW4 system is progressive, making it well suited to a coil shock or high volume air shock.

Atherton boasts an incredible 12-size range for their frames, and with the recent addition of the bike configurator, can now offer a choice of two rear end lengths to further tailor the handling of the S.170 to the rider. These rear end lengths vary by 5mm, with the larger sizes receiving the option of 435mm or 440mm, and smaller sizes 430mm or 435mm.

The finishing details on the Atherton alloy frame are reasonable, if not quite exhibiting the quality feel of the best of them. There is thin rubber protection on the downtube and chainstay, and the internal cable routing does a reasonable job at keeping cable noise to a minimum. There is a hatch around the bottom bracket to give access, though the thin plastic cover isn’t the most durable.

The seatpost is straight, with great insertion depth to maximise dropper post lengths. There is no geometry or suspension adjustability built into the frame, keeping things simple. While there is no conventional in-frame storage, there is a hatch by the headtube which could theoretically be used to store a small item, and there is room inside the front triangle for the largest Fidlock bottle.

ATHERTON S.170 GEOMETRY

Atherton’s S.170 is offered in a staggering 12 sizes, spaced by 10mm reach to let each rider get a very personal fit. Recently, they added customization possibilities at the point of order, thanks to the bike configurator on their website, giving the choice of two rear end lengths to further tailor the handling to the rider’s preferences.

We tested the size 9, with a 485mm Reach figure. All sizes receive the same 63.6° Head Tube Angle, with the size 9 size featuring a 78.6° Seat Tube Angle. We tested the S.170 with the 440mm rear end length, now considered “Neutral”, with a 435mm “agile” option offered at the point of order.

Analyzing the numbers, we calculated a 1.91 Front Center : Rear Center ratio, technically the most rearward-biased on test. However, elements like suspension setup and kinematics can influence the geometry balance, and the Atherton proved more manageable than this ratio might suggest.

ATHERTON S.170 BUILD KITS

Atherton offers Factory builds from the S.170.3 at £4,899 to S.170.1 at £6,XXX. Recently, they added a custom bike configurator to their website, taking advantage of their built-to-order nature to allow for select customization. Atherton also offers a frame option for £2,899, or a full custom build service on request to build up your dream rig to your exacting specifications.

Our initial S.170.1 build received an aggressive SRAMification during its testing time. The MY25 RockShox Zeb Ultimate and Vivid Coil were replaced by the latest and greatest Zeb Ultimate and Vivid Air; SRAM’s Maven Ultimate B1 brakes replaced the Hayes Dominion A4s; the incredible RockShox Reverb AXS 250mm dropper post was fitted in place of the stock Fox Transfer; and the new SRAM OChain was added to the cranks, though it was turned off for the final testing period to give a fair comparison.

The SRAM Eagle 90 drivetrain, Stans Flow MK4 wheels (which have been replaced by Mavic Deemax Park in the stock builds), and FSA alloy cockpit remained in place throughout the test, and held up amicably to the abuse.

As with all the bikes on test, we equipped the Atherton S.170 with consistent touch points and tires. The Peaty’s Monarch Pro Thin Mushroom grips and new Monarch saddle gave comfort for our hands and butt; while the Pirelli Emperor Hardwall Super Soft 29×2.4” front tire and Pirelli Blacksting DH Wall Soft 27.5×2.4” rear tire gave predictable traction balanced with solid rolling speed to get these enduro bikes up and down the hill comfortably.

As tested, the Atherton S.170 in size 9 weighed in at 39.3lbs (17.8kg).

THE DIRT

The Atherton S.170 arrived at the start of the year, receiving a extensive test period in the leadup to the Enduro Group Test. From trails across Scotland to a stint in New Zealand, the S.170 provided no end of good times, and no headaches throughout testing as a result of the bike itself. One headache came in the form of a big crash due to an unsuitable shock tune fitted for the new RockShox Vivid Air in New Zealand, but once rectified, this shock proved to be a happy partner to the DW4 rear end.

SETUP AND FINISH | Atherton recommends less sag on the S.170 than we would typically run, but its geometry is not an outlier that forces this, and its suspension kinematic doesn’t demand it either. As a result, I (Robert) began on a coil that was too firm for my tastes, giving the sensation of being on stilts, and delivering a relatively unsettled machine. Moving down a spring rate, I was in a much happier spot, and a 27% sag setting for coil and 30% for air proved to deliver a great blend of characteristics for enduro and bike park riding.

Across test bikes, 220lbs (98kg) Robert set the front Pirelli Emperor Hardwall Super Soft tires to 25psi, and the Blacksting DH Wall Softs in the rear were set to 27.5psi, whereas 155lbs (70kg) Graham opted for 21psi front and 23psi rear. This provided excellent comfort and traction, with no issues with rim damage or tire burping.

On the trail, the Atherton S.170 proved to be reasonably well put together, only requiring a couple of bolt checks over its long testing period. The minimal frame protection didn’t manage noise from trail debris or chain slap as well as you might wish for, though. It would certainly be worth adding protective items such as VHS Tape or STFU chain dampers to reduce noise and improve the overall ride experience. When it was activated, the SRAM Ochain also reduced overall chain feedback and vibration, calming the S.170 down through the rough.

The simple internal cable routing through the front triangle worked well, and the discrete external routing on the rear end was effective. The frame hardware was a mixture of clean and utilitatian, and the same went for the overall frame construction. The head tube and bottom bracket hatches were interesting, with questionable execution and usefulness. The Atherton S.170 was unique and nodded to its hand-built-in-Wales nature, but most importantly delivered excellent riding performance.

CLIMBING | Although the Atherton was not a lightweight bike, nor one that was likely intended to be an excellent climber, it was surprisingly competent going up the hill. The DW4 suspension system delivered suitable efficiency without lacking traction or comfort, and the climbing geometry placed the rider in a comfortable position from which to spin the legs up to the top of the hill. For the smoothest climbs it was worthwhile utilizing the shock climb switch, but otherwise it was happy pedaling left open.

The rearward bias of the geometry was offset by its relatively steep seat tube angle, so it was only on the steepest of climbs where there were issues with front wheel weighting. For seated pedaling efforts, there were no issues with navigating trail uphills, but when up and out of the saddle, it became more of a battle. On fire road climbs, the Atherton proved that the biggest factors are geometry and tire selection, stacking up well in the enduro bike field.

Make no mistake, the Atherton S.170 doesn’t quite have the zest when pedaling that entices hard sprinting efforts or taking on uphill PR’s, but it contradicts its downhill prowess suitably well to earn its consideration as an all-round enduro mountain bike.

DESCENDING | It is easy to consider the Atherton S.170 as a modern version of the legendary Iron Horse Sunday, with similar lines and the DW-Link suspension system. Channeling this energy on the descents, you’re provided with all of the performance of its downhill bike ancestor, but in a pedal-friendly package.

If that’s not a suitable introduction to the capabilities of this bike park-to-enduro mountain bike, then let me be more blunt: the Atherton S.170 was an incredibly capable bike when pointed downhill.

Combining aggressive geometry with excellent suspension performance and a chassis that combined front end precision with rear end compliance, Atherton produced a formidable machine that gets as close to DH-level capabilities as you’ll find in the enduro space.

The DW4 suspension system was able to balance support and sensitivity as well as the best of them. Though the Atherton didn’t generate quite as much energy out of the trail as some, once up to speed, it maintained speed and instilled confidence without presenting any harshness. It was one of the more comfortable and bump-eating bikes – whether ran with air or coil – letting the rider dip their heels and charge through anything standing in their way. But when pushed to the limits, it never wallowed or left the rider guessing what was happening under the tires.

With the more rearward weight bias and relatively high stack height, the Atherton excelled in the steeps, exhibiting great poise. When given a bike park run, it combines aggression and playfulness in a special way. It was equally happy attacking with a speed-focused downhill-style mindset, or slowing things down with a more playful freeride mentality. On flatter terrain the traction on the front was manageable, but the S.170 didn’t give the natural centered weight bias of those with longer rear ends.

On the anchors, the braking character balanced rear end traction and chassis geometry preservation nicely. Whether it was shutting things down in braking bump-littered sections or creeping down seriously steep chutes, the S.170 was intuitive and confident.

THE ATHERTON S.170 PERSONALITY

The Atherton S.170 is a bike that blends bike park and enduro prowess. It is happy pedaling up to the top of the hill but doesn’t rush it. On the descents, it balances playfulness and poise in a way that few can match, blending stability and agility; pop and plow, and precision and forgiveness.

WHO IS THE ATHERTON S.170 FOR?

The Atherton S.170 is the bike park bike for riders who value speed as much as big hit capability and want something a bit different but still demand an enduro bike that will climb competently.

Buy this bike if you prioritize aggressive yet well-rounded handling, with a slightly more rearward bias.

Consider another bike if you demand a high level of geometry balance or want a sharp feeling and more agile enduro bike.

The Wolf’s Last Word

The Atherton S.170 is a highly capable brute that blends bike park and enduro capabilities. It carries speed well through rough terrain, handles big hits comfortably, and is unique and special. Happily serving duty as a bike park bike; enduro machine best suited to rougher and rowdier runs; or even taking on a local downhill race without question, Atherton has delivered impressive capability. And the pedaling performance is more friendly than you might expect.

The S.170 isn’t the most polished looking package; has a rearward weight bias that won’t suit all riders, and is heavy on the scales. But its performance on-trail will make any of these concerns disappear for the right rider. Given its unique Made-In-Wales construction and the new custom bike configurator, the price Atherton is charging doesn’t feel excessive.

Whether you want to channel Iron Horse Sunday energy on the downhills; enjoy the spectrum of trails at the likes of Dyfi Bike Park; or cover ground to your local gnarly enduro descents, the Atherton S.170 is a formidable machine for it all. 

Price: Starting at £4,899.00
Weight: 39.3 lbs | 17.8kg
Website: Athertonbikes.com

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