Long time lurker but first time poster. Didn’t want to comment but with that photo released the cat is probably out of the bag.
That is the Atherton AL170? aluminium prototype at Dyfi. Had a good look back in the summer, was just on an uplift and got talking to one of their trail builders. He was very open about it, answering all my questions! They’ve all been testing it all summer, basically trying to destroy it by putting years worth of riding into months. It was absolutely beat up when I saw it, but he said it’s indestructible.
Aluminium bonded into aluminium lugs with a fairly rudimentary CNC swingarm. The tubing on is really thick, probably 50% over a ‘normal’ tube size and seriously burly. Geometry looked very similar to the current AM170. Weight was in line with a standard aluminium enduro bike, and that’s with some pretty heavy duty parts.
Depending on price and where it’s built, if they do a AL130X frame only I’ll probably buy one.
Ouch. How's that go for a local bike shop with a floor full of Konas? I don't imagine they can match 50% off.
Just checked my local shop, they have 47 Konas in stock, most 20-25% off already. 8 Process in stock, only the 24 is full price (and a few hundred more than the Ripcord it's hanging next to).
Heavier yes. More expensive maybe, depends on how the lugs are made. If they can be made cheaply enough, I could imagine the final production price...
Heavier yes. More expensive maybe, depends on how the lugs are made. If they can be made cheaply enough, I could imagine the final production price to be fairly similar to welded frames. As you don't need a welder, don't need to straighten the frames during heat treating, don't need to heat treat them, etc.
The production process could potentially be a lot less energy intensive, at least the assembly of it (if the parts themselves are produced energy intensely). FYI, aluminium cars are bonded, not welded.
And without welding you're basically free to use any grade of aluminium alloy you like for the tubing
I finally opened an account because I finally found something interesting to share.
Aluminum Atherton Prototype. Supposed to be there more budget friendly build...
I finally opened an account because I finally found something interesting to share.
Aluminum Atherton Prototype. Supposed to be there more budget friendly build. I think this was caught at the Dyfi Bike park
Spotted a new Canfield of some sort, vertical shock link, looked to be about 140-160mm travel. Guy riding it said it's "prototype" but refused to give any other information. Didn't get a spy shot because I am dumb.
I finally opened an account because I finally found something interesting to share.
Aluminum Atherton Prototype. Supposed to be there more budget friendly build...
I finally opened an account because I finally found something interesting to share.
Aluminum Atherton Prototype. Supposed to be there more budget friendly build. I think this was caught at the Dyfi Bike park
(Puts on his fireproof suit) That Atherton looks like something developed for the Blue Man Group. You could say it was plumbed in to be that way. Light your matches, flick your Bics people. Let the downvoting commence :D
Spotted a new Canfield of some sort, vertical shock link, looked to be about 140-160mm travel. Guy riding it said it's "prototype" but refused to give...
Spotted a new Canfield of some sort, vertical shock link, looked to be about 140-160mm travel. Guy riding it said it's "prototype" but refused to give any other information. Didn't get a spy shot because I am dumb.
I assume it was aluminum? Probably had enough room for a bottle? 29 or Mx?
Looks sick and unique with the big tubing (and is probably strong as hell).
Anyone know what's going on in the headtube area? Storage? Eeb console?
The headtube area is machined rather the 3D printed. The black part on the top is just a cover to stop there being a big open hole behind the steerer tube. You could put something in there but when I saw it earlier this year it would just roll down the downtube and fall out the bottom.
Does anyone know the price difference between an alloy tube to a carbon one ? Is it really that big of a difference to justify an...
Does anyone know the price difference between an alloy tube to a carbon one ? Is it really that big of a difference to justify an alloy model ?
I think the biggest difference will be the machined aluminum lugs rather than the 3D printed titanium lugs. Both in terms of material costs and manufacturing times.
I think the biggest difference will be the machined aluminum lugs rather than the 3D printed titanium lugs. Both in terms of material costs and manufacturing...
I think the biggest difference will be the machined aluminum lugs rather than the 3D printed titanium lugs. Both in terms of material costs and manufacturing times.
Bang on I reckon.
I don’t think it’s the carbon that makes the Atherton frame so expensive but the process of 3D printing the titanium and then needing to remove from the ‘sprue’ and finish by hand.
Designed well, CNC machined lugs should be ready to assemble out of the cabinet, saving a huge amount of time. Combine that with aluminium tubes and I’d hope the frames will be quite a bit cheaper than the AMs.
As I said above if they make an AL130 with the same geo as an AM130X, made in Wales for a reasonable price I’ll buy one. I love the idea of shorter travel bikes rated to bike park standard but the cost of the AM130 is a bit more than I can afford/justify.
lol. fair enough. we have the podcast we recorded w/ darren in feb ready to rip when he says it's ok. hopefully sooner than later (and obviously what we recorded will be nearly a year old).
Long time lurker but first time poster. Didn’t want to comment but with that photo released the cat is probably out of the bag.
That is the Atherton AL170? aluminium prototype at Dyfi. Had a good look back in the summer, was just on an uplift and got talking to one of their trail builders. He was very open about it, answering all my questions! They’ve all been testing it all summer, basically trying to destroy it by putting years worth of riding into months. It was absolutely beat up when I saw it, but he said it’s indestructible.
Aluminium bonded into aluminium lugs with a fairly rudimentary CNC swingarm. The tubing on is really thick, probably 50% over a ‘normal’ tube size and seriously burly. Geometry looked very similar to the current AM170. Weight was in line with a standard aluminium enduro bike, and that’s with some pretty heavy duty parts.
Depending on price and where it’s built, if they do a AL130X frame only I’ll probably buy one.
Kona doing BoGO sale on Process's, like actually buy one, get one free, sounds pretty sus.
Off topic, but there retail pricing sucks.
baby lets go bogo on a hei hei
Ouch. How's that go for a local bike shop with a floor full of Konas? I don't imagine they can match 50% off.
Just checked my local shop, they have 47 Konas in stock, most 20-25% off already. 8 Process in stock, only the 24 is full price (and a few hundred more than the Ripcord it's hanging next to).
And without welding you're basically free to use any grade of aluminium alloy you like for the tubing
I wonder if I can ask for one in bamboo
So it seems wireless disc brakes are about to be a thing!
https://hackaday.com/2023/12/11/wireless-bike-brakes/
Looks like a Ghost
Spotted a new Canfield of some sort, vertical shock link, looked to be about 140-160mm travel. Guy riding it said it's "prototype" but refused to give any other information. Didn't get a spy shot because I am dumb.
(Puts on his fireproof suit) That Atherton looks like something developed for the Blue Man Group. You could say it was plumbed in to be that way. Light your matches, flick your Bics people. Let the downvoting commence :D
I assume it was aluminum? Probably had enough room for a bottle? 29 or Mx?
Looks sick and unique with the big tubing (and is probably strong as hell).
Anyone know what's going on in the headtube area? Storage? Eeb console?
The headtube area is machined rather the 3D printed. The black part on the top is just a cover to stop there being a big open hole behind the steerer tube. You could put something in there but when I saw it earlier this year it would just roll down the downtube and fall out the bottom.
Why would there be big hole right behind the upper headset bearing, where high impact loads are transferred?
Anyway I love the looks of that frame. Pitty it's not DW6 layout but still very interesting.
Does anyone know the price difference between an alloy tube to a carbon one ? Is it really that big of a difference to justify an alloy model ?
Headtube lug commonality with ebikes? 😜
I think the biggest difference will be the machined aluminum lugs rather than the 3D printed titanium lugs. Both in terms of material costs and manufacturing times.
Bang on I reckon.
I don’t think it’s the carbon that makes the Atherton frame so expensive but the process of 3D printing the titanium and then needing to remove from the ‘sprue’ and finish by hand.
Designed well, CNC machined lugs should be ready to assemble out of the cabinet, saving a huge amount of time. Combine that with aluminium tubes and I’d hope the frames will be quite a bit cheaper than the AMs.
As I said above if they make an AL130 with the same geo as an AM130X, made in Wales for a reasonable price I’ll buy one. I love the idea of shorter travel bikes rated to bike park standard but the cost of the AM130 is a bit more than I can afford/justify.
Carbon tubes are as cheap as chips... Of course it's the printing that's the problem.
Ultimate head angle adjustment. Can be slacked out to -50*.
maybe they are planning an integrated steering damper. Seems to be hot right now.
PUSH left snowy Colorado and is out in Cali to presumably officially release the USD fork.
Is Vital MTB going to get the "scoop"?
Are they going to let @TEAMROBOT and @Jonathon Simonetti do some flex testing?
we got our scoop in february of 2023 LOL.
And you didn't share it in this thread? Shame.
pretty sure we did. this clip
At least it's not my first rodeo of making an idiot of myself on the internet...
That wasn't a scoop, that was a peek with pretty much zero details.
We need it ALL.
lol. fair enough. we have the podcast we recorded w/ darren in feb ready to rip when he says it's ok. hopefully sooner than later (and obviously what we recorded will be nearly a year old).
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