The Evolution Of Atherton Bikes, Gee Atherton Special |

Welcome back to another episode of Ask GMBN Tech, where we try to answer all of your complex, scary, niche, and technical questions about mountain bikes and MTB-related tech!
⏱ Timestamps 👇
00:00 - Intro
00:32 - Do you miss having a colorful bike?
01:22 - When's the EBikes coming out?
02:34 - How many Titanium parts does Gee contain?
03:06 - When will costs come down significantly?
03:59 - How long does it take to make a complete frame from scratch?
05:50 - How much stronger is additive manufacturing vs full carbon?
07:43 - Are there any plans to make any showrooms?
08:34 - What was the deciding factor in running O-Chain device?
09:27 - Do you have plans to build a hardtail?
10:08 - Is there a maximum weight limit?
11:42 - How did Atherton Bikes come up with the idea of 3D Printed bikes?
13:43 - What's the theoretical lifetime cycle of the frame, glue, and carbon?
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[@ThunderStruckMTB]

If they ever decide to make a trail hardtail, I would buy it so fast that I would have a single digit serial number.

[@JohanMagnusson1]

And a single digit bank account balance

[@henrikhedberg5922]

I went with black lugs on mine (AM 150) and an orange Fox 36 to give it some color 😍 Should arrive about the same time as the trails are rideable again here in Sweden 🇸🇪. Went to visit the HQ and test ride it during October. Stay away unless you you really are thinking of buying one because otherwise you might end up buying one anyway 🔥 😅

[@spikeloh]

RAW would be the perfect colour.

[@gmbntech]

We love a RAW bike frame!

[@Magoo71]

Thanks for all the background on Atherton Bikes....I like how they are made and the logic behind that thinking! Great job Doddy and Gee!

[@whyEddiewhy1]

Deffo Raw and what a show Doddy!!! Please can you do more of these with canyon / propain / treck and all the rest. Great insight

[@the_spanner_ch7mp]

An Atherton hardtail 😲 hell yeah 🤘 Love my Nukeproof Scout but an Atherton hardtail in raw carbon would look insane 🤘 The 130 though phwoar that's the one for me 🔥❤️‍🔥🤘 Great show Doddy and Gee Love where Atherton bikes are going Great stuff #GMBNTech 👍

[@razmtb5028]

my dream build bike!!!! so much love it!

[@johnb-inthehills5261]

I ordered an A.130 for late Feb/March delivery. I had a hard time choosing raw or painted, and went painted stealth black. I am sure you can’t go wrong.

[@justinfournier1285]

Any regrets? Is the carbon painted as well or just the lugs?

[@lewiscb9235]

I’d deffo go for the Raw! I’m Bias though as I’ve got the Propain tyee in pure raw carbon 😍 No better looking frame than raw imo

[@Vivendocadadia]

Nice interview Gee is a legend.

[@gmbntech]

For sure! Thanks for watching! It was great to have Gee in the set! 👍

[@mmodtomic7119]

7:23 I'm no engineer but as I under this, the Shape you give a material such as Carbon Fiber has a lot more to do with strength than simply adding more material or varying the layup.

[@Howling-Mad-Murdock]

Raw for sure! 😁

[@jestt600]

Atherton Bikes are out of my price range however I totally get those who buy them, they are really sick 😍

[@chrish8871]

The greatest shock wave I’ve seen around downhill bikes in the paddock after the Atherton, was imo, the pivot fire bird prototype….the elephant in the room maybe . The atherton process is very similar, how close can atherton get to the appearance of that bike re the cnc lugs and square gloss carbon tubes. ? I’m guessing the next Atherton bike might be a high pivot? Obviously that pivot protype will never make sale, but I can’t help think that visual can openly help atherton bikes make sales. You’re so close to that beautiful bike. I’m aware squarer tubes and cnc finish adds cost, but Im Sure there are those that will pay.

[@lowvibe]

so cool!

[@theshadow8008]

Wow!

[@Atimonster]

I would love to own a Atherton hardcore hardtail 🤩

[@kotelettschweiss7811]

I know its a bit too Late for this question. But are atherton bikes also planning on making gearbox compatible bikes in the future? The whole durability philosophy totally works along with the idea imo. Would the manufacturing process also help in constructing the proprietary mounts? If all of that isnt possible, why?

[@keithwestwood4640]

Top vid doddy.... Talk gee into production of ..the Atherton HT..29er.. In dyfi summer green please....drooling here!! Happy Christmas GMBNTECH2...AKA DODDY&ANNA....

[@stujm8376]

I’d love an Atherton hardtail, it would have to be raw though. Keep it clean and simple

[@rgd1977]

Full power 160mm-170mm ebike next, preferably 29/27.5 🙏

[@Calispeedboi]

So cool

[@mleavitt787]

A sweet paint job definitely increases speed. That’s why all the pros have those crazy custom paint jobs. 😂

[@chimps4gimps]

I wonder what Gee thinks about what Neko Mulally is doing. Dyfi is such an epic place!

[@brettjohnson9453]

If they made a hard tail I'd definitely want to buy it, then realise it's out of my price range 😂😂

[@joaoafonso1178]

#AskGMBNTech Hi Anna and Doddy First, thanks for all the great info every week. Learned a ton from you! So, after wrecking my rear wheel I dicided to use a foam insert in the new one to be safer I chose Victoria AirLiner size M (starting at 2,3in tyres) and I use a Maxxis HighRoller II 26x2,3 What I noticed is that in turns and berms the tyre burps super easily now, altough Im running same air preassures... May the insert, as his lower limit is 2,3 tyres, be too big and is lowering the lateral support of the tyre? Will just having a wider tyre solve? Id like your opinion Greatings for Portugal 👍🏻

[@matt_acton-varian]

On the last question, I would assume that the bonding would be the weakest point. Even on carbon tube lugged Road bikes that aren't crashed, the adhesion between carbon and connecting component is what most often fails over time. It takes a couple of decades but I would think the bonding has the shortest life. Carbon road forks with aluminium steerer tubes (often found on cheaper bikes) are known to fail after 15-20 years where the bonding between the two material fails. That is why they should be inspected annually and eventually replaced.

[@dalmironoseda35]

Go Gee

[@GHinWI]

I bet the lower cost option will be aluminum or stainless steel lugs

[@DaBinChe]

Nah, the raw material isn't that much of a price difference. The cost is mainly in the time it takes to make

[@1brokenspoke189]

We all need to turn up at Atherton hq and demand that they make us a hardtail ,we deserve it Gee come on .

[@Paganiproductions84]

I love Atherton Bikes do a xc race team and make xc bikes would be interesting would they come up whit

[@charlie9ine]

Black!

[@Wimbelder]

I would really like a gee atherton hardtail bikepacking bike

[@retiredshredders]

#askgmbntech I'm so old in the sport that we use to use lifter springs in our coil forks to ramp up compression. Do any home remedies like this exist for today's bikes other than tokens? Have a great 2023!

[@ryan9149]

Just imagine an Atherton ebike 😮😮, surely it’s got to be the next bike after the 170 because e-bikes are unbelievably popular now it just makes sense to have one in the range. Just don’t make it one of those stupid low powered light weight crap ones.

[@User-re9so]

10:48 i think the frame snapped on that gnarly crash gee had recently. I know that was a big impact, but saying no frame ever snapped is just wrong

[@mrlaw711]

I live in Arizona, and black will actually cause 2nd degree buns.

[@andrewbrown8927]

They should use steel or aluminum tubing with titanium instead of carbon. That could be something cheaper.

[@patryka11]

Hey dear Athertons, when will you have big 160-170 mm rear travel enduro bike?

[@jaimegrant784]

Will they make a 27.5 option? with very short chainstays? say 420mm

[@elikeproduction854]

Hardtrail pleaseee

[@user-md2ix1gs9b]

Watched this and @Gee. I live in the midwest USA where a downhill or an enduro bike is overkill when it is powered under your own power( or it dosen't make sense.) But when you talk about an enduro EMBT the weight really issue becomes less important and becomes a viable option of purchase for a consumer like myself here in the midwest. I guess what I am saying is if you made your 150 class bike in an EMBT version. I would buy one but if you don't my next purchase will be an enduro EMBT from Scott. Food for thought. I would also second the hardtail. I will always have a hardtail in my quiver and if you guys @Atherton made one. I would sell my Santa Cruz Chameleon for an Atherton carbon hardtail.

[@GHinWI]

@1:00…I like to go raw too!

[@uldi1s]

#askgmbntech Coming from a BMX race background, I like to pedal really hard and have paid the price with several injuries due to folded chainrings, chains snapping, coming off or the latest one: rear triangle frame flexing so chain came off. This last one resulted on a badly fractured collarbone, three broken ribs and collapsed right lung. I have since not to pedalled from a standstill with high torque, but realistically it's something I'd like to do again (but am afraid now). I saw a picture once of guide plates attached to a rear (single speed) freewheel but can't find them online. Do you know of anyone making equipment for pedalling with high torque?

[@beathermit3876]

All of this sounds like a "you" problem --- get a proper bike > make sure its mechanically sound and get a chainguide if you need it.

[@uldi1s]

@@beathermit3876 Nothing wrong with my bikes and their maintenance. The last frame bent and that's why the chain came off at the back. I'm just asking for plates-guide or similar info

[@cleggycyclist]

Dream Bikes, nightmare prices

[@joeupsall8011]

Bring on the Atherton ebikes

[@DaBinChe]

Frame price is very competitive...Santa Cruz and the like cost just as much and those are made in china, so considering where it's made the Atherton bikes are cheap

[@mikethebike5014]

Yes black bikes for me can't stand bright colour bike 😀

[@asifitmatters1]

Gee keeps going on about strength, but I was watching videos of his last crash and his bike broke apart as if it had been made of twigs, so I can’t reconcile what he is saying with what we actually saw. I know the impact was quite harsh, but it broke apart after the initial impact.

[@bobothericefarmer1878]

Beautiful gotta cop myself some of his bikes

[@Jacob99174]

Beautiful bike

[@gmbntech]

It sure is!

[@1969Escobar]

ATHERTON BIKES RAW ART!!!! I go raw!!

[@albertocastillo4572]

A hard tail would be awesome, Carbon front and full Ti rear triangle.....

[@markwilliams5654]

You won't make an ebike inthe UK they only have a metal 3d.printer

[@Jon-ty6bb]

That comment raises so many questions…….mainly……why not?

[@conrod4910]

So they couldn’t metal 3d print the housing for a motor? I’d imagine using their current process it would be even easier to adapt? Keep the geo where they want it, cad a housing design and cut carbon tubes to suit?

[@ISOSAILING]

Em yes they could coz they have a ti 3d printer, how do you think they make there bikes, you could 3d print a compleet engine block with it if it was big enough printer, so a e bike motor mount would be easy.

[@Jon-ty6bb]

The motor mount would be relatively easy to integrate in to the BB lug but I’d be very interested to see how the Atherton design team mount the battery.

[@K.V.P14]

Yes I've been living under a rock , what kinda money are we looking at for one of those beauty's?

[@micahcallen4808]

Around 8000 GBP

[@K.V.P14]

@@micahcallen4808 thanks. 🫤

[@henrikhedberg5922]

Depends on which bike you’re looking at the AM 130 starts at £6600

[@ashleytombs]

just imagine a Atherton HT with 150ml up front 27.5 all round and in raw Time to remortgage the house and one bike to rule them all and don’t tell the wife lol

[@Prnc_95]

I would love to see an Atherton hardtail😁.

[@Harambe_]

Same. Probably the only way I could afford one.

[@Prnc_95]

@@Harambe_ same, brother. 😂

[@Paganiproductions84]

I love if they make a xc hardtail

[@msagoo29]

@@Paganiproductions84 Exactly what I was thinking

[@gmbntech]

That would be awesome to see!

[@RobHill00]

Can the carbon be replaced if it was to get damaged or would it require new lugs as well because of the bonding?🤔 Basically, how repairable is it?

[@henrikhedberg5922]

I asked this exact question when I bought mine and you can’t remove the carbon from the lugs. At least not for now.

[@badlarry172]

that bond is strong, don't imagine you could repair/replace

[@darrenwall5439]

Will visit dyfi bike park in the spring for sure, really interesting bikes and the park of course. All the best for the new year ahead 💚💚

[@gmbntech]

Dyfi is a great bike park! It's well worth a visit when you get the chance!