This bike is part of our huge group test, „The best e-mountainbike of 2026 with 30 of the most exciting eMTBs of the season” – click here for the intro, our key take aways and all the bikes.
24.0 kg in Size 8 | € 8,549.05 | Manufacturer’s website
With the S.170E, Atherton deliver exactly what many have been waiting for: the Welsh manufacturer enters the race with its first eMTB. And just as you would expect from a name long associated with World Cup racing, raw aesthetics and uncompromising performance, this bike is anything but generic. It’s no mainstream eMTB, but a bike with a clear identity, striking design and the ambition to carry Atherton DNA convincingly into the electric era.
The brand thrives on the legacy of the Atherton family and their deep roots in gravity racing. That’s clearly reflected in the S.170E: a powerful Avinox M2S motor, 180/170 mm of travel – matched only by the Giant Reign as the highest in the test field – and a DW-link rear suspension all point firmly in one direction.
At 24.0 kg in size 8, the S.170E sits squarely in the middle of the test field in terms of weight. At € 8,549.05, the price feels relatively fair for the spec on offer, even if taxes and shipping come on top. So how does Atherton’s first eMTB perform on the Spanish trails, and can it hold its own against the other 29 bikes in this test field?
The Atherton S.170E in Detail.
The Atherton S.170E turns heads before you even throw a leg over it. Its raw finish feels entirely at home on the aluminium frame, and the brand’s signature round tubes, bonded and partly bolted in classic Atherton style, give the bike a character all of its own. The rounded 700 Wh battery slots into the design beautifully, feeling like a natural extension of the overall aesthetic rather than an afterthought. And with a down tube circumference of just 22 cm, the Atherton also lays claim to the slimmest profile in the entire test field.
The aluminium frame is protected by several guards. The motor cover is designed to shield the drive unit from hard impacts. Our test bike still came fitted with a 3D-printed pre-production version, while the production model is set to feature a significantly more robust solution. The remaining plastic parts are functional, if unremarkable to look at or touch. The chainstay protector keeps chain slap well under control, though at its core it’s simply a strip of glued-on rubber. The cables enter the frame through rubber ports on the head tube and stayed pleasantly quiet throughout testing – though these are pre-production parts due to be replaced with more durable versions on the final bikes.
At the rear, the cables run through sleeves secured with cable ties, and the dropper routing around the battery is tight enough to make maintenance a touch fiddly. The charging port above the motor is tucked behind a discreet flap that does its job without fuss, while down tube mounts for a bottle cage are a welcome addition.
The spec of the Atherton S.170E.
For their first e-MTB, the Welsh brand follow a familiar route and opt for the new Avinox M2S system. Paired with the permanently integrated 700 Wh battery, it delivers up to 1,500 watts of peak power and a maximum torque of 150 Nm. Charging is handled by a 12 A fast charger, which brings the battery back to full in under two hours.
Control comes via high-quality wireless remotes and a high-resolution touchscreen neatly integrated into the top tube. The remotes impress with their excellent ergonomics, and the Avinox Ride app also leaves a very strong impression. In terms of usability, adjustability and overall feature set, it currently ranks among the best solutions on the market alongside Specialized’s app.
True to Atherton’s philosophy, the experience does not stop with the bike itself. With their Atherton Bikes Owners Days, the brand offers dedicated events centred around the product. If you own an Atherton, you are invited to spend time riding with fellow owners and the team at Dyfi Bike Park. There are also dedicated demo sessions where setup and bike choice can be fine-tuned together with Atherton. It is a great example of how brand, product and community come together.
As for the spec, Atherton rely on a consistently high-quality package. The suspension consists of a FOX 38 Factory fork with GRIP X2 damper and 180 mm of travel up front, paired with a FOX Float X2 Factory shock managing 170 mm of rear travel. The FOX Transfer Factory dropper post rounds out the all-FOX package, its Kashima coating and generous 210 mm of travel giving you plenty of freedom of movement on the descents. Braking is handled by Hayes Dominion A4 brakes, paired with 203 mm rotors front and rear. They rank among the most powerful yet finely controllable stoppers out there and suit the character of the bike perfectly.
Shifting is taken care of by an electronic SRAM Eagle AXS Transmission drivetrain, although it still relies on an external AXS battery rather than drawing power directly from the main battery. Our test bike rolls on Stans Flow aluminium wheels in a mullet configuration, with a 29″ front wheel and 27.5″ rear wheel. The production bike will come with Mavic E-Deemax wheels instead. Tires are Continental Kryptotal Fr up front and Kryptotal Re at the rear, both in the robust Downhill casing and SuperSoft rubber compound. Anyone wanting a little more durability at the rear should switch to a Soft compound once the first tire has worn out.
The spec suits the character of the Atherton S.170E like mud suits Wales: robust, high-quality and built for hard riding.
Atherton S.170E
€ 8,549
Specifications
Motor Avionx M2S 150 Nm
Battery AVINOX 700 Wh
Display Avinox
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 1x12
Stem FSA Gradient 35 mm
Handlebar FSA Gradient Carbon 780 mm
Wheelset Mavic E-Deemax 29"/27.5"
Tires Continental Kryptotal-Fr Downhill Supersoft/Kryptotal-Re Downhill Supersoft 2.4"
Technical Data
Size 46357
Weight 24.0 kg
Specific Features
Fast charging
Removable battery
Tuning tip: once the rear tire is worn, switch to the more durable Soft compound at the back.
| 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° |
| Chainstay | 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 |
The Atherton S.170E on the trail.
Atherton S.170E climbing performance.
Climbing quickly makes it clear that the Atherton S.170E is no laid-back tourer, but a distinctly gravity-focused eMTB. The riding position is generally comfortable, though a touch more stretched and less relaxed than on classic touring bikes. For shorter climbs and technically demanding ascents, that works well.
On technical climbs, you’re nicely integrated into the bike, and the S.170E feels very well balanced uphill, with the rear suspension generating plenty of traction. Small bumps are absorbed neatly, allowing the bike to stay calm and composed even on rougher ascents. The Avinox M2S motor delivers brutal power, yet remains surprisingly easy to control. The output is immense, but it never feels nervous or unpredictable at the contact patch.
Below around 1,000 watts, the motor runs pleasantly quiet and restrained. Only when you tap into full power does the characteristic electric whirr become more pronounced, though it matches the sheer force on tap rather than detracting from it. All in all, the S.170E is a very capable climber, combining loads of traction and stability with a brutally powerful yet well-controlled motor.
Atherton S.170E downhill performance.
Riding downhill, the Atherton S.170E makes a serious statement. From the very first metres, you quickly feel at home, with surprisingly intuitive handling that immediately inspires confidence. You stand deeply integrated in the bike, and the high front end combined with the low stance creates an incredibly planted ride feel. Its accessible character also helps less experienced riders get comfortable with the bike quickly.
The suspension is one of the bike’s greatest strengths and the best-performing in the entire test field. It generates absurd amounts of traction, keeping the bike glued to the ground without ever feeling like it’s simply ironing everything out. Nor does it err towards a firm, race-tuned setup; instead, it strikes an impressively balanced mix of sensitive response, strong mid-stroke support and enough end progression to inspire real confidence. The bike swallows huge hits, stays composed through fast, rough sections and still feeds back just enough information to keep the ride feeling controlled and predictable.
The S.170E is brutally capable on technical trails in particular. It combines composure and confidence at an extremely high level and can be charged down the hill without compromise. No other bike in this test field can match it here. At the same time, it never feels sluggish or dull: for a bike with these many reserves, it remains surprisingly well balanced, combining immense stability with a level of agility that’s unexpected at this level. That said, the Atherton S.170E is clearly tuned more for traction, control and composure than maximum playfulness or airtime.
A weapon: the S.170E clings to the trail with so much traction that, in the end, it is no longer the bike setting the limit, but the rider.
Who is the Atherton S.170E the right eMTB for?
The Atherton S.170E is aimed at riders seeking maximum downhill performance without wanting a nervous or overly demanding race bike. Despite its clear gravity DNA, the S.170E is surprisingly approachable, inspiring confidence from the very first metre and appealing to a broader range of riders than you might expect. If you spend your time on technical descents, rough trails and riding at speed, this bike delivers an exceptionally capable overall package with huge traction, outstanding composure, plenty of reserves and a high level of control on the way down.
The right bike for:
The gravity rider
If you are after an e-MTB that delivers maximum confidence, traction and reserves on steep, rough and fast trails, the S.170E will hit the mark.
The high-speed charger
If you ride actively and want a bike you can rely on to respond predictably and stay composed even at high speeds, this is a dependable partner.
Not the right bike for:
The flow trail rider
If you are mainly looking for a playful, poppy bike that is easy to manual and turns every roller into airtime, the S.170E may not fully win you over. It is intuitive and well balanced, but clearly prioritises grip.
The touring all-rounder
If you want an e-MTB for long, relaxed rides, easy-going transfers and maximum versatility, that is not where the Atherton places its main focus. Despite solid climbing performance, the S.170E remains firmly shaped by its gravity DNA.
Conclusion about the Atherton S.170E
With the S.170E, Atherton make an impressive entry into the e-mountain bike segment while staying true to their character and distinctive design language. This is a bike with a clear identity, outstanding handling, impressive traction and suspension performance that ranks among the very best in the test field. It inspires real confidence on the descents and, despite its uncompromising character, remains accessible enough for a wide range of riders. The Avinox motor system further enhances the bike’s performance with powerful yet precisely controllable power delivery. A few minor detail gripes stop it short of perfection, but they do little to dent the overall impression. Exceptional, aluminium, Atherton: the S.170E stands out from the crowd and earns its place at the top of the test as the best eMTB of 2026!
Tops
- outstanding suspension
- extremely high traction and control downhill
- inspires huge confidence
- powerful, easily controllable Avinox M2S motor
- distinctive design language
Flops
- cable routing has room for improvement
You can find more information about the Atherton S.170E on the Atherton website.
The test field
For an overview of this group test, click here:
The best e-mountainbike of 2026 – The 30 most exciting bikes in the big group test
All bikes in test: AMFLOW PX Carbon Pro, AMFLOW PR Carbon Pro, AMFLOW PR Carbon, Centurion No Pogo R7000, Thömus Lightrider E-MAX, Aventon Current EXP, Atherton S.170E, Haibike AllMtn CF 11 TRN/IQ 2025, Abums Model One, MEGAMO Reason CRB 01, Santa Cruz Vala AL 70, Specialized Levo R, Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo 4, Specialized Turbo Levo 4 Comp Alloy, Yeti LTE T4.
Words: Benedikt Schmidt Photos: Peter Walker, Benedikt Schmidt
About the Author
Benedikt Schmidt
Benedikt is an expert in the eMTB segment at 41 Publishing, leading our large-scale comparison tests. After starting his career with a focus on urban mobility, he now oversees the planning and execution of the world’s most extensive test series for E-MOUNTAINBIKE magazine. His focus is on profound technical deep-dives, precisely analysing drive systems, geometries, and component innovations. As a responsible project leader, he provides well-founded, data-driven buyer’s advice for the premium market.
