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Atherton Bikes just launched a new online custom bike configuration tool that lets buyers visualize their perfect mountain bike build before ordering. The configurator is, of course, fun to play with, and a great tool for prospective buyers. But with it also comes another new ride-tuning fit option, expanding the UK manufacturer’s already industry-leading sizing choices. Now you can pick your ideal chainstay length, too. Stay neutral, go shorter for more agility, or longer for more stability. It’s up to how you want your new bike to ride

Atherton online bike custom build configuration visualizer

(AthertonBikes.com screenshots)

They describe it as the best way to create your perfect custom Atherton bike.

Really, it’s as simple as letting potential buyers pick the look of their bike – Atherton logo placement, size & color; lug color on the 3D-printed titanium & carbon A-series; and typical component spec options. To be fair, it’s not entirely unique – several other bike makers have similar configurator tools available online. But it is a way to create a truly unique Atherton bike build, and to see what it will look like before you hit ‘Buy Now’.

Customizable chainstay length to tune your ride

While the new online configurator will help you visualize how your new bike will look, the new chainstay choices will dictate how it rides. It’s only +/-5mm. And the change to rear center lengths of the DW-link designs has been approved by Dave Weagle. So don’t worry about screwing up the handling. In fact, smaller frame sizes which already have short stays don’t get a shorter Agile option. And likewise, big sizes with long rear ends don’t get to go even longer/more Stable.

Atherton’s idea was to give buyers more choice to tune their ride, without negating the careful geometry & suspension kinematics design they honed on each model & size. Remember, Atherton A-series bikes already come in a whopping 22 different sizes and the more affordable S-series in 12 sizes. There are plenty of options!

-5mm Agile, 0mm Neutral, or +5mm Stable

The new online configurator offers a concise guide to help select the best chainstay length for each rider:

Neutral (0mm, default) for all-around balance: “The factory-set chainstay length, optimised for a balanced ride. This is the length Atherton’s engineers have chosen as the ideal all-round setting for your frame size, delivering a blend of stability and agility.”

Agile (-5mm, shorter) for a more playful feel or riding tighter trails: “A shorter chainstay shifts weight rearward, making the front end lighter and easier to lift. This sharpens turn-in response and makes the bike feel more playful and manoeuvrable, particularly on tight, technical trails and in corners.“

Stable (+5mm, longer) for fast, wide-open riding: “A longer chainstay increases wheelbase and plants the rear wheel more firmly, improving high-speed stability, climbing traction, and composure on steep, rough terrain. Ideal for riders who favour confidence at speed over quick handling.“

The carbon & ti A-series bikes have a £240 / 228€ upcharge for picking either Agile or Neutral. That’s because they require extra design and prep to create a “custom print plate” for the 3D-printed titanium lugs each customer’s bike is built from.

The good news for the budget hunters is, the alloy S-series bikes have no extra charge. Alloy rear ends are made in batches, so Atherton will just pick the premade rear that fits your needs.

Atherton customizer – Online now

The new online configurator is live now across all analog (i.e. pedal-powered) A-series and S-series Atherton mountain bikes. So you can mix-and-match to your heart’s content. If you need more customization options, you can always reach out directly to Atherton as part of their fully custom Premium Build Service, too. A micro word of warning: we did find some tiny bugs in the configurator in one browser we tried, and had to switch to GBP to make sure it was possible to pick the correct size and chainstay lengths. But everything is there.

(All photos/Cory Benson)

Play around and create your own custom bike build. There will even be more standard component spec options added in the coming months. As always, every custom-configured Atherton bike is still built to order in Machynlleth, Wales.

And if you are looking for a custom eMTB build, Atherton assures us that the ebikes will migrate to the online configurator later this year.

AthertonBikes.com