The A.150 has been a long-standing bike in Atherton’s lineup. Equipped with a pair of 29-inch wheels, it’s built for hard-hitting trail and enduro duties, but today, the brand has taken up the bike’s formula a touch as it introduces the mixed wheel A.150M, a bike that brings more clearance and a more agile ride. Here’s everything you need to know.
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With the A.150M, Atherton didn’t aim to replace the 29in bike, rather, it wanted to expand its offering. And it reckons that a mixed wheel setup will open up the bike’s appeal, helping riders pick and match a bike better to their riding styles. As a brand that offers a whopping 22 sizes, offering the option of a mixed wheel size makes sense for those who prioritise a properly fitting bike.
The A.150M doesn’t depart too far from the A.150. It uses the same DW6 platform developed by Dave Weagle for Atherton’s A-Range bikes. We’re told that the platform delivers climbing efficiency, mid-stroke support, and composure through rough terrain. It’s a six-bar kinematic that’s built to work with Atherton’s unique frame construction and its tweaked to match each of the bike’s 22 sizes.
As expected of an Atherton bike, this one uses the very same construction method as the rest of the range. Each chassis is built of 3D printed titanium lugs, which are then bonded to carbon tubes. This method allows the brand to fine-tune the frame’s stiffness, compliance, and strength characteristics, and the bike, like the rest of the A-Range, is EFBE Category 5 certified.
With a smaller rear wheel comes some changes to the A.150M’s geometry. Across the size range, the chainstays are 3mm shorter and the head angle is half a degree slacker. The reach is 5mm longer, too, while the bike uses the same seat tube angles to retain the efficient climbing position.
For example, a 485 (Reg) frame boasts a 485mm reach, a 64.5-degree head tube angle, a 440mm chainstay, and a 78.25-degree effective seat tube angle.
Other frame features come in the form of UDH readiness, there’s a replaceable ISCG tab, and a straight seat tube to allow for plenty of seat post insertion.
With prices ranging from £5,000 up to £9,200, there’s a frame-only option available as well as three builds. Expect SRAM T-Type shifting across the builds, with Build 3 being equipped with RockShox’s Vivid Ultimate and Lyrik Ultimate suspension and Eagle 90 T-Type shifting. Build 2 comes with Ohlins suspension and GX Eagle T-Type shifting. Build 1 gets Fox Factory suspension and SRAM’s X0 Eagle T-Type drivetrain. All builds rock Hayes’ Dominion A4 brakes and Fox Transfer dropper posts.
