The journey from small guy to teenager...

[DirkPitt74]

Interesting regarding the Atherton & Session.
Is it the mullet set-up that he doesn't get on with?

Good that he's got the support of TFTuned and DMR so that changes aren't a complete PITA.

[weeksy]

Well last year when testing he ran mullet and 29/29 on the Session at Dyfi for 8 runs, 4 on each.

He was within 0.2s on a 4 min track on both setups.

You'd arguably think the Atherton being a mullet SHOULD turn quicker, but he can hustle the Session around switchbacks and transitions easier.

The Atherton does have a longer wheelbase... but we're wondering if it's the carbon/Titanium rather than the Alu of the Session. Truth is, we don't know why. We just know he's more at home on the Session.
We could spend another month, year etc messing about and trying to get the speed/feeling right on it, then still not manage it.

Or, move to the Session and know he's happy. It's a no brainer really

[Mr Moofo]

Well last year when testing he ran mullet and 29/29 on the Session at Dyfi for 8 runs, 4 on each.

He was within 0.2s on a 4 min track on both setups.

You'd arguably think the Atherton being a mullet SHOULD turn quicker, but he can hustle the Session around switchbacks and transitions easier.

The Atherton does have a longer wheelbase... but we're wondering if it's the carbon/Titanium rather than the Alu of the Session. Truth is, we don't know why. We just know he's more at home on the Session.
We could spend another month, year etc messing about and trying to get the speed/feeling right on it, then still not manage it.

Or, move to the Session and know he's happy. It's a no brainer really

And brave to come to those conclusions on the Atherton, when so many see it as the Holy Grail

[weeksy]

Well last year when testing he ran mullet and 29/29 on the Session at Dyfi for 8 runs, 4 on each.

He was within 0.2s on a 4 min track on both setups.

You'd arguably think the Atherton being a mullet SHOULD turn quicker, but he can hustle the Session around switchbacks and transitions easier.

The Atherton does have a longer wheelbase... but we're wondering if it's the carbon/Titanium rather than the Alu of the Session. Truth is, we don't know why. We just know he's more at home on the Session.
We could spend another month, year etc messing about and trying to get the speed/feeling right on it, then still not manage it.

Or, move to the Session and know he's happy. It's a no brainer really

And brave to come to those conclusions on the Atherton, when so many see it as the Holy Grail

We were of course one/two of them. When he tested it at Dyfi it wasn't as fast as the Session, but the assumption was that when we set it up and got used to it, he'd be faster on it. But that seems not to be the case as per testing times and feel. We've done all we can realistically having had the bouncers setup, the tyres are the same, same forks and even arguably a better setup shock on the Atherton this weekend.

It's an expensive lesson as i'm going to drop £1000 easy but the only thing that matters, is speed on the clock. That's it, that simple.

[DirkPitt74]

Is it the size difference - could it be a simple case of wrong size?
Seen a few post about sizing down on the Atherton Owners FB page.
Having 22 sizes is great, but you can't beat S,M,L &XL......
How do the numbers stack up on reach, wheelbase etc?

[weeksy]

Is it the size difference - could it be a simple case of wrong size?
Seen a few post about sizing down on the Atherton Owners FB page.
Having 22 sizes is great, but you can't beat S,M,L &XL......
How do the numbers stack up on reach, wheelbase etc?

Reach is 5mm longer on the Atherton
Stack is 3mm higher on the Session
Wheelbase is 21mm longer on the Atherton.

Whilst the wheelbase is longer, nothing jumps out at me massively. Looking at the numbers you'd think they'd ride pretty much the same.
So is it the frame material/config or maybe the DW6 vs the standard Session linkage.
I honestly don't know mate, i wish i could give you more as maybe then we could tune the Atherton differently to compensate.

https://geometrygeeks.bike/compare/trek ... ll-2020-l/

Don't get me wrong here, this isn't going to be the difference in the National Champs between 15th and P1 for him, but it could pick him up some places. More importantly though is that we both feel it's the right decision for the right reasons.

I've had a couple of bites/interest on his A200, one as a frame and one as a semi-built. But nothing too concrete yet... It'll sell though, of that i'm 100%.