Review

Ben Stuht's S170 "Changed Everything"

31 October 2024

Ben Stuht's S.170 "Changed Everything"

 

Benjamin Stuht lives in Erfurt/Germany, he’s an artist who works in wood and loves to incorporate environmental issues into his work, so when he saw the S.170 it appealed to him on so many levels… within weeks, he’d placed his order and immediately felt like a member of the Atherton family… but it was out on the trails that the S.170 blew his mind “It changed everything…”

 

See the S.170

Ben: ‘I own the Atherton S.170, number BO27. I first saw it in some bike magazine online and then talked to my friend Stefan Kleine (he also ordered one). We were both so excited that after 2 weeks we each independently ordered a frame.

Because I’m too far away for a demo I relied on reports and reviews, I chose it because of the exceptional design, the geometry and of course the design and the exclusivity… Only 26 orders before mine, one was my friend Stefan!

I've lived in Erfurt my whole life; it is in the Thuringia region of Germany, where the MTB scene is very active. All my friends are crazy about enduro and freeride; some are beginners, and others have been riding for 20 years… I only ride with crazy people! Everyone helps each other, which is nice, I'm happy to be part of this community. I'm on the bike every free minute. It's 45 minutes to the nearest bike park, but there are home trails, and I even ride in the city, urban mountain biking is so much fun. We have a lot of stairs here; I will never grow up.

People like me because I always think positively. My main job is as a caretaker in a kindergarten, the other half of the day I am an artist. I make wooden objects and like incorporating environmental issues or dealing with social problems. Otherwise, I spend much time with my sons Till and Nils. Till is 15 years old and a very talented free-rider. Nils likes everything that has to do with engines.

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I've been riding off and on my whole life, but I only started to ride Enduro in 2018, before the S.170, I had a 2022 Mondraker Foxy R. I liked it a lot, but the S.170 changed everything.

- The handling is phenomenally good, and it's so fast on the trail. It screams at you to give more!

- This bike remains good-natured in almost every situation and forgives a lot of riding errors.

- It was a perfect fit for my height right from the start. I am 1.75m and have size S06.

- I like how high the bike is at the front. This makes it feel so much better than the more flat Foxy.

My son took over and after he rode the S170, we added a handlebar with more rise to the Foxy for him, it rode better straight away. Since I’ve had the S.170 I've been to the bike park more often than ever before. My first bike park visit was crazy. I jumped drops and gaps that I've always had respect for. The very first jumps on it were smooth, I’ve never felt so comfortable on an enduro, it’s almost scary.

My son always says I am a very safe rider when he follows me my jumps are long and clean. My friends say that too, they mean “Not bad for an old man” I have no idea how you did it, but since I got the S.170 I've become so much faster and more confident!

Everything works so much better, the bike always says to go faster. I want more!

Pedalling uphill is so much better than with the Foxy. It goes up the mountains lightly despite the relatively heavy weight… even for a light rider like me. And it's just beautiful! People’s reactions are terrific. I was in the Klinovec Trail Park recently, and my friend asked whether I ride or just give interviews all the time. The S.170 turns heads everywhere, and people ask, “Is it that good?” I always say “No, it's better!”  

"I immediately felt a part of the Atherton Bikes Family"

 

Riders on exceptional bikes like Nikolai or Crossworx ask lots of questions about the price and the price including taxes.

Communication with you is also a question that’s raised but I tell them It's amazing! The purchasing experience was unique. Gill kept me updated every step of the way, with 100% transparency and 100% commitment, and the design update is really sexy. I was even asked about it in Klinovec. No idea how the guy knew that but I really appreciated the honesty and the constant interaction.

I immediately felt a part of the Atherton Bikes family... I've never experienced anything like this before, the owners group is great and the story with Stefan and the delivery on vacation to France is unparalleled, I mean, what manufacturer does that? You guys are incredible!

 

See our S.170

It’s all such incredible fun. I've owned and rented a lot of bikes (Norco Range, Lapiere Zesty, Stumpjumper, Slash etc) The S.170 and the whole customer experience puts everything else to shame. When you ride the S.170 you always have a grin on your face.