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Atherton S.170E goes on presale with DJI Avinox power, from £6,999

Atherton Bikes has opened presale orders for its first electric mountain bike, the Atherton S.170E, built around DJI’s Avinox motor system. For UK eMTB riders, this is one of the most relevant launches of 2026 because it pairs a UK brand with the motor platform that’s now driving much of the “what should I buy next?” conversation. Atherton has published an eMTB overview page that positions the S.170E as a hard-riding, enduro-style machine aimed at self-shuttling days and big terrain. It is currently listing fixed builds on presale, with pricing starting at £6,999.

If you’ve been following Avinox-powered bikes, you’ll already know why the motor angle matters. The DJI Avinox eMTB ecosystem is drawing attention for its blend of torque, output and modern integration, and buyers increasingly want to understand the motor platform as much as they want to compare geometry and suspension. The Atherton S.170E lands right in that debate, and because it’s a UK brand with a UK audience, it is likely to be a high-interest story for Electric MTB UK readers.

What Atherton has confirmed so far

Atherton is using a presale model with a deposit up front, then a balance payment date set out on the product pages. The listings also show delivery timing as May–June 2026 for the currently available batch, which gives UK riders a practical decision point: reserve now to secure one of the early production slots, or wait for more detailed launch information and longer lead times. The S.170E is positioned as a full-power, big-mountain eMTB designed to suit steep climbs and repeated laps, with the “S.170” naming making it clear that this is an eMTB interpretation of Atherton’s established enduro platform.

Atherton’s presale listings also communicate key “real world ownership” points. The battery is housed in the downtube and charged on the bike (rather than being designed for quick trailside swaps), but it can be accessed for service and transport when needed.

If you’re weighing up motor platforms, our eMTB motors guide breaks down what actually matters in day-to-day riding.

Pricing and build options (UK)

Atherton is offering three presale builds, each built around the Avinox drive system with different suspension tiers. Current UK pricing is listed as:

BuildUK priceHeadline spec theme
S.170E.3£6,999RockShox ZEB + Vivid Air Select level build
S.170E.2£7,999RockShox “Ultimate” level build
S.170E.1£8,999Fox Factory level build

For a UK audience, the important point is that the pricing is clear and comparable against other high-end full-power eMTBs, while the presale structure is also transparent: reserve with a deposit, then complete payment before the production date that corresponds to your build slot.

What it means for UK eMTB riders

There are three reasons this story should perform well on Electric MTB UK. First, the search intent is strong: “Atherton S.170E” and “DJI Avinox eMTB” are exactly the terms riders are using when they’re trying to understand which brands are adopting Avinox. Second, the prices and delivery window are already public, which makes it a practical buyer-focused news item rather than a vague teaser. Third, it taps into a broader consumer question: should your next full-power eMTB be chosen as much for its motor ecosystem as its frame?

From a riding perspective, the Atherton S.170E looks built for the UK’s core enduro use case: steep climbs, big mileage, and hard descending where stability matters. If you’re comparing this against other enduro eMTBs, our best full-suspension eMTB guide is a good starting point for frame-and-motor comparisons.