Downhill mountain bike racing's most famous family, the Athertons, have been working with Shimano offshoot PRO to develop their own signature line of products, and the fruits of their labour are now set to hit shop shelves.
The 2010 range includes a super-short seatpost, titanium-railed saddle and two stems – a 160g threadless unit and a 125g direct mount version that will fit RockShox Boxxer and newer Fox 40 forks. What really caught our eyes, though, were the new bars and grips.
All the products in the Atherton Star Series boast the siblings' new 'toilet door signs' logo. These stick figures form the pattern for the grey rubber grips, which are 135mm long.
They have a standard metal lock-on collar on the inboard end and a special internal locking system on the closed outer end (because Gee likes to ride with his hands right at the end of the bar).
The bars are available with a low rise (20mm) for downhill or a high rise (50mm) for four-cross and freeride. Made of 7075 alloy, they measure in at 745mm (29.3in) wide. Cutting indications at the ends make them easy to trim. RRP is £17.99.
The low-rise bar has five degrees of upsweep and nine degrees of backsweep, and weighs a claimed 315g. The high-rise version has three degrees of upsweep and seven degrees of upsweep, and weighs 320g. RRP is £54.99.
Vanderham
PRO have also created a signature line with big mountain freeride king Thomas Vanderham. Again, the range includes a saddle, post and stem, as well as grips and bars. Instead of the stick figures, Vanderham's line has a recurring fingerprint motif.
The grips come with standard lock-on collars (the outer end has a built-in end-cap) featuring the motowhip legend's TV logo and signature and a diamond pattern. They're 135mm long and only available in white. RRP is £17.99.
Again, there is a choice of low (20mm) or high (30mm) rise bars, this time made of 7050-T76 alloy. Both have four degrees of upsweep and eight degrees of backsweep. Claimed weight is 315g. RRP is £54.99.
FRS
FRS is PRO's all-mountain/freeride range, and the kit is now available in a striking white and gold colourway. It's lighter than the downhill and big-hit kit, with the low-rise bars weighing in at 280g and the stem at 125g.
The FRS bar is made of 2014 T6 alloy and has a 20mm rise. A high-rise version is also available. The stem is made of 3D-forged 6061 T6 alloy and has a five-degree rise. It's available in 50mm and 70mm lengths. Prices start at £29.99.
UK distributors Madison say the new PRO gear should be in stock in November.
