The Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt has always been well regarded as an agile trail bike, now the Canadians are launching a new model. The new Thunderbolt gets more travel and fits seamlessly into the current Rocky lineup.

At first glance, the new Thunderbolt is hardly distinguishable from its longer travel siblings Altitude and Instinct, the current Rocky Mountains follow a clear line. In addition to a fresh look, the 27.5″ trail bike gets more travel and a modern geometry. If 130 mm travel front and rear are still not enough, the BC Edition offers 140 mm and a more aggressive spec.

Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt Carbon 90 BC Edition | 140mm | 12,57 kg | 6.200 €

The well-known RIDE-9 system moves from the main frame to the rocker link and still offers riders the ability to adjust the geometry and suspension characteristic to their own preferences. Rocky Mountain claims that higher anti-squat values dramatically improve the Thunderbolt’s pedalling efficiency. The Thunderbolt has all the latest Rocky Mountain features such as blind pivots in the chainstays, a compact chain guide and tire clearance up to 2.5″.

Details like the small chain guide are a nice touch.
The RIDE-9 system has moved to the rocker link but still offers the same adjustability.

The Geometry of the Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt Carbon

Size XS S M L XL
Seat tube 356 mm 394 mm 432 mm 471 mm 509 mm
Top tube 544 – 547 mm 573,4 – 577 mm 598 – 602 mm 623 – 627 mm 653 – 657 mm
Head tube 100 mm 110 mm 120 mm 130 mm 145 mm
Head angle 66,4° – 67,6° 66,4° – 67,6° 66,4° – 67,6° 66,4° – 67,6° 66,4° – 67,6°
Seat angle 74,4° – 75,6° 74,4° – 75,6° 74,4° – 75,6° 74,4° – 75,6° 74,4° – 75,6°
Kettenstreben 425 mm 425 mm 425 mm 425 mm 425 mm
BB Drop 13 – 28 mm 13 – 28 mm 13 – 28 mm 13 – 28 mm 13 – 28 mm
Wheelbase 1098 – 1100 mm 1130 – 1132 mm 1156 – 1157 mm 1183 – 1184 mm 1215 – 1217 mm
Reach 385 – 397 mm 412 – 424 mm 435 – 447 mm 458 – 469 mm 484 – 495 mm
Stack 572 – 580 mm 581 – 589 mm 590 – 599 mm 599 – 608 mm 613 – 622 mm

The Geometry of the Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt Carbon BC Edition

Size XS S M L XL
Seat tube 356 mm 394 mm 432 mm 471 mm 509 mm
Top tube 545 – 548 mm 575 – 578 mm 600 – 603 mm 625 – 628 mm 655 – 658 mm
Head tube 100 mm 110 mm 120 mm 130 mm 145 mm
Head angle 65,9° – 67,1° 65,9° – 67,1° 65,9° – 67,1° 65,9° – 67,1° 65,9° – 67,1°
Seat angle 73,9° – 75,1° 73,9° – 75,1° 73,9° – 75,1° 73,9° – 75,1° 73,9° – 75,1°
Kettenstreben 424 – 426 mm 424 – 426 mm 424 – 426 mm 424 – 426 mm 424 – 426 mm
BB Drop 10 – 24 mm 10 – 24 mm 10 – 24 mm 10 – 24 mm 10 – 24 mm
Wheelbase 1102 – 1104 mm 1134 – 1136 mm 1160 – 1162 mm 1186 – 1189 mm 1219 – 1221 mm
Reach 380 – 392 mm 408 – 419 mm 430 – 442 mm 453 – 464 mm 479 – 491 mm
Stack 583 – 575 mm 593 – 584 mm 602 – 593 mm 611 – 603 mm 626 – 616 mm

The Specifications of the Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt Carbon

Thunderbolt Carbon 90 BC Edition

Fork FOX 36 FLOAT Performance Elite 140 mm
Shock FOX Float DPS EVOL Performance Elite 140 mm
Brakes Sram Guide RS
Drivetrain Sram GX Eagle
Seatpost Fox Transfer Performance Elite
Stem Rocky Mountain 35 CNC 35 mm
Handlebar Race Face Turbine R 780 mm
Tires Maxxis Minion DHF 2.3″ / Maxxis Minion DHR II 2.3″
Wheelset Stans Arch MK3 + Rocky Mountain Sealed Boost 15mm (front)/DT Swiss 350 Boost 148mm (rear)
Weight 12.57 kg (L)
Price € 6,200

Thunderbolt Carbon 70

Fork FOX 34 FLOAT Performance Elite 130 mm
Shock FOX 34 FLOAT DPS EVOL Performance Elite 130 mm
Brakes Shimano XT
Drivetrain Sram GX Eagle
Seatpost Fox Transfer Performance Elite
Stem Rocky Mountain 35 CNC 35 mm
Handlebar Race Face Turbine 760 mm
Tires Maxxis Minion DHR II 2.3″ / Maxxis Crossmark II 2.25″
Wheelset Stans Crest MK3 + Rocky Mountain Sealed Boost 15mm (front)/DT Swiss 370 Boost 148mm (rear)
Weight 11.8 kg (L)
Price € 5,800

Thunderbolt Carbon 50

Fork FOX 34 FLOAT Performance 130 mm
Shock FOX 34 FLOAT DPS EVOL Performance 130 mm
Brakes Sram Level TL
Drivetrain Sram GX Eagle
Seatpost Fox Transfer Performance Elite
Stem Rocky Mountain AM 35 mm
HandlebarRocky Mountain AM 760 mm
Tires Maxxis Minion DHR II 2.3″ / Maxxis Crossmark II 2.25″
Wheelset Stans Crest MK3 + Rocky Mountain Sealed Boost 15mm (front)/DT Swiss 370 Boost 148mm (rear)
Weight 12.26 kg (L)
Price € 4,800

Thunderbolt Carbon 30

Fork RockShox Recon Gold Air 130 mm
Shock RockShox Deluxe RT 130 mm
Brakes Sram Level
Drivetrain Sram NX
Seatpost Rocky Mountain SL
Stem Rocky Mountain AM 35 mm
HandlebarRocky Mountain AM 760 mm
Tires Maxxis Minion DHR II 2.3″ / Maxxis Crossmark II 2.25″
Wheelset Stans Crest MK3 + Rocky Mountain Sealed Boost 15mm (front)/DT Swiss 370 Boost 148mm (rear)
Weight 12.34 kg (L)
Price € 3,600

More information on the Rocky Mountain website


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