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.
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″.
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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