The Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt BC Edition is guaranteed to put a smile on your face: it was by far the most agile bike in this group test. It flits from side to side faster than a rabbit on cocaine, but that means it will also test its rider’s skills.
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best trail bike you can buy
The “BC Edition” tag on Rocky Mountain’s range of products has always meant longer travel suspension and harder hitting componentry, intended for a better time on the descents. The Thunderbolt is no exception. With 140 mm at the front and rear, the BC Edition has 10 mm more travel than the regular versions. The travel is provided by FOX Performance Elite suspension with a 36 mm fork, which uses the same interior as the Factory model but without the Kashima coating. The difference is completely negligible on the trail. The Thunderbolt also features Rocky Mountain’s own Ride9 system for adjusting geometry and kinematics. The bike’s spec is rounded off by SRAM Guide RS brakes with small 180 mm rotors, a SRAM X01 drivetrain and lightweight Stan’s Arch MK 3 rims with DT Swiss 350 hubs. A nice detail is the chain guide developed by Rocky Mountain, which gets bolted directly onto the chainstays. At 12.56 kg, the Thunderbolt is the second lightest bike in the test field.
The Thunderbolt is a good choice when you don’t need to go fast to have fun.
The Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt Carbon 90 BC Edition in detail
Fork FOX 36 FLOAT Performance Elite140 mm
Schock FOX FLOAT DPS EVOL Performance Elite 140 mm
Brakes SRAM Guide RS 180/180 mm
Drivetrain SRAM GX Eagle
Seatpost FOX Transfer Performance 150 mm
Stem Rocky Mountain 50 mm
Handlebar Race Face Turbine R 780 mm
Naben/Felgen DT Swiss 350/Stan’s Arch MK 3
Tires MAXXIS Minion DHF/DHR II
Weight 12.56 kg
Price € 6,199
Rocky Mountain’s specially developed Spirit Guide chain guide does its job reliably and looks very nice doing so.
Rocky Mountain skilfully conceals the pivot points, making the bike look very clean.
The decals on the handlebars are perfectly matched to the colour of the frame, just like the lettering on the fork and the wheels. The Thunderbolt is stylish down to the last detail!
The FOX 36 Performance Elite Fit4 has the same inner workings as the Factory version, only without the Kashima coating. The difference is hardly noticeable on the trail.
Geometry of the Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt Carbon 90 BC Edition
| Size | XS | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube | 356 mm | 394 mm | 432 mm | 471 mm | 509 mm |
| Top tube | 548 mm | 578 mm | 603 mm | 628 mm | 658 mm |
| Head tube | 100 mm | 110 mm | 120 mm | 130 mm | 145 mm |
| Head angle | 65.9° | 65.9° | 65.9° | 65.9° | 65.9° |
| Seat angle | 73.9° | 73.9° | 73.9° | 73.9° | 73.9° |
| Chainstay | 426 mm | 426 mm | 426 mm | 426 mm | 426 mm |
| BB Drop | 24 mm | 24 mm | 24 mm | 24 mm | 24 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1104 mm | 1136 mm | 1162 mm | 1189 mm | 1221 mm |
| Reach | 380 mm | 408 mm | 430 mm | 453 mm | 479 mm |
| Stack | 583 mm | 593 mm | 602 mm | 611 mm | 626 mm |
The Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt Carbon 90 BC Edition on the trail
Before taking a seat on the 27.5″ bike, it is worth pushing the saddle forward on its rails. Otherwise, the very short chainstays and the rather slack seat tube angle will quickly make you feel like you’re sitting too far above the rear wheel on steep climbs. It is generally worth reaching for the climb switch on the shock as the rear end tends to sag a little too much when going up steep bits. The Thunderbolt isn’t a super efficient climber despite its low weight, though it scores with plenty of traction in technical sections. Going downhill, the suspension of the Thunderbolt is very sensitive and plush, making for a comfortable ride. However, it offers little mid-stroke support over lips on the trail and through rollers, absorbing your input when you try to pump it, though this is compensated by the geometry, which is all for having fun. The super short rear end and the moderate reach make the Thunderbolt corner like nothing else. The faster and tighter the switchbacks are, the more the Thunderbolt shines. Flick out the rear wheel? Easy. Manual? It almost does it by itself! It even masters steep, technical descents with ease. But as soon as the trail picks up speed, you’ll have to stay vigilant, because at higher speeds the Thunderbolt demands a strong guiding hand – so don’t even try to keep up with your buddies.
Conclusion
If what you’re looking for is a trail bike with super agile handling and lots of comfort, the Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt BC Edition is the one for you. On climbs and high-speed descents, however, the bike prefers to take it easy.
Tops
- very playful
- beautiful frame
- comfortable suspension
Flops
- The rear linkage lacks support
- nervous at speed
- small brake rotors
Uphill
Downhill
Stability
Agility
Value for money
More info at: bikes.com
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best trail bike you can buy
All bikes in test: Canyon Spectral CF 9.0 LTD | Evil Offering X01 | Giant Trance Advanced Pro 29 | Ibis Ripmo | Pivot Mach 5.5 Pro XT | Propain Hugene Highend | Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt BC Edition | Santa Cruz Bronson CC X01+ | Scott Genius 900 Ultimate | Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper 29 | Transition Sentinel X01 | Trek Remedy 9.9 | YT Jeffsy 29 CF Pro Race
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