If you were paying attention, you probably already saw this coming. Rocky Mountain recently updated their carbon Thunderbolt. Naturally, that meant the aluminum model was up next. Just like the carbon model before it, the Thunderbolt Alloy sees more travel with a new frame design and a few modern touches to keep it at the forefront of XC bike development.
Even in the XC category, things are getting rowdier every year. To keep pace, the Thunderbolt Alloy like the carbon bike stretches to 130mm of rear travel with a 130mm travel fork up front (120mm for the Thunderbolt 10). The FORM Alloy frame also mimics many of the features found on the carbon bikes like the new single sided rear pivots, the Ride 9 chip that has been moved into the link, and updated geometry.
By the numbers, you’ll find a longer reach, slacker head tube angle, and a lower bottom bracket. In a trend we’re starting to see more of, Rocky lengthened the chainstays slightly to improve climbing along with a steeper seat tube angle of 74.4° to 75.6° depending on the setting. Standover has been lowered which also offers a lower seat tube for increased dropper post compatibility.
The updated Ride-9 chip has been moved to the link which allows for a lighter, narrower package that still fits Metric shocks with size specific tunes. The kinematics have also been tweaked with more anti-squat for better pedaling. Optimized for 1x drivetrains, the suspension features a wider main pivot for increased stiffness.
You’ll also find full cartridge bearings at the pivots, internal cable routing, a BB92 bottom bracket with ISCG05 tabs, an integrated Spirit Guide, and tooled thru axles. Designed around 27.5″ Wide Trail wheels and tires, the frame will clear a maximum of 27.5 x 2.5″ or 26 x 2.8″ tires for 26+.
Offered in two colors, you’ll have the choice of three different builds – the high end 50, 30, or entry level 10. Pricing starts out at $1,999 for the 10, $2,649 for the 30, and tops out at $3,499 for the 50. Available now.
Features
• Increased anti-squat for better pedaling efficiency
• Size Specific Tune ensures that riders of all sizes get the appropriate rear shock tune. Our design team creates custom shock tunes base on field testing feedback, and adjust the tune of each shock for specific frame sizes
• 27.5 Wide Trail and 26+ compatible
• Max tire clearance is 27.5 x 2.5 and 26 x 2.8 (3.0 with low profile knobs)
• Bearings at all pivots, including at the lower shock mount (still compatible with aftermarket shocks)
• Blind pivots maximize rider heel clearance at the chainstay
• Lighter, tooled rear axle, with an updated axle nut for a more intuitive assembly
• Seat tube lengths have been adjusted to accommodate longer dropper posts at maximum insertion.
• Improved cable management including large head tube and down tube access ports, full-length shift housing, and internally routed shift housing and brake lines the front triangle housing
• Chainstay and downtube protectors.
• Integrated “Spirit Guide” chainguide, with 2-bolt ISCG05
• 1x optimized design with wider main pivot
• Lower standover height
• Modern parts compatibility (boost spacing, metric shock lengths, post-mount 180mm brakes, etc.)
• All sizes fit a water bottle in the front triangle with any reservoir shock currently on the market
• Sizes: XS-XL
Weight:
- Thunderbolt Alloy 50: 12.36kg (29.5lbs), size Medium
- Thunderbolt Alloy 30: 12.57kg (29.4lbs), size Medium
- Thunderbolt Alloy 10: 13.67kg (30.1lbs), size Medium
- Protectors, chainguide, & axle: 260g (0.57lb)
