Construction and Features Step back a few meters and you might be hard-pressed to tell the difference between the new Thunderbolt and Rocky's other recently re-worked platforms like the Altitude and Instinct, with all three sharing a similar silhouette. They're very different bikes made for different intentions, of course, but it's interesting to see the shared design language across much of Rocky's cross-country, trail, and all-mountain platforms.
Cable routing is internal, and while there are no hose guides inside the frame, the large opening beneath the bottom bracket shell makes it easy to swap lines when the time comes.
Like the other new bikes, you'll find blind pivots on the Thunderbolt that make for some pretty clean lines, as well as sealed bearings all around (including the lower shock mount) that replace the bushing system Rocky used previously. Yes, it could be argued that bushings make more sense mechanically for a bike's pivots, but I assume that most of us don't hear "bushings" and think that they're better than sealed bearings, especially if you were riding in the late '90s and early 2000s.
To be honest, I never had any troubles with Rocky's bushings over the years, years that included loads of time on a handful of different models, and multiple seasons on a few, but I've heard that their bushing setup could be troublesome if the tolerances weren't bang-on.
There are two (not three) ISCG 05 tabs around the bottom bracket shell, and a number of chain guide companies make protection to fit. The bike comes stock with a small upper slider mounted onto the top of the chainstay that worked perfectly.
Like many new bikes, you can go full robot-mode if you want, with the ability to mount a Di2 drivetrain and Fox's (finally) upcoming Live electronic suspension system at the same time, along with a long-stroke party post. You can't put a front derailleur on, which you shouldn't want to do anyway, but there is a 2-bolt ISCG 05 guide mount and Rocky's own 'Spirit Guide' bolted onto the top of the bike's chainstay. There's room for a bottle inside the front triangle, too, regardless of if you've fitted a piggyback shock or not.
Frame weight is a claimed 5.63 pounds (2.55 kg) for a medium, including the shock, protectors, chain guide, and axle, which is far from porky.
The end of all reviews being "climbs like a mountain goat, descends like a scalded cat" cannot come soon enough.
Keep judging bikes harshly. There's a lot of choice out there, and these things aren't cheap. No company should be able to get away with dropping the ball.
Maybe this is a bike for people who care about weight and playfulness more than rock garden stability and racing at the edge of their skillset. If I want a heavy plow machine, plenty of other choices out there.
You can't get away from the test terrain influencing the review. Mike is in Squamish and the aggressive, short travel 29er really works for those conditions. They are a game changer in here in BC, but probably not so much in your neck of the woods.
I'm not gonna lie though, a friend has the new 29er Sight and I think about that bike quite a bit.
These reviews should all include two perspectives, that from a short or medium person and then another from a tall person.
Included in this, were deposit taken for new bikes from clients, only to find out months later that the bikes were never ordered. We would really like Rock Mountain International to step in and give the brand to someone who can do it justice, but all our calls to RM International have fallen on deaf ears.
The multi bike test session with multiple reviewers is a great idea, but you need some deeper analysis and experience so that it isn't overshadowed by bad setup or geometry benefiting certain reviewers more dominating the results.
Lets be realistic, most of us will buy a new bike based on a combination of;
- personal bias towards certain bands
- what we can get cheap,
- what feels all right in the carpark (or at a test day if we're lucky)
- the colour scheme
While reviewers do spend adequate time aboard bikes to form opinions, unlike many of us they simply don't spend the hours on ONLY that bike to truly adjust and get used to it. This has me thinking back to a recent EWS Pro Bike Set Up video where the Fox Tech was essentially saying that some riders spend far too much time trying new set ups instead of simply adjusting and learning the one that they are on.
enduro-mtb.com/en/seven-trail-bikes-under-3000-review
enduro-mtb.com/en/8-enduro-bikes-under-e-4500-in-review
www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/biking/best-trail-mountain-bike
I would also argue that not being a 29” bike is a “pro” instead of a con for many of us.
Good review, overall, even if I don’t agree with the reviewer’s opinion on 29” Bikes.
More cornering grip, less rolling resistance, more stability (show me a 650b with 40mm BB drop), better braking performance, climbing etc.
Maybe 650b is winning the EWS races (BTW who won the last WC DH?) because the most talented rider (possibly of all-time) is riding 650b. Who's winning WC XCO (which is way closer to most people's terrain) on 650b.
He concludes he doesn't like adjustable geometry in one paragraph and then in a later paragraph he praises it.
He keeps referring back to 29er capabilities but it's entirely his personal preference, it would be like reviewing an Audi A3 but continually referring to how capable new SUVs are.
Look at this line:"The Thunderbolt felt active and like it was in no hurry to get anywhere, but the clock told me that was all in my head: It proved to be just as quick up my local hour-long fitness test as any other bike of similar ilk." Why the hell is that goof putting his personal bias against such bikes in there?
If he had just reviewed the bike (and I think he gets that part right in many ways) then readers would be better served. Maybe this should have gone through another editing phase?
Other than that...great review, as always!
Now Mike did reference Rockys other bikes as being better this year so maybe this one is a bit of a dog on the way up.
But by all means, if you like it enjoy your bike!!!!
The ultimate 27.5 goon bike hands-down is Evil's The Calling, but Evil still is isn't kosher on PB.
Also, why do they give all that geo adjustment and then spec it with the moron grade fork and shock that have zero worthwhile adjustments?
#27.5aintdead really, it’s not dead. Don’t listen to the actual bike company guys who say it is dead. Buy this bike.
-wibblywobbly, probably.
On the other hand I have no use of a bigger top end, even when riding on the road to the trail I can still catch some roadies at cruising speed.
Is this biologically speaking or some kind of gnar term that im not farmiliar with?
Will a fat guy have the same issues as a muscular guy?
I also ride my Stumpjumper, Scout and Altitude 29er. This Thunderbolt is the best of the stable that I have and have absolute confidence that this bike is able to handle anything that the typical AM rider is looking for.
To me, it's the perfect UK trail bike.
Also, what would you think to a 29er out on the front?!
Thank you.