NORTH VANCOUVER, British Columbia (BRAIN) — Launched last year as an aluminum 27.5-inch trail bike, Rocky Mountain's Thunderbolt gets the carbon treatment for 2015.
The Thunderbolt MSL's Smoothwall carbon frame has 120 millimeters of travel and uses Rocky Mountain's Ride-9 system—two interlocking chip inserts that adjust geometry and suspension characteristics to dial in the bike for specific riding styles, terrain and rider weight. It's Di2 compatible with an integrated battery stealth port in the downtube and has internal cable, shock and stealth dropper post routing and 142-millimeter E-Thru rear axle for added stiffness. Grease ports allow for easy maintenance of suspension pivots.
The model is offered at three spec levels, from $4,299 to the $10,999 top-end 799 MSL with Shimano XTR Di2 2-by-11 drivetrain, XTR brakes, Fox Float CTD Kashima FIT fork, Stan's Valor carbon wheelset and RockShox Reverb Stealth dropper post. The Thunderbolt MSL is also offered in a "B.C. Edition" with wider bars, shorter stem, bigger tires and stiffer wheels at $6,399.
Bikes are set to begin shipping in the fall.
