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Today’s Deals2015 Rocky Mountain
Thunderbolt 770 MSL
A 27.5″ carbon frame full suspension trail bike with high-end components.
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Manufacturer Price
$5,499| Frame | Carbon |
|---|---|
| Suspension | Full, 120 / 120mm |
| Fork | Fox Float 32 |
| Shock | Fox |
| Wheels | 27.5″ Aluminum |
| Drivetrain | 2 × 10 |
| Groupset | XTR, XT |
| Brakes | Shimano XT Hydraulic Disc |
| Seatpost | Dropper |
5'1" – 5'6"
5'4" – 5'9"
5'7" – 6'0"
5'10" – 6'3"
6'0" – 6'5"
🐐 Estimated
None yet.
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Summary
The Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt is a versatile trail bike praised for its lightning-fast handling, efficient suspension, and customizable RIDE-9 geometry. It excels in climbing and offers a playful, aggressive ride, though some reviews note limitations in more technical or aggressive downhill terrain. The bike's lightweight carbon frame and adjustable features make it a favorite among riders seeking a balance between cross-country efficiency and trail capability.
Lightning-fast handling and precision
Efficient suspension and excellent climbing traction
Customizable RIDE-9 geometry for personalized ride
Lightweight carbon frame with durable construction
Versatile for various riding styles and terrains
Limited travel for aggressive downhill riding
Some models may require frequent maintenance
High price tag for top-end models
This is saying a lot, as the array of bikes we rode in this year’s test was, pound for pound, the strongest bunch in The Bible of Bike Tests’ six-year history.
BIKE MagazineThe Rocky’s suspension is efficient when climbing and offers excellent traction, but it’s active during out of the saddle exertions.
BikerumorEqually at home on long, technical climbs as it is flowy singletrack descents, it’ll have you powering through the rough stuff and popping off every trail feature you lay eyes on.
Dirt MountainbikeFeedback?
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Sep 2016 · JC Canfield
The second year of the Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt BC Edition provides us a bike that defies traditional spec and provides adjustable geometry, designed for riders who are looking to push the boundaries of XC. This beefed up version of the Thunderbolt begged to be pushed to its limits. So for two months I sought the ends of the bike’s capability on everything from mellow out-and-back loops to terrain some might deem as “a bad idea” with a short travel bike. I was searching to answer the question of whether this is an XC bike with trail chops, or more of a well rounded trail-slayer, ready to take on the whole mountain. Primarily designed for XC riding, the souped up BC Edition spec includes a pair of 2.4” Maxxis Ardents, Race Face Next carbon bars and a custom-valved Rock Shox Monarch RT3 putting the overall build a little over 26 pounds, which is stupidly light for a bike categorized as “trail.”
Jul 2016 · Christoph Bayer
As the trail bike storm brews, it’s time to set the scales and verify if the Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt BC Edition lives up the brand’s high standards.
Mar 2016 · Danny Milner
The Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt BC Edition is an aggressively specced short-travel ripper that we tested on home turf in Canada
With so little mass, it’s easy to chuck about. Black on black build-kit is super-slick
Front end needs to grow by at least 20mm. Suspension performance held back by bushing friction
Jun 2015 · Saris Mercanti
A few years ago when 29ers where still as widely misunderstood as fat bikes, there was a trend of building up mini DH bikes out of four inch travel slopestyle bikes. Those bikes were (and are) about the most the fun you could have on a trail, but they were terrible for racking up miles. …
May 2015 · McCoy
It’ll flow through any section of trail with the right amount of finesse and confidence
Oct 2014
“The Thunderbolt has made my time climbing far more enjoyable than before, and I get a small sense of satisfaction by simply cruising past people on the way up the hill with a smile and a wave…”
Lightweight (27 lbs) with efficient climbing
Upright seated position for comfort
Short chainstays and 68.5° head angle for agile climbing
CTD remote for simultaneous suspension lockout
Supple Fox RP23 rear shock with progressive curve
Snappy corner exits on descents with active riding
No frame issues over 3 months
Top tube slightly small for 5'10" rider
Pedal bob in full-open position
Fox 32 fork deflection in aggressive terrain
Requires front-weighted riding style on descents
Brake fade with smaller rotors in extended technical terrain
Slower than bigger bikes in chunky terrain
Lack of dropper post (resolved in 2015 models)
Stock tires poor in wet conditions
Aug 2014 · Dirt HQ
Carbon continues to infiltrate every corner of the market, the latest to turn to the black stuff is Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt...
Aug 2014 · Charles Bryer
With shorter chainstays, a lower stand-over, additional adjustability and improved pivot technologies the new 2015 carbon Thunderbolt MSL is Rocky
| Frame | SMOOTHWALL™ Carbon. Pipelock™ Main Pivot + BC2™ & ABC™ Bushings. Tapered Head Tube. Press Fit BB. RIDE-9™ Adjustable Geometry & Suspension Rate. Di2 Ready. BB Standard: BB86/BB92, Press Fit |
|---|---|
| Fork | Fox 32 Float 27.5 120 FIT CTD. 120mm. FIT Damper / Rebound / Climb (Lockout) - Trail (Compression) - Descend (Open) Settings / 15mm Axle / Tapered Steerer Travel: 120mm Spring Type: Air |
| Shock | Fox Float Remote CTD Custom Race Valved. SmoothLink™ Design 120mm. Rebound / Remote Climb (Lockout) - Trail (ProPedal) - Descend (Open) Settings / Adjustable Suspension Rate Travel: 120mm |
| Bottom Bracket | Race Face Cinch 30mm BB92 Press Fit |
| Headset | Cane Creek Forty Series: IS42mm Top / 52mm Bottom Tapered |
| Stem | Race Face Turbine 35mm 6° x 60-80mm |
| Handlebar | Race Face Turbine 1/2 Rise Ø35mm x 740mm x 9° Sweep |
| Saddle | WTB Silverado Race |
| Seatpost | RockShox Reverb Stealth 30.9mm x 355-420mm Type: Dropper |
| Pedals | N/A |
| Grips | Rocky Mountain Lock On XC |
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano XTR Shadow Plus Direct Mount 10spd |
|---|---|
| Front Derailleur | Shimano XT E Mount 2x10spd |
| Crank | Race Face Turbine Cinch 170-175mm 38/24T 2x10spd |
| Shifters | Shimano XT Rapid Fire I-Spec 2x10spd |
| Cassette | Shimano XT 11-36T 10spd |
| Chain | Shimano HG95 10spd |
| Brakes | Shimano XT Hydraulic Disc 180mm Type: Shimano XT Hydraulic Disc |
| Brake Levers | Shimano XT I-Spec Shifter Mount |
| Rims | Stan\'s ZTR Crest Tubeless Ready |
|---|---|
| Spokes | DT Swiss Competition |
| Front Hub | Shimano XT / Centerlock / 32H / 15mm Axle |
| Rear Hub | Shimano XT / Centerlock / 32H / 12 x 142mm Axle |
| Tires | Maxxis Folding F: Ardent 27.5\" x 2.25\" R: Ardent Race 27.5\" x 2.2\" |
First added September 9
Last updated April 14
Not listed for 1,880 days