Our ultimate freeride machine - the Thunderbird FR - just got a serious geometry update! We reworked it into a mullet-friendly platform to squeeze out every bit of fun. But is it mullet-only? Nope! If you love plus-size dirt-jump setups with stiff suspension and that hardtail-style trail feel on 27.5 front and rear - this frame can still deliver.
Our dirt riders wanted a frame that lets you swap the front end and go hit local trails right after smashing bike-park laps - just like you’d do in Chatel. And here it is! Bike-park rigs need to be tough and reliable when the crew finds a new road gap to huck or a steep chute to send. With 180mm of rear travel and room for up to 200mm forks - including dual crowns, a low BB, progressive suspension kinematics, and hydroformed tubes, this frame is just screaming: ”Dropping in!”
Need more tech? Here you go:
- all pivots run on oversized, stiff axles with sealed Max bearings for a trouble-free life,
- progressive suspension works perfectly with both coil and large-volume air shocks,
- The kinematics minimize anti-rise, so the suspension keeps working even when you’re hard on the brakes.
- The beefy head tube takes a 60mm lower headset bearing and is ready for 1.8” tapered forks with 68–69 mm crowns;
- dropouts are fully UDH-compatible.
- Thunderbird FR is now available in S, M, and L sizes.
With either a 200mm dual crown or a 180mm single crown fork, it's designed for bikepark laps with friends who chose double black diamonds for a warm-up run. Thunderbird FR pedals just right to keep the sweat off during beer runs while its suspension stays responsive enough to prevent cold ones from ruffling.
Thanks to its high leverage ratio at the beginning of travel, Thunderbirds easily overcomes friction, ensuring that the initial part of the travel is sufficiently soft. At the end of the stroke, higher progression offers resistance against bottoming out, guaranteeing the bike can handle whatever challenges you encounter.
All-aluminum Thunderbird frames are designed to be compatible with the new generation of 1.8" tapered forks featuring 68–69mm crowns. Bigger means stronger — a crucial advantage in Superenduro and Freeride riding. Of course, these frames also work perfectly with standard tapered forks with 1.5" steerer tubes. And when you purchase our Storm or Storm Intro headsets, both crown races are included.
The massive rocker is made of one piece of forged aluminum. Keeping lateral stiffness on a high level and providing on-trail feeling even in rough terrain.
Thunderbird SE frames are fully compatible with a Sram Universal Derailleur Hanger (UDH), and Eagle Transmission drivetrains.
Our custom bicycle frame protectors are crafted from thick thermoplastic elastomer material, offering superior impact resistance against scratches, dents, and impacts. Designed with a ribbed pattern for added durability, these protectors provide a perfect fit for Thunderbird frames, ensuring maximum protection without compromising aesthetics.
All bearings in our full suspension frames feature extra dedicated custom sealing, for enhanced protection against dust, dirt, and moisture. Red Mobil grease provides effective lubrication over extended periods, ensuring minimal friction and optimal performance. MAX-type bearings provide over 30% more load capacity than caged bearings.
180mm of rear and up to 200mm of front travel with geometry allowing to fit a 29-inch front wheel means you can easily match it with a dual crown fork and keep the eyes away from your lovely mullet.
Specification
WHEEL SIZE
29"(front)/27.5"(rear) or 2x27.5”;
MATERIAL
AL 6061-T6
SHOCK HARDWARE
Trunnion/22.2x8mm
FRAME TRAVEL
180mm
COLOR
glossy Cosmic, glossy Dragon Green, matt Midnight Black
SIZES
Small, Medium, Large
SHOCK OPTIONS
w/o shock; w/X-Fusion H3C HLR shock;
WEIGHT
4.05kg (w/o shock)
RECOMMENDED FORK TRAVEL
180-200mm
SHOCK SIZE
225x75mm
MAX CHAINRING SIZE
36T
MAX TIRE SIZE
27.5x2.6"
HUB SIZE
148x12mm
POST/CLAMP DIAMETER
30.9mm/34.9mm
HEADSET TYPE
IS42/IS60
DERAILLEUR HANGER
SRAM UDH
BB TYPE
BSA/Euro73mm
| size | calc. fork travel (mm) | reach (mm) | stack (mm) | ST (mm) | TT (mm) | eTT(mm) | CS (mm) | HT (mm) | HT angle (°) | eST angle (°) | BB drop (mm) | WB (mm) | standover (mm) | wheel size (") | max.tire size (") | max. chainring size | fork travel (mm) | hub size (mm) | headset type (S.H.I.S.) | BB type (mm) | post diam. (mm) | clamp diam. (mm) | brake mount | max. rotor size (mm) |
| SMALL | 190 | 445 | 652 | 410 | - | 545 | 430 | 110 | 63.5 | 81 | 34/15 | 1237 | 795 | 27.5/Mullet | 27.5x2.6 | 36T | 180 - 200 | 148x12 | IS42/IS52 | BSA/Euro73 | 30.9 | 34.9 | PM 180mm | 203 |
| MEDIUM | 190 | 470 | 652 | 410 | - | 570 | 430 | 110 | 63.5 | 81 | 34/15 | 1262 | 795 | 27.5/Mullet | 27.5x2.6 | 36T | 180 - 200 | 148x12 | IS42/IS52 | BSA/Euro73 | 30.9 | 34.9 | PM 180mm | 203 |
| LARGE | 190 | 490 | 652 | 410 | - | 590 | 430 | 110 | 63.5 | 81 | 34/15 | 1282 | 795 | 27.5/Mullet | 27.5x2.6 | 36T | 180 - 200 | 148x12 | IS42/IS52 | BSA/Euro73 | 30.9 | 34.9 | PM 180mm | 203 |
