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Thu 5 Nov, 12:00 pm UTC

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First look: Focus Thunder 3.0 mountain bike

By Matthew Cole

The latest bike to land at BikeRadar HQ is this £1,500 Thunder 3.0 all-mountain machine from German manufacturers Focus.

The three-bike Thunder range uses a Knuckle Box four-bar linkage out back (which it shares with Diamond Back’s Mission range) which Focus say allows for improved small bump compliance, more perceived travel and an optimised and neutral axle path.

Focus’s EABS (Easy Access Bearing System) is built into the frame to allow for easy maintenance and adjustment. DT Swiss’s M210 Air shock provides 140mm of rear travel while Suntour’s Epicon-XC 100 fork gives 140mm of adjustable travel up front. A mixture of Shimano XT and SLX take care of shifting, with Hayes Stroker Ryde brakes look after stopping.

We’re looking forward to hitting the trails with the Thunder 3.0, and we’ll let you know how we get on in an upcoming issue of Mountain Biking UK magazine. Focus bikes are available via Wiggle in the UK.

User Comments

There are 8 comments on this post

Showing 1 - 8 of 8 comments

  • Hmmm... Looks like a Commencal linkage to me. Wonder where they'll crack :P

  • Actually it's a Diamonback Knuckle box!

  • the linkage and shock mounts are welded the frame similar to the meta, where as the knuckle box seems to be top tube. but thats about it though .

  • Papasmurf, there's knuckle box frames with both. The six inch bikes mount the shock on the tope tube/seat tube join right at the top. The five (ish) inch bikes mount on the seat tube. It's the same frame as the DB America bikes.

    @Mr Cole. Have Focus reinforced the back end at all? I had the US Diamondback Sortie for a while and it was noticeably felxy, especially on rocks and in berms.

  • Not to sure what the point of "more perceived travel " is surely you want actual travel not perceived travel ? Or am i missing something !

  • £1500...

    and suntor forks...

    er, what?

  • looks really cheap and wrong- cant put my finger on it as to why though

  • I think it's pretty good value for what it is.

  • 1

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