This Bike Brings the Thunder

[@GraydenMacLennan]

Perhaps there's no seat stay mount on the non-drive side because that's the side that usually faces down when you lay your bike on its side. You wouldn't want the weight of the bike resting on a bottle cage, putting nasty shear forces and torque on the bosses and the seat stay itself.

[@volition5559]

really like that you're coming into your own with these reviews. I would, however, like to see an update/ long term review or some sort of video on the bombora. And have long awaited a stable rundown as you seem to have a fair few personal bikes... right? Anyways, love it.

[@jefftoonstra5087]

I second that and request a long term review of your Thunderhawk, in particular the Ti fork

[@FreekaPista]

Yeah I think a group long term review of the current fleet would make for an excellent video

[@sleepintheheat]

+1

[@dariuslankarian3282]

kudos to Breezer for bringing a rigid steel mtb like this to the market.

[@Lousysuperior]

Timberjack base model (singlespeed) retailed for $1700. So honestly $1500 is kind of a steal for this bike. The karate monkey is also around $1700 I believe.

[@alanatkins3769]

Thanks for the review. I think this could be a great bike for someone like me. It's heavy, but so am I. It seems to be well appointed and sturdy. I have not ridden a MTB for years because I am to heavy for the suspension forks. I applaud bike companies that build bikes for a chunkier cyclist. This may have not been what they set out to do, but it is a nice option for us Clydesdales.

[@sunesnigel]

I bet this could be an option. I got a question though, have you seen bikes where they specify max weight for the rider? I know that people going on bicycle expeditions can carry 100+ kg in load+rider. The one i know of used a surly long haul trucker. I also seen limits on tires, around 120kg per tire. Either way i think it's wise to go with a steel frame rather then a aluminium.

[@blakeabrego-lerma4181]

I have this bike and it is truly meant for off-road touring. With touring you want a bike weight of around 30 pounds if steel since that can give you and idea of how sturdy the steel can be or it should be rated for 140kg weight. Also with having such high trail you can ride with a heavy front load rather high or low on the front and not feel it wobbling at all. It is a very great bike for touring but for riding regular the turns at first cam feel slow and wide. Otherwise though if you compare it to any other bike than you'll see that the price range beats pretty much all other bikes on the market by spec and speed. The 10-51 tooth cassette is spectacular but the trail can be comfortably a little bit lower and yes, the weight is a tough one; although as a tourer, you can just rap your hand around it's top tube and just by that tell how absolutely amazingly sturdy it is. As well, you are right about the tires, that is the one poor spec piece with crazy tread.

[@steveschurr5967]

I don't own one, but, I did test ride one last year and the shop mechanic put it on their scale. I don't remember the weight but I would remember if it was 35 pounds. I seem to recall it was under 32. The tires were much different though. I think WTBs. Maybe that accounts for some weight difference.

[@kostakigogos]

I have this bike and quite love it, but after I got it and realized that there was no 3 pack mount on the opposite side I was really disappointed. Happy to see some reviews finally popping up.

[@devondyreson]

How tall are you and what size are you riding?

[@VeloObscura]

I LOVE the mounts on the seatstays! This would make a great bikepacking steed as an alternative to something like a Kona Unit or Karate Monkey - Maybe a decent upgrade platform.

[@MeNtAlmil]

Thanks for showing the terrain you ride and describing what you normally ride, helps us understand what angle your review is coming from! Every review should do this

[@tinycmo]

I was looking at this , poseidon redwood, and kona x. Went with poseidon redwood, as it was readily available during the pandemic (and 900 $). Only changed the seat, pedals, and added a dropper, as its more used as a mtb more than gravel. Great bike.

[@jdzasta]

Glad to see you reviewed this. Looked at these hard when I went with a 2021 Kona Unit X. So many similarities in the geo, design, and specs. Almost the same bike. The Kona is no featherweight, either, but I’m fairly happy with it for the next couple years. I think I would step up and drop the $ on a Ritchey Ascent build if I had a do-over.

[@dirtyhippieoutdoors1408]

My current bikepacking rig is the Breezer Radar X. I see many similarities with the Thunder. The Radar X is on the heavier side too, but man can it roll! Thanks for the review!

[@bobbiemenendez3741]

Nice review. I remember test riding a classic steel Breeze Thunder in '94 or '95, it was light and nimble. Thinking ditch the dropper post, ditch the aggressive tires for something lighter and more XC ish or gravel, and install upgraded wheels and go tubeless. That should transform the weight and ride quality. Maybe a carbon fork after that.

[@Bob-hq5lj]

I have a built up '95 Breezer Thunder which i love and also '97 Lightning and '98 Twister framesets waiting for parts and some motivation 😆

[@bryanlikesitoutside5140]

Rear 3 pack mount is probably only on the drive side for better clearance in those instances where hike-a-bike is necessary.

[@astro61362]

Good looking bike. I like these rigid frame mountain bikes. I have a rigid Marin Pine Mountain. If I remember, your review of that one was pretty similar to this one.

[@markreams3192]

With a few differences this bike reminds me of my first mountain bike, a Trek 970. It was an all steel rigid fork bike that saw many epic rides on Southern California fire roads.

[@jameshall8260]

I built up Ritchey Outback Breakaway with flat-bars this year, and it has consistently been my bike of choice on my local green/blue single track. It's definitely not in the same price tier as the Breezer, but I'm becoming convinced that current "gravel-specific" geo with a flat bar and some wide fast-rolling tires is the sweet spot for ATB-minded biking.

[@IronKnok]

Lovely review as always. You've been a staple of mine for years. Greatly appreciate your content. You also inspired a morning ride to coffee ritual. Cheers

[@IronKnok]

I would love to get your thoughts on a Rodeo Labs Donkey or Flannimal. I would send you my Donkey but I'm sure it would be too big for you.

[@monjesmedia]

Thanks for the review! I love me an ATB! I just picked up a Marin Muirwoods that I’m using as a gravel/all road bike. Thanks to a prior review of yours we also got a Marin Larkspur for my wife. We love both bikes! I don’t think the Muirwoods gets the attention it deserves. It’s great on pavement and handles nicely on gravel. It’s a bike that would likely work well for many of your viewers. A few other bikes worthy of review could be the Marin Bobcat Trail and the Salsa Timberjack. Keep up the great work! We love your reviews!!

[@benjaminkaretnick3731]

Breezer is one of the OG Mtn Bike manufacturers. Love it!

[@steveschurr5967]

Joe Breeze is "the" OG. Designed, built and rode number one.

[@CRM08]

Looks like a sweet bike. Thank you for sharing this one with us Mr Russ.

[@williamchan8866]

Hi Russ…..I’m watching your reviews more and more, interesting stuff! Different point of view plus I’m learning a lot. Thanks for all your effort, much appreciated.

[@exzeroex]

So tempted to get this right now as an ATB because I want a flat bar bike and Breezer is having a Labor Day sale or something.

[@daytch9485]

I've got an On-line Bootzipper, bought the frame when it first came out. Same bike but without the stack , also comes as 650b. Fun bike, and yes its fork is also heavy but thru axle

[@davidbell1250]

I've also got an on one Bootzipper in the 650b version having bought the frame second hand. It's definitely heavy to carry but the tyres do a good job of smoothing out the rough stuff once you get going.

[@ritchierichh]

I feel like a good/alternative comparison and review can be done with a Brodie Megatour. I've been on/off about thr Brodie and Breezer for a while now.

[@Jason-qz2yr]

I'd really like to see a follow up review with a non stock version. Make the touch points what you like (swooped back bars etc) and put 650b/27.5 tires on (2.35 Ikons or something). For you that might tune it into your coveted ATB category. For some reason when I saw this bike at a LBS recently I though of you and how I would set it up for you so this has been on my mind for a couple weeks. Also, the drivetrain side cargo mount looks like a great fit for cage for a pack rod tube...

[@brandonparker6962]

I have a Kona Rove that I recently took to the Virginia Creeper Trail because I preferred a smaller, less aggressive tire and gearing (Apex 1x11). I was close to taking my hard tail because of the descent from Whitetop. I was nervous that I’d catch pinch flats… I’d like to get a bike that encapsulates the best of those bikes where I can ride long distances with varied surfaces without too much concern. Maybe something like an Ogre🤷🏼‍♂️

[@mmatsonn]

Would love to hear your take on the updated cult-classic Kona Unit X! I just picked up the single speed version (because its pink) for a mix of trail, ATB, and bikepacking. It seems quite similar to the thunder, but has shorter chain stays, sliding dropouts, lighter tubing, and fast rolling 29x2.6" meats. Great review as always!

[@BradWadeNL]

I have a 2020 Kona Unit X and I love it!

[@rofl4068]

Thanks for this review I'd like to see a review of the Kona unit Would be great

[@turntablized]

I have Norco FS3 2021 size L it has 29inch newton 2,4 tires and they suck i swaped them for the schwalbe smar sam 2.35 a lot better rolling tire. And the weight of the bike is the almost identical. I did ride hard tails for 30 plus years now I'm in love with full suspension bikes.

[@michaelhayward7572]

Good looking bike with a great paintjob. I'm a sucker for battleship grey... The lines remind me of the current gen Karate Monkey.

[@wbarns15]

Just a guess, but seeing as the brake side stays usually have extra bracing it would seem logical that mounts on the brake side seat stay would overburden if while not being an issue on the drive side stay

[@NelsonSherry]

Review suggestions? . . . How about another Salsa Mukluk, but with 29er wheels on it. You did a good review of an older model 4 years ago presenting a pretty in-the-box perspective. I have a whole quiver of bikes in my garage, but keep using my darn mukluk all summer long after putting 29er wheels on it. Winter fat biking, summer bike packing, summer family riding, year-round commuting. All my other bikes are so neglected these days.

[@paulnam4488]

Nelson Sherry amazing because I have an old Mukluk that I put 29" wheels on and use bike packing and it carries loads really well. I take it on mountain bike routes and after dropping the gear it's a fun mountain bike too. Good to see someone else does this. Sometimes I put fat tire wheels back on.

[@robertcoates2752]

Man that is a heavy Boi. That is about the same weight as my XL Big Wig with a 140mm fork and steel riser bars. Personally I don't mind the slack head tube angle for an ATB. The bit of wondering on slow climbs doesn't bother me versus stability when bombing down sketchy stuff. I am building a rigid bike using a Marino frame that is a bit slacker then the Breezer to be my ATB

[@the_lost_navigator7266]

Looks a lot like a genesis longitude. Nice bikepacking rig.

[@robbchastain3036]

Thank you, Russ, for reviewing a bike for your more performance-minded viewers, people for whom party pace just means a ride to 7-Eleven. And O how I grin and say thanks for your looks at all bikes, don't ever censor yourself as all of these bikes are beautiful in their own way. And I could see racing it at the Russ-O-Rama All-Bicycle Festival. And even chilling out with the party pacers afterwards, the best part of waking up with Folgers in your cup.

[@jimcox9093]

I'd love you to review the Salsa Rangefinder. REI has recently started selling it and it's billed as an entry MTB hardtail, but seems to be more of a multi-purpose bike for bikepacking and overall trail use. Your opinion would be greatly appreciated.

[@michaljambor7772]

"like pushing a shopping cart". Thanks, man. Thats exactly how I feel on my Kona Unit X, unless on rough downhill. Starting to dislike this modern chopper-like geo, frankly. I'm not an aspiring gravity bro, damned. And starting to appreciate my very cassic XC, Jamis Dragon even more.

[@jeffandersen6233]

Not a bike for me but I appreciate the review as I like steel frames and you help me decide on the other aspects of a bike I may or may not need or like.

[@Mattebodra]

Regarding this ATB trend. MTBs in France are called VTT - "Velo Tout Terrain" which means "all terrain bike". So yeah, it's just coming full circle

[@wanderwheelcyclist]

Surly Bridge Club review! I picked one up during the pandemic and have upgraded many things (add drop bars, short stem, new bb etc.) but would love to get your take!

[@escapenguin]

It rides a lot like the Unit. And the spec was kind of a steal. It is indeed chonky but it handles well and doesn't flex. My only beefs were the paint is already chipped in some spots, and my seat post hardware had vibrated loose and was clattering around in the box for who knows how long. They could do a better job with that.

[@dodginglions5163]

Great review as always, I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts on the Surly Bridge Club, thanks for sharing!…😎

[@rossanthony7573]

I too would be keen to hear his thoughts on the Bridge Club. On paper at least it seems to meet most of the requirements for a solid ATB.

[@monjesmedia]

I second that!

[@kibbee890]

Seems like you've upped the video release frequency quite a bit. Hope you can keep it up. I really enjoy your videos.

[@Mikemalone7873]

Didn’t realize it weighs THAT much. I’d think it would be closer to 30. Like the review a lot. How about a Surly Karate Monkey?

[@IGARR]

I would love to hear your opinion on the Surly Ogre. Keep up the good work!

[@dpell3543]

Thanks I had this bike in mind for my next purchase. Too heavy , I'd like something more lively.

[@charlesblithfield6182]

I’d like to see a review of the Jones LWB and/or SWB.

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

I reviewed the SWB.

[@charlesblithfield6182]

@@PathLessPedaledTV Im definitely looking it up. Thanks. I have a Jones bar on an 86 Rockhopper and like how it offers so many positions plus the real estate for bag light and bell..

[@JB-qw7to]

That weight is kinda crazy. My Piolet in XL with the Klunker bars and a front rack/basket. Running 2x weighs less

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Yeah, its the only bummer part. If it were closer to 30 it would be awesome.

[@JB-qw7to]

Thanks for the review was strongly considering but afraid of the weight in XL now

[@furmanb]

Hey mate, I'm surprised you've never reviewed these before, the Kona Unit and Unti X. I picked up a Unit X for myself recently, love it! Great bikes, geared or SS. Can put a suspension fork on if you wish and lighter than the Breezer.. Kona is better looking too IMHO. Cheers from Down Under 👍🇦🇺

[@michaljambor7772]

Frankly, the review of Unit would not be very different than this Breezer. Equally low ATB rating. :)

[@michaeljaquet5144]

That lug-like piece where the top tube joins the steerer tube, with the floating gap, looks exactly like a different bike I recently looked at. Is the Ghost Grappler frame and this one built by the same factory?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Top tube gusset is fairly commonly on steel mtb.

[@hudsonurruttia]

Idk but maybe the three drive side mounts on the seat stay are for a surf board rack?

[@roadbikecommuter5355]

It would be awesome if you could take the Surly Bridge Club out for a spin but also the Trek 920, the Sour Pasta Party or the Sour Purple Haze (Sour Bikes is a German bike company). Good luck!

[@trcsf334]

Curious how it stacked up overall against the Ritchey Ascent, which I'm considering? What does the Ascent weigh? Obviously the Ascent is a pricier bike once built up. Thanks!

[@user-iu2yb7dd3d]

This is what I wished my early 90s Trek 930 had grown up into.

[@sunesnigel]

Planet X or Titus are making less expensive titanium bikes. Would be cool if you could have a look at Titus Silkroad with drop bars. Complete bike is around 2000$ + eventual local tax.

[@gloriousstereo]

Thought this was a Spindatt vid by the thumbnail!

[@soundbites1152]

The new MT500 brakes are bomber. GREAT for the money. I love the set I have and they have reviewed well by the popular MTB sites. 35lbs is Surly territory. Yeesh.

[@johndef5075]

Spindatt is selling a Thunder I believe.

[@kosskrit]

At 5:05 you mentioned that the bike is heavy. The bike is obviously made for bikepacking in mind and therefore its construction is optimised for heavy loading of the frame. Therefore some extra kilos are meaningless given you are loading it with at least 10+ kg (and that's pretty light-bikepacking). You should consider the difference in feel between 80 kg rider and 80 kg rider with 20 kg of equipment mounted to the bike.

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Just because you're putting stuff on the bike doesn't mean it should start out heavy. We toured across the country with 150lbs of gear on our touring bikes which full racks which weighed 30lbs. I don't know about you, but if a bike can do the same task and weigh 5lbs less I'd take that option all day.

[@kosskrit]

@@PathLessPedaledTV If they are built/bought for the same task than I agree with you.

[@muhdsafiuddinshariff3905]

i would like to see a review on velo orange pass hunter please

[@sleepintheheat]

Maybe I’m being overly cautious but drilling holes in your seat stays seems like a bad idea to me. I’m trying to figure out what you would even mount to a 3 pack mount on the seat stay? A pump? Tent poles? It’s got to be something small cos otherwise your heel will hit it while pedalling right?

[@BluecollarBackcountry]

It looks more like an all-round upright adventure rig.....but that weight. Whoa!

[@WolfzPain]

I think the heaviest part of this bike is tires) 1 tire is about 1 kg

[@imjonathan6745]

how about the frame itself? its freaking steel/chromopoly

[@WolfzPain]

@@imjonathan6745 heavy wheels reduce speed more than frame. Also steel isn't about light weight, it's about comfort

[@davidisaac5575]

Good information, keep it up! Have you been able to check out a Kona Unit X?

[@patrickmcmullin9522]

It comes better Thunder{UM?}I am curious how does it compare with The Surly Preamble, because I want out,and The Thunder seems like a wild child of mine?

[@bikesandbeyond618]

how would you compare the ride and handling to a Surly Ogre or Bridge Club ? I'm looking at those and of course saw your video.

[@ChrisHouseHobby]

Saw this bike in Toronto nice bike Very good review Russ. I went with a karate monkey.

[@BeardedBandido214]

Similar to my favorite bike ive ever had. My Surly Ogre.

[@benc8386]

The mounts on the drive side seatstay also look they aren't clocked properly: shouldn't they all be facing in the same direction?

[@masanoriyusa]

Check out the Hudski Doggler!

[@mrjack8849]

Did I miss something, or did Goodyear start pushing bike tires in the last couple of months? I think I have seen some at Walmart in the past, but I don't recall ever seeing them at a bike shop or included on new bikes.

[@jdzasta]

They made a comeback in bike tires a couple years back. Had a set of Escape tubeless 29er tires on a bike recently and they were good riding, not super light though.

[@glennlee516]

I feel the same way! I would only see them here n there over the years when looking for tires but more so now. I recon they might be realising how some folks are paying more for MTB tyers than Car tyres so there is money to be made. (Based in NZ) I love my 27.5 x 3.0 tyres and just as a bit of info, brand new surly dirt wizards start at $220 NZD 🤮

[@mrjack8849]

@@glennlee516 Whoa! My Goodyear tires on my truck are less than that!

[@TiagoRuivo]

Sometime ago I saw one of your videos where you had a stem top cap similar to a camera zoom. Where did you get that?

[@ems0001]

How about a Marin Pine Mountain or Four Corners?

[@ShonuffChris]

Breezer is so unique.

[@richardgitz2264]

Nice review, thank you.

[@jerryseymour2738]

Toooooooooo Heavy! And ditto on Volitions comment...

[@rolfaalto]

Yet another example how high spec 90s hardtails built by USA craftsmen are so much better than the cheap Chinese crap sold today. My mid 90s Bontrager TiLite tips the scales at only 22lbs, including a super lightweight SID Race Titanium fork with lockout that is perfect for light shock duties needed for chonky allroad. It also has way better geometry for AllRoad use, including a near perfect 71 degree head tube angle. Paid

[@tl9088]

How about the Kona Unit X?

[@davidhauton7643]

Out of interest, could you try to review a couple of single speeds, most come with rigid forks and I love the simplicity for touring and bike packing as there is little maintenance. Added to that, you're always in the wrong gear anyway so I stop getting hung up on gear choices! Thank you!

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Ha. I'm old and live in the mountains. Single speeds are a no go.

[@NickNiemiec]

Hey Russ, I know you sometimes talk about a bit of "existential doubt" with carbon forks on your gravel bikes, but would your calculus change when considering buying a more MTB-specific carbon fork with mounts (such as the Whisky No. 9) that is more "overengineered" for punishment and carrying more? Thinking how this this bike or a timberjack might be with owning two fork options: front squish and carbon lightness.

[@90041hood]

How about a review of that book? 🤪

[@domham8331]

Do a review on the Pipedream A.L.I.C.E.

[@timtaylor9590]

how can that bike be so heavy, is it solid steel tubes? thats insane

[@SurpriseMeJT]

This looks like a bike that is trying to be too many things to different people - bike packing and mountain bikers, suspension corrected, etc. I know they used a tapered head tube for suspension fork compatibility but in the end needed to supply a severely oversized tapered chromoly fork, which is ridiculously stiff I would imagine.

[@notpablo8369]

Can you compare this to Surly Krampus?

[@Kevin_geekgineering]

where is the suspension ?

[@andriikmetiuk6414]

Very interesting review, thx

[@bobqzzi]

I like your reviews

[@TrainEchoEffect]

How does this bike compare to the Ritchey Ascent you reviewed awhile ago? Same concept/use?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

This is a mountain bike. The ascent is a fat tires touring bike.

[@outbackwack368]

Y, my new custom steel hardtail will weigh 25 pounds when finished and it is loaded with mounts. But that's the difference between $1500 and $5000... Thanks!

[@johndef5075]

Our hardtails in the 90s usually weighed under 25 lbs. Even low end ones. Not sure how they got so porky now.

[@tatwood93]

@@johndef5075 Companies know that if they sell a mountain bike in America in 2022, 300lb men will attempt to ride them on a regular basis, better use some thicker tubing as a CYA measure

[@HullioGQ]

I really wish people would start testing utility bikes for what they’re actually designed to do instead of lumping everything into the "sport" category. Adventure bikes, for example, should be tested like adventure bikes-not like mountain bikes. It’s like comparing apples to oranges. I mean, would you test drive a Toyota Corolla or a Mercedes Benz S500 on an F1 track? Of course not! Each vehicle (or bike) has its own purpose, and it deserves to be evaluated in that context, not under some random conditions that don’t match how people actually use them.

[@bleachlectures3973]

get one if you can

[@chipverner3246]

35lbs is a big nope for a rigid bike. I rode in the 90’s, and had a rigid Gary Fisher Marlin that weighed well under 30 lbs.

[@kossmanneault683]

Spindatt shout out!

[@juliapoelstra3624]

35lbs is pretty chonky!! It doesn't look like it would be that heavy

[@mattvanderwalt6220]

A certain eric sells a bike - and the same bike appears here 🙂Its kinda a pity - almost seems they have tried to make it a jack of all master of none. Don't know why guys like this don't embrace the genre they are aiming at more specifically - taller headtube and shorter forks would give you more room in the frame. And heavy forks suck - can make a ride feel so dead... And the price is high for what you get really.

[@tatwood93]

The Schwinn Varsity of 2022

[@johnnydoe66]

At $1500, it should have some sort of front suspension in my opinion. Breezer may originally have intended for this bike to be more bikepacking than just mtb, but even with a mid-spec suspension fork it would still be good as a bikepacking rig. Spindatt proved that it makes for a pretty decent mtn bike, maybe not as aggressive as some current bikes are geometry wise, but good for normal trail rides

[@devinbyrnes8058]

I went to their website to see if there is a spec that can come with suspension forks straight from the factory. There is not, therefore HUGE fail. You save so much buying a fork OEM, that buying one afterwards likely puts you in a whole other category of bike where you could get more value.