1986 Rocky Mountain Team Thunderbolt

[Woodsie]

I am struck by the geometry and angles of this bike from the mid 80s. I believe It has more in common with today’s modern hard tail mountain bikes than the steeper angled xc race driven mountain bikes of the 90s. With the sloping top tube and slacker head tube angle, Paul Brodie, influenced by Charlie Cunningham, was ahead of the times.
A week or two after this bike was finished, Paul left Rocky Mountain and started Brodie Bikes and you can see the template of the classic Brodie sloping top tube frame that became the iconic Romax.

 

[KayOs]

What a story, wonderful.
It's amazing how the bike has already given you unforgettable moments before you've even ridden it. Even more incredible that it even made it across the pond, because I'm also sitting here with a big grin on my face.

What a great catch, really a piece of art and history.

 

[raidan73]

Glad to see it finally grace the pages of Retrobike. Such a beauty Kevin

 

[al-onestare]

I am struck by the geometry and angles of this bike from the mid 80s. I believe It has more in common with today’s modern hard tail mountain bikes than the steeper angled xc race driven mountain bikes of the 90s. With the sloping top tube and slacker head tube angle, Paul Brodie, influenced by Charlie Cunningham, was ahead of the times.
A week or two after this bike was finished, Paul left Rocky Mountain and started Brodie Bikes and you can see the template of the classic Brodie sloping top tube frame that became the iconic Romax.
View attachment 911797

Amen to this. Way ahead of it's time. I'm not a fan of bikes from this era but there's something really special about this design that appeals to me a lot. Great bike, great story, and a great slice of history.

 

[27motorhead]

Oh no she didn't come with me. It was just me, my iPod, and the open road. Bliss!

I would have put the RM in the front seat on the way home and had a good chat with it, plus lots of admiring glances!!!

 

[vtwinvince]

I agree about the forward looking design, sort of like what Gary Fisher was coming up with in terms of chainstay length.