The DMR Bolt Long is a finely-crafted, heart-warming, non-conformist, good-for-the-soul ragger.
DMR’s Bolt began life as a slopestyle-come-freeride full susser but now, thanks to a longer front end and taller seat tube option, it’s turning its aspirations to a more all-mountain/ enduro lifestyle.
Full-suspension frames crafted from steel are relatively rare things but that’s not to say that the Bolt lacks detail…the bike can easily be run as a singlespeed.
You also get DMR’s clever Swopout dropouts to accommodate a variety of axle standards.
The 68-degree head angle keeps things snappy in the turns and the 1,147mm wheelbase adds to stability.
DMR’s own-branded parts ruled the roost on our custom Bolt and rightfully so – their hard-hitting, high quality attributes mirror the frame’s intended use perfectly.
Ride and Handling:
The DMR Bolt steel frame construction feels tutored beneath power and despite its relative girth the bolt accelerates well. In fact, it’s plenty in common with the united kingdom brand’s acclaimed hardtails – it’s snappy nevertheless stable, responsive nevertheless planted.
The X-Fusion suspension units do associate degree admirable job of taming the bumps – they take the sting off as critical wallowing into their travel and square measure happier found out towards the firmer finish of things. The long and low angles of the Bolt will simply deceive you that you’re on plenty larger bike once downward-sloping. Properly huge, quick hits will cause the realisation of the bike’s limits, however you’ll be too busy smiling to worry.
The best factor regarding the Bolt is its refusal to ‘conform’. If you relish nothing higher than running over suspension curves and pure mathematics charts then this in all probability isn’t for you. The Bolt flies and is all regarding fun. It’s a ‘woods’ bike designed for going quick down hills, touching jumps and railing corners. In many ways, it’s all the downhill bike most people can in all probability ever would like, and with the proper setup it’ll pedal keep a copy once more jubilantly.
The seat tube remains fairly short and therefore the short-ish pipet post can limit its attractiveness for tall riders doing all-day missions however that’s not very the purpose of the Bolt [Long]. It’s an incredible worth play bike, particularly with a £899 version (with X-Fusion O2 RL shock) obtainable.
Frame and Equipment:
DMR Bolt Full-suspension frames crafted from steel square measure comparatively rare things however that’s to not say that the Bolt lacks detail. DMR have stuck to what they understand best by exploitation 4130 chromoly steel for lasting strength. There’s a tapered head tube for additional stiffness, ISCG 05 chain device mounts and, due to the homocentric bottom bracket pivot, the bike will simply be run as a singlespeed.
You also get DMR’s clever Swopout dropouts to accommodate a range of shaft standards and high-load spherical bearings. The 68-degree head angle keeps things snappy within the turns and therefore the one,147mm distance adds to stability. It offers 125mm (4.9in) of rear travel and is meant to accommodate forks right up to 150mm (5.9in) travel.
DMR’s own-branded components dominated the roost on our custom Bolt and truly therefore – their hard-hitting, top quality attributes mirror the frame’s supposed use dead.
Our bike came specced with the 35mm diameter Wingbars, that stiffened up the front while not feeling sort of a system pole. we have a tendency to reckon that the low standover and thin, straight seat tube is best matched to a solid post and quick-release collar dance band to mirror the Bolt’s searching for downhill/sessioning action tho’.
Image Credit © DMR Bolt
