Thok? "It means 'cool thing' in the Piedmont dialect," explains Thok CEO Stefano Migliorini. The Italo-E-MTBs come from Piedmont, where the company is based in the small town of Alba. And CEO Stefano is not a theorist, but a three-time European BMX champion. In his heyday, he finished on the podium several times in the Downhill World Cup. That was a while ago, but Stefano's calves are still powerhouses, his spirit as fiery as in his best racing days. This spirit can also be found in his bikes, according to the motto: by bikers for bikers. In 2016, Stefano founded Thok together with Moto GP rider Livio Suppo and designed e-bikes as he himself would have liked to ride them.
We like this approach - and it's almost always the right one! Thok is part of the TCN Group. This means that Thok has access to quality control at automotive level, for example, or can use a metal 3D printer for prototypes. Thok has added two new all-mountain e-MTBs to its portfolio: the more affordable TP4 (Thok Project Four) for € 5990 and the TP4-S for € 6990. Thok prides itself on manufacturing carbon frames in Italy, but due to high demand, they had to move these models to Taiwan. However, the construction method is the same: unidirectional fibre arrangement for more tensile strength - another thing Thok is proud of. The futuristic-looking full carbon frame of the TP4 bikes with four-bar rear suspension houses Bosch's powerful CX motor with 100 Nm torque and an 800 Wh battery, which can be removed in the classic way and replaced with lighter, smaller batteries (400 or 600 Wh). The suspension (160/150 mm) is from Fox. It is powerful enough to be used in the enduro sector. At just over 23 kilos (800 Wh), the TP4 is no lightweight, but the large battery provides plenty of riding time.
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Carbon packaging: Thok uses the latest generation of Bosch Performance Line CX (750 W - 100 Nm). In combination with an 800-series battery, nothing stands in the way of a summit victory. The carbon fibre has been beautifully shaped: the carbon frame of the TP4 series is artfully designed with a razor-sharp top tube.
How the Thok rides
We put the 29-inch TP4-S bike through its paces! While everyone else in Val di Sole turned into the "Golden Eagle" freeride trail, we turned into the legendary "Black Snake" World Cup track. That was a bit much for the all-mountain. Too much! Although the 160/150 bike certainly has enduro qualities. We really liked the geometry. It can even be tuned using a flipchip; for example, the steering angle can be flattened to 64° for better downhill performance. The chainstays are long. Very long! 459 millimetres - that means: arm out for a manual, but the best climbing. We were amazed at the ramps the TP4-S can force you up, powered by the powerful Bosch motor - a very good combination, a perfect match in modern parlance.
Technology info
- Type: Carbon fibre frame
- Details: Tapered head tube 1.5", 29" geometry with flipchip
- Compatibility: 27.5" compatibility
- Special features: Integrated bottom tube battery, UDH suspension technology, internal cable routing, fully sealed cartridge bearings
- Spring travel: 150 mm
- SizesS, M, L, XL
- Fork: FOX - 36 Float Performance, 29" Boost, GRIP, 160 mm, 44 mm offset, 1.5" tapered, 3POS
- Damper: Fox - Float X, platform lever, THOK Custom tuned, 210x55
- Seat post: THOK - Adjustable dropper post, remote control (S/125 mm, M/170 mm, L/XL 200 mm)
- Disc brakes: Magura - MT5, 4 pistons, MDR-C 203 mm discs
Drive
- Rear derailleur: Shimano - XT 12S
- Gear lever: Shimano - 12S
- Cassette: Shimano - 12S 10-51T
- Chain: Shimano - 12S
- Crankset & chainring: FSA 165 mm with 34T chainring
Motor & battery
- Motor: Bosch - Performance Line CX (250 W - 85 Nm)
- Battery: Internal Bosch Powertube 800 Wh (compatible with PT600 and PT400)
- Option: Bosch Powermore range extender 250 Wh
- Display: Bosch Purion200 - 1.6'' LCD colour display
Wheels and tyres
- Front wheel: DT-Swiss - H1900 Aluminium, 29 "x 30 mm, 15x110
- Rear wheel: DT-Swiss - H1900 aluminium, 29 "x 30 mm, 12x148, MS freehub body
- Front tyre: Schwalbe - Albert Gravity Pro 29" x 2.6 Ultra Soft TLR
- Rear tyre: Schwalbe - Albert Gravity Pro 29" x 2.6 Soft TLR
About Thok E-Bikes
THOK E-Bikes is a brand of KP Srl, based in Alba (Cuneo, Italy), which specialises in the production of high-quality E-MTBs. THOK E-Bikes has been producing and distributing pedal-assisted bikes developed and designed in Italy since 2017, where performance is the top priority. The company's history is closely linked to that of its founders: Stefano Migliorini, former BMX world champion, downhill pro rider and now Managing Director of THOK; Livio Suppo, one of the most successful team managers of all time in motorsport, multiple world champion and former team manager of teams including Ducati, Honda HRC and most recently Suzuki Moto; Giuseppe Bernocco and Sebastiano Astegiano, founders and company directors of the thriving TCN group of companies in the heart of the Langhe (Piedmont/Italy).
To date, the brand has launched electric bikes for e-Enduro, All Mountain, Trail/Urban and one of the most complete frame kits on the e-bike market. The bikes are available for purchase online at www.thokebikes.com or at authorised THOK Points and are distributed throughout Europe and in some non-European markets. Ducati has also entrusted THOK E-Bikes with the design and production of its racing and mtb electric bikes.
Dimitri Lehner
Editor
