Finnish bike manufacturer Pelago has unveiled the Thörsmörk, a versatile steel hardtail designed for carefree expeditions into the wilderness. The price tag for this hardtail is €1,999.
The bikepacking and trail community took notice as soon as it was first announced in 2022. Now the Pelago Thörsmörk is finally ready for production and available to order. Named after the Icelandic mountain range Þórsmörk – which translates as ‘Thor’s Forest’ – this off-road adventure mountain bike promises to be a reliable partner in rugged natural surroundings and unpredictable terrain. Whilst classic gravel bikes reach their limits when faced with deep roots and coarse scree, that’s where the fun really begins with the Thörsmörk.
Stahl-Ross: Comfort meets exceptional durability
For the Thörsmörk, Pelago has deliberately opted for a frame made from double-butted 4130 chromoly steel. This material has enjoyed a legendary reputation in the touring and bikepacking scene for decades. Steel’s natural damping properties ensure an exceptionally smooth, comfortable ride over long distances, as subtle vibrations from the ground are effectively absorbed. At the same time, feedback from the trail remains direct and responsive. The robust construction also ensures that the frame can withstand the rigours of everyday trail riding and crashes on rough terrain for years to come without suffering any damage.
Modern trail geometry for total control
At the heart of the Thörsmörk lies its modern trail geometry. A slack head angle of 66.5 degrees and a long reach give the bike a noticeably smooth ride and a high level of confidence on steep descents and technical terrain. To ensure the handling doesn’t become sluggish in tight, twisty sections, the developers have combined this with crisp, short chainstays of 432 mm. The result is balanced and extremely predictable handling.
A real highlight is the frame’s generous tyre clearance. Riders have a choice: either the bike rolls on classic 29-inch wheels with tyres up to 2.6 inches wide, or it can be fitted with extremely voluminous 27.5 Plus tyres up to 3.0 inches wide. Such high-volume setups allow riding with very low tyre pressure, which drastically improves traction, comfort and control on slippery roots, loose scree and wet rocks. A feature that is particularly relevant for purists who ride the bike with a rigid fork.
A chameleon on two wheels: a range of configuration options
True to Pelago’s motto, ‘One bike, many rides’, the Thörsmörk shines thanks to its versatility. Those seeking simplicity can ride the bike with the supplied rigid chromoly steel fork. If the rider is drawn to challenging singletrack, a modern 120 mm suspension fork can be easily retrofitted, transforming the bike into a genuine trail hardtail.
Every detail has been thought of when it comes to the fittings too: the frame comes factory-fitted for internal cable routing for a telescopic seatpost and is compatible with Shimano and SRAM drivetrains. Numerous mounting points in and on the frame triangle and on the fork allow for the attachment of custom-made frame bags, pannier racks and bottle cages. It is even fully compatible with mudguards, making the bike suitable for year-round use in the wet Central European winter.
No frills: solid features
Pelago offers the Thörsmörk as a complete bike from €1,999. In this version, the bike is equipped with a Shimano Carefree Package: a tried-and-tested Shimano Deore 1x12-speed drivetrain, which, thanks to a 10-51 cassette, provides a sufficiently light gear ratio even on the steepest wilderness climbs. The bike is brought to a halt by hydraulic Shimano Deore disc brakes with sturdy 180 mm rotors. The robust WTB STi35 rims come factory-fitted with 29x2.6-inch WTB Ranger tyres, making them well-equipped for tough off-road use. With a total weight of around 14.3 kg in size S, Pelago delivers an honest, extremely robust adventure machine that is right at home far off the beaten track.
Key information about the Pelago Thörsmörk
- Price: From €1,999
- Frame: Double-butted chromoly, compatible with suspension forks, Boost standard (12x148 mm), 44 mm head tube
- Fork: Rigid 4130 chromoly steel fork, Boost standard (15x110 mm), with numerous mounting points
- Wheel size: Versatile enough for 29-inch or 27.5-inch Plus wheels
- Tyres: WTB Ranger 29 x 2.6" (Maximum clearance: up to 29 x 2.8" without mudguards or 29 x 2.4" with mudguards)
- Transmission / Drive: Shimano Deore M6100 1x12-speed, 32T chainring, 10–51-tooth cassette, BSA 73 mm bottom bracket
- Brakes: Shimano Deore M6100 hydraulic disc brakes, post-mount standard with 180 mm rotors at the front and rear
- Handlebars / Stem: JD Riser Handlebars (780 mm width, 31.8 mm clamp, 30 mm rise, 9° backsweep, 5° upsweep) paired with a short 50 mm stem
- Wheels: WTB STi35 29" rims with Shimano hubs
- Weight: 14.3 kg (size S, manufacturer’s specification)
- Gross vehicle weight: 130 kg
Geometry
| Frame size | S | M | L | XL |
| Recommended height | 155–167 cm | 164–177 cm | 174–190 cm | 187–205 cm |
| Seat tube length | 380 mm | 420 mm | 460 mm | 500 mm |
| Top tube length | 584 mm | 613 mm | 643 mm | 673 mm |
| Reach | 438 mm | 463 mm | 488 mm | 513 mm |
| Stack | 607 mm | 620 mm | 639 mm | 657 mm |
| steering angle | 66.5° | 66.5° | 66.5° | 66.5° |
| Seat angle | 74.5° / 73.9° | 74.5° / 73.9° | 74.5° / 73.9° | 74.5° / 73.9° |
| chainstays | 432 mm | 432 mm | 432 mm | 432 mm |
| BB Drop | 65 mm | 65 mm | 65 mm | 65 mm |
| Head tube length | 100 mm | 115 mm | 135 mm | 155 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1165 mm | 1194 mm | 1227 mm | 1260 mm |
Josh Welz
Editor-in-Chief
