The Prime Thunderflash is the underdog among the high-end enduro bikes. The Prime label from Poland is still very young. So we were all the more excited about their enduro. The Thunderflash immediately catches the eye with its chic looks. No wonder: Unno founder Cesar Rojo had a hand in the design; the Spaniard is known for extravagant shapes. In addition to the enduro bike tested here, Prime only has one other downhill bike in its programme. The Thunderflash is only available as a carbon version.
There is a choice of three models (C: 7299, S: 7899 and R: 8499 euros) and a frame kit (3499 euros). However, the prices for the bikes have now been reduced by up to 1300 euros (as of 17/05/2023). In addition to silver, there is also a blue-black colour option. The equipment with Öhlins suspension and Sram X01 Eagle is - according to our Enduro comparison - classy.
Prime-Time: Great handling, lots of traction - super!
In addition to the extravagant shapes of the Unno-founder Cesar Rojo, the Prime Enduro impressed us with its riding behaviour. All of the testers immediately felt comfortable on the carbon speedster. The Prime Thunderflash has a long reach (478 mm) and long chainstays (444 mm). The agile handling is therefore surprising. The bike steers very directly with its low front end, wants to push through turns and fire itself over bumps. Super!
But what stands out the most is the riding comfort: the Öhlins suspension flutters over rock and stone, buffers everything away and generates a lot of traction. This gives the rider plenty of confidence and the signal: Open the brakes, step on the gas! It remains very quiet even in the roughest bumps, were it not for the whirring freewheel of the Industry Nine hubs.
The geometry supports the confidence of the suspension and positions the rider low in the frame. Only the tame G2 brakes from Sram don't quite match the speed potential of the Prime. It was to be expected that the Thunderflash would require a little more physical effort on undulating trails with tight corners. It bobs a little when climbing, but can be steadied sufficiently - the three-step platform could be better defined.
Conclusion on the Prime Thunderflash S test:
Successful premiere: The Thunderflash impressed us all. The potent chassis rolls out a velvet carpet in front of you and takes the fear out of even the nastiest rocky trails. It comes very close to the downhill expert Bold. On tame trail sections, the rear suspension provides enough support and plenty of pop. - Laurin Lehner, Editor FREERIDE
A detailed test can be found in FREERIDE 2/2023 (on newsstands from 17 May)
Technical data and notes Prime Thunderflash S
Manufacturer information
- Price: 7899 Euro*
- Available by mail order
- Frame material: Carbon
- Frame size: M,L XL(tested in L, 44 cm)
Measured values
- Weight without pedals: 14.78 kg
- Frame weight without shock: 2918 g
- Weight of wheels: 5344 g
- Handlebar width: 800 mm
Equipment
- Fork: Öhlins RXF38 m.2 TTX 18
- Shock absorber: Öhlins TTX 2 Air
- Front/rear suspension travel: 165/161 mm
- Crank: Sram X1 Carbon Eagle
- Gear system: Sram X01 Eagle 1 x 12
- Ratio / bandwidth: 30; 10-50 / 500 %
- Brake system / disc (front / rear): Sram G2 RSC / 200 mm / 180 mm
- Telescopic post / stroke / Ø: Bike Yoke Revive / 185 mm / 31.6 mm
- Wheels: Industry Nine Hydra Enduro S
- Tyres: Maxxis Assegai; 3C MaxxGrip Exo+ Protection TR 29 x 2.50; Maxxis Minion DHR II; 3C MaxxTerra TR DD 29 x 2.40
Ease of maintenance: medium
PLUS: Chassis; Geometry; Optics
MINUS: Only three frame sizes; brakes
FREERIDE test rating: 9.5 out of 10 points
*Price plus costs for packaging, despatch and coordination if applicable
¹BIKE measured values
²with pedals (350 g)
³without shock absorber, possibly with rear thru axle
⁴with tyres, cassette and brake discs.
The measurements were taken on a test stand at the Zedler-Institut.
Laurin Lehner
Editor
