Thömus presents perhaps the fastest cross-country bike

Thömus Lightrider R3 Worldcup

Thömus launched a full-suspension carbon bike for the first time 20 years ago - the Lightrider. Together with its UCI team "Thömus Maxon Swiss Mountain Bike Racing", the bike brand is now launching the latest generation of the Lightrider, the R3 Worldcup. The new bike is lighter, stiffer and more powerful and is set to set new standards for cross-country bikes thanks to the expertise of the racing team.

Lighter and more potent

The frameset (incl. shock) of the new Lightrider R3 Worldcup weighs just 1876 grams. The ratio between weight and stiffness is very well balanced. The Ultra High Modulus carbon fibers not only bring a significant weight reduction, but also a higher stiffness of the frame, which should result in a more efficient power transmission. The rear triangle also offers more tire clearance.

The rear triangle now offers 120 millimetres of suspension travel. At the front, the Lightrider can be ridden with a 130-millimetre suspension fork as a downcountry bike, while a 120-millimetre fork is used in race trim.

Better cornering performance

The geometry and kinematics of the Lightrider R3 Worldcup have been completely revised: A virtual pivot point on the rear triangle and an associated flexible seat stay reduce the unsprung mass. This lowers the overall weight to 9.8 kilograms and further improves the sensitivity of the suspension. The Lightrider's center of gravity is lower, which should have a positive effect on cornering. The down tube has a new conical shape, which should reduce dirt adhesion.

Thanks to the steering angle, which can be adjusted in three stages on the headset shell, the bike can be adapted to the riding style, route profiles and needs of the athletes. The steering angle of 67.1 degrees can be changed by plus or minus 0.6 degrees.

There's a lot of Switzerland in it

The assembly kit consisting of ball bearings and screws has been completely revised. The newly developed ball bearings from WIB AG in Bulle in western Switzerland offer a higher load capacity. The lighter screws save weight and the sealed seals protect the bearings better against external influences. The specially developed rocker arm also saves weight, all Swiss Made.

Two and a half years of development

The CEO, engineer, team riders and managers met on the trails at the Swiss Bike Park in Oberried to test and work out the development steps. No compromises were made in the joint development of the new Thömus cross-countr bike, the Lightrider was completely redesigned.

In order to find the perfect frame geometry, numerous aluminum prototypes were welded in Switzerland and then tested by the World Cup riders. The knowledge gained in the process flowed directly into the further development of this cross-country bullet.

The starting signal for the new development of the Lightrider was given immediately after Mathias Flückiger's silver medal win at the Olympic Games in Tokyo. At the time, Thömus-Maxon team manager Ralph Näf asked two questions: How is cross-country racing changing? And what requirements must a bike meet in three years' time at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris?

With the aim of creating the most complete cross-country bike in the World Cup circuit, the development of the new Lightrider began in September 2022 under the direction of engineer Loris Huguenin. "The task was simple: to develop the perfect XC bike. We started from scratch, researched every detail and used the most advanced materials to create the optimal package. Thanks to the team's experience and the many joint tests, we have found the perfect balance between agility, stability and efficiency. That's why the Lightrider R3 Worldcup is even lighter, even more stable, even more reliable and, above all, faster."

"A cross-country bike has to be able to do everything. Whether uphill, downhill or on technical passages - every second counts. It is the most versatile bike in terms of performance and speed," says Ralph Näf, the driving force behind the project.

The tech-savvy and detail-oriented Mathias Flückiger brought his high level of material expertise and wealth of experience to the table. "Victory and defeat are so close together. Our bike has to be able to tackle the steepest and most technically demanding climbs on the World Cup courses so that we don't miss a second," explains Matthias Flückiger, the current world number 1 in cross country.

Overall World Cup winner Alessandra Keller sums it up succinctly: "Efficiency is the top priority in racing - in terms of material, riding technique and performance."

Lars Forster, Vital Albin and Luke Wiedmann also contributed important input and experience to the development.