CHF 12,675 | Manufacturer’s website
For six years the Oberrider has been Thömus shorthand for a purely analogue mountain bike. No longer. The latest generation abandons that premise entirely: a new eMTB powered by the Avinox M2S motor, riding on high-pivot rear suspension, marked out by a distinctive seatstay bridge and backed by an extensive range of individual adjustment options.
Our test bike, in SL spec with 150 mm of travel up front and 140 mm at the rear, is no featherweight at 22.64 kg. What it offers in return is a hard-wearing build and a high-capacity battery. That level of equipment does not come cheap: our build costs an eye-watering CHF 12,675.
The crucial question, then, is whether those promising technical ingredients actually come together into a coherent package on the trail. That’s exactly what we set out to find out.
The New Thömus Oberrider SL 2027 in Detail?
Thömus build the Oberrider around a full-carbon frame with a four-bar rear suspension layout and a high main pivot. Compress the suspension and the rear axle travels backward as well as up. The payoff is a rear wheel that trips over square edges less and holds traction better in rough terrain, because it can move away from an impact in the direction the force is pushing it.
A rearward axle path always exacts a price. As the bike moves through its travel, the rear axle and bottom bracket draw apart, stretching the distance the chain has to cover. This chain growth loads the drivetrain and can kick back through the pedals. Thömus answer it with an idler pulley mounted close to the main pivot, which takes the tension out of the chainline.
Another distinctive feature of the rear end sits between the seatstays, where Thömus fit a removable cross-brace that lets you tune the rear triangle’s compliance. With the brace installed, the rear end is stiffer, which is intended to improve precision and tracking under high loads. Remove it, and the rear triangle can flex more, promising additional comfort and mechanical grip. Until now, solutions like this have mostly been seen in the Downhill World Cup, where brands such as COMMENCAL and Norco have already experimented with interchangeable braces.
Interestingly, Thömus have used a single frame platform to create two different bikes. The Oberrider can be configured either as the Oberrider SL or the Oberrider ST, with the switch between the two made possible by an interchangeable shock mount.
The Oberrider SL, short for “Superlight,” pairs 150 mm of travel up front with 140 mm at the rear. It is built for trail riding, with a lively, dynamic ride as the stated aim. The ST, short for “Super Trail,” trades that brief for reserves, running 170 mm of travel front and rear with the option of a coil shock. Thömus positions it around traction, control and composure in demanding enduro terrain.
The naming isn’t entirely intuitive, though. While “ST” often stands for “Short Travel” with other brands, Thömus use it for the longer travel version of the Oberrider. At the same time, the shorter travel SL model is actually the dedicated trail bike, even though the “Super Trail” name belongs to its longer travel sibling. It’s hard not to get confused.
When it comes to build quality and frame protection, the Oberrider leaves an excellent impression. The carbon frame is very cleanly finished, and the individual protective elements and add-on parts are integrated to a high standard. A rubberised down tube protector blends directly into the motor cover, while a generously sized chainstay protector and additional rubber protection on the seatstay shield the rear end from impacts and chain contact. There is also a neatly integrated fender between the chainstays and seat tube, preventing stones and dirt from being thrown into the pivot area.
When it comes to cable routing, Thömus give Oberrider owners plenty of flexibility. On our test bike, the rear brake hose and dropper post cable enter the frame conventionally through bolted ports. The cables for the front light and its switch, however, are routed more neatly through the headset and into the top tube. This is also where the familiar 2″ Avinox touchscreen display sits neatly integrated.
Both the cable ports in the frame and the routing through the headset provide enough extra space to convert the cable routing fully to either option if required. That means you can choose between the more maintenance friendly frame routing or the cleaner looking headset routing.
For the charging port, Thömus use the familiar Avinox solution. It sits just above the motor and is protected by a sprung cover with a magnetic closure. It is not a spectacular in-house development, but it is functional and neatly integrated.
Rounding off the details, there’s enough room for a bottle cage inside the main frame, along with an additional tool mount on the top tube. We also like the clearly marked torque specifications at the pivot points, which make maintenance easier.
The Spec of the New Thömus Oberrider SL 2027
The spec of the Thömus Oberrider SL can be extensively tailored to your preferences using the configurator, but more on that later. Our test bike came with a very high end spec, clearly aimed at demanding trail riding.
For the drivetrain, Thömus rely on a complete SRAM X0 Transmission groupset, including an X0 rear derailleur with matching chain and cassette. The electronic SRAM derailleur draws power directly from the bike’s main battery. This brings two key advantages: there is no separate AXS battery to charge, and features such as Smooth Shift are available, allowing supported gear changes even without turning the cranks.
This is complemented by the premium DT Swiss HXC 1200 SPLINE carbon wheelset, developed specifically for eMTB use and combining low weight with the durability required for demanding trails.
Tire choice here clearly was not driven by the pursuit of minimum weight. The bike runs Schwalbe Albert rubber, Ultra Soft up front and Soft at the rear, with the robust Gravity casing on both wheels adding puncture protection and reinforcing the bike’s focus on trail performance over grams.
Thömus don’t hold back on downhill performance when it comes to the suspension either. Up front, a FOX 36 Factory with the GRIP X2 damper promises maximum descending performance within the FOX range, along with extensive adjustment options. At the rear, a FOX FLOAT Factory shock handles suspension duties.
The focus on serious descending performance becomes even clearer with the brakes. The extremely powerful SRAM MAVEN Silver brakes are paired with 203 mm Galfer rotors front and rear. These substantial four piston brakes make it clear that, on our test bike, Thömus prioritised reserves and consistent braking performance over saving a few grams. Speaking of weight, at 22.64 kg, the overall figure remains fairly reasonable considering the descent focused component spec.
The seatpost is an Eightpins dropper with 180 mm of travel. In our view, that is definitely too little for a size L frame. While the travel can be adjusted individually, the post has a comparatively tall collar, which reduces freedom of movement in the dropped position compared with more compact designs such as the OneUp Dropper V3. The connected Shimano remote does the job, but feels more functional than premium in the hand.
The cockpit takes things up a notch in terms of quality, combining a Race Face Turbine stem with a Race Face Era carbon handlebar and Ergon GDH Team grips. The premium approach continues here, with lightweight, high end components that still keep control and descending performance firmly in focus.
For everyday practicality, the Oberrider comes with an integrated lighting system. A Lupine Nano SL headlight sits on the handlebar, while the rear light is built into the frame. The bike stays fully usable after dark with no need to fit additional battery-powered lights. There is, however, a small usability flaw. The lights can only be switched on via the display, while changing between dipped and high beam is only possible using the wired handlebar remote. Thömus therefore combine two different control concepts without fully exploiting the advantages of either. A system operated entirely via the display or completely through the remote would have felt more coherent.
Further Spec Options for the New Thömus Oberrider 2027
Typically for Thömus, the new Oberrider can be configured in almost endless detail. Instead of fixed spec packages, you can tailor numerous components and even smaller ergonomic details to your personal preferences. Prices start at CHF 5,490.
With Carbon Black, Lavender, Tech Metallic Red and Tech Silver, there are four different colour options to choose from. There is also plenty of flexibility when it comes to the bike’s fundamental setup. You can choose between a 600 Wh or 800 Wh battery and configure the Oberrider from the outset either as a conventional 29″ bike or in a mullet setup. On top of that, there are numerous options for the wheels, tyres, drivetrain and suspension.
Thömus take custom ergonomics particularly far. Grips, saddle, handlebar width, stem length and spacers can all be selected to suit your height and personal preferences. If you also want to use the Oberrider for everyday riding, you can equip it with lights, just like our test bike. Even here, Thömus offer several different solutions rather than a single fixed option, maximising flexibility.
Which suspension options are available depends on the Oberrider version you choose. The longer travel Oberrider ST can be configured with components from Öhlins and Marzocchi, while the Oberrider SL is available with suspension from Marzocchi, FOX and SR Suntour.
Geometry Check of the New Thömus Oberrider SL 2027
Thömus offer the new Oberrider in four frame sizes, from S to XL, aiming to cover riders between 158 and 200 cm tall. Reach spans from 440 mm in size S to 510 mm on the XL model. Our size L test bike measures 477 mm.
The unusually inconsistent jumps between sizes stand out. There are just 10 mm of reach between S and M, followed by a 27 mm increase to size L and then a substantial 33 mm jump to XL. That makes the size S frame relatively long, while size M sits more on the compact side. If you fall between two sizes, it is therefore worth taking a closer look rather than relying solely on the usual size label.
With a 64.5° head angle, the new Oberrider is significantly more modern than its analogue sibling, which still came with a comparatively steep 66° front end. The 76.9° seat tube angle is similarly up to date. At 436 mm, the chainstays on sizes L and XL are very short, while the S and M frames are even 1 mm shorter.
The Oberrider gets particularly interesting when it comes to its extensive adjustment options. First up are the reach cups in the headset, which allow you to tune the reach and head angle in four different combinations: short and agile, long and stable, short and stable, or long and agile. There is a 10 mm difference in reach between the “short” and “long” settings. This lets you make the front end either more compact or more stretched out while also choosing between a more agile or more composed ride character. This configuration can also be selected directly in the Thömus configurator when ordering.
In addition, the Oberrider features two flip chips, one at the shock mount and another at the pivot between the chainstay and seatstay. This allows you to convert the bike from a full 29er to a mullet setup if required, or simply choose your preferred wheel configuration directly in the configurator.
The shock mount also opens up another tuning option: different mounting points allow you to vary rear suspension progression between 20 and 25%. This lets you influence how quickly the rear suspension builds support as it moves through its travel.
Combined with the extensive Thömus configurator, the Oberrider offers enormous scope to tailor the geometry, wheel setup and suspension character precisely to your riding style, before finishing the build with your preferred components. A thoroughly coherent package!
| Size | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top Tube | 580 mm | 595 mm | 626 mm | 657 mm |
| Seat Tube | 396 mm | 440 mm | 470 mm | 506 mm |
| Head Tube | 100 mm | 118 mm | 133 mm | 150 mm |
| Head Angle | 65° | 65° | 65° | 65° |
| Seat Angle | 77° | 77° | 77° | 77° |
| Chainstay | 435 mm | 436 mm | 436 mm | 436 mm |
| BB Drop | 31 mm | 31 mm | 31 mm | 31 mm |
| Reach | 440 mm | 450 mm | 477 mm | 510 mm |
| Stack | 613 mm | 630 mm | 643 mm | 655 mm |
How Does the Thömus Oberrider SL 2027 Ride on the Trail?
How Does It Climb?
Climbing is where the Thömus Oberrider surprised us most. The steep seat tube angle places you centrally over the bike and loads the front wheel without becoming uncomfortable. On flatter terrain the position feels a touch sporty and puts a little more weight on your hands, though it stays comfortable even on longer climbs. Then there is the extremely powerful Avinox motor, potent enough to make light work of the steepest ramps. Rear-wheel traction impresses most of all: the suspension generates plenty of grip, while the Schwalbe Albert tires with their radial casings almost mould themselves to the ground, delivering huge traction while still rolling with surprising ease. That plays to the Oberrider’s direct character, which comes to the fore on the descents.
How Does the New Thömus Oberrider SL 2027 Descend?
On the descents, the Thömus leaves an equally strong impression. The high pivot rear suspension is impressively composed over rough terrain, yet still provides enough support to let you actively push through the trail. What stands out most is the level of control throughout the travel: the Oberrider moves into its stroke in a defined, predictable way without collapsing, so you always have a clear sense of where you are in the suspension. It also offers huge reserves, shrugging off even hard impacts with ease.
It almost makes you wonder why this platform needs the additional reserves of the ST version at all. The Oberrider SL is already extremely capable and strikes an excellent balance between composure and agility. The large 29″ wheels deliver impressive rollover performance without ever making the bike feel sluggish.
The riding position suits the bike’s character well. The front end is pleasantly high, and inspires plenty of confidence on steep terrain. At the same time, the handling remains direct and precise: the Oberrider can be pushed cleanly through corners and stays easy to control through rapid changes of direction. Rather than feeling vague or overly plush, the whole bike has a firmer, more defined ride feel.
The cockpit contributes to this too. The Race Face carbon handlebars, combined with the carbon wheels, transmit impacts relatively directly. The Ergon grips take some of the harshness out of the ride, but overall the front end remains on the firmer side. That makes the supple radial casing of the Schwalbe tyres all the more important, adding extra damping to the system and taking some of the edge off the bike’s stiffness.
Another real highlight is just how quiet the bike is. Even on rough trails, the Oberrider remains almost completely silent, with little more than the tyres and suspension making themselves heard. It is precisely this combination of quietness, precision, support and reserves that makes the SL feel far more capable on the descents than its nominal 140 mm of rear travel might suggest.
Who Is the New Thömus Oberrider SL 2027 the Right eMTB For?
The Thömus Oberrider SL is aimed at riders looking for a premium eMTB with an exceptionally high level of customisation, allowing them to tailor the bike closely to their intended use. Even the SL version combines plenty of traction and composure with direct, precise handling, while offering far more descending capability than its 140 mm of rear travel might suggest.
That makes the Oberrider particularly appealing to ambitious trail riders looking for a capable bike for demanding tours and fast descents, without going straight to a 170 mm enduro setup. Thanks to the extensive geometry, wheel and suspension options, its character can also be tailored to personal preferences to an unusually high degree.
The Oberrider is less suitable for bargain hunters or riders looking for the lightest and most comfort focused eMTB possible. Our test bike feels more defined and firm than soft and isolated from the trail. And at CHF 12,675, the overall package sits firmly in the premium segment.
Who this eMTB is right for:
The performance focused trail rider
Looking for a direct, precise eMTB with plenty of traction, strong suspension performance and ample reserves at the rear.
The individualist
Values being able to tailor the geometry, wheel size, suspension character and component spec as closely as possible to personal preferences.
Who this bike is less suited to:
The comfort focused rider
Prefers the softest, most comfort oriented ride possible, with a more relaxed feel rather than a firm and defined setup.
The bargain hunter
Wants as much eMTB as possible for the money and can do without extensive adjustment options and high end components.
Shoes Giro Chamber III
Conclusions about the Thömus Oberrider SL 2027
The Thömus Oberrider SL impresses with an extremely capable high pivot rear suspension, plenty of traction and precise, controlled handling. Even the SL version offers surprisingly large reserves on the descents without sacrificing agility. At the same time, few other eMTBs can be tailored so extensively to individual preferences. From a technical perspective, the Oberrider also feels very well thought out and neatly integrated. Minor weaknesses in the dropper post and light controls do little to detract from an otherwise very strong overall package.
Tops
- Extremely capable and controlled high pivot rear suspension
- Huge scope for customising geometry, wheel setup and components
- First class build quality and thoughtful integration
- Exceptionally quiet and composed on rough trails
- Excellent balance between composure and agility
Flops
- Eightpins dropper with just 180 mm of travel and a relatively tall collar
- Awkward light controls split between the display and a separate remote
You can find more information on the Thömus website.
Words: Lars Engmann Photos: Tim Eckermann
About the Author
Lars Engmann
Lars Engmann is an editor at 41 Publishing. His work is strongly influenced by his background as an engineer and technical writer, with his experience of driving resistance determination giving him sharp analytical skills. He is responsible for operative individual and comparison tests for E-MOUNTAINBIKE and ENDURO, with a focus on range analysis and efficiency measurements. As a specialist in optimisation and system weight, he brings his passion for precision to product evaluation. He combines technical documentation with applied performance analysis in the E-Performance segment.
