What do ebikes, car parts, weaving machines, and Italian panettone have in common? THOK! Part of the massive TCN Group, the Italian ebike brand introduces the new Gram RC, a new full carbon ebike with a Shimano EP8 motor and 180/170 mm suspension travel. Is the bike really as powerful as the hard numbers suggest?

THOK Gram RC | Shimano EP8/630 Wh | 180/170 mm (f/r)
23.3 kg in size M | € 9,900 | Manufacturer’s website

Surrounded by hazelnut plantations, THOK make their home in Alba in the Italian Piedmont region, between Turin and the Mediterranean Sea. THOK are part of the large TCN Group, which also produces weaving machines, car parts, and panettone (besides ebikes). Compared to the huge facilities needed for manufacturing the other goods, the ebike-dedicated area seems almost modest – a single floor in the office complex is enough for design, development, marketing, and a small workshop. With TCN, THOK has a great partner for development, implementation and, of course, financing.

THOK are part of the large TCN Group,as are Bianco and Galup.
TCN produce car parts here, including components for sports car brands such as Maserati.
THOK’s warehouse can accommodate up to 5,000 bikes.
The top models (R, RC) are assembled and packed on site in Italy.

The Gram is THOK’s first carbon bike and their second bike in the lineup with a fully integrated battery. An aluminum bike with integrated battery is available from THOK as the TK01 model, and also from Ducati with identical construction but different branding. We already tested this during our big group test 2021.
Customer loyalty and customer satisfaction are top priorities for the THOK team. Therefore, the Italians organise annual tribe events that offer over 300 “THOKers” the chance to go biking with the company boss Stefano Migliorini. Stefano founded THOK Bikes in 2017 after cycling with a friend who was significantly less fit than he was. In his view, ebikes should compensate for this imbalance and bring bikers of all fitness levels back together. With the know-how brought to the table by TCN Group a clay model was made for the first prototype of the THOK Gram, a procedure used in the automotive industry. But what did the real bike turn out to be like?

Boss and founder Stefano Migliorini used to be a BMX and downhill pro.

The THOK Gram RC 2023 in detail – Lots of travel and proprietary ideas

The THOK Gram RC comes with an unusual frame design with three triangular openings and a shock that runs parallel to the steeply slanted top tube. There’s space underneath for a drinking bottle. The power switch is well hidden under the top tube, between the shock mounts. Both for the 630 Wh battery and the charging port, parts from Shimano’s standard range are used. The battery can be removed downwards with a 6 mm Allen key.

Cables and wiring on the Gram are routed inside the frame. The chainstay protector actually only covers the chainstay instead of protecting the lower part of the seat stay as well, as is the case on other bikes. Here, the chain can leave marks on the seat stay on demanding downhills. There is a small fender at the rear of the Gram, however this is more for looks than function.

The thick head tube protrudes distinctly on the underside and offers another feature on the top – the steering stop (knock block) is visibly mounted under the stem of the Gram and allows for a massive left and right lock. This should make maintenance easier, but the look still takes some getting used to.

The various models of the THOK Gram 2023

At first glance, the THOK Gram RC looks massive with its 180 mm travel FOX 38 fork, and 170 mm travel chunky FOX X2 shock. The mullet setup with different wheel sizes and the thick full carbon frame including the rear triangle add to the beefy look.
THOK is available as different models: the Gram RC and the plain Gram. Both come with the Shimano EP8 motor and an integrated 630 Wh battery.

Helmet Rapha X Smith Forefront | Glasses Delayon Line Tracer | Hippack Camelbak Podium Flow 4 | Jacket Monserat 2A | Jersey Monserat F02 | Shoes Crankbrothers Mallet BOA | Socks Adidas Crew Socks | Gloves POC Resistance

The THOK Gram RC we tested costs € 9,900 and weighs 23.3 kg in size M. It comes with a FOX Factory suspension with a 38 mm fork, a GRIP2 damping cartridge at the front and a large volume X2 shock at the rear. The 180/170 mm travel should provide sufficient comfort and safety on steep downhills. The electric SRAM GX Eagle AXS groupset ensures flawless shifting performance. For deceleration, Shimano XT brakes with 200 mm brake discs front and rear are used. However, heavyweights might consider 220 mm brake discs for better heat dissipation. The heavy-treaded MAXXIS ASSEGAI tires use the relatively lightweight EXO+ casing front and rear, which is rather prone to breakdowns. It may be a good idea to upgrade to the DoubleDown casing at the rear or, as on our test bike, install an insert to benefit from reduced tire pressure – and therefore more grip.

THOK Gram RC

€ 9,900

Specifications

Motor Shimano EP8 85 Nm
Battery Shimano 630 Wh
Display Shimano SC-EM800
Fork FOX 38 Grip 2 Factory 180 mm
Rear Shock FOX Float X2 Factory 2 Position 170 mm
Seatpost THOK 170 mm
Brakes Shimano XT M8120 200/200 mm
Drivetrain SRAM GX Eagle AXS 1x12
Stem THOK 37 mm
Handlebar Renthal Fatbar 35 800 mm
Wheelset Crankbrothers Synthesis Alloy 29"/27.5"
Tires MAXXIS Assegai Maxxterra/EXO+ 2.6"

Technical Data

Size S M L XL
Weight 23.3 kg
Perm. total weight 163,5 kg
Max. payload (rider/equipment) 140 kg
Trailer approval no
Kickstand mount no

The THOK Gram (without name suffix) is equipped with a FOX 38 Performance suspension fork with a cheaper GRIP damping cartridge and a FOX DPS shock, both of which have less adjustability than the Factory versions of the top model. Compared to the top spec, no brand mix is used here for the groupset, both the brakes and drivetrain are from SRAM. The new SRAM DB8 brakes also use 200 mm brake discs, and the mechanical NX Eagle rear derailleur is on shifting duty. The THOK Gram costs € 7,490 and weighs 23.6 kg in size M.

THOK Gram

€ 7,490

Specifications

Motor Shimano EP8 85 Nm
Battery Shimano 630 Wh
Display Shimano SC-EM800
Fork FOX 38 Performance Grip 170 mm
Rear Shock FOX Float DPS Performance 170 mm
Seatpost THOK 125-170 mm
Brakes SRAM DB8 200/200 mm
Drivetrain SRAM NX Eagle 1x12
Stem THOK 37 mm
Handlebar THOK Alloy 780 mm
Wheelset THOK Drift 29"/27.5"
Tires MAXXIS Assegai Maxxterra/EXO+ 2.6"

Technical Data

Size S M L XL
Weight 23.6 kg
Perm. total weight 163,5 kg
Max. payload (rider/equipment) 139 kg
Trailer approval no
Kickstand mount no

The geometry of the new THOK Gram RC 2023

The THOK Gram geometry is pretty much what you would expect from a modern e-mountain bike: The head angle is slack at 64° and the seat angle is steep at 78°. This ensures good climbing properties. The bike is available in four sizes, from S–XL, and is thus supposed to cater to every requirement between 154 cm and 200 cm body height. Designing a small S-sized bike posed no problem with the slim 630 Wh battery,

Size S M L XL
Seatstay 385 mm 415 mm 430 mm 475 mm
Top tube 573 mm 587 mm 612 mm 632 mm
Head tube 99 mm 106 mm 118 mm 130 mm
Head angle 64° 64° 64° 64°
Seat angle 78° 78° 78° 78°
Chainstays 450 mm 450 mm 450 mm 450 mm
BB Drop rear 9,4 mm 9,4 mm 9,4 mm 9,4 mm
Wheelbase 1235 mm 1246 mm 1275 mm 1300 mm
Reach 443 mm 455 mm 475 mm 495 mm
Stack 617 mm 625 mm 638 mm 656 mm

The THOK Gram RC 2023 in the first ride review

Starting out on the THOK Gram RC on flat ground, the riding position is a bit bent forward, placing a lot of weight on the hands. Combine this fact with the efficient, progressive rear triangle, and there are certainly ebikes out there better suited for extended tours on level terrain. On the uphills, however, the seating position works to your advantage. In combination with the progressive rear end, you can easily climb steep ramps and, as in our case, rough scree fields. Due to the rather high cadence required by the Shimano EP8 motor, pedal clipping is practically unavoidable. But if you also strike the ground with the motor, it doesn’t bother the robust skid plate of the THOK Gram RC in the least. Thanks to its ribbed structure, it’s extremely rugged and will easily withstand the odd bump when riding over steps in technically demanding uphill sections.

If you change your direction downhill, the mullet wheel setup helps you stand in a neutral position on the bike. The riding position and suspension are well balanced, and with the smaller rear wheel, the bike is lively and agile in turns. What’s more, it’s super easy to pull the bike onto the rear wheel – almost as if the front tire were filled with helium: wheelies and manuals can be perfected in no time at all.

When the going gets tough (and fast), however, the rear end lacks a bit of sensitivity. It seems sluggish like Monday morning and starts to lose traction. In open turns without berms, it’s a good idea to choose a safe line and put a lot of pressure on the bike. If the traction isn’t sufficient to avoid obstacles, experienced riders can still pull up at the last minute on high steps like when you’re blind booking. Have a pleasant flight!

Conclusion about the THOK Gram RC 2023

With the Gram RC, THOK have made their carbon debut a success. The frame material allows for an unusual design language. Paired with good add-on parts and in-house solutions such as the knock block, they’ve created a coherent overall concept. In terms of design, the Italians go their own way and pleasantly stand out from the crowd. Despite good suspension reserves, the bike is rather on the agile side on the trail and therefore provides more fun on narrow trails than on super-fast ones – when riding fast, you have to prepare for the lack traction.

More info at thokbikes.com


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Words: Julian Schwede Photos: Julian Schwede, Fabio Vanni

About the author

Julian Schwede

Juli is used to dealing with big rigs. Besides working on his bike, he also tinkered and worked on buses after completing his training as a vehicle mechatronics engineer. Since the development of large-scale electric motors was too slow for him, he went on to study technical business administration while building carbon fibre tables on the side. Though his DJ bike is welded from thick aluminium tubes, his full-susser is made of carbon and it's already taken him to the top of numerous summits. Apart from biking, he likes climbing via ferratas or vertically on the wall. Nowadays, his personal bike gets ridden less as he tests the bikes that get sent to us, pushing them to their limits to see what they're capable of. In addition to bike reviews, Juli also takes care of the daily news and thinks of himself as the Daily Planet reporter Clark Kent.