First Look: Thomson's 'Hooch' Titanium Hardtail - Pond Beaver 2021

Apr 21, 2021
by Daniel Sapp  
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Thomson have launched a Titanium MTB hardtail named the 'Hooch', after the namesake of the Chattahoochee National Forest in North Georgia, home to a ton of incredible mountain biking trails.

The limited-edition Ti frame is equipped with a Thomson Dropper post in the riders' choice of travel along with their choice of other parts from the entire collection of Thomson components with prices starting at $3,295 USD for the base model with Thomson's elite series stem, a black covert dropper post, seat clamp, and alloy bar. Parts can also be selected from Thomson's Elite or Masterpiece series in titanium or carbon fiber for riders to fine-tune their ultimate build.

A size medium frame sports a 423mm reach with a 66.5-degree head tube angle, 73.5-degree seat tube angle, and 430mm chainstays. Stack is 626mm and the wheelbase is 1149mm.

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The Hooch is made to be what Thomson call a "backwoods hardtail hucker". The bike is hand-crafted from 3al 2.5v aircraft-grade titanium with custom formed stays, internal routing, and clearance for 27.5" x 2.4" tires. Spacing is boost and the seat tube is a 30.9. The Hooch is handmade in Taiwan by the same titanium specialists who produce Thomson's Ti posts and handlebars.

The bike is available directly through Thomson or through dealers in the USA.

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More information can be found at www.bikethomson.com


Fun fact: Does Chattahoochee sound familiar? Well, that's likely because you've heard the hit song by country music singer Alan Jackson by that name. The headwaters of the Chattahoochee river start in North Georgia and flow down through the state, offering up plenty of recreation opportunities and places to cool off when it's hotter than the Georgia asphalt outside. The music video is below and while I'm not going to call it a 'must watch', I'd recommend giving it a go if you're looking for some good entertainment.




Pond Beaver 2021


Posted In:
Reviews and Tech Pond Beaver 2021 Press Releases Hardtails Thomson Thomson Hooch


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96 Comments
  • 139 3
 I dunno. A feel like if you're going to do a limited edition (limited appeal) titanium hardtail and it's also "Tennessee-themed", having it built in Taiwan as opposed to welded in Tennessee by the humans who used to make the Litespeed and Lynskey frames is a huge miss.
  • 33 0
 Chattahoochee National Forest is actually in Georgia, but I agree with what you're saying.
  • 24 0
 "Thomson have launched a Titanium MTB hardtail named the 'Hooch', after the namesake of the Chattahoochee National Forest in North Georgia"

I mean, that's literally the first line in the article, and nowhere does it mention Tennessee.

But yes, like above, it is a good point, should be made in USA.
  • 25 2
 I mean, there are humans in Taiwan, too. But I agree that this is a marketing miss if nothing else.
  • 1 0
 They could have have just built it in the UK to keep the purist local charm. But anyway the finish is damn sexy.
  • 5 0
 Non-distiller producer.
  • 9 0
 @Layman: Are these your terms?
  • 17 0
 @jondgolden: don't let facts in the article interfere with my high-horse. I made the top comment! This is my moment.
  • 3 0
 @LA-Law: haha sorry about that! Carry on!
  • 89 1
 They should have called it the Alan Jackson and made it a mullet bike.
  • 18 0
 And made the headtube badge a golden mustache.
  • 1 0
 @Peally: I’m sure Mullet bikes can sort you one of those head tube badges
  • 1 0
 This comment should be winning.
  • 1 0
 if this isn't COMMENT GOLD I don't know what is!
  • 41 1
 That head tube badge is fantastic! Honestly, a proper 3D head tube badge cannot be understated. No stickers or painted items please!
  • 36 0
 Raw titanium hardtails are sexy
  • 71 8
 Your mum's sexy
  • 2 2
 @pinkbike1000: Pronounced 'moom?'
  • 2 26
flag trollhunter (Apr 21, 2021 at 6:54) (Below Threshold)
 Mmmm your mom is so hot, can you ask her to come over later and make me some hot chocolate??? @pinkbike1000:
  • 4 0
 @trollhunter: username checks out.
  • 4 4
 @pinkbike1000: You're mom is hotter than my brake rotors after a dh run
  • 8 0
 @lukeisdumb: @lukeisdumb: your mom makes me howl louder than wet SRAM rotors
  • 38 10
 Big miss not being a 29er. Ouch.
  • 23 5
 Many consider that a plus, jot being a 29. Endless 29 options in ti out there
  • 7 8
 I agree on it should have 29 wheels
  • 21 2
 There is enough 29" bikes to go around. Give us 27.5 lovers something to Smile I prefere the playfullness of the smaller wheels, especially in a HT.
  • 18 2
 And clearance for only a 2.4.
  • 1 0
 Are you going to be ok ? Sweet bike isn't it.
  • 17 0
 I'm only here for the Alan Jackson comments
  • 6 0
 Do you reckon he’s an avid PB reader?
  • 2 0
 @mrpfp: if he ain't he messin out y'all
  • 5 0
 This hardtail is excellent for flowy singletracks that go through a forest of Tall ,Tall Trees.
  • 2 0
 Country boy bike
  • 20 4
 Really whittled down their target audience with a 27.5 x 2.4 max tire. Who the hell wants this bike?
  • 31 0
 Surly geo, yeti prices, gravel bike tire clearance.
  • 5 3
 @Glenngineer: Nailed it. I've never really understood the concept of a titanium hardcore hardtail. The Litespeed Kitsuma from the early 00's was the first example of this I can recall. Those that can afford one will never ride it to it's limits and those that could aren't going to spend that kind of money on a hardtail that they will beat the hell out of. This is especially true when you consider that you can score a steel Kona or Chromag frame with far more aggressive geometry for under a grand.
  • 5 0
 @hellbelly: I have one of those more aggressive 27.5 Chromags and it is rad but it sure isn't titanium. I'd wager most people (me included) couldn't ride that frame to its limits either but I sure think a titanium Stylus would be worth the weight savings and ride quality if I had the cash and they made one (no on both counts).
  • 2 0
 @hellbelly: Plenty of people who can afford that bike would ride it to its limits. Hell, if I was in the market and if it had sliding dropouts, I could see a nice Titanium Hooch Mullet SS to replace my Chameleon frame.
  • 2 0
 @hellbelly: I ride a Kingdom Vendetta (ti frame, 65 hta, 160 fork, 430 stays) and do my best to ride it pretty hard. I crashed big on it the other day doing a ladder drop in Whitefish if that's saying anything.

Sweet bike, *extremely* good complement to an enduro rig (I ride a v3 Wreckoning for any non-hardtail day)
  • 1 0
 @Edylan: Naturally, there are exceptions. It's wacky that I too have a aggro hardtail (Honzo ST with a -1 angle set and a 160 fork as a single speed) as my back up/switch it up bike to go with my Wreckoning V3. A Ti would be swell, but I kinda like the low down dirty cheap factor of my old Honzo. Additionally, the numbers on the Thomson don't make much sense (tire clearance? fixed drop out) nor provide it with much versatility.
  • 17 1
 27.5 and no sliding dropouts Frown
  • 8 0
 Came here for this. This could make a killer Singlespeed.
  • 12 0
 With the amount of TI bike builders out there, why would I want some mass produced Taiwan bike when I could get one handmade here for a similar price.
  • 7 1
 No it doesn't need 29 inch wheels! this is rad as is. there are plenty of other 29er options. #savethe650b
  • 5 3
 The rear brake mount with the exposed threads in the middle is a great way to strip your fancy titanium threads with the amount of sand and grit that’s going to find a home there. Not impressed.
  • 2 0
 Yeah, agree. Gives me goosebumps just looking at them.
  • 4 0
 Are there any threads in titanium there? Aren't they through holes in the frame and threads in the brake mount only?
  • 5 0
 There's no threads in the frame with that design, just clearance holes. The receiving threads are in the carrier.

Doesn't make it any less of a mud trap / bad design, but you won't be stripping any part of the frame if you get it wrong.
  • 2 0
 @mountainsofsussex: ahhh yeah. You’re right Good point!
  • 3 0
 Is that a flat mount on a MTB... then to post with the adapter... Some body consult a bike tech before building this stuff....
  • 11 7
 I like the execution of the rear brake mount. Very good looking bike.
  • 3 1
 "Chattahoochee National Forest in North Georgia, home to a ton of incredible mountain biking trails."

Really? There's a ton? Maybe less than a handful at most.
  • 2 0
 I was disappointed when I first moved here 4 years ago, but I've found some good stuff. Have you the new ridden Buzzard's Roost?
  • 2 0
 @AndrewFleming: yes, went CCW and wasn't fond of it. Will try CW this summer.
  • 1 0
 @the-one1: Well, it’s the same trail in the opposite direction so if you didn’t like it one way, then you probably won’t like it in the other direction. It is very groomed but the terrain is good and nice to have some rocky terrain with all the buff trails around.
  • 2 0
 Litespeed introduces the Pinhoti III, named after a trail in North Georgia, and now this?

Who's hosting Brutal loop this year? we need a showdown!
  • 2 0
 Maybe tilt the saddle nose up a little more so that all riders of the Hooch never have kids.
  • 1 0
 Haha
  • 3 0
 Those geometry numbers are based on what travel fork?
  • 9 10
 Seat angle nazis and numerologists to come in 1...2...
  • 3 0
 @justwaki: not everyone has easy gradual climbs. My bike has a 75.5 SA, and I still have scoot all the way forward and hug the bars just to keep the front end down. My first bike had geo similar to this one, and I would often have to hover in front of the seat to keep the front down. When a few mm forward or back means your spinning or doing a wheelie, the bike is just no fun to ride. Can't wait to see the new Knolly Ti hardtail.
  • 1 0
 @Couleecruise: Make it a SS and STA means about NOTHING on the climbs. And MANY who would buy this frame would do just that.
  • 3 2
 It’s nice seeing hardtails on the ol’ pinkbike, but I have a hard time looking at hardtails that aren’t long, low and slack. These hardtail numbers are pretty outdated
  • 10 3
 Hardtails made for the east coast/midwest have way different requirements from PNW/Rockies hardtails. It’s got Rekons on it in the press pictures - that should tell you a lot about its intended use.
  • 14 2
 Horses for course. "Outdated" is a BS term. It's meant to be a trail bike, not a super slack N.Shore or Squamish type machine
  • 1 0
 @bman33: the original chromag surface came out in 2014 with numbers like this one. I rode it for a few years and loved it. I’ve owned other hardtails since then which I love. Could never go back to a geo like that. I guess I should rephrase my comment and say “this geo is outdated in my neck of the woods” Wink
  • 2 1
 @bman33: how about antique?--these are XC dimensions. 'American' ti is plagued with sentiment
  • 3 0
 @sjma: my kona esd has no issues in flat ass midwest trails.
  • 4 0
 @y9pema: oh I'm sure it doesn't, and a Megatower wouldn't either. But if you wanted to go real fast up and down with less effort, you'd probably be able to do that easier on a regular Honzo with a like for like kit. I totally get the appeal of overkill though
  • 1 0
 @sjma: dude who knew 29ers were this good? im floored a 49" WB bike can rip corners the way thing does!
  • 5 0
 I agree that not every bike needs to be super long and slack. I don't have a problem with the HTA, but 423 reach and 430 chainstay does not seem like a good combo. At a minimum those should be flipped.
  • 2 0
 Tried watching the music video but couldn't make it until the end, too much of a culture shock. Nice moustache though..
  • 2 0
 99.999% of all frames are made in China/Taiwan - Why is the Mountain Biking scene so dead there?
  • 1 0
 Is it really?
  • 1 0
 Lovely looking bike for sure, but the geo doesn't really meld with the advertisement of being a bit of hardore Ti ripper on their Insta post. Seem quite odd numbers to me.
  • 1 0
 Holy crap I didn't even know Thompson was still making overpriced Dropper posts!
  • 1 0
 I had one for many years - it was working perfectly - sold it with the old bike and it is still going strong!
  • 1 0
 It would make a lot of sense for BMX titanium right?
  • 1 0
 Perfect bike. Lets change it. Mullet ready?
  • 1 0
 @rlv199 you know what has to happen
  • 1 0
 Ohhhh yeah!! Big sends on Hooch
  • 1 0
 What about second water bottle?
  • 1 0
 Is that a bottle opener? I thought we stopped doing that.
  • 1 2
 Seems great for those that want to ride not rough, not steep trails in the woods at low-to-medium speeds. Rich, kinda fat older dudes in northern GA fit the bill.
  • 2 0
 There’s rich dudes in north GA that ride?
  • 1 0
 @AndrewFleming: Yep. 4 of them
  • 1 0
 Would have been a sweet ride in 2004,
  • 1 1
 Nice bike but a Chromag Rootdown Ti has the right 64 HT 76ST, 160-170mm fork geometry for the Sea to Sky corridor.
  • 4 0
 This bike is not made for the sea to sky corridor. So why expect it specs for it? It's pretty much perfect for its intended use.
  • 1 0
 To be fair ORA makes great frames
  • 1 0
 Country music ain't dead, it just smells funny.
  • 1 0
 One bottle mount?!
  • 1 0
 Looks like a Lynskey
  • 1 0
 Gooch
  • 1 0
 Too slack
  • 1 1
 sexy







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