The new Thomson Stem

[saab2000]

Kids,

That new Thomson stem looks really cool. I was looking at Mr. Digger's position and bike and I must say that the new X2 or whatever it is called really looks neato.

If I need a new one that is definitely going to be at the top of my list. They even make it in a 140mm length, unlike the Ritchey WCS, my other fave stem.

Anyone else try one?

[dirtdigger88]

http://www.lhthomson.com/elite_x2_sizes.asp

I think they only go to 130mm :confused:

jason

[saab2000]

Maybe I am wrong, but I was sure I saw them listed at 140 in the QBP catalog...... :confused:


They are still cool!

[dirtdigger88]

http://www.lhthomson.com/elite_stem_sizes.asp

I bet you were looking at the elite series (the original) those are offered in a 140mm

yes they are very nice either way

Jason

[dnovo]

I have never had a problem with a Thomson stem. Top notch products and marvelously well made. Dave N. (who fondles stems and nice tools in his off hours. Whoops, there ya go again Dave, nasty nasty.)

[jerk]

saab-
qbp lists it....but it don't exist. never did it's a misprint and qbp officially says it's discontinued. makes the jerk mad and kinda sad...cause that thing looks great.
jerk

[xcandrew]

They do look nice, especially in silver, but I don't trust machined stems. I would prefer something cold forged like a Ritchey.

I have read some reports of faceplate failures on the Elite stems on rec.bicycles.tech (http://groups-beta.google.com/group/rec.bicycles.tech/browse_frm/thread/ae4fbb21f408844d/79d19ded8fec50de?q=thomson+stem+crack+group:rec.bi cycles.tech&rnum=1#79d19ded8fec50de). I don't know if it is common or not, but the stem is an area where I would prefer a 0% failure rate.

[dirtdigger88]

They do look nice, especially in silver, but I don't trust machined stems. I would prefer something cold forged like a Ritchey.

I have read some reports of faceplate failures on the Elite stems on rec.bicycles.tech (http://groups-beta.google.com/group/rec.bicycles.tech/browse_frm/thread/ae4fbb21f408844d/79d19ded8fec50de?q=thomson+stem+crack+group:rec.bi cycles.tech&rnum=1#79d19ded8fec50de). I don't know if it is common or not, but the stem is an area where I would prefer a 0% failure rate.

you can buy or not buy a Thomson stem for any reason you like- but I would not let a couple of people on a Google search steer me in any direction- I have use Thomson product for year- I have never heard of a failure before. There are too many variable to be factored in to decide if this was a legit product failure- if it was- you still have to ask how common is it- anything can fail- but I have no issues using Thomson products on every bike I own and every bike I will ever own-

Jason

[dgauthier]

I would prefer something cold forged like a Ritchey.


Though the Bike Tech Review site appears to not have been updated for a couple of years, I still find their stem failure comparisons fascinating reading:

http://www.biketechreview.com/stems/summary.htm

Xcandrew is correct in preferring forged stems. Take a look at the "Durability" chart halfway down the page. The three forged stems - the Ritchey WCS, ITM Millenium, and TTT Forgie - stand out prominently compared to the milled and welded stems.

Thomson makes good products, but in general, forged metal parts are much stronger than milled parts, and no amount of quality control at Thomson is going to change that.

[Ti-Boy]

My wife and I have ridden Thompson stems and posts on mountain bikes for over 15 years. I've gone airborne over the bars enough times to qualify for Paratrooper status and crashed more times than Evil Knievel. Never ever was there a problem with any Thompson product. The only reason I did not get the new stem is the 80 degree angle. I need an 84.

[Tmogul]

Well I have to report that one of my thomson stems did crack at the clamp plate. It was on my mtn bike and we were doing some 3-4ft drops. It was nothing harsh and my mtn bike is a long travel full suspension but a crack did develop. It took a couple years but it happened. But I think I just got a lemon because none of my buddies or my road stem (thomson) gave any trouble at all. Also I heard you have to be careful about four bolt clamps which i thought I had been but maybe I did something wrong there too. I'll still buy thomson though for my mtn bike I went to raceface diabolus.