Why the hate on Thomson? Simple, quality stuff that lasts forever. I’m using Thomson seatposts I bought 20 years ago on my current ride. (not much to go wrong on a seatpost anyways)
drewbaccaAWD on
I’m not a big Thomson fan, it’s pricey, it’s sensitive to over torquing, and I find their seat posts are a bit harsh to ride on. I have a Masterpiece seatpost and I’m not sure if I bought it with a preexisting flaw (bought it used) or if I snapped the saddle clamp because I didn’t use a torque wrench but it made me reconsider the sensibility of using their products on a touring bike. Fortunately, the part that broke was a $10 replacement on Ebay and it’s been fine since, nearly a decade later.
I stopped using it on my touring bike. As mentioned above, I find Thomson rides harsh and I didn’t have a lot of exposed seatpost to begin with on that bike. I currently have it installed on my gravel bike, which, with the 45mm tires I don’t really have an issue with it. At some point I want to replace it with a silver seatpost to go along with a matching silver GRX groupset that I haven’t installed yet.. not sure if I’ll stick with Thomson or use something else. I might just forego the desire for silver there and get a carbon seatpost.
mangoman4949 on
I have a Thomson seatpost on every one of my bikes. Rad company that still produces odd sizes for vintage bikes, I believe they’ll even custom machine you a post as well if they don’t have the size you’re looking for.
FeinwerkSau on
My Gravel thing came with Thomson stuff preattached. I like the milled stem. It’s shiny and shows signs of milling. I like that.
ddarth7 on
Of course it was cheap, it’s bent! /s
chimi_hendrix on
I can usually find used Thomson stuff on eBay / Craigslist for a fraction of new price. Like $40 for a post.
partsbinhack on
Thomson’s production quality really seems to be a step up from other manufacturers, it might not always be the ‘right’ piece of kit for what you need, but for strong, light parts they’re awesome. I’ve had a few Thomson seat posts and stems over the years.
My dream bike is still something like a Litespeed or some other Ti with a rigid carbon fork, full XTR 952, and Thomson hardware. The fit and finish is right for nicer builds.
CorvusBrachy on
i run Thomson posts stems and bars on majority of my bikes. i can always trust the quality
Next-Handle-8179 on
Thompson parts are sexy!
Hagenaar on
I suppose they saved some money by not having to machine a head with setback.
Antpitta on
Never realized they were so coveted or loved. I kinda view Thompson as similar to Ritchey or basic Deda stuff. Good quality. Not the cheapest. Not the most expensive. Not the fanciest. But solid and dependable. But maybe it’s more espensive new / MSRP than I realize.
phyx726 on
I honestly love my weird looking bent Thomson Seatpost. It was like the first aftermarket component I bought and have kept using for like 15 years
bikingwithcorndog on
I’ve got Thomson seat posts on both of my gravel bikes. Fantastic quality. No reason to hate on it.
froagie1979 on
My Thompson stem had a fracture at fork bolts. Commuter bike.
JonForbin on
Thompson stuff is great
Horror-Raisin-877 on
First I’ve ever heard of Thomson is today! Somehow for 40 years of cycling I managed to never encounter them. Much like I somehow got through high school without ever reading mark Twain, John Steinbeck or f Scott Fitzgerald 🙂
wstephenson on
Anyone else ever have a 31.8 Thomson X2 stem that wouldn’t clamp drop bars securely? Otherwise, great stuff. I have 3 seatposts and stems, and am hankering after their carbon post for my gravel bike.
nothingfuture on
I’ve broken… several? Seatposts. Like, at least three.
Thomson are a sweet spot of price + durability + weight. They’re really hard to beat. And I’ve never broken one, so that’s saying something.
Beer_Is_So_Awesome on
Thomson is just classy, well-made stuff. It’s not even terribly expensive. I see Thomson Elite Seatposts for about $70-100.
19 Comments
Why the hate on Thomson? Simple, quality stuff that lasts forever. I’m using Thomson seatposts I bought 20 years ago on my current ride. (not much to go wrong on a seatpost anyways)
I’m not a big Thomson fan, it’s pricey, it’s sensitive to over torquing, and I find their seat posts are a bit harsh to ride on. I have a Masterpiece seatpost and I’m not sure if I bought it with a preexisting flaw (bought it used) or if I snapped the saddle clamp because I didn’t use a torque wrench but it made me reconsider the sensibility of using their products on a touring bike. Fortunately, the part that broke was a $10 replacement on Ebay and it’s been fine since, nearly a decade later.
I stopped using it on my touring bike. As mentioned above, I find Thomson rides harsh and I didn’t have a lot of exposed seatpost to begin with on that bike. I currently have it installed on my gravel bike, which, with the 45mm tires I don’t really have an issue with it. At some point I want to replace it with a silver seatpost to go along with a matching silver GRX groupset that I haven’t installed yet.. not sure if I’ll stick with Thomson or use something else. I might just forego the desire for silver there and get a carbon seatpost.
I have a Thomson seatpost on every one of my bikes. Rad company that still produces odd sizes for vintage bikes, I believe they’ll even custom machine you a post as well if they don’t have the size you’re looking for.
My Gravel thing came with Thomson stuff preattached. I like the milled stem. It’s shiny and shows signs of milling. I like that.
Of course it was cheap, it’s bent! /s
I can usually find used Thomson stuff on eBay / Craigslist for a fraction of new price. Like $40 for a post.
Thomson’s production quality really seems to be a step up from other manufacturers, it might not always be the ‘right’ piece of kit for what you need, but for strong, light parts they’re awesome. I’ve had a few Thomson seat posts and stems over the years.
My dream bike is still something like a Litespeed or some other Ti with a rigid carbon fork, full XTR 952, and Thomson hardware. The fit and finish is right for nicer builds.
i run Thomson posts stems and bars on majority of my bikes. i can always trust the quality
Thompson parts are sexy!
I suppose they saved some money by not having to machine a head with setback.
Never realized they were so coveted or loved. I kinda view Thompson as similar to Ritchey or basic Deda stuff. Good quality. Not the cheapest. Not the most expensive. Not the fanciest. But solid and dependable. But maybe it’s more espensive new / MSRP than I realize.
I honestly love my weird looking bent Thomson Seatpost. It was like the first aftermarket component I bought and have kept using for like 15 years
I’ve got Thomson seat posts on both of my gravel bikes. Fantastic quality. No reason to hate on it.
My Thompson stem had a fracture at fork bolts. Commuter bike.
Thompson stuff is great
First I’ve ever heard of Thomson is today! Somehow for 40 years of cycling I managed to never encounter them. Much like I somehow got through high school without ever reading mark Twain, John Steinbeck or f Scott Fitzgerald 🙂
Anyone else ever have a 31.8 Thomson X2 stem that wouldn’t clamp drop bars securely? Otherwise, great stuff. I have 3 seatposts and stems, and am hankering after their carbon post for my gravel bike.
I’ve broken… several? Seatposts. Like, at least three.
Thomson are a sweet spot of price + durability + weight. They’re really hard to beat. And I’ve never broken one, so that’s saying something.
Thomson is just classy, well-made stuff. It’s not even terribly expensive. I see Thomson Elite Seatposts for about $70-100.