Bicycle thread

[rbrsddn]

Originally Posted by moodfart

That S works is beautiful, but I'm with you guys - no way. $2k I dropped last winter on my Reign made me ... until I rode it.


Can someone tell me what the big deal is with Thompson seatposts? Why are they much better (and much more expensive) than the one my bike came with? Not looking to buy one, just curious.

Thomson are real good quality, with a solid seat clamp. I have their stem and seatpost on my Fat. You don't want to go cheap on those 2 points of contact.

[championsound]

Originally Posted by moodfart

Can someone tell me what the big deal is with Thompson seatposts? Why are they much better (and much more expensive) than the one my bike came with? Not looking to buy one, just curious.

Thomson machines their seatposts to very tight tolerances, they're light, and they work. They were also one of the first companies to popularize the 2 bolt jacking system (even though they ripped the idea off of Syncros). The problem with Syncros posts was that weren't milled out of 1 piece of stock, the heads were bonded and eventually broke off. At least for me.

[Aurelius]

Originally Posted by moodfart

That S works is beautiful, but I'm with you guys - no way. $2k I dropped last winter on my Reign made me ... until I rode it.

The only way I could rationalize the purchase would be to sell all my other bikes, which combined might be worth tend grand. The S-works is SO good that it could easily fill all their roles. I actually started to think about that during the test ride, which is when I decided to return it before I did something crazy.

[rbrsddn]

Originally Posted by championsound

Thomson machines their seatposts to very tight tolerances, they're light, and they work. They were also one of the first companies to popularize the 2 bolt jacking system (even though they ripped the idea off of Syncros). The problem with Syncros posts was that weren't milled out of 1 piece of stock, the heads were bonded and eventually broke off. At least for me.

My bike had the Syncros post and stem from new in '99. I had a lot of hours on them, and after reading about the breakage, decided to go with Thomson a couple of years ago.

[fullmonte]

Originally Posted by Aurelius

Do these 'brain' equipped suspension systems require any extra maintenance? I wonder why other manufacturers haven't come up with something similar.

My buddy just experienced the joy of Specialized brain death. I'll let you know the $ damage.

[Gummee!]

Originally Posted by rbrsddn

My bike had the Syncros post and stem from new in '99. I had a lot of hours on them, and after reading about the breakage, decided to go with Thomson a couple of years ago.

Humph. I've still got 1 on a bike and 2 backup Syncros posts. Never had issue one. (knocking on wood).

M

[ducnut]

Originally Posted by Aurelius

Do these 'brain' equipped suspension systems require any extra maintenance?

So far, ours haven't. My intent is to send them back to Fox, to have the services done.

Originally Posted by moodfart

Can someone tell me what the big deal is with Thompson seatposts? Why are they much better (and much more expensive) than the one my bike came with? Not looking to buy one, just curious.

Thomson are made in the USA and built to aerospace standards, as that's their primary business.

[rbrsddn]

Originally Posted by Gummee!

Humph. I've still got 1 on a bike and 2 backup Syncros posts. Never had issue one. (knocking on wood).

M

If I remember correctly, the hinged face plate of the stem cracked, and I couldn't have mismatched parts on such an iconic bike. So I went to the Thomson...

Alright, I admit it! I had upgraditis! My conflicting stories just don't add up... My bike is so cool!!!

[mud]

Originally Posted by Aurelius

Do these 'brain' equipped suspension systems require any extra maintenance? I wonder why other manufacturers haven't come up with something similar.

No. It is just an inertia valve, a well tuned one though.
It is patented, and we all now how specialized is about their patents. They sued Stratos out of existence over "the brain".....

[pierce]

Originally Posted by Gummee!

Gotcha beat. Mine cost me $20. ...but then I proceeded to throw $1200 of repairs at it.

M

[Gummee!]

With some trepidation I took the carbon hacksaw blade to the seatmast of my Giant.

Chopped off 5mm and :fingerscrossed have the seat height right.

It measures out, but...

M

[Mr Head]

Reminds me of: "I've cut it off threee times and it's still too short."

Originally Posted by Gummee!

With some trepidation I took the carbon hacksaw blade to the seatmast of my Giant.

Chopped off 5mm and :fingerscrossed have the seat height right.

It measures out, but...

M

[Gummee!]

Originally Posted by Mr Head

Reminds me of: "I've cut it off threee times and it's still too short."

Yeah, that's what I'm skeered of.

...but...

I've got the shortest saddle (top to bottom) I own on there now and I have spacers coming. If anything, I think its still a mm or so high, but I'm pretty sure I can live with that.

M

[vfr700]

As much as I'd like to, I can't hang with the integrated seat post.

[Mr Head]

My first car cost $3,200 or so after the dust settled. I paid the two year note off in 8 months.
My first real racing bicycle was the Pinarello. the retail on the frame and fork were about $1,400.
I didn't spend that much on the complete bike. (team deals).
The Roubaix was $3,300 before taxes. But, the last used car for the wife was almost ten times that.
I sure like to be able to afford to drop thirty grand on a bicycle. But, I'm pretty sure that ain't in the cards.

I got a test spin on a full zoot S-Works stumpie once. Yikes!
I still don't get the whole 29'er thing.

QUOTE=Aurelius;20670936]I've heard it's all about the rider, not the bike.

My first car cost me about $7800, brand new. I just can't see spending thousands more than that on a bicycle, no matter how nice it is.[/QUOTE]