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Submitted by
alvincaesar
a Weekend Warrior
from St. Lucia
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Everyone Knows There's nothing to fault | | Weaknesses: | You meant, Installer's weakness? | | Similar Products Used: | Bike came with another stem, that was immediately replaced by a Thomson (I did my research before) | | Bottom Line: | All I want to do is thank Thomson for the great company that they are. Everyone already knows that their products are the best!
I however want to shower them with praise for their impeccable customer service, and standing by their product like no other.
My stem cracked and I contacted them via email,and was asked to send my stem in for replacement even after determining that my failed stem was caused by my errors, (overtightening the bolts. I expected to read that I would not be able to receive warranty replacement, but to my to my surprise was asked to send in the stem and they would replace it. Delighted as I was, I sent the stem in and received a replacement in one week.
I REALLY NEED TO SAY TO EVERYONE THAT THOMSON IS THE BEST THERE IS and I am thankful I made the decision to purchase the best there is. Thomson Stem and Seatpost! There're the best! Even if my stem was not replaced I would purchase another one.
Thank you so much for being the Company that you are. Your service is much appreciated.
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jaysalaya
a Cross Country Rider
from san jose, ca
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | saratoga gap trail | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$89.00 | | Purchased At: | reeds' (but closed) | | Strengths: | LOOKS GOOD AND INNOVATIVE DESIGN, GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE
| | Weaknesses: | NONE | | Similar Products Used: | TITEC | | Bike Setup: | CHAMELEON AND HECKLER | | Bottom Line: | LOOKS GOOD, good feeling on over all performance, no substitute | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J Hill
a Cross Country Rider
from canada
Date Reviewed: March 20, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | albion hills | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | bike shop | | Strengths: | Im a 220 pound rider that rides atleast 12-14 hrs per week,and would ride nothing but a thomson stem and seatpost, have bent others. Those two items are like security blankets to me. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | raceface | | Bike Setup: | kona king kikapu full xt chris king headset and hubs raceface bars | | Bottom Line: | best product out there, so good that i just bought a kona cyclecross bike and i,m waiting for my stem and seatpost to arrive, wont ride anything else. Thanks Thomson for such a dependable product. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
epxhammerhead
a Cross Country Rider
from athens, ga , usa
Date Reviewed: August 1, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | ft yargo, winder, ga | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | the best, have used for several year | | Weaknesses: | none | | Bottom Line: | the best you can get | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
P
a Cross Country Rider
from Houston
Date Reviewed: July 23, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | all of them | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | Online | | Strengths: | Light, Great feel, You can replacement parts, Thompson has great customer service. Took my abuse for a year and thats saying a lot. | | Weaknesses: | Face Plate - Why else would they sale replacements?... Because they crack. At least you can buy a new one without replacing the entire stem, around $10. | | Similar Products Used: | Race Face | | Bike Setup: | XC Hardtail | | Bottom Line: | I noticed a creaking in my stem, so I went in to investigate. As soon as I put a allen wrench to the face plate bolts it cracked. No big deal you can replace it, glad it didn’t happen in the woods and at least it warned me. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a Cross Country Rider
from Illinois
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Any | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | Local Shop | | Strengths: | Well designed, quality of build, quite attractive! | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Various Easton | | Bike Setup: | "Trail Bike" | | Bottom Line: | One of those few, great components that you can simply set up and forget about. In addition, in the rare occurrence that the stem has any issues- a real, live, human being will answer the phone at Thomson to assist you in a timely fashion. I’ll pay a few extra bucks for that level of product support any time! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nate
a Cross Country Rider
from NC
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Kanuga, Paris Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | Frank's | | Strengths: | Looks great, strong and stiff, does what it should. | | Weaknesses: | Makes the rest of my bike look bad. | | Similar Products Used: | Stock on 2 bikes | | Bike Setup: | Jamis Dakar, Monkeylite Bars, Thomson stem, egg beaters, firex crank, shimano shifters/derailleurs, BB5's | | Bottom Line: | Great stem. Helped the feel of the front end/steering a LOT. Really looks great, adds some bling to the bike. Does exactly what it should do. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stefan
a Racer
from Oklahom City, OK.
Date Reviewed: April 9, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | Price Point | | Strengths: | Light and seeming strong aluminum. Looks good. | | Weaknesses: | Will not grip the fork tube strong enough. Had many problems with steering going out of wack no matter how tight it was. Went back to my Easton EA 30 and magically no more problems. Not worth the price and under performs. | | Similar Products Used: | EA 30 | | Bike Setup: | Giant Trance/XT setup. | | Bottom Line: | Not worth the hassle. Poor pinch design. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney,NSW,Australia
Date Reviewed: April 7, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Manly Dam, Oaks Fire Trial | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | JensonUSA | | Strengths: | Easy to install onto you forks, the product finishing is great. The overall design of how to install it onto the fork is made easy. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Bike Setup: | Reign 1 2007, THOMSON MASTERPIECE SEATPOST,
EASTON MONKEYLITE XC RISER BAR | | Bottom Line: | A must item, if you would like to upgrade to a lighter and stronger stem. I do AM/DH/XC with this product, and it works perfectly fine. Once you have it setup no need to worry about it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Julius
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: December 10, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$89.00 | | Purchased At: | Cal Coast Bicycles | | Strengths: | Strength, light, looks, functionality, no welds | | Weaknesses: | Price | | Similar Products Used: | Race Face, Titec | | Bike Setup: | BMC Fourstroke 03 | | Bottom Line: | The is THE best stem on the market under $100. If you have the cash for a solid stem buy this one! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Brooklyn, NY
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Stillwell Woods | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$89.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Great looks, stifness, quality built | | Weaknesses: | Price | | Similar Products Used: | Ritchey WCS, Azonic | | Bike Setup: | Voodoo Sobo, full XTR | | Bottom Line: | This stems looks great on the bike. So far I have noticed it is stiffer than the previous stems I have used. I have yet to try it offroad, but it appears it will perform great because of the extra rigidity it offers over my previous stem. Bike feels more secure now. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Charles P.
a Cross Country Rider
from Windsor, Ca
Date Reviewed: April 29, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Clean Lines. Beefy design. Fairly light | | Weaknesses: | Not as pretty to look at as my polished Ibis ti stem, but what is. | | Similar Products Used: | Control Tech, Ibis Ti | | Bike Setup: | '99 Ibis Mojo (steel is real) '07 XTR, SID Team, Thomson Stem and seatpost, Race Face Deus XC | | Bottom Line: | Great stem. May not be the lightest, but you know that it won't break. A little pricey but worth it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Han ju Park
a
from SouthKorea
Date Reviewed: April 21, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$95.00 | | Strengths: | ´Ü´ÜÇÔ, Æ°Æ°ÇÑ ¿Ü°ü°ú ¼º´É, ·¹ÀÌÀú ¿¡Ä¡µå ¸¶Å· | | Weaknesses: | ¹«°Ì°í Æ©ºê¿¡ Á¶ÀÓ ÅäÅ©¼¼ÆÃÀÌ Èûµé´Ù. | | Similar Products Used: | ÄÜÆ®·ÑÅ×Å© 3AM | | Bike Setup: | Epic M4 04³â½Ä XT-XTR È¥Àç ¼¼Æà | | Bottom Line: | ÀÏ´Ü À¯¸í¼¼¿¡ ÈûÀÔ¾î ±¸ÀÔÇßÁö¸¸
µÐ±â¼öÁØÀ¸·Î ¹«°Ì°í
½ºÆ¼¾î¸µ Æ©ºê °íÁ¤³ÊÆ®°¡ ¹½°°ÀÌ ½±°Ô ºü°¡³´Ù.
ÀÏ´Ü Àý´ë XC¿ëµµ´Â ¾Æ´ÑµíÇÏ´Ù.
ƯÈ÷ Çѱ¹¿¡¼± ¹Ù°¡Áö¼öÁØÀ¸·Î ºñ½Î¼
°ú¿¬ ÀÌ°É »ç¶÷µéÀÌ ¼º´ÉÀ¸·Î º¸°í »ç¼ ¾²³ª½Í´Ù. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Willem Boom
a Cross Country Rider
from Bend, Oregon USA
Date Reviewed: March 19, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | BEND has soooo many!!! | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$48.00 | | Purchased At: | EBAY | | Strengths: | Simply awesome! | | Weaknesses: | None so far! | | Similar Products Used: | TruVativ and Bontrager | | Bike Setup: | Novara, All XT Components, Sette Carbon Seat Post / Riser Bar, Bontrager seat, WTB Rims, Tires, AVID BB7 Brakes | | Bottom Line: | Buy it! It is simply the best!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bryan
a Cross Country Rider
from Dallas, Texas, USA
Date Reviewed: February 21, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Bottom Line: | There's simply no reason to buy any other stem. Period. Sure it's a little pricey but you get what you pay for. Like all Thomson products, the strength to weight ratio is just what the Dr. ordered. And this is coming from an admitted weight-weinie. The four-post face holds my carbon bar firm without the fear of overtightening. Plus, it's a Thomson so it looks killer! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick Ponte
a Weekend Warrior
from Waterbury, CT
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$75.00 | | Purchased At: | colorado cyclist | | Strengths: | Beautifully engineered and finished. Absolutely no problems, but do use a torque wrench when installing. Very strong and reliable. | | Weaknesses: | A bit expensive. | | Similar Products Used: | Salsa, Cinelli, others | | Bike Setup: | Tommasini Tecno | | Bottom Line: | It's the one to buy. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pat Connelly
a Racer
from Fort Walton Beach, FL
Date Reviewed: October 20, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | The one I'm riding at the time | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Came on bike | | Strengths: | Thomson customer service | | Weaknesses: | Doesn't last forever | | Bike Setup: | Titus Racer X | | Bottom Line: | After completing the 24 Hours or Adrenaline World Solo Championships I noticed a crack running through the base of the stem. I sent the stem back to Thomson and within a few days there was a new Elite stem wating for me in the mail. This past year I have put thousands of hard miles on my bike in endurance races and the pounding the bike endured at Conyers was extreme. I wrote a review a year ago about cracks on the faceplate (from a different bike and different Thomson stem). The Customer Service at that time was outstanding, as it was in this most recent experience. However, I weigh 158 lbs and ride XC style singletrack. No hucking off of 5' ledges or soaring over 20 foot gaps. Rocks, roots and logs are pretty much the standard fare I ride (the granite faces at Conyers going 25 MPH are an exception). I ride hard and fast and the 2 Thomson stems I have owned have held up for a long time, but both had issues. Nothing lasts forever, even a Thomson, so check your gear regularly. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pat Connelly
a Racer
from Fort Walton Beach, FL
Date Reviewed: October 20, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | The one I'm riding at the time | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Came on bike | | Strengths: | Thomson customer service | | Weaknesses: | Doesn't last forever | | Bike Setup: | Titus Racer X | | Bottom Line: | After completing the 24 Hours or Adrenaline World Solo Championships I noticed a crack running through the base of the stem. I sent the stem back to Thomson and within a few days there was a new Elite stem wating for me in the mail. This past year I have put thousands of hard miles on my bike in endurance races and the pounding the bike endured at Conyers was extreme. I wrote a review a year ago about cracks on the faceplate (from a different bike and different Thomson stem). The Customer Service at that time was outstanding, as it was in this most recent experience. However, I weigh 158 lbs and ride XC style singletrack. No hucking off of 5' ledges or soaring over 20 foot gaps. Rocks, roots and logs are pretty much the standard fare I ride (the granite faces at Conyers going 25 MPH are an exception). I ride hard and fast and the 2 Thomson stems I have owned have held up for a long time, but both had issues. Nothing lasts forever, even a Thomson, so check your gear regularly. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chris
a Cross Country Rider
from wisconsin
Date Reviewed: August 12, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | levis mounds | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Faceplate clamp, sleekness, easy on the knees | | Weaknesses: | The clamping mechanism will not hold tight. Ever since I put it on my rigid single speed, I have to adjust the headset every 20 minutes or so of hard riding. I don't know if it can't handle the rigid fork, or if it doesn't grip the steel steerer tube, or what. I threw a crappy Giant OEM stem on there with the standard steerer tube clamps and had absolutely no problem with the headset coming loose. | | Similar Products Used: | Kore, Easton, Cheap OEM stuff | | Bike Setup: | PUSS, King headset. | | Bottom Line: | Looks like a really great stem, but the clamping mechanism just doesn't perform. What a shame.
I might try the 4X (different clamping mech). | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Todd
a Cross Country Rider
from Victoria, BC
Date Reviewed: March 21, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything fun | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$75.00 | | Strengths: | Super strong, precise, beautiful | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Nothing close to being as good | | Bike Setup: | TST Ti hardtail, Marzocci MX Comp ETA, Thompson hardware, Shimano drive, Crankbrother Candys, Chris King Hubs, Mavic 717 rims, etc | | Bottom Line: | I'm a 210lb rider who needs something to keep the bike steady. Maybe overkill for lighter riders but anyway around it, this is an awesome stem. Matches the seatpost to.
I've read complaints about the bolts on this stem and I have had no problems. As long as it's set up evenly and tighened correctly, you should have no problems. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jay
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Dry one | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$55.00 | | Purchased At: | Universal Cycles | | Strengths: | Nice looking
Stiff
Stays tight | | Weaknesses: | Mine has been creaky at times without using a carbon spacer above and below it. | | Similar Products Used: | Lots of different stems | | Bike Setup: | Turner 5 Spot | | Bottom Line: | I like this stem but found it creaked like crazy unless I used a carbon spacer above and below the stem. I also find the bolt on each side of the stem a bit annoying. Overall, a good stem that has never let me down. Very nice looking stem. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Geoff King
a Cross Country Rider
from Christchurch, New Zealand
Date Reviewed: February 20, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Gun Barrel, Port Hills | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | Papanui Cycles, Christchurch NZ | | Strengths: | Its strength, clamping mechanism, looks... | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Easton EA 50 (see review!), Kore Lite, numerous generic stems | | Bike Setup: | Giant Trance 2 with Thomson stem and seatpost, Hope rear and Hayes front hub laced to Campag K2 rims,Hope skewers, SRAM X9 rear mech and X 7 shifters, RF Good n Evil grips, Avid Juicy 5 brakes, WTB Rocket V saddle, Maxxis High Roller rear Mofo front... my dream machine | | Bottom Line: | After realising how much flex there was in the Easton EA 50 supplied stock with my bike, and having decided to buy a Thomson post, I succumbed to the inevitable bike gear-freak's desire to have stem and post match. Replaced a 110 mm 6 deg EA 50 with a 100 mm 5 deg Thomson, and am now learning to ride my bike all over again. It has turned an already great bike into a singletrack demon. The steering is so much more responsive, crisper, cleaner - I spent most of my first ride after making the switch running into the sides of the trail. Am pleased I didn't go for the 90 mm - would have been too short for my 6'1" 187 cm body on the Trance 20" frame I think - but for all you FS and especially Trance riders out there, I'd highly recommend trying a Thomson 100 mm for size. Yes, it's expensive, but...would you fit a truck steering wheel to a Porsche?
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
gary stoughton
a Cross Country Rider
from moab,utah USA
Date Reviewed: January 10, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | porcupine rim | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$59.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Total bike bling!! Strong,stiff and light | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | Sette,syncros,zoom,ritchey | | Bike Setup: | '05 rockhopper comp,sette race ti saddle,profile bar ends,thudbuster seat post,blackburn rack,wtb nanoraptor tires,carbon headset spacers & cap,thomson elite stem | | Bottom Line: | Strong,stiff,light, a thing of engineering beauty!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Jakarta, Indonesia
Date Reviewed: December 12, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | SBK-ROXY MAS | | Strengths: | The best in strength, stiff, rigid and durable.
Also good looking and easy to clean. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bottom Line: | Is one of the best product that fit to many type of bike and fork.
No regret to buy this products because of very good customer service. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pat Connelly
a Racer
from Navarre, FL
Date Reviewed: September 23, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | Phat Tire | | Strengths: | It's a Thomson; customer service | | Weaknesses: | Cracks in face plate where bolts fasten to stem | | Bike Setup: | DeKerf Team ST | | Bottom Line: | Product has worked flawlessly for years of hard riding/racing. Yesterday I noticed cracks eminating from all 4 holes in the face plate. Called Thomson Customer Service, talked to David, and they will turn the part around in a day. If it takes longer than a week to get the new face plate back, I'll submit an updated review. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
lloyd
a Weekend Warrior
from los angeles, CA
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | san gabriels | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | universal cycles | | Strengths: | finish, quality, and design | | Weaknesses: | got crack (horizontal) on my stem face plate, just wondering how can an aircraft aluminum crack when u'r using a carbon handlebar. i know i didn't overtorque it 'coz i followed the specified torque, and of course i'm using a torque wrench :) | | Similar Products Used: | still loyal to thomson stem. easton mg60, easton ea70, titec knock rated | | Bike Setup: | intense 5.5 rig...(shhhh it's confidential) | | Bottom Line: | i'm still loyal with this product, the replacement given to me by the manufacturer is fair enough and not to flame and give them negative impact. i'm just disappointed that they didn't answer my question that how would this face plate fail when u'r just using a riser cabon handlebar and not doing stunts and downhilling thing. at first i just thought it's a cosmetic line accross, but as time goes by...half of my face plate has crack.
having this stem still makes me confident that this product will last me another 5yrs. the only thing i would like to know is how much tensile strength can this stem handle, so that i will know my limitations. above all, their customer support is very helpful and very prompt that during the time they received my returned cracked face plate, they shipped it out immediately.
i'm not disappointed to what happened to their product, maybe the thing they gave me was already redesigned to handle such load, impact, and can carry my weight in accordance to my riding style, which i love going down the single track. i just hope if anybody got the same situation, it's better go directly to the manufacturer and ask for a free replacement. well done thomson, and hopefully, R&D with QC will be done perfectly. nobody's perfect anyways...happy trails!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug Ford
a Racer
from Clear Lake, TX
Date Reviewed: July 19, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | The one I'm on. | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Bay Area Schwinn, Webster, TX | | Strengths: | Strength IS it's strength. Cool machining from one piece and no welds is a nice touch. If you can break one, the rest of your bike will likely be wasted too! | | Weaknesses: | I have yet to find a true weakness in any of the Thomsons I've owned. The slight amount of extra weight is not a concern. You may want to remove the bolts 1 or 2 times a year to grease them if it starts squeeking. | | Similar Products Used: | Too many to list, but none as strong. | | Bike Setup: | NRS1 with a shiny polished silver Thomson Elite stem, CrossMax SL's and other aftermarket bits not worth using server space on. | | Bottom Line: | I've used several Thomson Elite stems on my road and MTB's because there isn't a better engineered stem on the market. For carbon steerers, the Elite's wrap around clamp secures it without damaging the carbon surface.
My next Thomson stem will be the Elite X4 for the new single speed. I'll write about it in 9 months after the upcoming Fall and Spring seasons of racing.
Buy one, install it, and forget about it.
http://www.lhthomson.com/elite_stems.htm | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bo
a Cross Country Rider
from spring,Texas
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | rocky hill ranch | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Strengths: | Fairly light and very strong, looks awsome and gives your bike a whole new feel. | | Weaknesses: | its a little heavy compared to some of the carbon fiber stems. And is kinda expensive. | | Similar Products Used: | Forte carbon, Kore stem | | Bike Setup: | Acces frame, sram x-gen front derailleur, pilot sl fork and lx r derailleur and avid single digits. | | Bottom Line: | This Stem rocks it handles beautifully, better then any other stem i have used. its difinently worth the bucks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aaron burford
a Cross Country Rider
from mobile, al usa
Date Reviewed: January 15, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | seagull creek trail, MT | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | at the shop where i work | | Strengths: | Great looks! no welds, STIFF, Great QUALITY, Laser etched Graffix | | Weaknesses: | well if i have to say anything.... its that the bolts are hard to losten. I even broke the baal part off on my pedros allen wrench...and pedros makes good stuff...other than that its a wonderful component | | Similar Products Used: | Syncros, Ritchey, Specialized, Control tech, Salsa | | Bike Setup: | 04 independent Fab Steel Deluxe rf atlas cranks, e-thirteen chainguide and bashguard, chris king disc hubs, sun singletrack rims, thompson stem and seatpost, syncros petals, chris king hedset, fsa handlebars odi grips, xtr dirraleurs and shifters, kenda k-rad tires, salsa skewers and seat binder, brooklyn machineworks saddle, surley rigid fork! | | Bottom Line: | it hold on my handlebars. i like it. it looks good, my bike likes it... it works! its not too expensive! MADE IN THE USA | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
wildy
a Weekend Warrior
from UK
Date Reviewed: November 20, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Peak District | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$56.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Precision engineering. Once piece billet aluminium. | | Weaknesses: | Nothing | | Similar Products Used: | Easton xc magnesium, specialized, marin. | | Bike Setup: | Klein Palomino XX with factory custom "bones" paint.Maverick rear shock.Fox 100 RLC, hope xc with mavic rims and hope ti skewers, XTR groupset and M959 pedals,hope minis,answer carbon hyperlight bar,thomson elite stem.chris king headset, Thompson elite seat post,Fizik Gobi saddle. | | Bottom Line: | Its not the lightest stem out there, but IMHO its the best made.Recommended. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jeffo
a Weekend Warrior
from NYC, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: November 5, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Bike Setup: | Kona, this, that, good parts, good parts | | Bottom Line: | Eh, the thing sucks.
Well, actually that's not true. I just thought it would be funny to see that in this collection of reviews. I got one, I like it. Hasn't brought me any more women, but it holds the handlebars on well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a
from Fort Bragg, CA
Date Reviewed: October 6, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | EBAY!!!!!! | | Strengths: | Looks cool, tough, easy to adjust, tough, light, looks cool..... | | Weaknesses: | NONE | | Similar Products Used: | Stock stems.... | | Bike Setup: | Mavic, XT, Thomson, Avid Ti, Rock Shox Duke | | Bottom Line: | I was of the thinking that a stem was a stem. Wrong! This stem is great! Super cool looking, super tough, super stiff,super light, easily adjustable, no creaks. What more needs to be said? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cliff
a Cross Country Rider
from Las Vegas
Date Reviewed: August 3, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | singletrack | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | online auction - used | | Strengths: | Strong/no flex for 180 lb XC rider, good quality, good value in the $30 range, Thomson website has detailed instrucions for installation. Thomson says OK to run "upside down", which I do for a -5 degree setup. Low stack height. | | Weaknesses: | A little heavy for XC, I guess the clamp design works OK but it puts all the clamp "load" on the steerer on a smaller area in the front. | | Similar Products Used: | Lots except the big $ carbon/titanium jobs. | | Bike Setup: | Jamis Dakar Pro, built fairly light with high end components. SID SL. Cane Creek S-6 | | Bottom Line: | Stem works great. I installed as per the instrucions on the Thomson website; used a mini-torque wrench to tighten, carefully cleaned any oil off steerer and stem before installing. Used 18 inch lbs preload on the top cap then used the inch pounds Thomson recommends for the stem and haven't had any problems riding a lot of rough XC, small drops, etc. No race or freestyle although it looks like it might be tough enough for either assuming the clamp will hold. I'm still a little nervous about the clamp slipping because of all the rock garden pounding it's getting/going to get.
Given the strength of the 7000 series aluminum, and that it's from a solid chunk of the stuff, I like the idea that it should be "install (correctly) over a good headset and ride happily ever after". We'll see. On a lightweight XC rig I'm putting together, I'm trying an FSA XC to save a couple of ounces. I think Thomson should take a hard look at some of the other stems out there today and see if it's time for an updated design, maybe an XC specific.
If you can find a Thomson Elite, on closeout or at auction, in the $30 -$40 price range, and want a stem for all around intermediate XC use, buy it. Value rating is for $40 price. At full retail, I'd drop the value rating to 4 flamers. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sean
a Weekend Warrior
from Alexandria, VA
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Fountainhead - VA | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Stiff, well-engineered, looks good, 4-bolt bar clamp | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Stock Specialized stem | | Bike Setup: | '04 Stumpjumper Expert Disc, Crossmax XL, Thomson stem/seatpost, Eggbeaters, SRAM PC69, Michelin Hot S/XL S | | Bottom Line: | I'd recommend this stem to anyone. It hasn't budged after the first few rides through technical singletrack, rock gardens, and fast downhills. The 5 degree/100mm combo is just what I was looking for. Steering feel is great, and I feel much more in control of the front end. To the people complaining about the stem not clamping tight and coming loose, I suspect it's user error and not the product. When tightening the stem, you have to understand the way the clamp works. First use a regular wrench to get both bolts almost-tight. Then use the torque wrench. As you tighten one side, the other side will loosen slightly. You'll have to go back and forth a few times, re-tightening both sides to the recommended lb-ft. If you only torque each side down once, the stem will still be loose because one side will not be at the recommended lb-ft. This is the second one I've installed, and I've had no problems with either. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
james
a Cross Country Rider
from encino, ca.
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Nice matrail, beautiful looks | | Weaknesses: | Funky clamping setup | | Similar Products Used: | Titec, answer, profile, dean, easton | | Bike Setup: | '03 S-Works Enduro, factory set-up. | | Bottom Line: | I like the stems performance. However, when I went to remove it, one of the bolts that hold the stem in place snaped. I had to drill it out and when it finally gave the lil wedge piece went flying across the garage. I did not install the stem orginally so I don't know if it was installed incorrectly (maybe tightened too much, or no thread prep) I do believe the strange designed of the clamping system added to the problem. Any one else had issues with the bolts breaking... I noticed one of the bike stores order places sell the bolts. Hmmmmm........ | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
G G
a Cross Country Rider
from Annapolis, MD
Date Reviewed: May 15, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | dirt | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | on-line | | Strengths: | Reeks of quality, lightweight and honest about weight, stiff | | Weaknesses: | Torque, re-torque, repeat a few times on each steerer clamp screw until they no longer turn otherwise the headset will loosen. No big deal once you realize the significance. | | Similar Products Used: | Many | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale hardtail | | Bottom Line: | No need to look elsewhere, this is a superb product. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
simon Lee
a Cross Country Rider
from South Korea
Date Reviewed: March 25, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | Han's Mtb | | Strengths: | Stiff and sexy. Humm I'm beginning to sound like a queer but nevertheless it's an awsome stem. Very clean piece of work. It's a beauty that works great. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized oem crap, titec, forgie | | Bike Setup: | wheels, frame, handlebar, and THOMSON STEM | | Bottom Line: | I really can't say much about this stem which is good cuz I've never had any problems with it. It's stiff, never heard a creak since the day one. Great stem for XC but strong enough for freeride. I don't know about DH though. Will find out soon. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stephan (binary visions)
a Downhiller
from NH
Date Reviewed: March 7, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Strengths: | -Stiff
-Beautiful | | Similar Products Used: | Titec BigAl | | Bike Setup: | Evil Imperial | | Bottom Line: | Okay, let's get right to the point.
This is a stem. It clamps the handlebars and the steerer tube. It performs the basic functionality of holding your front end together - there is nothing special or exciting about this stem.
It is, however, a high quality, stiff, light stem and that's really all you can ever ask of it. Great product that does its job.. As worthy as Chris King.
To the people who cannot keep their stem from slipping, you need to be more than hamfisted ogre with an allen wrench to install it. It's simple, read the directions and install accordingly. I have had a couple really nasty crashes and the stem hasn't budged a millimeter. Install it properly and you will have no problems. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
frank
a Weekend Warrior
from macon, GA
Date Reviewed: February 25, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | thomson trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | functionally it has been flawless. Aesthetically, it is brilliant -- just oozes quality in all the CNC details | | Weaknesses: | none, so far. Stems either work or they dont. This one works. | | Similar Products Used: | Azonic shorty, Ritchy WCS, Titec, Kalloy, Icon, Generic | | Bottom Line: | I ride aggressive trails -- nothing too crazy, but I am not light on my parts by any means. So far, this products has held up without complaint. That said, any conventional well built stem with a four bolt plate would likely work just as well.
The detailing on the stem is really nice -- there is clearly some excellent machining and engineering dedicated to this product. The effort shows.
The quality of the metal and the bar clamping mechanism is excellent -- it is one of the few stems that I absolutely trust with carbon handlebars. No burrs or rough edges here.
I live in Macon, Thomson's headquarters, and ride on the excellent trail which they provide for free. This is a quality company that, despite their success, still respects the MTB community, IMO.
Frankly, you cannot find another bike product of this caliber for the $65 you can get this stem. Excellent value.
Overall, a very nice piece of bike jewelry that, like King headsets, just work. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Curtis
a Racer
from Ca, Usa
Date Reviewed: February 24, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Super strong, A+ quality, All sizes available | | Weaknesses: | zip-zero | | Similar Products Used: | Easton,Azonic | | Bike Setup: | DH, freeride, cross-country | | Bottom Line: | I rode these stems all year long on all of my bikes without one hassle or worry. They survived me punishing it all year on the Norba Series and the World Cups. That is called R&D kids. These stems are the best hands down. If you want the best, Thomson is it!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a Racer
from Lafayette, California
Date Reviewed: February 6, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | JensonUSA.com | | Strengths: | Looks great, strong, grips, relatively light. | | Weaknesses: | None. | | Similar Products Used: | Ritchey Pro. | | Bike Setup: | StumpjumberXC Comp, Fox RL shock and fork, Thompson, Avid Extreme Disks, King, XT/XTR, etc... | | Bottom Line: | This is an amazing product. I have carbon handlebars and I have not encountered any problems tightening the stem. It hold strong, looks great, and matches my seatpost. The Thompson is amazing. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
robert smith
a Cross Country Rider
from atwater
Date Reviewed: January 12, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | free and open | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | oregon mountainbikes | | Strengths: | strong, simple and beautiful. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | kore, house brands | | Bike Setup: | yeti kokpelli, thomson stem, seatpost. saddle by sella italia, irc mythos tires..... | | Bottom Line: | with certain components(other than wheels, deraillers and other moving parts) you just need to pick the best and forget about them, thomson is the way to go. not necesarily the lightest or the most cutting edge, they represent thoughtful design and very intelligent engineering. simply a wise investment in a bike you will keep for a while. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Travis
a Cross Country Rider
from Ca.
Date Reviewed: December 19, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$69.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Stout,good looking,strong mounting system,four bolt main, er, i mean faceplate. Very stiff. You get two stickers and a cool tote bag plus detailed instructions.
Makes certain people show their stupidity when they write about how a good product failed them. | | Weaknesses: | None that I can see. | | Similar Products Used: | Race face, Bontrager,S works, Easton.
| | Bike Setup: | Stumpjumer fsr ,the works! | | Bottom Line: | I needed a 5º/100cm stem and this was it. It is a little heavier than my old stem but much stiffer.
The mounting system is alot stronger then my old stem thats for sure. 100cm gives me just the right amount of steering quickness without being to twichy for tight single track and fast desends.
Just read the instuctions and if you get the design concept it is easy to grasp otherwise get a pro to do it for you. 5 on value 69.00 for a great product and 5 for the cool design. Bottom line is this stem rocks.... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nitish Nag
a Cross Country Rider
from Fremont, CA
Date Reviewed: December 18, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Skeggs Point | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | Phat Tire | | Strengths: | Super great durablity. no problems with installation. Looks great. Stiff has a mother. | | Weaknesses: | A bit on the heavy side. | | Similar Products Used: | Ritchey WCS, Crap, | | Bike Setup: | 2003 Blur, 03 XTR, 5th air, Easton Carbon Cockpit. | | Bottom Line: | This is an awesome stem. Never will give ya any problems. I like the design that puts the bolts on the inside. Looks clean and you wont have any bangin your knee. Really stiff. Rise is also great for XC riding. Highly recommended. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan R
a Cross Country Rider
from Long Island N.Y.
Date Reviewed: September 23, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Won't tell you than it will be crowded | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Junkie | | Strengths: | Strong Clamp on the bars has to be the best to clamp carbon fiber bars. So far it's been strong and hasn't cracked or bent yet, No slippage yet at all unlike some other reviewers | | Weaknesses: | None so far! People it's a Thomson need I say more! | | Similar Products Used: | Easton, Kore, Specialized, and some other no-name brands | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Stunmpjumper FSR XC with plenty of XC goodies. | | Bottom Line: | I got this stem due to the fact that my old Easton EA-50 developed a creak after I got my Easton Monkey Lite Carbon Bars and it was driving me crazy. I kept tourqeing it and it kept creaking. I used both grease and locktite on my EA-50 and it still creaked. Go figure Easton bars and an Easton stem you would think it would work great. Easton needs to make a stem that can clamp their carbon bars better. So I bought a Thomson and now no creak and it clamps the bars awesome. I was a little skeptical about the steering tube clamp but it works great. Any one who it having slippage problems try degreasing your steering tube and stem and then grease the threads and use a TOURQUE WRENCH! Maybe then it won't slip, have you noticed that only a handful of people have had slippage problems and every one else is not having a problem. When all else fails try reading the directions before you start to dismantle your bike and install it the right way. Everyone else is right this has to be the best stem on the market and if you run carbon fiber bar it is a must! PEACE! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
x-racer
a
from boulder, co
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | honest advertised weight, four bolt face, smooth back, no ridiculous rise, matches my seatpost nicely | | Weaknesses: | DIY California retard bike mechanics | | Similar Products Used: | many | | Bottom Line: | Don't fool yourself into thinking your a mechanic. Have it installed by a decent mechanic. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
stump
a Racer
from MA
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$75.00 | | Purchased At: | beyondbikes.com | | Strengths: | Bombproof, beautiful, lite, install/forget | | Weaknesses: | zilch. | | Similar Products Used: | azonic, moots, kore, etc.... | | Bike Setup: | truth w/ goodies. | | Bottom Line: | Like a previous reviewer, I feel compelled to post a review for this awesome product to deflect the naysayers who have problems with slipping, etc.
I don't want to accuse a fellow biker of being a mechanical neophyte, but.....
If you're having problems with the steerer connection or the handlebar connection, try having a quality shop work on the problem. I personally know dozens of riders who use this product without any problems, and I just find it hard to believe it's the product when I hear folks complaining it doesn't perform its basic function. Just let a pro have a looksee, this stem deserves at least that.
This stem is a real keeper: sexy, stiff, kind-on-the-knees gem. 5 bloated gonades for this b!tch!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim Bob
a
from Baltimore, MD, USA
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere. | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Great design, durable, maintenance free, and relatively light. | | Weaknesses: | None. I have read a bunch of the bad reviews below and feel that there needs to be some clarification. I am 220lbs. I ride relatively hard and do everything from trials to single speeding off and on road to wicked fast freeride. I fail to understand why it is that these guys below can't get the stem to stay put. I have had no problems, of course I worked as a head mechanic for 8+ years at several shops. I think that this problem likely stems from poor mechanical abilities and lack of riding skill. | | Similar Products Used: | Ringle, Syncros, Ibis, etc. | | Bike Setup: | Heckler, Talas, Thomson, Chris King, XTR. | | Bottom Line: | You can't go wrong with this set-up. Just have a qualified mechanic install it and ride til you smile! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Racer
from San Francisco
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | Through team order | | Strengths: | Light weight, wide clamp area for the bars, no bolts to smash your knees on, face plate comes completely off so you don't have to remove your levers, etc. | | Weaknesses: | Won't stay tight on my steer tube, moves around. Hard to find the right amount of clamp-tightness on carbon bars. | | Similar Products Used: | Race Face Deus Stem, Bontrager stem | | Bike Setup: | On my old GT Zaskar LE hardtail | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is a stem needs to perform two functions: 1) clamp the bars so they don't move. 2 ) clamp the steertube so the stem doesn't move. This stem fails to do #2, the stem always seems to move around a little bit after big impacts, jumps or really rough trails. I followed the instructions. I torqued the bolts down tighter after it moved the first few times but nothing seems to keep it in place for good. It doesn't move a lot (more than 1/2 an inch), but you can notice that your bars aren't straight after a few good jumps. Personally, I think the mechanism for clamping the stem to the steertube is either; over-engineered, too whacky to do it's real job or just doesn't work with some steertubes (I have a Marzocchi Bomber). Some of my friends have had better luck. I wouldn't buy this stem again because it won't stay in place and that scares me because I like my parts to perform their basic functions. I switched to the Race Face Deus stem on my new bike (which is lighter and has better overall clamping mechanisms) and so far it is working out great. You should check the other reviews for this problem or ask your friends about movement on the steer tube before buying this stem. If it weren't for this issue I would recommend it. Time to re-adjust the Thompson on my GT dammit. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a
from Arlington,Va
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | yes | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Strengths: | Until it's demise I thought it was a great stem. Very little flex. | | Weaknesses: | It cracked. | | Similar Products Used: | Answer A-TAC | | Bike Setup: | Yeti ARC, RaceFace this and that, Chris King here and there, all the usual suspects | | Bottom Line: | I've had this stem for just over 2.5 years. I just cracked it on both sides of the stem near the steer tube. I'm not really sure what to say about this, I've never cracked a stem before and I never thought I'd crack this one. I'm a little disappointed but it did last for a while. I'm 200 lbs and I can be a bit abusive so I can't really be too bothered by it. However, once I've broken something I won't buy it again. It worked well while it lasted, but I like buying things that I can put on my bike, beat the crap out of and not worry about it ever again. This used to be one of those parts, it's not anymore. In all fairness, I do think it's a decent stem, I just want something that's indestructable and this isn't it. I just bought a RaceFace Diabolus, I'll put up a review for that once I beat on it for a while. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Thu Beav
a Weekend Warrior
from Decatur, GA
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Clemson Research Trails, SC | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | Wheelhopper Hash | | Strengths: | High tech military grade milled aluminum. Four bolt bar clamp. Two bolt steerer tube clamp. Stiff. Straight. Black. Easily installed. | | Weaknesses: | None. Should be standard feature instead of upgrade/aftermarket. | | Similar Products Used: | Other cast stems. First Thomson stem. | | Bike Setup: | Klein Mantra. XTR. Rhino lite 36h. Straight 14g. XT hubs. Manitou Black Elite set @ 80. Rim brakes. 2.1 knobbies. Thomson seatpost. Anatomic saddle. FSA bb. Bontrager cranks(next to go). Time pedals. etc. | | Bottom Line: | Just changed to this stem from B*ntr*g*r. Didn't expect anything. Just wanted to match my seatpost. Live in Georgia (sorta near Thomson).
Holy Guacamole. Much better and more comfortable.
Stiff. Stout. Easy to install. Squeak free.
Most stems are probably this way any how, yet I'm very pleased with the fix and will encourage all to up the grade to Thomson. Definitely worth the $$. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
del
a
from usa
Date Reviewed: June 11, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$89.00 | | Weaknesses: | a little pricey but hey its quality | | Bottom Line: | Probably THE best xc and fr stem out there right now. never any slippage with the four bolt face and knee friendly stem bolts. the machining is really a work of art.
strong, light and looks good. I got the 110mm in polished
but im selling it b/c switched over to DH. Its still in excellent condition so e mail for pics and I'll sell for about half price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a Weekend Warrior
from Aiken, SC
Date Reviewed: May 25, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Horn Creek | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | Adrenaline Bikes | | Strengths: | As far as stems go, it doesn't get any better than this. Simple elegance and style. Quality. Stiff. Wide clamping area (good for carbon bars). | | Weaknesses: | Hmmm... | | Bike Setup: | Yeti AS-R. XT components. Answer ProTaper Carbon bar. Thomson post and stem. Blah, blah... | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is that when you buy a product like this and install it properly, you will have zero problems. Make sure you read the instructions. USE A TORQUE WRENCH! Lube the bolts.
Some products are a dime a dozen and we use with no thought, and some products are worth their weight in gold. This is one of the latter. You can buy a stem for ten bucks anywhere or you can buy one of these for between $70 and 80, install it and smile. Your choice, of course! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
john
a Cross Country Rider
from singapore
Date Reviewed: May 3, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | hike and bike | | Strengths: | one piece construction engineering marvel | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | bontrager race lite | | Bike Setup: | fuel 98 | | Bottom Line: | I didnt take the reviews seriously. I mean, what difference could a stem make? But curiousity got to me and I got a piece just to try it out. This morning I went for my first ride with the new stem. The differece was astounding. I swear I could feel the increase in control, especially when conering. On my favourite trail there is this really steep gravelly descent followed by an immediate sharp right where i have fallen numerous times. Today my steering was so precise the manuever seemed simple. In its understated way, this may be the best upgrade I've made in a long time. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Renfro
a Cross Country Rider
from Canada
Date Reviewed: April 15, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo | | Strengths: | Everything. One of the holy grails of bike parts. Like the infomercials says "set it and forget it." Oh yeah it comes in a cool bag. | | Weaknesses: | nada | | Similar Products Used: | Thomson and only Thomson | | Bike Setup: | A hardtail rocket and a freeride demon | | Bottom Line: | I have two bikes and both has Thomson stems and posts. Other than the Chris King headsets, these are the only parts that I don't have to dik with PERIOD. Installation instructions are pretty straight forward. They say use a torque wrench...use it. Dem Georgia boyz cranks out quality goodz. Make that 20 total flammin terds for the two stems and post that I have. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Russell Ballew
a Cross Country Rider
from Elk Grove
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | anything on dirt | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | Cambria Bikes | | Strengths: | Lightweight, beautifull, and strong at a decent price, what more could you want? | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Ritchey, Titec, Suntour, Cannon Headshok stem | | Bike Setup: | Ellsworth Truth, White Bro's, X517's, Sram, Shimano xtr, Race Face, Statos rear shock, Prescision Billet V-brakes, monkeylite XC bar w/barends, WTB tires, K2 pedals | | Bottom Line: | Buy this stem if you can afford it. You won't be sorry. It is beautifully CNC'd from a single chunk of aluminum. I use the 135mm with a 15 degree rise for my 6' 1' height and 175 lbs. Also have the Thomsom post to match which also works great, no signs of failure fully extended for rides. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Will
a Downhiller
from Delta BC Canada
Date Reviewed: March 28, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | super stiff, light, very sexy in black, great steertube clamp | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | pizzazz 50mm, race face deus, axiom shore, answer mrd clamp. | | Bike Setup: | jr t's, custom 7 inch frame, single wide rims, thompson seatpost, xy gearing, ninja tires | | Bottom Line: | this is a great stem it is soo nice i wouldn't ride anything else ever again. i have had no problems in the month of hard riding i have done since i made this great pruchase. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon Cruz
a
from corvallis, OR USA
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | campus | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$78.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike N' Hike | | Strengths: | Light, strong, great design | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | kore aheadlite, kore aheadlite 3, azonic shorty, primo casket, Kona DH | | Bike Setup: | Kona stuff set up for single speed trials...thomson 120 x 5 | | Bottom Line: | the strongest/lightest stem made. This stem is as flex free as an azonic shorty! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ralf
a Cross Country Rider
from Munich, Germany
Date Reviewed: March 21, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | DragonCycle, Belp (CH) | | Strengths: | Quality, craftmanship, details, style, ... | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | Various | | Bike Setup: | Ellsworth ID, 5th-Element, Fox Talas, XTR, | | Bottom Line: | Everything has been said - I just want to confirm: It's an awesome product. The quality and the details are really amazing! It was a thrill just to touch it the first time. It was pleasure to put on the bike and now I get to look at whenever I ride. Perfect. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sean Gregory
a Cross Country Rider
from Malaysia
Date Reviewed: March 20, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | LBS Bikepro | | Strengths: | Strength. Plug and play installation...Jez follow the instructions ladies. | | Weaknesses: | None, in fact I forgot all about it until I visited this site. | | Similar Products Used: | Syncros(crap), Raceface(Good) | | Bike Setup: | Litespeed Pisgah,XT Groupset/Discs,Thomson seatpost, Crossmax non-UST. | | Bottom Line: | I hate to have to worry about my bike's reliability while on the trail. I've built my rig with that philosophy. I'm not a weight weenie...I just want a bombproof bike that I can ride and abuse with impunity.
Put the Thomson on, forget about it.....and RIDE like there's no tomorrow! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Strong, light, dependable, easy to install and adjust. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Bottom Line: | I have a Thompson on both of my mountain bikes (both Ellsworths). After 2 years I have never had a problem. I agree with the earlier post. If you have trouble because your stem is loose, you haven't installed it correctly. I would never consider another brand on a high-end X-country mountain bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Martin
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: March 14, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Mission Trails | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Strengths: | Extremely well made, strong, fairly light. Quality product. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Kore | | Bike Setup: | Superlight, XT, Blah, Blah... | | Bottom Line: | I was pushed into reviewing this stem by the idiots who whine 'the stem keeps comming loose'. Guys, if you can't fit it properly take it to a bike shop, clean off any oil or grease from the steerer, put on the stem and torque with a torque wrench to the specified torque, that's it.
Anyway a great product, bomb proof, deserves a full 5 chilis. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tony
a Racer
from Nor Cal
Date Reviewed: March 14, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson | | Strengths: | looks good-if that matters | | Weaknesses: | DOES NOT STAY TIGHT! THAT MEANS IT DOES NOT WORK-HAVE TO CONSTANTLY TIGHTEN WHILE RIDING
OTHERS SAY IT WORKS? IF YOU RIDE HARD-DON'T BUY THIS STEM!
| | Similar Products Used: | STOCK SPECIALIZED, RACE FACE | | Bike Setup: | S-WORKS W/FOX RLC 100 /CARBON MONKEY LITES | | Bottom Line: | IF YOU RIDE HARD-DON'T BUY THIS STEM! I WILL TRY THE FSA NOW OR GO BACKTO RACEFACE. I AM WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM JENSON ABOUT RETURNING IT. THEY HAVE ALWAYS TREATED ME WELL.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Fambrough
a Cross Country Rider
from Plano, Texas
Date Reviewed: February 12, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Dorba.org | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$79.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Compliments the seatpost:
Weight/Strength
Improved Handling | | Weaknesses: | None | | Bike Setup: | Klein Palomino with XT drivetrain, Thomson post and stem, Crank Bros. eggbeater pedals, Fox Float RL front and Fox/Maverick M-Bits rear, Italia Trans Am Max saddle, yada, yada, yada. | | Bottom Line: | Like their seatpost: it's one component you easily forget about. That is until the terrain gets rocky, steep and technical. Then you're glad you have it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
martyn nash
a Cross Country Rider
from wales uk
Date Reviewed: February 2, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | llanddowror | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | cant remember | | Strengths: | strenghth, cleaning, looks, fit and forget. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | ritchey, specialized OEM | | Bike Setup: | 2003 S-works HT 15.5"
SID 2003 Race
Full XT thompson seat post | | Bottom Line: | The strenghth of this is amazing, Its a product you could well call a blue chip, if Thompson ever built another component I would be in the cue. The strenght of it is amazing and this week will put a carbon bar with it. That will make the bike look a real head turner. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Cruz, CA
Date Reviewed: February 1, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | online somewhere | | Strengths: | Best stem ever made | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Stock Bonty that came with bike ... ugh. | | Bike Setup: | Totally pimped-out 2000 Sugar 2 | | Bottom Line: | Don't even consider anything else. Don't both shopping on eBay because they eventually sell for more than you can buy new somewhere else online. So shop around. Don't worry about paying a little more because there is nothing better -- and everyone knows it. Be sure to get a Thomson post, too. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Phil
a Cross Country Rider
from Guildford, UK
Date Reviewed: January 10, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Surrey Hills | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Beyond Mountain Bikes | | Strengths: | Other stems are a lump of metal - this is a sculpture. Whenever I'm bored, I go the garage and run my hands over it, Mmmmm CNC ribbing. | | Weaknesses: | When Thomson specify a maximum torque for tightening the bolts, believe it. It's barely more than finger tight thanks to the special clamping system. If you overdo it, you'll either partly strip the hexagons with your allen key (as I did) or go all the way like Aaron and make with the dynamite. Thomson sent me a free set of bolts without argument so it all looks gorgeous again. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized, Race Face Prodigy | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Superlight, Chris King, Easton carbon Monkeybar | | Bottom Line: | Thomson don't make anything but stems and seatposts - but they don't need to. The stems come in so many varieties of length and angle you could experiment for months (if you could afford it). The clamping system, while susceptible to over-tightening, is superior to anything else on the market making unwanted movement a thing of the past. Everything else just looks tacky - and when you know that they make sure their stuff is super strong as well, why would you buy anything else around the price mark? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aaron
a Weekend Warrior
from San Francisco
Date Reviewed: January 8, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Big Boulder in Downieville | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | jensonusa.com | | Strengths: | 4 bolt front | | Weaknesses: | the way it locks onto your steer tube. Piece of crap stem! | | Similar Products Used: | RF | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruze SL w/XTR and RF w/a fox fork up front. | | Bottom Line: | This stem really sucks! I read all the reviews so I decided to buy it for my new bike. Now that I need to take it off to send my fork back for a rebuild the stem won't come off! Yep, the bolts are fused on and no I did not only loosen one bolt, I loosened both as Thompson suggests. My LBS has broken 4 sets of drill bits trying to drill the bolts on this stem off. Even the E-Z outs that are designed for steal broke. The only option left is to weld cut the stem off the steer tube.
This stem is great if you never need to remove it! Otherwise it is a true piece of crap. I will never use another Thompson product on my bike again!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tony
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder
Date Reviewed: December 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Lefthand Canyon death cobble | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | Full Cycle | | Strengths: | Looks amazing. High quality CNC and annodization creates a work of art in aluminum. Funky 2-bolt pinch design allows a lightweight but still solid connection to the steerer tube. | | Weaknesses: | Not nearly as stiff as people claim. Overrated product. Edges of faceplate dig into bar. | | Similar Products Used: | Titec Big-Al (excellent). Titec Knucklehead DH (fantastic). Profile (okay). Easton EA-70 (excellent). | | Bike Setup: | Diamondback X2 front triangle / Diamondback XR4 swingarm with Fox Float RL 5" / Psylo Race 5" / Easton MonkeyLite XC / Chris King Hubs | | Bottom Line: | Thomson makes a nice stem, but similar to their seatposts, they are overrated. When I first mounted my Easton MonkeyLight Bars into the Thomson, I torqued everything down to a little less than spec, there was a noticable amount of twist from the 4-bolts shifting (the plate wasn't tight enough). When tightened to spec, the bar/faceplate interface is solid but the stem shaft (only a 90mm) will still twist 1-2 degrees under load. Another problem is that the edges of the faceplate and stem face are machined to a sharp edge, in addition, the clamping area of faceplate is very narrow compared to the Titec stems. This causes a lot of force to be placed on the edges of the bar/stem interface and worried me enough that I switched back to the 100mm Big Al. I find that I am less confident with the Thomson when hammering through rocky washes or in tight switchbacks where steering precision is at a premium.
Overall I think the Thomson is still one of the best lightweight XC stems, but its reputation as a bomber stem for all bikes and all riders is undeserved.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Viper
a Cross Country Rider
from Daytona Beach/Franconia Notch, FL/NH, USA
Date Reviewed: November 9, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | The Razorback - Reddick, FL | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$75.00 | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | Quality, Design, Craftsmanship | | Weaknesses: | Price | | Similar Products Used: | Kore, Raceface, etc... | | Bike Setup: | N/A | | Bottom Line: | If you are a fatass, downhiller, or hardcore freerider, don't bash a quality product because you misused it. This is a phenominal stem for hardcore xc and occasional freeride. It wasn't designed to have 235 lbs falling from 8' on it. That is a lot of torque. If you do ride like that, get the right product and stop blaming your poor product selection on a great product! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from La Mirada
Date Reviewed: October 15, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything sweet | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$79.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | The design lines, four bolt front clamp, beefy strong, but lighter than it looks. I bought it for piece of mind (I'm 210 lbs).....and it's a Thomson! | | Weaknesses: | Non noted | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized, Ritchey, Kore | | Bike Setup: | Stumpy FSR XC Pro, Psylo Sl, BETD link (3-6 inches rear) XTR, Stylo Team cranks, Thomson stem and post, Answer ProTaper Carbon. | | Bottom Line: | I've been riding with the stem for almost 3 months (4 times a week). It was noticibly stiffer than the OEM stem. It holds my bar(s) with no probs, even with the light torque for the Carbon. The stem has not slipped or come loose from the steerer (I even put it on myself, and I'm not an expert). It's nice to have something this strong and reasonably light. IT DOES NOT FLEX UNDER MY WEIGHT.
GET IT!!!! For those that know,,,,,will know.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Weekend Warrior
from Lake Forest, CA. USA
Date Reviewed: October 2, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Follow up review on my earlier posting. | | Weaknesses: | Customer support. | | Similar Products Used: | see other review | | Bike Setup: | see other review | | Bottom Line: | Still no contact from Thomson about my problem with the clamping problem with the stem. And for the guy who told me not to tighten it too tight, It was installed at the shop and fixed at the shop several times, I watched them use a torque wrench and tighten it to spec, as well as clean all parts and steer tube with alcohol, because there should be no grease on the stem and steer tube. The stem still came lose. Maybe the stem should have a wieght limit for the rides how use it. The shop were I purchased the stem from has had to switch it out with all of their rides of 200lbs for the same problem. I wieght 235lbs. and it keeps on coming lose. If you weight over 200lbs try a different stem. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Racer
from Mountain View
Date Reviewed: September 30, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Light, strong. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Bontrager, Ritchey, Icon | | Bike Setup: | SC Superlight | | Bottom Line: | Previous reviewer should try again to get a hold of Thomson. I've always had a prompt response from them via email or phone and never had any of the clamping problems stated. It's important not to over tighten a Thomson stem, per the directions. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Weekend Warrior
from Lake Forest, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: September 30, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | The Path Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Looks only | | Weaknesses: | Clapping mechanism | | Similar Products Used: | All kinds | | Bike Setup: | Norco Fluid tons O extras | | Bottom Line: | This is the worst stem I have ever used! That stem would not stay tight to save its life. On the average I had to tighten the stem anywhere between 2 or 3 times per ride. Now that sucks. I even tried to e-mai Thomson, but got no response. I would not tell anyone to buy this stem, even if I hated them, Don't buy this stem. Thank god the shop switched the stem out for me the other day with the Race Face Deus. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike T.
a Cross Country Rider
from Ont Canada
Date Reviewed: September 22, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Speedgoat | | Strengths: | Good looks, stiffness, nice engineering, company support. | | Weaknesses: | After two years the faceplate cracked ½ way through. | | Similar Products Used: | Kore, Nuke Proof. | | Bike Setup: | Seven Ti Sola. Pace rigid carbon fiber fork. | | Bottom Line: | Great stem. After two years of use (mine was one of the early ones) I noticed a crack running ½ way through the faceplate. I e-mailed the company and sent digi-pics and explained the problem. They got back to me right away, didn't accuse me of improper installation and shipped me out a new faceplate immediately.
The steerer clamp is an excellent idea and is very sturdy and positive. The stem is light and stiff and very nicely machined. A top quality XC stem with great company support. Exactly what I expected. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mikey Likes It
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder, CO
Date Reviewed: August 31, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Steep | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$72.00 | | Purchased At: | Excel Sports | | Strengths: | Super Strong. Incredible design, no welds - all machined from a singular block of aluminum. Best clamping design ever. | | Weaknesses: | Where? What? Maybe for people who do not understand how to install a stem. Otherwise, it is unrivaled. | | Similar Products Used: | Synrcos, Salsa, Ritchey, Specialized, Kore. | | Bike Setup: | RM Element Team Only Scandium, carbon bars, crossland wheelset, Fox float RLC Fork. | | Bottom Line: | The best stem I have ever seen or used. I am astounded this product does not cost 150.00. Judging by the quality everybody else sells in this price range, I would expect this thing to retail for 150, easily.
Great job Thomson! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Drifter
a
from Los Angeles
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$74.00 | | Purchased At: | Helens Cycles | | Strengths: | Extremely durable, light, stiff, nice design - outstanding! | | Weaknesses: | none yet | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bottom Line: | So far I have been very please with this stem. I change the stock Titec (big al) out about three months ago and have noticed a big difference. I never would have thought a change in stem would have made such a difference but Thomson proved me wrong. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
brandon
a
from hesperia,ca,usa
Date Reviewed: August 24, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | TopSecret | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Flawless clamp hold.STIFF TOO!
My bars never moved, until...
Stem holds the steer.tube just as well, or better. | | Weaknesses: | It broke 1/2 way across the THOMSON logo on the the faceplate clamp. | | Similar Products Used: | easton,kore,azonic,titec,bontrager,stiffy,controlTech | | Bike Setup: | 19"COVEstiffee-thomson,rf,answer,atomlab trailpimps,xt/xtr,tioga 2.3" ,marzocchi,kooka | | Bottom Line: | It broke but I'm dedicated to the thomson seatpost,
so I'll give their stem another try.
This new (free)replacement is a bit different looking than the broken one. The machining is smoother now Patent pending also has a different # now.
Maybe my 1st was an early R&D proto?
But they've definetly changed it a little. Hopefully for the better!
Anybody want to see a pic of the break, just email me for a pic. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
allister
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta, GA
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | name one with dirt | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$55.00 | | Purchased At: | MTBR Classified baby! | | Strengths: | Light, Stiff, Price (for what I got it for), Knee friendly clamping design | | Weaknesses: | none to date | | Similar Products Used: | Kore, Syncros, Titec, Ritchey, etc. | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz SL, Super X, Fox RC, 02 Psylo SL, Thompson post and stem, Magura Louise Disc, F519 on SRAM SL Hubs | | Bottom Line: | It helps me steer to where I gotta go. I've experienced no slipping of any kind. The Handlebar and stem stay put. Other guys who have gotten slippage may have gotten lube on the steerer. I know with other stems this is not a big deal, but with this one no lube or grease on the steerer means no slippage. Good Stem. Check out ebay as I got my Seatpost there for $55.00. The seatpost roacks too. It replaced a crappy EA70 post that creaked more than my bones. But, that's a different story........ | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nikita Zen
a Cross Country Rider
from Beverly Hills, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | www.jensonusa.com | | Strengths: | Strong and Super sexy looking | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Bike Setup: | Specialized M5 | | Bottom Line: | I replaced the original Specialized S-Works stem with this Thomson. It rocks! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Troll Monkey
a
from Oregon
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Bottom Line: | Just got back from the LBS with my new Thomson stem, 0' rise 120mm length, black. It's luscious. A beautiful piece of equipment. Fitted onto a KISS-Off singlespeed with a King headset, of course.
The first thing I noticed about this stem: LIGHT! No welds, totally CNC machined from a solid block of aluminum. Excellent design with the allen bolts positioned along the side of the stem near the steerer.
This stem has another sweet design: the knee-friendly clamp. Have you ever used an old Salsa stem? I have one on my other bike, and every now and then I smash the sh1t out of my knee when either jumping or hammering out of the saddle. I really have to be careful not to chunder my knee with that setup. But with the Thomson stem, that's not a worry. They've lovingly and carefully designed this piece of engineering art so that you can ride with confidence and never give your stem a second thought.
It's strong, light, badass looking and will last you a lifetime. "And that's the bottom line!"
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Jefferies
a Weekend Warrior
from Los Angeles
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | all of socal | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Strengths: | looks, | | Weaknesses: | doesnt hold, no matter how hard I tighten | | Similar Products Used: | raceface | | Bike Setup: | 1-1/8 steer tube clamp | | Bottom Line: | I got this stem from a friend because he could not get it to hold to his steel steer tube fork. Now I have the same problem with an alum steer tube! He will take it back and I will buy the Kore b52 stem because another friend of mine swears by it! The Kore cost more, but I guess you get what you pay for. There must be other people with this problem?
I hope Thomson fixes the problem, then it would be a nice stem. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J eff
a Weekend Warrior
from AZ
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Hawes | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Strong, light, easy to install. | | Weaknesses: | NONE! | | Bottom Line: | The perfect component is the one that you forget that you have on the bike. Looks great.
Other than the Chris King headset, there is no more perfect component. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bobo D. Clown
a Cross Country Rider
from L.A.
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Bobo is often spotted on most local trails | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$79.00 | | Strengths: | Everything. Looks, performance, and even the 79 beans I dished out wasn't too bad. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | dozens of xc stems | | Bike Setup: | Bobo's Custom 2002 Dakar: See Review for full details | | Bottom Line: | This is flat out the best stem out there. Inspires confidence and looks great. What I can't believe is that
MTB review didnt pick it as their choice for stems. What gives? ...just take a look at the reviews. I chose the polished for a new full suspension bike I was putting together and man it makes the bike look even better! Try it you'll like it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Racer
from Golden, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Walker Ranch | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Well made, exceptionally strong. | | Weaknesses: | None. | | Similar Products Used: | Race Face, Ritchey | | Bike Setup: | Rocky Mountain Element Race. | | Bottom Line: | This stem just does not flex at all period. I purchased it because it had the dimensions I wanted - 15 degree rise, and most others don't, the reviews on this site, and the very nice workmanship of the product. It never creaks, and I know it can take any abuse I could ever hand it. It was worth every cent. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jun salaya
a Weekend Warrior
from san jose, ca
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | saratoga gap trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$74.00 | | Purchased At: | sun bike milpitas | | Strengths: | well made, no weld, nothing fancy | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | titec, powe tool........ | | Bike Setup: | santa cruz chameleon | | Bottom Line: | This is my second stem on my second bike, I already had one for more than a year on my first bike, no complaint and was always happy with it. Then, decided to built a second bike, I was really shopping for a light stem like easton mg60, but very expensive and thier difference in weight was not really that much, (5 degrees,120 mm) difference in weight was only 9 grams and price differnce is almost double. Thompson got the nod, well made, light, no weld, proven, very reasonable price, very good, period. Sometimes you really don't have to spend that much to get a good product. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Evan Lau
a Cross Country Rider
from Mountain View
Date Reviewed: May 29, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Flume, Lake Tahoe | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$79.00 | | Strengths: | Strength, beautiful CAD scultpured look (no welds) | | Weaknesses: | Requires proper torqing during installation | | Similar Products Used: | Controltech | | Bike Setup: | '97 Litespeed Obed, '02Rochshox Psylo SL | | Bottom Line: | Bought this to complement my Easton MonkeyLite riser 2 years ago. Very stiff, hardly any flex compared to other stems I've tried. Very nice looks (mine is silver 5degrees, 110mm). This was supposed to be a stem that one put on and forget. It did that for 2 years, but I noticed a crack (almost halfway across), where the stem clamps to the fork steerer tube, a month ago. On taking it apart, I noticed one of the internal bolt clamps was damaged and cracked too. I think I must have over-tightened one bolt and possibly under-tightened the other. Contacted Thomson - service was great. I sent in the damaged stem and received the replacement 5 days later. I realize this problem is rare and is likely to be my fault, plus Thomson customer was great, so I'll won't take points off for the cracked stem. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kanit Boonnam
a Weekend Warrior
from Bangkok, Thailand
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | World Bike | | Strengths: | -Look great. the craftmanship look like Swiss made
-Many sizes and angles to suit different needs
-Not welded one so It's very strong | | Weaknesses: | -Price is a bit high
-Only 2 colors to choose but the black will do for most bike setup | | Similar Products Used: | Specializedr and some welded ones | | Bike Setup: | FSR XC M4'01, XTR Group,Crossmax UST,Thompson post & stem,EC-70 carbon bar,panaracer trail blaster tubeless tire | | Bottom Line: | If you don't mind the price and color, this could be the best stem for you ever. With their reputation and expertise I think Thompson should produce some more products such as handlebar and seatpost clamps to fulfill the lines. I'm waiting for that. I bought this stem to match the seatpost that come with the frame and had no problem. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sam VeraSfozza
a Racer
from Seattle, Wa, USA
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Whistler BC | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | Aadvark online | | Strengths: | Equal to if not better than the post, super stiff, looks, more presise steering, DH strong/XC light, vastly improved ergonomics. | | Weaknesses: | I should have bought this earlier, now that the Thomson name is an industry benchmrk, they should offer a color selection simular to CK headsets, not really a weakness though. | | Similar Products Used: | All sorts of stuff. | | Bike Setup: | 2000 S-Works M4 with all the juicy stuff (19.8lbs) | | Bottom Line: | To bad this didn't come stock on my bike, the seat post did, it's the best out there, a little pricy for some Al, but you'll never need new one. This is one of those products that everyone needs to have. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
stamd
a Racer
from Golden, Colorado
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$75.00 | | Purchased At: | performance | | Strengths: | stiffness, lightweight, clamp, machining | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Kore, Answer ATAC | | Bike Setup: | Ibis Silk Ti, Manitou Black Elite Air, Avid Ultimates, EggBeaters, SRAM XO, CrossMax, XTR crank, Conti Tires | | Bottom Line: | Great solid stem. No flex. Beautiful machining. Clamp is secure. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Don
a Weekend Warrior
from Owings Mills, MD 21117
Date Reviewed: April 11, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | anything Avalon | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$56.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay auction | | Strengths: | Stiff as hell-exceptional craftsmanship. Good on my knees as well. | | Weaknesses: | None found to date. | | Similar Products Used: | Azonic, Bontrager | | Bike Setup: | Sugar 3, XT drivetrain, Easton Bars | | Bottom Line: | Would highly recommend to anyone in the market for a new stem. Be sure to check out ebay before buying-I saved $20 off the cheapest I could find on the net. If for nothing else than piece of mind-buy this stem. Not a creak or moan out of it thusfar-and I'm a clydesdale. Praise be to Thomson! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Tampa
Date Reviewed: April 5, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Tsali, NC | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$79.00 | | Purchased At: | L.B.S. | | Strengths: | Looks great, nice and stiff | | Weaknesses: | None found | | Similar Products Used: | Stock stem (Trek, I think) | | Bike Setup: | 1996 Klein Pulse, XT/XTR/Mavic/Cane Creek/Rock Shox/Thomson | | Bottom Line: | I bought this last year to compliment a bar upgrade. I'm very happy with it. It does what it's supposed to do, and it looks great. I've had it for over six months now and have no complaints. No squeaks, creaks, or anything. I just got back from pounding it at Tsali, NC and it did fine (BTW, stayed at a nice inexpensive, mtbiker-friendly motel close to Tsali - check out www.freemansmotel.com if you're going to Tsali).
Plus, I got the black one, which I'm pretty sure makes the bike go faster. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
celly
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary, AB, Canada
Date Reviewed: March 29, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Speedgoat | | Strengths: | Great looks, easy to set up | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Syncros, Race Face | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Rocky Mountain Instinct, tricked out.
2001 Rocky Mountain Vertex Team SC | | Bottom Line: | I must admit, I first bought the Thomson stem because it looked so sweet. After all, stems don't vary much in performance. It looks so beefy, yet feels so light. I love the recessed bolts for mounting to the steer tube. I've got the black one for my dually, and just got a silver one for the hardtail. Can be had for $50 on Ebay.
Thomson makes great stuff. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nuno Pires
a Cross Country Rider
from Portugal
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Torres vedras All | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$79.00 | | Purchased At: | MotoVedras | | Strengths: | Looks,Strong,lyte,etc | | Weaknesses: | Price,no negative angles | | Similar Products Used: | Ritchey Wcs,Ritchey Pro,Coda | | Bike Setup: | Giant MCM,Roox Flat RACT,Mavic,Thomson stem and post,Manitou Mars super,Flite Gel, Sram 9.0sl,... | | Bottom Line: | I was looking for this stem form a long time since there was no dealer in Portugal and the only way of purshasing it was in the Net.Only this month i was able to get 110, 5º in black it is BEAUTIFULLLLLL. It looks Grate on bike, it's the strongest stem i have ever ride with and the combination of both stem and and post is great. It is one of best products i have in my bike, like the post, try it and you'll see the deference, stiff as hell. There's nothing more to say.(Vale pagar um pouco mais Por algo que se sabe como foi feito so de olhar para ele). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick
a
from Tempe, AZ
Date Reviewed: March 22, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | ASU bike co-op | | Strengths: | No pinch bolts, so you don't bash your knees
Wide bar clamp w/ 4 bolt faceplate won't gouge your bar
Good customer service from Thomson
Probably strong, but then again who breaks stems anyway | | Weaknesses: | Expensive- is it just me, or are we spending way too much on stems these days? Seems you've got to pay 50 bucks just to get something half-decent. Not that I'm helping fix the market trend by buying this stem
Keep an eye on that clamp assembly when you remove the stem | | Similar Products Used: | Stuff by Profile, Kalloy, Kona, Raceface | | Bike Setup: | Planet X Zebdi, pure trials | | Bottom Line: | I bought this stem because it came in the size I wanted, it looks good, and it's much more knee-friendly than other stems. I'm impressed by the workmanship, and the wide bar clamp makes more of a difference than you might think if you're using a big wide riser. I travelled with my bike and lost the clamp assembly somewhere along the way. None of the local shops stocked just the clamp, so I called Thomson, and they sent me one out that same day for free.
If you don't own a torque wrench, have a shop install this- otherwise you'll end up with only one of the bolts in the clamp assembly taking all the force. Also, make sure you follow the directions when they say to clean your steer tube.
4 Chilis for value at my price- if I had paid retail it would be 3. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
peter
a Cross Country Rider
from east coast
Date Reviewed: February 27, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | 1. Stiff as a block of marble
2. 4 bolts means no more paranoia that my bar and stem will part company at an inconvenient time
3. Looks good and matches my seatpost
4. Seems to clamp steerer very well, without risk of damage
5. General level of quality -- what you'd expect from Thomson | | Weaknesses: | Steerer clamp design makes installation/removal a bit of a pain
| | Similar Products Used: | all the usual stuff | | Bike Setup: | steel hardtail SS with EA-70 risers | | Bottom Line: | Wow. I can't imagine any stem feeling stiffer or stronger. The size of the bar clamp is great. Love having the secure feeling of those 4 clamp bolts. Very good choice of sizes, though a 0-degree would be a nice addition. Steerer clamp takes time to tighten/loosen and the bolts are hard to access with CPR-type multi tools with short hex wrenches.
Buy it if:
1. Safety, strength, stiffness and general quality are your top priorities.
2. You want an Easton Mag stem for those same reasons but don't want to spend the $140 that the Mag costs.
Don't buy it if:
1. You can't see spending $80 on ANY kind of stem
2. You'll install and remove it frequently, and mind the extra time it takes to do so.
3. You want an ultra-lite stem and don't mind the risk (real or perceived) of such products.
Would give it 4.5 stars if I could. Hmmmm. Will compromise and do 4 for value and 5 for overall... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Otter
a Cross Country Rider
from Dallas, TX, USA
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Dinosaur Park | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay auction | | Strengths: | Strong, well designed, comes in many lengths, classy looking, and no creaks when riding. | | Weaknesses: | Can't think of any. | | Similar Products Used: | Titec AL, and a few generics. | | Bike Setup: | XTR Rear Deraileur and shifters, Truvativ Stylo Team spline cranks, Cane Creek Wheelset, XT front deraileur, Dean Titanium seatpost, Thomson Stem, Marzocchi Z3 forks, Schwinn Homegrown frame. | | Bottom Line: | It costs a little bit more than a lot of other stems. It is worth it though. Every detail illustrates high quality workmanship! Buy it. You won't regret it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Mountain View
Date Reviewed: February 15, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Braile Baby, Braile.... | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$79.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Looks, strength...See the below mentioned poster. A stem that can support the weight of A Pacer could probably hande my fat ass. | | Weaknesses: | None. Company Weakness: They dont make a crankset yet! | | Similar Products Used: | Icon, Bontrager... | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Fisher Kaitiai, 2001 Fisher Sugar 3+. | | Bottom Line: | I've had this stem on my bike for a while. I set it and left it alone. Never gave it another thought. Stiff as hell and very strong. I ordered a new bike a few weeks ago and so I'm starting to move key components like my Thomson stem and seatpost off of my old ride and onto the new one. I discovered that I could'nt get 2 of my old bolts out of the stem and stripped them trying. I sent an email to Thomson and the sent me 2 new bolts, perfect instructions on how to drill out the old bolts, and a couple of great thomson posters (including one of the aforementioned poster involving the Pacer) free of charge. 5 chilis for value, quality, and the absolutely outstanding customer service at Thomson. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Ryan
a Cross Country Rider
from West Palm Beach, Fl.
Date Reviewed: February 15, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Oleta State Park, Ft. Lauderdale | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | Real strong and pretty too. | | Weaknesses: | Not a weak product, at all. | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Paragon 2000 stock | | Bottom Line: | I don't own this stem yet, but I will. You must see the Thomson website, www.lhthomson.com/pacer.asp This stem is holding up a 3000 lb Dodge Pacer! Dodge made the Pacer I think, oh whatever. Email them and they'll send you a poster of it. I'm surprized nobody has mentioned this yet. I do not work for Thomson, but they should hire me as their company cheerleader. Now do what I told you to do and get to that site man! Just think, you'll never have to explain to your dentist that it wasn't a hockey puck it was a faulty bike stem. I love you Thomson stems&posts people!xoxoxo | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tucker K.
a Downhiller
from Waunakee, WI
Date Reviewed: February 13, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Somethine technical | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Weight, stiffness, looks, strength, design, quality, craftsmanship | | Weaknesses: | Let see, none other than make sure to loosen the steer tube bolt the same amount on each side or the screws will freeze. Make sure to grease bolts or they like to freeze. | | Similar Products Used: | Icon Sterling, Bontrager AHS, Control Tech, Titec Big Al, etc.. | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Superlight, Zokes Z2, Chris King, XTR/XT... | | Bottom Line: | This stem is amazing, I am not kiding. I went from a CRAPPY Icon sterling stem to this and I didn't know a stem could be this stiff, and at 200g it is pretty darn light to. This stem will continue to go on my bikes for a while. This stem really is a peice of work!
You can't go wrong with this stem and now that they have a DH stem, I guess there is no need for any other stem to be produced. Nice job Thomson! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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