RAVE: Thompson 27.2 dropper and new frames

[Hairy]

Elite 275 Bike

 

One thing we weren't expecting from Thomson was this. When we saw the covert seatpost we failed to notice the bike it was mounted on... The titanium-crafted Elite 275 is their first step into the bike-building world and apparently the start of a new direction for Thomson. It is the first of three planned bikes, with the Elite 29 and Elite Gravel set to follow soon. Parrett explains that bike was born from a desire to show people how they like to ride bikes and what they make equipment for. He says that, "There are a lot of times when we are working on components and one of the challenges is "what kind of bike does this go on?" and the perception of our components is related to what kind of bike it goes on, and we just wanted to work on the bigger picture, give ourselves a bigger palette to paint with. So we just wanted to do some bikes that are kind of niche-y, do them our way, and support them after the sale our way." These first Elite bikes are produced by Lynskey for Thomson, but they say that if they are well-received then they would want to bring the production in-house.

http://ep1.pinkbike.org/p5pb10546568/p5pb10546568.jpg

http://ep1.pinkbike.org/p5pb10546571/p5pb10546571.jpg

 

Details:

 

• Titanium frame welded by Lynskey

• 69 degree headangle

• 73 degree seatube angle

• 23-inch effective top tube (medium)

• 3 year warranty

• Available from May 2014

• MSRP: $6,800.00 for the build shown here

 

It may surprise you to know that a company as precise as Thomson aren't keen to talk about the exact geometry numbers. Feel is more important for them. Asking Parrett about the chainstay length, he explains that, "It's not super long, but it is towards the longer, more stable. I like a bike that carves, especially if you drop the saddle, you can really rear wheel steer it. The beauty of a slightly slower bike is that with a wider bar, if you push down hard, it'll turn. You've got enough leverage with a 730mm wide bar to put it on down, if you need to. I've always wanted to attack the mountain bike like a dirt bike. I always think that mountain bikes and dirt bikes share so much and should share more. I like that sitting back in the cockpit and driving from behind the bars kind of feel, that's what we wanted to go for." Suddenly the bikes starts to make a lot more sense, as it's difficult for them to explain how they like to ride when you're just talking about a seatpost or set of handlebars.

http://ep1.pinkbike.org/p5pb10546572/p5pb10546572.jpg

http://ep1.pinkbike.org/p5pb10546575/p5pb10546575.jpg http://ep3.pinkbike.org/p1pb6168857/p1pb6168857.jpg The lines on the Elite 275 are nothing short of beautiful, clean and flowing. Being Thomson, the detail is also well-done, right down to the surprisingly pleasing form of the cable guides and a great set of features, like completely cable housing to keep the mud out, screw-fit bottom bracket, replaceable mech hanger and a 12mm x 142mm rear axle.

http://es.pinkbike.org/240/sprt/i/bigquotes.png We don't want to just sell you the bike and walk away. - David Parrett

 

What is equally interesting about the Elite 275 is the relationship Thomson want to form with their customers. They freely admit it's not a cheap bike, while it may be a titanium frame handbuilt in the USA, decked out with the finest kit from Thomson, DT Swiss, Shimano and others, it is still nearly $7,000. There's no escaping that fact. But, if you do buy one, they want to support you through the life of the bike. Parrett see the sale of the bike as the start of their involvement with you, not the end. "We don't want to just sell you the bike and walk away. We're going to be there for the annual service, a suspension consultation, you can pick it up at the factory when it's brand new, if you want to. We like our home town, we'll show you the Otis Redding statue, we'll get you a good burger, we'll take you for a ride on our trails where that bike was developed, you can see it assembled, you can see the people that work on the components everyday... Get a feel for us. And then we're going to stay there for you."

[Sidewinder.]

full article including info on the stealth dropper here:

http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Thomson-Frame-and-Covert-Dropper-Seatpost-Core-Bike-2014.html

[Hairy]

27.2mm Dropper Seatpost

http://ep1.pinkbike.org/p5pb10546567/p5pb10546567.jpg

 

Details:

 

• 27.2mm diameter

• 125mm travel

• 430mm length

• 2 year warranty

• Available from May 2014

• MSRP: $459.00

 

To further round out their dropper seatpost range, Thomson also showed a 27.2mm dropper seatpost, which is something many riders with older frames will probably be delighted to hear. It turns out that reducing the diameter of the seatpost was a far greater engineering challenge than moving the actuator though. Parrett explains that, "The post is longer than the 30.9 and 31.6 versions. You need volume, that's the big challenge. You've seen other brands use a piggy back reservoir, but there are issues with that and we didn't want to have a piggyback, so it's 430mm long, instead of 400mm like the others, and that's to gain volume." Again they have managed to keep much of the post the same as the post we tested, the lever and internals are the same, but they are put together in a smaller container. Travel remains constant at 125mm, like the other versions, however no internally-routed version is scheduled. Parrett does acknowledge one minor problem with the smaller diameter post though, "The one issue you're going to have, and it's almost unavoidable, is that in a cold climate, and when I say cold, I mean close to zero, it'll slow down. It won't stop working, but it will slow down. The nitrogen becomes more dense so you lose a little push. That's probably unavoidable, we're working to see what improvements can be made to that, but there are probably none."

http://es.pinkbike.org/240/sprt/i/bigquotes.png There are a lot of riders with that frame in that size, who want a dropper, but couldn't get a dropper post. Now they can. All those old, beautiful steel frames can be built as aggressive trail bikes. - David Parrett

 

http://ep1.pinkbike.org/p5pb10546566/p5pb10546566.jpg http://ep3.pinkbike.org/p1pb6168857/p1pb6168857.jpg The 27.2mm post is available with the remote lever or a post-mounted lever like this.

[Sidewinder.]

Can you really Rant or Rave about something you haven't bought/tested?

[Hairy]

Can you really Rant or Rave about something you haven't bought/tested?

You can Rave about the direction the business is taking in developing not just components but also bikes now and their approach to how they treat their clientele and wanting to position themselves in the market place.

[Hairy]

There are very few 27.2mm droppers on the market and this is a welcome product.

[cape]

Thomson components, why are they so appealing?

Edited January 28, 2014 by cape

[Hairy]

Read Last night they are also going to work on drive train component development.

 

In the pipe line (to start with) they will be doing a crank with a SS ring set up and then a matching cog/spacer set for the rear.

 

Looking forward to seeing where they go with this ................

[MoreTrails]

Thomson components, why are they so appealing?

 

Wish their prices were more appealing.... I think it all started with their pinch bolt stem, if I recall it is the X4! Machined beautiful

 

What I find less appealing is that Thomson are not making the frameset...pity. As for 27.2 droppers, they work and all, but flex like anything, which in turn wears the bushing/roller bearing. 30.9 is a better diameter platform

[cape]

Read Last night they are also going to work on drive train component development.

 

In the pipe line (to start with) they will be doing a crank with a SS ring set up and then a matching cog/spacer set for the rear.

Nothing groundbreaking. On the other hand they can't turn a huge loss with this.

 

Wish their prices were more appealing....

Don't we all?

Edited January 28, 2014 by cape

[Hairy]

Nothing groundbreaking yet. On the other hand they can't turn a huge loss with this.

 

 

Don't we all?

 

the drivetrain will be primarily for their frames to start with and if well received it will find itself into the market place,

 

ja ... not the cheapest products hey

[cape]

I think they should come out with a track gruppo. Wouldn't go unnoticed and would definitely generate some pressure towards SRAM/Sugino.

 

E: Miche has it's own market and Campa has it's own religion.

Edited January 28, 2014 by cape

[Hairy]

http://bikethomson.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Thomson-Bike.jpg

[rock]

that should be the standard format for 'mountain bikes' going forward, 27.5 wheels, hardtail, dropper posts, 120mm travel, frame material and groupset to suit your budget.......