Thomson Setback

Price Paid:  $45.00 at ebay

Summary:
Had this on my Wilier Sestriere to hold a Selle Italia Prolink saddle. Very well mad product. Rails never slip, holds the saddle tilt (confirmed with a level). The best adjustment mechanism that I've ever tried. And for the record, I'm about 200#. The somewhat short setback might be a problem for some, but it fits me just fine

Strengths:
Strong
Adjustment mech.
Reversible

Weaknesses:
MSRP

Similar Products Used:
Ritchey Pro
Ultegra

Price Paid:  $79.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
Any Hilly Ride

Bike Setup:
Litespeed sienna Ultegra 10

Summary:
I own 3 Thompson Seatpost 2 are set back and the other is a zero set back for my TT bike. Quality made in Macon Ga. I switched most of my bikes from Carbon to Thompson Alum.

Strengths:
Quality one-piece construction.
Several sizes diameter and lengths
Made in USA
Priced less then most carbon post that ate less quality.
Set back can be reversed for a forward position for a road bike that has been set up for TT

Weaknesses:
NONE

Similar Products Used:
Specialized Carbon

Price Paid:  $80.00 at East Ridge Bicycles

Favorite Ride:
Ooltewah Loop

Bike Setup:
Cervelo R3, Full Dura Ace 10 speed, DT/Sapim custom wheelset, Kestrel bar, Vredestein rubber, Fizik Arione saddle.

Summary:
After a recent failure of the FSA seatpost that came with my Cervelo R3, I replaced the hot supermodel post(FSA SLK) with the girl next door (Thomson Setback). Dependable and she loves me.

As others havce written, it is light, strong, easy to adjust, doesn't slip and cradles the rails. Weight is acceptable for dependability.

Strengths:
Perfect machining, just works as intended. Set it and forget it.

Weaknesses:
Not the lightest post, no bling like carbon.

Similar Products Used:
FSA, Bontrager, Control Tech, Zeus (Orbea)

Price Paid:  $74.00 at eBay

Bike Setup:
Cannondale F1000 with carbon Lefty Speed.

Summary:
I changed the zero setback FSA seatpost that came on my MTB because I needed a setback seatpost. I ride a small frame for my height, so the post sticks out quite a bit, but that doesn't change the fact it inspires confidence. A friend of mine rode the TransAlp with a 35 kilo rack attached directly to the post and it didn't blink. How a bout that for a reason to buy this post. Light, extremely strong (it withstands Nm 475 according to a German cycling magazine).

Strengths:
Weight, understaded looks with the nice bend, easy to adjust and oh so strong.

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
FSA, Cannondale's own seatposts

Price Paid:  $70.00 at several places

Favorite Ride:
stave lake

Bike Setup:
Custom Carl Strong steel and custom Marinoni Starship, both with Thomson.

Summary:
I cannot remember if I have written a review for this post before, but after a recent experience with another seat post, I have once again been reminded of the greatness of the Thomson posts that adorn two of my three bikes.

Simply put, the Thomson is the best piece of engineering in the seatpost world. It is light, strong, easy to adjust, does not slip, is gentle on saddle rails, has replaceable parts. Dump your carbon post, thrown some grease in your seat tube and put in a Thomson.

The only drawback is that the design is somewhat limited in setback. And that is the only reason it is not on one of my bikes. The seat tube angle is just too steep to make a Thomson work on one bike (~74 degrees). But believe me, I will never have another bike with anything steeper than a 73 so I can comfortably use a Thomson setback post.

Strengths:
Light, strong, simple yet elegant, functional, durable. The knurled finish helps grip in slippery seat tubes. The machining is perfect. I could go on and on.

Weaknesses:
Only that the setback is limited compared to many other posts.

Similar Products Used:
Campy, Ritchey, Shimano, Syncros, Kalloy, and a host of others I'm forgetting about.