Thomson Road Stem

Price Paid:  $72.00 at speedgoat

Favorite Ride:
anywhere

Bike Setup:
06 Cannondale six13 57cm
08 Campagnolo Record (RED)
DT Swiss 240's with RR1.1 rims
Speedplay Zero stainless steel
Dura Ace skewers

Summary:
Exquisite finish, painfully strong, I'm 85kg's and it doesn't move, ergonomics are excellent as far as knee's are concerned. There's nothing quite like having hand made parts right there in front of you, for me it adds to the pleasure of cycling. A typically high end American product that does exactly what it was intended to do.

Strengths:
Strong, beautifully made verging on over engineered which suits me...

Weaknesses:
Many would say weight, but what's a few grams, the view more than makes up for it.

Similar Products Used:
early 90's Dura Ace ,FSA, Cannondale F3

Price Paid:  $69.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
Anywhere I can ride

Bike Setup:
Surly Cross Check w/Shimano Ultegra shifters, 105 cranks/BB/front & rear deraillers,Chris King headset, Avid shorty brakes w/Kool stop pads, Bontrager Select wheels,Thompson stem & seatpost, Brook's saddle

Summary:
Always have used the Thomson Elite post on my road and mountain bikes, so I decided to try the stem on my cyclocross/commuter bike. First off, it's beautiful to look at. Most importantly it's soooooo strong! No flex, movement, etc. Holds the bars without a problem. I guess my only complaint is, a minor one. I wish it was cheaper! But then again I'm a cheap skate! On my cross bike its size is perfect and looks great, but on a dedicated road bike I could see the problem with its bulkiness and weight.

Strengths:
Strong,
Beautiful piece of aluminum,
Strong,
Did I say strong?

Weaknesses:
Pricey,
Bulky,
Weight.

Price Paid:  $0.00 at PRODEAL

Favorite Ride:
In the SUNSHINE.

Bike Setup:
Thomson stem and seatpost. Hell made in Macon GA, USA.

Summary:
CRAZY strong.
Nothing else to consider for a TRACK, or MOUNTAIN bike.

Strengths:
Tons of sizes.
CRAZY CRAZY strong.

Weaknesses:
A bit heavier than competitors.
Bit bulky looking on a ROAD bike.
A bit pricy for the weight.

4 in value because of much lighter offerings for price.
4 in overall because much of strength lost on a road bike. 5 for track or mtb bike.

Similar Products Used:
Ritchey, RaceFace, Icon (trek), Cheap off brand.

Price Paid:  $50.00 at ebay

Favorite Ride:
latuna, pch

Bike Setup:
gunnar roadie, 105/ultegra, ck, thomson

Summary:
like others, learned the reputation and quality of thomson from mtn biking, use their seatpost on all my bikes and now have their stems on both my jamis dragon and gunnar roadie now.

love the knee saving clamps and although the beefy looks doesn't quite fit the gunnar skinny 853 tubes, it's a solid stem. no creak, stiff as hell.

Strengths:
strong, quality build

Weaknesses:
weight, special shim req'd, expensive

Similar Products Used:
titec, ritchey, specialized, 3T

Price Paid:  $70.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
New River Valley

Bike Setup:
Klein Q-Race
Ouzo Pro
Ultegra
Rolf Sestriere

Summary:
I've been using this stem since just after it came out and have loved the stiffness. I've been using Thomson stuff on my mountain bike for years so I knew it would be a beautiful piece of craftsmanship and also bulletproof. For a road stem it is quite beefy. Four bolt face plate just like the mountain stem. If you like the sleek look this may not be the stem for you but if you don't want a wet noodle this is the one. For any bigger guys this would be a great option. Especially on the sprints. Goes great with the seatpost as well. I've got a black one but the silver looks great as well. All in all a great stem and I can also say that the Thomson customer service is great. I had a seatpost with a problem (it actually crimped where it was clamped) that they exchanged for a new one no questions asked a few years ago.

Strengths:
Bulletproof (stiff)
Beautiful craftsmanship
Laser etched graphics
Four-bolt face plate

Weaknesses:
Heavier than many other stems

Similar Products Used:
Thomson mtn. stem
Ritchey WCS road (very flexy)