Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Thompson Elite vs. Nitto Jaguar

Which one is stronger? Is the saddle better a little set back or not?

are you prone to breaking seatposts?
the setback depends on how you fit on the bike.
i think the thomson is going to be lighter, if you need the setback you can get the thomson with setback.
the jaguar looks great, but is more expensive.
I love the looks of both... on the right bikes.

I have two Thomsons. Love em'. The only reason to get something else is for style, budget, or weight weenie* reasons imo.

As for the setback, that's a personal preference issue. I like a smaller frame and I like to sit a little further back of the bb than some folks.

*:rolleyes:

Edit: Here, Sheldon's already got a good article for you: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/kops.html

I really like the Thomson posts. They're extremely well made and easy to get ahold of. You've also got better options for setback/colour/length/diameter than w/ a Jaguar. You may want to try to track down some high res images of the clamp on each post and see if you prefer one design over the other.

Just my $0.02 ... but hopefully it helped a bit.

The Thomson is a good bit lighter, comes in black and silver, and can be found at a lower price. The no-setback Thomson has no setback of course; the setback Thomson has about half the setback that the Nitto does -- if you really need more than about 18 mm setback or you want to ride a saddle that doesn't offer much setback (Brooks are the worst; old Selle Italia Turbomatics are pretty bad) then you can't really use the Thomson. The setback Thomson has an awkward problem, namely that if the seat post slips, either it damages the back of the seat lug as the setback portion jams down on it, or the frame gouges the back of the post, or both.

The Nitto is massively overbuilt and has the strongest, toughest bolts and everything in it, if that matters to you. The Nitto uses a 6 mm allen key to adjust while the Thomson uses 4 mm. I've never, ever, heard of a Thomson breaking, including in radical MTB use, so I don't know if this matters.

The Nitto isn't anodized, so perspiration, rain, etc. over time will cause it to look a bit spotty, while the Thomsons (both colors) pretty much maintain their pristine look. And the Nitto gets scraped up where mounted in the frame, while the Thomsons seem immune to scratches.

I have both, like them both. For setback the Nitto is superb. If I can ride a no-setback post, I go to the Thomson. Or you can get the Easton Zero carbon no-setback post, which is a carbon imitation of the Thomson -- pretty bling.

i can't speak for the jaguar, but the thomson is a fantastic seatpost. they claim it's stronger than any other production seatpost, and i beleive it. fwiw it's light too - 20 grams heavier then that easton, but the masterpiece version is 20g lighter - and at about half the price.

aesthetically, it's gorgeous - i don't know if it's the quality of the aluminum, or the finishing, but thomson aluminum looks different than any other aluminum i've ever seen. it's hard to describe the rich color it has. the surface is not smooth, but has tiny ridges. the machining is top notch as well. it has a pretty intuitive infinite adjustment system to boot.

+1 thomson

Thanks!

I think I'm gonna' go with the Thompson (no setback) I really like looks of it in addition to all the positive info I've got on it. My frame isn't worth spending the money on the Jaguar. It'll have to wait until I get a better frame.

i highly reccomend watching ebay. there's usually at least one thomson post up for grabs. ones that have seen some miles go for around $30-$40. mine was one that was mounted once and the guy realized it was too short, and i got it for $49

its not a seatpost you mentioned but i though i would trow it out there. American Classic? Its just as light as a thomson has a nice bit of setback on it and a good clean design. on the con side its not as easy to find but i got mine for 20 bucks used so could be had for alot less then both if you find one.

i have both thomson and a jaguar. the jaguar is definitely heavier, but both are definitely solid. the thomson is sexy as hell, and a bit easier to adjust.

I am for Nitto due to built and setback.
Thompson does get scatches up as mine did trying to get it out of one of my frames not bad but a scratch. Yes Nitto,Dura Ace does get scratch up.

Sold my Thompsons , all 3 of them.

S/F,
CEYA!

. . . the Thompson (no setback) . . .

Works out Ok on a mtb frame.

Thomson(elite) is the best you can get for the money around 80$. The masterpeice is lighter but 139$ both are nice but if your gonna spend that much on a post why not go with a moots set back Ti.

I agree.

The Masterpiece is nice, but it isn't sixty bucks nicer. I'm not nearly that obsessed with weight.

sorry, but it's a friggin' seatpost. not a wheel. not a frame. correct me if I'm wrong, but...unless you're trying to save weight, a $15 Kalloy will ride just as well.

But if dropping $$$ on bling is what you're after, by all means buy Thomson or Nitto or whatever.

I would say thompson. My old american classic ti post had to to be dismantled, cleaned, and lubed every couple of months to get rid of an annoying creak.

...unless you're trying to save weight, a $15 Kalloy will ride just as well.


I got tired of cheap saddle clamps slipping and my junk getting crushed, then having to tweak it (the seatpost) back into proper adjustment mid-ride. With a one-bolt design it usually took several tries.

I rock a Thomson on my BMX bike, and it's indestructable. I've never even had to adjust it.

The Thompsons have super micro adjust tilt. I run a zero setback and LOVE IT. A $15 Kalloy is NOWHERE near the same thing. Notched tilt adjust and crappy threads... ever have a seat come off your bike while you're riding? I have.

sorry, but it's a friggin' seatpost. not a wheel. not a frame. correct me if I'm wrong, but...unless you're trying to save weight, a $15 Kalloy will ride just as well.

But if dropping $$$ on bling is what you're after, by all means buy Thomson or Nitto or whatever.

well as far as the thomson goes i think there are a number of reasons why it's worth the extra scratch

1) it's designed to have a longer fatigue life than other posts
2) should it fail, it's designed to keep the rider from getting dumped
3) the clamps are designed to protect the seat rails from getting damaged from heavy impact
4) the clamps are designed to absorb road impact
5) intuitive infinite adjustment
6) 100% made in the usa

thomson invests a good deal of money in engineering, testing, and producing seatposts and stems to the best of their ability. i'd hardly call that bling.

Thomson's are great, but they totally had an Ayn Rand quote on
either their website or their manual. either way that kind of
creeped me out.

jeff

1) it's designed to have a longer fatigue life than other posts


I've killed posts, but most last years of daily use.



2) should it fail, it's designed to keep the rider from getting dumped


maybe if you're cruising flats. but if it dies when you're dogging a pothole, will the saddle stay intact to the point where you won't have a momentary crisis or worse?



3) the clamps are designed to protect the seat rails from getting damaged from heavy impact


probably an issue if you're running carbon / crazy-light rails. otherwise, I doubt it...



4) the clamps are designed to absorb road impact


my beer gut does that too, in its own special way.



5) intuitive infinite adjustment

6) 100% made in the usa


ok, those I dig.

thomson elite in black, **** is nice

http://img429.imageshack.us/img429/8598/10002386sx.jpg

i highly reccomend watching ebay. there's usually at least one thomson post up for grabs. ones that have seen some miles go for around $30-$40. mine was one that was mounted once and the guy realized it was too short, and i got it for $49

Wow!

I just "But it Now" purchased an Elite seat post on Ebay brand new and unused for $45 the length and diameter of this seat post retails for about $100 :eek:

I saved a chunk of change

anybody know where I can find a silver straight post 27.2 cheaper than retail. I'd be very happy used is cool also

anybody know where I can find a silver straight post 27.2 cheaper than retail. I'd be very happy used is cool also

World class has them for $65.

hmm that's pretty good. Thanks for the heads up.