Thomson Carbon Handlebar
03-04-13 | 09:00 PM
#3
Falls Downalot
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: DC
Bikes: Now I Got Two
I've had them on my bike for about 2 weeks, for a few rides. Size 44 weighs 187 grams on my scales. A nice piece of hardware. I'm liking them better than the Zipp SL Speed that I took off. The tops are very faintly ovalized,. There is no flare to the drops. Compact somewhat anatmic bend, but not too much so. They look like this before mounting:
Last edited by gc3; 03-04-13 at 11:50 PM.
03-04-13 | 09:48 PM
#5
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,745
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From: Chicago, IL
Bikes: S-Works Roubaix SL2^H4, Secteur Sport, TriCross, Kaffenback, Lurcher 29er
03-05-13 | 05:09 PM
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 28,682
Likes: 63
From: Houston, TX
Bikes: 1990 Romic Reynolds 531 custom build, Merlin Works CR Ti custom build, super light Workswell 066 custom build
I haven 't used the Thompson, but have experience with the Kestrel Pro SL at a similar weight. Actually they look very similar; I wonder if they are same with rebadging. Anyway, the Kestrel works fine for me on the second go round. I destroyed the first one by applying too much torque at the stem clamp. I used the stem maker's recommendation of 4Nm, and the bar just shattered. On my second try I stopped at 2Nm and had no problem. Still very tight. No issues with rotation or slippage. Like I said, I can't say the Thompson is the same, but at the same weight, you should just be careful. A shop wrench told me most recommended torques are way too high. We use a torque wrench thinking we are protecting the parts, but in many cases we are overdoing it with the recommended torque. I, for one, would actually use less torque in general if I weren't using the special wrench and trying to do the "right" thing.
04-14-13 | 02:03 PM
#9
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,726
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From: TC, MN
Bikes: R3 Disc, Haanjo
Q – Are your bars made in Macon at your facility?
A – No, our carbon bars are the first product designed by us but manufactured in Taiwan.
A – No, our carbon bars are the first product designed by us but manufactured in Taiwan.
I destroyed the first one by applying too much torque at the stem clamp. I used the stem maker's recommendation of 4Nm, and the bar just shattered. On my second try I stopped at 2Nm and had no problem. Still very tight. No issues with rotation or slippage. Like I said, I can't say the Thompson is the same, but at the same weight, you should just be careful. A shop wrench told me most recommended torques are way too high. We use a torque wrench thinking we are protecting the parts, but in many cases we are overdoing it with the recommended torque. I, for one, would actually use less torque in general if I weren't using the special wrench and trying to do the "right" thing.
04-14-13 | 02:29 PM
#10
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Joined: Dec 2012
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From: Missouri
Bikes: '12 CAAD10 3, '88 Raleigh Talon
04-14-13 | 05:14 PM
#11
Falls Downalot
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: DC
Bikes: Now I Got Two
Here's an updated photo for a better perspective. I now have about 400-500 miles on my new Thomson road bars, in that time I have pulled as hard as I ever did on previous bars (back and forth on steep hills etc), and haven't noticed any deflection or anything to give me pause. They definitely feel more substantive than the bars I just took off (Zipp Contour SL which were a few grams heavier) but that's because there's more volume of bar in my hands, and not because they feel any "stiffer" in how I'd use that term. These are everyday bars, not that I'm a racer or anything like that. I go 185 pounds generally and they won't need any babying.
04-14-13 | 06:31 PM
#12
Thread Starter
Banned.
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 356
Likes: 1
From: Southeast
I have 3T ergosums now. I have a Thomson seatpost and stem and since I was looking to go with a wider bar I have been contemplating going with these. I am just having a little stick shock and wondering what if any benefit I would get?
08-22-15 | 06:56 PM
#13
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Joined: Aug 2015
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Hello, I'm Vincent from Belgium (fresh new one here) and I plan to buy these bars but I have a question^^
Do you think it will be possible to put second brake levers on the top?
Enough place next to the stem?
Thank you very much for the help!
For example:
https://www.councilofmoo.com/crosscheck/CIMG2076.JPG
Do you think it will be possible to put second brake levers on the top?
Enough place next to the stem?
Thank you very much for the help!
For example:
https://www.councilofmoo.com/crosscheck/CIMG2076.JPG
Last edited by Vinz; 08-22-15 at 06:58 PM. Reason: Forgot links to explain my idea, sorry
08-23-15 | 04:59 PM
#15
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,745
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From: Chicago, IL
Bikes: S-Works Roubaix SL2^H4, Secteur Sport, TriCross, Kaffenback, Lurcher 29er
Vinz -- The road bars don't look like they would work with interrupter (auxiliary) brake levers.
The cyclocross bar description on the Thomson page specifically says they are designed to allow the use of the auxiliary brake levers.
Thomson Bike Products | Road and Cyclocross
The cyclocross bar description on the Thomson page specifically says they are designed to allow the use of the auxiliary brake levers.
Thomson Bike Products | Road and Cyclocross
08-23-15 | 06:50 PM
#16
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 28,682
Likes: 63
From: Houston, TX
Bikes: 1990 Romic Reynolds 531 custom build, Merlin Works CR Ti custom build, super light Workswell 066 custom build
Weight reduction is all you can expect.
08-24-15 | 02:05 PM
#17
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Joined: Aug 2015
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Hello E.V.E.R.Y.O.N.E.
Thanks for your answers and pics.
It helps me to make my decision
I'm probably gonna take the road bars and try to put only one auxiliary brake lever on the right for the back and keep
the left place for an additional light or garmin
We will see...
My reflexion about the bicycle components is still under construction but the frame and fork are ready.
If you want to have a look, it's the "St Pauli" on this page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Noble...20013931370317
Best regards.
P.S: sorry for my poor english and I'm not use to chat on forum
Thanks for your answers and pics.
It helps me to make my decision
I'm probably gonna take the road bars and try to put only one auxiliary brake lever on the right for the back and keep
the left place for an additional light or garmin
We will see...
My reflexion about the bicycle components is still under construction but the frame and fork are ready.
If you want to have a look, it's the "St Pauli" on this page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Noble...20013931370317
Best regards.
P.S: sorry for my poor english and I'm not use to chat on forum
09-11-15 | 08:30 AM
#19
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Hello.
Here are the result on my new bespoke bicycle with Thomson handlebars
You can see more pictures here if you want (the St Pauli):
https://www.facebook.com/Noble-Cycle...0317/timeline/
Here are the result on my new bespoke bicycle with Thomson handlebars
You can see more pictures here if you want (the St Pauli):
https://www.facebook.com/Noble-Cycle...0317/timeline/
09-11-15 | 09:44 AM
#20
Banned
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,664
Likes: 1
Here's an updated photo for a better perspective. I now have about 400-500 miles on my new Thomson road bars, in that time I have pulled as hard as I ever did on previous bars (back and forth on steep hills etc), and haven't noticed any deflection or anything to give me pause. They definitely feel more substantive than the bars I just took off (Zipp Contour SL which were a few grams heavier) but that's because there's more volume of bar in my hands, and not because they feel any "stiffer" in how I'd use that term. These are everyday bars, not that I'm a racer or anything like that. I go 185 pounds generally and they won't need any babying.
09-11-15 | 12:32 PM
#23
Falls Downalot
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,103
Likes: 0
From: DC
Bikes: Now I Got Two
I went down a size and the Deda is a little lighter, also matched the stem. Not really any problems with the Thomson, although I may have over-torqued the stem and I noticed a small indentation in the bar when I pulled it off.