Why doesn't Thomson make frames?
11-01-07, 02:23 PM
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Why doesn't Thomson make frames?
They make incredibly durable seat posts and stems, why not make some frames? Granted, I like that they have a niche in the seat post and stem market, but they seem to know how to manipulate aluminum better than any company(correct me if I'm wrong). Also, I imagine it would be an EXTREMELY rigid ride with little give if they did make a frame, but that's where full suspension comes in! Full suspension SS/or Fixed Thomson Frame! Woot! Or even an all rigid Thomson frame and fork...maybe for a 29er or 36er? Just imagine a Black Thomson anodized frame with the logo "Thomson" etched into the side. And let's not forget the gold bars and other components. If they put the same engineering into their frames as they do their seat posts, it sounds like it would be a winning combo. What do you all think?
11-01-07, 02:30 PM
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I've thought about trying to convert a ****ty walmart full suspension MTB to fixed, but I've never thought about what the world would be like if Thompson made frames.
11-01-07, 02:33 PM
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it's pretty obvious that they wouldn't CNC a frame. in the end, it comes down to business models. when you're routinely selling posts and stems for twice what your competitors charge, there's no need to expand your business.
does nitto make frames? does selle italia make frames? does fizik make frames? does zipp make frames? why not? because they're good at what they do and they stick to that.
does nitto make frames? does selle italia make frames? does fizik make frames? does zipp make frames? why not? because they're good at what they do and they stick to that.
11-01-07, 02:44 PM
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I'd prefer that Thompson continue to do a few things very well, rather than branch out into every single aspect of the bicycle business, and end up creating many mediocre products. Think Specialized.
11-01-07, 02:44 PM
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it's pretty obvious that they wouldn't CNC a frame. in the end, it comes down to business models. when you're routinely selling posts and stems for twice what your competitors charge, there's no need to expand your business.
does nitto make frames? does selle italia make frames? does fizik make frames? does zipp make frames? why not? because they're good at what they do and they stick to that.
does nitto make frames? does selle italia make frames? does fizik make frames? does zipp make frames? why not? because they're good at what they do and they stick to that.
The OP pointed to thomson's skill at manipulating Al. That doesn't matter unless the frame is cnced. Really though I just thought it was nicer to post that then call him a clueless moron even though it is clear he is after reading the post.
Making frames is nothing like cncing seat posts and stems. There is no reason to expect a thomson frame to be any different then any other builders. A 36er... yeah that's a great idea. Really the only thing that he put any thought into was how such a bike would look.
11-01-07, 02:59 PM
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it's pretty obvious that they wouldn't CNC a frame. in the end, it comes down to business models. when you're routinely selling posts and stems for twice what your competitors charge, there's no need to expand your business.
does nitto make frames? does selle italia make frames? does fizik make frames? does zipp make frames? why not? because they're good at what they do and they stick to that.
does nitto make frames? does selle italia make frames? does fizik make frames? does zipp make frames? why not? because they're good at what they do and they stick to that.
There's nothing wrong with doing other stuff.
Yamaha makes Home Theater Systems, Motorcycles, Jetskis, and Guitars and they seem to do OK.
And then there's this little company called Mitsubishi...
Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.
Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc.
Mitsubishi Shindoh Co., Ltd.
The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
Mitsubishi Steel Mfg. Co., Ltd.
Kirin Holdings Company, Limited
Mitsubishi Kakoki Kaisha, Ltd.
Mitsubishi UFJ Securities Co., Ltd.
Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Co.
Mitsubishi Logistics Corp.
Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corp.
Mitsubishi Aluminum Co., Ltd.
Mitsubishi Materials Corp.
Nikon Corp.
Mitsubishi Cable Industries, Ltd.
Mitsubishi Motors Corp.
Nippon Oil Corp.
Mitsubishi Chemical Corp.
Mitsubishi Paper Mills Limited
Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha
Mitsubishi Corporation
Mitsubishi Plastics, Inc.
P.S. Mitsubishi Construction Co., Ltd.
Mitsubishi Electric Corp.
Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.
Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd.
Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd.
Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc.
Related Organizations / Others
Mitsubishi Fuso Truck & Bus Corp.
I think Mitsubishi does everything BUT make bikes:
https://www.mitsubishi.com/php/users/...rch.php?lang=1
11-01-07, 03:05 PM
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it's pretty obvious that they wouldn't CNC a frame. in the end, it comes down to business models. when you're routinely selling posts and stems for twice what your competitors charge, there's no need to expand your business.
does nitto make frames? does selle italia make frames? does fizik make frames? does zipp make frames? why not? because they're good at what they do and they stick to that.
does nitto make frames? does selle italia make frames? does fizik make frames? does zipp make frames? why not? because they're good at what they do and they stick to that.
Thomson actually isn't a bicycle company. They're a CNC contractor with a side business in stem/seatpost manufacuring for when the custom orders aren't pouring in.
11-01-07, 03:16 PM
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i'm pretty curious as to whether or not thomson ever considered making cranks.
and yes, they stay busy with plenty of non-bike related aluminum work. i'm pretty sure they have a contract with NASA.
and yes, they stay busy with plenty of non-bike related aluminum work. i'm pretty sure they have a contract with NASA.
11-01-07, 03:21 PM
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My guess is the considered it back when cnced cranks were big. I doubt they still do though.
11-01-07, 03:21 PM
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Located in Macon, Georgia, Thomson has been involved in CNC Machining and Aerospace Machining and assembly for over 30 years. Clients include Boeing, Ford, Trane, Pitney Bowes along with many smaller companies.
To complement our manufacturing, Thomson has engineering capability in design and manufacturing engineering. Thomson has designed parts for Boeing and other customers along with our own line of high-end bicycle components. Thomson designs and builds the tooling and gages required to support our shop. We have four full time toolmakers.
https://www.lhthomson.com/design_man.htm
To complement our manufacturing, Thomson has engineering capability in design and manufacturing engineering. Thomson has designed parts for Boeing and other customers along with our own line of high-end bicycle components. Thomson designs and builds the tooling and gages required to support our shop. We have four full time toolmakers.
11-01-07, 03:23 PM
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I would guess that the bike parts are a "pet project" for one of the owners. Kinda like Steve Jobs having Apple engineers invent the iPhone because he hated cell phones.
11-01-07, 03:24 PM
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11-01-07, 03:30 PM
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11-01-07, 04:05 PM
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They tried.
The OP pointed to thomson's skill at manipulating Al. That doesn't matter unless the frame is cnced. Really though I just thought it was nicer to post that then call him a clueless moron even though it is clear he is after reading the post.
Making frames is nothing like cncing seat posts and stems. There is no reason to expect a thomson frame to be any different then any other builders. A 36er... yeah that's a great idea. Really the only thing that he put any thought into was how such a bike would look.
The OP pointed to thomson's skill at manipulating Al. That doesn't matter unless the frame is cnced. Really though I just thought it was nicer to post that then call him a clueless moron even though it is clear he is after reading the post.
Making frames is nothing like cncing seat posts and stems. There is no reason to expect a thomson frame to be any different then any other builders. A 36er... yeah that's a great idea. Really the only thing that he put any thought into was how such a bike would look.
11-01-07, 04:15 PM
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you sound pretty stupid.
11-01-07, 04:19 PM
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Do you deny that you are clueless or do you just think that the moron didn't need to be tacked on there?
