Preparing for the 2018 season, Thomson has been busy. The iconic component maker has been absent from the spotlight for a bit, but based on their Eurobike showing it looks like they have a lot in the works.
For mountain bikes, the brand unveiled their new Elite TR 35 bar and stem line up which naturally moves to 35mm at the bar/stem clamp. To be available in aluminum only for now, the bars will be 800mm wide and will come in center rise (not quite flat), 20, and 35mm rise while the stems will be offered in 32mm, 40mm, and 50mm lengths. Expect these to hit stores by February.
Also on the mountain bike side, Thomson is getting ready to revamp their dropper line up with what they’re calling version 2.0. The new posts will use the same cartridge, but the clamps will move to a zero offset. The posts will also be easier to service and will supposedly offer less weight and a lower cost with an improved lever. About 10 months out, posts will be offered in 100, 125, and 150mm drops and a new 27.2 stealth version with 75 and 125mm drops.
Technically for road or MTB (if you’re still not using a dropper) – or anything else with a rigid seat post for that matter, Thomson will soon have a carbon version of their masterpiece seat post. In fact, from a far, it will be very hard to distinguish between the two but the carbon post has a carbon clamp assembly and the post itself is carbon. Expect these in February as well in 27.2, 30.9, and 31.6mm.
Another new post is the 25mm setback model. The main body of the post is 3D forged in one piece with a bit of post machining, and the layback head provides the 25mm of setback in 27.2, 30.9, or 31.6mm diameters this February.
Finally, Thomson has a new line of aluminum drop bars with a flared bar, round bar, and one with flat aero top section. AVailable now, the gravel bar has a 25 degree flare and comes in 44 and 46cm sizes, the round bar comes in 38-44cm, and the flat is available in 40-44cm.