mrblue

I understand the Thomson X2 stem was designed to be lighter for road use (as opposed to the X4), thus the 2-bolt system and, presumably, thinner construction.

Would this translate into NOT using this stem with risers (600 to >700mm)?

Does anyone use this stem with (wide) risers? Any horror stories, like the stem breaking, failing, etc, under the extra torque exerted from using risers, as opposed to road drops?

I'm just curious since Thomson tech support told me it should be fine but since there would be more torque, from the wide risers, the life of the stem would be reduced, since it was designed to be used with road bars.

Thanks.

motrheadsroadie

it doesnt matter what kind of bar you have, but riding an x2 offroad has a higher chance of slipping than an x4 does.
overtorquing the bolts is the only way ive ever seen a faceplate crack.

nightfly

+1 on the overtorquing --> cracked faceplate. I did this but Thomson was kind enough to send me a new one.

One of those little Ritchey 5nm torque wrenches is not a bad idea probably not super accurate but keeps you form being a gorilla.

Scrodzilla

The 3mm hex bolts Thomson uses now helps prevent apes from over-torquing them because the wrench will twist first.

My wife uses an X2 with narrow-ish Nitto risers every now and then - but she's 5'3", 110 lbs. I probably wouldn't do it, especially if the bars are really wide.

nightfly

Sell or trade it for an X4?

Thomson stuff holds it value pretty well on the used market.

jtbadge

You'll probably even be able to get a few bucks back by swapping for an X4.

FWIW my X2 slipped with road bars on pavement. My X4s have been bulletproof. Don't see myself buying another X2.

TimothyH

I had to go a little higher than the 5.1nm torque spec on my X2. The face plate bolts would back out and come loose.

My torque wrench has 2nm increments. When set half way between 4nm and 6nm the face plate bolts would back out over time and eventually loosen up. Greased the bolts and inside threads, increased the setting on the torque wrench little by little and they seem to stay put at about 6nm.


-Tim-

Scrodzilla

On bolts that regularly back out or seem to need constant re-tightening (like faceplate bolts), don't use grease. Blue thread locker is your friend.

TenSpeedV2

Out of curiosity, is this a fairly common thing or does it just depend on the faceplate/bolt used? I have one stem where this is an issue, but no others. I used a bit of Park Tool Polylube green grease when I installed it, and they will back out. Will be putting some blue Loc-tite on them shortly.

Nagrom_

On x2s: fiber grip and loctite

P sure the torque listed by Thomson is dry. Two tiny pinch bolts, wide faceplate, probably enough flex going on to back out nano meters under load, grease won't help that.

franswa

Does anyone want to buy my x2 stem?

motrheadsroadie

dont forget that overtorquing your x2 bolts can cause damage to your bars too. not just the faceplate.

TimothyH

Thanks for this. I thought about blue Loctite and remember thinking to myself that if they backed out one more time I would do just that. They haven't budged since I hit them with 6nm.


Nope. Thomson says to grease the bolts and inside threads.

https://www.bikethomson.com/wp-conte...0/StemInst.pdf


-Tim-

seau grateau

Always found it interesting that Thomson's "road" stem is two-bolt, while pretty much every other company's road bike stems are four-bolt.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Scrodzilla

I never grease faceplate bolts, always blue Loctite.


Yeah, and Phil Wood says you can't use EAI cogs on their hubs.

Leukybear 

Thomson X2s are not MASH approved for long/ MTB risers. I have a good feeling the X2 faceplate can't handle the forces exerted on it from a wider riser in the long run.

If you check out the MASH crew's mashing rigs they all have short and stubby MTB/ FGFS stems.

Scrodzilla

Because everything should be always based on what the MASH guys do.

franswa

TenSpeedV2

Thank you for the reply. Will be getting that situation taken care of.

Leukybear 

Says one of the premier cinelli dealers in the US

Scrodzilla

Retrogression being a top tier Cinelli dealer has nothing to do with anything.

Just like they probably aren't concerned with what Angie & I are having for dinner tonight or which Black Sabbath record is my favorite, I don't really need to care about what length stem the MASH crew "approves" of this week.

jgedwa

Paranoid?

veganbikes

I mean you should...I call MASH once a week to check on stem length. I don't want to be even 1mm off. If you were at MASH level you could have a Scrodnelli and it could be black, none more black. Think about it, man, all you need to do is be a trend setter and you can achieve MASHvana.

I wish Thomson would actually make X4s with more rise and such. So many people use them on the road it just makes sense. There are those who wish to get super aero or want to be a touch more upright and it would be nice. The X2s do look nice but two bolts just don't do it especially on those teeny tiny 3mms.

espi-JG

Been using wide risers for several months now on my thomson x2 with no issues at all. I ride this bike everyday.

Nagrom_

The consequences probably won't show themselves slowly over time, but more likely all at once really fast into the concrete.