MTB upgrade decision - Thomson or Hope?

[seadragon]

Hi All,

Can I please get views/comments on Hope vs Thomson? I am not long back to bikes so I am sure most of you on here know loads more than I do but I am learning fast.

I have a road bike that already has some Thomson parts, ie, Masterpiece seatpost and X2 Elite stem. From what I can find out they seem pretty decent but Hope gets mentioned a lot too on some forums and google, so before I spend money on parts that might be over-hyped can I please get some views?

I have a MTB that has a decent spec but some parts are pretty average and also heavy and am looking to get a new stem, seat post, bars and seat collar. I have a carbon framed bike and that and the wheels, chainset, brakes etc are great and a good spec, so I dont want to change the whole bike.

Both brands also offer me the look/colours I am looking for in addition to the supposed quality of each (to be confirmed).

I am only interested in views about Hope/Thomson :-), no other brands. I already have Hope F20 pedals in Gunsmoke on the bike, which is why Hope is my other option.

Thanks in advance

[Alonso92]

Theyre both as good as each other, just get what you already have on the bike/ what you want to match

[Gren]

X4 stem and Elite seatpost both from Thomson are good bets. My old bike had that seatpost and it was noticeably lighter, despite being aluminium, and had more flex than the OEM one it replaced.

Clamp....whatever looks good? Hope are a popular choice

Bars... I'd be going for some Easton () carbons if lightness is your aim. Haven or EC90s dependent on your riding

Hope tend to get better reviews on parts with bearings (hubs, bottom brackets, headsets) with going longevity AND because they are British. Thomson have a more limited range but are very very good at whatever they do.

[Rolls]

For bars / post / stem I'd go thomson! Have them on both my mtbs

[Justin S]

Thompson every time. never ever had a problem. Gone were the days of snapping seatposts and the like.

[seadragon]

ok great, thanks all, I just wanted to make sure I wasnt mis-guided.

I was thinking of the Thomson Elite seatpost and X4 stem (both in silver) and the Hope seatpost collar and headset spacers in Gunsmoke colour to match the pedals. Chain Reaction have some of these items in their sale, so want to take advantage while I can.

I wasnt sure about the bars because I ideally want them in a silver colour and I dont want to spend £230 or whatever it is on the Thomson Ti bars. Any views??

[itsnotarace]

Spin do some Ti bars for £90 if thats any help

http://www.spincycleworks.com/servlet/the-SP!N-ON-...

[seadragon]

itsnotarace said:

Spin do some Ti bars for £90 if thats any help

http://www.spincycleworks.com/servlet/the-SP!N-ON-...

great many thanks, I will check the site out

[timbo48]

Have a shorter Hope stem on my Spesh Camber and a QR clamp on the seatpost (original wouldn't keep the post up), both in gunmetal. Both are well made and light. Thompson post on a Kona Explosif as well, again extremelly well made.

[seadragon]

Thanks for the tips/help guys. I have made my decision and ordered my bits.

Thomson X4 stem and Inline Elite seatpost (both in silver colour).

Hope spacers pack, seat clamp and headset top cap (all in Gunsmoke), to go with the Hope F20 pedals I have in the same colour.

The bike frame is matt grey, so the colours will all match nicely, sad I know but at least the new bits are better quality and didnt cost as much as I expected since I got them all thru the CRC sale.

Thanks again for the help, much appreciated. I just need to get the bars sorted, I will do some more research.

[seadragon]

Ended up getting and fitting the Thomson X4 MTB stem, with Thomson top cap, Thomson seat post, with Hope stem spacers and Hope seat clamp. Bike looks awesome, so need to stop making it look pretty and focus on the actual riding now :-)