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So, not the biggest problem in the world, but every bike I've ever put together has had these three components matching. I'm willing to make exceptions for Thomson stuff (although I'd prefer a Thomson seatpost AND stem, with another maker's bars).
However, I rather like the look of some answer 'gentleman' bars, but my current components are Truvativ. I don't really want to buy a new seatpost and stem too ( although my current bars are too narrow).
How fussy are other people about matching components? Should I just get over myself?
Thanks, this is cheaper than therapy...
Not. Seat posts should drop, stems should work and bars be wide enough. Beyond that who cares (matching Thompson bars and stem)
Stem and seatpost yes IMHO.
Bars less important.
Alright princess. 😉
On-One seat post, Orange stem, Sunline bars here (different finshes / colour as well, GASP!)
They work and are the right size/shape.
Rockshox don't make stems / bars, Renthal don't make droppers.
This rule has gone out of the window with dropper posts hasn't it?
This is how it starts, and before you know it you're deliberately misaligning your valves and tyre logo's. And from that point on its a descent into anarchy. So, maybe inadvertently, by your non-matching bars and stem, you're actually ushering in the total collapse of civilisation itself
Ritchey everything on my xc bike (frame, seat post, stem, bars) and kcnc stem and seat post on my ss, kinesis bars though.
I will confess to being a massive tart though.
Yes they should match, with the dropper post given immunity. Though Thompson have muddied the water.
Stem top cap and seat clamp too. Obviously.
I rather like the look of some answer 'gentleman' bars
Totally up to you, but I [i]think[/i] this is where your problem is...
😉
Do they do dropper bars and stems?
I don't buy matching, I buy the best I can. Hence got a raceface SixC bar and Renthal Apex stem for the new bike... salsa seat QR when I can find time to size it up and buy one.
On a road bike, absolutely yes though 2 out of 3 may be acceptable (all Deda for me on my best bike).
On a MTB I think you're fine, as mentioned above dropper posts have meant this idea is out of the water.
Dropper what?
Fully rigid and happy in the past :O)
You seem to be implying that there's any other valid option other than matching?
Two out of three is the right amount IMO.
Road bike - ritchey WCS bar and stem, but with a canyon VCLS post
XC bike - Thomspon post and stem with Easton bars
Fat bike - On one bar/stem, Rockshox post.
Rockshox = Truvative (and Avid, and SRAM). Surprised they didn't make the reverb a truvative product.Rockshox don't make stems / bars
I've carbon bits on my 'dale and like everything black , but I don't think most h/t riders want or need a dropper . I always thought of them as pointless unless your a downhill or jump rider
[i]This rule has gone out of the window with dropper posts hasn't it?[/i]
pretty much (says the man with Hope, Renthal and Rockshox)
Road bikes however....
beermonst3r44 - go out and ride a bike with a dropper. Within one ride you'll wonder how the hell you managed without one. Seriously. They're bloody great, and completely change the way you ride. And I'm a right mincer 😀
I don't think most h/t riders want or need a dropper
Wow.
My HT "needs" a dropper.
Not important at all. How it looks is way down list after performance and cost, but then my wheels don't even match so I'm already dead.
There is so much wrong with those statements.I don't think most h/t riders want or need a dropper . I always thought of them as pointless unless your a downhill or jump rider
go out and ride a bike with a dropper. Within one ride you'll wonder how the hell you managed without one. Seriously. They're bloody great, and completely change the way you ride. And I'm a right mincer
i got rid of mine as i never used it,
i got rid of mine as i never used it [i]properly[/i]
FTFY
To continue the theme of matching stuff, one of my road bikes has a white 'wet look' Ritchey stem though I can't for love nor money find a white stem cap.
Some white spacers would be nice as well whilst we're at it. 🙄
Full sus has Thomson stem and post with Easton carbon bars. T'other mtbs are Thomson stem only
Of course they should match. The next question that gets in the way is should the dropper post match the bar and stem (Thomson) or should it match the forks and shock (Fox or Rockshox)? Going off piste to KS is surely unforgivable no matter how good.
I don't think most h/t riders want or need a dropper . I always thought of them as pointless unless your a downhill or jump rider
I guess it depends on the terrain you ride but riding the techy stuff in the lakes with on a hardtail is much better with a dropper.
Also a downhiller or jumper would have little need for a dropper as they will most likely have the seat post low anyways.
Hadn't realised biking had become such a diva sport. Answer is No, it makes no odds. Function over Form every time...means you don't have this 'issue'.
If you can afford an aesthetic choice and it makes you happy, **** what other people think.
If you start to scoff at other people's bikes because they are or aren't matching components, you have a problem.
I agree...definite problem, thankfully I don't really care what others ride...if it works for them then fine. I'm so far off the back these days that I tend to only see dust clouds (when dry enough)...and they all look the same, so no issues.
However, I still stand by my function over Form every time, but that is my view.
I don't worry about them matching as long as each component works on it's own merit...I have Thomson 50mm stem on both bikes, they look great/clean and function as well if not better than anything on the market...I have a Reverb on both bikes, look better than the Thomson dropper IMO, works well and is a lot cheaper but I do run a Thomson when the non dropper comes out in the winter muck! Bars...Renthal on one Raceface on other...do they match? No...look good...damn right!
This is a "if you can, you should" thing.
If you run a dropper thats not a Thomson, you can't.
I have a Reverb (matches the Pikes 😉 ) on the new bike but the Frame, Bars, Stem, saddle and Seatclamp are all Chromag.
I'm disappointed in myself I didn't spec a Chromag Chainring, grips and rear QR to tell you the truth... 😉
Mental, you're all mental.
😆
Non-dropper post here and the brands of all three are different. My QR seatclamp is from a fourth brand. Just as well my tyres are the same brand or the bike fashion police would be after me.
😯
seriously - 😯
oldejeans - Member"i got rid of mine as i never used it properly"
FTFY
In his defence I (almost) got rid of my reverb, the hose split and it went in the spares box for 4 years. Didn't miss it.
I think it's a case of what you're used to, having grown up riding XC hardtails I'm just used to riding and having the saddle up. Having it 5" down actually feels a little odd. I'm quite happy getting behind it on steep sections, or getting my knee in-front of it on corners, it just never bothered me. I quite like the idea of those CX droppers that never materialised with ~40mm of drop.
The problem was you either used it at the top of the trail, at which point it was just a heavy, expensive QR, or mid trail, in which case it just became yet another lever to press and meant shifting your weight onto the saddle, often just as you didn't want to because you wanted to brake hard for something coming up.
I've fixed it and refitted it now, but I still only use it once or twice a ride, and even then it's to make the most of a larger jump rather than because I don't think I can ride it, probably faster (because I'd be pedalling/pumping right upto the braking point not squatting on the saddle), but less stylish (in my head) without it.