Thomson Elite X2 Stem

The Thomson Elite X2 is the evolution of Thomson’s stalwart Elite stem. Intended for road bikes, the Elite X2 eschews Thomson’s old expansion wedge design in favor of a lighter, simpler, traditional two-bolt steerer clamp design. The face plate is also a two-bolt affair, designed to clamp onto 31.8mm handlebars like a pit bull… Well, a kind, loving pit bull whose jaws are calibrated to 5.1 Newton metres (as not to damage carbon fiber handlebars).

Like its predecessor, the Elite X2 is machined from a solid chunk of aluminum in Macon, GA. It features a lighter, two-bolt handlebar clamp, though. Although it’s designed for road use, it’s plenty strong enough for mountain bike use, too. Thomson says the interlocking handlebar clamp is as torsionally strong as other four-bolt designs, but lighter and narrower. I honestly can’t tell the difference between this and any other stem’s stiffness, but I’m confident that it works, and that’s good enough.

The Elite X2 does have a 36mm stack height, which is 6mm lower than the old Thomson Elite stems.

Available in silver or black to fit 31.8mm handlebars and 1.125″ steerers only, the Elite X2 comes in 10 sizes, with lengths ranging from 70mm to 130mm and angles of 10° and 17°. Weights range from 135g to 155g. The Elite X2 retails for $99.95, and a matching stem cap is available for $5.95 more. Visit www.lhthomson.com for more info.