Ridden and Reviewed: Thesis OB1 Carbon All-Road Bike

Thank you for taking the time to get to know us, our bike, and our ethos Cliff.

A few notes for your readers:

– Our rims are graphene-infused carbon, asymmetric, wide, and tubeless to optimize both performance and strength-to-weight. They come in at an average of 355g and 425g for 650B and 700C, respectively, and at 1460g and 1595g as wheelsets. Each is hand-built with 28 Pillar Wing 20 spokes and brass nipples to be strong, durable, and serviceable as well as light.

– Customization of stem and crank length, handlebar width, chainring, cassette, wheel package, and even bar tape is available at no extra charge. No rider is generic, and we believe that no bike should be either.

– Levers and rear derailleur are SRAM Rival, and for good reason; internals are identical to Force, with the only differences being Force’s ~43g lighter carbon levers and ~8g lighter carbon cage plate. We invested the savings in carbon rims, DT350 hubs, stainless bearings, and other upgrades that improve performance, durability, and serviceability.

– Our shifter-actuated dropper option adds closer to 370g when cable and housing are taken into consideration (dropper weight is ~485g for the 110mm travel option). And as Cliff alludes, the improvement in performance and fun-factor makes it worth every gram.

– When adventuring, denser items are best loaded central and low in a frame bag for optimal handling. Our handlebar offers a generous clamping area for sleeping bags and other high-volume, low-density items, and today’s seat bags offer plenty of room for tents, clothes, and the like. When even more volume is needed, rear panniers work well with our 420mm chainstays when the mass is balanced by frame and bar bags. While all of our bosses are reinforced, we recommend against the use of front racks, as they negatively impact steering and place undue stress on the fork. We also believe them unnecessary if modern lightweight bag systems and gear are used, even for extended travel.

For riders needing assistance, we offer free consults over email and phone to help you create the perfect bike for your body and riding style. And as Cliff mentions, we explain the reasoning behind every component choice so you know exactly what you’re getting and why, and we take a “we’re in this together” approach to ensuring that you’ll enjoy riding your Thesis for a long time to come.

Thanks again,

Randall R. Jacobs, Cofounder & CEO, Thesis Bike