That was my first thought the moment I saw this thing (lol).
Resembling the hands of that beloved character who maintains the undisputed title of "Cat-type robot you’d most want as a best friend," this is the successor to the THOMSON X2 Stem—which itself long held the title of #1 most popular CNC-machined stem. Its name is the THOMSON G2 Stem.
Since they look almost identical at a glance (or are they hard to tell apart unless you line them up?), I thought I’d introduce the changes.
First, the appearance
The previous X2 held an unshakable position on bikes with drop bars. However, with the advent of gravel bikes, people began to challenge rougher terrain, and we often heard reports of trouble—like the two-bolt setup lacking enough clamping force, causing the bars to slip. Because of this, it eventually lost its leading role to the four-bolt X4, which offers stronger clamping.
But, even the seemingly invincible X4 had a weakness...
It’s just too bulky.
Unlike the large-headed Doraemon himself, a four-bolt setup (double the bolts) is just too big for a sleek steel bike.
Whether that’s the reason or not, the new G2 has arrived with a slightly larger head and a new name.
Thanks to this larger head, the clamping surface area has increased, providing more grip and making it safe to use on gravel as well.
That said, for those racing cyclocross or doing more extreme gravel riding, the manufacturer still recommends the X4. However, for those who don’t hit such rough trails and feel that the slim, rounder look of the G2 suits their bike better than the big, blocky X4, this is the one for you.
Beyond the looks
Thomson continues to produce reliable gear without being flashy.
There are several changes beyond just the appearance.
First, although it's impossible to see from the outside, they’ve pursued an even higher level of machining precision to balance lightness and durability. The faceplate stays put even if you turn it upside down without any bolts in it.
By the way, the previous X2 is loose and would fall right off.
Another understated change is the faceplate bolts, which have been upsized for weight reduction and increased clamping force.
Believe it or not, they’re made of titanium.
That alone is enough to get me excited.
Beyond the material, the increased size allows for a torque rating jump from 5 N-m to 9 N-m, allowing for a much tighter hold.
The steerer clamp bolts haven't been upsized, but they’ve also been changed to titanium, further contributing to weight savings.
What both sets of clamp bolts have in common is the head: early versions used a 4mm hex, then at some point it changed to a 3mm hex, and the latest version now uses a T25 Torx.
When Torx screws first appeared, they were largely intended as "tamper-proof" measures to keep the average person from messing with them. However, that role has faded; by using a star shape, the clamping force is concentrated near the center, the contact area increases, and it prevents "cam-out" (where the tool slips out of the screw). Because of these many benefits, they are now adopted in all sorts of places.
It might look like a minor change—just a bit bigger—but when you dig deeper, it’s clear that everything has been refined to the point where you could say nothing is the same as the X2.
This is classic Thomson excellence.
Doraemon’s hands are "sticky hands" that can grab anything, and the new THOMSON G2 Stem has also been upgraded through the ingenuity of its makers to grip the handlebars firmly.
THOMSON G2 Stem
Extension: 70 / 90 / 100 / 110 / 120mm
Handlebar Clamp Diameter: 31.8 mm
Angle: 10°
Stack Height: 36 mm
*Not compatible with X2 Stem parts.
Price: 20,900 JPY (tax included)
