Our approach: how Thesis bikes are created.
We’re committed to building reliable, durable, and safe bikes that will provide thousands of miles of joy for each rider. That’s why we go to such great lengths to make a bike you’re going to love.
Here’s how it happens behind the scenes.
Step 1: It all starts with the frame.
Our frame is well-known for its versatility and quality. But we don’t stop there. Every frame we get from the factory undergoes our rigorous quality control testing to ensure the fit and finish is up to our perfecting standards. Rather than having the factory handle quality control and paint, we bring unpainted frames to our own facilities for a detailed inspection. This allows us to catch issues early, before they end up hidden by paint. Often, some finishing work is required to make sure the fitment and tolerances of our bikes is brought up to our exacting standards. Frames that don’t make the cut are rejected and returned to the factory.
Frames that pass our first round of quality control will have every component interface checked to make sure it’s within our precise tolerances. Brake mounting surfaces are faced to prevent you from dealing with the frustration of a squawking brake caliper that can never be perfectly aligned. Bottom bracket tolerances are confirmed to ensure size and symmetry, preventing the dreaded creak from cropping up later in the life of the bike. Each frame’s dropout interfaces and spacing are checked to confirm alignment to maintain chainline and good tire clearance.
Step 2: Curated components.
We build our bikes with premium components that come directly from the same factories as other high-end brands. We dare you to find to find a stem that is both lighter and stiffer than ours. Our SteerSafe bonded insert does away with the fussy and potentially dangerous compression plugs that are common in the industry. Rather than a disposable plastic press fit bottom bracket, we use our own alloy shell thread-together design that won’t wear down and start creaking, with Japanese stainless steel bearings to keep you cranking smoothly for miles to come.
Step 3: Hand-built by a dedicated mechanic.
Factory builds are infamous for not being built to a high standard. Ask any bike mechanic. Parts aren’t torqued properly, meaning they can come loose. Derailleurs aren’t calibrated, meaning you can’t shift correctly. Rotors can get warped, which will rub and slow you down. All this means that your parts can get damaged or fail at crucial moments.
Why? At an assembly factory, you typically have a long line of workers who are each performing a single step of the assembly line. But a bicycle is an interactive system. Sometimes components aren’t perfect and you need to make a minor adjustment. It’s difficult to do that in a factory line environment.
We wanted to do this the right way. That’s why we dedicate a single professional mechanic to hand-build your bike. A professional mechanic looks at your bike not as one of many coming down the line, but as a complete system. They care. They want to make sure your bike will perform the way it was meant to and last for a long time.
They’ll trim your cables and hoses to the right length so your bike looks clean. They’ll use foam to put clean runs through the frame, making sure the bike doesn’t rattle. They’ll lubricate all interfaces and bolts so the parts don’t slip or seize.
Step 4: Go out on an adventure.
All of this relentless attention to detail comes together when you get out on your rides. But it doesn’t stop there. Whether it’s our Ride It & Love It 30 day return policy, our industry-leading customer support, or our no bull crash replacement, we’re committed to being here for you at every part of your ride.