DETAILS
While our original spec results in our idea of the perfect bike, we can’t wait to see what yours looks like. Whether you’re looking to run vintage XTR with bar end shifters for touring, you’re a Campy person, or you want to migrate parts over from a past bike, our frame module sets you up to build your unique version of the OB1.
By default, all À La Carte OB1s include thru axles, headset, and seat collar.
Want help building your perfect bike? Schedule a consult with one of our resident bike nerds to discuss your fit and chat about your build.
With nimble yet stable endurance geometry, the OB1 is truly a do it all machine.
Chase down roadies, explore some new singletrack, or load up for a long adventure. Join the N=1 revolution.
Current lead time: Frames ship in 2-4 weeks depending on size and color.
Frame modules require full assembly. We strongly suggest using a professional
mechanic to build your bike to ensure you get a safe and reliable machine.
Why you'll love the OB1
- Endurance road geometry for all day comfort and balanced handling.
- Tailored fit with customizable choice of stem length, bar width, and crank length.
- Optional integrated dropper post puts you in control when the going gets rough.
- Clearance for high volume tires up to 650B x 47mm and 700C x 40mm for exceptional traction and a smooth ride.
Specs
Click on the name of each component to learn more about why we chose it. Every detail is chosen for the optimal balance of performance, durability, and serviceability.
To learn more about our approach, check out how we built a high-end carbon dream bike.
CHASSIS
DETAILS
- Spirited yet stable endurance road geometry
- Clearance for 650B x 47mm or 700C x 40mm
- Mounting points for (5) cages, fenders, a bento, and more
- Up to 46T or 50/34T chainrings
- Round 27.2 seat tube with traditional seat post clamp
- Construction: Reinforced Toray 800/700
- 1145g +/-5% (medium black w/o hardware)
WHY WE CHOSE IT
From road to gravel to travel, our OB1 frameset is ready for every road. Its sleek road-bike design hides clearance for wide dirt tires and discreet mounting points for bags, fenders, extra bottles, and everything else you may need along the ride. From reinforcement at every hole and boss, to anti-corrosive fiberglass where carbon meets metal, to bolt-secured aluminum cable guides, we've invested in the details to deliver you performance without compromise.DETAILS
- Accommodations for fenders, headlight, and cages
- Clearance for 650B x 47mm and 700C x 40mm tires
- Steersafe-reinforced carbon steerer
- 12x100mm thru-axle dropouts
- Reinforced Toray 800/700 carbon construction
- 445g fork | 45g SteerSafe
WHY WE CHOSE IT
We created SteerSafe to ensure your carbon steerer is fully supported against stem clamping forces. SteerSafe is an aluminum tube with built-in starnut that gets bonded into our carbon steerers at the factory. To shorten a SteerSafe equipped steerer, simply cut through the carbon and aluminum layers using a guide and a carbon-specific blade as you would a normal carbon steerer, then use ultra-fine sandpaper to create a smooth, slightly rounded edge. Finish by torquing the lubricated stem bolts to 5 Nm.Note that we pre-cut our steerers to an exposed length of ~69mm, then bond in our SteerSafe insert from there. We do this to prevent folks from using a tall stack of spacers below a downward-pointed stem, as this can lead to imprecise steering. Those needing a more upright position should start be flipping the stem. Should this prove insufficient despite the OB1s relatively tall head tube, we recommend sourcing a 17 degree stem in order to maintain steering precision.
DETAILS
- Hollow bolt-on
- 6mm hex head
- Strong and durable 7075 alloy
- Just ~80g per set
WHY WE CHOSE IT
Our hollow bolt-on thru-axles are machined from ultra-premium 7075 aluminum for strength, durability, and ease of wheel removal at less than half the weight of levered designs.DETAILS
- Integrated look
- Traditional clamping interface for even distribution of forces
WHY WE CHOSE IT
OB1's seat clamp achieves its integrated look while utilizing a traditional clamping interface that, unlike proprietary integrated designs, evenly distributes clamping forces to avoid seatpost creaking, slipping, or cracking.DETAILS
- Stainless steel cartridge bearings
- Sealed upper cap
- Split crown race
- Upper: 41.8x30.5x8 | 45°x45°
- Lower: 51.9x40x8 | 45°x45°
WHY WE CHOSE IT
Designed for durability, our lightweight integrated headset features premium stainless steel bearings to prevent corrosion in wet and muddy conditions. The sealed top cap provides an extra barrier to water penetration and its replaceable aluminum split crown race protects the carbon steerer crown from wear while being less prone to creaking than non-split races.DETAILS
- Rigid for use with long-cage derailleurs
- Axle threads directly into the hanger
- Extra included just in case
WHY WE CHOSE IT
Flexy derailleur hangers compromise shifting and are quick to fail. The OB1's is stiff and strong to withstand the greater loads placed on it by today's long-cage derailleurs and wide range cassettes, but will still sacrifice itself to protect the derailleur and frame in the event of a major impact. And don't worry - we include an extra just in case.
Mounting points for all your gear:- 2 bottle mounts in the front triangle
- 1 bottle mount below the downtube
- 1 bento mount on the top tube
- 2 bottle mounts on the fork blades
- Front and rear fender mounts (seat stay bridge included)
- Wide central clamping area on handlebar
Max weight of rider + gear: 125kg (275lbs)
COCKPIT
DETAILS
- 1-piece 3D-forged 2014-T6 alloy construction
- Easily adjustable, exceptionally secure 2-bolt clamp
- Reversible head
- 0° offset to match the frame's 73° seat tube angle
- Reversible lower clamp
- 230g (400mm) | 210g (350mm)
WHY WE CHOSE IT
OB1's seatpost weighs less than some carbon posts yet is safe to use with clamp-on accessories like bikepacking seat bags. Its quill is forged from a single billet of ultra-premium 2014-T6 aluminum for outstanding strength to weight. The 2-bolt clamp offers superior saddle adjustability, security, and support, while the supportive lower clamp plate is reversible to allow an extreme range of fore/aft positioning.
DETAILS
- Infinitely adjustable
- Lightweight 1-piece forged head and quill
- Easy to adjust 2-bolt clamp with reversible head
- Premium 7075-T651 aluminum construction
- Clean internally-routed design
- Serviceable with readily available parts
- Tests to an ISO MTB standard
- Actuated by front shifter
- 405L|110mm (485g), 360L|90mm (460g), 310L|70mm (425g)
WHY WE CHOSE IT
A dropper post is an absolute game-changer. Dropping the saddle out of the way allows you to shift your center of mass down and back over the rear wheel, keeping your front end light, allowing you to use your rear brake for speed control, and freeing your legs to act as suspension. The result is increased control, speed, and confidence over steep or technical terrain. They're even great for fast road descents. We've been riding droppers on our drop-bar bikes since before it was cool, so whether you're looking to get shreddy off-road or just want to feel safer on that high speed road sweeper, a dropper is an option well worth considering.The 2-bolt clamp offers superior saddle adjustability, security, and support, while the supportive lower clamp plate is reversible to allow an extreme range of fore/aft positioning.
Check out the "Why Gravel Posts are an absolute game-changer" tech segment we produced with The Gravel Ride Podcast to learn more about why you'll want a dropper on your next bike.
DETAILS
Thesis Hollow-Forged Alloy- Hollow-forged 6061 alloy arms
- Machined 7075 alloy BB386EVO spindle
- Machined 7075 alloy narrow-wide chainring (6mm offset)
- Open-standard 3-bolt DM chainring interface
- Compatible with 4iiii single-sided power meters
- 625g crank (172.5), 99g chainring (42T)
WHY WE CHOSE IT
Strong, Stiff, Light: Pick 3. How do you create a crank that achieves extraordinary stiffness-to-weight in an easily serviceable package that isn't afraid of a rock strike? Take two billets of ultra premium 7075 aluminum. Smash each under 600 tones of force to form two hollow, box-section arms. Then take another billet of that same alloy and machine it into a large diameter BB386 spindle to push the bottom bracket's oversized bearings as far apart as possible for even more stiffness and durability. Sandblast rather than polish all surfaces to pound-out microfractures, and anodize everything for an even harder and longer-wearing finish.
DETAILS
- Precision-milled, thread-together aluminum shell
- Premium NSK Japan 6806 stainless steel sealed cartridge bearings
- Open standard BB386EVO interfaces
- 29mm spindle adaptors used with SRAM cranks
- 145g
WHY WE CHOSE IT
Our thread-together aluminum BB shell is strong and stiff to ensure perfect alignment and support our widely-spaced, large-ball cartridge bearings. It's the same $70+ solution that mechanics turn to when cheap press fit bottom brackets creak and fail. It adds a handful of grams and quite a bit of cost, and we think the increased durability, efficiency-under-load, and general peace of mind are well worth the investment.
DETAILS
- 116mm drop | 75mm reach | 10 ° flare
- Comfy aero flat top
- Wide central clamping area for accessories
- Double butted alloy
WHY WE CHOSE IT
Aero on the tops, control and comfort in the drops. With a short reach, shallow drop, and subtle 10° of flare, our handlebar keeps you comfy when motoring on the hoods while offering greater leverage when cornering, descending, or shredding dirt in the drops, all while reducing back and wrist strain. Its wide central clamping area allows you to attach a bell, GPS, bar bag, aero clip-ons, or all 4 at once if that's what your adventure requires.
DETAILS
- 3D-forged 7050 aluminum
- 7° angle
- Exceeds ISO Road and MTB standards
- 105g (100mm)
WHY WE CHOSE IT
A top-of-the-line stem equivalent to others retailing at $100+, our 7050-series alloy stem is stronger, stiffer, and lighter than others' $250+ carbon offerings.
WHEELS
DETAILS
- 24ID|32W|30D
- Aero-optimized for 28/30mm tires
- Wide enough to support 40mm+ tires
- 2.5mm of asymmetry for balanced spoke tensions
- Bead hooks for blow-off prevention & non-tubeless compatibility
- Angle drilling & reinforced nipple seat for durability
- Blended-modulus T800/700 unidirectional construction
- 20 - 110psi
- <390g
WHY WE CHOSE IT
Lōgōs' Epoché 700C wheelsystem is an omnium wheelset for the real world. Yes, tubeless road tires are still blowing off hookless rims. No, deep-section rims aren’t faster unless run with tires narrower than the rims are wide (see the immutable “rule of 105%”), though they are inherently heavier, less stable, and thus less versatile. Yes, a racelight wheelsystem can withstand years of trail and bikepacking duty if engineered and maintained properly. And no, you don’t need a quiver of wheels to enjoy a wide variety of ride experiences. With Epoché, we explore the limits of performance and versatility without compromising core principals like safety, durability, and serviceability.With its goldilocks 24mm internal and 32mm external widths combined with a robustly molded beadhook, our Epoché 700C rim is safe when paired with aerodynamic 28-30mm tubed and tubeless tires at higher pressures, yet fully supportive of 51mm+ tires at lower pressures, allowing riders to optimize for everything from pure on-road speed to enhanced off-road traction, control, and comfort. 2.5mm of asymmetry balances spoke angles for higher overall tension and a stronger, more durable wheel with a standard spoke count. Its robust blended-modulus layup is formed in precision-polished molds to deliver a raw carbon finish free of heavy cosmetic coatings for high strength-to-weight and impact-resistance, while heavier or more aggressive riders can add tire inserts for even more ruggedness from a lighter overall system.
DETAILS
- 700c x 30mm- Supple tubeless-ready casing
- Slick dual compound tread for efficiency, durability, and grip
- 335g
WHY WE CHOSE IT
A fast-rolling road slick that isn't afraid of the dirt, WTB's Exposure 30 Road tires employ a supple tubeless-ready casing and a dual-compound tread to offer a great balance of rolling speed and off-pavement capability. Matched to our Aero-Wide Carbon 700C tubeless rims, they're equally suited to all day epics and the the local hammerfest. Run them at 55-90psi depending on weight for optimal performance.DETAILS
- GT27 = Gravel Trail 27mm internal width
- 33mm external | 24.5mm deep
- Optimized for 47mm+ tires
- Tubeless-ready hookless design, also compatible with standard tubed tires
- 3mm offset, angle drilling, & reinforced nipple seat
- Toray 700/800 construction
- 370g
WHY WE CHOSE IT
An adventure-lover that's optimized to support popular 47mm gravel tires at low pressures, our GT27 650B rims' wide internal profile enhances tire volume for compliance, traction, and stability in the dirt. They feature 3mm of asymmetry, angled spoke hole drilling, and a reinforced nipple seat for high and balanced spoke tensions, which in turn creates a stiffer, stronger, and more durable wheelset. Their hookless design improves impact strength and tire stability at low pressures. With a bias toward comfort and traction, these rims are great for technical gravel, bike-packing, speed commuting, and speed touring.
DETAILS
- Sits a generous 49mm on our wide 650B rims
- Supple yet robust casings
- Tubeless
- 555g
WHY WE CHOSE IT
The WTB Venture is the perfect all-arounder, with a file tread center for rolling efficiency on tarmac and pronounced side knobs for cornering grip in the dirt. Its supple casing and tubeless compatibility give it a smooth ride that holds up in the most challenging conditions. They inflate to around 49mm on our ultra-wide 650B rims and are best at 20-40psi (max) depending on your weight and terrain.
DETAILS
- Bombproof 18T Star Ratchet engagement system
- (4) 6902 sealed cartridge bearings
- Centerlock rotor interfaces
- 12 x 142mm thru-axle
- 267g
WHY WE CHOSE IT
Rear hubs are notoriously prone to failure due to the extreme loads and environmental stresses they experience. That's why we invested in DT Swiss' rightfully venerated DT350 rear hub. It features the famously strong and durable Star Ratchet engagement system, large 6902 sealed cartridge bearings, tool-less serviceability and convertibility to other axle or freehub standards, and a centerlock interface for easy rotor installation and removal.The DT350 hub is 2.5x stronger, 5x more durable, and 3-5x more expensive than the pawl-based models most brands employ to reduce cost. Whether you're ripping it up on singletrack, touring through a remote wilderness, or simply putting in long miles year after year, these are the hubs you'll want to trust to keep you going.
You can learn more about DT's Star Ratchet engagement system here.
DETAILS
- (2) premium 6802 sealed cartridge bearings
- Centerlock rotor interface
- 28h J-bend flanges
- 12 x 100mm thru-axle
- 136g +/- 5%
WHY WE CHOSE IT
DT350 hubs are renowned for their durability, serviceability, and adaptability. They achieve their light weight without resorting to durability-compromising tricks. What do we mean? Just as there are brands that will use failure-prone aluminum nipples to shave grams, there are others who may spec a hub with tiny bearings and a narrow hub shell to achieve an eye-catching weight. However, those small bearings wear out fast, and that narrow shell may not withstand the torsional loads associated with disc brakes.DETAILS
- Cold forged
- Aero bladed
- Sandvik T302+ stainless steel
- Single length
- 4.3g each
WHY WE CHOSE IT
Why invest so much on so many fancy wing-shaped spokes? Because the same cold-forging process that turns a length of round straight-gauge wire into a light and aero wing spoke also improves strength-to-weight and elastication by realigning the grain flow of the metal and reducing its cross-sectional area. The result is a spoke that can be run at high tension while experiencing less change in tension and thus fatigue with each wheel rotation or impact. Furthermore, unlike cheaper round "butted" spokes that are in fact cold-forged in a similar process, wing,-shaped spokes can be tensioned without inducing spoke wind-up, further extending the life of the wheel.Our rims are asymmetrical, allowing us to balance spoke tensions for even more durability and stiffness while also allowing a single length of spoke to be used throughout the entire wheelset for ease of repair.
DETAILS
- Durable brass
- Resists seizing, splitting, & other failure modes
- Can be trued with tires and rim-tape in place
- 1g each
WHY WE CHOSE IT
Why do mechanics love externally-adjustable brass nipples? Aluminum nipples are a trick used by some brands achieve attention-grabbing weights at the expense of durability and serviceability. Aluminum oxidizes and is much softer than brass, making aluminum nipples notoriously prone to seizure, splitting, and failure. The result is that a simple wheel true can turn into a costly rebuild with new nipples and spokes. Weight savings? Less than 18 grams per wheel.As for the hidden nipples used by some brands, no one envies having to remove your tires, sealant, rim tape, and valve stems just to perform necessary maintenance. Aerodynamic advantage? Zero. Zilch. Nada.
DETAILS
- Each wheel is built by a single, skilled professional
- 2-cross lacing for lateral and rotational strength
- 28 spokes for durability and stiffness
WHY WE CHOSE IT
Strong, durable wheels require more than the best components. That's why we invested having our wheels professionally hand-built and machine checked. With a professional touch-up at 1200 miles and regular check-ups for tension and true, our wheels will continue to perform year after year.
Have a question? Check out our FAQ or reach out to us directly at support@thesis.bike to talk to a real human. We're always happy to talk bikes.
Geometry
All figures in millimeters unless otherwise indicated.
What they're saying about the OB1
"I've been playing bikes for over twenty years now. This bike inspires a mix of speed, fun and confidence I've never felt before. I had high expectations for this bike, and I’m happy to say it has blown me away." - Rachel C.
“I've been loving my OB1. It's opened up a whole other world of riding for me with many new places to explore. Every time I'm on a new trail, I'm blown away by the beauty of the new places I'm discovering, excited to go out and try a route I've never done before and very thankful I have the OB1 to take me to all these places I previously couldn't go to before.” - Andy W.