Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The OB1

Take a look at our geometry chart, or contact us directly to help dial in your fit.
Since weights will vary depending on frame size, build and other selections, here are a few examples and their weights:
  • 18.5lbs: Size L, raw black carbon frame, 1 x 11, 11-42T, standard seatpost, 700C wheelset
  • 19.9lbs: Size M, painted frame, 1 x 11, 11-42T, dropper seat post, 650B wheelset
  • 20.0lbs: Size L, raw black carbon frame, 1 x 11, 11-46T, dropper seat post, 650B wheelset

- 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

Note: For optimum performance, load your heaviest items in a frame bag secured in the main triangle.

Max weight of rider + gear: 115kg (254lb)

If you order directly from us, when your bike shows up on your doorstep, you'll want to install and secure the bars, seatpost, pedals, and wheels, plus checking the tire pressure and making sure the bike is adjusted to fit you perfectly. Check out our unboxing guide to learn more.

If this isn’t something you’re already super comfortable with, we encourage you to bring it to your local shop for final assembly.

If you worked with a Thesis local partner, they'll build your bike to 100% for you, as long as you make sure to ship your bike directly to them.
It's pretty darn easy and takes less than 90 seconds. See our video guide below:

Ordering and Customization

Yes! We offer the OB1 Frame Module!
Let’s get you an amazing fit. If you find that you need a different size for your stem, crank, or handlebar, drop us a line at support@thesis.bike and we’ll get you a replacement at a reasonable price.
Nope, that was a limited time offer. But guess what? Our black frame is already primed for custom paint, so you can go wild and be you.
Guess what? Our standard “Black Carbon Matte” finish doubles as a primer for custom paint. We'd love to see what you come up with, so please send us photos. :)
Yes! We offer a version of the Thesis OB1 without the drivetrain so you can use your own. The OB1 frame is compatible with electronic 2x and both mechanical and electronic 1x groupsets. Check out our frameset or frame module pages to start building your own.

Thesis OB1 Maintenance

Optimal tire pressure will allow your bike to ride at its peak. Take a look at Silca's Pro Tire Pressure Calculator - a great starting point from which you can begin experimenting with tire pressure to find what works best for you.
Yes, but you’ll need a model that doesn’t interfere with the dropper’s operation. Specifically, you’ll want something small and secure that attaches to the saddle rails and not the seatpost itself, and you’ll want to make sure it doesn’t get in the way when the post is fully dropped. Other options for on-bike storage include mounting a bottle cage to the bottom of the downtube for use with a bottle-shaped storage container, mounting a bento to the top of the top tube, or mounting a handlebar bag the bar’s wide central clamping area.

Note that for larger/heavier bikepacking-style seat bags, we recommend using your standard (non-dropper) seatpost.
It is completely normal in the beginning for tubeless tires to slowly leak air while the sealant works its magic. The same thin but robust sidewalls that provide such a smooth and efficient ride also have micro-pores that need to be filled, so it is entirely normal for a bit of sealant to weep through during the sealing process.

The best course of action is to ride. The sealant will foam up as it sloshes around, and riding continuously bathes the sidewalls in sealant in a way that a quick shake and spin during assembly cannot. Just be sure to bring a pump, tube, and 6mm hex wrench (for the thru-axles) just in case, as is good practice for all of your rides.
Dial in your fit with reach adjust. Get more power and control from your SRAM brakes by adjusting them to fit your hands. The adjustment is located between the shift lever blade and the brake lever blade on the underside of the brake lever. Pull back the shift lever to access the 2.5mm hex adjustment screw. When viewed from the bottom, turn the wrench clockwise to move the lever away from the bar and turn the wrench counter-clockwise to move the lever closer to the bar. Once you have your adjustment made, check to make sure that when the brake lever is pulled firmly, it doesn’t bottom out on the handlebar, limiting your braking power.

Levers feel spongy? You may need a re-bleed. While SRAM hydraulic brakes come pre-bled from the factory, the process of cutting and resizing the hoses to route them internally through your bicycle’s frame and fork can introduce enough air to the system to affect brake performance. This is why we recommend re-bleeding each system after installation in our assembly guide. Still having issues after a re-bleed? You may still have air in the system. If the situation doesn’t improve after a few squeezes of the lever, ask your mechanic if another bleed is needed. If bleeding the system yourself, be sure to follow SRAM’s recommended bleed procedure and pay particular attention to how dissolved gasses are removed from the brake fluid (time 0:59).

For more information, check out SRAM’s Road Hydraulic Brake Tips and Tricks.
Most riders don’t have a saddle height with enough exposed post to clamp their dropper on the lower portion of the post, so it is a good idea to pad the dropper post with a clean rag when clamping the fully extended shiny telescoping portion, as it can get scratched.

It’s important to avoid liftIng the bike up by the saddle while the dropper post is compressed, as it can damage the post.

Be very careful with your OB1 when it comes to car racks. Carbon rims are sensitive to extreme heat. While our high-quality rims exceed testing industry and ISO thermal standards, car exhausts can reach up to 1200 degrees F, which is well beyond ISO standards. Enve has a great guide for car racks and carbon rims, which we encourage you to check out.

Avoid exposing any carbon fiber rim, frame, or component to external heat sources including but not limited to car exhaust (such as when the bicycle is mounted in a rear rack), heat guns, or space heaters, as such exposures can cause the component to soften, weaken, melt, or fail.

Note that all Thesis products meet or exceed industry and ISO standards for thermal performance, and utilize materials and manufacturing processes common throughout the bicycle industry. This advisory therefore applies to all carbon fiber components regardless of brand.

650B x 47mm, which sit almost 50mm wide on our 27.3ID rims. We’ve also run the 48mm Panaracer GravelKing SKs with no issues, though they sit ~51mm and thus have a smidge less than our 4mm of recommended clearance. Because 650Bx47mm tires have the same radius as 700Cx30mm, handling remains constant when swapping wheelsets (except, of course, for differences related to the tires themselves).

700C x 40mm. The 22ID rims are aero-optimized for 28-30mm slicks but offer a wide base of support for running higher volume tires at low pressures without inducing tire squirm. Some 42mm tires will also fit, but we’ve not yet tested them and riders on smaller frames may experience toe overlap issues. Note that clearing larger 700C tires would have required a longer/slacker geometry, thus compromising handling.

Shipping and Returns

Thesis is available to ship to the following countries:

  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Canada
  • Denmark
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Singapore
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Taiwan
  • Thailand
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
Please note: all purchases are in US currency, and all customers outside the US are responsible for paying their own duties, tariffs, and customs from Taiwan to your destination country prior to delivery. 

We are exploring expansion into other countries. Send a note to support@thesis.bike if you'd like to request for your country to be added to the list.
Each bicycle is built-to-order just for you over a few short weeks. You can find the latest lead time on each product's particular page. 
Shipping is a flat rate $99 for bicycles and wheels, and $4.99 to $19.99 for other components. At the time of this writing, taxes are only charged for delivery addresses in the state of California.
Please see our Return Policy for more details.
Rather than heavily marking up our products and then offering “discounted” crash replacements, we’re proud to give you the same direct pricing at all times. If you need a replacement part not already listed on our website, we’ll do our best to get one to you at a similarly outstanding value. Contact us at support@thesis.bike to get started.
Awesome! For group sales, reach out to us at hello@thesis.bike.
We do not offer financing at this time.

 

Have a question we haven’t answered yet? Send a note to support@thesis.bike and we'll take care of you.

 

Meet the OB1

It's a versatile carbon gravel all-road bike for road, gravel, bikepacking -- or all of the above.

Meet the OB1