Texas Strength Systems (TSS) Equipment Review: Power Cage

[HairOfTheDog]

Resurrecting this thread!

Fortunately for me, I found this thread. I used to powerlift in the early 90's, had many racks and equipment in the past. Some from local welders, to major brands (nebula, legend, Ivanco, inzer, etc.) and have never heard or seen anything as bad as what the OP had experienced. After neck surgery, lower back issues, and 10 years of not lifting...I finally made up my mind to set up another personal gym to lift again. In my search for a local manufacturer of power racks, TSS came up, along with this post. Needless to say, I feel I was saved the possible frustration the OP went through. I just wish the original nebula products were still available. Boy, how things have changed.

Oh yea, I joined just so I could resurrect this post!

[lsi1]

bumping this one back up finally got around to reading it. Got to say I can bitch quite a bit about my Titan's welds and powdercoat but my t3 looks rather nice in comparison.

[Synthetickiller]

Resurrecting this thread!

Fortunately for me, I found this thread. I used to powerlift in the early 90's, had many racks and equipment in the past. Some from local welders, to major brands (nebula, legend, Ivanco, inzer, etc.) and have never heard or seen anything as bad as what the OP had experienced. After neck surgery, lower back issues, and 10 years of not lifting...I finally made up my mind to set up another personal gym to lift again. In my search for a local manufacturer of power racks, TSS came up, along with this post. Needless to say, I feel I was saved the possible frustration the OP went through. I just wish the original nebula products were still available. Boy, how things have changed.

Oh yea, I joined just so I could resurrect this post!

I'm glad I could help someone out. No one needs to have the monstrosity I'm stuck with.

bumping this one back up finally got around to reading it. Got to say I can bitch quite a bit about my Titan's welds and powdercoat but my t3 looks rather nice in comparison.

This rack set a new standard for rock bottom quality control & worse customer support.

[Duplicitous]

Sweet jesus, that is some of worst craftsmanship I have ever seen. I bought a China-made Akonza FID bench off eBay for $125 and the quality is 1000x better than that rack. Sorry for your experience, but thanks for sharing it so the rest of us know to avoid these guys. I haven't decided for certain where I'm getting my rack from, but it won't be Texas Strength Systems.

[urbanlifter]

Saw this just now on Insta, Buddy Capps making the next Starting Strength barbell? Guessing that's probably bare steel, must admit that endcap & sleeve looks sexy...

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq3YsHZg...d=c0n9wqaqmq2c

[EricAtl]

Saw this just now on Insta, Buddy Capps making the next Starting Strength barbell? Guessing that's probably bare steel, must admit that endcap & sleeve looks sexy...

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq3YsHZg...d=c0n9wqaqmq2c

I’m affraid to ask. Does it cost 2k and come with rust spots to give it character.

[murphyreedus]

I’m affraid to ask. Does it cost 2k and come with rust spots to give it character.

Dude...

It's


Aged


Not rusted. Get with the times.

[urbanlifter]

Oops, how did this get in the TSS thread? LOL

[cmarti063]

Saw this just now on Insta, Buddy Capps making the next Starting Strength barbell? Guessing that's probably bare steel, must admit that endcap & sleeve looks sexy...

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq3YsHZg...d=c0n9wqaqmq2c

You know it's just the "All American" bar in bare steel, right? 28.5mm, dual rings, mild knurl. Unfortunately inferior to the Rogue Ohio bar.

[JohnCuster]

You know it's just the "All American" bar in bare steel, right? 28.5mm, dual rings, mild knurl. Unfortunately inferior to the Rogue Ohio bar.

Sleeves are different on SS bar, too...smooth.

I just found a used chrome Chan bar last week and the AAB in chrome as a custom order arrived yesterday...also got the TPB, TSB, and TDLB in chrome.

Chan is probably the closest to the ABB in Rogue’s line up...haven’t used either enough to comment on which I perfer though.

I tend to prefer TPB to OPB, probably just b/c I’ve been using a TPB longer, but Rogue and Capps both make really good bars, IMO.

[cmarti063]

Sleeves are different on SS bar, too...smooth.

It's still that really thick collar that Capps uses. It forces the plates further out and reduces loadable sleeve length.

I tend to prefer TPB to OPB, probably just b/c I’ve been using a TPB longer, but Rogue and Capps both make really good bars, IMO.

We're not talking about power bars though, it's a general purpose bar (diameter, knurl, rings). Either way, Rogue has a better fit/finish and better steel than Capps.

[urbanlifter]

We're not talking about power bars though, it's a general purpose bar (diameter, knurl, rings). Either way, Rogue has a better fit/finish and better steel than Capps.

I'm still a big fan of the TPB and I really enjoyed the knurling, it's made transitioning back to the passive feel of the Mammoth bar VERY difficult. Really didn't mind the 28.5mm shaft either, wasn't nearly as stiff for squatting but for some reason my grip felt very secure when pressing. Even after getting a great deal on the Mammoth I can't help but to regret making the switch, the overall quality far exceeds the Buddy Capps but the cerakote knurling kills it for me. I'll likely end up with another TPB or hopefully REP's new stainless. But I'm still a single barbell kinda guy, so I would have to find a buyer for the Mammoth before making another move.

The bare steel TPB is $283 shipped for me, not a terrible deal but eBay seems to still be the best way to get one. Just now saw Buddy Capps has their site up now! Texas Power Bars.com, cool to be able to order direct, shipping wasn't hateful either.

[cmarti063]

I'm still a big fan of the TPB and I really enjoyed the knurling

Sure, I like the bar too. It's my training bar, the first good bar I bought, and what I squatted 630 and benched 405 on. Capps bars are good, but they aren't the dominate mid priced bar like they used to be. Rogue definitely fills that spot, and there are many excellent choices like American Barbell unlike when Capps was first setting up shop.

The bare steel TPB... Just now saw Buddy Capps has their site up now! Texas Power Bars.com, cool to be able to order direct, shipping wasn't hateful either.

I wish bare steel was available when I bought mine! And agreed, pretty cool that he's finally got a site set up!

[HeavyIron8]

I had a friend ask me about TSS racks earlier today and told him **** no. Reminded me about this thread.

[CliveWarren]

What I've noticed around here is that the regulars hold a grudge. I don't know if TSS, Bowflex Selectech, or Titan will ever reform their reputation even if they improve their offerings.

It's probably a good idea to reassess once in a while. Management changes over time, and if a company endures it's possible they have overcome their ineptitude. Maybe.

[HeavyIron8]

Understandable. The thing is, racks, weights, benches cost a lot of money and most people save up months or even years for this stuff. It's too great of a risk to "give a 2nd chance".