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I'm assuming the main downside is not a high enough gear on the road if I'm lucky enough to give it some whelly.
I think 32-11 is going to be very spinny on road, but if you can live with that.. A 42 might be better, I'm not fit but I could climb most stuff on 42-25 when I had a triple, the granny (30?) was very much for the end of long days.
32 * 11 would get my back up badly on road. I'm probably doing 34/50 as I have one knocking around. I emailed Kinesis and they say it will fit a 53/39 as well.
Contemplating the stock build but as the chainset and rear block are not terribly useful and the brakes are likewise a bit duff (tektros I think) I discounted this option. Though the wheels are probably OK. I'd use Stans Crest from my MTB : they're 360grms which is lighter than an open pro anyhow so happy days. Though they do suffer with dings but that is an issue with tubeless more then tubed.
The HY/RD are about 40grms a wheel up on the spyres that's all.
Hmm <ponders complete bike..>
32 * 11 would get my back up badly on road. I'm probably doing 34/50 as I have one knocking around. I emailed Kinesis and they say it will fit a 53/39 as well.
Contemplating the stock build but as the chainset and rear block are not terribly useful and the brakes are likewise a bit duff (tektros I think) I discounted this option. Though the wheels are probably OK. I'd use Stans Crest from my MTB : they're 360grms which is lighter than an open pro anyhow so happy days. Though they do suffer with dings but that is an issue with tubeless more then tubed.
The HY/RD are about 40grms a wheel up on the spyres that's all.
Hmm <ponders complete bike..>
Thanks for your comments.
I think because my emphasis is so much more gravel/xc than road, which will only be connecting bits to the next off road section I may be able to handle it.
I guess I can only try it and see.
On a separate note (slightly) whats the best option for a frame only sale at the moment. Do Merlin actually have stock? I need a 51cm
I've been reading this thread for such a long time and I have to say its really been good to see guys and gals helping each other out and generally being so informative. Surely, this is what forums should be like!
Well said! somafunk, gonetothehills and the_lecht_rocks have been particularly helpful so many thanks to them as well as others I've missed.
Mine will be a bit of a frankenbike when it's built so may hold off posting pics until it's had its tweaks but that'll be some time next year. 😀
I've not really read this massive daisy chain love-in but I was in Ronde today and they have a 57cm Tripster F&F on sale for £1350...Dunno if that's a bargain or not but it looked tremendous in the flesh...couldn't manage to parlay a fund release however, the OH was hellbent on buying kids shoes "not bloody more bikes"
easyrider - they're Ultegra 6700 - the nice carbon ones. No idea of the pull ratio though... but I do know they work a treat!
cinnamon_girl - you're welcome. I hope your frame turns up soon. Then you can get it built, ridden and photographed! There's a fair few (mine included) where the spec seems to change with the wind direction 🙂
MussEd - that's what I paid for mine - nice 10% discount at my LBS a year ago. There have been some significantly lower prices quoted of late, but I'm happy that over a year of riding's well worth the extra I paid. At the end of the day, £1350 for a beautiful ti frame, full carbon forks and a few other bits isn't bad value full stop.
i think i'm needing new bars. 300km in so far this week, 40% off road and the stock FSA's are too narrow and just not cutting it........now having seen those cowbells, can understand their ergonomics......
gearing wise, unless you want to go mountain biking with it, i'd recommend compact 50/34 with an 11-28 0r 11-30t with a longer rear caged mech. i'd go 11-30t with a long mech personally.
this will get you up all tarmac and all fire-roads.
brakes, the standard fitlyra's are great in all conditions - take quite a while to bed in though, mine are just getting good after about 1800km.
You don't need a longer cage rear mech for 11-30 - I have an Ultegra with 12-30 and it is fine with the short cage 105 mech.
On another bike I have a cassette with 32 and it does need the medium cage mech - and also doesn't seem to run as smooth as the 11-30.
So unless you need the 32 I would stick with 30 as the longer cage will be more vulnerable and run the chain a little closer to the ground/mud.
I run the same - Ultegra 12-32 on the standard 105 rear mech and it copes fine.
I`m still on the std FSA chainset too, but may go compact when the right deal comes up (ultegra or 105)
57cm Tripster on ebay if anyone's interested http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kinesis-Tripster-ATR-Disc-57cm-/291235727059?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item43cf0086d3
Jesus Somafunk, can't imagine how they'll ride but those Jones bars look lovely on your Tripster!
Took my compact off today and went back to 1 x 10, 40 tooth Surly ring and 11-36 at the back. Absolute relief and though I don't understand why faster over the same loops. Supposing it's because of better cadence, not losing momentum on shifting etc,? Certainly notice that I don't tend to shift as much as I did with a front mech.
Think it's time this thread had it's own website!
I wish I hadn't clicked on that eBay link now...
Luckily its too big for me
Not found this yet on the thread, what size disc are people using?
I reckon with a bit of compromise on the groupset and a rebuild on some old hubs I can make this happen ...
EDIT: Just had a thought - DT240 hubs, would they likely take 11 speed (there's a tempting offer on Merlin)? Or stick with 10? Or is that a cog too far and I should just go but the Kinesis CX wheelset from somewhere?
Answered my own question it appears not - specific freehub for 11 speed, so not backward compatible with 10. Might stick with 10 now, don't think I gain much from 11 anyway apart from it being one louder 🙂
160 discs, the rear is a post mount 160 so you cant go smaller.
@TLR:
Thomson post here. I had dreadful slippage as it's a clear mis-match in size. Rather than torquing up the clamp so that it pinches the post only at one point, I used a beer can shim and it fits like a glove. Minimum torque required on the seatpost clamp to keep it nice and secure (even greased up), with minimum stress on teh seat tube.
I used a beer can shim
which beer ?
some more beer can tips here :
http://velonews.competitor.com/2002/12/bikes-and-tech/making-it-work-have-a-beer-fix-your-bike_3288
That's a very good question Turnerguy. I started off with a 440ml can of Becks which worked fine, but on further reflection I decided I wanted a "full sleeve". i.e I wanted all of the insterted post to be fitting nice and snug with the frame along its full length so that there wasn't any undue waggling or stresses. I therefore upgraded to a pint can of Stella which had the height for the job.
It's a wee bit tricky to get the top of the can level with the top of the seat-tube (or a mm above it, which is hidden by the collar), especially when the parts are greased and you've had a few tinnies, but once it's done it's done.
what sort of weight do these come in at in off-road sort of mode ie with chunky tyres?
[i]Not found this yet on the thread, what size disc are people using? [/i]
I'm using 160mm front/rear.
[i]what sort of weight do these come in at in off-road sort of mode ie with chunky tyres? [/i]
Mine is/was 9.1Kg with my 40mm clement tyres, you'd be hard pushed to get the weight much lower but to be honest the weight of it is immaterial compared to how well it rides/glides on and off road.
Just off the phone to middleburn regarding the suitability of fitting the RS8 cranks to my Tripster and they are about to release a super compact double road/cx version 30 tooth inner/40+tooth outer which will be ideal for touring and ideal for my Tripster, so it's now a waiting game till they are released and i can get my bike built back up……I'm not very good at waiting though……..
that seems pretty light - is that with pedals out of interest?
will those clement tyres work tubeless?
cheers
Yeah, pedals included (xtr spds), why would you weigh your bike without them?. I didn't think it was particularly light - is 20lb considered light?.
The clement tyres may work tubeless with a slightly larger rim dia than the Kinesis CX disc V3 rim which i believe is made by WTB to a Kinesis design, the Clement tyres are too baggy/loose on the Kinesis rim.
is 20lb considered light?
i think so - my salsa vaya (steel frame and fork) is 28. 😯
The fat bugger [u]will [/u]be going on a diet though.
28lbs!, are you sure?, my mtb with a dropper post weighs less than 24lbs, at the moment with a carbon fork it weighs 21lbs…………your vaya must be built for [i]comfort[/i] rather than [i]speed[/i] 😉
I think mine got under 18lbs with Ultegra 6700, Spyres, Ritchey WCS carbon contact points, the latest CX Discs, 25c Conti folding tyres, no guards... Back in the real world now with 37mm tyres and SKS Bluemels on, I'm confident it's still a bit under 20lbs with pedals and all the other stuff on it (mirror, bottle cages, garmin mount, pump, seatpack bracket...)
Talking of which - does anyone want a set of [b]SKS Chromoplastic P35 mudguards[/b] in black? They're suitable for up to 28mm tyres and have been cut to fit a 54cm Tripster so would just need a couple of short extending brackets for the rear stays. I've put the Bluemels on now and am happy sticking with the wider tyres so don't need these narrow ones. It could save someone hours of pain and suffering with the measure/fit fun and games you get for free with every pair of SKS guards if they'll be of use. 🙂
Mine was 19lbs dead with the standard kinesis build kit and shimano DH spds....... 8)
It's now got 28c four seasons, and one Spyre SLC on the rear.
Soon to have 50mm wide bluemels and tubus airy Ti rack to cover all eventualities 
Another road sportive for it on Sunday, 110km Tour de Broads will be the furthest I've taken it so far.
I just got the Airy Ti rack
[url= https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5563/14899589979_1b97983d51_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5563/14899589979_1b97983d51_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= https://flic.kr/p/oGCi1p ]DSC03265[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/52769476@N00/ ]South Downs MTB Skills[/url], on Flickr
Looks good !!
Are they small block eights too ?
What are they like on it ?
They seem like a sensible allround choice
So that's three of us on here with the Tubus Airy Ti rack 😀 , the Ortlieb front roller panniers work especially well with the Airy rack btw.
You can use a single rack stay to the threaded mount underneath the top wishbone seat stay if you put a bend in one of the stays and fit it central behind the Tubus name plaque on the rack.
My build kit consisted of the following,
Lynskey Ti seat post, Fzik Kium Aliante saddle.
Kinesis V3 CX wheel set with either Clement X'plor MSO 40mm gravel tyres or Clement Strada LGG 28mm slicks & continental tubes & Pauls 25th yr Anniversary wheel skewers.
Ultegra CX 70 crankset & BB, Ultegra short cage rear mech, Ultegra front mech, Ultegra 11-28 cassette, Sram chain, Ultegra shifters/sti units. XTR spds
Thomson X4 stem, Salsa Woodchipper bars, Lizard skins dsp bar tape.
TRP Carbon Spyre brakes, XT 160mm rotors with alloy spider, Yokozuna reaction brake/gear cable set.
All bolts that possibly could be were replaced for Ti on the bike.
That's all a mute point now after trashing my entire drivetrain, it's currently lying on the chair behind me stripped back to bare frame waiting on middleburn to release their new crankset of which will be included in a new XTR build with the Jones loop bars as previous page, it should be a better set-up for possible touring duties and if i don't like it then it'll do for my Soulcraft build instead.
That Tubus rack does look very neat indeed.
Seeing your build list, somafunk, and not that you need them, but have you spotted on grit.cx the news (and pics) of the Pauls calipers....? 😈
away for a look now…….
…..I'm back
God damn!…..I've just this week bought a set of Spyres to fit an Alloy Tripster that i got for my brother at the weekend, I could have fitted my Spyres and saved myself £130…ho-hum.
Those Paul callipers look pretty nice, and seeing as i plan to fit Paul Love Levers to my Jones bars it would make mechanical sense to use them…( [i]common sense mode engaged[/i] ) but i don't need them really?….do i?….
To take my mind off the Pauls brakes…….
…….Here's a gratuitous shot of my bro's new bike that we collected last Sunday, needless to say i stripped it back to a bare frame, polish and waxed then rebuilt it with a new chain, cassette, hope jockey wheels, my old Ultegra crankset & BB from my Tripster, unused Xona front mech from original Tripster build kit, TRP Spyres/xt rotors and Yokozuma brake/gear cable set and new bar tape/bottle and cage..so i've now got a box full of old spares that may get thrown at a hack frame for winter abuse back and forward to work.
[img] 
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Should do him through the winter, he's never had a road/do it all bike before so he's pretty chuffed with it,
Yes... Sorry about that 🙂 I just felt duty bound, knowing you'd got the levers and QRs... It's only bits of metal...
Anyway - the alloy Tripster looks good. I had one in the blue and liked it a lot. It did me proud and paved the way for the ti one. It's a different geometry to the ATR of course, but still works very well.
Gonetothehills, I'd be interested in the mudguards,I'm having a 54cm built up atm & will be running 28mm tyres to get me started.How much do you want for them?
Phew!….. I had a closer look on Pauls Facebook page and i see the calliper has one moving piston and one fixed so i can rule them out 🙁 .
I meant to add i've also managed to buy a set of the [url= https://www.ridepdw.com/goods/fenders/full-metal-fenders-city ]full metal city fenders from PDW, [/url] from a rough offer-up fit with wheels in the frame it seems they will clear the 40mm MSO tyres so i'm happy with that purchase, and they do look pretty damn good, or at least as good as mudguards can ever look.
Did i just say [i]Mudguards look good[/i]?…..should i start to browse the sunday supplements for slippers and bogof deals on grey elastic waisted slacks?.
Overthehill50 - great stuff! Not much at all. Drop me a line - I'm sure we can sort something.
Somafunk - that's crazy (the calipers, not the pipe and slippers). The BB5 is so flawed in that sense so to use that as a model seems strange. The Spyres are the business. I really like the look of the carbon guards that the guys at Swarf were showing and the matte ano finish on those PDW ones looks grand too. How long to wait for your cranks before the rebuild...?
gonetothehills - I've sent an email to your gmail so hopefully you get it & then let me know details for paying for the mudguards. Just need the bike to fit them to now !
@cr500dom - no they're not small block 8's, they are Conti CX kings in 42mm width. Reasonably fast on the road, but a decent volume for off road, which is the bulk of my miles.
@somafunk - my lbs is getting some ortleib bags in soon, so I'm waiting to see what they are like.
I'm ordering the Exposure lights Revo next week for it
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I know it looks funny but flawless round Stanmer on 1 x 10 and still no chain drop!
[url= https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3838/15157639155_29fda9869b_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3838/15157639155_29fda9869b_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/p6qS38 ]20140906_111256[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/36574813@N06/ ]Birdage[/url], on Flickr
cut some pepsi max can 1" x 2.5" and fitted in the seat tube.
seems solid and reluctant to slip, time will tell...
I knew there was something that looked wrong about that bike, and now I see it. Toe clips!
Toe clips on a Tripster?, dunno if I should be disappointed or rejoicing in the owners eccentricity .... I'm confused ?
[url= http://www.kinesisbikes.co.uk/atr-love/ ]hands up who got their quote linked!![/url]
Me!!
hands up who got their quote linked!!Me!!
corporate shill.
hands up who got their quote linked!!
Quoted [b]and[/b] used my pic of Maureen the cow! *swoon*
Yeah I know, I'm confused. Tried clipless but I've got cartilage and cruciate damage and clipless just aggravates it. Works for me.
Slightly OT but I notice several people on this thread are using the kinesis crosslight wheelset. I’ve been looking for a set (the new ones) but everywhere seems to have sold out. Anyone care to divulge any shops that still have stock (preferably of the bargaintastic variety)?
Pulled the trigger on the frame .. now for the groupset & wheels 😀
Frame on order now planning rest of build. Having seen Somafunk disaster I am looking at clutch mech setup. Already have a set of Ultegra STOI levers but wondering if I could mix this up a bit. Would Ultegra 6800 STI levers (10 speed) work with XTR cranks mech and sprocket (10speed)?
Christian Fairclough on a shoot for Morvelo, now is that a Tripster?
You'd need a 9 speed mtb mech with 10 speed STIs. Got that set-up with road cranks.
Slightly OT but I notice several people on this thread are using the kinesis crosslight wheelset. I’ve been looking for a set (the new ones) but everywhere seems to have sold out. Anyone care to divulge any shops that still have stock (preferably of the bargaintastic variety)?
Struggling to find any too. At the moment (as I'm hoping to have duplicate hubs in two wheelsets, one for all road one light and delicate for road) I'm looking at Superstar, as they do some cheapish builds around their Tesla hubs, including a cx set on Alex rims for around £250. Hope Hoops probably another option. I have some DT240 hubs I could get rebuilt, but might get pricy when I want the second wheelset.
Maybe be ordering the group from Germany, as no one seems to have stock of a matching set in 105 (or lower).
Hopefully taking the Tripster on a cargo ship across the Caspian sea to Kazakhstan tonight. The bike still amazes me: so fast and comfortable!
My modifications for central Asia and China have not gone well though. Best wide touring tyres I could find in Tbilisi or Baku were 28mm Four Seasons! Just 3mm wider than my Gaterskin, every little helps right? I also have to stick with 11:25 cassette with 30:39:50 on front, no 28 or 32 in 10 speed so the Himalayas will be interesting! However I have cut about 1.5kg of kit: http://welovemountains.net/faster-and-lighter-kit-list-for-central-asia/
Here's a couple pics one before and one after my changes in Tbilisi.
[img] http://i2.wp.com/welovemountains.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/20140905073452_IMG_8754.jp g" target="_blank">
http://i2.wp.com/welovemountains.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/20140905073452_IMG_8754.jp g"/> [/img]
I would get the normal switch hubs instead of the tesla as they are really the more bullet proof novatechs. And I assume that you are a dab hand at trimming up wheels as SS wheels haven't got a great rep for build quality.
I was thinking of trying this guy once :
his builds are cheaper on his web site :
http://www.spokesmanwheels.co.uk/7.html
and he uses the novatech hubs.
there's something about being away shortly though.
Nice one, checking out his stock list. Was slightly wary of the SS for that very reason. Not sure it's worth saving £50 for over the Iron Cross set on your link.
Trouble with the Iron Cross is if you want to use them for road tyres as well, as I think they have a max pressure limitation. 45 without tubes but still less than road psis with a tube. But they have better bead locks than the Alphas.
I think the Velocity A23s go tubeless well, or a version of them can, might be worth looking at.
I have Iron Crosses on Hope Pro2 Evos myself, with Maxxis Raze. I will probably get my Hope Pro 3s built onto Alphas or Velocity A23s for road use.
Yup, the iron cross would be the posh off road wheels. Though I'm not convinced I need anything posh offroad, matching the hubs to make a wheel swap straightforward and light road wheels are the priority. Have the luxury of a bit of time to think about.
The HPlus sons Archetype rim is a better bet than the Velocity and much nicer finished, similar weight and price. What about Evo2/Stans Crest? For a 380grm rim they are tough, I've used them on my 29er for years and they are still true (with big fat tyres admittedly).
[url= http://www.justridingalong.com/parts/wheel-parts/rims/velocity-a23-tubeless-ready-rim.html ]JRA on vleocity here[/url]
JRA quote the Crests as being lighter than the Grails and the Iron Cross. Where is the benefit in a CX rim which adds the extra weight over the crest?
Designed for different tyres - crests can be a pain to get certain cx tyres on.
The old ZTR355 rims were pretty good for CX I understand the bead locks are much more secure than the Alphas - if you ever see a 2nd hand 29er set.
[url= http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/stans-iron-cross-vs-crests-on-pro-2-evo-noticeable-difference ]STW on Crests vs IronCross[/url]
My tripster build has so many options it's a tough one to decide.
Evo2 is settled anyhow. Crests may be a bit wide but they are merely 1mm wider than Velocity (from memory). After this Fridays trip around the Brecons then I could try mounting a CX raze and a 25c gp4000 on the crest. But otherwise the IronCross gets it, its the same weight as Crest. And I love my Crests 🙂
I reckon a Raze might go on a crest OK as they are not supertight on the iron cross, but I do remember seeing a post where someone had an issue - burping maybe ?
Hey well I've only gone and joined the club 😆
My new toy arrived the other day from freeborn and is a standard build kit.
Just got a few questions having been out for a couple of rides.
I definately need some extra gearing so I'm thinking first of all to go for an ultegra 12-30 cassette, just wondered those that have done it did you have to alter the chain length? I've never replaced a cassette before but it seems fairly straightforward any pearls of wisdom or do's or don'ts?
I'm thinking of going to a dyno light like the one hummerlicious has bought, the Revo, just wondered what hub wheel he's got and what sort of price i should be looking at. I think the current wheels are pretty awesome though so still unsure??
How are people getting on with the different bar set-ups, I'm thinking of going for either the cowbells or woodchippers, any other suggestions?
I'll get a couple of pics up when I get a chance.
Cheers from one very happy tripster owner
Liam
Liam, I'm led to believe the short 105 mech will work with a 30t cassette. You might have to add some b screw to move top jockey away a wee bit.
I'd consider a compact chainset too, unless you're training gor the pro peleton... Without a low gear, off-roading is brutal. On road, my 34/28 granny gets me up everything, but is tough off-road on rocks....
I'm also after some cowbells methinks....what other choics are there ?
TLR - that's helpful advice on the mech and 30T cassette. My drivetrain's due for a renewal and was pondering going to 30T on the back (it's a 6700 34/50 on the front). Same as you - I can haul my sorry ass up most stuff on road with 34/28 but do fancy a little bit more if it's not going to be a pain to live with. If a 30T 10spd will go on the back with a short cage Ultegra mech then I might just give it a try.
You've got me looking at those bars now too... [url= http://www.charliethebikemonger.com/handle-bars-219-c.asp ]Charlie TBM[/url] has a few to choose from.
Talking of whom, that [url= http://shoestring-racing.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/dorset-gravel-dash-100-this-is-not-race.html ]gravel ride[/url] of his in my old back yard looked great fun. Might have to put it on the 'to do' list for next year.
Liam, I'm led to believe the short 105 mech will work with a 30t cassette. You might have to add some b screw to move top jockey away a wee bit.
got that combo here and it works fine - with a 46/34 on the front (changed the inner ring). Runs smoother than my medium cage 105 with an sram cassette with 32 on.
Don't think I even moved the b screw, but can't remember. Can take a photo if you want it.
@liam007 I've got the Exposure front hub, well when it arrives anyway, I'm waiting! Hopefully today.....
I got a pair of the Stan's Grail rims yesterday, just gotta sort out a rear hub, probably Hope.
There was a good deal on pro2 hubs a few days ago
http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/psa-hope-pro-2-evo-rear-hub-72
I'm thinking of going to a dyno light like the one hummerlicious has bought, the Revo, just wondered what hub wheel he's got and what sort of price i should be looking at.
i'm just about to order the [url= http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/schmidt-son-28-6-bolt-disc-dynamo-front-hub-black-prod27089/ ]son 28 dynamo hub[/url] and a [url= http://www.sinewavecycles.com/collections/all/products/sinewave-cycles-reactor ]sinewave usb headset charging plug[/url], i've still to decide on suitable rim and light.
my b+M iq cyo is a fantastic dyno light on the road. the beam is shaped like a cars headlight so it doesn't blind oncoming traffic; but lights up unlit country lanes. It's not quite bright enough for off road; i use a second light on the bars if it's needed.
[url= http://supernova-lights.com/en/products/the_plug.html ]Supernova plug[/url] is another option
Firstly - thanks everyone for a brilliant thread. I'm considering cycling the Great Divide Route from Canada to New Mexico on a Tripster ATR and would be interested to hear your opinions on whether the Tripster would be the bike to use (or not). I'm cycling with an good friend who has completed most of the route on a Cove Hummer and he's of the opinion that I'd be better off with front suspension. My hearts set on a Tripster though!
^^ Don't a lot of people do it with a rigid front mtb? Search for jameso on this forum as he did a good write up a long time ago when he rode the great divide (and almost won iirc) on a rigid Jones. You may even be able to stalk him from the Pinnacle Arkose thread which is ongoing at the moment.
I seem to recall someone (maybe James?) saying that he wouldn't dream of doing it on a cross bike as it would be so tiring on the washboard sections.
Have you Tripster peeps seen the [url= http://singletrackmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/interbike-2014-ashimas-new-cable-hydro-caliper/ ]Ashima Hydro Caliper[/url] , i have a new need to pair these with a set of Pauls brake levers
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Whilst TRP Spyres appear to be the defacto brakes for our beloved ATRs has anyone looked at shimano's R685 hydraulic shifter/calipers setup?