You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
artemha :
Dia 1 : 35mm
Dia 2 : 40mm
Dia 3 : 19mm tapering to 15.5mm nr rear disc mount
Axle to crown : about 402mm
MussEd : We're not a cult….but you will need to drink the Kool-Aid to join us 😀
Easily longer than 5 minutes to install PDW mudguards, I have them on my Tripster and I reckon I'm competent with tools. Yes, they're easier than SKS Chromoplastics as the stays are telescopic so there's no trimming, but 5 minutes?
No. Absolutely not.
After the initial install it's easily done minutes. How long can it take to remove 7 Allen bolts?? Anyway mines not on a tripster as I said many tripster owners are a bit crap at general spannering 😉
It's to be dry all week so i removed my pdw guards,
[img] 
[/img]
I'm enjoying this game, I'll time myself when it comes to refitting them.
😉
Same issues with the kinesis wheels for me. Nipples seized and a spoke broke when the shop were truing them.
I've ordered some Hope Alpha wheels for the road and I'll use the kinesis ones off road until they fail.
Wow.. seems like quite a lot of nipple problems.
Ive got 2 sets of kinesis wheels.. Is it worth replaceming the nipples before they seize? Any recommendations for nipples?
Any recommendations for nipples?
Must resist.... 😆
Has anyone managed to fit full-length mudguards and an 11-speed Shimano groupset (e.g., 5800) to a Tripster ATR?
Here's my Tripster with 5800 mech, 42mm SKS guards fitted over 32mm tyres. Loads of clearance
[img] 
[/img]
Matts.. Im suprised they havent set your thumb in the cast to stop any movement.Its a **** of a bone to break... hope it heals fast (its got a very bad blood supply) and you get back riding before christmas
Thanks. Luckily it's a non-displaced fracture across the corner of the metacarpel end. Should only be in cast for 6/7 weeks.
Still bloody painful thought. 🙁
Can someone tell me the stand over height on a 57cm? I think I am between sizes
@splorer - They do a 55.5cm now - http://shop.upgradebikes.co.uk/Catalogue/Frames/Kinesis/Kinesis-Tripster-ATR
Here's my Tripster with 5800 mech, 42mm SKS guards fitted over 32mm tyres. Loads of clearance
Perfect, thanks! This sets my mind at ease 🙂
On the topic of sizes, I'm also between a 55.5cm and a 57cm frame – can anyone comment on how the sizing compares with other road bikes?
I'm 182cm, so the size chart says a 57cm would be best for me. But the 57cm road bike I do have is too big, and in my experience 56cm is better for me.
So should I just go with a 55.5cm frame and ignore the sizing chart, or does the Tripster have a funny geometry that means I should size up?
I reckon 55.5 to get the standover - I think the sizing chart is more like road sizing and doesn't account for the standover for offroad.
for instance, the bike was supposed to be designed for a shorter stem, I think 70mm was mentioned on the video interview. That's probably right as the bike is slack and the steering is a bit slower than normal with a long stem.
But I wouldn't want any less standover on my 54 and I have a 100mm stem. (I do have an inline seatpost though).
So look at the standover heights - and consider that the standover will be a fraction less if you put on fat 40c tires.
Question for somafunk-
about fitting your plug to carbon forks. I'd like to know more...
Considering this myself, noticed your email is in your profile so will drop you a line as not sure how often you checj in in this thread (although most tripster owners do seem to be fairly evangelical/keen so maybe this post is enough 😉
Zakalwe I ride a 57cm road bike but sized down to 55.5 on the Trippy and it's spot on.
I reckon 55.5 to get the standover - I think the sizing chart is more like road sizing and doesn't account for the standover for offroad.
Zakalwe I ride a 57cm road bike but sized down to 55.5 on the Trippy and it's spot on.
Thanks – 55.5cm seems like the way to go, then 🙂 How tall are you [b]curto80[/b], out of interest?
I have just been informed by the very skilled guys at my LBS during a routine service that my Tripster's headtube is slightly ovalised (ie the forks move in the tube despite a lot of grease). I'm obviously devastated, as even though it's still under warranty, we've been through a lot together! Any words of wisdom before I get on the phone to kinesis in a very grumpy way? Anyone else had this? Mine started with a clicking from the headset when hitting any rough ground, sprinting out the saddle or going over speed bumps... 🙁 🙁
Thanks!
Arent ovalized headtubes usually caused by a crash or loose headset?
Not saying that this is whats happened but what did the LBS say?
acfl - when you phone be nice to them. Upgrade are a top bunch and all ride themselves so will understand your frustration.
I've just put a Dynamo front hub on mine. Orderer XT 1x11 as well :O)
I too have just built up a dynamo wheel - stock kinesis CX rim, SP-pd8 (exposure branded) 28 hole hub.
All build up with help from my workshop assistant...!
[img] 
[/img]
I've now 3 front wheels, 2 rear!
DrP
LOL - same hub but in "sensible" 32h flavour.
Teamed up with Revo head unit.
Might pop over to Firle tonight for a test run.
I wanted to stick with the stock rims...hence 28h..
I'm fairly lightweight, and even when I broke 2 spokes in the surrey hills I survived on just 26! (I think I'm not dead...)
DrP
Ovalised headtubes happen due to heat-distortion during fabrication - normal riding wouldn't generate the kind of forces needed to distort the metal.
Cloudnine - that's what I thought, but the LBS said that it was too soon to have been that as I've only done 1000 miles and it was perfectly assembled originally, etc.
Timbur - don't worry I was going to be nice, it's not the fault of the guy on the end of the phone after all! (I meant upset grumpy not angry grumpy!)
DrP - was thinking of building that exact wheel up myself! How is it running for you (or have you not had a chance to try it yet!?) would be interested to know as I am currently hotly debating it with a friend for our next tour! 🙂
Anyone using Reynolds Assault Discs yet?
DrP - was thinking of building that exact wheel up myself! How is it running for you (or have you not had a chance to try it yet!?) would be interested to know as I am currently hotly debating it with a friend for our next tour!
I took it out for about 50 miles on saturday - mostly off road on teh south downs...
It's a wheel, it goes round, it stayed true - i.e it did it's job!
You can feel the 'notchyness' of the wheel when hand spinning it, but not really noticeable in use.
I've no concerns.
DrP
bb - Rory at upgrade is running a pair on his pimped out Tripster. I know he's got a load of miles on it already. Call Upgrade to chat to him. Check the outlet as well as they had a pair in there IIRC.
Thanks to this thread I now own a 54cm Tripster with Ultegra and Shimano hydro brakes. The build is under 9kg including pedals and road wheels. 😯
Any recommendations for mudguards? I've seen a few people suggest SKS Chromaplastic but the set on my last bike broke quite quickly.
Asking for the impossible (in order of preference) are there any which are:
- Easy to pop on and off depending on the weather?
- Easy to install?
- Indestructible?
- Low weight?
See a few pages back for the PDW full metal speed change discussion.
Maybe not the lightest but definately the smartest most solid guards
What weight are your builds coming in at?
I have something similar to this but a burls ti, but with guards, dyno wheel etc it weighs about 14kg, the builds here seem much lighter and I am wondering what I am doing wrong
cheers
You need some of the stand magic scales
My tripster weighs in at 22.8 lbs or 10.35 KG, that's with a son dynamo and lights, the pdw guards weigh in at 1.1 lbs or 500 ish grams so with those fitted it's 24lbs/11kg give or take a gram :wink:.
All XTR shifting/gears/middleburn crankset/praxxis cassette,jones ti loop bars,ti seat post/charge spoon saddle/ti stem/all bolts on bike are ti, spyre slc brakes with paul love levers, king R45 rear hub, Son dynamo front hub built onto Velocity Aileron rims/on-one gravel tyres (tubeless),edelux front dynamo light/son rear, xtr trail pedals.
Not especially light but it's bombproof and ultra reliable.
I could prob drop a pointless 200 grams by fitting the carbon jones bar but that's going onto my Cove hummer when i can be arsed fiddling with gear cable/brake hoses.
(ps the scales at work are calibrated 😉 )
Are the 45mm PDWs the flavour du jour? I assume cross tyres and mudguards won't play well as soon you go off road, but the 30mm only seem to be for 23mm tyres.. been a long time since I've used them.
Tim, I've got a spare, funny shaped chainring in 32 flavour if you want to try it out? Presuming it works with 11 speed.
cheers Soma I am going to get the weights for all my kit
cloudnine: thank you! Unfortunately the PDW guards have gone up from £40/set to £75/set as presumably everyone is now thinking about mudguards! At that price I'll suffer a wet behind and wait and see if they go back down a bit.
velosam: the tripster frame weight 1.5kg - how much dos your Burls frame weigh?
There is a 700g difference between 105 and Ultegra. Muguards weigh up to half a kilo. Dyno hubs are at least 300g heavier than standard hubs. Cheap SPD pedals are 250g heavier than XTR ones. Doesn't take much to add on a few kg.
I'm down 20kg since I started cycling so the difference between 9kg and 14kg is pretty minor in the grand scheme of things. I go up Box Hill without using the bottom three gears now - when I started last year I had to walk up anything bigger than an anthill 😀
My new way to feel like a beginner is to take my Tripster off-road. Last weekend I slid gently into a wall thanks to some muddy cobbles. I have SPD's fitted and I start to panic when I hit mud because I know I'm going to fall off while clipped in. Any tips on how to deal with that?
http://outlet.upgradebikes.co.uk/Outlet/Frames/Kinesis/Tripster/Kinesis-Tripster-ATR-Ti
54cm in the outlet. Needs fork and headset mind.
Not posted on here for a while, but finally made a few tweaks to my standard build Tripster for my latest trip through central Asia. Used MTB triple, Conti touring plus tyres and disturbingly I returned to the early 90s and ran toe clips!
[url= http://welovemountains.net/my-kinesis-tripster-atr-setup-in-the-pamirs/ ]Tripster Set up in Pamirs[/url]
[img] 
?resize=840%2C340[/img]
Here's my Tripster with 5800 mech, 42mm SKS guards fitted over 32mm tyres. Loads of clearance
Here is what 6800 looks like with 45mm PDW guards fitted over 25mm tyres.
[img] 
[/img]
Required an extra spacer at the chainstay bridge to stop it interfering but as you can see it fits fine now.
eshoote, interesting write up, I enjoyed that, thanks.
I really enjoyed reading your cycling east blog and must admit it played a big part in my decision to get an ATR.
I did a mini tour in the summer in the South Eastern Swiss Alps with bike packs. Found a compact with 11-32 okay, but I should imagine if it was more off road then something lower geared would be better.
You should try some Shimano ST-R685 (although not sure how that would work with triples). Massive difference to mechanicals.
Looking forward to reading the latest adventures.
I'm looking to sell my 54cm tripster, used for one winter (approx 2500miles)
frame set or full build - rs685,6800 groupset, pdw, etc. I'll post an ad in the classifieds soon but if anybody is interested drop me an email
So I have been riding my Tripster which I bought after testing it for GRIT.CX for well over a year now and am still loving it. I went for a short spin yesterday which translated into a five and a half hour ride, much of it off road, and couldn't help but smile the whole time. The rain was lashing down at times and I managed to find one section of track where the mud was nearly headset deep. The brake pads failed simultaneously just as I pulled up at my LBS (hurrah!) but it was closed (boo!) Fortunately, I had a spare set on my bag so was able to get home safely. 😀
The ride got me wondering what folk are using other than full length mudguards? I have a Crud Catcher on the front turned the wrong way round which works brilliantly but want to get a bit more coverage than from my Ass Saver as my rear light was filthy. So what are folk using or are do you just "Jenn the f### up"? 😀
Pdw full metal guards.. Look back a few pages
Sanny - Zefal Swan front and rear set would work for you - loads of clearance. I have them on CDF most of the time
Shimano Hydro RS685 levers and brakeson sale at merlin for £249 if anyone is interested..
I ordered the RS685 kit from Merlin today, that is a steal, saw it posted on BikeRadar. Hopefully it's a fairly straight forward install with no hose cutting/alterations needed.
Shimano 685s very cheap here :
£142 a pair...
I've now ordered from mantel too.. Will be sending back the merlin order if they are right..
Well that mantel page has gone! Let's see if they honour my order
I managed to order the Mantel ones, so I have two sets coming to me, the ones from Merlin will have to go back.
Mantel order has arrived and it is the full kit consisting of right/left levers and both callipers.
I had kind of hoped the kit would come partially assembled, but it's just the component parts so you have to do all the hose work yourself including fill with oil.
What's the best how-to guide or video to do this?
Does anyone know if you can use a seatpost shim with the Tripster?
I'd be looking to fit a 27.2mm seatpost.
Does anyone know if you can use a seatpost shim with the Tripster?I'd be looking to fit a 27.2mm seatpost.
yes - I am now using the "USE SX Seat Post Shim 31.8" that I got from Wiggle. I use it with a USE ti seatpost.
The Kinesis site says the tripster has a 31.6 seatpost but unless they have recently changed it it is actually slightly larger and several people early on this thread were having to shim it.
I originally had a USE 31.6 shim but had to do the seat clamp up very tight and eventually rounded the bolt which is not very strong, and then had to cut it off with a dremel.
There is also a cane creek shim of that size available and I bought one on a recommendation from here, but it seems a very tight fit in the frame and I took it out for fear it might get stuck.
The use is a perfect fit for my tripster.
I have a USE SX Seat Post Shim 31.6 - fits fine so maybe they've changed something this year.
Thought I'd come back to update on the Shimano hydraulic upgrade. I was about to start it when I needed to speak to my mate who works in a bike shop, he just said "don't be soft, bring it in and we'll sort it". Which he did in no time at all, would have taken me hours (though that would be down to under an hour once you've done it a few times, maybe).
These are a revelation compared to the Spyres (and the Spyres aren't bad). Less pressure needed on the levers, no noise, stop on a sixpence with no drama, they are amazing. I also sold the Spyres and Shimano 105 levers (original equipment on my Tripster) to a member of staff in the shop, so altogether the hydro upgrade cost me about £50! Kind of wish I'd done it earlier, at least I saved a lot of cash 🙂
Just cos I have nothing else to do with this pic. Here's my Tripster the weekend before last in the New Forest 🙂
SKS mudguards, with a bit of bending and drilling, fit nicely.
I shall follow cloudnine's video and see if I can get a good bleed (although it's not crucial as you never need anywhere near full power of these brakes)
Such a great bike.
[img] 
[/img]
Not a ATR, but it's sister(?) same make, Ti but just a little bit more road!
[img] 
?oh=8634fb45090c68cd8e7707ce9f8c70e7&oe=57168C1C[/img]
[img] 
?oh=2fca3fb2b32bff1dd2dab9a8bbc2fd4f&oe=570C9B7F[/img]
What forks would any of you tipster owners recommend? I've got some kinesis cxds at the moment but they seem very harsh. Something with a bit of give seems a good idea.
I've heard good things about these forks:
https://www.trpbrakes.com/category.php?productid=1251&catid=206
I'd recommend [url= http://shop.upgradebikes.co.uk/Catalogue/Forks/Kinesis/Kinesis-Tripster-Disc ]these[/url] 🙂
OK - long overdue update on mine...
Following a very enjoyable five day lanes / gravel / cycle path tour to Snowdonia and back towards the end of the summer, I was off the bike for a couple of months through injury and am now really only just getting back into the swing of it. The injury has forced my hand in making a decision on running alt bars on it - Somafunk (and others') inspiration and advice got me curious and finally tipped me over the edge - thank you! I never really used the drops an awful lot but, until now, couldn't really justify the investment as it was fine as it was, but hey - any excuse...
Here's a pic of it during my Welsh holiday, loaded up with Alpkit Koala, a small frame bag and Topeak bar bag:
[img] 
[/img]
Since then, I've fitted some PDW guards for it (highly recommended; just don't forget you need the longer rear stay). I'd never had any particular issues with SKS ones having run them for years, other than fitting the little blighters, but these just seem sturdier, quieter and well, nicer. The big cassette from the tour has stayed on, but of course the change to flat bars necessitated new brakes and shifters (though again, I could have just found some flat bar levers and kept the excellent Spyres on...) so the 9spd rear mech required to work with 10spd road STIs is in the parts bin and a new 10spd MTB mech in its place. The 32mm Schwalbe Durano winter tyres are also fitted now (28mm versions through the 'summer' apart from 37mm Contis for the tour). Other kit is as was - Ultegra compact on the front, 11-36 out back, carbon Ritchey post, Spesh saddle, latest spec Kinesis wheels which have been flawless, fancy dan Time carbon-Ti pedals, trusty Hope BB and QRs, TRP rotors... think that's about it.
The new bars are 660mm wide Titec J-bars; so pretty similar to a Cut Jones H-Bar shape, but with more limited space after the weld. I'm glad I went for i-Spec shifters / brakes as I struggled to place them on the extensions where everything was in the right area, so have put them below the weld and gone for a Spesh half lockon Ergon stylee grip that extends about 1cm beyond the end of the bar, hence being glad about the minimal clamp footprint. Looking at pics of the Jones', I think I'll probably swap these out for them if they feel like they're working as I'd like a bit more space on the lower part of the bar. Initial impression after about 50 miles is I'm pretty pleased. The Tripster's always felt like you're riding in a commanding position anyway; this is moreso.
[img] 
[/img]
Apologies for all the paraphernalia on the bike in the pic... I liked my diddy Zefal mirror but can't seem to accommodate that - it's been getting in the way of the extended hand position - so that's being retired for now - the lights were necessary, the front hose will get chopped soon...
I'm caught in two minds about the bars. I do like the way they feel, but I'm still not sure about the aesthetics of it all #biketart. The Tripster is a wonderfully functional, capable and assured bike - that's only some of it's great charm and appeal in so much as it just works, almost whatever you want to do with it. In almost 8,000 miles, mine's run in loads of guises - 42mm wide knobblies along bridlepaths, to ragging about on 25mm slicks, to all-weather, year round super-commuter, to the aforementioned multi-day tours with frame, seat and bar bags, and now the current setup - all of it very competently.
Needs must at the moment, so I'll see how this version goes, but rest assured - I still love it to bits 🙂
I've just ordered a frameset, now to order groupset... anyone successfully fitted di2 internally?
Welllll I was just having my monthly browse for ATR frames dreaming as I do and Merlin had an extra 10% off so I ended up ordering one and now I'm out of my misery.
monkeycowboy
I've just ordered a frameset, now to order groupset... anyone successfully fitted di2 internally?Yes been running mine for just under a year drilled a hole on right side of down tube, 1 on seat tube then opened up the breather hole on the drop out. It's nice and tidy 5000 miles on and off road later still going strong. Does void the warranty though. Pictures on page 37/38
Dc
Still tinkering with my setup and as I'm sticking (for now...) with mtb gear shifters, I'm wondering what people have done about front mechs? As far as I can see, the shimano mtb 10 spd ones have a limit on the front chainring - and I'm keen to keep my ultegra 50/34 on there. Any advice appreciated please!
What's the widest tyre the Tripster fork can take with and without mudguards?
I think someone here has tried 40mm tires under PDW guards.
Mine are 35mm and as you can see there's quite a lot of space left - this is the back, but clearance under the fork is similar:
[img] [/img]<
Any thoughts on how much difference a good set of tires makes?
At the moment I'm running some (very) cheap 35mm Schwalbe tires, with heavy sealant-filled inner tubes and I'm not terribly comfortable off-road. Other contributing factors might be narrow bars, clip-less pedals, and my relative lack of off-road experience.
Would I notice a lot of difference by swapping to 36mm tubeless Clement X'Plors? It's a fairly pricey change but I'd be happy to do it if it is worthwhile.
Apparently those on-one tyres are pretty good.
I have 40mm wtb nanos and they are excellent and much more confidence inspiring than the 33c tyres I was using before.
Another help for off road is flared bars like the salsa cowbells, instead of tucking your elbows in they encourage them to take a more stable position in line with the flare of the bars.
My Hunt 4Seasons Disc wheels and tubeless tyres are due for delivery on Monday! Hoping to shave almost half a kilo of weight compared to the current set up.
HELP PLEASE! SEAT CLAMP ISSUES...
Hi! I'm new to the forum, but have been enjoying my Tripster on and off road for about a year. I've gone and rounded out the seat clamp bolt. Does anyone have any recommendations for alternative seat clamps? Very many thanks in advance
The bolt head for the original seat clamp was made of soft cheese and rounded out/splayed out very easy so don't be too hard on yourself, I have a very high quality Ti bolt in my box o' bolts that will fit and i can guarantee you will zero chance of ever rounding this one out.
My email address is in my profile so drop me a mail with your address and i'll get it in the post to you t'morn.
Somafunk, that's fantastic! Very many thanks. E-mail to follow.
ATRthanks, I have the first every pair of Mason X Hunt 4 seasons wheels on my Tripster ATR you won't be disappointed. Im justing converting mine to 12mm thru axle to fit my new ENVE cross disc fork.
ATRthanks - re tyres, off-road I use 42mm Continental Crossrides, which I'm really pleased with. I find them much more predictable than the CX tyres I had on previously. At about 420g they're pretty light for a tyre of that size too (and that includes a puncture resistant layer/make up).
Chucking this in here, as seems relevant. My Tripster is for sale, std build kit + cx70 chainset and Ultegra shifters. Used about 10 times, the chainset twice. Must be collected from EN4 £1500 no offers. Oh, size 57cm
Hi
Can you send me a few pictures of your tripster please tsmado?
Also I am just over 6 foot tall normal ride a 58 so I am guessing 57 will be fine?
Jeremy at wheelgates dot com
Thanks
Ah Tripster thread my old friend.
Just about to head out on mine. 2 years later and 3 different builds it's still making fun...