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Brassneck - no chance, taking a ferry across, saw the bridges on way to Uzbekistan embassy looked scary!
None of my taxis had seatbelts in the back. Apparently you're safe there.
Yet still we were examined for car bombs every time in to the hotel... keep on rolling, keep the pictures coming, good stuff - you're out of my comfort zone now till you hit Mumbai (can't remember how far you're planning to go!)
Reckon I could build, reusing some nice hubs and bits, a really good 'un for £2K, but I'm supposed to be ripping out a kitchen and fitting a new one - getting distracted during the middle phase might lower my life expectancy somewhat. More so than anyone discovering a shiny Ti frame in the garage (she bought me a Ti wedding ring, not going to be able to bluff that one out).
fatbirds have the frame/fork in stock (54) but no full builds !!!
My frame has landed. 8)
CG.. Christmas arrived early. Was one of your dropouts poking out the box on arrival? Think I posted some good details about cutting steerers if you need some pointers
cloudnine - thanks but it's actually with the lbs. You don't think I can build bikes do you??? 😉
It didnt actually go that well.. 😆
http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/arrrrrrgh-ive-cut-my-steerer-too-short-help-please
But was fixed in the end.
OK Tripster experts... I've had SKS Chromoplastic guards on mine since the start - the P35 ones for the narrow tyres (20 - 28). I ran them most of the time with 28mm Conti Gatorskin or GP4 Seasons with more than satisfactory clearance.
They're off at the moment as I'm flirting with fatter tyres - the 40c Land Cruisers mightn't fit so well with the guards on...
I think I'm going to go for a set of folding Conti SpeedRide tyres in 700 x 42 as a more permanent option. They're a lot lighter and suspect they're faster rolling though a bit less of a tread pattern.
Knowing (and reading) that Conti tyres tend to come up a little narrow, what's the chances of the P45 or even the P50 width guards working? The P45 is supposed to take a 35-38mm tyre and I've read that the SpeedRides come up nearer a 37 than a 42. I guess I just don't want some huge great mudguard on the bike if I don't need it!
Thanks in advance 🙂
EDIT: Just seen the SKS Longboards and might jump on them - again available in a P45 fit. Anyone tried them? Based on the Chromoplastic, but erm, longer, I think.
regarding the SKS, what size is needed to run the WTB Crosswolfs in 32c variety [as supplied] ?
i'm running the SKS 35mm chromoplastics with my gravelking 28c's but even that's tight.
Yeah I could do with knowing which guards to fit too ?
I'd like them to cover the 35/40mm all road type tyres but not look too silly over 28c 4 seasons too ? 🙄
Moon on a stick time again !!
Well... SKS Chromoplastics fit fine - with the usual jiggers pokerey, and then some because of the disc mounts, but your spares box of random spacers and bits of bent metal will *finally* come in handy. I ran the P35 width with 25 and 28mm tyres and they looked perfectly nice. I've just taken a punt on a new setup though - only when the postie arrives will I know if I've screwed up...
Continental SpeedRide in 42mm width, that I believe is more like a 38/39mm. If so, then the P45 SKS Bluemels guards I've ordered on the Halfords 20% deal (and I hope they're ok, as the description, price and picture matched, but not the actual product name) should just about take them. I fancied something longer than the Chromoplastics but the Longboards may have been a bit much, but probably not. I'll report back midweek when they arrive (and I send them back...!)
What I hope is I get a super cool new setup and marry fast rolling, light weight and year-round setup. I hope!
i reckon the P45's are needed for the 32c crosswolfs.
this thread is grinding to a halt and there haven't been any pictures posted for a while now...
I have the SKS 45mm section Chromoplastics and they fit very snug over a 35mm Clement X'PLOR USH tyre, and fit perfect over a 28mm roadie tyre, for basic rain duties they are fine but on mud with a larger tyre they can clog up a fair bit and grind.
I'm going to try a set of the 50mm SKS mudguards so when i fit them i'll post a pic of what clearances i have with a 40mm tyre.
Would this be a good bike for the [url=
Race[/url] ?
When using 35mm tyres what pressures are people using for a mix of tarmac and smooth trails?
TurnerGuy - here you go: Friday night's foray before the weekend's weather turned pants...
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Predominantly road riding but some great hardpack/stone alongside a stream to get up to Lyme Park.
19 pages on and my resistance to buying one of these has gone... 🙂
Sorry to ask about sizing again- have read through the thread and more confused!
I'm a smidge over 5'11" (32" inside leg), which has me squarely on a 57 according to the sizing chart but wondering if I wouldn't be better off on a 54cm. Currently riding a medium Yeti ASR 5c which fits nicely. Road bike wise, most recently had a 56cm Cannondale which felt a little stretched if anything and certainly think I'd have found it cumbersome off road.
I see there's people of my height on this thread who've gone for 54cm and others gone for 57cm - what nudged you one way or the other?
brassneck - Member
Thanks TLR, may be back for advice on the BB required!As it stands, Freeborn are out of 54cm builds, with no more build kits anticipated.
Bugger bugger bugger bugger. Should have ordered BEFORE holidays.
Shiny Bikes appear to have frames @ 1155, but I can't get a build to £1900 try as I might. Will ask freeborn too if I can get my sums right.. but I've got a kitchen to fit, can't be seen to be bike fettling
Could push to £2K I suppose, how is everyone building their framesets?
Not sure if theres any 54 cms full builds left
That might aid in the decision making process 🙂
Bonjye - my bike (the pic up there) is a 54. I'm 5' 11" with a 31" inside leg. You can see the seatpost on it and it's a 100 stem I think? I'd be way out if I'd gone for the 57 - and the vast majority of my riding is on road too. If you're Cheshire / S Manc, you'd be most welcome to have a look if it helps?
Thanks gonetothehills. No longer in the NW unfortunately, but thanks very much for your kind offer. The 54cm looks more my size than the 57cm and I'm certainly erring towards it (especially as I'll be doing a fair bit of offroad) but the size chart is putting me off a bit!
700 miles on the Tripster now.
Gave it its first proper clean and polish today.
[img] 
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Still undecided on the brakes, keep having to fettle with them to keep the power and stop them from rubbing. The shimano rotors have solved the judder and squealing, those TRPs are calling.
Only changes are:
SKS P35 (Long flaps)
28mm GP4 Season
Tubis Airy Ti
Madison prime saddle
Smaller headset top cap
Shimano Rotors
@bonjye, im 5'10" 1/2 with a 33" inseam, mines a 54, the 57 headtube would have been to relaxed for my liking.
Here's another offering. Picked it up on Saturday.
[url= https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3836/14758658838_e4239c130f.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/124469934@N06/14758658838/ ]IMG_20140817_124521[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/124469934@N06/ ]j_c_gillies[/url], on Flickr
Not a stock build. I'm 5'7" and went for a 54 frame with a 100mm stem and a 10mm layback post. Went for TRP Spyre SLC brakes which were a breeze to set up and seem to outperform my BB7 road calipers. They sure look much nicer with a lower profile. Also went with a 28h Novatech/H-plus Archetype/Cx-ray build for wheels. Rest of the bike is a combination of Ultegra 11sp 6800 & CX-70 bits and of course I had to match my trusty ti-swift Brooks with a titanium USE post. Still not sure about the red tape. I've done 50 on-road miles and as other reports, plenty quick enough and very comfy!
No more 54cm framesets at Freeborn 🙁
So I have just ordered one from shinybikes.com for £1101.23 delivered - £3.95 delivery so probably Yodel :-(.
So I am going to need a new front mech and either a new seatpost or a shim for my 27.2 USE ti post - which at least would be nice and springy 🙂
Some more nice pics. 😀
Hopefully I will be stroking a new frame this week but have to wait a bit longer for the rims. Let's not talk about this bimbo changing her mind from the original build. 😳
So I have just ordered one from shinybikes.com for £1101.23 delivered - £3.95 delivery so probably Yodel :-(.So I am going to need a new front mech and either a new seatpost or a shim for my 27.2 USE ti post - which at least would be nice and springy
If it's Yodel you'll need a Ti welder!
That seems a good deal, and has me thinknig again.. but I really really can't be building bikes 🙁
Has anyone had issues with the stock FSA bottom bracket??
Mine was really creaky and despite packing the bearings with grease a few times, still creaked and croaked!
I've picked up some new bearings and new top hats to replace the whole spinning-gear. The current bearings and top hats are odd - like 'half' top hats (take the crank out and you'll see what I mean). I wonder if that's got anything to do with it?
It's easy enough to pull the old bearings out and replace, and hopefully it'll solve the issue!
DrP
Hmm, just noticed the forks on the ATR are different to the CXds, wonder why....? IS brake mounts too 😕
Also noted the guard limit on the ATR is stated as 45mm, got 50s on my p6 (site doesn't seem to state largest recommended size), reckon 45s may be a bit tight for 35c tyres I normally run, but I'm guessing a bit of guard trimming may get the 50s to fit.
is it me or are most people running slicks? Is that coz most are going for "road and dirt road" rides rather than "xc and a some road" rides or just due to the dry trails meaning you can get away with slicks?
@cinnamon_girl ...ye, I had my bike delayed by a good 10 weeks because I stubbornly wanted 28h American Classic hubs. Didn't get them in the end as I gave up on the wait!
Mines road dirt road
Has anyone had issues with the stock FSA bottom bracket??
Mine was really creaky and despite packing the bearings with grease a few times, still creaked and croaked!
Dunno what flavour the tripster has, but my FSA ISIS BB on my roadie does this - not the bearings though, it's in the BB shell. Removal and regreasing the threads with copper slip works for me when it gets beyond bearable, maybe you need some special Ti prep stuff though?
Hi guys
Whether this is of any use to anyone or not I don't know, but if there is anyone in need of a 54cm frameset and you're Midlands based, there's one hanging up in the back at Fred Williams Cycles in Wolverhampton.
Basically it arrived for me but has a very slight mark down by where you'd pop your front derailleur (may polish out and is only a mm or two), they've looked at changing it for me but have been told October/November for the next batch of 54s (on the upgrade website it says "4+" weeks for all sizes at the mo).
Now the hols are over I'm not in any rush personally as I'll be back at work (bugger!), so I've said I'll wait as I can't really ride it/build it like I might for now (my next chance will probably be Christmas!), so if anyone wants that one at Fred's (great bike shop it has to be said - been going for over 20 years) rather than it sitting there (as in if you can't get hold of one?) then feel free to enquire 🙂 The price is £1274 for the frameset (they don't get quite the discount of the volume sellers like Shiny/Freeborn but still way better than rrp of 1499) but I'm sure they'd also be happy to customise you a nice build!
Might be helpful, might not, but the info's there if you want to/need to make use of it 🙂
Mine is for dirt, dirt, dirt Donk.
Donk - up until a few weeks ago (ie, for the first year!) I rode almost 100% on road. I just wanted a fast, light, comfy, disc braked road bike for commuting on along some pretty agricultural lanes and for winter training in the dark. I've banged on more than enough about how I soon sold my carbon road bike and did nigh on 3600 miles in its first year - and I've just discovered how well it rides on gravel and stuff too. I have to say, I was heavily influenced in the early days by a photo of one atop Mont Ventoux - sorry can't remember who's but it's connected to a bike shop on Shropshire, I think? Anyway - that was shod with some 25c Contis I think and mine ran fine, but 28c 4 Seasons were lot comfier and pretty much as fast. Fact is, it does it all so well. Loving it on 40c tyres now... Take yer pick - you'll be more than happy 🙂
Buzz Lightyear - don't think I've ever seen a better looking bike with a rack on it! Really nice build. James Gillies - welcome on board! Love the mix of red hubs and Brooks saddle.
James Gillies:- how'd you find the 54? I'm 5' 7" , and was thinking of the 54. my road bike is only 1cm shorter on the horizontal, but this has a taller headtube, which will help my back. I've a 30" inside leg. (not being pervy) , what's your measurements. how's the standover etc.?
I've stripped my single speed blingy mtb, to put on fleabay, to go towards the frame.
after showing this thread to my riding buddy, I apparently now need to strip my road bike for the groupset and finishing kit, and get one of these built.
I'm torn between the 51 and 54. I think the comfort of the taller headtube on the 54, would make it more relaxed, rather than racy.
help please, as I want to order the frame sharpish.
Just for comparison I'm 5ft 4 and ride the 48cm.. Inside leg is nearly 29".
Id say go for the 51cm but can't remember the difference in tt lengths between the two
I'm 5'6 ish with 29" inside leg, I went 51 and it's perfect with a 90mm stem on it, stand over is just ok, I think I'd have struggled on a 54 off road.
For comparison, I had a 53cm carbon Cube Agree GTC road bike, the 51 ATR feels bigger
Hope that helps
Dom
I'd get the 54cm. Due to a car accident years ago i had two shattered vertebrae removed (T6 & T9) and most of the rest fused together with a multitude of TI scaffolding and screws so your reason above is exactly why i decided on the 54cm. I used to be 5ft 9" but i'm now 5ft 5" (ish) with an inside leg of 32".
The 51cm prob would have fitted me fine but i'd need to have a stack of 50mm spacers under the stem (or thereabouts) so i'm glad i went for the 54cm as it has a much taller head tube as you've mentioned - It took me a few stem length/height/angle changes before i was happy with the position but i've had my tripster for over a year now and i can ride it without any neck or back pain for hours n' hours.
I've fitted a Thomson 90mm x 10° stem and 20mm of spacers underneath, i also fitted a Lynskey Ti inline post as the bike came with a 110mm stem as stock and carbon layback seat post which stretched me out a bit too much.
Use [url= http://yojimg.net/bike/web_tools/stem.php ]this stem length calculator[/url] to get an idea of position.
Anybody had to face/tap their bottom bracket ?
Hi all,
After reading all this thread I decided to join the Tripster brigade -
only to find no built up bikes available. So here's my question - how difficult is it to build one up myself - I'd love to have a go. If I order a frame can anyone give me a list of kit to get - I'd like Ultegra 6800(£499 at Merlin -do you just get a full road kit & dispose of the caliper brakes?), Spyre brakes - the rest of the spec on a ready made tripster on the Kinesis website would be fine unless you can advise otherwise. I'd like not to go too far over my £2000 budget if poss.
Here's hoping....
YesUltegra 6800
YesSpyre brakes
No!!£2000 budget
DrP
http://www.probikekit.co.uk/cycling-groupsets/kinesis-crosslight-disc-build-kit/10787991.html
Just found this - maybe I should get this & a frame - then upgrade as & when?
Finally got round to a pic of mine. Currently with road wheels fitted - will also have a pair of rufty tufty wheels too. Stem / steerer still needs sorting.
[url= https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5557/14971616032_c99f656181_b.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/23986078@N05/14971616032/ ]image[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/23986078@N05/ ]carlos_fandango[/url], on Flickr
Pleased with the Spyres and how the old pair of Hope hubs I used built into a nice pair of wheels
[url= https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5578/14971614892_493b2e0a8d_b.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/23986078@N05/14971614892/ ]image[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/23986078@N05/ ]carlos_fandango[/url], on Flickr