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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.
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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://singletrackworld.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://singletrackworld.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://singletrackworld.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?
Please I have just got some Spyre SLC and I thought my mind was made up 🙂 Not fitted them yet though....
Whilst on the subject of brakes I need some new pads in a few weeks for my spyres.. Any recommendations? I've replaced both trp discs a with shimano as I managed to warp them both... Not sure whether that's braking style or shit discs?
And another question 🙂
Anyone running anything other than Shimano gearing? Wondering if SRAM WiFLi might be a good all rounder on the basis I'll need the lower range more than the upper.. or maybe Campag, think they go won to a 30 cassette.. and I think the Kinesis wheelset is still available from Fat Birds in Campag flavour.
bluesmartie, I have a set of R685s on order for my ATR frame set build. I was tempted to get the TRP RD/HD but wasn't convinced given some so-so reviews. Apparently the R685s won't arrive in the UK until 22nd October so I'll have to wait a little while yet. I've gone for the 6800 Ultegra group set for everything else.
I'm looking at getting some avid 40 cm discs for front and rear to fit on to my Hope 2 hubs.
Jo4js - let me know what you think of the R685's when you get them. I think I'm now going to opt for ultegra 6800 shifters and dura ace mechs,
Used these for the Spyres, tried a couple of the other types but not sure what the difference is though, too many other variables affecting performance. They don't squeal in the rain though!
http://www.discobrakes.com/?s=0&t=0&c=14&p=100&tb=001
Still can't get over how much I love this bike
Did a 138m round trip on it on Saturday on the road, flipped the tyres to cx and went for a quick cx spin the next day and it felt even better !
Faultless
Spyres rule btw!
Scandalous - What tyres are you using for road & what for cx?
Continental 4 seasons 28c for road
Kendra small block 8 32c for xc
Both are superb
Rogerover- reconsider under 🙂
it'd be doable but you'll get really beat up. 40cs would help but the general ride position and low vol tyres will make it really tough especially when loaded up. For some sections and shorter days it could be ok though. Gotama, i was almost 3 days off the winning pace that yr but nice that people remember it as a better ride than it was haha
Been popping onto this thread here and there. Great that a bike like this is so well appreciated. High chance my significant bd bike will be a steel 40c drop bar. Tip of the day- 40c WTB Nanos 🙂
I'm looking at getting some avid 40 cm discs for front and rear
I am not sure you need them that big...
I'm looking at getting some avid 40 cm discs for front and rearI am not sure you need them that big...
But imagine the stopping power 🙂
Ok, Ok, my mistake. In all seriousness though will the ATR take 140mm rotors? I think I read somewhere that the skeleton mount will only take 160mm rotors.
Ok, Ok, my mistake. In all seriousness though will the ATR take 140mm rotors? I think I read somewhere that the skeleton mount will only take 160mm rotors
My understanding as well
Please I have just got some Spyre SLC and I thought my mind was made up Not fitted them yet though....
I'll take em off your hands if you like 🙂
Ok, Ok, my mistake. In all seriousness though will the ATR take 140mm rotors? I think I read somewhere that the skeleton mount will only take 160mm rotors.
Yup, it's in this epic thread somewhere as I asked the same question.
400mm rotors ... ye gods that'll stop 🙂
Better than my ZX10r 😉
What size for a 6ft 3incher ?
Lovely bike
What size for a 6ft 3incher ?
I would recommend 500mm rotors for that height...
it'd be doable but you'll get really beat up
Jameso - thanks for the advice, that's not what I really wanted to hear but I'm so glad I heard it before going down the wrong road. Very much appreciated.