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I'm still debating on a fork. With the Kinesis flat mount forks (both have 45mm offset) the trail figure for 35mm tyres is 76mm. That seems huge! Do people find it difficult to work with? The Seven Cycles Matador has a 55mm rake which reins in that trail to a still long but manageable 68mm. I usually get a lot of toe overlap (part of the reason I chose the larger frame and that extra bit of rake seems like it would be nice.
Has anyone drilled their V1 frame for internal Di2 routing?
I've got externally mounted Di2 at the moment (seatpost battery in downtube/bottle cage MTB mount etc) but wondering if I can tidy it up.
2.5 years, 7000km later and I'm still loving my Tripster.
It's the longest I've ever owned a bike, with no plans to move it on, probably ever.
The hype is justified: it's still a great looking machine, that somehow does do everything well.
It's my daily commuter, backup road bike, gravel weapon, CX 2nd-bike... only thing left to do is bikepacking which I'm planning on early next year. Maybe a gravel marathon race too!
@atrthanks: Get on with it, it'll be grand! Just keep the holes away from the weld heat zone. Something like this: https://www.ticycles.com/retrofit-di2-eps/
[/]Has anyone drilled their V1 frame for internal Di2 routing?
Yep drilled my frame 3 years ago has (touch wood) had no problems so far, did speak with upgrade before doing it and was told would void the warranty. But in my opinion was worth doing. Just use carbide drill bits lots of lube and low speed drill. I put one hole on right side down tube 1 on front right side of seat tube and expanded the breather hole on rear drop out. Dc
I'm 5'11 and a bit, currently using a 58cm Saracen Hack with a 60mm stem, Ive never had a drop bar bike before but im sure its too big yet I'm in the range of the height recommendations. I'm looking for something new and there's a 54cm Tripster going. There is 10mm or so off a few of the measurements and I'm a few cm over the 178 recommended limit. Anyone have a sizing opinion? I just commute on it, do a few hours on local forest track /fireroads. I don't like the stretchy feeling of normal road bikes but do appreciate the hoods and drop bars.
there's a 54cm Tripster going
It would help if you clarified what you mean by this (used/new, frame only/built up etc.). I presume from your post that you are not able to get a test ride or even sit on it to see how the size feels.
If it's a used frame or complete bike (or a new built up bike), one of the things I would check is how much of the steerer had been cut off. In other words, if the stem has been slammed and the steerer cut so low that the stem cannot be raised and spacers inserted (up to the maximum of 30mm advised by Kinesis for its carbon forks), then given your height and your comment about not liking 'the stretchy feeling of normal road bikes' I would be wary of choosing a 54cm without a test ride.
That said, a stem with more rise would be another way to raise handlebar height if you could not insert (more) spacers. Moreover, you might prefer a 54cm because it also has a slightly shorter top tube than the next size up, and therefore the horizontal reach forward will be less for a given stem length.
Slowster, 2nd hand but not built up, don't think the steerer has been cut.
54cm is too small.
I'm 5ft 10 with a 54cm Tripster V1.
I run a 110mm stem as a shorter stem makes it too short, and I believe it was designed for a 70mm stem.
With the slacker head angle the steering does feel slow and I didn't like it with 33 tyres, but I now run 40mm tyres and whereas it is still a little slow on road, it is nicely stable off road and I am very happy with it.
But I think overall it would be better with a shorter stem, but the 55cm actually seems to have less reach so that wasn't an option.
As you are taller than me I think you will find the same thing or more so.
Ok cheers, I'll keep looking.
Where are you based, scruff? Maybe there's someone on here with a 54 that'd let you try it. Similar to the above, I'm 5'10" and have a 54, mine has a 100mm stem and is spot on.
South Staffs.
Bit far from me
maybe my stem is 100 on 2nd thoughts.
Wanted: Tripster ATR V1 57cm frameset.
Anything out there? South east/Surrey/London preferrable.
Cheers.
If you have no luck I’m splitting my Saracen Hack, 56/58 cm, frame forks, shimano wheels & tiagra 4700 2x10drivetrain. Email in profile
Hi, did anyone in this forum tried to put a front suspension fork on the Tripster (V1)? I think Kinesis wouldn't recommend it, but what would be in your opinion the problem with that change (if any)?
Regards,
Antonella
@scruff. Do you still need to try a 54cm Tripster? I’m in Cheshire and happy to ride out / meet up if it helps? 5’ 11” on a 54cm V1 here...
Thanks but I bagged CRC's last 2017 NS RAG+ (54 & fits nice)
Hi all, newbie here. Great thread you have going on here. Im sooooo tempted myself with a tripster atr. Originally I was looking at the tripster AT as a one bike does all rig. I have a canyon Grand Canyon that I hardly use and can do away with several of my road bikes making more room in the shed. Once I saw the titanium atr I was taken.
So far freeborn cycles seem to have the best price and they seem to have good feedback here, as I've seen them mentioned many times. Also I'm 5ft9 and ride kinesis race light t3 in 54cm so I'm thinking the 54 tripster should be spot on. I would be interested in the view of others. Thanks in advance.
wow. Amazing thread. I realised this week that the 1 dropout on my chinese carbon cross bike is bent so frame might be a right off 🙁
Have always rode my commute on a few bikes - mtb with no guards, cross race bike with mudguards and rack that attaches to the seatpost and axle and road bike with raceblades.. so basically not the best set up so now i'm thinking the tripster could be the bike to replace this. Rack mounts, mudguards and the ability to go anywhere.
I actually have a 56 road bike (100mm stem) and 56 cross bike (90mm stem) but tbh the top tube feels just a tad too long on both so wondering if i need a 54. I'm 5'9" with 32" inside leg. Used to have a 54 crosslight pro 3.
Just saw this video on the kinesis website and brought a tear to my eye
(ah embed works automatically)
54 will be the best fit for you I reckon, trickydisco. I'm around 5'10 and happy with my 54 (V1). 57 is next size up, I believe.
They recently introduced a 55.5 although looking at the recommended height i would be 54.
Fairlight have an interesting looking adventure type bike coming out :
http://fairlightcycles.com/product/secan-deposit/?v=79cba1185463
They recently introduced a 55.5
Oh yeah, apologies.
Thanks for the Di2 advice. In the end i got Enigma to drill the frame for me, then my LBS re-did the wiring.
It looks so much better than external Di2, very neat.
The psychosomatic effect is in full swing. Took 3 1/2 hours to ride London-Brighton this morning while testing everything out.
Terrible, terrible potholes but pretty good for checking all the cables are properly connected!
what a wonderful thread this is - am looking for a 54cm frame only or fully built Tripster if anyone is looking to sell...
Done with TTing for another year, so I've swapped the Schwalbe Pro Ones for some 40mm Vee Rails. Taking a quick break in the shade on my way to the south downs way.
It hasn't changed the feel of the bike as much as I expected, although I'm into the little ring a bit earlier on hills it still comfortably belts along at 20mph on the flat.
This is what enigma's Di2 drilling looks like...
Question for those who shelled out to upgrade a v1 to a v2 - was it worth it? Love my v1 but bolt through hubs and true 650b compatibility are appealing.
Going to try asking this here in the hope someone may have built one up like this at some point. Has anyone managed to fit a dual sided Stages or 4iiii power meter to a Tripster AT? It looks like there ma just be sufficient clearance, but it is touch and go. Thanks
not sure bolt through hubs are any type of a draw as I have DT RWS 9 and 10mm thru skewers but 650b might be nice.
I destickered my V1 the other day 🙂
Had my V1 warranty replaced for a V2, cant really tell the difference.
@kilauea - I’ve got both a 57cm Tripster ATR and a dual-sided power meter (which fits) for sale in the classifieds if interested. Happy to do a deal on both
Sorry another sizing question, I'm 6' 1" or 185.5cm, with a slightly longer body/arms, inside leg 31.5" or 80cm. Right now in the absence of a test ride I don't know whether to go 55.5cm or 57cm. Any advice most welcome. ps my mountain bikes are large size with short stems and my old road bike 2007 Spesh Roubaix is/was a 58 or 59cm frame.
With such a long torso/arms, you’ll want the reach on 57cm. I’m 6’ on a good day and have the 55.5 and am running a 100mm stem and an 10mm layback post. I wouldn’t want to be any bigger on this frame size.
Cheers Daffy, I am still crunching the numbers to see how much the final build will cost and what I will have to sell to balance the books but I am determined to get one and jump on a plane/boat and start to live a more interesting life.
I have taken the plunge and ordered a V2 frame and forks. I am giving a lot of thought to fitting Jones carbon H bar (yes I know it's going to look odd) Has any one else used Jones H bars on a Tripster or other long distance bike packing rig. All advise/thoughts welcome, thnx Paul
I've been following this thread for a while now and noticed the frequency of posts tailing off a bit, of late. I'm considering building a Tripster ATR, - based on a V2 frame - but I think it's fair to say this bike looks less value for money than it used to be considering you need to spend £2k just for the frame and forks alone.
I see a few V1 frames have failed within the warranty period. Do we know if any V2 frames have failed yet?
Other manufacturers seem to offer more comprehensive warranties than Kinesis. J. Guillem offer a 100 year warranty on their bikes (granted, they are a tad more expensive to buy upfront, but a Ti frame is still a Ti frame).
What are people's thoughts on this bike now? Is it still one of the best gravel/adventure bikes out there? Or are there better alternatives these days?
Is there anybody in the Southampton/Winchester area that has a 54cm ATR I might be able to try for size, please?
Thanks,
Steve
I see a few V1 frames have failed within the warranty period
Mine hasn't! It's still wonderful.
I'm just south of Petersfield, if you wanted to check it out (but, yeah it's a V1)
I'm on my 3rd frame but...
My first V1 frame cracked on the downtube welds of the cable stops, the crack almost made it all the way round the tube. It was just 2 years old, they replaced it very quickly without question with another V1.
My second V1 lasted about a year and half before I spotted a crack in exactly the same place as my first one.
I was about 6 months out of warranty with the second frame but Upgrade replaced it with a V2 frame for free within a week despite being out of warranty. Thats very good in my book and Kinesis would get my money again because of it.
The V2 frame has a "strengthened" larger guage downtube and no cable stops....
Just north of Andover, another 54cm v1 if you wanted a look.
I am considering selling it as I think a cheap carbon road bike and cheap cross 'racer' (1x, ideally disks but not necessarily) would suit what I do these days better. It's a bit too nice for racing and the chainset doesn't work (its 50/34, neither being optimal), but I like to be able to get out for road ride over winter too.. so spltting out again might be better for me. Still love it as a bike everytime I ride it though, and for a more touring / long days out bike its perfect.
I had a v1 crack - under a cable stop on the top tube, Kinesis sorted it quickly and professionally and would also get my money again on this basis - you see the worth of a company when stuff goes wrong IMHO.
Thanks for the replies so far.
Completely agree that you see the worth of a company when stuff goes wrong, brassneck. It sounds like Upgrade/Kinesis treat customers fairly, which is encouraging to hear. I suspect the negative press associated with not replacing a single faulty frame would cost them several new frame sales so it's a relatively small price to pay to retain customer loyalty and provide a good customer experience.
Doesn't sound like anybody has had any major issues with the V2 frame yet?
I'm interested in why the compact chainset doesn't work? Guessing the chainrings are too big for trails/gravel? I should imagine it's fine for eating up the miles on tarmac, though?
A 50/34 compact is fine for general gravel stuff (with 11-32), and wasn't too bad on camping etc. - where it falls down (for me) is racing. 34 is OK but often you need to change up to the big ring which is a tough call for my puny legs within about 10 seconds of hitting the next twisty bit - so a lot of front mech shifting, which is slow and can be troublesome once it gets muddy (tbh - I stay in 34 99% of the time).
50/34 is perfect on road, 11-28 out back. That combo is also fine for most trails without excessive luggage.
A single 38 or 40 or 46/36 double would be a much better combo for me for racing - YMMV - but I can't be bothered to switch around every winter and would lose the better road setup too.