Tripster ATR finally built up – lush!

Thanks for your reply TurnerGuy, I ordered a USE Sumo, it should be with me tomorrow. Nearly got all my components now, hopefully there’s no delay on the frame. I’m just ordering my brakes, I seem to recall that it will only take one size rotor, is it 160mm? Can’t seem to find that info on the Kenesis site.

Yes. 160 is the default rotor size. You could go bigger with caliper spacers if you’re planning to use it for WC downhills. 😆

Just in case anyone’s interested, I’ve taken delivery of the PDW guards, so there’s a cheap set of SKS Bluemels that’ll fit a 54cm Tripster perfectly just gone on the Classifieds…! It should save you the joys of getting them sized right.

I’ve found to my cost that I’m going to need the longer rear stays with the PDWs, but so far, so good – they’re looking quite smart.

Tripster ATR by Jim Barrow[/url], on Flickr

Just been to Paris and back on mine, my first long trip.

Bloggage Here[/url] if anyone is interested….

Looking at getting a frame bag to fit a 54 frame just wondering what people are using and would recommend ?

Cheers dc

Hummerlisious what size frame bag etc is yours ?

Good write up Jimbo 8)

Nice write up Hummerlicious. How was your bar bag? I bought one from Charlie a couple of months ago but haven’t used it yet.

I’m sure Freeborn said there was a shipment of frames due at the end of July and I was hoping mine would arrive next week, but looking at Upgrades site, they’re saying 21st August 🙁

dmc : I have an Alpkit possum medium for my 54cm frame, fits perfect and doesn’t waggle about.

Soma any chance of a pic please ?

Cheers

Dc

I’m not at home at the moment, I’m farm & dog sitting for the next 10 days so i can’t take any pics.

Here’s a pic of Bill n’ Ted instead, they had to be hand reared with colostrum after their mothers tried to kill them and as such they follow me about like two dogs, albeit very large dogs 😀

@susie, sorry not been on here for a few days. The bar bag is great, I use it for map, phone and other gubbins in need regularly, however it’s not totally waterproof so I tend to put stuff in a small dry bag.

You just need to make sure that it’s adjusted as high up as you can so that it doesn’t rub on the tyre, like mine did on that trip!

Thinking of upgrading the TRP spyres on mine to Shimano ST-RS685 hydraulics.

Anyone done that yet? Anything to watch out for particularly? Mine’s a 56cm frame, what length hose should I specify?

Cheers 🙂

nice blog hummerlicious – I rode out to Paris on the Ave Vert for Froome’s first win a couple summers ago, was great to see pics of your route and recognise a few spots.
Great action shots of the peloton by the way! All I got were complete blurry blobs!

Ah hummerlicious I see we have a common friend 😉

Dodgy, I swapped the spyres for rs685 on both mine and my wifes bikes. Not tripster but sabbath September ar1s, so a comparable bike. Made a great improvement and the bikes feel much more confident now. Easy to fit and bleed as well, just follow shimano online instructions.

Thanks, they’re starting to come down a little in price, too. Also, Merlin are doing the kit included in an Ultegra groupset.

You know Rich too Soma Rich?

I want to build up a custom ATR. Is there any particular shop that anyone recommends? I live in London but am prepared to travel

Further to my email above I’m thinking of running a 42T single front ring with a wide range cassette (say 11-42) at the back. I like SRAM CX (I have it on my CX bike). However, I don’t want the hassle of the XD Drive to get the 10-42. So, can I run an XT 11-42 with SRAM chain and CX derailleur?

Also, for the first time, I’m having a wheel dilemma. I’ve never done tubeless but like the advantages. However, I guess you’re pretty much stuck with one set of tyres. How do people do this – more than one wheelset or stick with the best tyre? I like the idea of Hope Pro and Stans Grails. I want a set of wheels that can take a little light touring as well as heading off road – a good choice??

Thanks

Anyone run schwalbe one tubeless on kinesis cx disc wheels?

Just wondered if they go up / stay up / run OK?

So Drac is all mouth and no trousers…

Come on – my question above is a sensible geeky STW one and no-one can help me plan my next n+1 from my hospital bed???

Can’t believe no-one has answered poor howarthp!

New Tripsters (including mine!) are due in the country on Friday.
I’ve been gathering parts: bars, gears/mechs, mechs, drivechain, road wheels… Haven’t got seatpost (spare Thomson layback – not sure about that) or saddle yet. And the CX wheels aren’t available until September- Mavic Allroads 🙂

[Edit]rotors – haven’t got rotors – if anyone’s answering questions: does it take 160 or 140mm?

hummerlicious yep we did Scotland trip in June and have done a few races together, I think he asked you along to the Tour of the Cornfields….

160

Thank you curto80 🙂

Just changed my seatpost shim from a USE 27.2->31.6 to a USE 27.2->31.8 and the fit is much better – don’t have to tighten the salsa clamp as much, before it was close to max tightness as the gap was almost closed.

I did try the cane creek 27.2 -> 31.8 shim a while ago but that seemed a very tight fit and was also quite heavy – the use one is a plastic but the cane creek one isn’t. Anyway the fit was tight enough to be a bit scary that it would get stuck, so out it came.

I’ve been following the reviews, comments, hints and tips with interest so I just thought I’d post some pictures of my ATR.

I built it to use as a winter / country lane cruiser, however, I’ve found myself using it more and more. Infact I took it to my French home in the Dordogne this summer instead of my road bike. Its great riding country with super smooth roads and lots of hills and it excelled brilliantly. I also had many conversations with lots of curious French cyclists, non of whom quite got it!

Anyway, I built it with the spec of a second tier bike but must say I’m really impressed with it, particulalrly the new (ish) 105. However, the things that really makes it for me are the TRP Hy/RD brakes and gorgeous Challenge Strada Bianca tyres, a pain to put on but so worth it! They are both a real revalation.

The only thing I will upgarde are the wheels. The Shimano wheels are good strong wheels that roll well but don’t quite do the bike justice. I’ve orderd some new Mason Hunt wheels which have had great reviews so I’m looking forwrad to putting those on with the Starda Biancas.

So the more I ride this bike the more I love it. Its super smooth, remarkably quick and incredibly comfortable. It’s made me totally rethink my current bike stable and also what i’m looking for in a ride.

Not sure what happend to the photo but second time lucky..

Nice bike Moobaz. Mine is on its way

There’s a build goin down…

Nice to see even more Tripsters coming along! They’re looking good Moobaz and DezB 🙂
If anyone’s after a set of SKS Bluemels mudguards, I’ve got some you can have for buttons – and the stays are cut to fit a 54cm Tripster so should save you a bit of maither too…

I’m afraid to add the fluid to the brakes – it will double the weight 😆

Can’t imagine how a bike this light will ride.

gonetothehills – I’d be interested in the mudguards if you still have them? Are they advertised somewhere?

Also, I’ve just completed an Everesting[/url] on my Tripster to prove it’s awesome! Good fun…

rides very well – very solid – especially with 40c tyres.

Dezb.. Finished pictures and glowing first ride report please

Moobaz – what forks do you have?

Those are the standard forks just resprayed by Argos Cycles in Bristol. I must confess that I took my styling que from Enigma.

I’m not a great one for mainstream, hence riding titanium from a small bike company. The tag along the side is my nickname from school that has stuck with me for many many years!

I think painting the forks helps make this my bike and also less attractive to bike thieves.

further to my previous post of upgrading to hydraulics…..bug*er.
I picked up a good condition set of hope v twin brakes to replace the spyres, thinking it was a smart move going hydraulic. I was wrong. I don’t like the feel of them, there’s very little lever travel, so braking whilst on the hoods is harder. it’s kinda spoilt the bike for me now.
so if anyone wants a bargain, I’m getting rid of the hope v twins.
they will come with recently fitted pads, some spare part used pads. trp rotors and bolts etc. pretty sure there are some other spares in the box also. just trying to get some of my money back, so £125 posted
drop me an email for pictures.

Acyclistforlife – drop me a line! The mudguards are still available. It’d be interesting to hear more about your everesting too…

D’you intend on catching a few rabbits with that beastie, Moobaz…

😉