Take-it-easy: superb camera! Took some excellent photos. Looks like countryside at first glance until you see the graffiti on the tree.

Nice photos. I’m beginning to think toe overlap is a bit inevitable with this type of bike, big tyres and big feet. I get it a little on my escapade with 41c tyres. You just ride around it in the end – got used to it on my fixed gear commuting to work a few years back.

Tips? Heel down helps and is good technique…

I have discovered the problem!

I bought a pair of 9mm adapters, and just chucked them on the hub without really checking them, but it turns out one of them is a 12mm adapter – a picking error – causing lots of play. I have got onto the supplier (in Tiawan) to try to get the correct bit.

Cheers.

‘Tis a good looking thing!

Is that a 57cm? Inevitable question – sorry – how tall are you and is it a good fit? Any toe overlap?

Cheers.

Was a novatec qr, now a superstars 9mm thru qr:

http://www.superstarcomponents.com/en/9mm-front-qr-through-axle.htm

It feels very tight but I will check again – lots of thread left and engaging properly on the fork.

Can’t adjust the hub as its push in adapters and cartridge bearings – wheel is true and centred though.

Thanks for feedback.

Could it be I just need to tighten it even more? Will have to get the hammer out to close the qr! (Joke).

This looks good. Still quite a big investment though.

Sonder Camino Ti Frame

My situation is quite as simple as just splashing the dosh – is it ever?

I have cut down my bike collection so the funds from a couple of road bikes and possibly a Cross check could cover most of the £1250 for a Tripster.

Another problem I have though is that i used to do a lot of road riding and I’m not sure if the Escapade is that good on the road – I find it a bit sluggish and think perhaps the Tripster might be better. Not sure why I’m worried though as the sort of road riding I would do these days would not involve chasing whippets – I prefer the mud now anyway. I guess it’s just hanging on to a “glorious” past.

Another option is nice custom built 853 frame, the likes of which can be had for about 1K – should be sprightly enough. Can’t really knock the Cotic though as it is good for the money.

Must point out that because of the short(ish) chainstays, the Escapade climbs like a goat off-road – quite amazing really!

Thanks for replies. Another thing I’m not sure makes any difference is bottom backer drop. The ATR is quite low and the escapade quite high. Does it make a difference?

Strange thing is, the escapade was the most stable bike I tried last year out if about 6 – easy low speed manoeuvring and can track stand a bit off road.

Steel is always going to be heavier I guess, but it has its plus points.

My wheels are decent novatec hubs, butted spokes and stan’s Grail rims built by spokesman – fairly light at a good price and they are great. My build kit is eclectic, to say the least, but works very well. I could just swap 99% of the bits over.

Escapade frame weight : 2.04kg
Escapade fork weight: 0.945kg

Wheelset weight: 1.845kg

The bike weighs in at 10.88kg with pedals and bottle cage and I could save more when I go tubeless.

The kilo will all be in frame. I could lose a kilo round my waist if I rode it more!

@toby mc. Did you ride the ATR off road? I agree the cotic does handle well, and the steel fork has a huge amount of flex for great comfort in the roughest terrain. The slacker ATR head angle intrigues me as it might make it more stable.

The ATR would be about a kg lighter with same build – is it worth it?

…Also wondering if anyone has had any concerns about the carbon fork off road? Has anybody replaced the standard fork?

Thanks.

Hello all,

I’ve been admiring the tripster atr for a couple of years now but have never forked out the dosh and bought one. I did, however, build up a cotic escapade frame into an adventure style bike last year and I like it a great deal. But I can’t help thinking the tripster might be better.

Has anybody ridden both frames so they can offer a direct comparison?

Cheers,
Sam

Clink: did the Two arrive? They do seem good value with the offer at the moment. Be interesting to know how you get on with the shifter. I can never decide on these things.

Yes, the oe wheels don’t seem too bad atall. Seems almost silly dropping 350 quid on some stans/novatec for the sake of 100 grams and a couple of cool labels. In fact, it’s madness for a bike at this price point. The three didn’t feel too heavy to the arm.

Nre: interesting about the bb7-sl brakes. I’ve heard a few things about alignment problems so might be something to look out for, although I have no idea what I need to look for to check. I’ll see how the hydros feel in comparison.

Well, I managed to get a test ride on an Arkose Three yesterday. Probably the lamest test route ever around the back streets of Wimbledon, but I got a feel for the handling and ride position as well as the controls.

Impressions:

– Despite the tyres being pumped up to a brutal 100PSI (I only run 90/80 on my 23C road bike!), the ride was surprisingly good on the speed-bump infested, potholed roads. Not a harsh alloy frame then – nice.

– Ride position was good for me – the bars were almost level with the saddle with room to go a few cm lower, so all positions catered for. I like the higher bars off road – good stuff.

– Wasn’t sure about the bars – prefer Salsa Cowbell, but they could be levelled a bit so my hands don’t slip off the drops.

– BB7-SL brakes – very disappointing. It was probably the setup, but I did a test mega-stop and could squeeze the levers right onto the bar. More impressive braking with my dual-pivot Ultegra callipers too. I also kept kicking the back caliper – big hoofs.

Overall I was very impressed, so have ordered a Four in with the Hydro brakes to test. I’m just not sure about that blue and really like the green, so a bit of a quandary.

I’m off the idea of the Planet-X London Road, as the geometry on the web site is incorrect. It states a stack of 620 for the large frame with a 160mm head tube. It seemed odd, and someone has measured a medium and found it much lower than stated. I found another, US based Geo table, and the sack is stated at about 575, which seems more likely, and is too low for me. Glad I didn’t go down that road.

I’ll also be testing a GT Grade Alloy 105, with alloy steerer. Perhaps the ugliest bike on the planet, but there is something about that which appeals. It is without the hundred pound trade-in as it’s priced at 999.99 as opposed to the Arkose at exactly 1000. Fair enough to Evans wanting us to buy their brand!

That was all probably of absolutely no interest to anyone, but it made me feel better and I’m not deleting it now! Sorry.

Cheers.

I’ve looked at those kinesis wheels and they do seem light. So they are that light in real life too?

I’m looking at a million options for a new bike but keep coming back to the Arkose for value and being exactly what I want. Just seen the Planet X London Road with full sram rival hydro for 999.99, which is great value. The frame looks like the geometry is ideal, better than the arkose for me, but I’m concerned it is more road focused and would be a bit harsh in the bumps. Can’t ride it so won’t know. I’m hopefully testing an Arkose 3 on Friday, and if it fits like I want it to – able to get the bars up high enough to be almost level with the seat in a large frame with a 75cm seat height – then it should be a choice between the three or four.

Thanks for info on wheels. They are meant to be tubeless but anyone tried them?

Out of interest, how do I get hold of a frameset?

Cheers.

Wheels quite light then. Are they the same spec as on the 3?

Frameset is tempting. Does anyone have any feedback on the wheelset? Was planning on upgrading to stans/novatech combo, but not sure if it’s worth it if the stick ones are lasting and not too heavy. Has anybody weighed the wheels on their own? The ones I’m looking at are about 1700g.

Cheers.

Thanks for the input. I really should get down to Evans and ride the thing. The trouble is its hard to evaluate everything in 15 minutes but I guess if it’s smooth I’ll pick that up.
Cheers.

Still tempted by this but the three looks to be the one. Is there anyone out there that can compare the ride quality with a steel or titanium frame? Being alloy, is it quite harsh and rigid? I do like a compliant frame and don’t mind a bit of flex, so not sure this is the right bike for me.

Cheers.

Curto80: I’ve just had a thought about measurements. Could I ask how high you have your saddle? I run mine at 75cm, which I think is quite low for someone of my height. Be interesting to compare.

Cheers,
Sam

Curto80: Thanks for the offer of the ride. I’m in South London so a bit of a journey, but it’s not beyond the realms of possibility.

Bridle ways can be the worst trails to ride on in many conditions. Bit smelly too.

Just thinking about sizing and the reach measurement on the 55.5 and 57 is almost identical. The only difference seems to be the stack height – obviously higher on the 57. So maybe the 55.5 would fit…

Curto80: Thanks for the input. Do you ride with a long or short stem? I suspect the 57 would be better if I’m honest. Pity it’s not in stock at the price I’ve seen.

Thanks for info on bottom bracket drop off road. I think it will be ok.

Mbnut: I haven’t tried a flat bar on this frame but the usual problem is the top tube is too short as it is designed for drops – It might be a bit upright and squashed, or you can run a very long stem, but then the steering will be ponderous with the 70.5 degree head angle.

I have a sizing question for anybody out there. Sorry.

I’m 6’1″. Folk law would say a 57, but I will be riding off road a lot and really want a 56cm top tube. Anybody of my height out there riding a 55.5cm tripster? I have found one in that size at a good price. I often find bikes that are meant to fit me a little long.

Cheers.

Thanks for that feedback. They had a Large in stock so I might try it sometime soon if I can get down there.

Do these bikes ride quite smoothly? I’m concerned about the aluminium harsh ride, but from what people have said, it doesn’t seem to be a problem.

I like the look of the Two too. I’ve got a bar end shifter for a bike with and alpine 8 hub, and although it can be a bit awkward changing in technical places, it id not too bad. It seems good value.

Hello All,

I popped into Evans and an Arkose Five caught my eye today. I’ve never really considered them before because I’m a bit of a bike snob, and I’m not that keen on Aluminium frames. However, I really liked the look of it and the CX1 kit seems to be brilliant. Reviews seems to confirm this.

Just wondering about sizing. They had a large that looked about right – 57cm top tube, but are there any people of 6’1″ in stature that ride a large or medium with any feedback?

Cheers.

Hi,

Just wondering if anyone has any trouble with pedal strike on roots and rocks, etc, when riding off road, due to the large bottom bracket drop?

Cheers.

Cornishboy01:

Does it ride as good as it looks? What size is that and do you find the head tube too long?

Pickenflick or atr? Bargain vs beauty…

I have a dilemma. Last day of the on-one 15 percent off today making the Pickenflick a bargain. I know the tripster is what I really want, but is it worth £440 quid more for mudguard eyes, a higher front end and a more relaxed ride? Not having ridden either I have no idea. Decisions, decisions…

That price seems to be the best at the moment and I guess it will only go up! It’s just that it is twice as much as I paid for my last titanium frame, an enigma, but that was about 7 years ago. I guess I need to re-assess things, but will it be £1200 better than my second hand surly cross check? That’s one of things you can’t really answer I guess.

Hi all,

I’ve been following this thread with interest for a few months now, while trying to find another bike frame that ticks all the boxes the tripster atr seems to have covered, but at a better price.

I’ve been tempted by the pickenflick, and would probably get one if it wasn’t for the lack of mudguard mounts. I’ve looked at aluminium frames, but I’ve never had one I liked; carbon isn’t my thing, so back to Ti where things are a bit too racy or super expensive, and nothing else seems to come close to the amazing tripster for versatility.

There are some great bikes on this thread, and I would probably buy a frame and build it up with bits I have.

Am I right in thinking that the price for the frame has gone up steadily over the last year? It still seems a lot to me, but I could probably sell three bikes, whose duties the tripster will hopefully fulfil, that should cover costs. The thing is, I’m bad at getting rid of things so it’s tough! Waiting for a special offer, but prices seem to be the same wherever I look.

An old and dull question, but has anyone weighed a large frame, fork and headset as it comes when new? Interested if claimed weights are accurate.

I’d go for a large, as at 6’1″ I like a 57 top tube.

Cheers.

Hi,

I’m a bit late replying to this topic, but my input still might be relevant.

I have a 2006 pre-facelift, 2.0D SE with 103,000 miles on the clock, 5 years of family use by us, and it still looks fresh. It hasn’t been without issues, but I cleaned the EGR myself to fix the starting problems, the alternator went, some wishbone things needed replacing, a wheel bearing, but most of that is general maintenance stuff and to be expected from most cars. I’m waiting for the turbo and the DMF to fail, but no signs of it happening yet, so who knows how long I’ve got? Again, normal stuff for a diesel car of that age, and I can’t blame Volvo for that.

Strange thing is, I got an itch to replace it recently, and took myself off to the local Alfa Romeo and Skoda dealer to look at couple of cars. I’ve always loved the idea of an Afla, and tested a Giulietta MultiAir with 170bhp. Really underwhelmed to be honest – didn’t feel fast, not inspiring to drive, had no real confidence in the brakes, and terrible seats for me. Got back in the V50 and it felt fast, comfy, handled and stopped well and felt solid as a rock. You don’t know what you’ve got till you lose it, as they say.

I liked the Skoda Yeti, but the amount of money I’d have to fork out for it made little sense as the V50 was just as good in many areas.

The V50 is a good car; not the best, I know, but it’s like a Honda VFR – does most things well. It doesn’t handle like a sports car, but I enjoy driving it on B-Roads, as the supple suspension and meaty steering inspire confidence. I think it handles well, but perhaps anything above 8 tenths shows up the limits of the set up. No bad thing really for a family car! It’s fairly economical, it’s very comfy, with the best array of seat and wheel positions in any car I’ve sat in – electric memory seats help! I like to sit fairly far back as I have long legs, but also like the wheel close to me. I can do that in the V50, and no other car, apart from a Focus (strange that) and other Volvos have come close. Boot isn’t massive, but it’s a good shape and, with the seats down is usefully long. It feels fairly quick, especially compared to the Alfa, although I know it isn’t, and I think I’ll be sticking with it for the foreseeable future, and will fix anything that goes wrong.

If I’d replied two weeks ago I might have said it was a bit dull, but I think the other qualities outshine that. sometimes, it’s good to be able to relax and cruise around without stress, especially after a long ride!