BIKE SHED
PRICE £5975 (£2200 FRAMESET) UPGRADES NONE KILOMETRES RIDDEN 448
Senior technical editor Warren Rossiter has closely followed Kinesis’s titanium Tripster ATR range since it launched in 2012. Find out how he’s getting on with the latest Volume 3 iteration
WARREN ROSSITER
I’ve been a big fan of Kinesis’s titanium-framed Tripster ATR since it launched in 2012 (the original Tripster launched in 2009 as part of Kinesis’s limitededition Decade line), to the extent that I upgraded from the Vol 1 model with its tighter tyre clearances, post-mount disc brakes and quickrelease skewers to the Vol 2, which added thruaxles and dual wheel-size capabilities.
And now I’ve switched up to the latest Vol 3 incarnation, which brings in a whole new tubeset and glorious detailing, such as dropouts machined from a single billet of titanium. The design has been tweaked with input from Tripster owners (including myself), so it’s a bit sportier than before. Also, tyre clearances have been upped further with room to run 40c tyres in 700c and 50c with smaller 650b wheels fitted.
My own build is intended to be more all-road than out-and-out gravel. To that end the Shimano GRX groupset is a 2x system, and I’m running slick tyres from Challenge – the smooth Strada Bianca in a 36c – on Sector’s carbon wheels with their unique Textreme Innegra carbon layup, which makes for a tough yet responsive set of wheels that works brilliantly on the road and can handle plenty of rough stuff too.
For the most part I’ve been riding the Tripster on the road, with a few byway diversions and towpath shortcuts thrown into the mix. It is quite a wonderful machine, combining lively handling with awesome levels of comfort, and it boasts looks that turn plenty of heads too. I’m convinced that my more road-focused build is the ideal for me, but still the lure of dirt and gravel looms so I may look into adding a second set of wheels in 650b, complete with some big-volume tyres, to try out the Tripster’s prowess on more challenging surfaces.
This is without a shadow of a doubt the best Tripster yet, smartly designed, beautifully finished and with a ride to match. That said, I’m certainly not done with the Tripster just yet. I think I might switch out the Ritchey saddle for something a little shorter, as that’s what I’m favouring perch wise these days. Also, Kinesis’s owner Upgrade has just signed up to distribute legendary parts maker Thomson, which has recently launched a sharp-looking gravel/allroad bar. So, I may have to look into making a few more changes down the line. Even without upgrades, this Tripster is shaping up to be a bike that I could live with riding every day until I can no longer turn a pedal– which won’t be for a good while, hopefully!