I’ll get this out of the way straight off – I’m a huge fan of the Tripster ATR. I had the original ATR from 2012 to late last year, so when Kinesis owner Upgrade let on that it had a new one coming, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to switch my previous version for the latest model.
Kinesis Tripster ATR V2 spec overview
- Frame: Custom drawn 3AL/2.5v titanium
- Fork: Kinesis Tripster carbon
- Gears: SRAM Force 1
- Brakes: SRAM Force
- Wheels: Zipp 30 clincher disc
- Tyres: Vee Rail 40c
- Headset: Tapered FSA
- Seat clamp: Hope
- Seatpost: FSA SL-K
- Saddle: Brooks C17 Cambium carbon
- Bar: 3T Aerotunda
- Stem: ARXII
- Bottle cage: Elite
- Weight: 8.4kg (58cm)
So what’s changed?
The guys at Upgrade have plenty of interaction with their bikes' owners, and from the feedback they were getting they found that riders (including me) were taking the original Tripster much further off the beaten track than they’d anticipated, and with the growth of bikepacking and gravel grinding continuing apace, Kinesis took the opportunity to tweak the design to meet current needs.
Note that the ATR V2 is only sold as a frame, without fork, so owners can choose their preferred fork.
First up, Kinesis has increased the strength of the frame with an all-new custom titanium tubeset, increasing the gauge on the down tube.
The underside of the top tube has been flattened to give a better fit for frame bags (and it makes carrying the bike more comfortable too).
The back end has been modified for flat-mount brakes (though my build still has my SRAM Force 1 post-mount brakes running with an adaptor) and the switchable dropouts can be used with either a 12x142mm thru-axle (supplied) or a 10x135mm quick-release skewer.
The frame also has internal cable routing for both cables and hydraulic hoses — plus provision for Di2 for those looking for a more glitzy build.
The frame still retains mudguard and rack mounts, and a third set of bottle bosses has been added to satisfy the more adventurous expedition riders out there.
Tweaked geometry
The back end looks a little longer, and that’s because tyre clearance has increased to 45mm (or 40mm with mudguards).
For the first time you can now also run the Tripster with 650b (27.5in) wheels and 2-inch mountain bike tyres.
Alongside this, Kinesis has dropped the bottom bracket height (to allow for bigger tyres) and slackened the head tube while lengthening the top tube, so the new Tripster is now more suited to a shorter stem and wider flared bars.
I’ve used the same build kit I had on my original Tripster, so that’s SRAM Force 1 with a 42-tooth chainring and a 10-42t block, Force 1 hydraulic discs and Zipp 30 disc wheels.
Completing the build is an FSA SL-K carbon post held in place by a trick Hope clamp, and topped with a Brooks C17 Cambium (carbon railed) saddle. Up front is a 3T ARXII stem and the brilliantly shaped 3T Aerotunda bar.
The only change I've made is the switch to a set of Vee Rail 40c tyres for a bit more off-road potential.
I’ll report back on how this new Tripster measures up to one of my all-time favourites, but the couple of rides I’ve managed on it so far have been familiar and a whole ton of fun. I’m going to need a couple of big days out to really get to grips with the changes Kinesis has put together though.
The Tripster ATR titanium frame (without fork) is priced at £1,849.99. International pricing not currently available.
