Cervelo Aspero: Headset, E-Thru Axles, Brake Adapter, Seat Post, Saddle

When you get a new frameset, other than the frame and fork, there will also be other parts that are included with it. With this Cervelo Aspero frameset, the headset parts, E-thru axles and also the seat post are included. Let's take a closer look at these parts, and also weigh them to help estimate the total bike weight.

Compression plug that goes into the carbon fork steerer tube. This compression plug is quite long, which is good for grip but also means that it is a bit heavier.

Top cap to pre-load the headset, by pressing down on the stem and pulling up on the steerer tube.

Headset sealed bearings, with the top 1 1/8 inch in size and the bottom 1 1/4 inch in size. The compression ring and headset cover are also included. Quite heavy as the bearings are quite big.

During initial installation, I found that there is quite a big gap between the headset cover and the frame. The upper headset bearing is visible through the gap.

The installation is correct, as the compression ring rests on the top bearing.

After checking with the dealer, we realized that the height of the compression ring seems to be wrong. It seems to be too tall, causing a bigger gap between the headset cover and the frame. Functionally there is no problem, just that it does not look as nice, while water will get into the headset more easily.

The dealer sent over the correct compression ring that very same day, allowing me to continue with the installation.

With the correct compression ring that is flatter.

Now the headset cover matches nicely with the frame, with no big gap.

For frames with thru axles, the axles will usually come with the frame, as there are different axle lengths and thread pitches, so aftermarket axles may not be 100% compatible.

12 x 100/142 mm E-thru axles that are included with the Cervelo Aspero. As there are levers on both the front and rear axles, they are quite heavy at 129 grams in total.

The length and thread pitch of the thru axles are laser marked on the sides for easy reference.

The Cervelo Aspero fork has a Trail Mixer feature, which allows the trail of the bike to be adjusted forward or rearward by 5 mm. Adjusting the Trail Mixer itself it not that difficult, as only 2 bolts needs to be loosened to flip the Trail Mixer around.

However, the more troublesome part is moving the front brake caliper, as the front axle and thus disc rotor is in a different position between the forward and rearward axle setting. When the Trail Mixer is in the forward setting, just use the original brake adapter that is supplied with the Flat Mount brake caliper. In the forward setting, you can use 140 or 160 mm diameter rotors.

In my case, I chose to use the Trail Mixer in the rearward position, for more stability, especially with the smaller 650b wheels. Therefore, the brake caliper needs to be moved rearwards by 5 mm to match the rotor. A special Flat Mount brake adapter is included with the Cervelo Aspero, to move the brake caliper rearwards by 5 mm.

Special Flat Mount adapter, to be used when the Trail Mixer is used in the rearward position. Heavier than the thinner stock Flat Mount adapter.

This adapter only allows the use of 160 mm diameter disc rotors.

A new seat post is included with this Cervelo Aspero frameset, but I would prefer to use the Canyon VCLS suspension seat post, as it is more comfortable. However, not all bikes can use the VCLS seat post, as it needs a minimum exposed length for flexing. If the seat tube is too long or high, and if the rider is not tall enough, the VCLS seat post cannot be used.

On the Canyon, the seat tube is purposely made short, so that there is more exposed length for the VCLS seat post. My objective here is to find out whether the VCLS seat post can be used on the Cervelo Aspero or not.

This comparison is made more difficult by the fact that the Cervelo Aspero has a lower bottom bracket (78.5 mm drop) than the Canyon Endurace (75 mm drop), which means that putting the bikes side by side is not accurate as the bottom bracket height also affects the seat post height used by the rider.

The most accurate way is to measure the distance from the centre of the bottom bracket to the top edge of the seat tube, or maximum insertion line on the VCLS seat post.

Distance from centre of bottom bracket to top edge of seat tube is 462 mm. This is considered quite short.

At my normal seat post height setting, there is an additional 26 mm of insertion possible. The VCLS seat post cannot be inserted further as the flexing area cannot fit into the seat tube.

This means that the distance between the bottom bracket centre and the top edge of the seat tube can be a maximum of 462 + 26 = 488 mm. If the distance is longer, the seat post cannot be lowered enough to fit me.

Based on my measurement of the Size 51 Cervelo Aspero frame, the distance from bottom bracket centre to top edge of the seat tube is 500 mm.

Since the Cervelo Aspero frame has a seat tube that is too tall, I will not be able to use the Canyon VCLS seat post. That is a shame as it is a really nice suspension seat post.

In this case, I shall use the Cervelo SP19 seat post that is included with the Aspero frameset.

Cervelo SP19 carbon seat post, with a round diameter of 27.2 mm.

Minimum insertion length is only 70 mm, which is shorter than the usual 100 mm.

Seat post weight is just 188 grams, which is considered quite lightweight. Saves about 50 grams over the Canyon VCLS seat post.

One good thing about using the Cervelo SP19 seat post is that it is more lightweight. Another benefit is that I can install the internal Di2 battery inside the Cervelo seat post, instead of somewhere else on the frame.

On the Canyon Endurace, due to the VCLS seat post, the internal Di2 battery cannot be placed inside the seat post. Therefore there is a special Di2 battery holder inside the downtube of the bike frame. Now, since the Cervelo SP19 seat post is just a standard round seat post, I can install the internal Di2 battery inside the seat post. This is similar to how it is done on the Fabike C3.

Finally, I need a good saddle for this bike, and it needs to be lightweight. As you have seen above, the seat post is actually made by FSA, as seen from the FSA branding on the saddle rail clamps. Due to the design of the saddle rail clamps, carbon saddle rails are not compatible. Titanium rails will work though, and with just a small weight penalty (~20 grams) over the carbon rail version.

I already have a Selle Italia SLR Titanium saddle which was on the Canyon Endurace, but that saddle has a matching red colour, which does NOT match the Teal colour of the Cervelo Aspero frame. In order to avoid colour clashes, I decided to buy a new saddle of the same model, in a generic black and silver colour.

Selle Italia SLR Titanium saddle, lightweight and comfortable! Got it at a good discount, plus it is already tried and tested to fit me well.

Titanium rails to minimize the weight.

Just 142 grams!

With most of the miscellaneous parts of the Cervelo Aspero accounted for, we will move on to the other key parts, such as the wheelset and the components.