Time to build a new bike! I have been reading about the Specialized Aethos, and it seems to be an awesome bike that is different from others. Some of the features that attracted me:
1) Rides very well without being overly stiff nor flexible.
2) Extremely lightweight frameset, especially for a mass produced carbon frame.
3) Non-integrated cable routing at the stem and headset area, for easy maintenance.
4) Threaded bottom bracket for easy servicing.
5) Conventional round seat post, with external seat post clamp.
After doing lots of research, I decided to buy the frameset from the local Specialized dealer. I was able to find the colour that I wanted (Satin Flake Silver/Red Gold Chameleon Tint/Brushed Chrome), or Champagne colour in short.
With this bike, I can go full weight weenie, and source for components that are of high quality and also lightweight. Starting with the frame, follow me on this bike build process!
Specialized S-Works Aethos frame! No large S-Works logo splashed across the down tube.
The colour looks like pinkish champagne, which is very unique as I have not seen it on other bikes before.
Smooth blended interface between the head tube, top tube and down tube. This ensures optimal strength with the least amount of material used.
Small Aethos logo on the front of the head tube, which I prefer over big flashy logos.
Check out the metallic paint job which looks very good in the sun.
One cable hole on the side of the head tube, for the rear brake hose.
Integrated headset design for headset bearings, for weight savings and a clean look. Easy headset assembly as well.
Both top and bottom of the head tube has integrated bearing seats. Inside of the frame looks nicely finished.
The paint job looks gorgeous under sunlight.
Small S-Works logo on the top tube, which is the way I like it. Size 52 frame size.
Unpainted carbon under the seat post clamp.
Again, smooth joints between the top tube, seat tube and seat stays. Maximum stiffness at minimum weight.
Smooth joining between the down tube, seat tube and chain stays. Bottle cage bolts on the down tube and seat tube.
Front derailleur bracket, with a hole at the side for the Di2 cable to pass through.
S-Works frames use 12R carbon with the highest modulus to ensure good strength and stiffness at a low weight.
Bottom bracket is threaded for easy servicing and no creaking. Nicely blended into the rest of the frame.
At the bottom, the chain stays are slightly squarish.
Standard chain stay design, without being oversized.
Rear flat mount brake mounting, with the rear brake hose exiting from the left side chain stay.
M12 thread for the rear thru axle is integrated into the frame for weight reduction, instead of having the threads on a separate aluminum piece.
Rear derailleur hanger for M12 thru axles.
On the other side of the rear dropout, the frame has a countersunk for the thru axle to rest inside.
Saves weight and gives a very clean appearance.
Size 52 frame weight including front derailleur bracket weighs only 599 grams!
4x aluminium bottle cage bolts weigh 5 grams.
Rear derailleur dropout weighs 12 grams.
Seat post clamp is 11 grams. Very minimalist design.
2x hose guides plus 1x Di2 wire grommet weighs 2 grams.
This S-Works Aethos frame is extremely lightweight, at just 599 grams! Very similar to the claimed weight of around 600 grams. For a fair comparison to other frames, I will add the weight of the seat post clamp, rear derailleur dropout and bottle cage bolts to this Aethos frame. This gives a weight of 627 grams for the Aethos.
Compared to the other road/gravel frames that I have measured, here is the summary.
Weight includes front derailleur mount, rear derailleur hanger, seat post clamp and 4x bottle cage bolts.
Frame Weight Comparison
Specialized S-Works Aethos: 627 grams
Canyon Endurace CF SLX: 807 grams
Focus Paralane: 1005 grams
Cervelo Aspero: 1177 grams
Fabike C3: 1296 grams
From this comparison, you can see that the Aethos frame weight is in a completely different league. If you want to build a lightweight bike, you have to start with a lightweight frame.
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