Specialized Aethos: Assembly with new Frameset

In the previous post, I wrote about the replacement Specialized Aethos frameset, in Maroon colour. With the replacement frameset, there are actually a few options for me.

1) Sell the new frameset and buy another frameset to build up. Cannondale? Trek? Etc.

2) Sell the new frameset, and also the components that I removed from the Aethos.

3) Rebuild the bike using the new frameset and the same components.

Option 1 sounded tempting, as I could get a new frameset from another brand. However, the value of the Aethos frameset was not really good even when brand new, as the prices have dropped a lot since I first got it. In fact I think there is now excessive stock which the shops are trying to sell off.

Option 2 means having no road bike to ride, as the Aethos is my only road bike after selling away the Focus Paralane earlier. Although I do get back some cash if I sell the road bike, I think I still want to keep one road bike for the occasional fast road ride.

That means I eventually decided to go with Option 3, which is to rebuild the Aethos using the same components but the new Maroon frameset. Since I was going to rebuild the Aethos from scratch, I decided to take the opportunity to change some components as well.

I bought a new PRO Vibe superlight carbon handlebar, which is a new generation that is even lighter than the previous version! The previous version weighs 198 grams, which is already lightweight but there are a few others that are even lighter.

This time, the new handlebar is going to weigh even less, check out the actual weight below!

New PRO Vibe superlight carbon handlebar, now lighter than the previous version!

In my preferred width of 400 mm

Just 2 holes at the bottom for the hydraulic brake hoses, instead of 4 in the previous version. It is assumed that you will be using wireless road shifters.

Hole near the drops for routing the hydraulic hose internally from the road shifters to the middle of the handlebar.

Oval hole at the back of the handlebar enables Di2 wires to be routed into the stem, if necessary.

Side view shows a short reach and a standard drop shape, with a flat horizontal end.

See how thin the walls of the carbon handlebar are! Good manufacturing and quality control is needed to ensure that the wall thickness is consistent and fulfils the minimum requirement. It's a delicate balance between weight and strength.

Handlebar is really lightweight at just 160 grams! 38 grams lighter than the previous handlebar.

Inclusive of the Specialized S-Works SL Stem, the stem + handlebar combo weighs just 275 grams! Lighter than many integrated carbon stem + handlebar combo.

Although the new handlebar saves 38 grams of weight, the new Maroon Aethos frameset weighs 56 grams more than the old frame, so there is a net increase of 18 grams. Although it is nice to keep the weight low, I have realized that adding a little bit of weight here and there is not going to matter at all.

Since the components have been completely removed from the bike, I took the chance to clean up the Dura-Ace R9200 cassette as well. Once again, I used the Ultrasonic cleaner to make sure that the cassette is as clean as can be, with minimal effort from me.

Dura-Ace R9200 cassette to be installed onto the Shimano Road L2 spline freehub body, on the Dura-Ace R9270 C50 wheelset.

Shiny cassette after cleaning, looks as good as new!

As the new frameset came with a new fork as well, this means having to cut the fork steerer tube to the correct length again. Since my home workshop is pretty comprehensive, with all the right tools that are commonly used, I was able to do this job at home.

Marking the section to cut, after fitting on the stem for confirmation.

Using the table clamp to hold onto the Topeak Saw Guide, and cutting with the carbon blade on the Park Tool Hack Saw.

After cutting, the fork weighs only 286 grams! 16 grams was removed by cutting it to my required length. This is one of the lightest forks you will ever see.

Specialized S-Works SL Stem installed, with the lightweight expander slightly recessed as per instructions.

Front part of the frameset is ready, with the fork, headset and stem installed.

Glittery Maroon paint job! Looks awesome in sunlight, much like the Cervelo Aspero.

The Maroon colour looks better and better by the day!

With a new frameset, the excitement of building a new bike is here again. At the same time, there is the reassuring thought that I have done this before, and all the components have already been tried and tested to fit this frameset. In fact, even the chain can be reused as it is still in good condition and of the correct length.

For a detailed part by part analysis of the Specialized Aethos, check out the original series where the Champagne Pink frameset was first assembled!