[Mrmiik]

Dear all,

I am about to embark on a build of a Kinesis Aithein, with a focus on weight and aggressiveness- this ain’t gonna be no all day tourer. 😀

At present I am also struggling to decide on the colour – black is drawing me in, but those other colours are slexy too!

Any riders of Aitheins – please give me your advice and feedback on the bike, how is the sizing etc? I’m around 5,8 and will be going for a 53cm frame – probably with a 110mm or 120mm stem.

Most likely I’ll be going for SRAM Force 22, although may get drawn on a bit of Campy Chorus if the mood takes me… 👿

Regarding wheels. I see alot of builds with Reynolds attack or assault on the bike. However, I’m struggling to source these wheels – any advice or feedback? I like to climb, but I live in Belgium, so if I run carbon wheels, they will need to stand up to being battered on pavé.

With best,

Mik

Topic

[ole_velo]

Hi Chris. Just built up a

Hi Chris. Just built up a 2020 Aithein Disc with Ultegra Di2. Weighs 8.2 kgs with King Cage steel bottle cages, Ultegra pedals & Wahoo mount. Alu seatpost, stem & handlebars, carbon seat & wheelset (Mavic Ksyrium UST 2020), DA9100 crankset. Very pleased with how the bike rides. Super value too.

[BobbyG]

Bowman Palace 3? This is

Bowman Palace 3? This is where my money would be going ? (and may well in the not too distant future)

[Chris Harris]

I know this thread is years

I know this thread is years old.

I am considering an Aithein Disc build, ‘cos I am after a race Di2 disc bike, preferably threaded BB, & have leaning toward alu instead of carbon. Obviously the preassembled Di2 bikes almost all carbon. Also, my own build gives me precise choice of things like handlbar type & width, chainrings, crank length, stem length, & make use of components I already own.

I did a weight budget & the Aithein Disc bike complete is under 8kg (excepting only pedals), based on Ultegra Di2, alu seatpost & alu handlebars (suprised me too, but I checked carefully).

Other than the Aithein Disc, there seem to be limited alu race frames that are compatible with Di2 drivetrain. If anyone knows of any at a reasonable price, please suggest. (I know there are brands such as Tomassini, but $$$ & hard to get in Australia).

Regards

[DrJDog]

This is mine – I have since
This is mine – I have since chopped the steerer tube. I have no idea how to make this photo appear upright. 🙁 And I work with computers 🙁

[Mrmiik]

Was thinking the Spada
Was thinking the Spada Stiletto Forgiattos… but I’ve discovered I can buy the Deda 30mm AL for less, which weigh less and offer marginal aero benefits.

I also like Deda as a brand more and have plenty of their finishing kit, but have never come across their wheels.

http://www.dedaelementiruote.com/en/WD30ALCL.htm

Thoughts…???

[rabeynon]

Mrmiik wrote:Looks like a

Mrmiik wrote:

Looks like a toss up between Spada (http://roadcyclinguk.com/gear/spada-stiletto-wheelset-review.html) and Shimano RS81 C24s… (http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-wh-rs81-c24-carbon-laminate-clincher-wheelset/)

been thinking of getting the Spadas for a while now, anyone got experience of them?

[Mrmiik]

Nice – good pedal choice –
Nice – good pedal choice – I’ve got the same going on mine.

[notfastenough]

Mrmiik wrote:Am I going to

Mrmiik wrote:

Am I going to notice any discernible difference between Campy Zondas and a set of nice wheelsmith race24s at all? Thanks!

With any luck the Wheelsmith Race wheels should be better than anything factory-built.

[CarbonBreaker]

mine… stem has been flipped
mine… stem has been flipped since the phot was taken, awesome bike built from the reused parts from a Tarmac of mine that broke (no more plastic for me). I love it almost as much as my Enigma Excel!

[Mrmiik]

Am I going to notice any
Am I going to notice any discernible difference between Campy Zondas and a set of nice wheelsmith race24s at all? Thanks!

[mtbtomo]

If the weight limit is 89kg,
If the weight limit is 89kg, then they will have taken account of a factor of safety. I doubt even that anyone on the 89kg boundary would need to weigh themself religiously before each ride in case they were carrying a bit too much lard that day. At 89kg Kinesis will be fairly sure they won’t see any frame failures / or so few that there is no need to worry about it. You’d probably get away with slightly heavier even, depending how you ride.

You don’t need to then factor in your own weight reduction below the 89kg!

[Mrmiik]

I weigh 64kg… Not really a
I weigh 64kg… Not really a concern myself.

I have a crappy alu bike and a mid-level Italian carbon machine. I put thousands of kms on the carbon bike each year – it climbs that a goat on speed.

However, I’m coming back to high end alu after I did a sportive on my brother’s Genesis. Loved the way the frame felt and handled. I think alu will always have a place for the more aggressive riders amongst us.

Really looking forward to getting the bike. Everything ordered (bar wheels) and beginning to arrive. 😀

I have zondas on my campy equipped cinelli and love the wheels, however it just does not feel right putting zondas on a SRAM equipped bike, and it is always worth having a change.

Feeling myself getting drawn towards the Spadas…

[Daveyraveygravey]

I’ve never had a carbon bike
I’ve never had a carbon bike and have always promised myself one, one day. Aithein is making me think long and hard about this! RE the weight limit, which is 89 kg I think. Has anyone had any issues with this? Are any of you close to that? I’m around 80 myself so wouldn’t want to put any on!

[mtbtomo]

I have the Race23’s. Stiff
I have the Race23’s. Stiff and light though the freehub needs a clean after manky weather.

[Mrmiik]

Ok so the question of wheels.
Ok so the question of wheels.

I’m thinking Wheelsmith’s Race24 or perhaps Spade Stiletto Forgiato.

Any thoughts from anyone with experience of these wheels?

Many thanks.
Mike

[Author]

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