My Kinesis Aithein

[powenb]

Hi all

Just like to introduce you to my Kinesis Aithein.


I must say, I absolutely love riding this bike. It brings a smile to my face every time I swing a leg over it, and stomp on the pedals.

I have seriously been toying with the thought of getting rid of my F8 and just having this as my only summer bike.

Before taking things that far, I am going to start by upgrading items on it to try and make just that bit lighter and more enjoyable.

Spec currently is:
56cm Kinesis Aithein aluminium frame and full carbon fork
Fizik R3 Chemeleon bars
Fizik R1 100mm stem
Kinesis UD 31.6 290mm seatpost
Fizik Arione Classic saddle
Shimano Ultegra compact groupset
Shimano Dura Ace 9000 C24 wheels
Continental GP4000s 23mm tyres
Bontrager Standard 48mm inner tubes
Current weight = 7.660kg


I am taking her to Italy next week for 10 days, and my plan is going to kick into action on my return.

I plan on testing the Zipp 202 wheels from my F8 vs the C24's to see which is lighter/better. I LOVE the C24's and I rate these as some of the best wheels I have ever used.
Whichever wheelset I use, I will swap over to a Dura Ace cassette.
After that, I am looking at:
FSA K-Force Light chainset
FSA K-Force brake calipers
Fizik Arione R1 saddle
Fizik R1 bars
Then Dura Ace shifters and derailleurs and pedals

Looking forward to it!

Banno

[poursuivant]

I was planning on building one of these frames up before I found my cervelo.

I still toy with the idea of building up one with low profile wheels as a climbing bike.

Very nice!

[powenb]

I still toy with the idea of building up one with low profile wheels as a climbing bike.

Very nice!

Thanks very much.
I honestly can't recommend the frameset highly enough.

[Asteroid]

Some real photography flair with your lovely bike juxtaposed against that wall.
Well, you use my favorite wheelset (C24's) and Arione saddle, so you can't be all bad. haha
You will save a few hundred grams with your proposed changes.
Curious how the FSA brakes stack up performance-wise against the hard-to-beat Dura Ace stoppers.
Enjoy Italy. Envious. Ciao.

[powenb]

Some real photography flair with your lovely bike juxtaposed against that wall.

Haha yeah sorry about that. It's the only one I had on my phone at the time.
I'll post some better ones, especially showing off the lovely paint!

[powenb]

Here is one of it in a previous disguise.

[powenb]

[poursuivant]

Maxxis featherweight tubes could save you about 80-100g if you're running standard tubes. Every one I've ever bought was around 52g. They feel good and hold air well.

I'm curious as to the weight of the kinesis post. I've been curious about the fizik finishing kit - how do you find them?

[powenb]

Thanks, I'll check those out.

I will be looking at the Kinesis post.
It's advertised as 200g, which isn't too bad for a 31.6.
It works perfectly, but I have been looking at the AX-Lightness Europa and the Tune Schwarzes Stück posts, which are both mega light!
Unfortunately the Fixik 00 post only come in a 25mm setback, which is too much for me.

I can't fault the rest of the finishing kit either. It's all a good weight and price!