Show me your "Aluminati" builds!

I really like riding this bike. Largely stock 105 build, save for the wheels and saddle.

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The sprint is such a good frame. So fun. So fast. Looks great with so many different color schemes and components. And one I don’t mind putting expense components on. It punches above its weight in so many ways imo.

Anyways. Beautiful bike. Love the build.

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That bike looks killer!!! I think I found my new dream bike to replace my Kinesis! How does it ride?

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gues that was too easy haha! 5 arbitrary points for you!

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I have no idea how this pop up in my head.

I’m terrible at pub quizzes sort of thing.

… probably I’m just showing my age :person_shrugging:

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Fluorescent lighting in my basement is poor for pictures. Build almost done. Difficult to find a decent bike in large sizes for 6’3" son unless you want to give up an organ. Thought about going with Asian Carbon but stumbled across this CX frame on eBay. Accent CX-One Pro (Poland) and under $500CDN to my door for the frameset.

A mix of scavenged parts off an unused road bike, a couple of used items, and a couple of new. This is going to be a groadie so those wheels will eventually go back to road tires and a set Novatec Jetflys will go on it when my carbon CX wheels arrive, a set of SPD pedals, and cut the steer tube down to size when he arrives home. Would have preferred internal cable routing and the need for top-pull front derailleur almost made it 1x build. Fortunately a 2x10 FD-CX50 works just fine with 105-5800 brifters and can be found in a 34.9 clamp.

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For anyone that has a Kinesis Athein (disc). What wheel/tyre combo does everyone use?

I have the old Aithein Disc 2017 - Currently 45mm rim + 25 Schwalbe Pro Tubeless - probably will go back to 28 - might try gp5000.

Any idea what the internal and external widths of the rim are?

For the carbon wheels its 28mm external - 21mm internal + 25c Schwalbe Pro tubless
+
Also, use Hope 20Five Wheelset with 28c Gatorskins for winter or light gravel riding - 24mm ext and 20mm internal.

Is there something specific you are wondering about?
I wouldn’t put 30c tyres - at least not at the front, you might JUST make it but it would be a gamble. 28c has pretty decent clearance.

So I’m going to get one and make a custom build but I’m not sure on what wheel to go for. I was looking at either the LightBicycle Falcon Pro or Winspace Hyper, which by the sounds of it from your wheel measurements will fit ok. Ideally the Aethein will be used as a Crit/Circuit bike.

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I’m running Falcon Pro’s with my Aithein and am super super happy with them.

Are you based in London?

SBC Cycles in Hackney does custom builds w/ LightBicycle Rims for a decent price - Might be a good shout if you intend to race on carbon hoops - they might give you a deal if they need to be rebuilt

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That looks amazing and is pretty much the type of build I have in mind. I’m in Bath so not too far away. My local LBS is a stockist of Kinesis but not sure about LightBicycle wheels.

Am I right in thinking the Athein is on par as the Bowman Palace in being quite race orientated and snappy?

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Can’t say much about the Bowman as I am heavily biased towards the Aithein as it has served me so so well over the years.

I’ve bikepacked lejog + mutiple other trips. I’ve had multiple crashes, I fly with it multiple times a year, I had a whole phase of gravel on 28c tyres - I deliverooed on it for 2 years, rebuilt it multiple times over just for fun, It was once my daily commuter with cheaper components too… I remember climbing a 30% gradient in wales with bikepacking kit - I was probably putting out 400-500W for about 1 minute or so with all my bikepacking bags and it still felt very stable and stiff around the BB.

It has been honestly incredible but thats why we like alu right? Not that its race specific but if it can handle all that it can handle the abuse it will get from a crit!

Not to mention how stable it feels at high speeds - I’ve taken my bike close to 100kmh in Switzerland and it was great!

The only downside is clearance - If you want to put 30c tyres then Bowman - the Bowman may also have 27.2 seatpost making it slightly more comfortable vs 31.6 (MAYBE) - but i’ve spent 10+ hours on mine without any issues… I’d say it is on par with the bowman if not the extra tyre clearence on the bowman is a huge upside. Just to add to your list what about a Specialized Allez Sprint - much more capable as a crit specific machine i’d imagine but probably more expensive + press fit + aero seatpost could mean a harsher ride and a bit of a faf to work on.

Also incase you are wondering about weight I think the above pic is 8.5kg with plenty of heavy bits I haven’t optimized - pedals (380g), seatpost (200g), bars (400g), 105 cassette is pretty heavy and Rival derailleurs… So without much effort I think ud get it sub 8kg.

I love my bike and the Aithein is very very capable!

Sorry for my enthusiasm - i’ve had a few beers. Keep me posted when your build is complete!

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Jeez it has pretty much been through everything for better and for worse. One of the reasons I want a Alu bike is with the added stiffness around the BB. I currently have a Tarmac SL5 expert so I’m not sure how it compares. The geometry of the aithein works just right for me that I can slam the bars and then cut the excess off, amazing. Clearance isn’t really a problem 28c is the biggest I would go anyway, I’d probably be happy with 25c especially as the wheel I plan to buy will have 28 external width and tie in close to the 105% rule. Yeah I thought about the Allez Sprint and it seems super capable but everyone either has one of those or a CAAD, so I want something different. I also like to ride a British built bike. So my Tarmac is 8.3kg, it has full 105 r brake kit on and cheap alu training wheels, 1.8kg for the pair, and I win some races with this. 8.5kg is fine by me as I’ll go for 105 hydro disc for the Athein.

The purple version comes in stock on the 17 May :crossed_fingers:

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I’ve just picked up a Bowman Palace 3 and absolutely love it. Had a few rides on it and really really impressed - feels nice and stiff, corners well and generally looks great! Would highly recommend if you are looking for something like this.

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My Kinesis Tripster AT that I got in 2018, pictured here in Pollok park Glasgow.

Recently had a service and new tyres put on so thought I would post.

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Siiiick.

Which handlebars are these?