From time to time, I get a bigger rider looking for a nice road bike and most of the time there is nothing available. Or if there is something, it is way outside of their budget, or it is porridge. 

So, I thought I would plan ahead and build a nice, large frame bike, with nice parts and try to keep it under $10K. 

So, I was looking for a high end race frame, and there was a Specialized AETHOS frameset available in 61cm. Normally retail on it would be $6000, but it was the last one, so I got it at a good price, which gave me a bit of leeway with everything else. 

The AETHOS line promises three things—exceptional light weight, perfectly balanced ride characteristics, and undeniable style. AETHOS: Billions of calculations in the pursuit of one thing—the perfect ride.

And with this frame set, you have the perfect canvas to begin creating your dream ride.

• The AETHOS frame has been designed with the perfect combination of ultimate ride feel, light weight, and style—from accelerating up steep pitches and descending technical descents, to all-day saddle comfort on even the longest coffee rides, the AETHOS hits the mark. But how, you ask? By reinventing the traditional road shape found on bikes of the past, we’ve subtly altered these shapes to deliver massive gains in stiffness and balance, all without affecting weight or durability. Pair that with an entirely new layup and process that we’ve perfected over multiple decades and you have the lightest frame out there (585 grams, S-Works, size 56cm). The AETHOS is more than just a new bike, it’s the first of a new breed.

• A featherweight frame is useless without confidence-inspiring ride characteristics, which is why we’ve developed the AETHOS to have the perfect balance of front and rear stiffness combined with exceptional ride quality. By studying the flexing and breathing of carbon fiber, we were able to discover groundbreaking findings about how forces flow through frames. Just a few pedal strokes and you’ll realize this sublime ride sets a new standard.

• Every detail, from the derailleur hangers to the fork expander plug have been designed with style, weight, and durability in mind—everything in pursuit for the perfect ride.

Looking for a groupset at a similar level to the frame, without going crazy. I settled on the Campagnolo CHORUS 12 speed, disc brake gruppo. Just the right combination of quality and street cred, without blowing the bank. Looks great, smooth shifting, really effective hydraulic disc brakes. Subtle, even understated, like an Aston Martin; you know it's something special, but you don't know what. 

For wheels, I was torn. Wheels can easily be the biggest ticket item after the frame, often as much as the groupset. For this level of bike, I would have loved to fit a carbon wheelset - and we still can, but to keep to the brief, I went with ERE Research alloy rims. Good quality, great look, without the hefty price tag. The same rims are available in carbon fibre and would add about a little under $1000 to the total price. 

For the cockpit, there were a lot of really cool choices, but most of them were on the high dollar side, like integrated one-piece carbon bar and stem combos, so I opted for .... 

My AETHOS, is to build beautiful bikes, that feel light and responsive and the operation is smooth and satisfying and the ride is exquisite. To use a metaphor, that maybe speaks more about me, I want the ride experience to be like going to an amazing 5 Star restaurant every time I get on the bike. I want it to be enjoyable, I want it to be flawless, and I want to feel a little bit special every time I get on it and go for a ride and it whispers spells in my ear about how much further or more often I should get out and enjoy it.  

It's a pity this bike it too big me!

You can find some of my other builds and dreams, rides and creations here.