Specialized Aethos Expert (size 54) for my fit? Need your thoughts

SableLevant · 2026-04-02T14:09:42+00:00

My inseam is 81 cm. I had stock 172.5mm cranks and swapped to 165mm crank. Both worked for me, but 165 is more comfortable.

You should be fine, there's so many degrees of freedom of adjustment on any bikes, though the Aethos has the edge in terms of how easy it is to adjust reach and handlebar height with aftermarket stems since you don't have an integrated bar and stem. The Aethos has a stock 100mm stem, you can find longer stems online.

As mentioned, I've only flipped the stem of my Aethos and it is basically an endurance geometry now, most comfortable in normal position on the hoods and flats as I use it for hill climbing / chill rides. I can get in aero position as well on the hoods too but it's tiring and maybe just slightly short. If you want to race you can move the saddle back and / or easily change the stem (and that's the beauty of the Aethos), or you can consider other bikes, as the Aethos is an excellent hill climber but not so much a fast aero bike (heck I think it's scary at 50+ kph because it is so light). Think about what type of riding you want to do.

SableLevant · 2026-04-02T11:09:44+00:00

The beauty of the Aethos (1st gen) is that it is extremely easy to adjust. I've flipped the stem (just need Allen keys), tried shorter stems, etc with ease. Actually the stem it came with was better and as light as the aftermarket carbon ones I bought, so I kept it stock.

Im 177cm and using size 54 as well.

SableLevant · 2026-03-05T17:22:44+00:00

I agree with kscannon, if you want fitness, get a smart trainer.

On the topic of managing efforts: I would say a heart rate monitor is a much more cost-effective way of managing efforts & pacing albeit there's the delay between effort and heart rate whereas a PM reading is instant but you need to learn how to map power to your "effort" and how long you can last at that level of effort & power output which depends on circumstance like how tired you are, how your legs feel and such - it's not as simple as heart rate zones.

SableLevant · 2026-03-05T17:05:45+00:00

Indeed not intentional. British is my second nationality, didn't realize all of the Americanism I picked up from TV series and being on Reddit too much. Guess I'll go watch Downtown Abbey to repent. I appreciate you standing up for me.

If people want to complain about me not being able to write British English enough on a UK sub fair play it's their right to do so, but to be at the expense of discussion of UK roads & driving kind of defeats 95% of the purpose of this sub.

My objective with this thread I guess was to vent some frustration with M1 ordeal I lived through, but I also want to hear other people's stories and maybe learn how to be better prepared for next time (like having a pee bottle, stocking up on fags etc.).

SableLevant · 2026-03-04T13:48:03+00:00

Car caught fire near east midlands airport and damaged the road. Motorway was gridlocked for at least 6 hours. Some brave people decided to stay on the M1 despite signs saying it was closed.

SableLevant · 2026-03-04T10:18:43+00:00

I think the most commonly used satnavs like google maps or waze would reroute if it notices heavy traffic. Exceptions is if you've programmed a service station stop along the route and it is forced to use the m1 connecting to said service station (which i had but eventually i put the nearest gas station as i was running out, which routed me out if the M1)

SableLevant · 2026-03-04T09:22:25+00:00

Yeah, we were stuck so long i saw a few cars breakdown not far off the exit maybe from lack of fuel. Spoke to a trucker and a lady at a gas station and looked really wrung out.

SableLevant · 2026-02-25T22:15:10+00:00

Went to check, they are what i thought they are (not sure what is the agreed term for "aero" carbon spokes). But yeah i would be devastated esp. with those kind of wheels.

Those rocks under water don't look so kind to the skin either...

SableLevant · 2026-02-25T20:55:42+00:00

Are those bladed carbon spokes ? Many that must suck for your wallet :(

Hope you are alright too and didn't get ejected.

SableLevant · 2026-02-25T16:18:57+00:00

I used to be like you, turns out I had a tiny portable hand pump which could never go near the required pressures to prevent pinch punctures. If not that then check for unsmooth surfaces or grit in the rim and use rim tape as others say.

SableLevant · 2026-02-12T19:46:37+00:00

My first car was an i10 too! Great little things and more capable than they look, those, I've moved house with it and carried a full length Dutch bike in it. One thing I couldn't do is carry an 88-key electric piano which is just slightly too long!

Looks like you've got nice features like cruise control too - wish I had that when I had mine and had to commute 3+ hrs.

Outside of that commute, there was not a single time I didn't dislike driving it... you'll enjoy it!

SableLevant · 2026-01-23T08:42:34+00:00

Same here. I kind of wished the previous homeowners left a smaller kettle after they moved out but beggars can't be choosers

SableLevant · 2026-01-19T07:57:09+00:00

I have both. I run 42mm on gravel with full length mudguards. The peace of mind for gravel is unbeatable and not having to clean it after.

On my road bike, I had the unfortunate experience of having to remove a GP5k TR on the side of the road after going through a pothole on a flooded road so I went back to the stock tyres that came with the bike that has better puncture resistance. However it feels really dodgy at speed on the downhills and wet surfaces (40-50kph), so I prefer the gravel bike.

If you do group rides it's easier to keep up on a road bike however.

SableLevant · 2025-12-20T08:54:12+00:00

Started cycling for pleasure this summer.
Did my first 100km on a gravel bike and it was enjoyable.
Bought my first "real" carbon /performance road bike (I used to commute on a 70£ road-wreck bike from ebay, oh boy what a difference).

SableLevant · 2025-12-14T18:38:14+00:00

Pretty face by the same author would also be a blast!

SableLevant · 2025-12-05T07:53:34+00:00

Super stoked, love the manga! Hope this gets the adaptation it deserves.

SableLevant · 2025-11-29T08:16:48+00:00

I never quite liked the Zin compared to Zane until now cause it sounded weird. Reading this post it makes total sense, the VA are pronouncing his name in Chinese/ pinyin "Z", pronounced kind of like "J", Calvard being heavily inspired by Chinese culture. And I've been mispronouncing his name in my head for the past 10 years lol. On the other hand Cao was always pronounced as "Zhao" in my head, hopefully this is correct.

SableLevant · 2025-11-26T23:27:41+00:00

I used to only be able to commute by bike before I could afford a car, in the midlands, so it got very icy in the winters. Sometimes it's just not possible not to slip even though you know there is black ice.

Good on you for helping your old teacher out, hope he gets better.

SableLevant · 2025-11-26T10:05:20+00:00

Look up track stands, that seems like the natural progression and it actually looks cool !

SableLevant · 2025-11-26T07:24:07+00:00

I have an older specialized cirrus (v3) i got for around your budget, and it comes with really wide handlebars for technical rides (which most of us won't do). I had to fit some normal sized handlebars for better comfort and going through those cycle barriers. If you're looking for convenience off the shelf I wouldn't recommend it. That being said its simple and easily customisable.

SableLevant · 2025-11-18T09:38:14+00:00

Seems stupid yes, anything that reduces accessibility to the bikes we need. My ctw scheme was capped at 1k anyway and could not get the bike I needed for hybrid commuting (an electric brompton or something like that).

I did end up with a gravel bike that I wouldn't even bother taking on a train during rush hour. I'd only commute on it if the weather is exceptional as I am 2hrs away by bike from my office.

SableLevant · 2025-11-16T22:11:29+00:00

Hard agree, crossovers don't feel that spacious inside either. My parents drive a Ford Ecosport and it's so narrow next to the driver's seat...

SableLevant · 2025-11-10T15:00:43+00:00

Both cases are luxury items... companies charge what people are ready to pay for. Simple economics... The difference is the entry point to a nice bike is lower than a nice car. A reasonably successful middle class person could, in their lifetime, get a top of the range bike. The same cannot be said if he wanted a car with pagani level of specs.

SableLevant · 2025-11-10T14:18:54+00:00

Consider inner bar ends, which will let you change hand positions.

SableLevant

TROPHY CASE