New build!

[VeloceNiente]

Well, I have decided to yield to the corrupted modern world and build up a carbon di2 bike, and would welcome opinion and advice on the build.

Just bought the frame, a used Aethos s-works.

I'm pretty set on Ultegra 12 speed.

Ultegra cranks the best choice? Which non-Shimano cranks should I look at, if any?

Are there non-shimano bottom brackets I should consider?

Are there any benefits going with Dura-Ace levers other than a fractional weight savings?

Same question for brake calipers - Shimano claim stiffer one-piece design.

Thanks and I'll post some photos as the build progresses.

-Jeff

[ridethecliche]

If you're set on ultegra di2, might as well buy the groupset. There are reasons to mix and match but if you don't have a preference then don't bother. It'll be light enough and you can spend that money on wheels.

[deluz]

Ultegra 12 speed is very good. I actually went 105 on the shifters to save some money and happy how it turned out.

[hypnos]

If you are an elite/pro athlete, maybe your sponsor can pay for the DuraAce. If you are paying your own way, go with Ultegra. I’m winding down my first season with my new bike built with 12-speed Ultegra Di2. It rocks! My builder suggested that Wheels Manufacturing offers clearly superior bottom brackets, so I went with his advice. Enjoy your new bike!!

Jeff

[openwheelracing]

Happy with Mortop BB. Look into it I love the design and it spins like butter.I think a S Works frame deserves it.Not super pricy either.

[AngryScientist]

Ultegra level stuff is A+ excellent. You can get fancier components, for sure, but it's hard to beat the performance of Ultegra.

As you may know, there was a large volume recall of their hollow cranks for cracking issues, but if you are buying new, that should not be an issue.

[VeloceNiente]

Hey thanks everyone for the info.

I’ll look in to the Mortop and Wheels Manufacturing BBs.

Jeff

[lunardds]

I just built one up I got from Clean. I caved in and got Dura Ace for it since it's an S Works and I wanted to play along. The Euro dealers can get it down to around 2500 all in. You can also get Super Record for around 2k if you piece it together. Closet had a great deal on Red as well. Lots of options to bite the bullet and go full on absurd. I mean, you are building an S Works and yolo. I went Kogel bb but Wheels, King, and Phil have served me well over the years.

[VeloceNiente]

@lunardds

Nice to hear from another aethos owner.

That looks like a fun bike. Waiting to ride mine is trying patience for sure.

I will definitely sprinkle some dura ace in there. I’ll start with a DA cassette and chain. I’ll scapegoat you if I wince at the bank account after building!

-Jeff

[shadco]

Ultegra is great, went with a Wheels Mfg angular contact bottom bracket.



.

[VeloceNiente]

@shadco

Nice!

[KrispyK]

For Shimano cranks with a BSA frame. I really like the stock Shimano Dura ace bottom bracket. Cheap. Very well sealed. Spin well. Only downsides are that they are not bling and the bearings are not replaceable.

[jacrider]

For an alternative to the Shimano cranks - have a look at Rotor's carbon cranks that are compatible. Lighter and a bit of carbon-cool. 2nd recommendation for Wheels Manuf for BB if you go the Rotor way as it has a 30mm spindle. If going with Shimano crank (24mm spindle) the Ultegra/DA BB is hard to beat on value but non-replaceable bearings.

[Philster]

You're starting with a super light frame, so, I don't see the need for DA. The only reason that I would stray from Shimano cranks is for power. I've been using 4iii left crank power, but I'm not super fussy about power. The Rotor power meters are not great but you can swap in another spider.

Whatever you do, stick with Shimano chain rings. HG front shifting is Shimano's main advantage.

For wheels, I'm a huge fan of Fulcrum. Basically Campy hubs and a solid rim bed in case you want to run tubeless.

[VeloceNiente]

This is getting into the weeds, but what’s everyone opinion on angular contact vs. radial bearings for the BB?