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news
Kinesis UK launches Aithein EVO - wider tyres, slacker geo and revised cable routing
The Kinesis Aithein has been one of our favourite aluminium road bikes since it launched in 2013, and it’s been updated for 2018 with increased tyre clearance, a slacker head angle, improved cable routing and switch to a threaded bottom bracket.
The bike wasn’t actually on display at Eurobike but Kinesis UK distributor Upgrade Bikes had decided to tuck it away in the back of their van along with the bikes and products from the many other brands they were displaying at the show (DMR, Reynolds, X-Fusion etc) and we managed to persuade them to let us have a gander. And take some photos to share with you all.
So the premise for the Aithein is to offer a lightweight and stiff frame for racing and fast riding with a weight that is competitive with some carbon frames but without the massive price tag, making it ideal for privateer racers or those cyclists that just don’t want to drop a fortune on a race bike.
The new Aithein Evo is a case of refinements rather than a massive leap forward. So it retains the same Superplastic Formed aluminium tubeset that allows for smooth profile transitions, most noticeably in the lower half of the seat tube where it flows from a round tube to square section to beef up bottom bracket stiffness.
Key changes include increased tyre clearance as that’s the way the market is going at the moment. Kinesis is recommending a maximum of 28mm tyres (probably wide enough for the sort of fast-paced riding this bike is designed for) but there looks to be plenty of space around the 27mm Challenge Paris-Roubaix for going a little wider depending on tyre and rim combination.
Kinesis felt the handling was perhaps a little on the fast side so they’ve knocked half a degree of the head angle, bringing it back to 72.75-degrees. Other measurements remain unchanged, so the wheelbase on the 56cm is 998mm, the stack is 568.5mm and reach is 396.2mm.
The cable routing has been modified, with the gear cables now routed inside the downtube where they were previously routed externally. The rear brake cable remains externally routed as before.
The other interesting and significant change is the switch from the previous press-fit bottom bracket, chosen for stiffness reasons, to a threaded external bottom bracket. This decision was made easier by changes to the seat tube design that ensured that despite the narrow bottom bracket there was no loss in stiffness.
The new frame with colour matched carbon fork is going to be available in two colours, the lovely red pictured here and an anodised black option. The graphics have also been updated, the Racelight model range name has been dropped with Kinesis UK replacing it on the down tube, and the script logo on the inside of the fork legs has been swapped for a sharper and more modern looking font. Frameset price is £729.99.
That's all for now. We'll be getting a test bike in for test soon.
David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes.
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Does anyone know where to buy this frame? Is it still available?
It looks like this exact model is discontinued, although you might just find stock somewhere e.g. this shop claims to have it (in black): https://winstanleysbikes.co.uk/kinesis-racelight-aithein-evo-frameset
However, the current 2020 Aithein model, whilst lacking the "Evo" moniker, appears to be more-or-less the same bike as the Evo. https://www.kinesisbikes.co.uk/Catalogue/Models/Race/Aithein
At first glance, I can't spot any significant changes beyond the paint scheme (which is a shame as that red one looked real pretty!
)
Hi at RCC,
I'm thinking of getting the kinesis Athein Evo Frame, BUT; I read that the front mech will only work with a 52/36 chain set, is this correct? or can you fit a compact 50/34?
BTW I love the idea of a threaded BB .. don't like PF BB.
Thanks for any replies on my question.
Moss
Good move on the geometry. The old one could give you a bit of a fight now and then.
Does it still have a 14.5 stone weight limit?
Gorgeous thing, one thing not mentioned in the preview is that you can't run a compact - min big ring is 52T.
+3 Brownie points for the BSA BB, however -5 Brownie points for the internal cable routing.
I'll give this one a miss.
Interesting - what it is about internal cable routing that you find so off-putting without knowing any details ?
For me its a bit like press-fit vs external BBs. Cable changes are more fiddly with internal routing but in theory required less frequently than external. I *thought* I wanted internal routing on my N+1 but ended up going external on both my bikes. I like the look of bare cable runs, particularly for rim-braked bikes. Not a fan of the full length housing going to the rear brake on my disc-braked bike.
Anyone reasonably competent can do an external cable change in an hour or so, there's potentially a lot more faff with internal routing, particularly if you need to change the outers.
Internal cabling is an utter pain in the arse though. I'll pass.
From their website, 56 = 1.49 kg I'm taking that's frame and fork and bits?
That is just the frame weight. The fork is an additional (claimed) 330g
I have the Tripster V2 frame, it's lovely with its slack head angle and decent stack figure.
Are you sure the head tube angle has changed? Because the old geometry chart also states the HTA is 72.75 degrees. Also it's disappointing to see the weights have gone up. That was part of the appeal of the original Aithein in the first place.
I'd been lusting after an Aithein for a while, and now this fab red colour! But agree it's a bit sad to see the steering made slower. To me, 73º at the front end always seems to be 'just right' for a road bike, nice and sharp but not twitchy, and perfect for dodging potholes on our rubbish roads.
I eventually bought a Cinelli Experience, after my Canyon Ultimate AL cracked at one of the the holes where the internal cable goes in. The Experience also has a threaded BB, but it has a 73º steerer and external cabling, takes 28mm tyres and was a lot cheaper than the Aithein.
Definitely good news on the BB and the wider tyres potential. And that red is gorgeous. I'm sort of sad about the taming of the handling, I'm sure that in practice it makes little difference but I liked the uncompromising stance of the old geo. I wanted one of these but ended up getting a Cinelli Experience instead. Also, lightweight aluminium and internal cables gives me the fear!
Interesting choice. I upgraded from an Experience to the Aithein, and found the handling very twitchy to begin with, but it's something you get used to very quickly. The biggest change is the stiffness though, you spurt forward with the slightest pressure. Also, with a smattering of carbon (seat post, wheels), it's a hell of a lot more comfortable.
I've a big birthday coming up next year, and really fancied something prestigious, but honestly, an Aithein really meets my needs, and the new frame and red paint job looks stunning.
Road.cc, can you give this to Stu Kerton to review? I'd be very interested to see how it compares to his old Aithein, and stacks up against the Bowman
I added a racier bike to the stable - until I got the cinelli I'd been riding a heavy steel all weather bike for everything so to me, the Cinelli feels so zippy and direct. I've ridden up to 100k on mixed roads without too much discomfort. It's great to hear that people regard an aluminium alloy frame as prestigious, this new kinesis certainly looks it. One of my reasons for not getting one is that I felt like an update should be on its way. Look forward to reading the review.
Has the weight gone up since the first version?
Massive thumbs up for the threaded BB
From me too. Glad they've realised press-fit BBs are just not popular.