Genesis Aether 30 2011

The Aether theories of alchemy predicted the existence of a fifth element - our theory for the Aether series was to develop a road bike with fewer limits.

Competitive in entry-level racing as well as capable of light tours and winter club rides, the high-performance triple-butted frame and carbon fork has a ride feel beyond its price point and is matched to a unique geometry developed to feel equally at home on UK tarmac in winter as it does on Alpine trips in the summer.

A compact frame design with thin seatstays and a tapered top tube add comfort and compliance. Deep-drop brakes and eyelets make fitting larger tyres or ‘guards simple, a seat-clamp rack mount can even be used to fit a rack to this compact frame without fouling the rear brake.

Sharing geometry and design brief with the Equilibrium, the Aether is as UK-inspired and wide-ranging as road bikes can be - after all, our roads can be a long way from the smooth European tarmac that a Pro race bike is usually designed for. From winter training and summer sportives to the twisting, unpredictable roads of the UK, the Aether copes with it all without being jack, master of none; more Aether, master of tarmac.

FRAME AND FORKS

Frame: 6069 ALX-9 6 triple-butted aluminium
Fork: Carbon blades / aluminium with eyelets
Headset: FSA Aheadset
Colour: Pure Silver

TRANSMISSION

Shifters: Shimano 105 STI 10-spd
Rear Derailleur: Shimano 105
Front Derailleur Shimano: 105 band
Chainset: Shimano 105 HTII compact 50-34T
Bottom Bracket: Shimano external bearing
Chain: Shimano
Freewheel: Shimano HG-5700 12/25T 10-spd

WHEELS

Hubs: Shimano Tiagra Q/R
Rims: Alex DA22 32 hole
Spokes: Stainless steel
Tyres: Continental Ultra Race 25c

BRAKES

Brakes: Tektro BR358 57mm
Brake Levers: Shimano 105 STI levers

CONTACT ZONE

Handlebar: Genesis 6061 shallow drop
Stem: Genesis 6061 / 7 degree drop / 31.8mm clamp
Grips: Ventilated / padded tape
Saddle: Madison Prime superlight foam Cr-Mo rail
Seat Post: Genesis 2014 27.2 mm
Pedals: Shimano PD-M505 clipless

When we started laying out our new road bikes there was one clear brief - design them for UK riders, not professional racers.

The pro's don't ride bikes worth much less than £3500 and a race-style bike isn't what most riders are looking for at under a thousand pounds. A fast, light and efficient bike can also be a comfortable and practical bike if we look beyond type-categorisation and components that are the norm for a given type of bike, so alongside the deep-drop brakes and compact chainsets there is a frame and fork that was designed to bridge the gap between entry-level basics and pro-race expense.

We use a tapered, ovalised and triple-butted 6069 ALX-9 tube set as standard for the Aether series, plus a light carbon fork with an aluminium steerer tube. More common on bikes above a thousand pounds SRP, this attention to frame and fork quality gives the Aether a lighter, more responsive ride feel than the competition. To go with this ride-beyond-its-price-point frame and fork is our take on road bike geometry. We keep the rider's weight well balanced between the wheels and offer a more confident handling feel by steepening the seat angle and relaxing the head angle a touch. Just half a degree or so difference between this and a pure race machine can make all the difference in wet corners or at the end of a tiring ride, it also has the advantage of giving us a less stretched top tube for a wheelbase and stem length that are the road-race norm, plus enough room for guards without toe overlap.

A bike that handles well at high speed as well as being practical to ride all year round, while looking stylish anywhere? The Aether does it all.

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