S-WORKS E5 Aerotec

So I found this the other day, and thought why not?

I'm getting far too precious about my Emonda already and with an imminent increase in commute from 5 to 30 miles, each way, I don't want to be putting those kind of miles on my best bike.

I was made fully aware that this was a little rough around the edges and I welcomed that so it'd be a bike I'm not bothered about just using and abusing - in a fun way.

There's quite a few patches of corrosion which look just like surface blemishes, does anyone have any opinion to express on a way of perhaps treating them/ looking after them to stop them getting worse? I suppose my other concern is about the structural integrity, although from what I can see they are just surface, I'm under no illusion however that at the end of the day corrosion is corrosion and eventually kills things.

I've already written off a respray as a waste of time and money, plus I love the paint and decals.

I guess it's just going to be a case of building this up and riding it to death!

A quick shot of some wheels thrown on and a few bits I'd pre-anticipated for the build.

Going to be slow and steady progress on this over the next few weeks while I get my final year exams out of the way - thought this would be a nice little reward and a regular study break incentive!
Could have been a stupid decision that results in over-procrastination.....

These are lovely frames and super light. I had one myself for a while before admitting it was a too small. Only thing was that I was never really sold on the seat post clamp oh and if i remember correctly it takes a odd size headset?

What group you going for? 105 5800 would be a good compromise of performance/price.

Specialized's best era by miles. Fantastic frame

I've actually got most of the bits - I'm useless at waiting for things and as soon as I see something that's about the right price and looks in good nick I just go for it, as it normally works out that when I have the time and the money to really go for parts, there's none about!

Managed to pick up so far:
Columbus Muscle Forks (loved the fact that the frame and forks was consistently Columbus)
Specialized S-WORKS Pavé Seatpost
Selle Italia SLR Carbon Rail (currently got a stripped vanox one on till the new ears arrive for 7x9)
SRAM Red Groupset with Force Cranks
Mavic Ksyrium SSC (the wheels the bike used to be provided with in stock spec)

Already had the following bits lying around:
Zipp Service Course SL -17 110mm
Bontrager VR-C bars
Veloflex Record 20 tyres

I was originally going to go down the route of full dura ace 7700 as original spec, but having had the full Groupset before on my R900 it was a little clunky and I'm trying to avoid silver/bare metal parts all together on here. Stumbled across the SRAM Red for a bargainois price (less than 5800), and couldn't pass it up, although unfortunately I think it's the "black" edition or Team Cannondale edition or something - which is great for all black black black everything but it has yellowy green accents instead of the red ones, which would have matched the frame perfectly!!

I'm in love with it already - I hope that the corrosion is just superficial and stays that way!

Aluminium corrosion is generally cosmetic as far as I know. Takes a bit of effort to shift it though. It's repeated stress that kills aluminium frames. Someone with more chemistry knowledge will wade in I'm sure. Gonna look great with SRAM, just strip off the colour accents

Wow, spec sounds awesome.

For the price of the red group a bit of a yellowy green can't be the end of the world, it'll probably wear off the cranks if you're doing 300+ miles a week in all weathers.

Yeah it doesn't look like it's had an easy life but I hope it's got plenty of life left to throw my way!

The cranks are force anyway so just mainly bare lacquered carbon with minimal white accents - also love that the inside of the crank arms on force is white lettering on bare laquered carbon where on Red it's an entire white out with the letters in bare laquered carbon - more black black stealthy black!

I bought one of these a few years ago when I got back into cycling. It's a great ride. Stiff, light and a little harsh but I like that. I have Campag Record 10 speed cranks and everything else is now 11 speed.
The original Specialized forks are very nice.
I use it for training and commuting. It's hell of a bike for the money.
Your build looks nice. Keep us posted.

Yeah the original Spesh fork is meant to be very good, unfortunately I bought this as frame only, I hope the Columbus Muscle is up to the job! My original thought was Record 10spd as a friend of mine has a full Groupset he's looking to sell, and there's not much more stealth carbon that record carbon!
Never used SRAM before but always wanted to, so should be a bit of a baptism of fire with this!
The frame and forks feel incredibly light together - can't wait to get it built and give it a ride now!

You and @HoKe dont understand the concept of 'beater' ;)

Going to be slow and steady progress

= Will be on instagram by end of the week

Me and @HoKe are brothers from another mother....

I doubt I'll be 'graming it that quick - I've got my final year exams for the next two weeks!

You get those bars btw @amey?

Yep installed them

Oh @amey don't hate us because we are living the dream!

#HighStandards ;)

#hatersgawnhate

Beautiful frame!

I had the Allez Comp of the same era, with the same E5 alloy but less aggressive butting, absolutely loved that frame until I discovered cracks in the chain stays last month. So sad to see it go, it was my first road bike and has been a faithful commuter/pub bike for the last few years.

I have a headset with less than 1,000 miles on it if you need one, they're a rip-off from spesh.

@HoKe I'm with @amey on this. Buying a 'new' beater is ridiculous. I don't even call my 20 year old (slightly) crash damaged steel roadie a beater because the groupset is too nice

Hahah @TheArchitect @amey I don't recall using the word BEATER anywhere here! I just said everyday bike that I'm not gonna get precious over!

Full carbon brand new Emonda vs well used all second hand all at least 4 years old mostly a lot older sworks! The increment would suggest a distinct difference in historic cost, fair value and condition, but who said anything about having to compromise on performance or looks?!

thisgonbegood.jpg. Love these frames.

VF Records 20c though?

(I'm already precious over it and it's not even built yet.....)

haha I rode the record 20's fixed for a little while, when I say a little while I mean about two hours. They're now more ornamental and to protect the rims and look pretty...
....gonna roll around on these for setup and testing and some Master 25's until I can afford some GP4Seasons or GP4000S

So today saw a good straight 12 hours of revision with a good few little breaks to do a few small jobs:
Changed the seatpost ears
Popped the Carbon Railed SLR on
Removed the bottom bracket
Put some Mavic Composite QR's on so the wheels actually stayed in the frame...

5 Attachments

Moment of massive relief when I got the BB out of the frame with relative ease and found a very clean BB shell which I subsequently filled with GT86 and left to soak up all the PTFE'y goodness