Chris Potts's Specialized Aethos

With hill-climb at the punches season well under way we look these flyweight rigs are packing

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Chris Potts may just have one of the lightest disc-brake hill-climbing builds in the UK. His dream construction, which has been in the making for more than a year, has been built up from the lightest production disc-brake frameset in the world, the Specialized Aethos. With a starting point of just 585 grams for a size 56, Potts then went through every possible component to create the lightest machine possible while still being usable.

Coming in at just 5.30kg without pedals, this weight weenies’ dream is built up with a one-by Dura Ace 12-speed groupset, complete with Ceramic Speed oversized jockey wheels for maximum efficiency. Potts told us that the showstopping tech of the build, however, was the Zed wheelset. Weighing in at just 878 grams for the pair, this custom-built set of wheels is the lightest wheelset the brand has ever built for anyone, anywhere.

Potts worked closely with Nathan from The Bike Smith’s and Zed to bring this stunning build together, topped off with Darimo carbon finishing kit, and a feathery 63g AX lightness saddle. Potts explained how he thought the build is “just about as light as you can go” while still bearing a resemblance to a normal road bike – even if the full carbon saddle is a bit harsh!

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