2022 Specialized
Aethos Expert
A carbon frame race bike with high-end components and hydraulic disc brakes.
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Manufacturer Price
$5,999| Frame | Carbon |
|---|---|
| Suspension | Rigid |
| Fork | Carbon |
| Wheels | 700c Carbon |
| Drivetrain | 2 × 12 Electronic |
| Groupset | Ultegra Di2 |
| Brakes | Hydraulic Disc |
For This Bike
Based on build material and quality level of the frame, fork, wheelset, groupset, suspension system, and more.
Compare the full Aethos model range
View Comparison5'1" – 5'5"
5'3" – 5'7"
5'5" – 5'9"
5'7" – 6'0"
5'10" – 6'2"
6'0" – 6'4"
🐐 Estimated
Aug 2022 · By
Our test team’s expectations of the Specialized Aethos Expert were very high. After all, the Specialized S-Works Aethos won our previous road bike group test by a large margin, albeit with a few upgrades. We put the stock Expert model featuring ULTEGRA Di2 components and a classic two-piece cockpit to the test to see if this model can fare just as well as an all-road bike, comparing it to six of this year’s best all-road models.
First-class handling
Quick acceleration
Pleasant level of vibration damping
Lots of all-round potential with the right upgrades
Tires are too skinny and offer limited reserves
Lack of integration
Dec 2021 · Leon Poultney
We spend time with Specialized's latest lightweight, high-performance road bike that seemingly excels in all areas.
Climbs like a champion
Impossibly light
Stylish
Effortless to ride
The price
Looks better in rowdier colours
Limited wheel options
Lacks aero touches some might demand
Nov 2021 · Warren Rossiter
If you want one of the lightest frames around but don’t want to shout about it, the Aethos is a canny buy
Lightning-fast handling
Understated looks
Flyweight frame
Wheelset and tyres limit the potential of the frame
Aug 2021 · James Huang
Even an extra 100 g and heavy parts can’t dull this frame's luster.
Superb chassis efficiency and handling, excellent ride quality, generous tire clearance, classically understated aesthetics, headache-free cable routing, proprietary (almost) nothing, SRAM Rival AXS works just as well as Red and Force.
Heavier than some might like, mediocre (and poorly built) wheelset, almost impossible to get.
May 2021 · James Spender
The Aethos is virtually the perfect bike, from its razor handling to incredible climbing. If only it had tubeless wheels and cost a bit less
Light and stiff
Incredible climber
Fantastic handling
Clincher-only wheels
Apr 2021
It sells for $4,800, but it rides like a million bucks.
Jan 2021 · RBA Staff
The battle to be basic and oh so good
Dec 2020 · Liam Cahill
What a bike. If you have the cash and don't care about aero, buy it
Incredible ride
Low weight
Excellent stiffness
Perfect handling
Gets most of the tech from the S-Works
No power meter
Expensive
| Frame | Aethos FACT 10r Carbon, Rider First Engineered™, Threaded BB, 12x142mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc BB Standard: BSA, 68mm, Threaded Colors: Pine Green / White; Chameleon Oil Tint / Flake Silver |
|---|---|
| Fork | FACT Carbon, 12x100mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc |
| Bottom Bracket | Shimano Threaded BSA BB |
| Stem | Specialized Pro SL, alloy, 4-bolt |
| Handlebar | Specialized Expert Shallow Drop, alloy, 125mm drop x 75mm reach |
| Saddle | Body Geometry Power Expert |
| Seatpost | Roval Alpinist Carbon Seatpost Type: Rigid |
| Rear Derailleur | Di2 Shimano Ultegra R8150, 12-speed |
|---|---|
| Front Derailleur | Di2 Shimano Ultegra R8150, braze-on |
| Crank | Shimano Ultegra R81000, 52/36T |
| Shifters | Di2 Shimano Ultegra R8170, hydraulic disc |
| Cassette | Shimano Ultegra, 12-speed, 11-30t |
| Chain | Shimano XT M8100, 12-speed w/ quick link |
| Brakes | Front: Shimano Ultegra R8170, hydraulic disc, Rear: Shimano Ultegra R8170, hydraulic disc Type: Hydraulic Disc |
| Rims | Front: Roval C38, 21mm internal width carbon rim, Rear: Roval C38, 21mm internal width carbon rim |
|---|---|
| Tires | Front: S-Works Turbo, 120 TPI, folding bead, BlackBelt protection, 700x26mm, Rear: S-Works Turbo, 120 TPI, folding bead, BlackBelt protection, 700x26mm |
Last updated April 22