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Today’s Deals2023 Specialized
S-Works Aethos Frameset
A carbon frame race frameset.
5'1" – 5'5"
5'3" – 5'7"
5'5" – 5'9"
5'7" – 6'0"
5'10" – 6'2"
6'0" – 6'4"
🐐 Estimated
Summary
The Specialized Aethos is celebrated for its ultralight frame, exceptional ride quality, and superb handling, making it a standout in the race category. It combines traditional design with modern performance, offering a balance of stiffness and comfort that appeals to a wide range of riders. Despite its high price point and some limitations like non-tubeless wheels and electronic shifting only, its performance and aesthetics have garnered widespread acclaim.
Ultralight carbon frameset
Exceptional ride quality and handling
Traditional design with modern performance
High stiffness-to-compliance ratio
Generous tire clearance for versatility
High price point
Non-tubeless wheels
Limited to electronic groupsets
This $4,800, 17.2-pound Aethos—the base model—is one of the finest road bikes, of any price, I’ve ridden in my long testing career.Bicycling
The Aethos is crazy light.
Canadian Cycling MagazineThe Aethos is one of the finest-riding road frames I’ve ever experienced.
Cycling TipsFeedback?
View all reviews
Mar 2024 · Mat Brett
Spoon Customs has created a stunning finish for a bike that’s being used to raise funds for the fight against motor neurone disease
Oct 2023 · Cory Benson
Specialized celebrates 50 yrs since Mike Sinyard’s pilgrimage to Italy with limited edition S-Works Aethos LTD road bike built with Campy & faux marble…
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
Sep 2021 · David Kennedy
When you stop listening to the pros and focus on the people, bikes like the Open MIN.D. and Specialized Aethos are the result
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 · Benjamin Topf
Hardly any aerodynamic features, cable integration or even mounting points, other than for two bottles: the list of things that the Specialized S-Works Aethos doesn't have is long. Does this reductionist concept work during the test or does this bike not stand a chance against the competition? Find out here.
Balanced and intuitive handling
Most light-footed and willing acceleration in the test
Minimal weight without the usual disadvantages
High level of comfort
Average efficiency on the flats
Limited mounting point
Apr 2021 · Matt Phillips
It sells for $4,800, but it rides like a million bucks.
Oct 2020 · George Scott
Aero is everything, except where the Aethos is concerned
Exceptionally light frame, pin-sharp handling, 32mm tyre clearance, practical build for everyday riding
No tubeless compatibility, minimum £10k pricing
| Frame | S-Works Aethos FACT 12r Carbon, Rider First Engineered™, Threaded BB, Electronic cable routing only, 12x142mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc BB Standard: BSA, 68mm, Threaded Colors: Satin Oil Granite over Metallic Deep Lake / White Sage; Satin 25% Violet Ghost Pearl over Carbon / Brushed Chrome; Satin 100% Red Ghost Pearl Organic Color Run over Desert Rose / Taupe; Gloss Birch / Abalone-Lapis Organic Color Run/dune; Satin Silver Pearl - Black Pearl Organic Color Run/ Brushed Liquid Silver |
|---|---|
| Fork | S-Works FACT Carbon, 12x100mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc |
| Bottom Bracket | BSA, 68mm, threaded |
| Seatpost | Roval Alpinist Carbon Seatpost Type: Rigid |
First added October 1
Last updated June 8