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Today’s Deals2024 Specialized
Aethos Expert
A carbon frame race bike with upper mid-range components and sram rival hydraulic disc brakes.
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Manufacturer Price
€6,500($7,563)| Frame | Carbon |
|---|---|
| Fork | Carbon |
| Wheels | 700c Carbon |
| Drivetrain | 2 × 12 Electronic |
| Groupset | Rival AXS |
| Power Meter | Rival AXS |
| Brakes | SRAM Rival Hydraulic Disc |
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
Summary
The Specialized Aethos is celebrated for its exceptionally lightweight frame and superb ride quality, offering a balanced and responsive experience that excels in climbing and handling. Its understated aesthetics and efficient chassis make it a standout in the race category, though some note limitations in wheel options and aerodynamics. Overall, it delivers a remarkable ride that prioritizes comfort and performance without excessive flair.
Exceptionally lightweight frame
Superb ride quality and handling
Understated aesthetics
Excellent climbing performance
Generous tire clearance
Limited wheel options
Lacks aero features
High price
Skittish on descents in some models
The Aethos Comp, however, is much better when it comes to descending – the chassis is more composed and the front end transmits much less buzz, even with an alloy bar, budget wheels and skinny tyres.
BikeRadarThe Aethos is one of the finest-riding road frames I’ve ever experienced.
Cycling TipsWhat a bike! If you have the cash and don't care about aero, buy it.
road.ccthe Specialized Aethos is excellent, offers a truly remarkable ride and it doesn't like to shout about itThe Gear Loop
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Oct 2025
Specialized’s Aethos 2 returns as the world’s lightest road frame, now with new upgrades that boost comfort, fit, and versatility for every cyclist.
Oct 2025 · Jordan Villella
Get your wallet ready, the new Specialized Aethos 2 just dropped and it looks like more of the classic looks with some performance tweaks.
Oct 2025
Still a featherweight, but now with relaxed geometry, internally routed cables, and premium builds only
Incredibly lightweight
Super nimble and fun to ride
Looks fantastic
Off-the-shelf tyre size is narrow, considering the clearance
Forced cockpit width is a headache customers shouldn't have to deal with
The Crux offers the same ride characteristics with more versatility
Oct 2025 · Aaron Borrill
When Specialized unveiled the first-generation Aethos in 2020, it was an instant hit, perhaps only drawing flak from the rim-brake
Great ride quality
New geometry adds stability
35mm tyre clearance
Front-end integration
Still very light
Expensive in S-Works guise
Non-aero
Limited range depth
Oct 2025 · Ronan Mc Laughlin
Specialized solves one pain point but makes a new one, as the second-generation Aethos adds weight but still clings to the “lightest road bike” crown.
Jun 2025 · Josh Ross
Not an all-road and verging on relic status, but the passion behind Specialized S-Works Aethos continues to keep it relevant.
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
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
| Frame | Aethos FACT 10R Carbon, Rider First Engineered™, Threaded BB, 12x142mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc BB Standard: BSA, 68mm, Threaded Colors: Gloss Dune White / Metallic Obsidian; Satin Metallic Deep Lake / Deep Lake |
|---|---|
| Fork | FACT Carbon, 12x100mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc |
| Bottom Bracket | SRAM DUB BSA 68 |
| 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 | SRAM Rival eTap AXS, 12-speed |
|---|---|
| Front Derailleur | SRAM Rival eTAP AXS, braze-on |
| Crank | SRAM Rival AXS Power Meter, 48/35T |
| Power Meter | SRAM Rival AXS Power Meter, 48/35T |
| Shifters | SRAM Rival eTap AXS |
| Cassette | SRAM Rival, 12-speed, 10-36t |
| Chain | SRAM Rival 12-speed |
| Brakes | Front: SRAM Rival eTAP AXS, hydraulic disc, Rear: SRAM Rival eTAP AXS, hydraulic disc Type: SRAM Rival 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, 700x28mm, Rear: S-Works Turbo, 120 TPI, folding bead, BlackBelt protection, 700x28mm |
First added May 22
Last updated October 30
Not listed for 947 days