6kg!! Specialized S-Works Aethos Review - Is lighter really better? 

I own this bike so here are my thoughts. Hopefully it might help somebody since most of us have to make these large financial commitments without having much of a chance to test ride these things. My setup is the S works Aethos with SRAM red, ENVE 4.5 AR wheels, ENVE cockpit, 28 tires. It’s a great bike. The first thing you have to do is learn to trust it. When you first pick it up it’s so light you worry that it might snap in half. Once on the bike that concern quickly fades. Surprisingly it isn’t the climbs that made it stand out as much as descending and cornering. It feels planted and agile at the same time. I would often read in bike reviews about a particular biking making you want to push harder and go faster and riding this bike is the first time I really “got” that idea. It does seem to do that. I’m not sure I understand why but I think it’s because you feel such an exhilarating response when you pedal hard. It responds and accelerates so well that you want to feel that feeling over and over again that you get when you put in the effort. You really feel like it rewards you for it. I assume it’s the light weight. It doesn’t maintain as speed as efficiently as my aero bike when I’m on a flat and not pedaling but it does seem significantly more responsive on the flats to even light effort. The GRAN FONDO cycling review made a comment similar to this and I would have to say I agree 100%. (In fact their whole review is spot on in my opinion and is 10x better than mine so you might want to check it out on their web site) I don’t notice as much of a pronounced benefit when climbing as I thought I might with such a light weight bike but it climbs great nevertheless. The miles I have on it so far have not involved much climbing though so I will hold judgment on that for now. It definitely feels like a race bike geometry and apparently it is the same geometry as the SL7. Given the fact that Specialized is not marketing and didn’t focus their design on this as a race bike I would have thought that a more relaxed geometry would have made more sense. I probably would have preferred that frankly. It is still a very comfortable bike however. Like every bike out there it’s not the right bike for everybody but I do think it’s the right bike for me as I don’t race, typically do lots of climbing on my long rides, and given my relatively limited skill level probably notice the benefits of a light weight bike over a heavier aero one. Yes it is ridiculously expensive but keep some things in mind. A lot of what you’re paying for is the years of R & D that Specialized put into developing the technology for this bike. That was years of financial investment with no return. In my experience, regardless of the product, we all think an “outrageous” price on anything is always one level above whatever it is we can afford. I’m certainly guilty of this. If you’re reading this thread your bike, although perhaps much less expensive than this one, is almost certainly ridiculously expensive and forever out of reach to somebody. so perspective is important. Less expensive bikes and people who love to ride but have less financial resources will almost certainly benefit in years to come from what Specialized has done and learned here. We can all be grateful for that.

The first and only channel I watch for new bikes, great stuff as per Dave 👌

It’s code name is the tarmac SL5.2. Stunning bike, love the traditional geometry!

David, your insights are the freshest and with a more transparent feeling around. Once again thank you. You help me to clear my mind and decide a little bit more wisely ;)

Glad to see you got given a bike to test! Was expecting you just to be talking about it without having a bike! Kudos!

Just bought one today; can't wait to collect and take off for a proper spin. Absolutely stunning looking bike indeed! 😁

Great review! Specialized does it again!

thanks for showing this David. I'm getting it. ride on.

They should have made it a fixie (to save even more weight) with spare cogs and sprockets delivered in a titanium box with titanium tools allowing for ratio changes depending on terrain. And charged 20k selling it as the world's first bike that offers something like that. It would very likely become your dentist's favourite bike (no pun intended, since it's a fixie).

David I’m curious about sizing what is your height to be riding a 56cm frame? Thanks

Another great review mate

Great review David. How does it compare to the new Specialissima? I know the Bianchi has gained weight with the latest version but in terms of ride quality which is better? Which handles better? I think it's a very valid comparison as bot are in use in the Tour de France this year.

At last a bike that floats my boat. It’s all about the ride✊🏻

Looks like a giant TCR

Totally get the philosophy behind this bike. Stunning bike.

@davidarthur @davearthur How far apart are the aethos and the Tcr advanced pro 1 you tested in terms of ride comfort ,handling , climbing and speed, is the Giant say for example 90% of the bike the Aethos is or are they very different bikes in reality despite looking similar!

How do you remove the wheel if you want to change a tube? Do you need to carry a tool?

A $13,000 lifestyle bike. Comical. But suckers will fall for it.

Great review

So they made a slower version of the tarmac and priced it even higher? Amazing

Super Review !

A lot of things I like about this bike. Threaded BB. Conventional seat post clamp. Easy cable routing. Convetional round handlebar. They say it has the same pedaling stiffness as a Tarmac SL 7. On a 580gr frame? I wonder. It will be interesting to find out.

A lighter sl5 with disc brake that only run electronic gearing and no mechanical for 12k?

specialized 5 years later: "we have reinvented the lightweight bike with rim brakes 15000 Eurs."

So basically they went back to a 2013 Tarmac and call it Aethos!

Just sold a Parlee Z5; (rebuilt w/ D/A 9100, Enve cockpit, Enve SES 3.4 wheelset - 6.4 kg w/ pedals & bottle cages). I ordered a 54cm Aethos with SRAM Red AXS to replace it.

Any one know if you can buy that Specialized bike support stand?

Does it ride better than Cannondale super six evo nano frame or 2013 Tarmac? Comments below are suggesting the aethos is a lot like those bikes.

Love to hear what you think after a long term test.

Had a quick look at the geometry of a 52 Aethos compared to my SL6 Tarmac Comp. Stack and Reach are identical. Wheelbase 5mm longer on Aethos. Quick glance, apart from weight not a whole lot differrent except the price. LE model is $22K AUD - unbelievable. It seems the "just for the love of riding" is only for the rich. Unless I buy 2nd hand in the future I will not be buying another Specialized as their range of bikes are just pricing themselves out of consideration. Even entry level SL7 is about $7,500AUD

David can you get factor ostro? Its probably the best 1 bike to rule them all... 3 bikes in 1 that insanity can fit 34mm tires(on 19mm wheels), is aero, & frame is just 800+g... & threaded bb too... What more could you ask for... Ps fully integrated cables & you can use any handlebars & Stem as long as they support integrated cables.. Ps: great you got this same time every other youtubers got.. 🙌

How does the comfort compare to the 2021 Sworks Roubaix?

But still needs another wheel set to run tubeless?

Who said disc bikes are heavy? I'm.curious still about the weight at 56cm still, is that with pedals? My aero disc 56, 38x25 clincher wheels are 1560g without pedals and cages is 7kgs and has dura di2. Even considering the frame weight difference I'm struggling to see under 6.5kgs. The wheels must be around 1kg?

Wish I could afford it. Great review

Dear David...! I’m curious about sizing what is your height to be riding a 56cm frame?

£10,000!! £1,667 a kg! I think I'll use that money to pay off my Mortgage David!

When do you think you’ll have the full review up, this bike is so polarizing. thanks.

If someone says its looks good, which part of aethos frame looks good? Its similar to TCR, cervelo R5, supersix years ago, izalco years ago, and many many of bikes that already exist years ago or 50 years ago also looks like this. So whats so good with this? 🤔 its just look like a normal bike couples of years ago. If you like it just get it, if dont, get the dropped seat stays style then.

Understated greatness. Love it!

Over a ride with flats, hills and descents, do you think its faster than a heavier 6.8kg tarmac or a 7.2 Venge?

Is that a defect in the frame at 5:26 ?

Dave, I am really curious to see the Aethos compared to the upcoming Canyon Ultimate CFR. $4000.00 less for a .5kg difference with tubeless ready DT Swiss wheels and same high-end groupo.

Thanks Dave what the pro like?

It's kind of like the classic Cervélo R3 08/09 but with disc brakes. That one cost like a quarter of this.

can it do gravel?

good job Merida

Wouldn't a full custom Parlee or 51 be a better option at this price point?

Love the concept, but can I get a 2-2.5K version. I'm willing to take on 4-4.5 lbs to save 10K.

Ok light for disc compared with Wout’s 8.2kg Cervelo S5, but did you actually weigh it? Others have weighed a size 52 at 6.7kg. Let’s not take Specialized at their word please

This is a beautiful bike and I love the traditional design - although I’m not ready to give up my Bianchi Specialissima 😂

Let’s assume you wanna race this. Let’s just assume. You throw some deep wheels and probably some lead in the seat tube for some weight. Does this feel better than a Venge or a SL7 Tarmac?

Nice review David. Does this bike have a rider weight limit?

Awesome post David. One of the bikes I am considering, that's a 56 as you say, i'm 5ft 10.5 and can ride either 54 or 56 can I ask what height are you & what size would you recommend for me albeit that is subjective, thanks in advance!

First specialized I really want!

Hi Dave, thanks for your review. How would you compare it to the Tarmac SL6 in terms of ride quality, comfort, etc.?

I'll never be able to afford one but I really like the look of this!

Lovely looking bike but what makes it so expensive I'm scratching my head hear.

Lol there's slight Nvidia inspiration sprinkled in a bike.. 😂 Founders edition... Seriously David you literally dropped a bombshell just like how amd did at same moment... What a coincidence!

I can already hear the weenies screaming with excitement I'm sure they will get this closer to 5kg than 6. When I watched the video I thought the UK hill climb scene would probably be it's natural home but at what 4k for the frameset and disc brakes which they don't really need they can probably stick with rim for a cheaper bike unless they have money to burn. Impressive frame weight for any bike let alone disc. That group ride must have had well over 100k's worth of bikes!

Di2 only?

So they made a new climbing bike...the "one bike to rule them all" mantra just went down the drain...how is this compared to a TCR Advanced?

My 7kg Allez Comp SL DSW is £9k+ cheaper, 26mm tyres, CG-R post, carbon wheels/chainset and in brushed alloy. But this is nice too.

That isnt 6.0kg as pictured though. What is the IRL weight?

So tarmac became venge so that aethos could become tarmac? Lol

Reminds me a lot about the open Min.d. Would love for you to review that frame and compare

How tall are you mate? This was a 56cm you got to ride? I rode a 54cm...

It's a lot of money for an endurance bike. If you want to be lighter have a pee before you ride and enjoy the cash saved in the pub .

Great review. Shame this bike doesn't come with Campagnolo. Dura-ace is kinda generic.

Great review you sold me but the price is a bit out there. For my dollar and ride quality I’ll stick with my Roubaix

Looks like a TCR

I wonder if Specialized will offer a 1x build as well

Spesh is spitting on our face!

The flood of comments on here about price and features...can we just all agree that you could argue the same about every car that doesn’t satisfy the absolutely bare minimum standards required of a vehicle? If you want a Ferrari and you can afford it, buy one. If you can’t, don’t.

Glad you got a jersey that fits :) does aethos mean ethos?

Cannot get over the price of this bike. Unreal. Mark up on this must be astronomical.

Lovely

lol glad i bought a brand new sl5 frame and built it up with top of the line everything for just 4.5k usd . enjoy spending 12k guys and still be slower and less comfy than my tubeless rims

It’s a beautiful purists bike that only caters to a specific subset of riders who are fit, lightweight, and live near the mountains or hilly terrains.

Does it come with pedals or do you have to shell out for a set before you even ride it? They claim they're saving the environment by NOT including the pedals with it I bet. This was my experience with my new 2021Diverge Pro Carbon. You can write in to request a set they say. Cheap *******s. Beware of light weight rims that are not balanced. I experienced a 'death wobble' at high speed on my bike. It took a couple of washings to clean those shorts. I balanced them myself with four good size pieces of split rubber vacuum air hose. Per wheel!! Without this balancing (due to the weight of the valve stem) my rims hopped up and down forcibly when revved up on my stand. Hell, even my old DaVinci twirled around smooth as silk. And, light weight in a wind is another matter too. Hang on tight. I still hope for a call from the Specialized rep wrt these unbalanced Roval rims. Buyer beware is my new motto. Test ride this bike yourself before purchase. I saved all my life for my one extravagance. ...didn't come with pedals. lol.

At $20,000 AUD it would need to pump up its own tyres and rub my feet after a ride. It is a nice looking bike, if you like the boring black palette we seem to have a fascination with. Personally I feel it is a shame these high end bikes are so costly, it just makes many of us seem like elitist tossers.

How much does it weigh David? 😉

TCR. For evah!

Feels like the big S just wanted to be like Trek when the Emonda shattered the scales with sub 6kg bikes... Too late to the game, but for those with money to burn, nice bling bling....

Were you sponsored by the Big S per "ride quality" reference......😉

"a new category of bike: superlight ride quality". . . I'd argue my 2016 R5 got there first, 6.5kg, traditional style (not an aero spaceship), amazing climber, comfy as hell...

2013 Super Six Evo 58cm 6.3 Kg with pedals.

Looks like a tcr frameshape :)

Weight weenies have to get rid of their super six evo's and get this

I'll bet the pros will be riding this in the mountains.(with added weight)

Isn't it pronounced "ethos" as in "caesar"?

Looks like an Open Min.d, same concept - create a bike for the love of riding.

Ride quality, eh? Seems like that's all any of the review sites have to say about this bike (other than the obvious lightweight). What does that even mean? Why not just say its uber light and be done with it?

Specialized: Let's make a simple frame with a next to nothing paint job, make sure its is just a bit lighter whatever is out there and sell it to the sucker for twice the price.... Kaching!!! $$$

if your not into racing but into uphill koms, thats the bike. pretty sweet

Rather get the Canyon EVO...which weight the same or less, but cost $4K less!

$12,000 bikes should be lightweight, fast, and perfect

10.000 13.000uss and cables? nexttt

A move to the darkside, but at £4000 for the frameset I'm afraid i'm out.

i actually really liked the bike....... ..if they could make it 7 grand cheaper🐸