Aethos Expert

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2021 Aethos Expert

5 Reviews

What if we used every ounce of experience we’ve gained serving riders over the past…

Product Details

What if we used every ounce of experience we’ve gained serving riders over the past 46 years and built a bike made simply for the love of riding? The Aethos is designed to straddle the line between perfect ride quality, extreme lightweight, and undeniable style. The Aethos Expert model is no exception.

With quick-shifting, low-maintenance Ultegra Di2 electronic shifting and hydraulic disc brakes paired with bomb-proof DT Swiss R470 Disc wheels, you have the perfect steed to excite you out on the road.

The Aethos frame has been designed with the perfect combination of ultimate ride feel, light weight, and style—from accelerating up steep pitches and descending technical descents, to all-day saddle comfort on even the longest coffee rides, the Aethos hits the mark. But how, you ask? By reinventing the traditional road shape found on bikes of the past, we’ve subtly altered these shapes to deliver massive gains in stiffness and balance, all without affecting weight or durability. Pair that with an entirely-new layup and process that we’ve perfected over multiple decades and you have the lightest frame out there (585 grams, S-Works, size 56cm). The Aethos is more than just a new bike, it’s the first of a new breed.
The Aethos frame has been designed with the perfect combination of ultimate ride feel, light weight, and style—from accelerating up steep pitches and descending technical descents, to all-day saddle comfort on even the longest coffee rides, the Aethos hits the mark. But how, you ask? By reinventing the traditional road shape found on bikes of the past, we’ve subtly altered these shapes to deliver massive gains in stiffness and balance, all without affecting weight or durability. Pair that with an entirely-new layup and process that we’ve perfected over multiple decades and you have the lightest frame out there (585 grams, S-Works, size 56cm). The Aethos is more than just a new bike, it’s the first of a new breed.
A featherweight frame is useless without confidence-inspiring ride characteristics, which is why we’ve developed the Aethos to have the perfect balance of front and rear stiffness combined with exceptional ride quality. By studying the flexing and breathing of carbon fiber, we were able to discover groundbreaking findings about how forces flow through frames. Just a few pedal strokes and you’ll realize this sublime ride sets a new standard.
A featherweight frame is useless without confidence-inspiring ride characteristics, which is why we’ve developed the Aethos to have the perfect balance of front and rear stiffness combined with exceptional ride quality. By studying the flexing and breathing of carbon fiber, we were able to discover groundbreaking findings about how forces flow through frames. Just a few pedal strokes and you’ll realize this sublime ride sets a new standard.
Every detail, from the derailleur hangers to the fork expander plug have been designed with style, weight, and durability in mind. We’ve also spec’d it with Roval’s all-new Alpinist carbon seatpost further saving weight and improving ride characteristics. Everything in pursuit for the perfect ride.
Every detail, from the derailleur hangers to the fork expander plug have been designed with style, weight, and durability in mind. We’ve also spec’d it with Roval’s all-new Alpinist carbon seatpost further saving weight and improving ride characteristics. Everything in pursuit for the perfect ride.

Technical Specifications

FRAMESET

Frame

Aethos FACT 10r Carbon, Rider First Engineered™, Threaded BB, 12x142mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc

SUSPENSION

Fork

FACT Carbon, 12x100mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc

COCKPIT

Handlebars

Specialized Expert Shallow Drop, alloy, 125mm drop x 75mm reach

Saddle

Body Geometry Power Expert

Stem

Specialized Pro SL, alloy, 4-bolt

Tape

Supacaz Super Sticky Kush

SeatPost

Roval Alpinist Carbon Seatpost

Seat Binder

Specialized Alloy, 30.0mm

BRAKES

Front Brake

Shimano 105, Hydraulic disc

Rear Brake

Shimano 105, Hydraulic disc

DRIVETRAIN

Shift Levers

Shimano Ultegra Di2 Disc R8070

Front Derailleur

Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8050, braze-on

Rear Derailleur

Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8050, GS medium cage

Chain

Shimano Ultegra, 11-speed

Cassette

Shimano Ultegra R8000, 11-speed, 11-30t

Crankset

Shimano Ultegra R8000, HollowTech 2, 11-speed

Bottom Bracket

Shimano Threaded BSA BB

WHEELS & TIRES

Front Wheel

DT Swiss R470 rim, 20mm internal width, tubeless ready, 24h, Specialized full sealed bearing thru axle hub, centerlock disc, DT Swiss Champion 14G stainless steel spokes, DT Swiss brass nipples.

Rear Wheel

DT Swiss R470 rim, 20mm internal width, tubeless ready, 24h, Specialized full sealed bearing thru axle hub, centerlock disc, alloy freehub body, DT Swiss Champion 14G stainless steel spokes, DT Swiss brass nipples.

Front Tire

S-Works Turbo, 120 TPI, folding bead, BlackBelt protection, 700x26mm

Rear Tire

S-Works Turbo, 120 TPI, folding bead, BlackBelt protection, 700x26mm

Inner Tubes

Turbo Ultralight, 48mm Presta valve

* Weights based on production painted frames as pictured. Actual weights will vary based on colorway, frame size, and component variation. Specifications are subject to change without notice.

Geometry

	49	52	54	56	58	61
Crank Length	165mm	170mm	172.5mm	172.5mm	175mm	175mm
Handlebar Width	380mm	400mm	420mm	420mm	440mm	440mm
Stem Length	80mm	90mm	100mm	100mm	110mm	110mm
Saddle Width	155mm	155mm	143mm	143mm	143mm	143mm
Seatpost Length	300mm	300mm	360mm	360mm	360mm	360mm
Stack	514mm	527mm	544mm	565mm	591mm	612mm
Reach	375mm	380mm	384mm	395mm	402mm	408mm
Head Tube Length	109mm	120mm	137mm	157mm	184mm	204mm
Head Tube Angle	71.75°	72.5°	73°	73.5°	73.5°	74°
BB Height	266mm	266mm	268mm	268mm	268mm	268mm
BB Drop	74mm	74mm	72mm	72mm	72mm	72mm
Trail	63mm	58mm	58mm	55mm	55mm	52mm
Fork Length, Full	369mm	369mm	369mm	369mm	369mm	369mm
Fork Rake/Offset	47mm	47mm	44mm	44mm	44mm	44mm
Front Center	574mm	577mm	579mm	591mm	606mm	613mm
Chainstay Length	410mm	410mm	410mm	410mm	410mm	410mm
Wheelbase	973mm	975mm	978mm	991mm	1005mm	1012mm
Top Tube Length, Horizontal	508mm	531mm	540mm	562mm	577mm	595mm
Bike Standover Height	705mm	728mm	748mm	769mm	796mm	824mm
Seat Tube Length	431mm	462mm	481mm	504mm	532mm	567mm
Seat Tube Angle	75.5°	74°	74°	73.5°	73.5°	73°

Manual Downloads

Trainer Usage Addendum to the Bicycle Owner's Manual

2022 Rider/Bike Weight Limits and Terrain Conditions

Specialized Bicycle Owner's Manual (All Languages)

2021 Aethos User Manual

Rider Reviews

5 Reviews

12/18/2021

Light and Right

I have raced and ridden two S Works Tarmac bikes over the past ten years and like the fit of the 56cm. I bought the Aethos due to the geometry being similar. The plus is that I am able to put a 33mm tire in this frame and take it on the rougher terrain. The comp came with aluminum wheels so adding the carbon Roval wheels makes for an incredible climbing bike for sure. The Ultegra Di2 is indistinguishable from the Dura Ace di2 to my experience. I would say that for the price point and the weight/price ratio even with the extra $2.5K for the wheelset, it is a good deal.

Would Recommend?: Yes!

Name:: Brian

Helpful?

12/10/2021

Love this bike!

Bought this bike in red tint and upgraded the wheels to the carbon Roval Alpinist. Absolutely love this bike. Light, responsive, and climbs beautifully. Feels like an extension of my body on the way down the hills. Awesome.

Would Recommend?: Yes!

Name:: Siobhan

Helpful?

04/01/2021

Wow! This is some bike

After riding a Ti frame for 14 years, it was time for a change. And after doing some shopping around, this is one amazing bike. So light, quick in the corners, climbs like a dream, smooth in the rough stuff, snappy when standing on the pedals Super impressed with everything about the bike.

Name:: M.Mc P.

Helpful?

12/06/2020

If you could ride a cloud, it would feel like this

For years I had my heart set on a Tarmac, but when I test rode both the Tarmac and the Aethos the choice was easy - I got the Aethos Expert. It truly does feel and ride like a ""ride all day"" bike, and soaks up the road bumps and chatter noticeably better than the Tarmac. The Aethos floats up climbs and descends faster than my other road bikes. During my usual Sunday group ride, I found myself keeping up on the descents with no effort, whereas in the past I always got dropped or had to hammer to keep up on the descents. No longer. And the climbs? I set a new PR on a nearby hill today without pushing that hard and using fewer watts than I did to get almost the same time on the segment using my other road bike. If you like climbing you'll love this bike. Every new bike is a joy to ride, but this bike brings more joy than most--especially when you see yourself keeping up with or dropping guys who usually leave you behind. The Di2 is crisp, fast, and precise. The shallow-drop bars are comfy on the hoods and the drops. I've never been a fan of the Power saddles, but the one on here feels great for some reason. All in all this bike is the perfect combination of comfort and speed.

Name:: Mountain G.

Helpful?

11/20/2020

Ride it and you'll want one

I looked at a few bikes from other manufacturers but was settled on the Specialized Tarmac Pro. While I waited for it to become available, I test rode the Aethos Expert and fell in love. The ride is perfect. Super light. I see no trade-off's for me whatsoever. I guess the Tarmac is faster but if you have hills to contend with, lighter is better right? The blueish color is FIRE. Hard to source but worth the wait.

Name:: Marc B.

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