New Specialized Aethos: Redefining the Ride

The legend is back, and it's lighter, smarter, and more refined than ever. We took a peek at the new Specialized Aethos, a bike that continues to break the rules of what's possible in a lightweight performance road bike. This isn't just an update; it's an evolution.

The Aethos Philosophy: The Pursuit of the Perfect Ride

The original Specialized Aethos was a revelation. It defied the conventions of professional racing to focus on one thing: the pure joy of the ride. Now, the new Aethos builds on that legacy, taking the lessons learned from the aerodynamic Tarmac SL8 and applying them to create a sub-600g frame that's a marvel of modern engineering.

What's New with the Specialized Aethos?

At first glance, the Aethos maintains its classic, clean lines. But under the surface, a revolutionary "Flow State Design" has been at work. Specialized engineers have used a multi stage, simulation guided workflow to redefine the carbon layup, resulting in a frame that's both incredibly light and remarkably stiff.

Here are the key upgrades for the Aethos 2:

• Sub-600g Frame: Through thousands of supercomputer simulations, Specialized has optimised every single carbon ply, eliminating unnecessary material and achieving a frame weight that's simply astonishing.
• Modern Features: The new Aethos incorporates the features that modern riders demand, including internal cable routing for a clean aesthetic and improved aerodynamics, and a UDH (Universal Derailleur Hanger) for enhanced compatibility and durability.
• Refined Geometry: With an increased stack and a re-engineered head tube, the Aethos offers a ride that's more stable, balanced, and comfortable than ever before, without sacrificing the razor sharp handling it's famous for.

Flow State Design: Engineering Emotion

The secret to the new Aethos lies in its "Flow State Design." Using Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Specialized engineers were able to visualise how the frame flexes and distorts under load. This allowed them to create a carbon layup where every fibre has a purpose, seamlessly channeling forces through the frame.

The result? A road bike that feels less like a machine and more like an extension of the rider. The Aethos "disappears" beneath you, leaving you with nothing but the pure, unadulterated experience of the ride.

The Evolution of Aethos: From Aethos I to the New Aethos

The journey to the new Aethos was a meticulous one:

Aethos I: The breakthrough, a 585g frame that proved a bike could be both incredibly light and exceptionally strong.

Tarmac SL8: The aerodynamic evolution, where lessons from the Aethos were applied to create a race-winning machine with an unprecedented aero-to-weight ratio. The

New Aethos: The culmination of this journey, combining the lightweight philosophy of the original with the advanced layup technology of the SL8 to create a bike that's truly in a class of its own.

Alpinist Components

The new Aethos is perfectly complemented by the all-new Roval Alpinist components, creating a seamlessly integrated system built for the mountains. The Alpinist Cockpit II is a marvel of lightweight ergonomics, weighing a mere 270 grams. Shaped by insights from over 100,000 Body Geometry fits, it features oval tops to reduce hand pressure and a subtle flare for a more natural wrist angle, while offering significantly more damping to reduce fatigue and improve control on long descents.

This pursuit of lightweight perfection continues with the Alpinist CLX III wheels. Tipping the scales at just 1,131 grams, they are now even lighter thanks to groundbreaking Roval Aero Composite spokes that save over 100 grams while being stronger than steel. Paired with new lightweight hubs featuring reliable DT Swiss 180 internals and a durable hooked rim for optimal tyre security, the Alpinist wheelset ensures the Aethos climbs and accelerates with breathtaking speed and efficiency.

Discover the New Specialized Aethos at Sigma Sports

The new Specialized Aethos is more than just a bike; it's a testament to Specialized's unwavering commitment to innovation and the rider experience. It's a bike for those who believe that the ride itself is the reward.

Ready to experience the future of lightweight performance? 

Shop the new Specialized Aethos at Sigma Sports.

Specialized Aethos: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the new Specialized Aethos?

The Aethos is a high-performance road bike built for the ultimate ride quality. Its design philosophy breaks away from a pure focus on racing to prioritise sublime handling, responsiveness, and comfort. The new model features a sub-600g frame, making it one of the lightest production disc frames ever, thanks to Specialized's revolutionary "Flow State Design" carbon layup process.

Is the Aethos lighter than the Tarmac?

Yes. The Aethos frame is significantly lighter than the Tarmac frame. While the impressively light Tarmac SL8 frame weighs 685g, the new Aethos frame weighs under 600g, reinforcing its status as Specialized's ultimate lightweight bike.

Is the Aethos a climbing or endurance bike?

It excels at both. Its incredible low weight makes it a phenomenal climbing bike that ascends with ease. For endurance, the new Aethos features refined geometry with an increased stack, creating a slightly more relaxed riding position. This, combined with the frame's engineered compliance that dampens road vibration, makes it exceptionally comfortable for long days in the saddle.

What is the tyre clearance on a Specialized Aethos?

The Aethos has clearance for tyres up to 32mm wide. This gives you plenty of versatility to run wider, more comfortable tyres for varied road surfaces without compromising performance. If you have more questions about the new Specialized Aethos or any other bike, please don't hesitate to get in touch with our team of experts, who will be more than happy to help.