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S-Works Aethos

Shimano Dura-Ace Di2

4.9

10 Reviews

Don’t get us wrong, we’re all for racing. Grand Tour top steps, Classic’s Monuments—they’re…

Voted Best Brand 5 Years in a Row

#1 Again: 2023 Gran Fondo Awards

The riders have spoken! For the fifth year in a row, Specialized has been crowned the #1 “Drop Bar Bike Brand” in the prestigious Gran Fondo Best Brand Awards for 2023. We innovate for riders, and year after year, our bikes are loved by the most discerning riders. Thank you!

Reinventing Round

Meditating on the breathing and swaying of a bike under load in the lab, lead engineer Peter Denk had an epiphany—true performance lies in the shape, not the material. After a few hundred thousand supercomputer simulations, we knew we were right.

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Break the Rules

At just 585 grams, the Aethos frame may be too light for the UCI rule book, but when the pros get a chance to just ride, it’s the Aethos they reach for. Ride along with the World Champ as he takes us up his favorite climb on a very special Aethos.

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Aethos x 12 SPD

A bike built for the pure love of riding with the latest electronic 12-spd group from Shimano? Win, win. Faster, more precise shifting with an ultra-efficient drivetrain and a wireless cockpit to help you make the most of your new Aethos.

Product Details

Don’t get us wrong, we’re all for racing. Grand Tour top steps, Classic’s Monuments—they’re in our DNA. But sometimes riding simply to ride, riding for the love of riding, is just what we need. And this is what the Aethos lives for. Sure, it’s given nothing up to performance, and happens to be the lightest frame out there, but with no compromise to style. Aethos: Billions of calculations in the pursuit of one thing—the perfect ride.

Top off the world’s lightest frame with Shimano’s legendary Dura-Ace Di2 groupset and Roval’s featherweight Alpinist wheels and you’re left with a perfectly balanced top-tier ride that gives up nothing in the name of performance.

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 and wheels, further saving weight and improving ride characteristics. Everything in pursuit for the perfect ride.

Technical Specifications

Frameset

Frame

S-Works Aethos FACT 12r Carbon, Rider First Engineered™, Threaded BB, Electronic cable routing only, 12x142mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc

Suspension

Fork

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

Brakes

Front Brake

Shimano Dura-Ace R9270, hydraulic disc

Rear Brake

Shimano Dura-Ace R9270, hydraulic disc

Drivetrain

Shift Levers

Shimano Dura-Ace R9270, hydraulic disc

Front Derailleur

Shimano Dura-Ace R9250, braze-on

Rear Derailleur

Shimano Dura-Ace R9250, 12-speed

Cassette

Shimano Dura-Ace, 12-speed, 11-30t

Chain

Shimano XTR M9100, 12-speed w/ quick link

Crankset

Shimano Dura-Ace R9200, HollowTech II, 12-speed with 4iiii Precision Pro dual-sided powermeter

Chainrings

52/36T

Bottom Bracket

Shimano Dura-Ace, BB-R9100

Wheels & Tires

Front Wheel

Roval Alpinist CLX, 21mm internal width carbon rim, 33mm depth, Win Tunnel Engineered, Roval AFD hub, 21h, DT Swiss Aerolite spokes

Front Tire

Turbo Cotton, 320 TPI, 700x26mm

Rear Tire

Turbo Cotton, 320 TPI, 700x26mm

Rear Wheel

Roval Alpinist CLX, 21mm internal width carbon rim, 33mm depth, Win Tunnel Engineered, Roval AFD hub, 24h, DT Swiss Aerolite spokes

Inner Tubes

Turbo Ultralight, 48mm Presta valve

Cockpit

Stem

S-Works SL, alloy, titanium bolts, 6-degree rise

Handlebars

S-Works Short & Shallow, 125mm Drop, 75mm Reach w/Di2 Hole

Tape

Supacaz Super Sticky Kush

Saddle

Body Geometry S-Works Power, carbon fiber rails, carbon fiber base

SeatPost

Roval Alpinist Carbon Seatpost

Seat Binder

Specialized Alloy, 30.0mm, titanium bolt

* Weights based on production painted frames as pictured. Actual weights will vary based on colourway, 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

Specialized Bicycle Owner's Manual (All Languages)

2022 Rider/Bike Weight Limits and Terrain Conditions

2021 Aethos User Manual

Trainer Usage Addendum to the Bicycle Owner's Manual

Rider Reviews

4.9

10 Reviews

12/29/2023

Aethos sworks

Vélo qui me procure énormément de plaisir et d'envie de rouler ! Une fluidité, une légèreté sans égale. Le meilleur vélo qui j'ai jamais eu ! Merci à vous !

Name:: Julien

Helpful?

04/11/2023

So good that I picked up another!

My Aethos Expert was destroyed when a car hit me. After a season on my Expert pre-destruction, I knew I had to replace it with another Aethos. Luckily, an S-Works frameset in Chameleon Eyris had the shortest lead time, and I built it up with my Ultegra Di2 group and Alpinist CLX wheels. I'm starting my second season on the S-Works and I smile every time I ride it. The ride is responsive and comfortable, and it makes the most of my energy by converting it to forward motion. It doesn't bat an eye at the 2 miles of gravel road at camp that bookends every ride, and the only remaining performance limitation is my own fitness :) Yes, I feel terribly guilty when it gets dirty. I'm 6'3"/195 lbs and went with the 58cm on both occasions. I road bike primarily for fitness to improve my trail & DH riding. My Aethos makes me want to hit the road more, and while I have no KOMs, I feel super human on this thing.

Would Recommend?: Yes!

Name:: Adam

Helpful?

03/16/2023

S Works Aethos

Super responsive and nimble. Very comfortable and climbs like a goat. Matte black color and branding is modern and subtle. I’m 5’3 and have a 49, fit is perfect for me.

Would Recommend?: Yes!

Verified Buyer

Name:: Steve A.

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01/18/2023

(fast) ein traumrad

mit dem aethos fühlst du die leichtigkeit des rennradfahrens. antritt, steifigkeit, lauf- und lenkverhalten usw. alles traumhaft. ein rennrad für das reine vergnügen. aber nicht unbedingt für das rennen. dafür ist die sitzposition zu komfortabel und mit super-aero-werten hat das aethos nicht viel am hut. die gelbwandigen tannwalls sind nur fürs auge. der reifen ist etwas zu steif. die schwarze lauffläche ist aufgeklebt und löst sich nach aushärtung des klebers (bei mir nach 2 jahren) stellenweise. empfehlung: bei den gummis ausnahmsweise nicht unbedingt auf specialized zurückgreifen. alles in allem: mit abstand das beste rennrad, das ich seit 50 jahren fahre.

Name:: chris

Helpful?

12/20/2022

Performance incrível

Bike extremamente leve e confortável. Pedal rende demais!! É impressionante pedalar essa bike...

Name:: Gian P.

Helpful?

09/28/2022

aethos s works

je cherchais un vélo capable de toute faire (endurance, montagne, plaine) je n'ai pas été déçu un vélo ultra léger ultra confortable ultra polyvalent a l'aise aussi bien dans la plaine que dans des cols pyrénéens.

Name:: ben

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08/12/2022

Disappears

I had my local shop build on an S-Works frame with Ultegra (2022) so I could afford to upgrade wheelset and cockpit. I love how the frame draws no attention to itself. I'm a relatively casual rider and was self conscious about how much my previous titanium ride suggested I am either stronger or richer than I really am. I don't want people thinking about my bike, I just want to enjoy the ride. It worked; I can't believe how quickly I acclimated to my Aethos. It doesn't ask me to think about or notice anything other than the road itself. It twitches when I ask it to, but otherwise hums along with stability.

Would Recommend?: Yes!

Name:: Hans

Helpful?

05/23/2022

Amazing Ride

I am a 61yo male who now rides recreationally at 6-8,000miles per year. Preferred courses are hilly. In the last 15 or so years have had a Cervelo R3 SL, a Cervelo R5, a Trek Emonda SL and a BMC Roadmachine (my current other road bike). I have also rented a number of different Specialized, Trek, and Pinarello road bikes. Aero frames are of little interest to me. I was intrigued by the Aethos and opted to take the plunge on an S-Works Aethos frame. Built it up with Dura-Ace Di2/hydraulic, Hunt wheels with 28mm Schwalbe Tubeless tires. Have now been riding it for 8+ months with a few thousand miles on it, alternating some with the BMC. Gotta say, this bike's ride is absolutely phenomenal - solid and confidence inspiring on all terrains, especially hilly ones. The other thing is I just love it's understated looks - rode a century and no-one knew what it was! Perfect! Easily my favorite ever ride - The Aethos just makes me smile every time I ride it!

Would Recommend?: Yes!

Name:: Robert

Helpful?

01/23/2022

Simply the best

This is honestly the best bike I’ve ever ridden. Light, stiff, beautiful to look at, epic climbing and very stable & balanced going downhill too. Sprints without a problem - on every pedal stroke, not one watt is wasted. Super comfy too. Took mine to do Raid the Pyrenees and had not one second of regret. Sadly it was destroyed a month ago by a car driver! Needless to say, there will be another Aethos on the way as soon as I can ride again!

Would Recommend?: Yes!

Name:: Andy

Helpful?

12/12/2021

Perfect in every way

I love this bike because it makes me want to go out and ride! Amazing ride quality and timeless style. I wouldn't want to own any other bike.

Would Recommend?: Yes!

Name:: Sam

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