2021 Aethos Pro

Bought the Aethos Pro, said no to the blush color 10 times, and then bought it anyways. Now I love it. This bike is like cheating!! It flies, it never seems to wear me out. Super smooth, fun, and has plenty of aerodynamics. The SRAMs are perfect for this bike. After a month I still have a smile on my face every single time. Think I may keep this bike for a long time. Sorry Specialized, it may be a while before my next purchase.

I picked this bike up from my local Specialized dealer about three weeks ago. I went in expecting to leave with a Tarmac SL7 but after talking to the sales guy he convinced me to take a demo ride...glad I did! Coming from a really firm Spanish climbing bike, the ride profile is night and day different in a great way. The handling and compliance make riding an effortless experience and the Roval Alpinist CL wheels compliment accordingly. The SRAM groupset and Alpinist cockpit are also solid. If I had to knit-pick one or two things it would be the lack of an included power meter and the Murano blue finish...it is good but not great. If you want a bike that is fun and has you wanting more, look no further.

I 've got over 200 miles on this bike in the first week. It's a joy to ride and is easily the most enjoyable responsive light nimble bike I've ever ridden. I was a little reluctant to order this online without a test ride. It matched nearly matched the dimensions of my 2012 Roubaix Pro so I made the plunge. The SRAM Force Etap AXS shifts flawlessly and I love the broad yet close selection of gears. I was happy to see it came with a 10x33 cassette instead of the advertised 10x28. The wheels are incredibly light contribute to a ride that accelerates, corners, and tracks effortlessly. The big cost savings from the $12,000 S-Works model was certainly worth the small weight penalty and down the line will make repairs a bit cheaper and perhaps a bit more durability. I black color with the iridescent blue front fork is understated and allows you to fly below the radar a bit and has a raw carbon finish that suits me. It has a race bike responsiveness but isn't twitchy and I wouldn't hesitate to do a century on it. It certainly isn't as compliant as my Roubaix but it feels so fast that you just want to hammer on it for the pure joy it solicits. I also appreciate the lifetime guarantee on the frame and wheels. I tend to keep my bikes for a long time so it is comforting to know the manufacture stands behind their product.