Hearing your thoughts around standardizing on the AXS group sets for all your bikes makes a lot of sense. I'm with you there. I have SRAM across all of my bikes too and even a small thing like swappable batteries does make a huge difference. Everything in the same family just feels great too.
It’s like having all Apple or all android- it’s just seamless. I think I’m actually short two batteries, so I just pull them off of the epic and move them around as needed.
So interesting to hear your thoughts with experience on each bike. I'm considering a new bike, moving into the modern world. Presently ride a 2003 Trek 5900 with DA 9100 mechanical set-up. Of course I'll test both. Any thoughts from readers with experience on this topic I find helpful. Honestly cannot wait to feel the difference of 20 years in the frames/setup.
Love this little series you put together. I think you made the right choice keeping the Aethos, but as I said before I am biased since I ride an Aethos. I would recommend the bike to anyone. I really like the way you have compared the bikes. I do not race and never will so the Aethos fits me perfectly, but I would add an SL7 to mix if I has the means.
love my Aethos (comp/rival) though never ridden an SL7...came from a previous 2016 BMC SLR01..huge change in ride quality but i also still love the old bike when i ride it. Biggest downside is having two sets of things for old and new, mechanical rim, 11 speed and axs, disc, 12 speed...so sticking with one groupset and hub standard would be a good option.
Great roundup. One of the better real world rider experience reviews for these two bikes. I was on the fence and based on some of your earlier videos, I have the s works aethos. 💪
@@outdoorbros_ I'm coming off an alley sprint with a very aggressive 1x setup....this feels very forgiving. Need to get more miles in it to really know. One thing for certain, descending and handling is much better . More to come.
Hi Chris. I would keep both. I have the Swork aethos frame with roval rapid and ultegra and the bike ended up around 8k. For me, the aethos is very elegant and clean bike, it is timeless and easy to handle and play with (fit I mean). And yes, it flexes when you sprint while pushing the bike from one side to another and the does not respond fast enough. I am still learning how to ride the bike. Riding in groups is never a coffee social ride alone :) so the final sprint is always there. I would keep both and sell the sl7 when the new model comes out. Am 70 kg and I ride sized 54
@@outdoorbros_ I have to agree with you S well when it comes to swork frames. The normal frames are good enough and saves lots of cash maybe for another bike or a pro fit and more. The challenge is that the nice colors are always s labeled :). This is why I got the s frame and fitted an ultegra 12 speed groupset on it. Btw. I have the same frame as yours. Today I took my aero bike out and the feeling of speed and the taste of victory when sprinting is second to none. Am taking the aethos tomorrow on a 100 k social ride in the desert, let’s see how the bike hold up in the cross wind. Am still playing with the fit as well trying to find this sweet spot that I can put power faster and get a somehow faster response. One thing for sure, the aethos is my last Specailized bike. I don’t think that they can replicate the venge success story. Maybe pinarello or Colnago for me
Would love to see the lower tier comparisons as well (Comps). Can’t wait for this channel to blow up. Hopefully can update the intro to “I now get paid to ride bikes”. Great content. Best of luck!
What’s up, Carlos? Thank you for the kind words. I think the lower tier models are plenty for most of us. That might not be a popular/sexy opinion, but it’s true.
And in case you would like to invest in a future bike, try the Italian manufacturers. Colnago, pinarello are doing a great job on their frames. Factor is attaining momentum as well with their new vam line. Specailized is good but not as good as thier marketing arm claims.
i have the aethos sworks with the stock alpinist wheels. thinking about getting rapides and thus havng two sets. one for climbing days which i do frequently and one for non (heavy )climbing days. were you able to ride your aethos with shallow and deep wheels? if so, how did the bike behave with both wheel types? thx!!
Unfortunately, I immediately took off the Alpinist wheels and went straight to the Enve 4.5's. If I could go back, I'd probably ride shallow wheels with the Aethos.
Travelling same road and conditions, putting out same watts, by how much would you say is the Tarmac faster? Is it noticeable or is it just perception of speed?
Dude, really good review. But you know what? I’m not sure which one is the best. I’ve got already the Allez Sprint. Now thinking about SL7 or Aethos. I can get a Aethos for normal price and a Tarmac a lot cheaper, always riding alone or group and no race, but always full speed with nearly no hills or mountains (Berlin). But a damn hard decision.
Aethos is a great bike and it is light weight. I would choose the Tarmac and that is what I did. The Aethos is a bit boring for my taste. Minimalistic design is not for me. If I pay for an S-works it should show. Also the seatpost clamp is very 2016 imho. I would love to have an S-works Aethos as well but I would not choose it over my s-works Tarmac SL7. Just my 2 cents ;-). Thanks for the video.
Fair points! It’s definitely not for everyone and I definitely have gone back and forth on the look and the branding. Tarmac is killer- I can’t give it enough praise.
Totally gutted that you let go of the Aethos. I started questioning my recent purchase of an aethos sworks which I built up with an aftermarket carbon thm cranks and chainring, roval rapide clx wheels and aero bars. I did that to optimise comfort, lightweight, speed and aero. I've clocked 200 kms on solo ride and love the bike but I starting to feel I've missed out on the speed of the Tarmac sl7. I intend to go on fast group rides with my aethos and feel that I'm going to miss out on the thrill of being faster. Could you share your thoughts on that?
These Specialized bikes are cush but absurdly expensive. The marketing is...sinful. Like, for the significant tier upgrade to go from Expert to S-Works would make the Expert trims seems like bargains...but even they are not bargains. Seriously, get a much more affordable model from Giant. Get a much better value from Cannondale.
Haaa! No way brah.. ya didn’t ! Total suspense. Total shocker. Hey if it makes you happy good for you. So you defined racing.. but did you define casual? It’s a spectrum innit?
Either way you got a wildly overpriced and cheaply fabricated Chinese sweatshop made cookie cutter frame set. Gullible fools will buy into any marketing BS out there. LOL
Maybe so. In a sport that seems to be so exclusive, I’d just caution you on being critical of people’s bike choices- it’s just supposed to be a fun sport. Which bike frame do you recommend? I’m curious.
Who peed in your cornflakes? Chill Bro. Aethos is a gorgeous bike. Dude rides a lot and loves it. Good for him. IF you’re a bike lover, find something that speaks to YOU, then turn that frown upside down. ☮️
Hearing your thoughts around standardizing on the AXS group sets for all your bikes makes a lot of sense. I'm with you there. I have SRAM across all of my bikes too and even a small thing like swappable batteries does make a huge difference. Everything in the same family just feels great too.
It’s like having all Apple or all android- it’s just seamless. I think I’m actually short two batteries, so I just pull them off of the epic and move them around as needed.
Love my Aethos upgrade from my diverge. Casual riding, hill climbs and century rides around so cal.
Glad you like it! It’s a gem.
So interesting to hear your thoughts with experience on each bike. I'm considering a new bike, moving into the modern world. Presently ride a 2003 Trek 5900 with DA 9100 mechanical set-up. Of course I'll test both. Any thoughts from readers with experience on this topic I find helpful. Honestly cannot wait to feel the difference of 20 years in the frames/setup.
I feel like just tire clearance and tubeless alone would make such a difference after so many years.
Love this little series you put together. I think you made the right choice keeping the Aethos, but as I said before I am biased since I ride an Aethos. I would recommend the bike to anyone. I really like the way you have compared the bikes. I do not race and never will so the Aethos fits me perfectly, but I would add an SL7 to mix if I has the means.
Thank you! If you ever get a chance to ride the SL7, I’d love to hear your thoughts as someone who has ridden an Aethos first.
@@outdoorbros_ if I ever get the chance to ride the SL7 I will gladly share my thoughts.
love my Aethos (comp/rival) though never ridden an SL7...came from a previous 2016 BMC SLR01..huge change in ride quality but i also still love the old bike when i ride it. Biggest downside is having two sets of things for old and new, mechanical rim, 11 speed and axs, disc, 12 speed...so sticking with one groupset and hub standard would be a good option.
Great roundup. One of the better real world rider experience reviews for these two bikes. I was on the fence and based on some of your earlier videos, I have the s works aethos. 💪
Heck ya! Thanks for the kind words. How are you liking the Aethos?
@@outdoorbros_ I'm coming off an alley sprint with a very aggressive 1x setup....this feels very forgiving. Need to get more miles in it to really know. One thing for certain, descending and handling is much better . More to come.
Hi Chris. I would keep both. I have the Swork aethos frame with roval rapid and ultegra and the bike ended up around 8k. For me, the aethos is very elegant and clean bike, it is timeless and easy to handle and play with (fit I mean). And yes, it flexes when you sprint while pushing the bike from one side to another and the does not respond fast enough. I am still learning how to ride the bike. Riding in groups is never a coffee social ride alone :) so the final sprint is always there. I would keep both and sell the sl7 when the new model comes out. Am 70 kg and I ride sized 54
You understand the pressures of the “social” ride- it’s ruthless! I would be very curious to see what S does with the new Tarmac next year.
@@outdoorbros_ I have to agree with you S well when it comes to swork frames. The normal frames are good enough and saves lots of cash maybe for another bike or a pro fit and more. The challenge is that the nice colors are always s labeled :). This is why I got the s frame and fitted an ultegra 12 speed groupset on it. Btw. I have the same frame as yours. Today I took my aero bike out and the feeling of speed and the taste of victory when sprinting is second to none. Am taking the aethos tomorrow on a 100 k social ride in the desert, let’s see how the bike hold up in the cross wind. Am still playing with the fit as well trying to find this sweet spot that I can put power faster and get a somehow faster response. One thing for sure, the aethos is my last Specailized bike. I don’t think that they can replicate the venge success story. Maybe pinarello or Colnago for me
Would love to see the lower tier comparisons as well (Comps).
Can’t wait for this channel to blow up. Hopefully can update the intro to “I now get paid to ride bikes”. Great content. Best of luck!
What’s up, Carlos? Thank you for the kind words. I think the lower tier models are plenty for most of us. That might not be a popular/sexy opinion, but it’s true.
there was never a wrong decision here. Great vid series!
Thanks! Can’t go wrong with these two bikes.
great vid. subscribed!
Thank you!
Bro !! Whatever you do for a living ... keep doing it well !! Sworks cost a bomb, in Australia! Enjoy 😉
Haha, cheers!
And in case you would like to invest in a future bike, try the Italian manufacturers. Colnago, pinarello are doing a great job on their frames. Factor is attaining momentum as well with their new vam line. Specailized is good but not as good as thier marketing arm claims.
Yea agree try factor ostro vam or 02 vam.
I’ve heard great things about both bikes. Colnago is especially intriguing to me.
Factor is another that’s on the list…
Yep, Factor still produces rim brake frames 👌
Good decision, great reasons too. I think an Aethos would be an endgame bike for me.
Thank you! It’s a killer bike, I dig it.
being a porsche guy i loved the turbo/turbo s comparison! -- just subscribed!
i have the aethos sworks with the stock alpinist wheels. thinking about getting rapides and thus havng two sets. one for climbing days which i do frequently and one for non (heavy )climbing days. were you able to ride your aethos with shallow and deep wheels? if so, how did the bike behave with both wheel types? thx!!
Unfortunately, I immediately took off the Alpinist wheels and went straight to the Enve 4.5's. If I could go back, I'd probably ride shallow wheels with the Aethos.
Very good reviews, Bud
Thanks Tim!
Travelling same road and conditions, putting out same watts, by how much would you say is the Tarmac faster? Is it noticeable or is it just perception of speed?
Hard to quantify. It’s noticeable, especially with the few ceramic speed upgrades I have on the SL7. Maybe a few watts.
Dude, really good review. But you know what? I’m not sure which one is the best. I’ve got already the Allez Sprint. Now thinking about SL7 or Aethos. I can get a Aethos for normal price and a Tarmac a lot cheaper, always riding alone or group and no race, but always full speed with nearly no hills or mountains (Berlin). But a damn hard decision.
SL7 and never look back.
What stem was on this Aethos?
SL7.
I seen an SL7 on pinkbike same color and backdrop, it's not there anymore, was that your bike?
That’s the one. Should still be there.
Based on your current ride style as a casual user, What bike would your consider for the Trans Am race?
Not too familiar with that race. Tell me about it…
The Aethos will never be old
And it is not selling as expected. I think that Specailized created a hype that they could not fulfill with thier price point
@@mohamadjamil3164 because it's so expensive..
It’s definitely positioned as a classic shape and style bike.
Fair point. It appeals to a niche group and the price point is tough when the SL7 is the same (or within $250).
Agreed. Price point is an issue here.
Aethos is a great bike and it is light weight. I would choose the Tarmac and that is what I did. The Aethos is a bit boring for my taste. Minimalistic design is not for me. If I pay for an S-works it should show. Also the seatpost clamp is very 2016 imho. I would love to have an S-works Aethos as well but I would not choose it over my s-works Tarmac SL7. Just my 2 cents ;-). Thanks for the video.
Fair points! It’s definitely not for everyone and I definitely have gone back and forth on the look and the branding. Tarmac is killer- I can’t give it enough praise.
Can you explain how to swap wheels between Aethos and Crux without having any issues?
I’m running 2x 12 speed sram on the crux and Aethos- relatively seamless swap.
Great vid! Love it when you compare them to Porsche🤣
Good decision!!
Thanks Nico!
Totally gutted that you let go of the Aethos. I started questioning my recent purchase of an aethos sworks which I built up with an aftermarket carbon thm cranks and chainring, roval rapide clx wheels and aero bars. I did that to optimise comfort, lightweight, speed and aero. I've clocked 200 kms on solo ride and love the bike but I starting to feel I've missed out on the speed of the Tarmac sl7. I intend to go on fast group rides with my aethos and feel that I'm going to miss out on the thrill of being faster. Could you share your thoughts on that?
I’ve an Aethos and find it dog slow -did you keep it
The comparison bikes vs bikes… Tarmac is a 911 Turbo Or Turbo S - same car more or less while Aethos is the 911 GT3… but good video nonetheless.
Thanks Adam! Sounds like you know your Porsche models much better than I do- noted!
The only thing that would make the Aethos better would be rim brakes!
The aethos is a Porsche 718 Spyder, the Tarmac is a 911 Turbo S but I prefer my Venge that feels like a 918...
Ahhh, that’s the right comparison! But the Venge doesn’t have the handling characteristics of the 918.
@@outdoorbros_ can't tell. The 918 is above my budget so I have never driven it. That being said; I own 2 Venge.
@@anthonyhebert-trudeau6995 it’s also very much above my budget, but based on what I’ve read…
Aethos is 🔥
Thanks Cheron!
Chris what do you do for a living?
I own a small business out here in CA.
Price of the new high end bikes(frames)are joke.
So expensive. Have a good alternative?
Sell both bikes, buy another wheel set for the Crux
Classified 2 speed hub so you can have your 2x with that wheelset for the road
Hahaha, not a bad idea.
Are you an independent channel or are you secretly sponsored by Specialized?
100% independent, just discussing what I own or have owned in the past.
7:06 😂 …. um….. okay …. are they discussing their cycling-gains workout plan? Is this generic vid-clip filler? 11:26 is pretty funny too.
Tell me more…
These Specialized bikes are cush but absurdly expensive. The marketing is...sinful. Like, for the significant tier upgrade to go from Expert to S-Works would make the Expert trims seems like bargains...but even they are not bargains. Seriously, get a much more affordable model from Giant. Get a much better value from Cannondale.
Fair point. They’re all expensive, but the 15-20% jump for the big S is a stretch.
n+1 bro!
N+1+Happy Marriage? Someone do the math here… haha, I wish I could do N+1! Thanks for watching.
Haaa! No way brah.. ya didn’t ! Total suspense. Total shocker.
Hey if it makes you happy good for you.
So you defined racing.. but did you define casual? It’s a spectrum innit?
Cruxxxx vids!
I’m on it!
$14k for a tarmac/aethos... Jesus there's no value there
What’s a bike with value, in your opinion?
Either way you got a wildly overpriced and cheaply fabricated Chinese sweatshop made cookie cutter frame set. Gullible fools will buy into any marketing BS out there. LOL
Maybe so. In a sport that seems to be so exclusive, I’d just caution you on being critical of people’s bike choices- it’s just supposed to be a fun sport. Which bike frame do you recommend? I’m curious.
Who peed in your cornflakes? Chill Bro. Aethos is a gorgeous bike. Dude rides a lot and loves it. Good for him. IF you’re a bike lover, find something that speaks to YOU, then turn that frown upside down. ☮️