I don’t race and rarely benefit from the aerodynamics (that a better body position will do more for) with my average 30kph going. I did a frame build of one of these and I absolutely love it. Dances up the hills and more than capable on the flats. Easily packed, easily maintained with BSA treaded BB and ubiquitous standard parts available at every price point from everywhere. Nothing proprietary. It’s classic lines are just gorgeous. This is not a racers bike, it’s a thinking man’s bike.
This is very true! I think it would look really nice on this bike as well. I quite like to ride the bikes as they come because I feel as if that’s how most people would keep them. If I owned it though, I would probably go for a deeper wheel as well.
Good real world review., I have been riding the Aethos now for two years, and agree with most of your comments....(i) Sprinting creates this light loose feel at the rear end, (ii) Climbing absolutely spot on, and on descents its equally stable, predictable and fast. (iii) Flats, yes, you have to add more power to keep it going.... and with that, in the last few months I have changed the set up and its become a bit easier to carry speed on the flats without sacrificing the climbing benefits, (Fully slammed) Narrow bars @ 36 cm wide and 45/50 No. 6 Carbon wheels, which are deep enough and weight in at 1265g with carbon aero bladed spokes....these last two changes have really made a difference. All in all, a very accurate review. Well done.
I really want to get my hands on some of those no6 wheels. For the cost, they seem amazing, they have a modern width with that depth and no western brand can compete with that weight at the moment. I hope you enjoy! I can imagine the wheels + handle bars really step up the game of this bike.
Why I would buy is because of the 27.2 seat post, thread BB, stranded bar and stem. And talking about stem if your going to say aero is better don’t run 30mm of spaces under the stem😂😊
put on the Roval Rapide Cockpit and slam without spacers, mid depth aero wheels like Zipp 303 Firecrest and it's fast everywhere... climbing, descending, flats...and comfortable all day rides
I do agree with this. Someone else said this bike should be 3/4 the price of the sl8 and I agree because then you would have the budget for these upgrades.
I have a sworks aethos with the 50cl rovals on, man..that bike rides well. Fast at high speeds for a weekend warrior. The aethos is known for there comfort, especially doing long distance
Excellent review - I would be curious about a perspective from an aging cyclist where aero may not be as important and comfort and compliance more so - but they still want to go fast (which is why I am looking at this bike)
Really loved this bike but still hold my opinion. I still believe that you can just get a wider wheel and tyre set on a more aero bike for the comfort to get close to this. A lot of people have said just buy some aero wheels and cockpit, but then you are looking at £2500+ on top of what you have already bought. I too would like to have an opinion from someone of your description just to know.
Awesome vid!! Some great vid angles 😉. Agree with the cool factor comment…. Kinda meh….external cables on a 10-12k bike in 2024 just doesn’t seem right.
Have one, love it. But mine has the stack of spacers under the stem - JUST LIKE BASICALLY EVERY OTHER AETHOS. I still don’t understand why they make the front end so low. Nobody who buys these bikes seems to want that. Either way, I love it, even with its little chimney stack.
Bike has to fit right! I wouldn’t let others positions bother you too much. It is the nicest feeling bike I have ever ridden for sure! It’s going to be hard to beat.
Probably the ultimate! I think I like the look of the hidden cables more on there and it comes with deeper wheels and an aero 1 piece handle bar as stock. Wouldn’t have to change anything on it
I had both and it is slightly more comfortable than sl8 but feel of the sl8 is faster and for me the feel was actually more important. Strava numbers probably are the same. It is great great bike but should be 3/4 of the price of sl8.
This video was filmed on the Isle of Wight. I believe so for the aero. Cables out front, round bars and shallow wheels. I don’t mind these things but needs to be cheaper than the sl8 to justify the bike I think
Are they going to cut the aethos, or keep it around for the older riders. Because the sl8 is so similar they only need one bike to rule them all right?
Aero frames are so overated. I’ll take exposed cables and traditional stem over aero any time. Aero is marketing speak. Your position is more important. If you are truly concerned with aero you are probably a pro and your choice of bike will be dictated to you.
![Ep 66 [ENG] - Yay or Meh? Specialized Aethos Full Review](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/CkM-nu0LIe8/mqdefault.jpg)
![Ep 66 [ENG] - Yay or Meh? Specialized Aethos Full Review](/img/tr.png)
I don’t race and rarely benefit from the aerodynamics (that a better body position will do more for) with my average 30kph going. I did a frame build of one of these and I absolutely love it. Dances up the hills and more than capable on the flats. Easily packed, easily maintained with BSA treaded BB and ubiquitous standard parts available at every price point from everywhere. Nothing proprietary. It’s classic lines are just gorgeous. This is not a racers bike, it’s a thinking man’s bike.
I have owned a lot of bikes and the Aethos is hands down my favorite. Its light and fast. Climbs so well.
Deeper wheels certainly help with the speed/aero issues. Such a comfortable bike and very pleasing to ride.
This is very true! I think it would look really nice on this bike as well.
I quite like to ride the bikes as they come because I feel as if that’s how most people would keep them. If I owned it though, I would probably go for a deeper wheel as well.
Good real world review., I have been riding the Aethos now for two years, and agree with most of your comments....(i) Sprinting creates this light loose feel at the rear end, (ii) Climbing absolutely spot on, and on descents its equally stable, predictable and fast. (iii) Flats, yes, you have to add more power to keep it going.... and with that, in the last few months I have changed the set up and its become a bit easier to carry speed on the flats without sacrificing the climbing benefits, (Fully slammed) Narrow bars @ 36 cm wide and 45/50 No. 6 Carbon wheels, which are deep enough and weight in at 1265g with carbon aero bladed spokes....these last two changes have really made a difference. All in all, a very accurate review. Well done.
I really want to get my hands on some of those no6 wheels. For the cost, they seem amazing, they have a modern width with that depth and no western brand can compete with that weight at the moment. I hope you enjoy!
I can imagine the wheels + handle bars really step up the game of this bike.
My wife has an aethos and it's a lovely bike. I wouldn't say no to one
Why I would buy is because of the 27.2 seat post, thread BB, stranded bar and stem. And talking about stem if your going to say aero is better don’t run 30mm of spaces under the stem😂😊
Hey thanks for replying. It's form my wife she has an orbea avant which isnl totally different ride style much more endurance comfort
I agree with the wheels comments, it would definitely feel faster with 50mm or so. But yes, against the SL8 it's a difficult choice.
put on the Roval Rapide Cockpit and slam without spacers, mid depth aero wheels like Zipp 303 Firecrest and it's fast everywhere... climbing, descending, flats...and comfortable all day rides
I do agree with this. Someone else said this bike should be 3/4 the price of the sl8 and I agree because then you would have the budget for these upgrades.
Hope you enjoyed your day in my back yard. I'm lucky to have great roads to ride on regularly. Nice one
do you think specialized knows about JEA now because of the amount of references to it there have been in the comments of various aethos reviews
I have a sworks aethos with the 50cl rovals on, man..that bike rides well. Fast at high speeds for a weekend warrior. The aethos is known for there comfort, especially doing long distance
It really is noticeably more comfortable. I generally test with the same 28mm gp5000 and the frame really shines through
Excellent review - I would be curious about a perspective from an aging cyclist where aero may not be as important and comfort and compliance more so - but they still want to go fast (which is why I am looking at this bike)
Really loved this bike but still hold my opinion. I still believe that you can just get a wider wheel and tyre set on a more aero bike for the comfort to get close to this. A lot of people have said just buy some aero wheels and cockpit, but then you are looking at £2500+ on top of what you have already bought.
I too would like to have an opinion from someone of your description just to know.
I’m 68 and just about to get one. Should keep me happy and be easy to work on. I love the hills and at 59kg, I think it will be perfect for me.
Awesome vid!! Some great vid angles 😉. Agree with the cool factor comment…. Kinda meh….external cables on a 10-12k bike in 2024 just doesn’t seem right.
I really dig my Aethos I've had for 2yr and I don't care that its not aero heck I have it set as a 1X with 30mm tyres, talk about comfort.
Have one, love it. But mine has the stack of spacers under the stem - JUST LIKE BASICALLY EVERY OTHER AETHOS. I still don’t understand why they make the front end so low. Nobody who buys these bikes seems to want that. Either way, I love it, even with its little chimney stack.
Bike has to fit right! I wouldn’t let others positions bother you too much.
It is the nicest feeling bike I have ever ridden for sure! It’s going to be hard to beat.
I’m not a racer. I’d go Aethos vs SL8. Aero is over-rated 😉
This one or an Ultimate CFR WRL ?
Probably the ultimate! I think I like the look of the hidden cables more on there and it comes with deeper wheels and an aero 1 piece handle bar as stock. Wouldn’t have to change anything on it
That's a lot of spacers,size up?
put alpinist wheels on the sl8 and put rapide wheels on this 😅
I had both and it is slightly more comfortable than sl8 but feel of the sl8 is faster and for me the feel was actually more important. Strava numbers probably are the same. It is great great bike but should be 3/4 of the price of sl8.
Fully agree with all of this
Looks nice, I just couldn't bring myself to ride Specialized.
Yes you could
Has anyone a size 52 cm what height were you
Do you have a current bike that fits well that you can compare the geometry to?
Gahhhh! Where are you riding?!?! And I would obviously assume that the lack of aero is the wide round handlebars?
This video was filmed on the Isle of Wight.
I believe so for the aero.
Cables out front, round bars and shallow wheels.
I don’t mind these things but needs to be cheaper than the sl8 to justify the bike I think
Are they going to cut the aethos, or keep it around for the older riders. Because the sl8 is so similar they only need one bike to rule them all right?
I don’t think there is any talk of cutting it at the moment so should be round for another few years.
Aero frames are so overated. I’ll take exposed cables and traditional stem over aero any time. Aero is marketing speak. Your position is more important. If you are truly concerned with aero you are probably a pro and your choice of bike will be dictated to you.
The Aethos is a 'race' bike, it has the same geometry as an SL8, it's more aggressive than my aero bike.
Correct. Most people who buy aero bikes can't even hold an aero position for more than 5 minutes. Pointless
Spacersetup & Bartape need some love...looks aweful.
I have most certainly informed the owner after this ride!
It’s hurts me too to have low standards on such a bike.
That spacer gap was just aweful. I couldn't stop looking at it.
The sound is terrible 😢