With the development of SRAM's Rival eTap AXS group, Specialized understood it had an component foundation for an Aethos Comp Bicycle. The FACT 10r version of the incredible Aethos road bike frame was built for performance and joy at a more attainable price point than the incredibly light S-Works level, but at 699 grams in a 54cm, it is hardly a heavyweight and is still as light nearly any other production frame made. You can explore the capabilities of the Aethos design while being blown away by the ergonomics and smooth, sharp shifting of Rival AXS, all for well under $5000. Although the Aethos design carries a race geometry, it was engineered and developed to offer the apex cycling experience for the cycling enthusiast who appreciates the ultimate in quality and design, with the cleanest aesthetic, an incredible finish, and wondrous ride quality.

The story of the Aethos is pure Specialized. The achievement of the frameset design represents virtually all of the foundational principles of the company, except one. For one of the leading proponents of aerodynamic design for road cycling and racing, as exemplified by the Tarmac SL7, aerodynamics was never factored in to the development of the Aethos. In order to optimize its development, new and more efficient applications of carbon fiber, as well as a new Continuous Curvature Design strategy were achieved. The end result of Aethos process pushed the most innovative team in cycling development to new heights and will certainly inform and impact the future. While the S-Works frame features the ultra-premium FACT 12r carbon, the Aethos Pro and Expert models have the more cost-effective FACT 10r layup.

The Aethos frame has been designed with the perfect combination of ultimate ride feel, light weight, and style. This was achieved by reinventing the traditional road tube shapes found on bikes of the past, subtly altering these visual shapes to deliver massive gains in stiffness and balance, all without affecting weight or durability. That visual story appears simple on some level, but it was the application of carbon technology and incredible engineering capabilities to find the stress loads, tube thicknesses, and how to best integrate all of the shapes and engineering requirements in ways you can't see to create the FACT 10r Aethos. This new process, with an entirely-new layup system tapped into the R&D system Specialized has perfected over multiple decades to be the most innovative company in cycling.

The creation and engineering story is ripe for a graduate course offering, so the discussion must turn the possibilities and rationale of the rider experience. A superlight frame is useless without confidence-inspiring ride characteristics, which is the team developed the Aethos to have the perfect balance of front and rear stiffness combined with exceptional overall ride quality. By studying the flexing and breathing of carbon fiber, the testers were able to discover groundbreaking findings about how forces flow through frames. With just a few firm pedal strokes you’ll realize this sublime ride sets a new standard. Every detail has been designed with style, weight, and durability in mind, everything required in pursuit for the perfect ride. The geometry is exceptionally close to that of the Tarmac SL7, with a few modifications that may add up to a subtle handling difference if you were comparing each bike built with the same exact kit.

The electronic shifting-only Aethos frameset is equipped with a 27.2mm round seatpost, the Roval Alpinist to be exact, which offers some engineered flex into the upper portion that adds to the frame compliance and weighs a scant 136 grams in the 300mm length. Not to worry, it (and the frameset) is rated for a rider weight up to 275lbs. The frame and fork can accommodate tires up to 32mm with 4mm of clearance on both sides. The fork steerer is round, accepting standard stem and bar set-ups. Every line, every junction just feels so economical and judicious in the use of materials. The internal wiring set-up avoids the headtube integration mechanics quiver over. Still, the system is clean, simple, and looks totally inline with the Aethos concept. It is an amazing frameset: stunning, brilliant, and eminently rideable, which is truly the best part.

The aforementioned SRAM Rival eTap AXS wireless shifting HRD disc groupset was released with ergonomic shapes and performance aspects that Force and Red users will envy. You get the super clean eTap AXS system, excellent hydraulic disc braking and overall efficiency. Specialized, Roval and DT Swiss supply the kit. Roval delivers the superlight Alpinist seatpost while DT R470 Disc alloy rims are laced to Specialized sealed bearing alloy hubs. The rims carry 700x26 Turbo Pro clincher tires with tubes. The build is finished with an off-brand, but in the family- Supacaz Super Sticky Kush bar tape. This Aethos Comp build offers incredible value in a complete bike, with tremendous performance and a riding experience you'll long for before every ride.