Just Released + Ride Review: Cervélo Aspero-5 and All-New SRAM Force

It’s been four years since the Cervélo Aspero-5 launched, shaking up the gravel scene with its aggressive race geometry, aero shaping, and 42c tire clearance. At the time, it felt like Cervélo had pushed gravel bikes into a bold and brave new category, one where speed and stiffness weren’t sacrificed for comfort or adventure. Fast forward to today, and the all-new Aspero is here, looking sharper, meaner, and more purpose-built than ever.

This isn’t just a facelift. Cervélo has gone all in, pulling from the DNA of the S5 road bike to create what they’re claiming is the fastest gravel race bike they’ve ever made. And they’re not shy about proving it. Just weeks before the bike officially launched, Marianne Vos piloted the new Aspero to a win at the 3RIDES gravel race. Safe to say, it’s already got pro level race cred.

After spending a good amount of time riding it, I came away with plenty to say. There’s some praise, some critique, and a number of notes on how the new Aspero performs in the real world. I also had the chance to try the updated SRAM Force AXS mullet setup, which is worth talking about on its own.

What’s New?

Cervélo wasn’t interested in playing it safe. The updated Aspero brings a suite of changes, including UDH (universal derailleur hanger) compatibility, in-frame storage, a new handlebar designed specifically for the frame (the HB16), and dramatically increased aero efficiency. They claim a 30-watt gain over the previous version when optimized around a 42c tire. And yes, that tire size is completely intentional. Cervélo and Vittoria developed the 42mm Corsa Control Pro specifically for this bike.

Tire clearance has been bumped as well, now up to 50c up front and 45c in the rear, giving riders a bit more flexibility. But make no mistake: this is still a race-first platform.

Climbing Performance

On the climbs, the new Aspero is everything you’d expect from a bike descended from the S5. It’s stiff, snappy, and eager to surge forward with every pedal stroke. There’s none of the mushy, sluggish feeling some gravel bikes get when you point them uphill. It's lively and it dances, as much as a gravel bike can.

That said, the stock tires didn’t help when things got steep. I found myself slipping more than I’d like, especially on looser dirt climbs. The rear wheel just didn’t hook up the way I needed it to. Fortunately, the wide-range mullet gearing helped keep my cadence high and effort manageable, but I couldn’t help but wonder what a grippier rear tire might have done for confidence and traction. The good news is this is a solvable problem, with a simple swap of a more grippy tread pattern. 

Descending and High-Speed Handling

Point it downhill, and the Aspero’s character changes again. With its long wheelbase and aero-focused shaping, it doesn’t exactly dive into corners. You have to coax it, insisting, that it take on tighter lines. It's not unmanageable, but definitely not a flickable road bike. 

What it lacks in agility, though, it makes up for in pure, unshakable stability. Descending at high speed, the bike held its line like it was on rails. No wobble, no nervousness, even when others might get sketchy due to high-stack designs. Even in high wind, as well. And when the grade turned steep with no headwind, the aerodynamic payoff was real. I was cruising above 45 mph with what felt like noticeably less effort than other gravel bikes I’ve ridden.

Flat-Out on Dirt

Allow me to underscore--this bike is fast. Like, really fast. On flatter, smoother dirt roads and well-packed gravel, it finds its rhythm and absolutely flies. Settle into a tuck, pedal, and just go. It’s here that Cervélo’s vision for this bike becomes clear: this is the machine for smooth farm-road racing, long open sections, and hammering down straightaways. In the years when Unbound features a dry, non-muddy course, this would be an ideal, blazing fast rig. 

But when things got twisty or rougher, the experience was a little less inspiring. The stock 42mm Vittorias just don’t have much in the way of side knobs, and it showed. I had to brake more than I’d like heading into corners, where on my personal setup, or even other test bikes, I’ve felt comfortable keeping speed. The bike also didn’t love looser gravel or chunkier, U.S.-style backroads. The stiff frame bounced me around quite a bit, and the tires didn’t offer the security to loosen up my grip. On a fast gravel section, I didn’t feel confident enough to take a hand off the bar to eat or drink, something I’ve done without hesitation on other bikes.

Spec Notes: Hits and Misses

Tires aside, there’s a lot to love about how this bike is spec’d. The stock gearing across builds is solid, with big aero chainrings (which are SICK). The 170mm cranks on the 56cm frame are a smart touch, and the new HB16 handlebar? Super comfy. Even better: it comes in a race-ready 40cm bar width. Cervélo is finally reading the room on sizing for race-intended bikes. Hey, I would even love a 38cm, but maybe I am asking too much.

SRAM Force AXS (New Gen) First Impressions

I didn’t get time on the new SRAM road derailleurs, but the updated Force hoods and brakes made an immediate impression. The hoods feel fantastic—ergonomic, grippy, and nearly identical to the top-tier Red eTap AXS setup. Blindfolded, I don’t think I could tell the difference.

The brakes, though, were the real standout. SRAM clearly improved the power and feel over the previous Force (just like Red), which matters a lot more when you’re riding a 17+ pound gravel missile on loose dirt and chunky descents. The new Force cranks also deserve a nod, not because they feel different, but because they just look that much cooler. Flatter overall shape, with some chamfering on the back--a machining process that creates an aesthetically pleasing sloping or angled surface. 

Final Thoughts

The new Aspero is a purpose-driven machine. It’s blisteringly fast, confidently stable, and optimized for a very specific type of gravel racing: smooth, flowing, high-speed courses where aero matters. It handles well at speed, climbs with power, and rewards a rider who’s ready to stay tucked and hammer.

But it’s not without its quirks. The stock tire setup feels like a mismatch for U.S.-style gravel, and the stiffness can be punishing over rougher terrain. Again, as previously noted, most of these gripes feel solvable with a tire swap and some fit tweaks.

In the end, Cervélo has doubled down on its mission to make a gravel race bike, and the result is one of the fastest platforms I’ve ridden on dirt. If you’re chasing podiums, KOMs, or just flat-out speed, this new Aspero should be on your radar.