Specialized Aethos

The all-new Aethos 2 takes everything riders loved about the original and perfects the recipe even further. Geometry updates make it more accommodating across a wider range of riders. Tire clearance expands to a more modern 35mm, opening the door for added comfort and confidence on rougher roads. And the reimagined Roval cockpit and wheel system is lighter, smoother, and cleaner in design, pairing seamlessly with the Aethos’ timeless frame silhouette.

What hasn’t changed is the soul of the bike: still the world’s lightest disc road frame, still razor-sharp in its handling, and still built to unlock every ounce of comfort and joy, turning routine rides into all-day epics. The Aethos 2 doesn’t just preserve the legacy of its predecessor—it refines it for the next generation of riders.

Who the Specialized Aethos is For: 

• The Dedicated Climber: you don’t just endure big climbs, but actively seek them, aiming to get stronger, faster, and better each time out, with a PR or K/QOM your just reward. Featherlight on the up and stable on the down, the Aethos 2 helps make climbing dreams a reality.
  
  
• The All-Day Explorer: you love an all-day epic, stretching a 40-mile ride into a 60, 70, or 80 mile adventure. With the Aethos’ unique mix of speed and comfort, anything feels possible.
  
  
• The Style Icon: you value form as much as function, style as much as cutting edge tech. With a classic, clean silhouette, the industry’s lightest frame, wide tire clearance, and state-of-the-art cockpit and wheels, the Aethos 2 checks every box imaginable. 

Why Contender Selected the Aethos: 

At Contender, we’re fortunate to have the option to curate the brands, bikes, and products that we believe in, and that our customers will love. Specifically, we chose the Aethos 2 for the following reasons: 

• Truly unique mix of race bike speed, endurance bike comfort, and climbing bike weight
• Ready for every type of road ride, from rolling hills to canyon climbs to punchy intervals
• Embodiment of pure joy, elevating everything we love about cycling
• Progressive, best-in-class tech, from cockpit to wheels to tire clearance 
• Clean, classic, timeless style 

New & Noteworthy: Key Features of the Aethos 2: 

• World’s Lightest Disc Road Frame: still just 595g in its 12r carbon form, setting the benchmark for production road frames.
  
  
• Refined Geometry: taller stack (+15mm), slacker headtube (.5 degree slacker), longer wheelbase (+7mm), and a lower bottom bracket (3mm lower) all combine for enhanced comfort, stability, and control across more rider types.
  
  
• Expanded Tire Clearance: room for up to 35mm tires without added weight, giving riders more comfort and confidence on rough or uneven tarmac.
  
  
• Roval Alpinist II Cockpit: at just 270g, the Aethos 2 reduces hand pressure, supports natural wrist angles, and features 28% more damping, for less fatigue; backed by internal cable routing, the cockipit features a clean, minimalist look. 

• Roval Alpinist CLX III Wheels: ultra-light at 1,131g, and featuring composite aero spokes, DT 180 hubs, and hooked rims; the output is a wheelset that is stiff, compliant, and highly durable.
  
  
• Modern Drivetrain Compatibility: fully electronic, UDH-ready, and available across a wide range of builds, from S-Works to Expert.

Sizing and Build Kits: 

Specialized is offering the Aethos 2 in a full range of sizes, starting at 49 and topping out at 61. Contender will carry the Aethos 2 in a variety of build kits, including:

• Aethos S-WORKS (Red AXS, DuraAce Di2)
• Aethos PRO (Force AXS, Ultegra Di2)
• Aethos EXPERT (Force AXS, Ultegra Di2)
• Aethos S-WORKS (frameset only)

Light Weight Endurance Bikes: What Else Contender Stocks

Riders considering the Aethos may also want to explore similar options in the “lightweight meets comfort” category, including the following options:

• SCOTT Addict: built with endurance geometry and clearance for larger tires, the Addict blends comfort with race-ready efficiency, making it a versatile choice for long miles.

• OPEN MIND: minimalist in design and tuned for ultimate ride feel, the MIND shares the Aethos’ DNA as a road bike that values simplicity, style, and comfort over pure aero.
  
  
• BMC Teammachine SLR01 ONE: a WorldTour-proven race bike that blends low weight, stiffness, and precision handling, the Teammachine is engineered for riders who want maximum efficiency without compromise.