Specialized Aethos
Featuring one of the lightest production frames in the world-starting at just 595 grams-the Aethos 2 isn't built just to chase numbers; it's built to deliver a riding experience that is sublime, responsive, and deeply connected to the road. Engineered using Specialized's revolutionary Flow State Design, the Aethos 2 optimizes tube shapes and carbon layup to enhance stiffness, reduce weight, and improve durability. The result is a bike that feels almost invisible beneath you, perfectly balanced, incredibly supple, and effortlessly fast. With increased tire clearance up to 35 mm and refined Roval components, it offers greater versatility for everything from high-mountain climbs to all-day endurance rides. Geometry is shaped by data from over 100,000 Body Geometry fits, delivering a more comfortable, confidence-inspiring position for a wider range of riders. A slightly taller stack, longer wheelbase, and refined handling create a bike that climbs efficiently, descends with precision, and remains stable at speed.
Award-winning and endlessly refined, the Aethos 2 is more than just a lightweight road bike-it's a celebration of cycling in its purest form.
Looking for a more Aero-focused road bike? Check out the Specialized Tarmac.
HIGHLIGHTS AND INFORMATION
The all-new Aethos 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 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 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 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:
- 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 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)
NOT EXACTLY WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR?
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.
The Specialized Tarmac SL8 sets a new benchmark for road racing performance, combining cutting-edge aerodynamics, ultra-lightweight construction, and unmatched ride quality into one complete race machine. Engineered through decades of innovation and proven at the highest levels of competition, the Tarmac SL8 delivers pure speed where it matters most, on real-world roads and race courses.
Designed with an "Aero in Everything" philosophy, the Tarmac SL8 features advanced aerodynamic shaping, including the revolutionary Speed Sniffer nose cone, making it significantly faster than previous generations-up to 16.6 seconds quicker over 40km. At just 685 grams, the frame is 15% lighter than the SL7 while still meeting UCI limits, blending climbing efficiency with aerodynamic dominance.
The result is a perfectly balanced race bike: 33% improved stiffness-to-weight for explosive power transfer, paired with 6% increased compliance for a smoother, more controlled ride. With race-proven geometry and clearance for up to 32mm tires, the Tarmac SL8 offers elite-level handling and versatility for any course.
Developed alongside world champions like Remco Evenepoel and Demi Vollering, the Tarmac SL8 is built for riders who demand the absolute fastest bike on the road.
Looking for a climbing road bike? Check out the Specialized Aethos.
Wheel Size: 700c | Tire Clearance: Up to 55mm
The all-new Specialized Crux 5 is the fastest gravel race bike Specialized has ever made, built for riders who want more speed, efficiency, and capability across demanding gravel courses. Inspired by the acceleration and responsiveness of the Tarmac, the new Crux is designed to reduce real-world Time to Finish by combining aerodynamics, low weight, race-tuned geometry, and rider-inclusive testing.
Using Specialized's Equation of Speed approach, the Crux 5 brings together aero tube shaping, a lightweight carbon frame, and clearance for up to 55mm gravel tires. The latest S-Works Crux frame weighs just 789 grams, with complete builds starting at 6.9kg, giving riders a gravel bike that climbs quickly, accelerates instantly, and stays composed over rough terrain.
Compared to the previous generation, the new Specialized Crux is claimed to be 15.2 watts faster at race speed, with nearly 10 minutes of simulated time savings over the Unbound Gravel course. Developed with wind tunnel testing, Moving Leg Mannequin validation, and real-world gravel race telemetry, the Crux 5 is built for riders chasing podiums, personal records, or a faster day on mixed terrain.
Four decades in the making, the new Specialized Allez is the best road bike in its class, and it's built for everyone. Whether you're a seasoned cyclist chasing weekend PRs or just beginning your road journey, the Allez delivers premium performance at an accessible price. Starting with lightweight, butted alloy construction and a full carbon fork, the Allez is the lightest in its class, quick and nimble on the road without sacrificing durability or ride quality. The excellent stiffness-to-weight ratio keeps you fast, while all-weather disc brakes deliver confident stopping power in any condition.
Four decades in the making, the new Specialized Allez is the best road bike in its class, and it's built for everyone. Whether you're a seasoned cyclist chasing weekend PRs or just beginning your road journey, the Allez delivers premium performance at an accessible price. Starting with lightweight, butted alloy construction and a full carbon fork, the Allez is the lightest in its class, quick and nimble on the road without sacrificing durability or ride quality. The excellent stiffness-to-weight ratio keeps you fast, while all-weather disc brakes deliver confident stopping power in any condition.
Geometry borrowed from Specialized's legendary endurance lineup ensures long-mile comfort and stable handling, yet the Allez remains sharp and responsive enough to carve winding roads like a true race bike. Versatility is built in from the start. Rack and fender mounts make the Allez equally at home on a fast commute or a loaded weekend ride, while generous tire clearance opens the door to rougher roads and light gravel. A wide gearing range keeps you spinning efficiently, no matter how steep it gets.
Fast, comfortable, and ready for anything, the Specialized Allez is where performance road cycling begins.
If you’re looking for other Specialized road bikes, check out the Specialized Tarmac for a race-focused ride, or the Specialized Aethos if climbing is your priority.
At Contender Bicycles, our best tools for selling bikes are the people who ride them. Everyone at Contender Bicycles has extensive experience riding bikes across many brands. If you have any questions or want to discuss build options, we are here to help.