Specialized Announce Aethos Lightweight Endurance Platform

It was more a sneak peek than a soft-launch, Daniel Oss of pro-team Bora-Hansgrohe offering a quick glimpse of a completely new Specialized during the 2020 Tour de France.

Now the company have released full details of the bike that’s based on traditional looking geometry, is clearly endurance based, and comes with an ultralight weight.

With a frame weight starting at 585grams, Specialized have launched the ‘Aethos’, a bike they say ‘is the lightest production disc road frame ever made’.

Available in a number of configurations, the ‘Founder’s Edition’ Aethos complete bike weighs in at 5.9kg.

Aside from the weight, or lack of, other features include room for 32mm tyres, a BSA threaded bottom bracket, 27.2mm round and  advance shaped carbon tubing. This, say Specialized, helps save grams, add strength and improve ride quality.

“Accidentally Illegal,” say Specialized in launch notes. “We chased ride quality with Aethos, not a number. That said, we know a light, stiff, and balanced bike is magic at the pedals. The result, however, is the lightest disc road frame ever produced, with no gimmick builds and a weight as light as 5.9kg. Aethos is very illegal in some racing circles, yet it’s still rated for a 275-pound (124kg) rider and possesses all the telepathic handling, response, and stiffness targets that you’ve come to expect from every bike we make.” 

Australian models currently include –

S-Works Aethos SRAM Red eTap AXS with the FACT 12r frameset, Roval Alpinist seatpost, S-Works Carbon handlebar, SRAM Red eTap AXS drivetrain, Roval Alpinist CLX wheelset, and the S-Works Power saddle. Weight: 6.26kg