Specialized just dropped the Aethos 2, the follow-up to a bike that redefined what an all-around(and good-looking) road bike could be. When the first Aethos arrived in 2020, it didn’t chase UCI weight limits or Tour de France podiums; it chased ride quality, balance, and pure road feel. A bike for the love of riding and aesthetics that every cyclist would love. The new Aethos 2 keeps that DNA but refines it with updated shaping, fresh carbon layups, and integration, making it even more appealing for the rider who values performance without sacrificing soul.
What’s New with Aethos 2?
At its core, the Aethos 2 remains true to its mantra: light, responsive, and timeless. Specialized didn’t overhaul it with radical aero tweaks or proprietary quirks. Instead, they doubled down on the formula that made the original so beloved, polishing the details.
- Frame Shaping: Subtle refinements to tube profiles improve stiffness-to-weight while keeping that buttery, road-smoothing compliance.
- Carbon Layup: A revised FACT carbon structure trims grams and improves consistency across frame sizes.
- Integration: Internal routing is cleaner and offers easier serviceability compared to full aero platforms, no over-the-top gimmicks, just practical refinements.
- Tire Clearance: Up to 35mm tires, giving the Aethos 2 room for modern all-road versatility.
Claimed weights remain eye-watering. Depending on the build, the Aethos 2 still hovers at or below the UCI minimum of 6.8kg, making it one of the lightest production framesets available.
Aethos 2 Builds & Pricing
The Aethos 2 is available in multiple trims, ranging from reasonably accessible builds to premium setups. For those looking to go off menu, there is a choose-your-own-adventure approach with Pro and S-Works level frame options. All available in not over the top, but elegant (and lightweight) paint jobs.
S-Works Aethos 2
At just 595 grams, the S-Works Aethos 2 frame holds the crown as the lightest production road frame in the world. But its purpose isn’t just weight, it’s to deliver that “bike disappears beneath you” ride quality that makes the Aethos such a rider’s bike. Built with FACT 12r carbon, it pairs with the all-new Roval Alpinist CLX III wheelset and the Roval Alpinist Cockpit II for a full top-tier package. The build features a complete SRAM Red AXS E1 drivetrain or a Shimano Dura-Ace build. Tires are S-Works Turbo TLR Race 28c mounted tubeless on the Roval rims. Small details include Sinc ceramic bearings, titanium fittings, and a Specialized S-Works Mirror saddle. The complete bike weighs a claimed 5.98 kg (size 56), an absurdly light figure for a disc road bike
- SRAM Red AXS — $13,999 / €13,499 / £11,499 / AUD 19,900
- Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 — $13,999 / €13,499 / £11,499 / AUD 19,900
Aethos 2 Pro
The Pro build takes the same rider-focused Aethos geometry and FACT 10r carbon frame (705g) and pairs it with either the Shimano Ultegra Di2 12-speed group or the SRAM Force AXS groupset. The cockpit and wheels are Roval Alpinist CL II wheels, matched with the Roval Alpinist Cockpit II bar/stem and an S-Works Power Pro Mirror saddle. Tires are again S-Works Turbo TLR Race 28c, tubeless-ready. At 6.73 kg (size 56), the Pro Di2 delivers a WorldTour-level weight and feel without the S-Works premium. Paint options include Gloss Red Sky / Chrome and Gloss Shadow Silver / Emerald Metallic
- SRAM Force AXS — $8,499 / €8,499 / £7,249 / AUD 12,000
- Shimano Ultegra Di2 — $8,499 / €8,499 / £7,249 / AUD 12,000
Aethos 2 Expert
The Aethos Expert rolls on a FACT 10r carbon frame and fork (705g for the frame), delivering that magic “disappears beneath you” ride quality with a geometry tuned for all-day performance and an increased stack for added comfort, similar to its Pro brethren.
Spec highlights include a full Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8100 12-speed group or SRAM Force AXS. The wheels are Roval C38 carbon wheels (21mm internal diameter), wrapped with S-Works Turbo 28c tires. The cockpit features a Roval Alpinist carbon handlebar, Specialized Pro SL alloy stem, and Roval Alpinist carbon seatpost, topped with a Body Geometry Power Expert saddle. At a claimed 7.12kg for a size 56, the Expert Di2 is light, efficient, and versatile, giving riders nearly all the performance of the Pro tier but with a build that’s tough enough for daily training, fondo grinds, and race-day starts
- SRAM Force AXS — $6,999 / AUD 9,200 (N/A for EUR & GBP)
- Shimano Ultegra Di2 — $6,599 / €6,299 / £5,499 / AUD 9,200
Framesets
- S-Works Aethos Frameset — $5,499 / €5,499 / £4,999 / AUD 8,900
- Aethos Frameset — $3,499 / €3,799 / £3,499 / AUD 5,500
Check out the full line here, Specialized.com
