The Áspero launched recently, but we thought it was well worth revisiting this exciting speed-orientated gravel machine.
All of the Áspero models are based around the same frame and fork with only specification levels of components and paint differentiating models.
While we do have a very soft spot for the Force AXS 1x bike we rode on the launch, our pick of the bunch is the much more modest Apex 1.
At £2,699 it’s a decently-equipped machine that is centred around that excellent 1,100g frame. When you consider that the Áspero frameset retails for £2,229, the complete bike actually looks like something of a steal.
Cervélo Áspero Force eTap AXS
Price: £5,299 / €5,999
The range-topping Áspero comes in at 8.4kg complete with SRAM’s wireless eTap AXS 1x 12 group (36/10-33) and DT Swiss GRC1650 wheels running 40c Donnelly tyres and Easton components.
When we rode it on the launch, we found it to be a blisteringly quick bike that can handle seriously chunky terrain and feels like a fat-tyred R3 on tarmac.
Cervélo Áspero Apex 1
Price: £2,699 / €2,999
At the other end of the spectrum is the base model Apex 1, which comes with SRAM’s 1x 11 Apex group (40,11-42), Alex Boondock 7-D tubeless-ready wheels, Donnelly X’Plor 40c tyres and finishing kit from Easton’s alloy EA50 range.
Cervélo S3 Force AXS
Price: £6,199 / €6,999
The radical S5 may have got all of the headlines at launch, but the new S3 crept out under the radar at the same time, and we have to admit to having a real soft spot for its simple lines and clean look, especially when combined with SRAM’s wireless group.
The new bike also gets Cervélo’s new tubeless ready 1AER D5 wheelset. Alongside the new Force model, Cervélo also showed a direct-mount rim brake model for those still looking for traditional brakes.
Cervélo S5 Team Sunweb
Price: £N/A
Sitting away from the production bikes, Cervélo also showed off its latest Team Sunweb spec S5, which was still bearing road grime from this summer’s racing endeavours.
You can buy a Sunweb finish S5 frame for £4,299, or the Dura-Ace Di2 bike with Enve SES 5.6’s will set you back £9,799 / $12,000 / €11,499.
Cervélo P5 Time trial Dura-Ace Di2 Disc
Price: £10,699 / $12,500 / €11,999
The new time-trial P5 is available in two models: an Ultegra Di2 build with DT P1800 wheels or this pure-speed superbike spec with Dura-Ace Di2 and DT Swiss’s latest ARC1100 wheels (62mm deep front, 80mm deep rear).
Both bikes are finished with Cervélo’s dedicated base bar and extension system up front, and get some neat integrated storage for triathletes along with an aero-assisting bottle.
Warren is our senior technical editor for road and gravel. With 27 years of experience, he’s been testing bikes since before BikeRadar and the internet existed!
With an encyclopedic knowledge of bikes and what some would consider an excessive bike collection, Warren has been the mastermind behind our road Bike of the Year tests for over a decade. He has penned more than 2,750 bike tests.
His words have been published in Cycling Plus, Bikeradar, Mountain Biking UK, What Mountain Bike, Urban Cyclist, Procycling, Cycling News, Total Bike, Total Mountain Bike, T3 and a whole host of other publications. You’ll also find Warren as a regular on the BikeRadar Podcast and our YouTube channel.
He’s covered all the 21st-century innovations in cycling and ridden in Europe, Asia, Australasia, America and Africa. He’s been a judge for the Eurobike awards and judged handmade bikes at Bespoked.
Height: 6’2”/188cm
Bike size:58cm/L/XL
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