[[{“value”:”
Road heavyweight Cervélo has just unveiled the new Aspero 5, a bike the brand is calling the “most aerodynamic gravel bike ever created”. While the brand has been synonymous with cheating the wind in cycling since releasing the first Soloist over two decades ago, this is the first time it has really applied the fullness of that experience to a gravel racer.
We are fans of the regular Aspero here at Flow, having ridden plenty of miles on the 2024 version, and welcomed a couple to the permanent stable. However, where the previous Aspero 5 was a higher-end refinement of the earlier base model — with an integrated cockpit here, a few grams of layup there — today’s launch sees the model adopt a whole new DNA.
We’re keen to put in some hours in the saddle on this one, but in the meantime, get all the headlines below.
Aero is everything
Excuse the tired cliché, but it is clear to see that aerodynamics is the driving design philosophy of the new Aspero 5. Gone are the rounded tubes of its predecessor, which merely nodded to CdA with their subtle shaping, gone, too, the round seat post.
In their places, a deep down tube and sharply flattened top tube meet at a massive hourglass head tube that hugs the crown of a new fork. Rearward, a new seat tube reminiscent of the brand’s Grand Tour-winning S5 closely hugs the rear tyre, while dropped seat stays join well below the requisite D-shaped seat post and integrated wedge.
Cervélo says the sum of this redesign is a 37-watt aerodynamic drag saving relative to its predecessor, or a 34-watt advantage to its “nearest competitor.” We asked Cervélo what the competing bike and the brand are, and at what speed they are. According to the brand, those figures are tested at 30mph (48 kilometres per hour!); the reference competitor is the Ridley Kanzo Fast.
Six watts (well, “nearly” six watts) of that benefit is apparently down to the new aero bar and stem combo, which features the semi-integrated through-the-bar stem clamp layout that the brand first introduced on the 2014 S5. It’s a nice solution that yields most of the tidy aesthetics and aero benefits of an integrated cockpit, while still being easy to tune bar width and stem length to your preferences.
The Aspero 5 also adds a storage hatch behind the down tube bidon bosses, which means your spare tube, tools, and patch kit can go inside and out of the wind — no putting all that CFD work to waste by strapping on a saddle bag!
Cervélo Aspero 5 Geometry | An evolution, not a revolution
Beyond the visible changes of the aerodynamic overhaul, the Aspero 5’s geometry is more about finesse and fine-tuning than redesign. That’s not wholly unexpected, as the Aspero platform has been one of the more aggressive, road-adjacent gravel bikes from day one; this was never a bike meant for bikepacking.
Geometry numbers are all within a few millimetres of the previous generation Aspero 5; stack is 5mm lower across all sizes, and reach 2mm shorter, while head and seat tube angles are 0.4º slacker and the bottom bracket 4mm lower. As we said — evolution, not revolution.
The new frame shape features increased standover heights; however, it has a distinctly flatter top tube, ranging from as much as 30mm in size 48 to around 12mm in sizes 56-61. Something to keep in mind, particularly for shorter riders in the smaller sizes, where it’s also proportionally more significant.
The frame and fork are rated for 45mm tyres, somewhat of a surprise given more recent trends towards 50-55mm rubber for many gravel racers. For comparison, Cannondale’s Super X will take 48/51mm in the frame/fork, while Giant’s Revolt will fit 53mm. Allied’s new Able will fit up to 57mm, or 2.2″ in mountain bike parlance.
But Cervélo says that’s all about balancing aerodynamics and rolling resistance to create the bike that will be fastest over a whole race parcours. The product team explains that while minimising rolling resistance is key on the chunkiest surfaces, on faster or smoother sections, the aerodynamic benefit far outweighs it.
“Aspero 5 may not be the fastest bike in the roughest sectors, but [it] will be the fastest overall,” the brand says.
Cervélo has factored tyres into the geometry of the Aspero 5 too, providing charts for “balanced” and “mixed” geometry. The balanced approach assumes equally sized tyres front and rear, while the mixed approach is based on a 4mm tyre profile difference — narrower front tyres for aerodynamics and wider rear tyres for comfort.
It’s not a dramatic impact — 4mm longer reach, 0.4º steeper head and seat angles — but it speaks further to the bike’s intentions. It’s also an easy option to sharpen up the handling of the Aspero 5 if desired, in lieu of the Trail Mixer flip chip of its predecessor that has been scrapped in favour of a size-specific fixed fork offset.
Beyond the geometry tweaks, the Aspero 5 also gets the T47 BBright and Universal Derailleur Hanger of the 2024 Aspero.
Cervélo Aspero 5 models
At launch, the Aspero 5 will be available with two SRAM build kits and as a frameset. A third complete option will follow later in the month, but that one is built around something that apparently is not yet ready for our eyes.
There are a couple of interesting points to note here, too. Both SRAM builds, despite being based around Red and Force (the latter’s brand-new XPLR variant launches today), opt to forego the 13-speed XPLR derailleur and cassette in favour of a 12-speed Eagle setup.
Specifying SRAM XX and X0 T-type derailleurs and 10-52t cassettes respectively, Cervélo’s product managers have prioritised maximising gear range and top-end speed alongside the mechanical efficiency benefits of the larger 48t chain ring over the thirteenth gear.
“We evaluated the way in which gravel races were being won… and found they were frequently coming down to a sprint. Pairing a wide-range cassette with a large (48-tooth) chainring ensures the racer has the gears to climb while also providing the top-end speed for the race to the line. Added bonus? More chain wrap = lower friction,” the brand tells Flow.
The other thing is the tyres — all builds come with Vittoria’s Corsa Pro Control tyres in 42mm. Vittoria is a sponsor of the Visma-Lease a Bike super team, alongside Cervélo and other PON Holdings brands, Reserve and Lease a Bike, so it’s no surprise to see their tyres here.
But the choice to spec a 42mm slick, rather than a Terreno Zero or Dry fast gravel tyre in 45c, is notable. Interestingly, Vittoria only lists the Corsa Pro Control on their website in sizes up to 34mm.
Paint-wise, complete bikes are available in either “Five Black” — a dark gloss clear coat that shows subtle signs of carbon layup beneath in the right light — or the beautiful “Royal Mercury,” which sits somewhere between silver and lavender depending on the angle.
The frameset is also available in “Blue Nitrate,” continuing Cervélo’s tradition of offering at least one colour option that’s a bit more rowdy. You might also see pictures of it in white with rainbow stripes, but unfortunately, you’re not getting that one unless your name is Marianne Vos!
All builds include Cervélo’s computer/accessory mount to match the aero handlebar, a rear accessory mount, in-frame storage rolls, top tube bag, and Arundel Mandible bidon cages.
Probably the last thing before we delve into the details is to address the elephant in the room: pricing. The Aspero 5 is a premium-tier bike with pricing to match. Where we praised the base Aspero for being relatively affordable when it launched, when it comes to the Aspero 5, Cervélo has prioritised performance, not affordability. Pricing is in the ballpark (well, actually cheaper in some cases!) of other high-end comparators like Cannondale’s LAB71 Super X, or the S-Works Crux, but still… ouch.
We’ve got one in, and we’ll be putting in some miles on it over the coming months as a test base for SRAM’s brand-new Force XPLR groupset, which also launches today. Keep an eye out for our thoughts once we get to know it a bit better!
Cervélo Apsero 5 Red 1
- Frame | Aspero 5 carbon, T47 BBright, UDH
- Fork | Aspero 5 tapered carbon
- Wheels | Reserve 44/40 GR, DT Swiss 240 hubs
- Tyres | Vittoria Corsa Pro Control TLR G2.0 700x42c
- Drivetrain | SRAM Red / XX Eagle 1x12sp, 48t DUB wide crank with power meter, 10-52t cassette
- Brakes | SRAM Red, Paceline X centrelock rotors
- Bar | Cervelo HB16
- Stem | Cervelo ST31
- Seatpost | Cervelo SP27 carbon
- Saddle | Prologo Nago R4
- Price | $17,500 AUD
Cervélo Apsero 5 Force
- Frame | Aspero 5 carbon, T47 BBright, UDH
- Fork | Aspero 5 tapered carbon
- Wheels | Reserve 44/40 GR, DT Swiss 350 hubs
- Tyres | Vittoria Corsa Pro Control TLR G2.0 700x42c
- Drivetrain | SRAM Force / X0 Eagle 1x12sp, 48t DUB wide crank with power meter, 10-52t cassette
- Brakes | SRAM Force, Paceline Centerlock rotors
- Bar | Cervelo HB16
- Stem | Cervelo ST31
- Seatpost | Cervelo SP27 carbon
- Saddle | Prologo Nago R4
- Price | $12,900 AUD
Cervelo Aspero 5 Frameset
- Frame | Aspero 5 carbon, T47 BBright, UDH
- Fork | Aspero 5 tapered carbon
- Price | $7,900 AUD
The post Fast Gravel | Cervelo claims new Aspero 5 is the most aerodynamic gravel bike ever created appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.
“}]]
[[{“value”:”Road heavyweight Cervélo has just unveiled the new Aspero 5, a bike the brand is calling the “most aerodynamic gravel bike ever created”. While the brand has been synonymous with cheating the wind in cycling since releasing the first Soloist over two decades ago, this is the first time it has really applied the fullness
The post Fast Gravel | Cervelo claims new Aspero 5 is the most aerodynamic gravel bike ever created appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.”}]] Read More Flow Mountain Bike
#flowmtb #mtb