Cervélo Áspero

87/100
BikeRide Score
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Summary of Reviews

We have read all expert and user reviews on the Cervélo Áspero. In summary, this is what cyclists think.

14 reasons to buy

  • This bike easily maintained speed and exhibited efficient power transference.
  • Handling was aggressive, sporty and highly responsive.
  • Frame clearance caters for tires up to 700c x 42 or 650b x 49.
  • A twin-tip fork allows for 5mm of rake adjustment.
  • Speed-freaks found that the Áspero accelerated superbly.
  • Quality and workmanship was high-end and precise.
  • The flared Easton bar felt great in the hands of one expert reviewer.
  • The Áspero sports aero shaping in a neat monocoque design.
  • Donnelly X’Plor tires increased riders’ comfort level by reducing feedback.
  • Aero, carbon DT Swiss wheels delighted, in the Force Etap AXS configuration.
  • Cervélo offer the Áspero in classy and diverse duotone color choices.
  • A plastic bashguard protects the carbon frame from flung rocks.
  • Padding and comfort were lauded on the modern, stubby Prologo saddle.
  • Some experts said comfort was ample, considering the bike’s tendency toward performance.

6 reasons not to buy

  • The Áspero features NO mounts for either mudguards or racks.
  • Adjusting the twin-tip fork also requires brake adjustment.
  • One expert said that bartape was thin, overstretched and transferred vibration.
  • On the Force eTap, the gear range was limited by a small cassette and 1x drivetrain.
  • A long bottom-bracket drop and long cranks resulted in pedal-scrape on techy trails.
  • No reviewers said the Áspero was super comfortable, relying on tires for give.

Bottom line

Cervélo’s Áspero is a performance-oriented race rig. There are virtually no mounts here for bikepacking. Eyelets are provisioned for three bottles and a top-tube bag, but there’s nothing here for mudguards or racks. A “Trail Mixer” twintip fork allows switching between a more-stable or more-agile position and accommodates movement between 650b or 700c wheels. A long bottom-bracket drop and long cranks suggest that this bike is strictly pointed at unrutted, high-speed gravel tracks. The 1x12 drivetrain on the top-of-the-range AXS version was problematic. The 36 tooth chainring and small, 10-33 cluster ended up being too low on fast-flats and too high for vicious gravel climbs. Speed was favored over comfort, with the Áspero relying on 40c tires for forgiveness. For single-day, gravel-racing speed-junkies, the Áspero is just the ticket.
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Facts

Gender
Release Year
Brand
Wheel Size
Number of Gears
Gearing Type
Weight
19.25, 20.28, 18.89, 18.30, 19 lb
Suspension
Brake Type
Frame Material

Expert Reviews

80/100 based on 1 rated expert review
80

Cervelo Aspero Force eTap AXS 1 Disc

A very fast gravel bike with sleek looks but short on versatility.

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Gravel Cyclist

Cervelo Aspero Review – The Speed Merchant Gravel Bike

This bike is not super-comfy and definitely suits the racer type…the ride is noticeably harsher than other carbon frames… I like this bike a lot.

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Cervelo Aspero | A True Racer’s Gravel Bike, But It’s Not For Everyone

For a gravel bike, it’s very, very aggressive… You are getting an absolute premium frameset… I do like this bike a lot but it is very much a race bike.

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Hands On with the Cervélo Áspero

Hands down, it’s the best gravel bike we have ever ridden.

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Biller Bike Reviews

Cervelo Aspero Review vs Ibis Hakka MX and Santa Cruz Stigmata

It feels like a road bike… it’s very comforting, I didn’t have to learn a different geometry.

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Gran Fondo

Cervélo Áspero in Review

The Cervélo Áspero is a gravel rocket purpose-built for speed… if you have the skills and watts… However… the agile handling could be overwhelming on challenging terrain.

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Cervelo Aspero First-Ride Review: The Go-Fast Gravel Bike

I expect the Aspero to be one of the more polarizing gravel bikes on the market… if you’re specifically looking for a new gravel bike with casual upright positioning…. this is not the gravel bike you’re looking for.

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Ultimate Gravel Racer Build – Cervelo Aspero

The Cervelo’s combination of low weight, fast-but-comfortable road riding position and short wheelbase, has quickly made the Aspero a firm favourite for speedy gravelleurs.

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User Ratings

100/100 based on 4 ratings
  • 5 star
    100%
  • 4 star
    0%
  • 3 star
    0%
  • 2 star
    0%
  • 1 star
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Rankings

Compared to other bikes
#45 Best Gravel - Adventure
Bottom 50%
#53 Best Road
Top 50%
#8 Best Cervélo Bike
Bottom 20%
#370 Best of All Bikes
Bottom 50%

Bike Comparison

Cervélo Áspero in comparison to averages

Forum Discussions

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