Cervélo Áspero Rival XPLR AXS 1

The Cervélo Aspero exploded onto the gravel scene in 2019 and instantly rewrote the rules for what a gravel race bike could be. The latest version takes everything that made the original a legend and pushes it further with intelligent updates that make you faster, fresher, and ready for anything the course throws at you.

The Aspero's design philosophy hasn't changed: this bike is built to haul ass, not cargo. But the approach to aerodynamics has evolved. It's not just about slicing through the wind anymore, it's about conserving your energy over the brutal distances that define gravel racing. Those few watts saved during endless stretches of headwind translate into real advantages: one less gel you need to choke down, less accumulated fatigue, and more power left in the tank when the race explodes in the final kilometres. A threaded bottom bracket means easy maintenance when things inevitably get grimy, SRAM's Universal Derailleur Hanger ensures drivetrain compatibility across the board, and refined cable routing keeps everything clean and functional.

Speed matters, but only if you can sustain it. The updated Aspero understands this. Dropped seat stays add compliance that keeps you comfortable deep into long races, while slightly reduced front-end stiffness takes the edge off those final brutal hours on washboard gravel. Mud clearance has been dramatically improved thanks to lessons learned from the R5-CX, so when conditions deteriorate and others are walking, you're still riding.

Whether you're chasing podiums at high-speed gravel races or testing your limits on epic solo missions, the Aspero delivers the perfect balance. Fully internal cable routing, compatibility with the latest SRAM drivetrains, and countless refined details mean this bike is dialled for modern gravel racing. The Aspero keeps you where you belong: at the sharp end, pushing hard, and loving every minute of it.