CERVELO ASPERO GRX 820 2026

In 2019, Áspero took the gravel world by storm, heralding a “new era of speed in gravel.” The new Áspero remains true to its original brief, but with some improvements: a threaded BB shell, neater cable routing, and a UDH-compatible derailleur hanger for those who want to use SRAM’s Transmission drivetrains. And it’s more aero, of course. In the case of Áspero, aerodynamic performance is less about pure speed as a result of drag reduction, and more about conservation of energy. After a big day in a headwind, the three watts saved over the previous Aspero might add up to one less energy gel your stomach has to digest—WORTH IT. In addition to the drag reduction, we also dropped the seat stays to give a bit more compliance out back, and reduced front-end stiffness slightly to make the last hours of a long race less painful. Between those dropped seat stays, we added in a bit more clearance for mud, too, taking what we learned from R5-CX (and the Unbound mudfest in 2023). It’s a lot of seemingly small improvements, but they add up to a lot. The result is a bike that feels a lot like the original Áspero, but is faster, more comfortable, and more versatile.

What it’s for

Fun…but flat out!

Highlights

• Lightweight full carbon frame and fork deliver a fast, responsive, race-focused ride feel
• Shimano GRX RX820 2×12 drivetrain provides precise shifting and a wide gear range for varied terrain
• Aero-optimised design improves efficiency and helps conserve energy on long rides
• Dropped seat stays and refined frame design increase comfort and compliance over rough surfaces
• Clearance for up to ~45mm tyres enhances grip, versatility, and off-road capability

Specs