CERVELO ASPERO RIVAL XPLR AXS 1 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

• Fast, race-focused carbon frame delivers road-bike speed with gravel capability, built for riders who want to go hard, not just explore
• SRAM Rival XPLR AXS wireless drivetrain provides smooth, precise shifting with a wide-range cassette for climbing and speed
• Aero-optimised tube shaping helps conserve energy on long rides and in headwinds
• Dropped seat stays and refined compliance improve comfort over rough terrain and long distances
• Clearance for up to ~45mm tyres (or 650b options) boosts grip, control, and versatility across mixed surfaces

Specs