First Look | Cervelo updates the Aspero gravel bike with a focus on straight speed

Since the Cervelo Aspero was first introduced in 2019, gravel bikes have changed quite a bit. People ride them fast, long and in a variety of terrains, and the thought of using a tire with a diameter starting at anything less than four seems offensive.

According to Cervelo, with the Aspero they wanted to make a rock bike that could “haul ass, not cargo” without faff or proprietary bits – and they achieved that goal well on that first generation bike. Two years later, the company introduced the Aspero 5, which was basically the same bike with wider tires, a headphone cable route and a new carbon layup that was said to be 10% lighter – and it had an EPIC paint option.

For 2024, the Aspero has made a comeback, claiming to be faster, more comfortable, and more versatile. Also plays UDH and wired BB.

We have a brand new Cervelo Aspero, which we will keep as a long-term test bike on the road. But for now, here's a closer look at what's new on the 2024 Cervelo Aspero.

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Overview of the new 2024 Cervelo Aspero

Cervelo makes it clear that it hasn't deviated from the goal of making the fastest gravel bike possible with the latest generation Aspero.

There is no adjustable pivot for this or a fixed suspension fork for that – because that would add weight and trouble – and all the compliance will come from the tires and the flex tuned in the frame. With that said, the brand realizes that it has reduced the seating position and slightly lowered the front-end stiffness to introduce some compliance.

There are also claims about limited wattage savings due to less drag loss, possibly due to the routing of the earphone cable and the reclining seats. These benefits will be completely reversed if we tie a handle bag full of Party Mix to the front.

Cervelo makes a big deal about how much space there is between the seats in the new Aspero. Like the Canyon Grail, the new Aspero has been upgraded with a 42mm wheel, which is now the standard for bikes in this category, but the Canadian outfit says it will clear a 45mm wheel according to ISO standards, which means at least 4mm clearance in all directions.

“The actual frame clearance of the 700c is 57mm, so the maximum tire size (regardless of its label, and variable in rim width) is 45mm. On the 650b, the maximum size tire is 47mm,” Brand tells Flow. “The route numbers also remain the same across all sizes.”

Cervelo designed this platform to be inconsistently responsive, and as such, things like fender mounts that are standard on all gravel bikes still don't cut it on the new Apsero – remember, haul asses, not cargo, as the tag line goes. There are provisions for a top-tube feeding bag and a third water bottle, but not much else.

Bottom brackets and derailleur hangars

For more than a decade, Cervelo has based its bikes on the BBRight press-fit bottom bracket standard, which was a hybrid between the BB90 and PF86, using asymmetric cups and claims of improved stiffness. For the new Aspiro, the brand has adopted the asymmetrical T47a BB thread first seen on the R5 CX.

According to Cervelo, it has kept the asymmetric cups, fitting them into the T47 size hole in the frame using standard internal and external cups – brilliant!

Cervelo has also borrowed the earphone dimensions from a number of its existing bikes and allows you to use any bar and stem combo – a feature that's becoming increasingly rare on gravel bikes. Unfortunately, borrowing from existing bikes means that cables and brake lines go through the headset earphones and frame – so call any benefits up front a wash.

At the rear, the new Aspero has opted for a SRAM UDH hanger, which not only makes it easy to replace one if you have a whoopsie, but also means it can be run with a T-Type Transmission if that floats your boat.

Moving up, Cervelo has also opted for a standard 27.2mm round seatstay held in place by an external clamp. In a world of proprietary seatposts and hidden seatposts, simplicity is refreshing.

Cervelo Aspero geometry

The geometry of the Aspero is almost identical to the bar of the previous version with a few changes.

Everything remains the same apart from the chainstay length, which has grown to 425mm, and the standover length, which is now 733mm.

Interestingly, the press release does not mention the flip chip in the fork. Called the Trail Mixer, this flip chip has changed the fork rake by 5mm. When the Aspero was first introduced, swapping 650B wheels and tires was still a feature that people wanted. Although a 650B tire with a fat tire and a 700c tire and skinnier tires have the same width and circumference, they are not exactly the same, the Trail Mixer is designed to maintain grip characteristics by keeping the trail count constant. Considering that even switching from a 40-45mm tire can affect the bike's handling and handling, it was an innovation we've seen on a few other gravel bikes.

While 650B wheels and tires are pretty much out of fashion on gravel bikes, the Trail Mixer is back and lets you customize how the Aspero handles depending on the terrain. However, it's not quite a trailside switch, as you also have to change the brake calliper mounting.

As with the previous model, three different forks are used in all six available sizes and to maintain the same handling characteristics across the range.

Cervelo Aspero price and availability

Cervelo AU is offering half a dozen Aspero builds with electric and mechanical drivetrains, starting at $4,100 AUD and there will be a frame kit available for $3,600 AUD. The new Aspero is available at launch, here is a description of the available models.

Cervelo Aspero Rival XPRL AXS 1

• Outline | Cervelo Aspero All-Carbon Frame, T47 BBright bottom bracket, SRAM UDH
• Fork | Cervélo All-Carbon, Tapered Áspero Fork
• Wheels | Reserve 44 Back, Reserve 40 Front
• Tires | WTB Vulpine TCS Flash Fast Dual DNA 60tpi 700x40c
• Train | SRAM Rival XPLR AXS, 12 speed 10-44 cassette, 40T chainring
• Brakes | SRAM Rival w/ SRAM Centerline Centerlock
• Bar | Cervélo AB09 Carbon, 31.8mm clamp, 16-degree flare
• Title | Cervélo ST36 Alloy, w Cable Management
• Seat | Cervélo SP19 Carbon 27.2mm
• Seat | Prologo Dimension STN
• Price | $8,000 AUD

Aspero GRX 820

• Outline | Cervelo Aspero All-Carbon Frame, T47 BBright bottom bracket, SRAM UDH
• Fork | Cervélo All-Carbon, Tapered Áspero Fork
• Wheels | Fulcrum Rapid Red 300
• Tires | WTB Vulpine TCS Flash Fast Dual DNA 60tpi 700x40c
• Train | Shimano GRX 820, 12-speed, 11-36T Cassette, 48/31T chainrings
• Brakes | Shimano GRX 820
• Bar | Cervélo AB09 Carbon, 31.8mm clamp, 16-degree flare
• Title | Cervélo ST36 Alloy, w Cable Management
• Seat | Cervélo SP19 Carbon 27.2mm
• Seat | Prologo Dimension NDR T4.0
• Price | $5,300 AUD

Aspero XPLR AXS 1

• Outline | Cervelo Aspero All-Carbon Frame, T47 BBright bottom bracket, SRAM UDH
• Fork | Cervélo All-Carbon, Tapered Áspero Fork
• Wheels | Fulcrum Rapid Red 300
• Tires | WTB Vulpine TCS Flash Fast Dual DNA 60tpi 700x40c
• Train | SRAM Apex XPLR AXS, 11-44T Cassette, 40T chainring
• Brakes | SRAM Apex
• Bar | Cervélo AB09 Carbon, 31.8mm clamp, 16-degree flare
• Title | Cervélo ST36 Alloy, w Cable Management
• Seat | Cervélo SP19 Carbon 27.2mm
• Seat | Prologo Dimension STN
• Price | $5,500 AUD

Aspero XPLR 1

• Outline | Cervelo Aspero All-Carbon Frame, T47 BBright bottom bracket, SRAM UDH
• Fork | Cervélo All-Carbon, Tapered Áspero Fork
• Wheels | Alexrims Boondocks 7D
• Tires | WTB Vulpine TCS Flash Fast Dual DNA 60tpi 700x40c
• Train | SRAM Apex XPLR, 11-44T Cassette, 40T chainring
• Brakes | SRAM Apex
• Bar | Zipp Service Course 70 XPR Alloy, 31.8mm clamp, 5-degree flare, 11-degree outsweep
• Title | Cervélo ST36 Alloy, w Cable Management
• Seat | Cervélo Alloy 27.2 15mm Offset
• Seat | Cervélo Saddle
• Price | $4,400 AUD

Aspero GRX RX610

• Outline | Cervelo Aspero All-Carbon Frame, T47 BBright bottom bracket, SRAM UDH
• Fork | Cervélo All-Carbon, Tapered Áspero Fork
• Wheels | Alexrims Boondocks 7D
• Tires | WTB Vulpine TCS Flash Fast Dual DNA 60tpi 700x40c
• Train |Shimano GRX 610, 12-speed, 11-36T Cassette, 46/30T chainrings
• Brakes | Shimano GRX 610
• Bar | Zipp Service Course 70 XPR Alloy, 31.8mm clamp, 5-degree flare, 11-degree outsweep
• Title | Cervélo ST36 Alloy, w Cable Management
• Seat | Cervélo Alloy 27.2 15mm Offset
• Seat | Cervélo Saddle
• Price | $4,500 AUD

Aspero GRX RX610 1

• Outline | Cervelo Aspero All-Carbon Frame, T47 BBright bottom bracket, SRAM UDH
• Fork | Cervélo All-Carbon, Tapered Áspero Fork
• Wheels | Alexrims Boondocks 7D
• Tires | WTB Vulpine TCS Flash Fast Dual DNA 60tpi 700x40c
• Train |Shimano GRX 610 w/ RX822 1x derailleur, 12-speed, 10-45TT Cassette, 40T chainring
• Brakes | Shimano GRX 610
• Bar | Zipp Service Course 70 XPR Alloy, 31.8mm clamp, 5-degree flare, 11-degree outsweep
• Title | Cervélo ST36 Alloy, w Cable Management
• Seat | Cervélo Alloy 27.2 15mm Offset
• Seat | Cervélo Saddle
• Value | $4,100 AUD

Aspero Frameset

• Outline | Cervelo Aspero All-Carbon Frame, T47 BBright bottom bracket, SRAM UDH
• Fork | Cervélo All-Carbon, Tapered Áspero Fork
• Value | $3,600AUD