Off-road bike races? Until a few years ago, they were the domain of mountain bikes - or cross bikes. Gravel bikes tended to play the role of robust explorer bikes. Until Cervélo, for example, presented the Áspero as a racy model that stood out from the competition with its relatively sporty riding position and was particularly good at flying over gravel tracks. A little later, the lighter Áspero-5 was the logical further development of the race-orientated concept, which the Canadian bike manufacturer is now applying to some extent to the second generation of the original Áspero.
Relatively stretched seating position on the Cervélo Áspero
Thanks to slimmer tube shapes and partially integrated cables, the bike is said to have become a little faster. Despite the tidy cockpit, position adjustment and maintenance are still relatively uncomplicated, as the brake lines are routed under the carbon handlebars and aluminium stem into the head tube. According to Cervélo, the aerodynamics are improved by three watts; the Canadians do not provide absolute figures. The riding position is relatively stretched - always bearing in mind that gravel bikes in the road bike world are generally located in the comfortable, upright area of the spectrum. On race gravel specialists like the BMC Kaius or Rose Backroad FF you sit even more sportily.
The carbon frame has been minimally modified to increase comfort: The seat stays are slightly lower and "the stiffness in the head tube area has been slightly reduced", according to Cervélo. We couldn't detect any of this on our test bench. On the contrary: the frameset is impressively torsionally stiff. The fact that you can now fit tyres up to 45 millimetres wide instead of the previous 40 millimetres should have a greater impact on suspension comfort. The Áspero thus complies with the minimum distance of four millimetres between the frame and tyres required by the International Organization for Standardisation (ISO). However, Cervélo recommends a maximum tyre width of 42 millimetres for 700C wheels, which the standard tyres on the wide carbon rims from Reserve make full use of. Filled with sealant, the tyres provide exemplary suspension and complement the excellent comfort of the round carbon seatpost.
Flexible steering behaviour
The option to adjust the steering geometry using the so-called "Trail Mixer" on the fork remains unchanged. The position of the front wheel axle can be changed depending on the terrain and tyre choice. The trail, which together with the wheelbase, steering angle and fork pre-bend influences the steering behaviour, varies by nine millimetres depending on the position of the dropout. As a result, the Cervélo rides noticeably smoother in the "long version" - our measured values refer to this - without appearing sluggish. It also means that the Áspero can be retrofitted with 650B wheels and wider tyres, with 50 millimetre rollers. However, a quick change during a ride is not possible, as the brake adapter also needs to be replaced.
The total weight of 8490 grams emphasises its character as a fast gravel cutter. The Áspero couldn't be lighter, as the version with the electronic Rival XPLR is already the top model. The Áspero-5, the high-end version of which is 500 grams lighter on the scales, promises even more racing character.
The new portfolio comprises a total of six equipment variants. Only the top version tested benefits from carbon fibre add-on parts. All Áspero models enable a gear reduction in the lowest gear, which means that even steep forest paths can be conquered. The UDH standard on the derailleur hanger is designed to protect the rear derailleur in the event of a fall and make it easier to adjust the gears. The scope of delivery also includes a small bag for the top tube; a third water bottle or tool box can be mounted on the down tube.
The new Áspero offers the best of all worlds: Its suspension is orientated towards comfortable adventurers, while its acceleration competes with fast race models. - Matthias Fischer, TOUR mechanic
Cervélo Áspero Rival XPLR AXS 1 - Test rating and info
- TOUR grade: 1,7
- Price: 5799 Euro
- Weight of complete wheel: 8.5 kilos
- Frame sizes 48, 51, 54, 56, 58, 61 (test size bolded)
Geometry
- Seat/top/head tube: 471/575/159 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR: 596/390 millimetres/1.53
- Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 647/566 millimetres/1.14
- Wheelbase/caster: 1030/70 millimetres
Equipment
- Drive/gear shift: SRAM Rival XPLR AXS (1x12; 40, 10-44 t.) | Grade: 2.0
- Brakes: SRAM Rival (160/160 mm) | Grade: 1.5
- Tyres: WTB Vulpine TCS Light 40 mm (eff.: 42 mm) | Grade: 2.0
- Impellers: Reserve 40/44
- Impeller weights: 1410/1959 grams (v./h.)
Measured values
- Driving stability: 8.72 N/mm | Grade: 1.3
- Rear comfort: 94 N/mm | Grade: 1.3
- Comfort front: 84 N/mm | Grade: 2.3
- Ride/ bottom bracket stiffness: 62 N/mm | Grade: 1.0
Advantages and disadvantages of the Cervélo Áspero Rival XPLR AXS 1
- Plus: very comfortable, relatively light, ride characteristics can be changed
- Minus: Relatively expensive
How TOUR tests
Julian Schultz
Editor
