Cervélo Áspero-5 on Test: The Fastest Gravel Race Bike out there?

With the new Áspero-5, Cervélo are going all-in to win over speed freaks and gravel racers alike. Drawing from the aero-optimized design of the S5, this bike promises to offer a lighter build and a serious boost in speed – and not just compared to its predecessor! But with all the emphasis on aerodynamics, have Cervélo overlooked key modern trends like wide tires and compact cockpits?

Gravel and aerodynamics stopped being mutually exclusive a long time ago. These days, no serious discussion about elite gravel racing – or the gear that comes with –it can ignore aerodynamic performance. A quick glance at the big players’ line-ups confirms it: there’s hardly a brand left without a fast gravel bike equipped with deep-section wheels.. So it’s no surprise that Cervélo’s new Áspero-5 is purpose-built for gravel racing.

Of course, it’s lighter and faster– but the extent of its aero ambitions still managed to surprise us. According to Cervélo, the latest Áspero-5 is a staggering 37 watts faster than its predecessor, and 34 watts quicker than the nearest competitor. Sounds almost too good to be true. How Cervélo justifies those impressive numbers– and how much truth there is behind them – you’ll find out in our first ride review.

Aero meets gravel? – The racing concept behind the 2025 Cervélo Áspero-5

With the new Áspero-5, Cervélo have set themselves an ambitious goal– and it doesn’t get much bolder than this. The new gravel bike isn’t just meant to be lighter and just as stiff as its predecessor, it’s also designed to be faster than anything else out there. Big claims, especially in the ultra-competitive world of gravel racing, where you’ve got to back up every word with performance.

Cervélo’s answer lies in a highly refined aero concept, much of which draws direct inspiration from their S5 aero road bike. The top tube angle and bottom bracket area, for instance, are modelled closely on the S5. Visually, the resemblance continues with the deep head tube and wide, flat down tube. Add in the short seatpost insertion and the seat tube shaped around the rear wheel, and you could almost call the Áspero a gravel version of the S5.

Paired with a purpose-built cockpit, Cervélo claim that this setup delivers significant aerodynamic gains– allegedly putting the Áspero-5 a full 34 watts ahead of the competition. How these figures were actually tested, however, remains a mystery. Cervélo haven’t revealed the methodology, only that the benchmark was set against bikes like the Ridley Kanzo and Trek Checkpoint. What’s missing is a comparison with more aero-focused rivals like the 3T RaceMax or Ridley’s own Astr RS using identical components, wheels and tires.

But there’s one thing that stands out in all this talk about aerodynamics: tire clearance barely gets a mention. That’s surprising, especially considering how most new gravel bikes are all about boosting compliance and reducing rolling resistance with wider tires or even suspension forks. Cervélo, on the other hand, seem to be treating tire width as more of a footnote.

It becomes even clearer when you look at the Áspero-5’s build options. Every model comes specced with 42 mm Vittoria Corsa Pro Control tubeless tires. While that might be fine for the silky-smooth gravel roads of the American Midwest, the bike quickly reaches its limits on rougher, mixed-surface tracks in Central Europe. And with a maximum clearance of just 45 mm, there’s not much room left to play with.

New from the ground up – What’s changed on the 2025 Cervélo Áspero-5?

Beyond the aerodynamic refinements, Cervélo introduced several other updates on the new Áspero-5– most notably, the two-piece cockpit. Despite its clear focus on aero performance, the bike deliberately forgoes a fully integrated cockpit. Instead, Cervélo aim to blend the versatility of a traditional setup with the efficiency of an aero design, thanks to a set-back clamping area and a flat bar profile.

What doesn’t quite hit the mark, though, is the handlebar width. With 40 cm at the hoods and a whopping 46 cm in the drops, it’s definitely on the wide side for modern gravel racing. Still, there’s one interesting feature: the bars are compatible with clip-on aero extensions– but only if you buy an optional adapter.

Cervélo also made a few smaller tweaks, like the redesigned front brake mount. Unlike the usual setup where the calliper is bolted from the rear, the Áspero-5 uses two long bolts inserted from the front through the fork– similar to the brake mount seen on the 2020 SCOTT Addict RC. According to Cervélo, this saves a bit of weight. The downside? It limits you to a 160 mm brake rotor– and there’s no option to size down.

The Áspero-5 also features a dedicated chain guide for the 1x drivetrain, keeping the chain securely in place when the terrain gets rough. At the rear, SRAM’sUDH (Universal Derailleur Hanger) standard adds versatility when it comes to drivetrain choice.

There’s also an integrated frame compartment with two internal pouches, which were designed specifically for this bike. Cervélo borrowed this clever storage solution from their Caledonia-5 all-road bike, where it’s already proven its practicality.

The 2025 Cervélo Áspero-5 in detail

For the time being, Cervélo offer two SRAM spec variants and a frameset, with a third complete bike option set to follow shortly. We tested the flagship model, which retails at € 11,499 and tips the scales at 8.26 kg in size 58 (including top tube bag and internal storage pouches). And it doesn’t hold back. As the top-tier model in the Aspero range, it features a premium mix of SRAM’s finest components along with a high-end wheelset. The drivetrain cleverly blends MTB and road tech, consisting of a SRAM XX SL Eagle AXS rear derailleur and a wide-range 12-speed 10–52 t cassette. Up front, a 48T aero chainring with integrated power meter and SRAM RED crankset rounds off the high-performance package. Rolling on 42 mm Vittoria Corsa Pro Control tires and Reserve 40|44 TA GR wheels with DT Swiss 240 hubs, the Áspero-5 delivers not just speed, but top-tier responsiveness and control on a range of surfaces.

The second variant, priced at €8,299, features largely the same components. The only difference is the drivetrain, which combines SRAM Force AXS and XO mountain bike components, but offers the same gearing. If the mix of MTB components and road tires feels like too much, there’s also a frameset available for €5,299.

The geometry of the 2025 Cervélo Áspero-5

Cervélo made some notable updates to the Áspero-5’s geometry, tailoring it specifically to suit the new zero-offset seatpost. The result is a setup that’s clearly dialled in for gravel racing. With a Stack-to-Reach ratio (STR) of 1.46, the bike places you in a sporty riding position that sits right in line with its predecessor.

This is noticeably stretched, encouraging a fast and aggressive stance in the drops. But Cervélo also recognise that not every rider wants to be slammed low all the time. To accommodate this, the headset cap is available in two versions– 7 mm and 22 mm– allowing for an additional 15 mm of stack height. This means that you can easily switch to a more relaxed, endurance-friendly fit without compromising the bike’s sleek aesthetic.

Size	48	51	54	56	58	61
Stack	500 mm	525 mm	550 mm	575 mm	600 mm	625 mm
Reach	369 mm	377 mm	386 mm	395 mm	404 mm	413 mm
Seat Angle	74.1°	73.6°	73.1°	72.6°	72.6°	72.6°
Horizontal Top Tube	516 mm	531 mm	552 mm	574 mm	591 mm	607 mm
Head Tube Angle	70.6°	71.1°	71.6°	71.6°	71.6°	71.6°
Head Tube Length	75 mm	99 mm	122 mm	148 mm	177 mm	203 mm
BB Drop	80 mm	80 mm	80 mm	80 mm	78 mm	78 mm
Chainstay Length	422.5 mm	422.5 mm	422.5 mm	422.5 mm	422.5 mm	422.5 mm
Wheelbase	993 mm	1,002 mm	1,012 mm	1,029 mm	1,047 mm	1,064 mm

Aero racer without weak spots? – First ride review of the 2025 Cervélo Áspero

With the new Áspero-5, Cervélo tapped into several key gravel trends: wide road tires, an aero chainring up front, and a wide-range MTB cassette out back– all very much on point. Yet in a few areas, the bike doesn’t feel entirely up to date. The limited maximum tire clearance of 45 mm limits its versatility, and the handlebars– 40 cm at the hoods and a sprawling 46 cm in the drops– are simply too wide for a modern race-focused gravel bike. This mix-and-match approach shows through in the ride experience as well.

The road-oriented tires are certainly very efficient on tarmac and on fast, hard-pack gravel. But in our test, the best pure gravel tires matched them for speed– and generated noticeably more traction once the terrain got rougher. That said, in terms of handling – especially on the road – few gravel tires can match the sporty ride feel of the Vittorias. They suit the bike’s character perfectly: sharp and responsive without being nervous, and remarkably stable at high speeds.

The Áspero-5’s balanced ride feel is reinforced by the sporty riding position, which offers a surprising level of comfort despite the bike’s aerodynamic focus. Paired with wide tires and compliant wheels, the result is a setup that feels fast without sacrificing long-distance rideability.

When it comes to acceleration and overall efficiency, the Cervélo holds its own. The aero concept clearly pays off: on flat sections and descents, the Áspero-5 maintains speed effortlessly. Uphill, however, the relatively high system weight of 8.26 kg starts to show. While it still accelerates quickly, the stiffness isn’t quite what you’d expect from a full-blown race rig. The cockpit in particular feels a touch too flexy, which makes the bike seem slightly vague when sprinting. One more weak point became apparent during testing: the seatpost clamp. Despite correct installation and the use of carbon paste, it didn’t always hold the post securely in place.

Tuning tip: A set of proper gravel tyres for those rainy race days.

Who should take a closer look at the 2025 Cervélo Áspero-5?

So, what kind of bike is the new Cervélo Áspero-5 really? Is it a no-compromise gravel racer, or more of a fast all-road machine? With its road-oriented tire choice and the option to fit clip-on aero bars, it’s definitely one for brevet and ultra-distance fans to keep an eye on. But make no mistake: despite its road credentials, the Áspero-5 is first and foremost a thoroughbred gravel race bike. Thanks to the refined aero concept, balanced handling and sporty riding position, it’s a serious contender on any start line.

That said, the limited tire clearance does somewhat restrict its versatility. Even if you’re not planning to run full-on MTB rubber, anyone who’s tackled muddy trails knows that extra space between the tires and frame can be a lifesaver. Still, despite that limitation– and the 42 mm tires fitted to our test bike– the Áspero-5 surprises with how much comfort it manages to squeeze out of the frame.

Conclusions about the 2025 Cervélo Áspero-5

Cervélo’s 2025 Áspero-5 is a sporty and versatile gravel race bike that makes a strong impression with its focused concept, balanced handling and sleek design. Put simple, it’s a head-turner that performs– but not without a few trade-offs. While the mix of mountain bike and road components aligns well with current gravel trends, the pairing with road tires results in overly large gear jumps that feel out of place. On top of that, the limited tire clearance and overly-wide handlebars feel a little outdated in today’s gravel racing landscape. That said, there’s no denying the bike’s potential. With a more personalised spec, the Áspero-5 could easily become a race-winning machine.

For more details, visit cervelo.com.

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Words: Calvin Zajac Photos: Peter Walker