Selling My Specialized Aethos After 1,000 Miles?

After 1,000 miles of riding the Specialized S-Works Aethos, I'm on the fence. It's an incredible road bike, it's comfortable, it performs well, but it has one problem...

Gear I’m Riding and Into ↓↓↓

Nutrition ↓↓↓

Camera Equipment ↓↓↓
*Some of these are affiliate links with a small commission.

Instagram: @outdoorbros_

0:00 Intro
0:20 The Everyday Athlete Perspective
0:35 The Aethos Build
1:38 Aesthetics: Still 10/10
2:12 Value: Still 10/10
2:32 Performance: Still 10/10
3:24 What is the Problem?
3:47 Aethos: Is it the Whole Package?
4:17 Back to the Dilemma: Aethos vs. SL7
4:50 Next Up: The Decision

[jvogel]

You have the S-Works Crux which is 95% of the Aethos. Keep the SL7 and sell the Aethos. Then you have a bike that can do everything well in the Crux and a bike that can rip up the tarmac at high speed.

[jabig]

Æthos is a bike between the SL and the Crux meaning that it can do a little bit of what the latter do. If you cannot keep all three, keep the ones on the extremes and let the former go.

[davidnicholson]

I'd take the Aethos over the SL7 any day. Better handling, lighter, easier to work on, less branding, better looking. It's a classic road bike. The SL7 will look dated in two years, the Aethos will always be cool.

[bbde]

I tried both on the same day on the same 6 km course around the bike shop. After the run up the first minor hill I knew I‘d buy the Aethos. The handling was just so incredible that I did not at all care about the Tarmac anymore. Did not feel the same snappiness with the Tarmac. Plus, my arms hurt after only 6 km with the Tarmac, but not with the Aethos. So no-brainer for me. YMMV.

[KameelMotionFit]

Keep the bike that makes you happy and excited to ride, remember that it’s that it’s the goal.

[daviddavidse]

I have watched you're several videos on the Aethos and SL7, but I honestly believe that you have answered your own questions. If everything is a 10 with the Aethos and you're kind of done with the "Aero" look, keep the Aethos. I do understand you're dilemma and second guessing, I have the same issue... drives my wife crazy! Good luck with your decision... and just listen to your heart. I hope to get an Aethos myself... it's everything I'm looking for. Keep up the good work with the videos!

[MGRSD]

That point you made about the Aethos having minimal branding, and not looking like a billboard is spot on. The first bike that comes to mind is the Madone SLR with that enormous 'Trek' logo on the down tube.

[brandonjpeters]

I had an SL7, loved it, but I was tempted by the simplistic vibe of the Aethos since I am like you in that I am primarily a hardcore enthusiast. Got the Aethos and love it!! Such a solid bike. However I am now wondering if I should have kept my SL7. Not because I dislike my Aethos, but because I got a bad habit of changing things up too often… always thinking/looking for the next/better thing.
What I just keep telling myself now is that my Aethos is awesome and I need to stick with it for a couple years. Human nature is hard to please.
Being content is a struggle and I admit I am working on it:-) I am also so spoiled in that I even get to ride these super bikes🙏

Best of luck finding peace ✌️

[jaysong]

I have S-Works Tarmac SL7, it is just simply a fantastic bike. It provides everything I want from a road bike. Pure joy of riding. Have been hesitating of also buying a Aethos as a climbing bike and for endurance ride, but could never convince myself. Honestly, if you already own SL7, you don’t really need another road bike (except for gravel).

[cycloxer]

You say about the Aethos, "It handles better, it looks better, and it's more comfortable". I think you answered your own question. Ordinarily, someone lists three and expects to pick two. You've got all three. Winner! I'm guessing the race-lineage of the Tarmac is pulling on your emotions. Everyone wants the 'faster' bike, whether real or perceived. When you roll with your buddies, the Tarmac generates more cred, I'll guess, though when blindfolded, the Aethos might win.

[Bikes-guitars]

I would keep both but put the Aethos back to what it’s supposed to be, a light weight bike, ditch the deep heavy wheels and go back to light weight climbing wheels, if you don’t live in an area with hills or mountains then part with it and keep the Tarmac, it’s not a bad problem to have!

[nochancecw]

I have an SL6, that I customized to be more aggressive and brought down to about 16.4lbs with 38mm climber wheels and an areo zipp bar. I liked how it was a bit more relaxed from the SL7, so I get the Aethos appeal, especially the way you have set it up. For me comfort and ride quality are key, so I'd say Aethos. But the SL7, if you like the very aggressive position, is probably the better bike.

[chadbennett]

Honestly, you should keep both. I have an S-Works Aethos and Tarmac SL7 Expert. I bring out the Aethos on casual rides and the Tarmac on rides when we plan on hammering it for a good chunk of the ride

[gpalmer]

The Aethos will be much easier to maintain in the future, due to non-proprietary parts (for the most part). I bought one that reason and the reasons you mentioned here and love it.

[global_nomad.]

bought an Aethos pro last august for many of the reasons mentioned for the higher model. its a great ride after the previous 2016 BMC - which still feels great when I ride it - and very different. I like the Aethos because it avoids so many of the other default assumptions of other road bikes with very little downside for most riders.

[emmanuelperez]

Great feedback, this is why you keep me checking in. Interesting to see what you do with your decision.

[brpugonlatour]

Hello! Finally! Someone with ceramicspeed bearings in their Enve wheelset alloy hub! How much faster do they roll vs stock? Please advise.. pretty please! Thank you 🙏🏻

[industryrule-]

It’s like asking if you should keep a 911 GT3 or Turbo S.

[enriqueflorendo]

So many tarmacs out there. It’s refreshing to see the aethos. Many won’t know what it is. I’m leaning aethos though I’ve never ridden one.

[nerigarcia]

I've never tried the Aethos but I've owned many other brands. I've had a Bianchi Oltre XR4, Orbea Orca, BH Ultralight, BMC SLR01, Argon 18 Gallium Pro, Look 695, just to name a few, and I always keep coming back to the Tarmac. I've owned 4 of them in between these other bikes starting with an SL2, SL3, SL5, and now the SL6 which I got down to 15.9 lbs. It has just been a bike that fits me best and feels most responsive in every way. It's light, fast, can climb, descend, and to me seems like the all-around bike. Again, I can't speak to the Aethos but the Tarmac does it for me. With so many specialized (no pun intended) bikes out there, the Tarmac seems to do it all very well.