Matt Stephens' Specialized S-Works Aethos Long Term Review | Sigma Sports
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- čas přidán 25. 07. 2024
- One of the most exciting bikes Specialized has ever launched. The Aethos has pushed boundaries when it comes to the term 'lightweight superbike' but as Matt Stephens found out, there is plenty more to it than just its diminutive weight. Matt has been riding the SRAM RED eTap AXS equipped S-Works model over the course of a few months and has been won over by its impressive frame design, premium finishing kit and svelte ride characteristics.
Watch Matt's review on the S-Works model and let us know in the comments section your thoughts on the Specialized Aethos.
Scientific Research Disclaimer: Calculations were made by a former three-times Mersyside Divs Champion and the Production Crew. They were not verified by any actual scientists.
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What Matt is wearing in this video:
Specialized S-Works Prevail II Vent MIPS Helmet with ANGi: www.sigmasports.com/item/Spec...
Specialized S-Works Ares Road Cycling Shoes: www.sigmasports.com/item/Spec...
Oakley Kato Sunglasses: Purchasable in Sigma Sports stores only
Universal Colours Spectrum Cubic Short Sleeve Jersey: www.sigmasports.com/item/Univ...
Universal Colours Mono Bib Short:
www.sigmasports.com/item/Univ...
Universal Colours Mono Summer Cycling Socks:
www.sigmasports.com/item/Univ...
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that's one hell of a machine, looks so elegant and strong. The aethos kinda alright too.
And it is not so strong - the frame flexes like hell if you put some watts in it :(
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha helluva comment
Pretty much everything specialized puts out on the market is just awful.
@Sascha N. Sold mine after 3 months. Tcr pro and hi mod rim brakes are much better, with no flex.
Beautiful bike and colour , It’s dog slow on anything bar mountains though , and sure just buy an allrounder that does it all. Watch your average speed drop on flats…big time but that’s not the market I guess.
"CLIPPED IN"
Oh how I missed it
Great to see you’ve been working on your clipping in Matt......much improved 👍
I've been surprised too ;-)
Hi, Matt, great to keep seeing you on CZcams! Love the bike too! Hey, you clipped in easily !!
Matt all those characteristics that you speak of sound like you’re talking about my 2013 Super Six Evo SRAM Red Hi Mod.
My first thought was "it looks like a Cannondale"
Don't let the secret out, I don't want Caad10 frames to become the new allez sprint and start going for $1600
Everything old becomes new again. AKA - squeezing more $$ from older ideas, or finally understanding their value. Tan sidewalls, Laces on cycling shoes, Wide tires, smaller tubes. What's next? Steel framed bikes with 30mm tires that go anywhere? (Gravel 😂). Watch, in ten years rim brake/mechanical will make a comeback.
Well the engineer/designer is the same person lol
MATT! We found you, even comes with a new hair do matching the new bike! Good to see you back.
Cut as fresh as bike 😎
Long time no see Matt…….!!! Fine bike and a great review but my eyes can’t get over the weird colour combination!! Also with the cost of the bike I’m surprised there’s cables showing!!!
How is the first comment NOT, "Matt's look is pure FIRE"? I mean bikes are cool. New specs, dope. But really, this change up right here with Matt... whew. Keep doing what you're doing Matt. Sigma Sports, you got a ringer here.
A like for Mr. Stephens 👏🏽 Good seeing you, Matt! Been watching a lot of GCN vids and I always enjoy watching your content with them (your guys’ bloopers are the best haha). It’s been awhile since I’ve seen you present but you haven’t lost your signature touch. Top marks 👍🏽
Plenty more Matt videos here > czcams.com/play/PLAC3A8AF881354A64.html
Good to see Matt again
Loved the review Matt.
Glad you got the mane cut, it was blocking my wifi signal. Great looking bike too.
It reminds me a lot of my s works tarmac sl 5. Similar frame geometry and low weight, but with the addition of new group sets!
Great overview.. Aethos is an amazing bike :)
Great to see Matt Stephens again!
It looks like Matt has actually been on the run 😂 Great video though great presenter even though I would never be able to afford one, I'll still watch it
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!
Deer gawd I didn't know Jethro Tull did bike reviews. I have to say I am very envious Matt, and now I wish I had ordered one before covid came to town.
^^ Classic Matt
Liking the 'Three Musketeers' vibe.
Lovely stuff and a gucci bike.I like the geometry.
Hell of a bike, top marks on the review!
Classic Matt…great knowledge and humour…best presenter on all of the cycling channels😎👍
GCN has never been the same without him
He's a ⭐️
More often bike review with Matt please!
Nicely done, Matt. Love the bike and the ... not the point, but still ... the countryside.
great review!
Matt. Great review. My significant other would kill me if I got anywhere near buying that bike. But I can watch CZcams and dream! I've subbed to the channel. Cheers
Big fan here of Matt from GCN. Like the new look too!
The legend that is Matt Stevens ...... and the bikes pretty nice !
Double whammy ✌️
You could put Matt on an old Schwinn Cruiser and I would still watch!
Nice to see Matt again..Very refreshing as always..can't afford the bike though..😄🤪
Top mullet that Matt! Kevin Keegan would be proud😊
Matt Stephens' hair is rocking!
Matt, you may not have been as fit as you were, but you are REALLY fit! Keep it up!
Lol! I love the intro. I ❤️ Specialized. That Aethos is 🔥.
The Aethos is one of our favourites. Super light and an absolute beauty! Glad you enjoyed it.
Thanks for the review you beautiful man.
A good comparison would be the Ridley Helium SLX disc. The Helium might be just as good at a more reasonable price and I think you can still get it with rim brakes if that’s your preference
Love matts reviews. Great video guys
Good to see ah new high end bike that actually look like a bike if you know what I mean no one piece bars no weird seat posts nice traditional looking frame
Matt looks younger year after year, amazing.
Your review as always is really nice 👍🏽 and I but rode the bike i agree about the comfort and nice ride to the cafe but when a rider is in race mode climbing or sprinting atheos isn’t stiff enough losing performance comparing with a tcr one of the best climbing bikes.
so here you are! subscribed!
Would be interesting to compare it to the Cannondale Evo Six! Why? Just look at them! Almost the same! Why? It is the same engineer and he did the same with Scott's Addict. So let me see my magic ball, the next big thing from Specialized will be a super lightweight CC Fully, like he did at his previous contracts.
I bought this bike here in Spain with a discount and it's really great. I like how you can push it into tight corners on a descend and I love how it accelerates. What I don't like is the SRAM Red. In the last month I had countless chain drops to both sides although I used the red plastic tool to install the FD and the chain is already on the biggest and smallest gear rubbing. The reason for chain drops towards the cranks is, when the FD cage moves too far to the outside and then there is nothing to stop the chain from falling into the crank. It's not because it's pushed over by the cage. The inner part of the big chain ring catch the chain and moves it on the ring or too far. Needless to say how my right crank looks after a month. Terrible. Next is the annoying rattle sound of the brake levers. There is a tiny lateral play in both levers and on rough roads they start to rattle and there is nothing I can do. Except to keep the hands on the levers. Ahh... and last but not least.... the play of the brake levers till they make contact with the pads. Even after I bleeded the brakes twice the lever still touch the handelbar tape while braking. And yes, the pads are "OUT". The S-works Aethos is a wonderful bike. The SRAM Red is a terrible product full of flaws.
Thanks for your feedback.
I’ll stick with the Japanese component company as always. Thanks for the info!
love this bike real shame you can't get it in rim brakes though. It would be sooo light then.
Would be a dream in rim brake. Bring them back please
Sadly this bike is waaay overpriced for whats deliver. Had to return it back to my LBS as it`s really nothing special bar marketing blurb... This bike is far more heavier than my 2012 Evo and less comfy than my R5. Sadly nothing special as i had quite big expectations.
@@JanKowalski-pe9lo Yeah thats what I see. Nice bike and its nifty that its "retro" and all but the price is way too high. The R and D on this basic bike can't have cost much, so I want some of that cost savings passed onto the consumer. Instead it cost the same as the Tarmac and Roubaix even though those bikes have modern innovation. It seems like a lazy greedy product release at the price they charge.
@@daryl4841 Do somebody know what's budget % goes for buying reviews in magazines and influencers?
Good job clipping in so effortlessly, Matt 🤣
Nice to see you back, Matt..!
Another brilliant vid - thanks Sigma and Matt !!!
Matt Stephens is a gen. As I recall Matt was once pretty enamored with the SL4 also.
Matt looking fit and loving the hair.
Me: steel is real.
Also me: damn, I want this
I love the look of the Aethos, however, at £12k new vs that £600 Allez, those 18 seconds are going to cost around £630 each! Maybe Aethos Expert would be a more likely upgrade path, or if going to S-Works, you’d be coming from a lighter carbon Tarmac already? No disputing the Aethos is a lovely thing.
I had the pleasure of owning SL7 and Aethos. Preferred the Aethos in every way.
However I'm back to my good old Cannondale Supersix Himod Rim. Lighter than either one, cheaper than either one and handles just as good if not better :)
The supersix hm rim brakes are still the finest bikes made I think to this day, glad you came back to us haha
@@markadamson969 prefer my caad12 to my ss evo hi mod I’m afraid 😱
@@Imthekingofdogshite Not a problem at all, they are fantastic bikes by all accounts and if I would go back to alu I wouldn't look any further.
Which year is your bike?
That era Cannondale is something special. Guess who the lead engineer was on that bike 😉
I would love a bike like this but with an endurance geometry.
This is endurance geometry. Nowhere else than racing the most endurance is required.
Wow this is beautiful bike. With all bikes looking the same these days in 2021. So black with dics breaks and a fat bottom bracket/down tube. I look simple and vintage to me. I’ve been missing bikes like this. A bit pricey for me tho I’ll stick to my BMC team machine ALR with rim breaks. That Allez gonna climb like a Beaty.
Like your way presentation thank.
We have come full circle. Engineers have rediscovered that the tubular tube shapes (bikes 8+ years back) are lighter and superior. Lol
Matts back !! Glad you sorted bush to match trim bike
That's a modernized 2010's SuperSix EVO which was also designed by Peter Denk. Just a simple double triangle with current technology & layup methods. It even looks "right" with a return to a classic design and a non-proprietary BB & seatpost.
They tore up the rule book... by designing a conventional looking road bike that weighs a little less. Whow! Mind blown.
Basically, it's a Colnago Super from 40-50 years ago, executed with modern materials and components. I've been waiting for that.
The wait is over!
The GOAT
Peter Denk, the same bloke that designed the Scott Addict and a couple of the Cannondale Super six's .... which would explain why it looks just like a copy and paste of them
yeap, if you want this bike consider trying to get a sse evo 2017 on the 2nd hand market for way less money, also consider if you need the disk brakes
Yes, it looks like them, but they were great bikes, so nothing wrong with that.
It is probably the lightest production bike frame ever, which is crazy impressive considering it is a disc specific frame.
That is a beautiful machine. Pity I can't afford one though....
Hi, thank you very much for your video. What would you recommend between an Aethos and a Tarmac SL8? I don't ride competitions and I really like climbing. I was initially thinking of the Aethos, but the new Tarmac seems to be very good for climbing too. Thank you in advance for your feedback!
ITS MATT!
Great presentation!!! fun, interesting, entretained 👏👏👏👏
Question about the bike: the handle bar is not flat! Actually, is the worst looking part of the bicycle. Is it to difficult to make flat handle bars standard? SO hard to get a flat/aero handle bar! only on the most expensive ones.
D’Artagnan is real :-D great review though!
😂Thanks!
What glasses is Matt wearing? Think its the ones Cavendish was wearing in the TDF..
I loved the idea of this bike when it came out - then I saw the price tag😮
I now have one 🤩
Glad you got that Barnet chopped 😀
Where's Matt? I swear Sean Penn is in the house. Oh nice bike.
Quarantine has been hard on Matt. Time for a trip to the barber 🤣
Obviously I posted the first comment pre hill climb segment
Looks and by the sounds of it rides just like the old Parlee Z5.
1970s John McEnroe called and he wants his hair back.
it's been a while since the last time is see Matt, now he's looks older and more expensive.
I remember (it wasnt long ago) that matt was enthusing about Cannondale and Pinarello. And where are the Oakley Suntos? Fashion is a fickle mistress
Been a long time since I've tuned in. Matt what's happening with your hair mate 😂
Just for clarity, nothing but love for the funniest and most entertaining man in cycling. Forgot how much I miss watching Matt do his thing 👍
7:15 in....I spoke too soon 👏👏👏😂
great scenery! where's the location?
Sure is! It is the Surrey Hills, south west of London
Did he change the sides of the brake hoses ???? I think this is the opposite of what we are used to ride.
Tadej Pogacar: No rim brake version? Forget it then.
Richard Carapaz: Too right, Tadej. You’re not going to win anything with that.
Cavendish: But it’s got a threaded bottom bracket
Pogacar: So it’s not going to creak like the press fit ones that they used to say were the future?
Carapaz: It won’t make any difference because every time you put the brakes on it will howl like cat being trodden on
Seriously though, what a shame it hasn’t got a rim brake option.
hahaha i still remember sir matt at GCN especially on hideous tricks and how to climb properly on roadbike....
Very similiar geometry and weight with my Focus Izalco Max.izalco frame weights 710 grams (54)and the fork 290 grams.rim brakes.all in dura ace and speedsix carbon 35mm weels and fsa k force light cranqset mine weights 6.300 g.
But but... Your bike not costing 12k and is not subject of marketing bonanza xD.
@@JanKowalski-pe9lo No,the frame cost only 2500.i´m canot spend to much money on a bike.sory about that.
Does it flex quite a bit?
So, given that this bike is built by Merida how does it stack up against the 4.6kg Scultura 9000 LTD?
Development took hundreds of thousands of simulations, yeah right! I bet they had to use a Quantum Super Computer too.
It took a supercomputer to design an alloy frame from 20 years ago🤣
what are those bottle cages?
This video should have been released 10 months ago
I only watched the video in the hopes of getting that classic Matt laugh and without Si at his side it didn't happen :(
Plenty of laughs coming soon. Make sure to subscribe to avoid missing out
"...they tore up the rule book..."
and copied Cannondale's 2nd generation (2014+) SuperSix EVO's! 😂
Doesnt look anything like the supersix. Looks like the tarmac sl5.
@@MrBusunglueck ...which looks like an EVO! 😂
the 2nd generation of the sse would be closer
@@faosa73 absolutely doesnt.
is this music Chain Wallet at 0:49?
Saw on posted for sale $13,000 holy moly.
just picked up my aethos comp yesterday - lowest model but ready for upgrades - only an hour ride so far but feels good so far
Enjoy the new bike!
Why did matt ever leave gcn
LOL the hair cut made me laugh soo hard.
If you get that allez elite 105, put a sram 10/11 speed groupset on there with rim brake lightweight wheels it's 6.54kg, at least mine is and less faff due to external cables :) i'd buy one and invest in a personal mechanic because cba with internal cables, brake bleeds, flexi spokes pinginging and rubbing rotors. If i had money for both id buy one right now
Thanks for the insight!
Tubless tires?
I had no idea Noddy Holder was such a good rider
Why didn't you do the test with same wheels and tyres? Would have been more accurate of frame benefits..
Are there any teams racing with it?
Kasper Asgreen from the Deceuninck - Quick-Step Team rode one in the mountain stages at this year's Tour de France.
Nice jersey! Where can I buy it?
Hi, the jersey can be purchased here > www.sigmasports.com/item/Universal-Colours/Spectrum-Cubic-Short-Sleeve-Jersey/SL8I Thanks, Dan
Big hair…great fun…best presenter (arguably)…couldn’t give the frameset to me…