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The Cervelo Aspero series delivers range, confidence, speed and balance needed in a gravel race bike. Wit the Aspero GRX 1 Disc Bicycle, Cervelo points to the flexibility and capabilities of the design, while recognizing the gravel racing world incorporates courses that rattle the teeth and require bike handling skills more often used in mountain biking. Enter the 1x drivetrain and dropper seatpost, along with a 27.5" (650b) Easton EA70 wheelset. Shimano's GRX 800 components have been developed to handle the abuse and harsh conditions of true gravel riding, yet function with the consistent precision and efficiency of Ultegra R8000. With Aspero, Cervelo has designed a frameset with somewhat unique features and properties that deliver a gravel riding experience road cyclists will embrace- no matter how you equip it. The Aspero GRX 1 Disc Bicycle demonstrates the wider range of the Aspero's capabilities.

Inspiration from the Aspero frame construction and features has come from several Cervelo models, yet the design has been engineered from the frame up for the race gravel concept for which it was conceived. You will see the essence of the R3's Squoval.Max tubeset shapes in the Aspero, along with details from the C, S, and P series models. Aero inspiration has always a driving force for Cervelo, and the toptube shares the shape and a hidden 2-bolt SmartPak bag mount of the P5 that is compatible with several aero and storage bags available today. The internal reference design points exemplify elements of Cervelo's best engineering to date, and all serve the gravel race concept: fit, speed, balance, handling, and set-up flexibility.

That said, it is the engineering behind the frame geometry, fork design, an adjustable trail set-up, and overall frame stability that define the Aspero. One major goal was to provide the clearance necessary for 650b x 51mm tires, or 700c x 43mm tires with at least 4mm on either side to spare. This was accomplished in a few key ways. Up front the fork legs have a new carbon lay-up and shaping from the large 12mm thru-axle dropout on up, with an integrated crown that isn't as vertically thick as you'd expect, yet still inherently strong and gravel ready with great rounded tire clearance. Cervelo also was able to maintain a standard front-center measurement, by elongating the top tube, maintaining a road-style seattube angle, and proper trail via an adjustable front dropout design. More on that in a minute. The center of gravity is moved rearwards, as the headtube angles are more gravel/cyclocross than road. The 56cm toptube of the Aspero is 9mm longer than the 56cm R3. The headtube itself was kept essentially at R3 road lengths per size, which along with the impressive fork design and integrated headset means that the forward cockpit position feels more like a road bike- your saddle drop to bar can be more like your road fit. At the rear triangle a 420mm chainstay length was achieved with the familiar dropped chainstay design, and a seat-tube cut-out.

The engineers were particularly focused on making sure the Aspero handled properly regardless of wheel and tire size, without compromising the headtube angle. The concept of fork "Trail" is best known in the mountain bike world, but is relevant across all cycling. Cervelo is using what they call their Trail Mixer system to allow the rider to keep effective Trail at 62mm. Larger variations in tire size effect the rearward position of the tire- affecting handling and toe-overlap clearance. By using off center, bolt-in 12mm thru-axle drop outs, the rider can select the +5 forward position or the -5 rear position of the axle. The principles of Trail set-up come down to the outside diameter of a mounted tire and desired handling characteristics to determine your Trail Mixer set-up. This is true for 650b use, or running a lower volume 700c tire. Cervelo has a more complete explanation of the mechanically simple, conceptually complicated Trail Mixer system on their website.

The use of the modified Squoval.Max tubeset is clear with the Aspero featuring a substantially larger downtube and massive bottom bracket junction over the R3. The integrated fork crown and downtube design resembles the Dropped Downtube of the aero bikes but it seems more functional for strength and visual balance from the tapered headtube through the downtube. The seattube features a squared back, cut-out design, but carries a 27.2mm round seatpost, which can provide more vertical compliance and offers more options. Everything, from the dropped, oversized chainstays, slightly curved, shaped aero seatstays, rear dropouts and Flat Mount disc interface are all stouter for increased strength and torsional stiffness. A modified Future Proof cable guide and internal routing system has an option for whatever system you want to run.

The Aspero GRX 1x Disc Bike features a 1x11 GRX/Easton drivetrain and GRX hydraulic disc brakes with the left brake lever featuring shift action that actuates the 50mm of travel of the TransX Dropper Post. The shallow, wide, tubeless ready 27.5" Easton EA70 Wheelset is strong, fast and ideal for wider tires. Vittoria supplies the 650bx47mm Terreno Dry tires keep you in control on the ground, while the Easton cockpit and Prologo saddle build out your riding position on this impressive complete gravel race bike.