Removed from sale

Another bike I'll probably regret selling as soon as it departs, but here we go...

I bought this in July 2021, it's the 2022 model. Which is identical to the 2023 model:

https://www.specialized.com/gb/en/aethos-comp---rival-etap-axs/p/199444?color=321404-199444

It's been my "summer best" bike only, and these days my preference is for off road when it's dry and warm, so it's seen relatively little use. 1639 miles in fact according my Strava odometer for the bike.

It's unquestionably the best carbon road bike I've owned. It's fast/responsive, but it's also engaging, comfortable and enjoyable to ride. I wanted a non aero bike for 3 main reasons, ride quality is better (aero bikes can feel quite wooden in my experience), they're easier to live with (no cables/hoses routing through stems/headtubes, so switching stems is easy, 27.2 round post with standard clamp, English thread BB etc) and they look better :)

It had a few upgrades from new:
Zipp 303S wheels set up tubeless with Goodyear Eagle F1 30mm tyres. I run them at 53psi (F) and 57psi (R) and they ride so nicely, but are still very quick.
The stem is S-Works (90mm).
The bars are Easton EC90 carbon.
I recently fitted a brand new Quarq Rival powermeter which has been used for one 3 hour ride. As you'd expect, it works perfectly.

As most people will swap the saddle to something of their own preference I've fitted an unused San Marco saddle that came with my gravel bike, just so you have something to perch on until you fit your own saddle.

The bike is in immaculate condition and everything works perfectly. The Rival AXS is the best groupset I've ever used in terms of ergonomics, gear ratios and range, shifting, ease of use. I really like it. It comes with the charger and cable. I'll include the original LH crank arm that I removed to fit the Quarq. I also have all the bumpf that came with the bike and also the wheels, so spare Zipp disc lockrings, disc spacers etc.

The only blemish is where the rear tyre had a puncture and the "worm" I fixed it with is somewhat pokey outey and ugly. I've ridden it for a few hundred miles and whilst it isn't pretty, you can't feel it and it doesn't leak air.

The 2023 model (without upgrades, obviously) is now £5,500. Bike prices aren't immune from the hideous inflation it seem! Looking for £xxxx and can deliver (within reason) to most of the SE of England for that price. I'm a bit nervous I'll end up in the "asking insane sums for stuff for sellz" thread, but given the upgrades it's considerably >40% off a 1 year old bike in great nick. Feels about right to me so hopefully no pile on! :) I do realise it might not be the sort of bike to sell on here, but it's my fave place so thought I'd try here first.

It weighs 16.4lbs without pedals. And this version of the frame can take Di2 and cabled gears too. Any questions, please ask. Thanks, Damian.

Pics incoming...

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Svelte AF

Bargain that I bought one 3 weeks ago(expert) like hens teeth due to supply issues. I’d of had this in a heartbeat!!

Beauty, a bit bigger and it would be mine!

dream bike

Ridden a few of these - they are mega. This is a total bargain, too.

I love it when people price a bike sensibly.

Cracking bike and a proper for sale thread - GLWS!

Lovely bike, great price, and in my size too. Sadly current funding situation won't allow :-/

GLWS

Thank god this is a 54 and not a 56 otherwise I'd probably have made an offer...

Gah, I want this so much. But then I also want a Factor O2 and an Open Min.d so I have no idea what to do

Thanks for the nice comments everyone. Glad that people feel the price is fair. It's still a significant lump of change, but if someone is looking for one in this size I think it's a good deal.

Surprised your dream bike isn't a Trek @amey :)

I’d say this. Been working on a few Factors recently and the finish is a bit..meh. Facing and mating surfaces are rough.
Worked on an open mind last week and some of the propriety aspects are annoying. Headset bearings for one.

This on the other hand, was beautifully finished and so easy to work on.

Don’t go factor O2, and if you’re going to get an open, get the wi.de.
For a road bike, out of those three, this is a clear winner.
The SWorks Tarmac SL6 was the last normal Specialized road race bike, without stupid aero faff and fucking infuriating integration and may be my favourite road bike ever.
This is the closest ‘new’ thing to it, with some sensible updates like the standard seatpost.

Interesting about the factor.
I did actually run both an UP and a Wi.de last year but having trialled them both I decided to keep the UP and sacrifice the Wi.de. Just preferred it personally. As a gravel bike though.

Had a first gen U.P and replaced it with the Wi.De - the tyre clearance on the latter was bonkers at the time and it’s geometry way comfier. Think I’ve done more road miles with 60mm knobblies on the wide than I have on my road bike the last year, and equally thrown it down mountains hills single track and #notgrav. The wide and the SWorks sl6 were the perfect 2 horse stable.

Yeah I can understand that set up. Great times