In 2019, Áspero took the world by storm, heralding a "new era of speed in gravel riding." The new Áspero stays true to those early, simpler days of authentic gravel but comes with several upgrades: a threaded bottom bracket, a tidier cable routing system, and a derailleur hanger compatible with UDH for those who wish to use SRAM drivetrains. And, of course, it’s more aerodynamic. However, in the case of Áspero, aerodynamics are not just about speed for speed’s sake but rather about energy savings achieved through reduced drag. After a long day battling headwinds, the three watts saved compared to the previous Áspero could mean one less energy gel your stomach has to process—try it to believe it!

In addition to reducing drag, we’ve also lowered the seat stays to provide a bit more rear grip and slightly reduced the stiffness of the front end to make the final hours of those very long races less punishing. Between the lowered seat stays, we’ve also added a bit more mud clearance, learning from the R5-CX (and the Unbound mudfest of 2023). These may seem like small improvements individually, but together they add up. The result is a bike that looks a lot like the original Áspero but is, in fact, faster, more comfortable, and more versatile.