Cerv\u00e9lo has unveiled the latest iteration of its \u00c1spero gravel race bike, sporting a raft of evolutionary updates including a slimmer down tube and significantly dropped seatstays.<\/p>

Frameset evolution<\/h2>
It’s evolution rather than revolution for the new \u00c1spero. – Cerve\u0301lo<\/figcaption><\/figure>
The new \u00c1spero frame has seen subtle changes rather than a radical redesign. It now has a lower standover height across all sizes, while both chainstays have been dropped further to improve chainring clearance.<\/p>
Cerv\u00e9lo has looked at the carbon and layup schedule, too, introducing more compliance to the frame and fork.<\/p>
Most noticeable is the slimmer down tube, along with seatstays that are dropped much further down the seat tube.<\/p>
Cerv\u00e9lo has decreased the head-tube stiffness to 95Nm\/deg from the 110Nm\/deg of the original and 112Nm\/deg of the premium \u00c1spero 5<\/a>. However, bottom-bracket stiffness is up on the original 228Nm\/deg versus 220, but less than the \u00c1spero 5\u2019s ultra-stiff 240Nm\/deg.<\/p>
$\"Cerv\u00e9lo$
Improving compliance without compromising the bike’s handling was the priority. – Cerve\u0301lo<\/figcaption><\/figure>
The goal for the new bike was to maintain the \u00c1spero\u2019s performance-oriented handling, but improve compliance through the saddle and bar, while retaining drivetrain efficiency.<\/p>
Also outgoing is C\u00e9rvelo\u2019s long-standing press-fit BBRight bottom bracket, in favour of a threaded BBRight T47-A. It\u2019s the same unit used on the Soloist \u2013 and it\u2019s not the only tech borrowed from the brand\u2019s all-rounder aero road bike<\/a>.<\/p>
Up-front, the new \u00c1spero shares the ST36 system, where the hoses are semi-integrated into the frame using a D-shaped fork steerer.<\/p>
For bikes with mechanical drivetrains, Cerv\u00e9lo offers a new cable-management system called the \u2018clippy clip\u2019. Here, a split bearing cap (available in 14mm and 30mm depths) enables the cables to be channelled, along with the hoses, through the head tube.<\/p>
The cables and hoses don\u2019t run fully internally through the stem, making servicing and transporting the bike easier.<\/p>
$\"Cerv\u00e9lo$
Cervelo has stuck with the geometry formula on the new \u00c1spero. – Cerve\u0301lo<\/figcaption><\/figure>
A lot of Cerv\u00e9lo\u2019s rivals have moved closer to MTB-inspired geometry, with long front-centres, longer forks and slacker head angles.<\/p>
However, Cerv\u00e9lo has stuck to its steeper, road-oriented head angle (72 degrees on sizes 54, 56, 58 and 61cm; 71\/71.5 on 48 and 51cm respectively). It\u2019s similarly steep at the rear \u2013 73 degrees (56, 58, 61cm), 73.5 (54cm), 74 (51cm) and 74.5 (48cm).<\/p>
The new frame offers 7.4mm of mud clearance with a 700x42c tyre, thanks to chainstays that have increased to 425mm from 420mm. The wheelbase is only a millimetre longer in a size 56cm.<\/p>
The fork offers the same clearance and Cerv\u00e9lo has kept the switchable dropout it calls the Trail Mixer.<\/p>
$\"Cerv\u00e9lo$
Chainstays have increased to 425mm from 420mm, while the down tube has slimmed and the seatstays have dropped further. – Cerve\u0301lo<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Cerv\u00e9lo\u2019s fork dropout insert alters the position of the fork offset fore and aft by 5mm horizontally. It claims this means the bike will feel the same running a relatively slender tyre on a 700c wheel<\/a>, compared to a maxed-out 42mm gravel tyre<\/a>.<\/p>
The fork\u2019s chin has a much cleaner integration into the head tube, which is reminiscent of the Soloist. Like the original \u00c1spero, the new bike retains its three bottle boss sets, down tube protector and bento box mounts on the top tube.<\/p>
Mud clearance on the drivetrain is also improved. With a 46-tooth chainring, there\u2019s 2.7mm clearance, 1.8mm with a 48-tooth ring and 3.2mm for a 52-tooth ring.<\/p>
The dropped seatstays influence a revised seat-tube shape with a much more prominent wheel cut-out. The seatpost has a standard 27.2mm diameter and is compatible with gravel dropper posts<\/a>, while the rear dropout is now SRAM Universal Derailleur Hanger<\/a> compliant.<\/p>
<\/colgroup>

\ufeff<\/th> 48<\/th> 51<\/th> 54<\/th> 56<\/th> 58<\/th> 61<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>

Seat tube angle<\/b> (degrees)<\/td> 74.5<\/td> 74<\/td> 73.5<\/td> 73<\/td> 73<\/td> 73<\/td> <\/tr>
Head tube angle<\/b> (degrees)<\/td> 71<\/td> 71.5<\/td> 72<\/td> 72<\/td> 72<\/td> 72<\/td> <\/tr>
Chainstay<\/b> (mm)<\/td> 420<\/td> 420<\/td> 420<\/td> 420<\/td> 420<\/td> 420<\/td> <\/tr>
Top tube<\/b> (mm)<\/td> 512<\/td> 532<\/td> 553<\/td> 575<\/td> 591<\/td> 608<\/td> <\/tr>
Head tube<\/b> (mm)<\/td> 83<\/td> 107<\/td> 133<\/td> 159<\/td> 188<\/td> 214<\/td> <\/tr>
Fork offset<\/b> (mm)<\/td> 53<\/td> 49<\/td> 46<\/td> 46<\/td> 46<\/td> 46<\/td> <\/tr>
Trail<\/b> (mm)<\/td> 58.6<\/td> 58.6<\/td> 58.6<\/td> 58.6<\/td> 58.6<\/td> 58.6<\/td> <\/tr>
Bottom bracket drop<\/b> (mm)<\/td> 78.5<\/td> 78.5<\/td> 76<\/td> 76<\/td> 73.5<\/td> 73.5<\/td> <\/tr>
Wheelbase<\/b> (mm)<\/td> 990<\/td> 1000<\/td> 1010<\/td> 1027<\/td> 1046<\/td> 1063<\/td> <\/tr>
Standover<\/b> (mm)<\/td> 690<\/td> 732<\/td> 764<\/td> 788<\/td> 814<\/td> 838<\/td> <\/tr>
Stack<\/b> (mm)<\/td> 505<\/td> 530<\/td> 555<\/td> 580<\/td> 605<\/td> 630<\/td> <\/tr>
Reach<\/b> (mm)<\/td> 370<\/td> 379<\/td> 388<\/td> 397<\/td> 406<\/td> 415<\/td> <\/tr> <\/tbody> <\/table>