UPDATE April 21, 2026: Zwift lightened the Cervelo Aspero 5 and changed it to a high-end distance upgrade scheme in the v112 update that began rolling out today. Read more > See current performance data at Zwift Speed Tests: Gravel Frame and Wheel Ranking Charts.
Zwift’s latest update includes a new gravel frame from Cervelo, the Aspero 5. Released last summer IRL, this is an unapologetically aero gravel bike which Cervelo claims is “37 Watts faster than its predecessor, and 34 Watts faster than the nearest competitor.”
On Zwift, you’ll need to be updated to game version 1.111+ to see this bike in the Drop Shop. You’ll also need to be at level 35+ with 1,250,000 Drops to buy it (the most expensive gravel bike on Zwift). Here’s how it’s described in the Drop Shop:
“Faster than the rest. The Aspero-5 blends aero shaping with razor-clean handling, making high-tempo gravel feel smooth and controlled. It accelerates with intent and tracks like it’s on rails, the kind of bike that dares you to push a bigger gear.”
See our master list of all frames in Zwift >
It’s rated 3 stars for aero and 3 stars for weight – the only gravel bike on Zwift with such a high aero rating! We expected it to perform well at high speeds, but since Zwift’s 4-star system isn’t the most granular of performance measurements, we ran this frame through our precise tests to measure performance at nerd-level detail. Let’s dive in!
Note: test results below are from a 75kg, 183cm rider holding 300W steady using Zwift’s stock gravel wheelset on the un-upgraded version of the frame.
Aero (Flat/Rolling) Performance
The Cervelo Aspero 5 certainly lives up to its billing as “the most aerodynamic gravel bike ever created.” It beats every other gravel bike in Zwift (including the other 4 fast frames added in March/April 2026), edging out the previous leader, the Cannondale SuperX LAB71, by 1.2 seconds across an hour of flat riding.
It also beats the old Cervelo Aspero, which used to be the fastest gravel bike on Zwift, by 4 seconds.
For comparison, the stock Zwift Gravel frame loses 145.4 seconds to our baseline Zwift Carbon frame across an hour of flat tarmac, while the (former) fastest gravel bike, the Cannondale SuperX LAB71, loses 112.4 seconds. The Aspero 5 only loses 111.2 seconds.
Climb Performance
Right now, Cervelo’s Aspero 5 isn’t a very strong climber on Zwift. But be sure to read about the * below for more info on how these results will be changing!
Currently, the Aspero 5 turns in essentially the same climb test time as the old Aspero. That means it loses 20.7 seconds across an hour of riding to the top climber, Cannondale’s SuperX LAB71.
The stock Zwift Gravel frame loses 161.8 seconds to our baseline Zwift Carbon frame across an hour of Alpe du Zwift climbing, while the new Aspero 5 loses 139.4 seconds, and the Cannondale SuperX LAB71 loses 118.7 seconds.
Jungle Performance
Of course, nobody really cares about how well a gravel frame performs on pavement, which is where we do our aero and climb testing (above). While those flat and climb tests help us tease out a frame’s aerodynamic capabilities and weight, when it comes to gravel bikes, people really want to know how fast they are on Zwift’s virtual dirt!
In that regard, the Cervelo Aspero 5 turns in the strongest performance of any gravel frame on Zwift, edging out the closest competition by around half a second* across an hour of Jungle Circuit riding.
About the * (Pending Weight Loss)
You’ll see we marked the test results above with an asterisk. Here’s why: Zwift tells us they will be reducing the weight of the Aspero 5 just a bit in the next release (version 1.112, scheduled for April 21).
So while the Aspero 5 is already a strong performer, it will be even faster after the next game update! The change won’t make the Aspero 5 the strongest climber in the Drop Shop, but will help it perform a bit better in the hills, while giving it a bigger edge in aero performance.
We’ll publish an updated version of this post once we’ve tested the updated frame.
Upgrading Your Cervelo Aspero 5
Like all frames in Zwift, Cervelo’s Aspero 5 can be upgraded in five stages. It’s currently set up as a mid-tier distance bike in terms of upgrade stages, but this is a misconfiguration on Zwift’s end which will be modified in the next game release, along with the bike’s weight. For now, though, the bike’s upgrade stages are as follows:
- Ride 160km, pay 50,000 Drops for an aero upgrade
- Ride 200km, pay 100,000 Drops for a weight reduction
- Ride 240km, pay 150,000 Drops for a drivetrain efficiency improvement
- Ride 280km, pay 200,000 Drops for an aero upgrade
- Ride 320km, pay 250,000 Drops for a 5% Drops boost
Any upgrade stages you reach and purchase will remain even after Zwift updates this bike’s upgrade scheme, so you’ve got two weeks to upgrade it as quickly as you can!
You can expect a fully-upgraded Aspero 5 to be approximately 28 seconds faster on a flat hour and 36 seconds faster on an hour-long climb vs a “stock” (un-upgraded) Aspero 5.
Conclusions
When it comes to fast dirt on Zwift (think flat roads or even the Jungle Circuit), Cervelo’s Aspero 5 beats every gravel bike in Zwift, just edging out the other fast frames added in March/April 2026. And while it’s not the best frame for pure climbing, it’s going to get a bit lighter in two weeks, making it the best choice for most gravel races, if you’re looking purely at performance.
My opinion: it’s fast, but it’s also a pity the bike doesn’t have a cooler colorway in Zwift. While Cervelo has never been known for particularly eye-catching paint jobs, something a bit more blingy would have been welcome. Maybe someday Zwift will let us buy a cool Aspero 5 paint job in the Drop Shop.
We’ll be adding this bike to the following posts soon:
- Zwift Speed Tests: Gravel Frame and Wheel Ranking Charts (added)
- Zwift Shopping Guide: What To Buy from the Drop Shop at Each Level (added)
Questions or comments?
What do you think of Cervelo’s new Aspero 5 in Zwift? Share below…
Important note: this post contains speed test results for Zwift frames or wheels. These results may change over time, and a bike's performance relative to others may also change. We don't always revise posts when performance rankings change, but we do keep current, master versions of our speed test results which are always available. See the frame charts, wheel charts, and Tron vs Top Performers for current performance data.
With only 1.2 second on the flat, minus 20+ seconds on the steep, at least for now, then I see no reason to not take the Cannondale insted. The Cannondale climbs better – are almost the same time on gravel, and can help to unlock the Cannondale Halo bike.
AND the Cannondale looks way cooler, IMO. I bought it myself and am working to upgrade it as my main gravel whip, even though the Aspero 5 is a bit faster. Just because it looks better. 😀
I assume the Cannondale will still be faster uphill, even after the update making the Aspero 5 lighter?
So, I would say the Cannondale is the best option if you’re looking at performance, not?
Cannondale will still climb faster, yes. But I suspect the Cervelo would win in a gravel TT on most routes…
Went with the Cannondale as well , looks sharp , already at level 3 and its fast .Plus on my Garmin Neo T-2 is my 2016 Cannondale Slice .
Hi, could you explain what you mean by the below, from this article? Are bike upgrade requirements and/or costs about to increase?
“Any upgrade stages you reach and purchase will remain even after Zwift updates this bike’s upgrade scheme, so you’ve got two weeks to upgrade it as quickly as you can!”
The Aspero 5 is currently set up as a mid-level distance bike in terms of upgrades. It SHOULD be a high-level distance bike.
Zwift will be changing this soon. But until then, as long as it’s set to mid-level, it’s easier (less distance, fewer Drops required) to upgrade.
Great article Eric. I will be starting my Stage 5 upgrade today. I should just have time to complete the required distance before the 21/04 update but if I can’t, I’m assuming it’s a waste of time starting Stage 5 because I will need to start it over again? Any idea exactly what time GMT the update will drop on 21/04? Chat GPT suggests 1600. That would give me ample time.
Thanks
Typically it is a staged rollout I think. So the time you are offered the update is different and may be days later.
Zwift tells me you won’t have to start stage 5 again. Basically, if the upgrading scheme is modified by Zwift, you keep any stages you’ve unlocked/purchased… it’s just that what those stages change in terms of performance may change.
And supposedly, you also keep whatever progress you have on the stage you’re working on currently.
Many thanks Eric, I just completed
Stage 4 and have a good opportunity to complete the 320km for Stage 5 by 21/04. I would like to finish upgrading it asap, it has been a bit of a slog putting mileage on in Stoneway but as you said it was too good an opportunity to miss.
Was worried that the Aspero would hands down bear the Cannondale (after I, and many others just purchased it). Glad to see that’s not the case.
Now, there’s still the Diverge and the Pinarello. Don’t think the Diverge will be competing for top spot. But maybe, the Pinarello?
Would have been nice if they released these BEFORE the PAS Series. Seems like things overall were rushed (or ran out of time)
Eric thank you for getting this review up so quickly. Now that this will likely set the high water mark for gravel bikes, how would the Crux compare at this point? Hoping to economize a bit, since I need one more Spesh bike to open up the P74.
We saw Diverge S-Works as being part of this update on a previous post and we got the regular Diverge 4 in the end. Makes me wonder if there’ll be more gravel frames soon… Any knowledge of this @Eric Schlange ?
I think calling it the S-Works version was a mistake on Zwift’s part. I don’t know of other gravel frames coming to the game, although of course that’s entirely possible…. I know another ~10 frames are supposed to drop this year.
for that little “dirt” content and uncertain future of it (after PAS just ghost areas?) its a hard sell to buy a gravel bike and invest in upgrades.
and a couple of seconds over the time of an hour is simply nothing. we seem to fixate a bit much on these tiny differences.
As part of the Herd Omnium a month or so back, we did a hill climb race on Temple KoM. The difference between my 2nd place and 3rd place was I was riding a level 5 Specialized Crux and he was riding a Zwift Gravel (likely level 0). He was a stronger rider overall, but I rode more strategically, and, even then, the difference came down to about the difference between the 2 bikes. I hated the 2 months it took me to upgrade the Crux, but the occasional race like that makes it worth it. Too bad that I need to start over again (well, after I finish the Project 74 in 5-6 months and figure out what the current best gravel bike is – unless there’s a new fastest all rounder).
I think that was the point of this article. Given the timing of the next update is the same time as when the Stoneway spinner closes, this was flagging a unique opportunity to purchase one of the top gravel bikes cheaply and quickly. It’s a good addition to any garage and I should get mine to Stage 5 in time to complete the majority of the PAS races. Im sure there will be more opportunities to race gravel in the future.
My 2021 Cervélo S-Series Ultegra Di2 Disc in purple chameleon has a sweet paint job. I get compliments on just about every group ride. Probably the best Cervelo Paint I’ve seen!
I’m definitely a Cervelo fanboy so I’ll have to get this bike along with some new wheels. Thank God for the Big Spin!
The Aspero from a few years back had that cool purple/green chameleon paint job as well.
Gorgeous! I just added a Klein Aura XV in the same color to my collection and I’m in love.
Interesting, the purple/green paint job must have been in vogue a while ago. Its on my (second hand) Specialized Diverge S-Works 2018 bike. Reminds me of the TVR sports car paint jobs of more than a decade ago.
I’m level 81, why can’t I see this bike in my shop? Tried multiple devices.
not on version 1.111 yet! duh
Re: Cool Cervelo paintjobs – Zwift HQ clearly didn’t get the memo about the 2026 Cervelo Aspero-5 LTD Edition frameset in Black Currant (I.e. satin purple) available for the European markets. An awesome colourway. 🙂
Do you think that if a rider delays download of the next update, they will be able to continue on the cheap frame upgrade scheme until they do?
Yes.
Thank you!
I’m happy. I was cancelling my Zwift update to keep the Cervelo Aspero 5 to a mid bike until I could finish upgrading it. I did that from level 2 to level 5. Save me a lot of Km and drops. Now, just waiting to race in gravel again.