Strava has filed a lawsuit against Garmin over two key features, Segments and heatmaps, and demanded that Garmin stops selling many of its devices.

The lawsuit was filed on 30 September in the US District Court for the District of Colorado and Strava claims Garmin is infringing patents, as first reported by DC Rainmaker. 

Strava’s Segment patent was filed in 2011 and granted in 2015. The patent effectively covers GPS segments with time-based performance comparisons. Garmin introduced its own Segments in 2014 on its Edge 1000 bike computer, and expanded the feature to its other devices over the remainder of the year. 

Garmin then collaborated with Strava to bring Strava Live Segments to Garmin devices under a Master Cooperation Agreement (MCA).

As part of the MCA, Garmin agreed not to show Garmin and Strava Segments at the same time. Now, Strava claims in its lawsuit that Garmin expanded beyond the MCA agreement’s scope, studying the Strava implementation and using it as a blueprint to build a competing system. 

The second part of the lawsuit relates to heatmap display. Strava cites two patents, which cover generating a map that shows where other users work out based on activity data. These patents were filed in 2014 and 2016. 

But, as DC Rainmaker explains, Garmin had heatmap functionality in 2013. “Garmin’s lawyers will easily argue this patent shouldn’t have been granted and get it invalidated,” claims DC Rainmaker.

As a result of these patent infringements, Strava claims it “has suffered damages, including lost revenue and business opportunities, erosion of competitive differentiation and network effects, harm to goodwill, and unjust gains to Garmin.”

Strava’s lawsuit says it provided Garmin with written notice of infringement in June and July of this year, which followed disagreements between the two companies.

Last year, Strava introduced API changes that disrupted third-party apps, such as Garmin. Garmin was critical of how Strava handled data attribution and used Garmin data (from Garmin users who upload activities to Strava) for AI training. 

Strava’s lawsuit asks for a permanent injunction to stop Garmin selling devices that include Segments or heatmap functionality, which would cover most of Garmin’s smartwatches and Edge bike computers. 

Strava told DC Rainmaker that it does not intend to disrupt the ability of Garmin users to sync data with Strava and it hopes “Garmin values our shared users in the same way”.

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Specialized has unveiled the new Aethos 2 – the lightest road bike it has ever produced, and sporting several new modern features that bring it up to date with 2025 road bike design trends.

This has meant a move to full internal routing via Roval’s latest Alpinist II cockpit and the same headset layout as seen on the Tarmac SL8.

While this might be to the chagrin of fans of the original bike, Specialized says this main change was made to meet the evolving demands of its customers. 

Alongside this, the frame has seen an update to its geometry to make it more comfortable to ride, a move to SRAM’s UDH (Universal Derailleur Hanger) standard, and a rise to 35mm tyre clearance.

An S-Works Aethos frame is said to weigh 595g, yielding a 5.98kg total build weight for the range-topping SRAM Red AXS spec, which costs £11,499 / $13,999 / €13,499.

• Read our Specialized Aethos 2 first ride review
• Read about Roval’s latest Alpinist CLX III wheelset and Alpinist II cockpit

Goodbye external routing

The old Aethos featured a two-piece cockpit with cables routed externally. These entered at the top of the down tube and fork shoulder, but the Aethos 2 sees cables fully integrated via sibling brand Roval’s new Alpinist II one-piece cockpit launched 48 hours prior.

Specialized says the move reflects the growing demand for “aesthetically pleasing” integrated front ends (compared to externally routed bars and stems). The Alpinist II cockpit is available in 15 sizes for customers at point of purchase. 

That said, those hoping to build up an Aethos 2 from scratch with an alternative handlebar and stem are still able to adopt a two-piece design via a special headset adaptor – they’ll just need to bear in mind that the brake hoses must enter through front-facing ports in the bearing, like a Tarmac SL8.

The move to internal routing has also seen the removal of the down tube port that would house gear cables for mechanical shifting – accordingly, the Aethos 2 frameset can now only sport electronic drivetrains.

• The truth about integrated cable routing | 5 mechanics dish the dirt on working with integrated bikes
  

Specialized says it has given the carbon layup an overhaul, strengthening the triangle joins, while aiming to improve compliance and ride smoothness.

The brand’s marketing machine calls the process ‘Flow State Design’, whereby it prioritises developing rounded tube shapes (which are claimed to bear stresses more efficiently) versus adding layers of carbon to improve stiffness. 

At the rear, the dropouts now meet SRAM’s UDH standard. The move saw the dropout gain “significant” extra material, according to Specialized’s road and gravel category lead, Alex Jerome.

The head tube has also been made 15mm taller as part of a geometry rethink, adding further material to the frame.

To combat the weight gain, marginal savings are seen at the seat clamp (-9g), brake mounts (-2g) and bottom bracket cups (-6g), plus a custom derailleur hanger (-2g). 

All in, the S-Works frame, formed using Specialized’s Fact 12r carbon, is said to weigh 595g in a size 56cm – only 10g more than the previous-generation bike. That’s 62g less than the claimed weight of Cervélo’s latest R5 and 0.7g less than the claim attached to the Black Series Corsa frame in a size medium (broadly equivalent to 54cm in Specialized’s parlance).

The ‘standard’ Fact 10r carbon frame, used for all bikes specced below the S-Works level, is claimed to weigh 705g.

Is the Aethos an endurance bike?

The new Aethos is not quite an endurance bike, although Specialized concedes it landed on the taller head tube to contribute to a more comfortable ride position for more riders.

The head tube has also been slackened by 0.5 degrees (on average through the size range), and the chainstays lengthened by 7mm. Specialized says this makes handling smoother and more stable overall.

Meanwhile, the bottom bracket drop has lowered by 3mm. In isolation, Specialized claims this makes cornering feel more “planted”, while compensating for the use of wider tyres relative to the previous Aethos.

Tweaks to the bottom bracket area, plus the extension of the chainstays, see tyre clearance climb to 35mm (measured, up from 32mm), with the ISO-mandated 4mm space around a tyre measuring that wide.

Roval Alpinist components

Specialized says the second-generation Aethos frame is designed to dovetail with its latest Roval Alpinist components.

The Alpinist II cockpit is the main change, of course, which Specialized says has been optimised to damp ride vibrations by 28.3% compared to the Rapide cockpit used for the Tarmac SL8. 

The two are interchangeable, however, with the cockpits and frames using the same standards and internal-routing layout. 

Specialized says customers of S-Works and Pro-level bikes have free choice of 15 Alpinist II cockpit sizes at point of purchase, which can be arranged via its dealers. Expert-spec buyers will have a size choice of the old cockpit. The same applies to the Alpinist seatpost, which can be had in a setback or inline format.

The seatpost has remained the same as previously, retaining the standard 27.2mm round shape, save for the modified seat clamp. Specialized says this new clamp will be available as an aftermarket upgrade.

Roval supplies its Alpinist CLX III wheelset with the two S-Works-spec bikes, which is also claimed to have been optimised to work with the Aethos 2 frameset. 

Alpinist CL II wheelsets will be supplied with Pro-spec bikes, and the C38 with the Expert bikes, but it’s worth noting the rim beds have seen a “rolling change” to make them “fully compliant” with ETRTO/ISO standards, according to Roval product lead, Chris Whelan. 

Specialized Aethos 2 pricing, specs and claimed weights

The Specialized Aethos 2 range includes two S-Works level bikes, weighing 5.98kg (in a size 56cm) with a SRAM Red AXS groupset, and 6.05kg for a Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9200 version. These cost £11,499 / $13,999 / €13,499.

There are four ‘standard’ bikes, with prices starting from £5,499 / $6,999 / €6,299. Unlike the previous Aethos, there is no 105 Di2 R7100 or Rival AXS built bike, or (of course) mechanical builds.

Specialized S-Works Aethos 2 AXS

• Price: £11,499 / $13,999 / €13,499
• Groupset: SRAM Red AXS
• Power meter: Yes, Red AXS (dual-sided)
• Wheelset: Roval Alpinist CLX III
• Tyres: S-Works Turbo TLR, 700x28c
• Claimed weight: 5.98kg

Specialized S-Works Aethos 2 Di2

• Price: £11,499 / $13,999 / €13,499
• Groupset: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9200
• Power meter: Yes, 4iiii Precision Pro (dual-sided)
• Wheelset: Roval Alpinist CLX III
• Tyres: S-Works Turbo TLR, 700x28c
• Claimed weight: 6.05kg

Specialized Aethos 2 Pro AXS

• Price: £7,249 / $8,499 / €8,499
• Groupset: SRAM Force AXS
• Power meter: Yes, SRAM Force AXS
• Wheelset: Roval Alpinist CL II
• Tyres: S-Works Turbo TLR, 700x28c
• Claimed weight: 6.71kg

Specialized Aethos 2 Pro Di2

• Price: £7,249 / $8,499 / €8,499
• Groupset: Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8100
• Power meter: Yes, 4iiii Precision Pro
• Wheelset: Roval Alpinist CL II
• Tyres: S-Works Turbo TLR, 700x28c
• Claimed weight: 6.73kg

Specialized Aethos 2 Expert AXS

• Price: £5,499 / $6,999 / €6,299
• Groupset: SRAM Force AXS
• Power meter: No
• Wheelset: Roval C38
• Tyres: S-Works Turbo, 700x28c
• Claimed weight: 7.05kg

Specialized Aethos 2 Expert Di2

• Price: £5,499 / $6,999 / €6,299
• Groupset: Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8100
• Power meter: No
• Wheelset: Roval C38
• Tyres: S-Works Turbo, 700x28c
• Claimed weight: 7.12kg

Once you get over the fact that part of what made it stand out from the crowd has gone, the Specialized Aethos 2 is about as unsurprisingly good as road bikes come.

It’s extremely impressive if you value all but aerodynamics, and immediately likeable in the same way Pudsey Bear is (it represents ‘good, wholesome’ things and the purity of cycling spirit, for the benefit of our non-UK readership).

It remains expensive, especially in its S-Works guise, although it’s worth noting there are markedly more bikes costing in excess of £12,000 now than there were when the first Aethos launched. 

The tweaks to geometry and tyre clearance have also made the Aethos a better bike for more riders, while the integrated front end certainly modernises it.

However, part of the sell here is the ‘synergy’ between the best of Specialized and sibling brand Roval.

Given you don’t get the latest and greatest wheelset unless you plump for the top models – I tested the £7,249 / $8,499 / €8,499 Aethos 2 Pro Di2 – the latest bike looks to be only a marginal improvement on its predecessor.

• The Aethos 2 is the lightest production bike Specialized has ever made at 5.98kg
• Composite spokes mean new Roval Alpinist CLX III wheelset weighs only 1,131g
  

You get what you pay for

You join me in a small conference room at Specialized’s headquarters in Surrey, UK, where I’m being presented with all the details about the Aethos 2.

S-Works models, check. Second-tier-but-still-great models (at least, the ones more of us will have budget for), check. Synergy between Specialized and sibling components brand Roval, check.

Alongside the Aethos 2 reveal, I’m also told about the new Alpinist CLX III wheelset – it’s 134g lighter than before (according to Specialized) and designed to complement the new Aethos. The catch is, if you want said wheelset, you’ll need an S-Works model.

Everyone else needs to settle for the existing Alpinist CL II, or C38, carbon wheelsets. Specialized says it has performed a rolling update to the rim beds so they’re “fully ETRTO compliant”, like the CLX III, but these fundamentally remain the same as before, and less impressive on the scales or spec sheet.

So, while you get a frameset with the modifications Specialized has made in the interests of improving the Aethos, you don’t get the thing that’s supposed to complete the package.

Of course, it’s nothing new to see cheaper components as you move down the range. However, unlike the previous-generation Aethos where such a disparity in wheels arguably didn’t exist, a non-S-Works Aethos 2 is now a less appealing proposition (or, at least, the S-Works version is rendered even more appealing – you decide).

I’m assigned an Aethos 2 Pro Di2 to try – the frame is new and made of Fact 10r carbon to weigh within 6g of its predecessor (705 vs 699g in a size 56cm), as is the new Alpinist integrated cockpit it comes with.

I’m trying – and probably failing – to not come across as bougie in my privileged bike-hack position, though. In isolation, the Aethos 2 Pro Di2 offers a great spec, even if there are plenty of others that can match or best it for value.

A Scott Addict RC 20 (£5,899 / $5,700 / €5,999), for example, is an excellent purchase without a power meter, as is the 2026-spec Canyon Ultimate CF SLX 8 Di2 (£5,599 / $5,999 / €6,049) with the same left-only power meter as this Aethos. I’d always prefer to see a dual-sided power meter for accuracy purposes, but 4iiii at least offers a relatively easy upgrade path.

But, of course, it’s a hefty £4,250 cheaper than the all-singing S-Works bikes with those flashy wheels. If not top value, then, it’s certainly better.

Specialized Aethos 2 Pro Di2 headline specs

• Price: £7,249 / $8,499 / €8,499
• Groupset: Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8100
• Power meter: 4iiii Precision Pro
• Wheelset: Roval Alpinist CL II
• Tyres: S-Works Turbo TLR, 700x28c
• Claimed weight: 6.73kg

As smooth as… a smooth thing

Despite not featuring either the top-spec frame or wheelset, which Specialized insists aren’t as stiff as they could be by design, the Aethos offered an impressively easy-going ride quality on a 78km loop through the Surrey hills.

Heavy textures, and lumps and bumps are dealt with remarkably well considering the tyres are ‘only’ 28mm wide to match the 21mm-wide internal channel.

It’s accepted that bigger tyre sizes run at correspondingly low pressures will soften a ride, all things being equal, but I’d argue the Aethos proves other parts of a bike still have a key role to play. Still, making more of the widened tyre clearance to fit, for example, 32mm tyres is a tantalising prospect.

The handling is excellent – much like the Addict RC, it impresses by being so easy to ride from the get-go, yet it’s still agile and responsive.

I haven’t ridden the old Aethos, but the geometry was practically identical to the Tarmac SL8 that followed it. I found that geometry layout hard to fault, but it begged the question, why would anyone opt for the Aethos over the Tarmac on fit or handling grounds?

The new Aethos’ slightly slackened head tube and lengthened rear-centre might have done the trick to separate the two, though.

The 15mm-taller head tube also means more people will be able to ride one more comfortably. While I’ll look to dial my fit beyond supplying a few basic details and noodling around a car park when we receive a test bike for a full review, the benefits are plain on paper.

A teary goodbye to external routing?

Specialized’s decision to follow convention and update the Aethos with full internal cable routing will divide opinion.

It’s part of what made the old Aethos stand out from the crowd, as well as being more customisable and easier to service than its competitors. For that, I lament its passing.

That said, phrases such as ‘brought up to date’ and ‘modernised’ are easily recalled from my time spent with Specialized’s product leads, while I’m told the move reflects what would-be customers are asking for.

As it is, the Alpinist II cockpit is well thought-out – it’s easy to move around it from the hoods to the drops and up to the tops, and the 4-degree flare keeps things compact but feeling planted. The profile of the tops is good too, although I’ve fairly large hands, and found myself wishing for a couple more millimetres of breadth than delivered.

While many will lament the loss of a two-piece, externally routed layout, you can at least fit your own favoured cockpit from a wide choice, given the standard steerer shape.

Specialized Aethos 2 Pro Di2 initial verdict

After my initial test ride, it’s clear the Specialized Aethos 2 is an incredibly good bike. It might not stand out in quite the same way as the old one, but that doesn’t necessarily matter.

More important is that the tweaks to the frame appear to have improved the recipe for most riders – both in terms of handling and fit. 

However, it’s a shame that the S-Works bikes are now set a little further apart from the more affordable models on paper, and perhaps in the real world too.