First look: A2 SP Rival AXS

You might think that a full-featured triathlon bike designed for performance doesn’t exist for the budget-conscious rider. It’s no secret that bikes are becoming more expensive as technology advances, with some models selling for the price of a small car, making building a race-worthy kit more difficult than ever.

Fortunately, A2 Bikes has entered a class of its own. The Oregon-based brand founded by AJ Alley combines a direct-to-consumer model with impeccable engineering to produce affordable tri bikes that don’t compromise on performance.

A2 SP competitor to AXSA2 bikes

Latest model A2, SP is a competitor to AXSis everything athletes need to gain a competitive advantage. This purpose-built bike boasts a premium feature set highlighted by a SRAM electronic shifter, a fully wireless cockpit, and a carbon frame and wheels. The only thing it lacks is the hefty price tag usually associated with high-tech builds.

At $4,999, the SP Rival AXS simply tops the field when it comes to value. For starters, it’s the perfect introduction to SRAM’s wireless electronic shifting system. The design focuses on saving weight and fluidity, with shifting that is as easy as it is intuitive, thanks to the SRAM AXS implementation. The all-carbon frame, designed by Kevin Quan Studios, weighs just 1,250 grams and uses drag-reducing aerodynamics. It also comes in four highly adjustable sizes, so athletes of all heights – and skill levels – can benefit from the desired geometry.

The A2 SP Rival AXS ships with Zipp 303 S carbon wheels and a BiSaddle Hurricane Chromoly saddle, reinforcing the bike’s focus on efficiency and comfort. Within the brand’s lineup, it falls between the entry-level SP 105 ($3,115, with mechanical group) and the SP Force AXS ($7,199, featuring the same SRAM Force AXS electronic groupset).

“I didn’t want to build a ‘starter’ bike with a slower frame and cheap parts specs,” says AJ Alley, CEO of A2. “I wanted to put our actual race frame under that rider, with components that made sense, and allow it to grow into position rather than out of the bike.”

There’s an A2 bike for every type of athlete, from Ironman to hardcore triathlete, but the SP Rival AXS is where you start your search.

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A2 Bikes, headquartered in Portland, Oregon, is a direct-to-consumer performance triathlon bike brand focused on making high-performance bikes more accessible. Designed in collaboration with experienced engineers and engineered to prioritize fit, adjustability and versatility, A2 Bikes deliver race-ready speed without the traditional tick marks. For more information, visit a2bikes.com.