First Look: A2 SP Rival AXS

You might think a full-featured triathlon bike built for performance doesn’t exist for the budget-conscious rider. It’s no secret that bikes are getting more expensive as technology advances—some models go for the price of a small car, making it more difficult than ever to build a race-worthy kit.

Thankfully, A2 Bikes is stepping into a category of its own. The Oregon-based brand founded by AJ Alley combines a direct-to-consumer model with impeccable engineering to produce sensibly priced tri bikes that don’t compromise on performance.

A2 SP Rival AXSA2 Bikes

A2’s latest model, the SP Rival AXS, is everything triathletes need for a competitive edge. This purpose-built bike boasts a premium feature set highlighted by SRAM electronic shifting, a fully wireless cockpit, and a carbon frame and wheels. The only thing it lacks is the sky-high price tag usually associated with high-tech builds.

At $4,999, the SP Rival AXS simply laps the field when it comes to value. For starters, it’s the perfect entree to the SRAM wireless electronic shifting ecosystem. The design emphasizes weight savings and fluidity, with shifting that’s as effortless as it is intuitive, thanks to the SRAM AXS App. And the full-carbon frame, designed by Kevin Quan Studios, weighs only 1,250 grams and employs drag-reducing aerodynamics. It also comes in four highly adjustable sizes, so triathletes of all heights—and skill levels—can take advantage of the dialed geometry.

A2 ships the SP Rival AXS with Zipp 303 S carbon wheels and a BiSaddle Hurricane Chromoly saddle, further boosting the bike’s focus on efficiency and comfort. Within the brand’s lineup, it slots in between the entry-level SP 105 ($3,115, with a mechanical groupset) 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 a cheap parts spec,” A2 CEO AJ Alley says. “I wanted to put our actual race frame under that rider, with components that make sense, and let them grow into the position rather than out of the bike.”

There’s an A2 bike for every type of athlete, from Ironmen to the tri-curious, but the SP Rival AXS is where to start your search.

Shop Now

A2 Bikes, based out of Portland, Oregon, is a direct-to-consumer performance road and triathlon bike brand focused on making high-performance bikes more accessible. Designed in collaboration with experienced engineers and built to prioritize fit, adjustability, and versatile performance, A2 Bikes delivers race-ready speed without the traditional retail markup. For more information, visit a2bikes.com.