At $2600, our test bike the 2016 Diverge Comp DSW X1 Comp sits somewhere in the middle of the pack. Whether you're looking to set new best times on the next climb or tackle the next mountain, the Diverge will deliver. The tires, which measured 40mm wide, just did fit. Specialized serves both ends with the featherweight and rigid Crux originally a pure cyclocross race breed that can now fit a 47mm tire and the capable Diverge. Specialized added a size 44 for the Diverge E5 that can't be found for the carbon version to help with smaller sizing of the bike. To find a solution, the engineering team initially turned to the company's rich history in mountain biking, but suspension technology derived from the off-road disciplines didn't quite fit the bill. With the Roubaix, I always wished it had a complete lockout as opposed to just stiffening it up. Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed. This item is in the . Brakes are flat mount with the fork designed around larger 160/180 mm rotors instead of the more commonly found 140/160 mm. Finally got myself into the gravel world with a 2021 Specialized Diverge Elite E5 and have had a blast on it so far. Whether your goal is to escape on gravel back roads, far from cars and crowds, or drop the hammer at the front of your favorite gravel race, no bike does it better than the new Diverge. In which category would you place the bike? Roubaix Pro 2Bliss Ready. FRONT WHEEL DT Swiss G540 rim, 24mm internal width, tubeless ready, 24h, Specialized full sealed bearing thru axle hub, centerlock disc, DT Swiss Champion 14G stainless steel spokes . Stealing the show of the fourth-generation Diverge gravel bike is the all-new rear Future Shock meant to further isolate the rider from rough roads and balance out the bike. Most recently, I connected the length of the Americas via the road less traveled, and explored Mongolia on a fat bike. insisted it still very much sits within the still evolving spectrum of gravel. As she competed at the elite level, her journalism career followed, and soon she became a full-time cycling journalist. He is also particularly fond of tan-wall tyres, dynamo lights, cup and cone bearings, and skids. The Future Shock 2.0 is an adjustable coil suspension cartridge housed in the fork steerer. What they all share is a DNA designed for all road riding, be it the smoothest of highways, frontage roads, broken roads, desert roads or anything in between. Access is via a clip-off cover that the bottle cage is attached to. She's now been a cycling journalist for 11 years. Specialized Diverge Sport Carbon - Sportson Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Roval Terra CL, 25mm internal width, 32mm depth, 24h, Tubeless ready, DT for Roval 350 hub, Centerlock disc, DT Swiss Competition Race spokes Tires Tracer Pro 2BR, 700x42 Bottom Bracket SRAM DUB BSA 68 Crankset Next post . Even the entry-point of $7,000 is pretty preventative, and many will have to wait for the technology to trickle down a bit further before being able to experience the dual Future Shock. Billed as the most capable gravel bike Specialized has ever made, the Diverge STR sports a super 1100 gram FACT 11r carbon frameset, the existing Future Shock 2.0 in the front and the new rear Future Shock, and has clearance for 650b x 2.1 or 700c x 47mm tires. Specialized Diverge STR Pro - Capp's Bike Shop & Fitness | Topeka The build is mostly Shimanos Di2 GRX RX815, but with a Shimano XT 11-42T cassette matched with a 40T 1x chainset. Specialized Diverge Expert E5 EVO - Specialized Concept Store The frame post itself is said to have an infinite lifespan and the whole system in general is protected from the usual gravel grime and should last a long time. When pressed on what category the Diverge Evo lives in, Specialized a brand that. Specialized Diverge Comp Carbon 2022 - totalfitnessbath.co.uk Travis | Specialized USA Rider Care" I interpret that as if the stock tape has their 2bliss branding it should be ready to go, but if it doesn't, the rims are compatible but need to be retaped with tubeless tape. All builds come with a 1x SRAM drivetrain with a 10-50 cassette, 42mm tubeless Tracer Pro tires, eyelets for mounting gear and the internal SWAT compartment weve come to appreciate about the current Diverge. It's simply the fastest, most capable, and probably the most fun bike that Specialized has built. Pro bike: Ian Boswell's Unbound Gravel 200 winning Specialized Diverge Wild new Specialized Diverge suspends the rider with fully damped rear The Specialized Diverge has been completely reworked from the frame up, including neat new features and a huge variety in options. My first ride was spent on the Pro model and was meant to get an initial feel for the bike as a whole. And heres some more sweet music: gone is the PF30 bottom bracket while the prodigy child a 68 mm BSA threaded bottom bracket has returned. The Expert model gets a gorgeous paint job in a fetching Gloss Raspberry/Redwood/Black/Chrome/Wild Ferns design, which is well worth checking out. A a complete 56cm S-Works Diverge STR has a claimed weight of 18.7lbs (8.5kg) set up tubeless out of the box. Part of the reason larger tires can now be accommodated is the advent on hydraulic brakes with drop handlebars. The gravel season can start If you want to cycle on paths away from cars and crowds or if you want to contest your favorite gravel race at full speed, you will not be able to avoid the new diverge. Specialized Diverge E5 Premium Aluminum, Future Shock suspension, 1x specific EVO geometry, threaded BB, internal routing, 12x142mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc . The Specialized Diverge STR is a capable, comfortable steed that's ready to go long, be it at a race or simply to explore. 12 X 100 (front) and 12 X 142 (rear) thru-axle only can't be convert to anything else. I see the new Diverge as a bike perfectly aimed at those who want a bike that can do it all without thinking about the route too much. 6 bolt disc and has HG freehub body for 11 speed cassettes. As for its aero credentials, well yes, there are a few subtle aero advantage design tweaks but nothing to really write home about. Future Shock 1.5 w/Smooth Boot, FACT carbon, 12x100 mm thru-axle, flat-mount. $52.49 $69.99. We reviewed the new line of Specialized's gravel bikes with front and rear Future Shock. The dampener controls the movement of the frame post backwards and forwards, giving the rider a smooth ride in the saddle while maintaining the same saddle height and position in space. On those more traditional gravel roads that seem to go on for ever, the suspension will help you ride longer and go farther. Should you choose to take this bike on a loaded bikepacking excursion, you'll want to revisit your frame stiffness to account for the added weight to the seatpost. The EVO differs from the rest of the range in several ways. In terms of the frameset and the increasingly perplexing world of standards, the rear is spaced for a 135mm QR wheel, while the carbon fork accepts a 10012 TA hub (just to add further confusion, the 2015 models are different, as are 2016 and 2017 carbon-framed versions). The frame also differs its made with Specialized E5 alloy, but the top tube is 30 mm longer than the standard Diverge geometry (size medium). It is also only designed to smooth out rough roads and trails, reducing upper body fatigue, rather than taking big hits on rocky descents, like a, In our experience to date, the system does live up to the hype it has been shown to be impressively effective in testing on both the Roubaix and previous-generation Diverge, and. Review: Specialized Diverge Expert Carbon 2021 | road.cc Gearing is obviously a personal preference, but Ive never really been sold on 1x groupsets. More often than not, I found myself simply cruising along in comfort. Across the six sizes available, its now a universal 425 mm, an increase of 4 to 6 mm depending on size. It's a subconscious reaction. Women's Diverge E5 Comp. The Specialized Diverge Changed My Biking Life for the Better If you just want the frameset, then the S-Works is your only option. Ive slowly come to realise though that a lot of that is down to where I live and the riding on offer. A complete 56cm S-Works Diverge STR weights 8.5kg (18.75lb) setup tubeless, out of the box. 2022 Specialized Diverge Comp Carbon Bike Society Part of the reason larger tires can now be accommodated is the advent on hydraulic brakes with drop handlebars. Light Fantastic: The Diverge S-Works is a racers dream at approx 8kg. Instead, the extra storage option is now integrated into the downtube beneath the bottle cage yet another carryover from Specializeds mountain bike range. The Base Carbon is fitted out with some pretty basic Axis tubeless-ready Elite Disc rims . . The inaugural UEC Gravel European Championships, which will take place on October 1, 2023, By Anne-Marije Rook Hidden away out back, on the underside of the seatstays, the bosses are practically undetectable. But their added potency, modulation make them feel indispensable within the first few miles of riding. Previous post. Specialized Diverge Comp Carbon. A note on 2016/2017 model years. Specialized Diverge Elite E5 Tubeless : gravelcycling Gravel riding is one of the fastest-growing styles of cycling. Our Favorite Gravel Bike: Specialized Diverge Pro Carbon - GearJunkie E5 Comp EVO price: US$1,600 / 1,599 / AU$2,500. In a size 56, the S-Works Diverge STR weighs a claimed 8.5kg set up tubeless. We inspire and inform through original bikepacking routes, stories, and coverage of the gear, news, and events that make our community thrive. RapidAir. With a near encyclopaedic knowledge of cycling tech, ranging from the most esoteric retro niche to the most cutting-edge modern kit, Jack takes pride in his ability to seek out stories that would otherwise go unreported. But it turned out to be the X-Fusion Manic dropper post that really swayed my opinion of the bike. The bottom bracket drop has been raised by 5 mm, going from an arguably-too-low 85 mm to a still-lower-than-most 80 mm. Geometry-wise, bike sizing remains consistent among the Diverge line. Even on the uneven, wet terrain, the wheels stayed safely planted, allowing me to push the speed and corner with confidence. Results for "specialized diverge" - Page 2 - Pinkbike The Diverge has me hankering for the open paved roads of the New Mexican desert; as a self-confessed dirt road addict, this is quite a statement. To achieve this, Specialized has forgone the trendy dropped chainstay and has instead opted for a 15 mm section of a solid, flattened carbon beam on the drive side behind the chainrings. When the dark clouds rolled in and the rain came pummeling down on that initial ride, the bikes responded well to the change in pace as we sped toward cover. The slight motion isn't off-putting per se, it's just new and takes some getting used to. Specialized Diverge Vs. Trek Checkpoint - Bike Commuter Hero Old school mountain bike? The geometry table below applies to versions of the bike equipped with Future Shock. As mentioned, its a full FACT 11r carbon frame with a mix of SRAM Red eTap AXS shifters, a 42T chainset and brakes, mixed with a SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS rear derailleur and XG-1295 Eagle 10-50T 12-speed cassette. Every carbon model of the Diverge is equipped with Future Shock, though only the S-Works Diverge, Diverge Expert Carbon, Diverge Pro Carbon and Diverge Comp Carbon feature the latest version of the damper. There's a small lever on the top tube that provides three levels of compression damping that you can toggle between while riding. Replacing the upper tiers of the current, front suspension-only Diverge line, the Diverge STR collection consists of the S-Works Diverge STR, Diverge STR Pro and Diverge STR Expert. Just like the new Roubaix revealed last year, the new Diverge has been treated to the updated Future Shock 2.0. Are the extra bells and whistles worth it when you can buy an aftermarket suspension seatpost like the Redshift for $230? England and Wales company registration number 2008885. Yep, it wasnt as nippy, and yes cornering became slower, and there was also that lean-in that larger tyres throw up when cornering sharply. The new Diverge is available in nine different models, starting at 949 / $1,100 for the cheapest alloy version, and rising to a heady 8,899 / $10,000 for the top-flight S-Works model. Join the conversation. Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access, Enjoy your first month for just 1 / $1 / 1, *Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription. Ritchey Speedmax WCS Tubeless Gravel Tire. Jack thinks nothing of bikepacking after work to sleep in a ditch or taking on a daft challenge for the BikeRadar YouTube channel. Wheelset: Roval C 38 Disc carbon tubeless-ready clincher Tyres: Specialized Turbo Pro 28mm stock, changed to Continental Grand Prix 5000 TL 32mm, then Schwalbe Pro One TLE 28mm Brakes: Shimano . Which appeals most will largely depend on the depth of your pockets and your riding locale, given the choice of drivetrains and frame materials. Engineers instead turned to suspension seat posts systems that sit above bike and isolating the rider from the rough roads below without changing the rider's saddle height or location in space. Sign in to manage your newsletter preferences. Brand: Specialized, Product: Diverge Pro Carbon Whether your goal is to escape on gravel back roads, far from cars and crowds, or drop the hammer at the front of your favorite gravel race, no bike does it better than the new Diverge. 20.10.2022. I'll admit that I was skeptical of suspension on road and gravel bikes initially, and it took me a while to come around on the Future Shock being able to adjust and lockout the suspension on the fly made a big difference for me. . Each year sees tweaks and changes. But while this will certainly boost the Diverges climbing credentials, it will likely see you spinning out on fast day rides. The new Diverge has certainly jumped high up the list as a possible replacement. thus killing a number of birds with one stone. This, in combination with the increased offset of the fork, should improve the overall stability of the bike. Specs. The fact that it has mounting eyelets, and can be used for racing and bikepacking alike is a big plus in book as well. though it's a shame the wheelset that comes stock with this model isn't tubeless ready. The launch of the new Diverge comes off the back of the enormous and well-documented growth of gravel riding across the world. As for chainstay length, thats been lengthened. Gravel+? The Specialized Diverge Comp Carbon could be the perfect do-it-all bike for those seeking on road fun and off road thrills. While on the other end of the spectrum you've got the the outrageously slack Evil Hagar or the likes of Lauf, Niner and Cannondale who've gone all in on suspension. Specialized says it decided to launch the bike after seeing a number of riders converting the previous-generation Diverge to flat bar. For those on a tighter budget, the 2017 Gloss Moto Orange Diverge Elite DSW ($1400) looks like a good contender. The Diverge encourages out of the saddle climbs and makes sprinting along paved roads undeniably fun; in the way that it seems to transfer every iota of energy into propelling you forward. Its also the first in the range to have a sub-compact double chainset with an 11-34T cassette. OE Wheelset fitted to a Specialized Diverge, Roubaix and Sirrus. to support us + get The Bikepacking Journal. Swap those road tyres out for whatever takes your fancy for off-road duties, and youve got a bike that can take on an amazing variety of different surfaces. Specialized Diverge FACT 9r carbon, SWAT Door integration, Future Shock suspension, threaded BB, internal routing, 12x142mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc: . While the bike sizing remains consistent among the Diverge line, there are a few minor differences that separate the STR models from others: the BB Drop is slightly higher, the chainstays are minimally longer and the seat tube angle is ~0.5 degrees steeper to compensate for sag in the STR system. Having ridden several aftermarket suspension products, I was certainly intrigued by Specialized's integrated approach. And so the wheels in DAluisios head started turning, creating some rather wild looking prototypes. The Diverge Comp Carbon features the same game changing FACT 9r Carbon frame and Future Shock 2.0 as Specialized's Pro build but spec'd with SRAM's mechanical shifting Rival 1 111 gravel group. The 2021 Specialized Diverge range encompasses 11 bikes and one S-Works level frameset. That's because it's fast like any competitive road tire, only it features a unique Endurant casing with bead-to-bead puncture . ), and overnight bikepacks linking old highways, forest roads and empty miles of desert dirt. Speed, control and confidence - Future Shock 2.0 technology is ideal for the gravel rider. Strengthened by the many miles spent darting around Seattle's hilly streets on a steel single speed, Rook's progression in the sport was a quick one. Front Wheel: DT Swiss G540 rim, 24mm internal width, tubeless ready, 24h, Specialized full sealed bearing thru axle hub, centerlock disc, DT Swiss Champion 14G stainless steel . Specialized Diverge Comp Carbon 2023 satin olive/oak/chrome A 40T chainset spins along with a SunRace 11-42T cassette. Im often irritated when brands omit fender or rack mounts, especially as its an easy part to get right. The last three models of the drop bar flavour are built from Specializeds E5 alloy. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. When I put down what power I have, the bike picked up speed with ease. While all of this is potentially true, talking about the Diverge Evo is exactly what Specialized wants you to do. DT Swiss G540 rim, 24mm internal width, tubeless ready, 24h, Specialized full sealed bearing thru axle hub, centerlock disc, DT Swiss Champion 14G stainless steel spokes, DT Swiss brass . Like the S-Works, the Pro gets Easton EC70 AX Carbon 16-degree flare bars. If you havent tried a road bike with hydros, youre in for a treat. Sticking with comfort, the Future Shock 2.0 really is ideally suited to gravel. The dual Future Shocks do a good job absorbing the vibrations, and turning a jarring ride into a comfortable cruise. Jack has been writing about and testing bikes for more than five years now, has a background working in bike shops for years before that, and is regularly found riding a mix of weird and wonderful machines. Specialized is also launching the Diverge Evo a stretched out, even slacker and generally more radical version of the Diverge designed for rowdier riding oh, and it ditches drop bars in favour of flat bars. On day two we tackled more challenging terrain with the 47 mm Tracer, a bigger volume, knobblier and more off-road orientated tyre. The entry-level Diverges the Base E5 and Elite E5 alloy models feature boring rigid fork steerers. After decades of bike riding, getting out of the saddle to respond to and absorb bumps or tricky terrain is almost second nature. If you intend to multi-day camp regularly, Id recommend picking a model with a 2x drivetrain, ideally a compact 48/32T chainset, to enjoy the best of both worlds. She can even be seen bringing a pen and notepad to the press conference. Notably, the new Diverge is also the first non-electric bike from Specialized to ship with Shimanos gravel-specific, Shock suspension, threaded BB, internal routing, 12x142mm, Specialized full sealed bearing thru-axle hub, centrelock disc, DT Swiss Champion 14G stainless steel spokes, DT Swiss brass nipples, Specialized sealed bearing thru-axle hubs, six-bolt disc, J-bend 14G stainless steel spokes, brass nipples, 2021 Specialized Diverge Comp Carbon review, Specialized Roubaix Expert long-term review, Future Shock 2.0 introduced on select models, Revised geometry for improved off-road performance, Tyre clearance increased to 47mm (700c) / 2.1in (650b). A bike that you can go out and have a blast on, be it knocking out some big fast miles such as we did on day one, or possibly a shorter, tricky and technical ride like we did on day two. Thanks in advance for spreading the word! It ticks plenty of the boxes Im looking for in a well-rounded gravel bike. But let me delve into the finer details first. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. It straddles the road/gravel divide by being racy on the road while offering more than a dollop of stability and confidence on the gravel. Prior to the world going into lockdown, Dave Shoddy Everett attended an exclusive launch of the new Diverge to learn what it was all about and how it rides. Subscribe to Cycling Plus from just 13.50 and get a Lezyne Pocket Drive Pump, worth 29! 2021 Specialized Diverge gravel bike gets Future Shock 2.0 - BikeRadar The Diverge STR unveiled today now features both front and rear Future Shock suspension. Here in New Mexico, its introduced me to the potential of connecting quiet desert roads with the dirt and gravel tracks that meander between them. Specialized worked on rideable modified versions of the previous-generation bike to test its new geometry. The Bikepacking Journal is our biannual printed publication. *Note that only the newer version of the Alpinist and Rapide wheels are tubeless compatible. 24h, Tubeless ready: Front Hub: DT for Roval 350 hub, Centerlock disc: Rear Hub: NEW DT 370 Star Ratchet hub, 24h, DT Swiss Comp Race spokes: Spokes: DT Swiss Competition Race spokes . With northern New Mexico as my testing ground, I subjected my 57cm test model to a broad spectrum of riding conditions; mixed terrain exploratory day rides, alpine style climbs and descents, evening spins along baby-bottom-smooth blacktop, fast commutes around town (fun! I havent had an opportunity to use the Future Shock 2.0 for any meaningful length of time to judge its durability and serviceability. BIKEPACKING.com is dedicated to exploration by bicycle. The geometry is said to be directly-inspired by the Epic. At the same time, the head angle is also a little slacker, with more fork offset, which actually serves to conjure up a similar trail figure to the Tarmac 64mm to 53mm, depending on the frame size suggesting the bike will steer more like a road bike than a touring bike. The top tubes are now noticeably longer, with reach figures increasing anywhere from 10 mm to 19 mm depending on frame size, and theyre matched with shorter stems, too. How it holds up for gravel remains to be seen. Why you can trust Cycling Weekly The dampener piece will wear out over time, however, and like a chain or cassette will need to be replaced. Whether you're looking to set new best times on the next climb or tackle the next mountain, the Diverge will deliver. 2023 Specialized Diverge STR review: Absurdly comfy, but also heavy and pricey, Cairn Cycles Announces New Limited Rambler Edition E-Adventure, YT Szepter first-ride review: a gravity MTB brand goes gravel. Because I thoroughly enjoyed the bike. DIVERGE EXPERT CARBON 2021 - Bike Point Specialized Diverge Pro Carbon - Sportson tubeless ready, 24h, Specialized full sealed bearing thru axle hub, centerlock disc, DT Swiss Champion 14G stainless steel spokes, DT Swiss brass nipples; Front Tire - Pathfinder Pro 2BR, . The S-Works build includes a SRAM Red eTap AXS Eagle groupset and a Quarq power meter, Roval Terra CLX II wheels, Terra carbon bars, an S-Works carbon seatpost and the S-Works Power with Mirror saddle. Specialized DIVERGE SPORT - Apex - Carbon Gravelbike - 2022 - gloss But we liked the positives of it, Specialized engineer Chris D'Aluisio said. Ritchey Alpine JB WCS Tubeless Gravel Tire. Why do I bring this up? Specialized Diverge; Specialized Rockhopper; Specialized Sirrus; Reasons To Buy. The wheels were also tubeless-ready with a full rim strip. Specialized Diverge Comp carbon 28" bike 49cm satin olive/oak green Check, check and check. The Elite ships with a GR400 groupset where the Base is decked out with a Shimano Claris groupset. At a staggering $14,000, the S-Works Diverge STR is $3,400 more expensive than its front-suspension-only predecessor and among the most expensive Specialized rollouts we've seen in the brand's road and gravel category yet. I was disappointed as I know Specialized can nail a plush and comfortable rear end the new Roubaix I tested last year proved this. The Specialized Aethos Expert all-road bike in review. The only real difference between the two is in the components: the Comp gets an SRAM NX 11 / Tektro HD-R290 / Praxis build, and the Expert earns a nicer Shimano XT / Magura MT4 / Praxis build. A gravel bike model for either end of the gravel riding spectrum: The quick accelerations and liveliness of the Crux vs. the compliance and capability of the Diverge. Thats something weve not tested here at CyclingTips but from talking to a few bike shop mechanics it sounds like its a pretty handy groupset out on the road.
