A new name and one significant new face made the headlines as Ian Boswell took the . One thing I appreciated is that Specialized hasnt skimped on all the necessary mounts. The stable descending and slip-free climbing particularly stood out to me. Size: Color: Satin Blaze/Violet Ghost Pearl Fade . 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. Otherwise, the replacement 2017 Diverge Comp now features a carbon frame and fork and a double crankset too. But let me delve into the finer details first. Specialized's Diverge Pro Carbon is an adventure-ready bike, hungry for road, gravel, single track, and more. That is to say, I miss a bit of the snappiness and liveliness of a pure race breed like the Crux or even a previous Diverge. Specialized says its a lot more compliant, and it is. The E5 Aluminum frameset also features Specializeds proprietary OSBB, which is compatible with BB30 press fit bottom brackets. Specialized Sawtooth 2Bliss Gravel Tire. . As for its aero credentials, well yes, there are a few subtle aero advantage design tweaks but nothing to really write home about. Wheels are DT Swiss G540. Specialized Diverge FACT 9r carbon, SWAT Door integration, Future Shock suspension, threaded BB, internal routing, 12x142mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc . And here I thought gravel riding would allow me to downsize my quiver! Are specialized tires tubeless ready? It's a subconscious reaction. Its a similar story for Easton EC70 AX bars. and Specialized tubeless ready tyres,hence the possession of a compressor.I would not contemplate tubes . 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. She can even be seen bringing a pen and notepad to the press conference. 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 nipples . 2017 models will be available shortly, meaning bargains from last year are sure to be found. Jack can also often be seen zooming about with his partner aboard their beloved tandem, Cecil. After decades of bike riding, getting out of the saddle to respond to and absorb bumps or tricky terrain is almost second nature. Gone is the SWAT box that sat at the base of the main triangle above the bottom bracket. The Diverge has done exactly that. To account for all the frame sizes and a variety of rider weights, Specialized has produced nine different frame posts, each with a different carbon layup for varying stiffness. Sure the new geometry adds a bunch of stability, but the Future Shock just adds an undeniable amount of confidence that you otherwise dont get from gravel bikes with similar modern geometry. The EVOs also been designed to be 1x specific, where the rest of the range can be chopped-and-changed depending on your preference. In fact, as someone who obsessively avoids paved roads, the Diverge reminded me about the pleasures of road touring. Good carbon frame . Ritchey. 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. A flat bar gravel bike with chunky tyres (a hybrid by any other name) is hardly as innovative as the hover bar, but its still going to be a totally divisive and intriguing bike, sure to make a splash. The Future Shock 1.5 which is used on cheaper versions of the bike has swappable springs (soft, medium and firm), but does not feature the hydraulic damper or adjuster. Specialized says it decided to launch the bike after seeing a number of riders converting the previous-generation Diverge to flat bar. Weve used this on other Specialized bikes and it really is one of those things youll wish more bikes had as soon as youve used it. but the DT Swiss wheels on the 2021 Diverge are tubeless-compatible while the Axis wheels on the 2015 Diverge are not. It takes a shed load of the sting out of the front, and when climbing, especially seated, you dont feel the bob that youd expect from a device you cant fully lock out. The slight motion isn't off-putting per se, it's just new and takes some getting used to. I seem to find myself between two frame sizes and spent a lot of time fussing with my position while not the easiest on the front Future Shock system, it was mostly just a matter of swapping stems and removing any spacers. All 2021 versions of Diverge are tubeless compatible. I will be using the stock Specialized rim liner or rim tape. If you haven't tried a road bike with hydros, you're . A Pro model weighs 8.9kg (19.6lb), and an Expert model weighs 9.5kg (20.9lb). Future Shock aside, the Diverge STR is spec'd with Specialized's and SRAM's best and proven offerings. $79.95. 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. (And luckily these things are carried over into the new Diverge STR!). Better yet, the boost in tyre clearance has been achieved while retaining compatibility with front shifting (although most models are set up 1x). To accommodate larger tyres, as well as both single and double cranksets, Specialized has developed a funky solid carbon yoke that sits on the driveside chainstay. OE Wheelset fitted to a Specialized Diverge, Roubaix and Sirrus. Refer to Specializeds listings for the most up-to-date geometry information. - Check, check and check. Otherwise, keep your bikepacking payload to a minimum. Specialized is just marketing old ideas! Future Shock 1.5 w/Smooth Boot, FACT carbon, 12x100 mm thru-axle, flat-mount. 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. On those more traditional gravel roads that seem to go on for ever, the suspension will help you ride longer and go farther. Next post . Frame - Specialized Diverge FACT 9r carbon, SWAT Door integration, Future Shock suspension, threaded BB, internal routing, 12x142mm thru-axle, . A painted 56cm Diverge STR frame with no hardware weighs 1100g. Starting with the Future Shock 2.0 and your new Gravel-optimized geometry, up to the greatest . When pressed on what category the Diverge Evo lives in, Specialized a brand that, by its own admission, likes to name everything insisted it still very much sits within the still evolving spectrum of gravel. RapidAir. Why you can trust Cycling Weekly While the front future shock underneath your hands and arms moves up and down, you saddle moves back and down. 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. 3 couleurs dispos mais pas dans toutes les tailles (voir dernire photo) Cadre Specialized Diverge Carbon, carbone FACT 8r, suspension Future-Shock, Disc Flat Mount, 12 x 142 mm. On climbs, this meant less slipping of the tires. 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. And MSRP prices being what they are, I discovered that if you were to buy the Diverge STR frameset and build it up yourself with the same components as offered in the S-Works model, you'd still spend around $13,100. Would you like to receive offers, updates and events from BikeRadar and its publisher Our Media Ltd (an Immediate Group Company)? It feels light, agile, and very engaging. E-Road Gravel News Review Road . Specialized Diverge E5 Premium Aluminum, Future Shock suspension, 1x specific EVO geometry, threaded BB, internal routing, 12x142mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc . Once at speed, it held it without a problem. Future Shock 2.0 is no different to the Future Shock that is found on the Roubaix, however, the 20 mm of adjustable hydraulically dampened suspension travel seems more at home on a gravel bike than it does on a road bike. Just that the two bikes have different fortes. The question is: whos this for and is there a market? 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 . Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed. According to Specialized, this is a bike for pushing boundaries. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. Despite the new wider downtube it remains faster than the previous Diverge, but its certainly not an aero bike, either. Its priced at $3300. Doing a quick comparison, we notice that Diverge Expert E5 EVO price it's 41.83% higher than the average cost of a Gravel bike. 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. Its built with SRAM Force eTAP ASX matched to a SRAM X01 Eagle rear derailleur and SRAM XG-1295 Eagle 12-speed 10-50T cassette. 24h, Tubeless ready, DT for Roval 350 hub, Centerlock disc, DT Swiss Competition Race spokes: Hjulstorlek: 28: Komponentserie - tillverkare: SRAM: Komponentserie: X01 Eagle AXS: Kassett . New bike day: 2019 S-Works Tarmac Disc SL6. Specialized worked on rideable modified versions of the previous-generation bike to test its new geometry. Ritchey Speedmax WCS Tubeless Gravel Tire. Roubaix Pro 2Bliss Ready. Hidden away out back, on the underside of the seatstays, the bosses are practically undetectable. 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. Why do I bring this up? *Note that only the newer version of the Alpinist and Rapide wheels are tubeless compatible. But all of these are to be expected and once you get a few corners under your belt its relatively predictable. The final carbon offering is the Base, kitted out with SRAMs 1x 11-speed Apex groupset. Converting to tubeless is a hit and miss on these. Thats clearly something that the market will dictate, but it certainly looks like something else you can already buy from a different category . "100mm more travel and I can do away with my mountain bike!" Both EVO models also come with an X-Fusion Manic Dropper seatpost with 50 mm of travel. On mountain bikes, ever longer reach, slacker head tubes and lower overall geometry has been shown to significantly improve stability and speed off-road. Cycling Weekly's North American Editor, Anne-Marije Rook is old school. Gone is the old CBG seatpost (a name we will all miss, Im sure) now theres a new, more normal-looking 27.2 mm carbon seatpost that flows from a road shape to a flattened setup near the saddle. , so hats off to Specialized here its an addition that broadens the Diverges versatility even further. The Roubaix Pro 2Bliss Ready is an endurance road tire that's well suited for smooth and rough roads alike. 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. My first ride was spent on the Pro model and was meant to get an initial feel for the bike as a whole. 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 nipples: Reifen: Published 3 March 23, Newly formed Denver Disruptors and Miami Nights NCL teams will make their debut at Tucson Bicycle Classic and tackle a full season of NCL and domestic racing, By Anne-Marije Rook All changes are minor, but Specialized does recommend adjusting your static saddle position 5 to 10mm forward and slightly angled down from your normal position. Front: 762 grams. The Diverge felt very at home as an endurance bike. The new Diverge has plenty of options for racks and bottle cage mounts. though it's a shame the wheelset that comes stock with this model isn't tubeless ready. Old school mountain bike? Below the S-Works eTap sits the Pro model, with a FACT 9r carbon frame. As for protecting both your friends and your clothes from the elements, Specializeds Plug and Play Fenders are designed to work. Always in search of the hippest new niche in cycling, Jack is a self-confessed gravel dork, fixie-botherer, tandem-evangelist and hill climb try hard. The bike should also appeal to riders looking for something like the latest Sirrus X(which also has Future Shock), but with more aggressive geometry. The fact that it has mounting eyelets, and can be used for racing and bikepacking alike is a big plus in book as well. It again tidies up the look of the frame and realistically has room for what youd usually stuff in a small saddle bag: a tube, CO2 canister and a small multi-tool. Making adjustments to the dampener is even easier. The inaugural UEC Gravel European Championships, which will take place on October 1, 2023, By Anne-Marije Rook After 10 hours of racing, Boswell proved victorious at the Unbound Gravel 200 aboard his Specialized Diverge. All in with the full rear Future Shock system, an STR frame will weigh almost 400g more than a standard frame, but that includes the headset, SWAT system, and hardware. In fact, I was surprised to see what speeds we actually hit out on the roads when I was back at the hotel and checking out my ride data. We believe travel by bicycle has the power to encourage conservation, inclusivity, and respect for all people and cultures. As for chainstay length, thats been lengthened. Personally, Id have liked to have tried it with a set of Compass supple-walled tires, like the Bon Jon Pass, over which randonneur riders enthuse so much about. Das Specialized Diverge Comp Carbon Gravel Bike ist ausgestattet mit einer Future Shock 2.0 Starrgabel, . Issue #021 Review The Sarto Seta Disc all-road bike in review. Our test bike is from the 2016 model year. The two Diverge Evo builds also use an alloy frameset, but feature Future Shock 2.0. Its a neat and simple idea making for a cleaner and more traditional-looking rear triangle. The stack height combined with the front-end Future Shock is already a tad high for my liking, so the rider bars make for too upright of a position for me. I was pleased to see that the new post works with the rest of the bike, in that it never dulls the sharpness of the rear end but just quietens down the road noise thats transferred to you. These offer, in Specializeds words, aggressive tread for aggressive riding on aggressive trails, and that matches the suggested ethos of the EVO nicely. Tyre clearance has also been beefed up, now offering room for up to 700 x 47 mm or 650B x 2.1 (approx 53 mm) rubber. On day two we tackled more challenging terrain with the 47 mm Tracer, a bigger volume, knobblier and more off-road orientated tyre. SLX 24. When it comes to weight, the top dog S-Works model with Specializeds FACT 11r carbon, in a 56 cm size fully painted, is claimed to sit under 1,000 g. Drop down a level to the Comp, Expert, and Pro models that use FACT 9r carbon and the weight increases by 100 g. For the Base and Sport models that use the FACT 8r carbon, youre adding another 200 g but also losing the addition of the hidden SWAT box. In which category would you place the bike? As usual, the S-Works sits at the top of the pecking order. Luckily, Specialized made it fairly easy but be prepared to spend some time playing with your setup for the first couple rides until you find a ride feel you prefer. BikeRadars take | Is the future of gravel bikes just a mountain bike? Yes, they add weight over the caliper brakes of traditional road brakes. The headline news from this launch sees top-tier versions of the new Diverge adopt the same hydraulically-damped version of the Future Shock as used on the newest Roubaix. Even on the uneven, wet terrain, the wheels stayed safely planted, allowing me to push the speed and corner with confidence. On the other hand, the Trek Checkpoint starts at about $1700 for the entry-level model and continues up to over $8000 for their high-end . . Both bikes have a race pedigree yet sit at the opposite ends. 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. Previous post. The dampener piece will wear out over time, however, and like a chain or cassette will need to be replaced. From the first gravel section we hit it instantly had me changing my view on the bike. Dven with Specializeds enormous clout, the Diverge Evo is a weird bike that straddles niches and that could be a hard sell for many shops. The two cheapest aluminium models the Diverge Elite E5 and Diverge Base E5 do not have either version of the Future Shock. But it was that dropper post that had me wondering about the new Diverges gravel capabilities. The Future Shock 2.0 is an adjustable coil suspension cartridge housed in the fork steerer. Such tires roll quickly, absorb road blemishes efficiently and grip tenaciously, as well as augmenting comfort at the cost of a relatively nominal difference in weight. 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 . Wheels are again DT Swiss G540s like the two models above and this time they get wrapped in 38 mm Pathfinder Sport tyres. 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. . Check, check and check. Wheels are 32 mm deep Roval Terra CLXs. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. If you come from a road background, fine tuning your suspension will be a new concept. Its a rare treat to see a modern carbon drop-bar bike with mudguard eyelets, so hats off to Specialized here its an addition that broadens the Diverges versatility even further. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. How did it ride? Having ridden several aftermarket suspension products, I was certainly intrigued by Specialized's integrated approach. After a long day in the saddle, the rough terrain has less of an impact on the lower back and arms, which means fever aches and generally a more joyful ride. The one on the downtube even features three eyelets, so you can run an Anything Cage too. On the familiar roads at home, the bike felt capable and, for a lack of a better word, cruise-y. On the first day I almost felt like 16 degrees of flare was too much and too wide for the road and tame gravel. Longer and slacker it may be, but Specialized has balanced that with a long 55 mm fork offset across all frame sizes, meaning the rather quick trail figure (61 mm for a 54 cm) is much the same as before. We deliver! The two cheapest models the Diverge Elite E5 and Diverge Base E5 use an aluminium frameset and do not feature Future Shock suspension in any form. Lead time has been reaaaally long, my German dealer ordered it before launch in March 2020 (!!). The driveside chainstay also features an in-built rubber protector to stave off chain slap. Vibrations being dampened by both suspension without removing the sensation of fast road cycling. Again wheels are from Roval: this time the Roval Terra CL in 32 mm wrapped in Specializeds 38 mm Pathfinder Pro in a very fetching transparent/tan sidewall. I guess that comes down to the individual. Wheels. Pro and Expert models come in at 19.6 lbs (8.9kg) and 20.9lbs (9.5kg), respectively. Pro and Expert models come in at 19.6 lbs (8.9kg) and 20.9lbs (9.5kg), respectively. Increasing reach while reducing stem length means that riders are less pitched over the front wheel, improving control in steep terrain. But their added potency, modulation make them feel indispensable within the first few miles of riding.