Integrated into the steerer tube/stem interface is a Future Shock suspension system that allows for up to 20mm of travel to absorb shock and vibration feedback into the hands. However, when objective stats like the 80mm bottom bracket drop number are there, the frequency of pedal strikes we encountered made sense (70mm of drop is a more common number). At 21 lbs and 5 oz with tubes and without pedals, it is still relatively lightweight, although it is over 2 pounds heavier than its lightest competitor. This unique suspension system gives you 20mm of travel. Cassette SRAM XG-1295 Eagle, 1050 t With the new frame, the Diverge has increased its tyre clearance and will now fit up to a 700x47c or 650bx2.1in tyre. One thing should be obvious. The carbon bars span 42cm at the hoods and flare to 48.5cm at the drops. When you click on links to buy products we may earn money to support, 20mm of Future Shock suspension, light and stiff carbon frame, Non-tubeless tires, 2x drivetrain, limited tire clearance. The Diverge is the entry-level carbon model which retails for $2,500 and features the same frame as the model we tested, but comes with a lower-end spec that includes a 2 x 10-speed Shimano Tiagra drivetrain and Specialized Axis wheels. All trademarks property of their respective owners The damping on the top-end models can be adjusted quickly with a dial that sits in the traditional place of a headset cap. Uh-huh. However, if you can forgo it and are happy to have the carbon seatpost instead, youll enjoy a much more balanced level of comfort. Why do we actually ride bikes? Thats exactly what the Diverge can do. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. The top tube and reach make for a roomy cockpit and the head tube angle is 72.5-degrees. Youd probably be better off getting a different bike. The cockpit of the Diverge is one of the most interesting aspects of its build. We doubt this suspension movement results in any loss of power, and we're sure you'll probably get used to it over time, but it doesn't give that same direct and efficient feel as bikes with rigid front ends. Thats not the case with the dropper post equipped Diverge! Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison. To avoid flats we had to run higher pressures than we would have liked and ride downhill with a little more caution than we would with a tubeless setup. Also new for 2021 is the latest Future Shock suspension system. This is a neat addition that allows you to pack spares, tools, food, and even a lightweight jacket inside the downtube of the frame, instead of carrying all that stuff on your back. On the pricier side, the Pro sits one price point below the $10,500 SRAM Red AXS-equipped S-Works model. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. So, typifying their aggressive approach to everything they do, they went to work designing a line of gravel-specific bikes from whence the Diverge was born. Brakes SRAM RED Hydro, 160/160 mm Semi-Country? It's got an almost snappy feel in tight corners, and we've seen skilled riders rip up singletrack trails on this bike with some more aggressive tires. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. Its been more than 30 years ago since the Specialized RockCombo 1989 first saw the light of day. When seated, the suspension goes unnoticed but aggressively attacking a climb out of the saddle results in some suspension bob. Digital & free: First review: New Cervlo S5 Ultegra Di2 2023 The greatest aero bike of all ENDING SOON: The 2022 GRAN FONDO Reader Survey Win a Wilier Triestina Rave SLR First review: Vittoria Corsa N.EXT TLR The next level of tire technology? A steel frame, 40 mm wide 26 tires and a drop bar marked the birth of the first ATB (All Terrain Bike). Price 9,999 Even the Pathfinder tire reacts very predictably when it starts to lose grip. Generally speaking, we are of the opinion that, as with flat tires, pedal strikes can be an entirely subjective happenstance. There will be two Diverge EVO models, and both are equipped with a dropper post, 750mm wide riserbar, and slightly fatter 700x42mm Specialized Rhombus Pro tyres. On a scale from playful and agile to decidedly stable, the Diverge definitely finds itself moving towards the stable end of the spectrum. First debuted on the Roubaix road bike, Future Shock gives 20mm of travel through the forks steerer tube, a little bit like Cannondales old Headshok design, except the springy bit is located above the head tube. While we were pleasantly surprised by the performance of the Specialized Sawtooth Sport tires, we feel they are best suited for pavement and smoother gravel conditions. In the formative years of gravel, like most other brands, Specialized relied on their Crux line of cyclocross bikes to get their feet wet in this still-undefined category. Our size-54 frame had a 103.2cm wheelbase with 42.5cm chainstays, a 59.2cm stack and an 38.3cm reach. It takes a few tries. The Diverge Sport is a solid all-around performer with an especially comfortable ride quality. Specialized makes just about everything for cycling that you can imagine and that includes about 10 different versions of their popular, Specialized recently released a completely redesigned. The new Rondo MYLC Off-Road Plus Gravel Bike Is gravelduro a thing? The Diverge Sport is a quick and capable climber. Its light footed and quick to react when accelerating and gets willingly up to speed. Specialized has spec'd an alloy stem that clamps their Adventure Gear Hover handlebar that has a comfortable 12-degree flare. As the trails get rougher and thick roots are accompanied by large rocks, quite a few gravel bikes would start to reach their limits. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Testers found the component specification to be pretty nice for the price, with a drivetrain and tires that make this bike well suited for pounding pavement or smooth gravel roads alike. Whether or not you'll need or want to upgrade anything on the Diverge Sport will depend on where and how you ride it. Some 11 speed cassettes will fit anyway or you get a new freehub body. 2022 - Road Bike Action. Specialized did not print "2Bliss" on the side of these tires, so we are assuming they shouldn't be set up tubeless. The geometry is nearly identical to some of the other bikes in this test, and the seated pedaling position is comfortable with direct transfer of power straight down into the pedals. The Diverge has nice lines and comfortable geometry. The Future Shock design was first seen on Specialized's Roubaix road bike and now appears on all but the least expensive alloy models of the Diverge. Specializeds approach to suspend the rider on the bike rather than the wheels themselves makes a lot of sense in terms of comfort. Since you have mech brakes, your Shimano GRX options are going to require a brake change. Weight 8.31 kg in size 56 Between seeing the end of the line for their jaw-droppingly ugly Cob Gobbler suspension seatpost of old, and the arrival of the internal Swat box and Future Shock fork, this latest Diverge platform is one that can stand the test of time. When it came to the climbs, as much as we may have disliked the visual association that the 50t cassette had with all the soft-pedaling mountain bikers who clog the local climbs, the pizza-pan-sized big gear sure came in handy.. Testers found that this suspension worked well and helped to reduce hand fatigue for a more comfortable ride. Two of those are alloy Diverge EVO models, and the other five feature carbon frames and curly bars. It depends on the conditions and terrain you ride, but the Sawtooth Sport tires would likely be one of the first things we'd upgrade so we could go tubeless. You can use the same brakes as long as the GRX is also mechanical, I assume there's a mechanical option. The Diverge delivers an especially comfortable ride on the descents. Interestingly, Specialized also made room for a limited-edition model using Campagnolos impressive 1x Ekar gravel group priced at $7000. The E5 Elite is the middle of the range at $1,600 with a 2 x 10-speed Shimano Tiagra drivetrain and Tiagra disc brakes. Whether its called gravel or ATB, the name and definition of a category should be irrelevant because in reality, now, like then, its all about the joy of riding a bike with a grin on your face! The Diverge Sport has a good geometry and is comfortable on the descents. The Diverge strikes us as a relatively versatile bike. We were also able to ride the Specialized Diverge with the 700 x 47C Tracer it will be a good choice for all those who want to ride the Diverge primarily on gravel and looser ground. The new Specialized Diverge gravel bike is here, almost exactly 30 years after the first of its forebears was released. The Diverge Sport rolls on a set of DT R470 Disc wheels. The geometry is comfortable, the frame is lightweight and stiff, and the compliant composite seat post provides a bit of forgiveness for long days in the saddle. I used to swap out cassettes from 11 speed to 8 speed when moving wheels between my bikes, until I realized that if I put an 11 speed chain on my old 8speed bike, I could just leave the 11 speed cassette on the wheel (with friction shifters). Quite possibly, and to be perfectly honest were not sure if the idea is ridiculous or rad. The most expensive aluminum model does have the Future Shock suspension, but the lower-end models do not. The SWAT Box opening is located under the bottle cage and can be accessed while riding with a bit of practice. Its a high-tech understatement and its engineers have done a lot of development work that isnt immediately obvious. GRX is available for hydraulic brakes only. same tooth size), its the external dimensions that change. Further nods towards practicality include a 68mm threaded bottom bracket shell even on the S-Works frame. Then theres plenty more to check out on Flow Mountain Bike, including all ourlatest news storiesandproduct reviews. It tipped the scales at 21 lbs 5 oz with tubes and without pedals. Post-gravl? Our testers are uphill hammerheads who alternate regularly between seated and standing efforts. These brakes felt the most powerful with the least fade of all the brakes we tested making it easier and more confidence-inspiring to control your speed. If you want to ride the Diverge on and off the road, this is the right tire for you. Even though we are proponents of the suspend the bike, not the rider theory of suspension, the scant amount of axial travel located under the stem did an admirable job of transforming the bikes off-road capabilities (without the added weight of a suspension fork). The geometry of the Diverge is similar in many ways to most of the other bikes in this review. The 700 x 38c Specialized Sawtooth Sport tires were a pleasant surprise. Sure you'll notice a little weight difference if you ride it back to back with the Ibis Hakka for example, otherwise, this bike feels lightweight with an energetic feel that responds well when you put power to the pedals. While 20mm of suspension doesn't sound like much, it's way more than none and much more effective on bigger hits than a compliant handlebar. To do this, the reach has been lengthened, the head angle is slacker and the bottom bracket has been lowered. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. How has the geometry changed in all those years and can the Diverge be both the perfect getaway vehicle and Haribo transporter? Do you want to know more about how other gravel bikes perform? Enjoyed that article? SRAM AXS is the drivetrain spec, and the wireless rear derailleur is what effortlessly moves the chain up and down the massive 12-speed, 10-50 cassette with a 42t chainring up front. Specializeds answer is two wheels attached to what they see as the ultimate getaway vehicle the brand new Specialized Diverge! The latter of which would be ideal for mounting a top-tube bag. Let us know! . Material on GearLab is copyrighted. The fork is also equipped with rack mounts, adding to the Diverge's bag of tricks and making it a solid candidate for bike touring and gravel bike packing. You can find more information about the Specialized Diverge at specialized.com. The new carbon seatpost, available with 0 or 20 mm offset is based on the Pav seatpost from the Specialized Roubaix (click for review) and should help balance out the comfort generated at the front of the bike. Obviously, this bike would be lighter without tubes in the tires, and assuming a weight of approximately 4.5 oz per tube, it stands to reason that you could reduce the weight of this bike by 9 ounces right off the bat by setting it up tubeless. What kind of gravel bike should it be? Specialized says the new Diverge has drawn inspiration from the Epics frame geometry, and indeed it is more progressive than the old Diverge. 2021 SPECIALIZED DIVERGE GRAVEL BIKE REVIEW. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. The Sawtooth Sport tires have a versatile tread that works nearly as well on pavement as a road tire, while also providing solid traction on firm dirt surfaces. Our test bike came equipped with a full Shimano 105 2x11-speed drivetrain. The Diverge Comp gets the higher-end FACT 9r frame, Future Shock 2.0 (with adjustable damping), a mechanical 211 Shimano GRX drivetrain and a SWAT box. They have also added a new Future Shock into the front end that is integrated into the steerer tube and provides 20mm of suspension travel to smooth out rough sections of road or trail. What does gravel mean exactly? 1. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. FORUM LOG ON FOR NEW MEMBERS - PLEASE READ, Bike Shows (NAHBS, Interbike, Eurobike). Which would you choose? People taking on serious gravel rides will likely want to upgrade to a tubeless setup. The frame has 3 water bottle mounts, internal cable routing, and clearance for up to 700 x 42c or 650b x 47mm tires. You can see how the geometry has changed from the first model in 1989 all the way to today. Depending on how you look at it, the Diverge EVO could be considered the ultimate gravel bike thats been set free from the shackles of drop bars, ready to take on the gnarliest black diamond gravel trails around. With a dropper post, the rear is inevitably a little less comfortable than the front. For Specialized, the answer was obvious. And, that pretty muchdescribes the evolution of the Specialized Diverge. If not, it's still not a big deal. Its been roughly 14 years since the first Dirty Kanza gravel race in Kansas. Specialized claims that this is the "road version of modern trail bike geometry", think longer, lower, and slacker. That covers a range of users, just like the variety of 1x, 2x, mechanical and electronic drivetrain options does. Specialized spec'd a set of Praxis Alba cranks with the standard 48/32 tooth chainring combo paired with an 11-34-tooth cassette. If you're coming off a rigid bike, like most gravel bikes, this suspended feel takes a little getting used to but is welcome on long descents or rougher roads. Become a GRAN FONDO supporter and lets shape the bike scene together and make GRAN FONDO even better! Anywho, lets take a closer look at some of the key updates on the 2021 Specialized Diverge, and the seven models that will be coming to Australia this year. Thats supposed to better integrate the rider with the bike, allowing you to master downhills that you would previously have walked. Next time just say heres why I prefer 2x. Like raising a kid or even baking that perfect batch of chocolate chip cookies, we all know that gettinganything right takes some time. Who said that getaway vehicles have to be unobtrusive if you shake off the pursuit within the first few seconds anyway? This is thanks to the smoother center tread that carries speed well on firm surfaces, and the sawtooth-esque siped shoulder tread that effectively grabs and hooks up when cornering in mixed conditions. The base model is the Diverge E5 which retails for $1,100. We feel this bike represents the best value to the rider seeking a road and gravel bike, as the geometry and drivetrain spec seems well suited to both disciplines. Since the suspension travel occurs between the stem and the top of the head tube, it doesn't affect the bike's geometry and the handling remains precise even while the suspension is active. On rough dirt roads, the 2x drivetrains tend to make a lot of noise, and testers find themselves shifting between the two front chainrings more often than they'd like on climbs or rolling terrain. Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings. Specialized has also included a carbon seat post that also has a bit of compliance engineered into it with a comfortable Body Geometry Toupe Sport saddle. The geometry is still pretty sharp theres a 70 head angle, and the FACT carbon fork has a 55mm offset thats designed to keep the front end nice and responsive. Our testers are not those consumers, and while we can't argue that the 2x drivetrain on the Diverge works just fine we would much prefer a 1x setup. This includes everything from the shifters, rear derailleur, cassette, and the hydraulic disc brakes. It offers an unbelievable amount of trust and security on the downhills on all terrain and makes it easy for the rider to step outside their comfort zone. https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/equipment/cycling-components/bike-wheels/road-bike-wheels/bontrager-paradigm-comp-tlr-road-wheel/p/14251/, Components (Bikes, Tires, Wheels, and Other Components). The Future Shock is definitely a highlight. We thought this time would come the convergence point between gravel and MTB and it appears that Specialized has chosen to fully embrace the concept. Specialized has incorporated their unique Future Shock suspension design on the front end of this bike, giving it 20mm of road-smoothing travel to take the edge off of rough roads and chatter. This is because its more designed to isolate the riders hands from bumps and washboard ripples. Shortly before the COVID-19 crisis took hold, we had the chance to rag the Specialized Diverge along the gravel tracks in and around Girona. Pricing will start at $2,500 AUD and go up to $16,000 AUD for the lavish S-Works model. It masterfully covers technically challenging terrain while delivering a confidence inspiring ride. New wheels should be good for 10 or 11 speed. Seatpost X-Fusion Manic Dropper Post, 50 mm travel Interestingly, it has the shortest wheelbase and chainstays and the lowest bottom bracket in the test. We were surprised to find the very non-Specialized Easton EC70 AX handlebars specd. The Diverge X1 has a similar build and price, but comes with a SRAM Apex 1 x 11-speed drivetrain. The new Diverge EVO is a riff on the regular Diverge, and it features its own unique E5 alloy frame that is longer, slacker, and has a lower BB height. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Unfortunately, the adjustable damping is only available on the top-end models. We've noticed that most gravel bike manufacturers are offering their bikes in both 1x and 2x drivetrain configurations, so obviously there must be quite a few consumers out there who still want a front derailleur. The top of the line S-Works Diverge triumphs with a FACT 11r carbon frame, SRAM RED eTap AXS 112 drivetrain, carbon wheelset and adjustable dropper post. Tires Specialized Pathfinder Pro 700 x 38C Aside from the front suspension, the handlebar felt wide enough with a nice 12-degree flare for comfortable hands and precise steering. This tire is just as suited to the rapid retreat into the wilderness as it is to more aggressive trail fun. The E5 Comp costs $1,900 and comes with the Future Shock suspension, as well as a full Shimano 105 drivetrain and brakes. The brakes are flat-mount with 160mm rotors front and rear. What use is a bike that is stiff and aerodynamic if you cant ride in the drops for more than 10 minutes? The 2x11-speed Shimano 105 drivetrain is a solid spec, although our testers generally prefer 1x drivetrains for gravel riding. And, sure, the high-volume tires already do a good job of deflecting sharp edges, but the amount of control and speed we were able to sustain over the severe stutter bumps, thanks to the Future Shock, was appreciable. Fun guaranteed then! Other factors that add a touch of weight to the Diverge are the Future Shock suspension system as well as the 2x drivetrain. The long reach requires you to ride the bike actively and comparatively aggressively. How can we improve GearLab? Despite their very rounded side to side profile, testers found them to perform quite well on the dirt while also rolling very fast on pavement. Here, the various models on offer give you enough choice to choose your dream build. The new Specialized Diverge now has clearances for tires up to 700 x 47C (700 x 42C with mudguards) or 650 x 54B, yet still maintains 6 mm of space on either side of the tire to clear mud and dirt. Within the 12-bike Diverge family, only five bikes use the Future Shock fork, and the entry-level version is the $4200 Diverge Comp that runs with a Shimano GRX 2x drivetrain. If your URL is correct, you'll see an image preview here. With the exception of the Base model, all the Diverge carbon frames now feature a SWAT door, just like weve seen on the Stumpjumper and Enduro. The Diverge comes with three weights of spring for the Future Shock, thankfully it also comes with detailed instructions. With a retail price of $2,800, we feel the Diverge Sport is a relatively good value. The Diverge is equipped with plenty of mounting points, accelerates quickly and rides well on the trails. Like most gravel bikes, the Diverge can be used for many different types of cycling. That lets you adjust the comfort up front to suit the current terrain you are on. Our measurements showed the Diverge had a 575mm long effective top tube length and a 390mm reach. Unfortunately, the Sport build comes with Sawtooth Sport tires that are not "2Bliss" ready, so setting this bike up tubeless would require an upgrade to the tires. If you want to tear up your home trails aboard the Diverge, you should make sure to keep enough pressure on your front wheel. Read the new issue of GRAN FONDO Cycling Magazine now. These wheels are stiff, fast-rolling, and have a higher quality feel than most of the wheels on the other bikes in this review. But who are we? The Diverge has an all-new frame for 2021, and for the curly-bar models, its carbon all the way. The Diverge Sport occupies the comfortable middle ground in this review in terms of its weight. Instead, the American brand took a slightly different stance. The Diverge Sport we tested is one of their least expensive carbon-framed options. The Diverge is especially comfortable on the descents thanks to its front suspension. The cheaper Diverge models come with the Future Shock 1.5 system, while the more spangly models get Future Shock 2.0. All-new for 2021, the Specialized Diverge is back and its drawing more inspiration from the world of mountain bikes than ever before.
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