Save 30% + G-Form Pro X3 Knee Pads when you subscribe to MBUK magazine. 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. but, in brief, it is a lighter overall setup that does not significantly affect handling. Cycling Weekly is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. On climbs, this meant less slipping of the tires. I did come around eventually though (along with wider tires), and have come to quite like the previous Diverge thanks to its lightweight and responsive frame, ingenious SWAT system and improved Future Shock 2.0. Internal cable routing and a curvy tubing help lend the bike a great profile, though I have to admit, the carbon framesets look even snazzier. But come the second day, the gearing came into its own. Sure it can sometimes be slightly noticeable out on the road when sprinting, for example but stiffening up the compression makes a world of difference, and its a vast improvement over the original Future Shock. The chainstay length has grown to a consistent 425mm across all sizes and models. 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. More here. Last year we had a first look at the Specialized Trigger Pro 700x38c 2Bliss Tire during the Lost and Found gravel ride. 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. 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. This item is in the . Specialized diverge in beautiful pearl white and red. But all of these are to be expected and once you get a few corners under your belt its relatively predictable. The Diverge felt very at home as an endurance bike. - Check, check and check. 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. But compared to the 2015 version, the latest 2021 Diverge makes off-road performance its priority. Each issue features a collection of inspiring writing and beautiful photography. Racing down one of the longer descents in the area, it was immediately noticeable how much confidence they imbued in my riding, especially carving hard into corners. The Comp, Expert, Pro and S-Works versions of the Diverge feature Specializeds now-signature SWAT down tube storage box. Let me lay out a few facts before I delve into my first impressions, as they may have had affected my impressions of the bike. Specialized reasons that when the rear wheel encounters a bump, the wheel moves up. As she competed at the elite level, her journalism career followed, and soon she became a full-time cycling journalist. Shimano's gravel inspired GRX 400 group shifts 2x10 gears smoothly on any terrain and Axis Elite alloy wheels with Pathfinder 38mm tires . . Groupe Sram Apex 1x11 Hydraulique. Roubaix Pro 2Bliss Ready. If you havent tried a road bike with hydros, youre in for a treat. So perhaps, this is what differentiates Specialized's gravel offerings. But we liked the positives of it, Specialized engineer Chris D'Aluisio said. propos de ce deal. Sign in to manage your newsletter preferences. 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! Jack thinks nothing of bikepacking after work to sleep in a ditch or taking on a daft challenge for the BikeRadar YouTube channel. One thing I appreciated is that Specialized hasnt skimped on all the necessary mounts. 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. Rapide CLX II*. Specialized's Diverge Pro Carbon is an adventure-ready bike, hungry for road, gravel, single track, and more. But it turned out to be the X-Fusion Manic dropper post that really swayed my opinion of the bike. On mountain bikes, ever longer reach, slacker head tubes and lower overall geometry has been shown to significantly improve stability and speed off-road. Then again, we could easily have said exactly the same thing about gravel bikes a short time ago, so maybe this really will be the future of gravel riding. To a certain extend, suspension removes that need or at the least, it allows you to stay seated more often and over more terrain, which in turn means you get more traction. FRAME Specialized Diverge FACT 9r carbon, SWAT Door integration, Future Shock suspension, threaded BB, internal routing, 12x142mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc . 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. After decades of bike riding, getting out of the saddle to respond to and absorb bumps or tricky terrain is almost second nature. On the first day I almost felt like 16 degrees of flare was too much and too wide for the road and tame gravel. As De La Soul sang, three is the magic number, and so the question arises: has this third-generation of the Diverge moved in tune with what seems to be a rapidly changing gravel scene? The S-Works, Pro, Expert, and Comp Carbon models all get the updated Future Shock, while the Future Shock 1.5 an older version without hydraulic damping (or the ability to firm it up while riding) is found on the Comp E5, Sport, and Base Carbon offerings. It allows you to hit things faster than you think you actually can. The new frameset has been redesigned with a new longer fork offset (55mm), a slacker head tube angle, a considerably longer overall wheelbase, a very slightly higher bottom bracket and increased reach on all sizes. 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. The EVO range will only be available in three sizes: small, medium and large. Brakes are flat mount with the fork designed around larger 160/180 mm rotors instead of the more commonly found 140/160 mm. Starting with its road capabilities, the bike felt as road-orientated as a gravel bike can with 38 mm tyres. It is, however, a shame a third water bottle cant be fitted below the Diverges belly for long desert rides. These offer, in Specializeds words, aggressive tread for aggressive riding on aggressive trails, and that matches the suggested ethos of the EVO nicely. While this yoke adds a touch more weight, the brand says it developed this to avoid using a raised or dropped chainstay, which are commonly used on gravel bikes to improve clearances. Specialized S-Works Tracer 2Bliss Ready Tire. This is just an old-school mountain bike! The Diverge STR unveiled today now features both front and rear Future Shock suspension. In the meantime, the Roubaix Pros are good all rounders, though its a shame the wheelset that comes stock with this model isnt tubeless ready. The Roubaix Pro 2Bliss Ready is an endurance road tire that's well suited for smooth and rough roads alike. The new Diverge has plenty of options for racks and bottle cage mounts. We deliver! The first day I probably used fewer than half the gears available and wished I had one or two other options slotted in the middle on a few occasions. Specialized Diverge FACT 9r carbon, SWAT Door integration, Future Shock suspension, threaded BB, internal routing, 12x142mm thru-axle, flat-mount . Each year sees tweaks and changes. by jtoddgill. The Base Carbon is fitted out with some pretty basic Axis tubeless-ready Elite Disc rims, and Specialized sealed bearing thru-axle hubs. Increasing reach while reducing stem length means that riders are less pitched over the front wheel, improving control in steep terrain. 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 . Many Specialized bikes are equipped with Roval tubeless . 24.08.2022. North American Editor Anne-Marije Rook test riding the all-new Specialized Diverge STR. Come the second day I was lucky enough to have the staff on hand swap out the dropper post for the new carbon post. Thats clearly something that the market will dictate, but it certainly looks like something else you can already buy from a different category . $41.24 $54.99. Perhaps most interesting is that where weve previously seen Specialized keep its own handlebars and seatposts across all bikes, the new Diverge sees a few external brands come into the fold. But it was the tidy fender mounts that impressed me more than the number of other mounting options. Weight: 165 lbs The Expert I rode on my home gravel roads in Oregon. *Note that only the newer version of the Alpinist and Rapide wheels are tubeless compatible. 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. Size: Color: Satin Blaze/Violet Ghost Pearl Fade . These are what goes through the center of your wheelcalled the huband keep the wheels in the frame. As for protecting both your friends and your clothes from the elements, Specializeds Plug and Play Fenders are designed to work. Each bike frame size comes with two different frame posts and each post in turn has a stiffer and more flexible side, tunable to the riders preference. 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. Originally from The Netherlands, she grew up a bike commuter and didn't find bike racing until her early twenties when living in Seattle, Washington. though it's a shame the wheelset that comes stock with this model isn't tubeless ready. Specialized says its a lot more compliant, and it is. It ticks plenty of the boxes Im looking for in a well-rounded gravel bike. I received my 2021 Specialized Diverge Comp Carbon (size 52) two weeks ago. A a complete 56cm S-Works Diverge STR has a claimed weight of 18.7lbs (8.5kg) set up tubeless out of the box. If you just want the frameset, then the S-Works is your only option. It adds not only comfort but also stability, traction and confidence to an already very capable bike. On this bike, Im able to ride from my front door, strike out an impressive distance, and still bask in the knowledge that when unexpected opportunities arise, Ill not feel limited by the constraints of asphalt. As for gear range, my Diverge Comp came fitted with a 46T outer ring, mated to a 10-42 cassette. In fact, as someone who obsessively avoids paved roads, the Diverge reminded me about the pleasures of road touring. Access is via a clip-off cover that the bottle cage is attached to. On the second day, though, just like with the gearing, the bars came into their own and that extra width was appreciated. 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 . !Op voorraad:Superstrakke bike! Base E5 price: US$1,100 / AU$N/A / 949. This Specialized Pathfinder Pro Tubeless Ready Tan Wall gravel tyre was born in the American Midwest. Fond memories, a pleasant experience, a top-tier bike? 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. So, yeah, I was ready for a different style of bike, for something to mix up the experience, and that definitely provides the context for how I viewed the Diverge. Diverge: to separate from another route and go in a different direction, as defined by the Oxford Dictionary. Every other build is based on a carbon frameset, with the grade of carbon and included features rising as you go up through the range. That's because it's fast like any competitive road tire, only it features a unique Endurant casing with bead-to-bead puncture . The Comp E5 comes with Shimanos GRX 810 mechanical groupset, and would seem to be a great little option for those entering the world of gravel bikes for the first time. 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. Save 30% + G-Form Pro X3 Knee Pads when you subscribe to MBUK magazine. This becomes even more apparent as the spec gets slightly heavier down the collection line. 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. All the time, shod with 34mm tufo CX tubulars (the tubeless tire of that time . Fork. No adhesion of any kind is being used. Part of the reason larger tires can now be accommodated is the advent on hydraulic brakes with drop handlebars. Tubeless tires are the standard for off-road riding, but in . 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. After all, Specialized has designed the carbon post in conjunction with the new frame for a reason. Specialized Diverge FACT 9r carbon, SWAT Door integration, Future Shock suspension, threaded BB, internal routing, 12x142mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc . Otherwise, keep your bikepacking payload to a minimum. Wheelset: DT Swiss G540 rim, 24mm inner width, tubeless-ready . Even on the uneven, wet terrain, the wheels stayed safely planted, allowing me to push the speed and corner with confidence. The 2021 Specialized Diverge range encompasses 11 bikes and one S-Works level frameset. Geometry-wise, bike sizing remains consistent among the Diverge line. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Specialized Diverge FACT 9r carbon, SWAT Door integration, Future Shock suspension, threaded BB, internal routing, 12x142mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc: . The bike is available in sizes 44cm through to 61cm on cheaper models, narrowing down to 49cm to 61cm on higher-tier models. Below are . Despite the new wider downtube it remains faster than the previous Diverge, but its certainly not an aero bike, either. I was disappointed as I know Specialized can nail a plush and comfortable rear end the new Roubaix I tested last year proved this. 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. and Specialized tubeless ready tyres,hence the possession of a compressor.I would not contemplate tubes . 12 X 100 (front) and 12 X 142 (rear) thru-axle only can't be convert to anything else. tubeless ready, 24h, Specialized full sealed bearing thru axle hub, centerlock disc, DT Swiss Champion 14G stainless steel spokes, DT Swiss brass nipples: Hjulstorlek: 28: Komponentserie . 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 is universally liked here at BikeRadar. Indeed, out in the real world and unless youre a racing snake I have little doubt youll be bowled over by its eagerness to be ridden hard and fast, especially if youre coming from a mountain bike. I know theres plenty of people out there who may want a dropper post, but personally, I just dont get it. The new Specialized Diverge is here and theres a flat bar option that, The launch of the new Diverge comes off the back of the enormous and well-documented growth of, 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, why Specialized opted for this system rather than a conventional telescopic fork. Ive seen a Diverge set up with 38700 Specialized Trigger Pros. The posher Specialized Diverge came with their own SCS standard wheels .By buying an A1 Sport I got the ordinary wheel standard,a carbon fork and a threaded bottom bracket (no BB30 yay!) Is the suspension going to bob on an out-of-saddle climb? As usual, the S-Works sits at the top of the pecking order. Finding your fit and ideal ride feel is a little different on the STR than any other gravel or road bike before it, and Specialized does recommend getting a bike fit if you haven't had one yet (or in recent years). Front Tire. The tires, which measured 40mm wide, just did fit. Matched with a rear triangle that feels tidily tucked underneath, it makes you want to attack the climbs. The Diverge Evo a new category is born (maybe?). Already have an account with us? All rights reserved. The driveside chainstay also features an in-built rubber protector to stave off chain slap. The geometry table for the Diverge Evo is also different. All other models feature the Future Shock 1.5. Specialized Diverge E5 Premium Aluminum, Future Shock suspension, 1x specific EVO geometry, threaded BB, internal routing, 12x142mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc . 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. DT Swiss G540 rim, 24mm internal width, tubeless ready, 24h, Specialized full sealed bearing thru axle hub . Then there are two additional models which bear the name Diverge EVO. Ritchey. Thanks! Indeed, Id claim we were venturing close to MTB territory in several parts of the ride. So large is the gravel market that Specialized now expects it to be larger than any other category in the very near future. It will oftentimes say 2bliss ready on the rim tape. Once you get to the Sport model youll drop down to the FACT 8r carbon frame and lose that SWAT box. 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. 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 Diverge has done exactly that. Its priced at $3300. 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. This translates into a bicycle with a more stable stance than a dedicated road machine, clearances for markedly larger tires, the confidence of powerful disc brakes, and a penchant for blending for asphalt, dirt and gravel. 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. 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 mountain bike suspension fork. But while this will certainly boost the Diverges climbing credentials, it will likely see you spinning out on fast day rides. On those more traditional gravel roads that seem to go on for ever, the suspension will help you ride longer and go farther. The Diverge Evo is a rowdier version of the new bike designed for more aggressive riding, with a longer and lower geometry, and flat bars rather than drops. Instead, the extra storage option is now integrated into the downtube beneath the bottle cage yet another carryover from Specializeds mountain bike range. Our test bike is from the 2016 model year. Specialized Diverge Bikes. Specialized Diverge FACT 9r carbon, SWAT Door integration, Future Shock suspension, threaded BB, internal routing, 12x142mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc . All 2021 versions of Diverge are tubeless compatible. . RapidAir. Receive FREE UK delivery on all orders over 30 and easy returns! Specialized Diverge FACT 9r carbon, SWAT Door integration, Future Shock suspension, threaded BB, internal routing, 12x142mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc . You can see these prototypes and read about the process in depth in our launch story, but in the interest of this review, we're going to skip ahead several hundred prototypes and years of work to what you can see and feel in the rear Future Shock as it exists today, and the bike that's built up around it. tubeless ready, 24h, Specialized full sealed bearing thru axle hub, centerlock disc, DT Swiss Champion 14G stainless steel spokes, DT Swiss brass nipples Front Tyre Rhombus Pro . With the dropper installed on the first day, the rear end felt almost harsh, or at least not as smooth as Id expected. The launch of the new Diverge comes off the back of the enormous and well-documented growth of gravel riding across the world. Why do I bring this up? Gravel+? 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. Yes, its almost as if flat bars make sense for improving off-road control. Price: US$10,000 / AU$16,000 / 8,899. 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. 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. . Gravel continues to be a such fascinating category for bike manufacturers. BIKEPACKING.com is dedicated to exploration by bicycle. Ive been on the lookout for a gravel bike since some scumbag decided that my previous one was to their liking. 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 . Both bikes have a race pedigree yet sit at the opposite ends. Yes, its almost as if flat bars make sense for improving off-road control. 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. A new name and one significant new face made the headlines as Ian Boswell took the . But the extra bells and whistles may not be everyone's cup of tea and the $7,000 to $14,000 buy-in price is preventative for most. Specialized Terra Pro 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. Thanks to FACT carbon, the frame is lightweight and makes it a suitable competition platform. Heres how it works. 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 . Next to Specializeds Tarmac, the chainstays are longer and the bottom bracket drop deeper. The geometry table below applies to versions of the bike equipped with Future Shock. Both the Sport and Base models come in eight sizes and downgrade to the previous Future Shock 1.5. Subscribe to Cycling Plus from just 13.50 and get a Lezyne Pocket Drive Pump, worth 29! Fit fussing aside, the bike's first impression was one of smoothness. Years in the making, the engineers at Specialized realized that while the front-end Future Shock did a great job isolating riders from the bumpy surface below, the bike no longer felt balanced. For the really rowdy riders, the Diverge STR is also dropper post compatible and sports a standard 27.2mm seatpost diameter. Its a neat addition, but realistically its not a storage area youd want to be delving into on every ride. . 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. Firstly, the gravel riding around Girona (where the launch was held) is mesmerising: get a trip booked if you can (once all this craziness is over, obviously). To get that kind of rear tyre clearance, while still being able to take big chainrings and 2x cranksets AND have short chaintsays, Specialized's engineers got creative. Any bike that encourages me to get out and ride, and nudges me explore places in new ways, is likely to win me over. Gearing is obviously a personal preference, but Ive never really been sold on 1x groupsets. 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: Specialized Sawtooth 2Bliss Gravel Tire. Specialized claims the new Diverge takes inspiration from the Epic cross-country mountain bike range. Specialized has overhauled the Diverge for 2021. Frame: Specialized Diverge FACT 9r carbon, SWAT Door integration, Future Shock suspension, threaded BB, internal routing, 12x142mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc . We can already hear the comments Specialized Diverge FACT 9r carbon, SWAT Door integration, Future Shock suspension, threaded BB, internal routing, 12x142mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc . Lead time has been reaaaally long, my German dealer ordered it before launch in March 2020 (!!). . Lastly, the bottom bracket has been lifted by 5mm to 80mm with the aim of eliminating pedal strikes when using 650b wheels.