The top-end Diverge models are also furnished with the practical SWAT Box in the down tube that allows you to stow smaller essentials like a jacket, spare tube, mini-tool, CO2 cartridge or even several bags of Haribo, ensuring you always have them along for the ride. The Diverge is available in six carbon, three aluminium and two further aluminium models with geometry modified to suit flat bars. 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. It takes patience. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Either way, it needs a catchy name. The adjustable Future Shock 2.0 system allows you to tailor comfort during your ride, letting you cover even rough terrain at high speeds. 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. If you want to tear up your home trails aboard the Diverge, you should make sure to keep enough pressure on your front wheel. If there is a spacer behind your 10 speed cassette then all is well. Click here to learn more. Hello everyone- I am looking for some insight on a drivetrain upgrade I'd like to do. The reach has grown by 13 mm (size 56), increasing the wheelbase by 38 mm. THROWBACK THURSDAY, 2020: WAS THOMAS DE GENDT CHEATING ON ZWIFT? 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). Post-gravl? The top tube and reach make for a roomy cockpit and the head tube angle is 72.5-degrees. The Diverge is an efficient companion for long climbs or any length of ride. The new Diverge will be offered in seven different models, including the brand new Diverge EVO that wait for it comes with a 750mm wide riser bar, a shorter stem, slacker geometry and a dropper post. Some 11 speed cassettes will fit anyway or you get a new freehub body. 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. A diminutive number of 34 gravel fanatics showed up at the start line to ride their bikes through the punishing Flint Hills. Instead, its not the wheels that are suspended, but the rider themselves on top of the bike. Question upon question that in the end, according to Specialized themselves, played a subordinate role in the development of the new Diverge. Flows Fresh Produce | A new dropper post, rooftop tent and UK-made disc brakes, Flows Fresh Produce | Fox 36 GRIP2 Fork, a Stumpy new haircut, and some quick changing chainrings, Flows Fresh Produce | Custom decals, a gold dropper, loud gloves & 2023 RockShox, Flows Fresh Produce | New wheels, lightweight suspension and clever tubeless tools, This website requires Javascript for optimum viewing purposes. Our size-54 frame had a 103.2cm wheelbase with 42.5cm chainstays, a 59.2cm stack and an 38.3cm reach. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Instead, the American brand took a slightly different stance. 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. Enjoyed that article? The Diverge Sport has a good geometry and is comfortable on the descents. On a scale from playful and agile to decidedly stable, the Diverge definitely finds itself moving towards the stable end of the spectrum. Our test bike came equipped with a full Shimano 105 2x11-speed drivetrain. It comes in both carbon (tested) and aluminum frames, and whether you're willing to spend $1,000 or $10,000, Specialized has a Diverge for you. 2021 SPECIALIZED DIVERGE GRAVEL BIKE REVIEW. 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. It has a very similar geometry to our top-rated gravel bikes with the addition of 20mm of Future Shock front suspension to help smooth out the ride. These cookies do not store any personal information. Happy days! . It takes a few tries. But is gravel really a brand new genre of riding? That lets you adjust the comfort up front to suit the current terrain you are on. The Diverge strikes us as a relatively versatile bike. The brakes are flat-mount with 160mm rotors front and rear. These wheels are stiff, fast-rolling, and have a higher quality feel than most of the wheels on the other bikes in this review. This unique suspension system gives you 20mm of travel. 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. 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. When the dirt conditions got loose, however, these tires don't quite claw into the surface like some more aggressive tires. GearLab is reader-supported. Introducing the 2023 Trek Madone SLR Disc featuring IsoFlow technology The secure ride on technically demanding terrain, adjustable Future Shock 2.0 only available on top-end models. 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. Who said that getaway vehicles have to be unobtrusive if you shake off the pursuit within the first few seconds anyway? For a time period of more than 30 years, the differences are pretty negligible! Of note was the 80mm of bottom bracket drop, which was 5mm fewer compared to the previous model (but still outside the 6770mm range more commonly found on other gravel bikes). With a retail price of $2,800, we feel the Diverge Sport is a relatively good value. In terms of weight distribution, the low centre of gravity makes a lot more sense than traditional saddle bags. The Diverge is a quality gravel bike that can take you to the mountaintops and back down again more comfortably than most. Its been roughly 14 years since the first Dirty Kanza gravel race in Kansas. Toe overlap should be a thing of the past as a result. Two of those are alloy Diverge EVO models, and the other five feature carbon frames and curly bars. One thing should be obvious. Interestingly, it has the shortest wheelbase and chainstays and the lowest bottom bracket in the test. 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. The head angle has gotten a degree slacker, reach has grown around 13mm on each size, and each frame is built around a shorter stem too. Wheelset Roval Terra CLX, 25 mm inner width, 32 mm depth Weight 8.31 kg in size 56 Youll still have something to keep you occupied for the future Specialized! We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. Please, It appears you're using an old version of Internet Explorer which is. The Diverge Sport comes with a 2x11-speed Shimano 105 drivetrain. As long as you have enough power in your legs, youll easily shake off any annoying pursuers aboard the Diverge. 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. Semi-Country? Anyone riding on rougher gravel or in loose conditions will likely find the limitations of these tires pretty quickly and something with a more aggressive tread pattern may be preferred. Our measurements showed the Diverge had a 575mm long effective top tube length and a 390mm reach. The cheaper Diverge models come with the Future Shock 1.5 system, while the more spangly models get Future Shock 2.0. No ads. We were surprised to find the very non-Specialized Easton EC70 AX handlebars specd. Testers found that this suspension worked well and helped to reduce hand fatigue for a more comfortable ride. Although the mashers could spin the gears out on a paved descent, formost, the 4210 gear was more than enough to propel them close to 40 mph without spinning out. Got feedback? You can find our big gravel group test here and an overview of all the bikes weve tested here. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Aside from the front suspension, the handlebar felt wide enough with a nice 12-degree flare for comfortable hands and precise steering. Specialized makes a huge range of Diverge models to suit varying needs and budgets. To compensate, if you have to avoid bigger obstacles, youll need a bit more input at the bars, while the rear seems to lag behind slightly. Material on GearLab is copyrighted. Compared to its predecessor, the geometry is more progressive. Specialized makes many versions of their Diverge gravel bike and the Sport model we tested falls towards the lower end of the price spectrum for their carbon-framed models. Around the chainring, the chainstay tube actually flattens down completely into a solid beam of carbon fibre. That said, its not just the flats where the high efficiency of the Diverge shines. The Diverge Sport has a pretty solid build kit that performs well when the rubber hits the dirt. It is also available as a frameset only option. Instead, the brand new Diverge makes an impression with its technical refinement and quality paint job. The composite seat post also provides a little relief in the form of compliance to help keep your hindquarters comfortable too. 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). To help keep your gear dry, Specialized includes two SWAT pouches. Its been more than 30 years ago since the Specialized RockCombo 1989 first saw the light of day. During our first ride review, we flogged it across the gravel tracks around Girona! The Diverge has a pretty solid build for the price. 2022 - Road Bike Action. The Diverge Sport we tested is one of their least expensive carbon-framed options. Moral of the story - most all chains (except 1/8 inch) have the same size internally (i.e. Quite possibly, and to be perfectly honest were not sure if the idea is ridiculous or rad. 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. Become a supporter now! 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. Slathered in a coat of slightly metallic burnt orange paint, the Pro starts with a Fact 9r carbon frame that stands out with a massive downtube, tapered top tube and dropped seatstays. While we generally loved the front suspension on the descents, it took some real getting used to when climbing. 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. For Specialized, the answer was obvious. It masterfully covers technically challenging terrain while delivering a confidence inspiring ride. When seated, the suspension goes unnoticed but aggressively attacking a climb out of the saddle results in some suspension bob. The carbon bars span 42cm at the hoods and flare to 48.5cm at the drops. The geometry of the Diverge is similar in many ways to most of the other bikes in this review. The Diverge is especially comfortable on the descents thanks to its front suspension. How has the geometry changed in all those years and can the Diverge be both the perfect getaway vehicle and Haribo transporter? Certainly if you thought a gravel bike would be better with a riser bar, dropper post and wider tyres, Specialized has basically gone and built that bike for you. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The damping of the Future Shock 2.0 system should also be increased to avoid bottoming out the bars regularly on bigger hits. Privacy | Cookies | Terms, The Diverge Sport is a reasonably priced, versatile, and comfortable carbon gravel bike with a unique front suspension design. People taking on serious gravel rides will likely want to upgrade to a tubeless setup. This shock design is compliant vertically and does not appear to sacrifice steering control through any sort of lateral play or give. Many features may not work properly without it. Like most gravel bikes, the Diverge can be used for many different types of cycling. GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews. No sponsored content. Even the Pathfinder tire reacts very predictably when it starts to lose grip. At that price, you're getting a high-quality carbon frame with unique technology in the Future Shock front suspension and the compliant composite seat post, plus it has a relatively nice build. What use is a bike that is stiff and aerodynamic if you cant ride in the drops for more than 10 minutes? Straight line stability has definitely benefited from the long wheelbase and increased reach, allowing the bike to shine with its calm ride. Also new for 2021 is the latest Future Shock suspension system. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. FORUM LOG ON FOR NEW MEMBERS - PLEASE READ, Bike Shows (NAHBS, Interbike, Eurobike). It comes with a 2 x 8-speed Shimano Claris drivetrain, Tektro mechanical disc brakes, and a Specialized Axis Sport wheelset. As for the Diverge Pro, it was hard not to like the bike. The fork, top tube and underside of the down tube are furnished with more than enough mounting points. It doesn't strike us as the fastest or racy-est bike out there, but it certainly offers a level of comfort that the other bikes we tested can't match. Bars Easton EC70 AX Carbon, 420 mm As a result, some care should be given to finding your preferred position, as the stems position will always be placed atop the suspension element. Interestingly, Specialized also made room for a limited-edition model using Campagnolos impressive 1x Ekar gravel group priced at $7000. The Future Shock forks suspension duties all take place inside the head tube as opposed to the fork legs. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. And if you havent already,make sure you subscribe to ourYouTubechannel, and sign up to ourFacebookpage andInstagramfeed so you can keep up to date with all things Flow! No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. With a dropper post, the rear is inevitably a little less comfortable than the front. 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. The Diverge is the only bike we've tested that has any sort of front suspension. Unfortunately, the adjustable damping is only available on the top-end models. The SWAT Box opening is located under the bottle cage and can be accessed while riding with a bit of practice. Specializeds answer is two wheels attached to what they see as the ultimate getaway vehicle the brand new Specialized Diverge! We were happy to see that the external Swat box compartment of old (previously in the downtube/seat-tube junction) is now an internal feature with access through a lift-up plate under the downtube water bottle. The Comp, Expert, Pro and S-Works models are available in size from 49 to 61. We could see this being an excellent option for the rider who wants one bike to serve as both a gravel grinder and a road bike. If so, we would be stoked if you decide to support us with a monthly contribution. The new Specialized Diverge gravel bike is here, almost exactly 30 years after the first of its forebears was released. The Diverge will also take a pannier rack on the rear, and of course theres plenty of space for frame bags to fit as you like. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Thats not the case with the dropper post equipped Diverge! 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? It tipped the scales at 21 lbs 5 oz with tubes and without pedals. 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. 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. As the trails get rougher and thick roots are accompanied by large rocks, quite a few gravel bikes would start to reach their limits.