It's the ultimate getaway vehicle. 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. 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. 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 whatever reason, I struggled to find a good fit. With 20mm of spring-loaded suspension in the front and 30mm of hydraulically dampened rear-end compliance, Specialized is taking its "Smoother is Faster" approach to yet another level. The Evo name is used by Specialized across all categories to define more left-field or for the lack of a better description rad options in its line-up. You also lose the new carbon seatpost in exchange for a pretty standard-looking single-bolt carbon post. The Base Carbon is fitted out with some pretty basic Axis tubeless-ready Elite Disc rims, and Specialized sealed bearing thru-axle hubs. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. Cycling apparel brand, Rapha today launched the Rapha Film Fund, a program designed to help support creatives bring their life lived by bike stories to life on Raphas YouTube. The Comp E5 still gets a Future Shock headset where the lower two models the Elite E5 and the Base E5 dont. Over the two days of riding, we used two different sets of tyres. Roval Terra CL, carbon rim with 25mm internal width and 32mm depth, 24h, tubeless-ready, DT for Roval 350 hub, Center Lock disc, DT Swiss Competition Race spokes: Front Tyre: Pathfinder Pro 2BR . Fit fussing aside, the bike's first impression was one of smoothness. In which category would you place the bike? Specialized customer support said the Axis are tubeless compatible, but when I spoke with . She can even be seen bringing a pen and notepad to the press conference. Just that the two bikes have different fortes. And theres room to go even bigger. Issue #021 Review The Sarto Seta Disc all-road bike in review. All rights reserved. Thanks to FACT 9R Carbon, the frame is lightweight and makes it a suitable competition platform. Groupe Sram Apex 1x11 Hydraulique. The Diverge Evo is no different. 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. Even on the uneven, wet terrain, the wheels stayed safely planted, allowing me to push the speed and corner with confidence. Not that the Diverge isnt comfortable and capable when dirt calls, thanks in part to its 32mm tires, the padded handlebar tape and its carbon seat post. The Comp, Expert, Pro and S-Works versions of the Diverge feature Specializeds now-signature SWAT down tube storage box. Below are . 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. Both the Sport and Base models come in eight sizes and downgrade to the previous Future Shock 1.5. Specialized Diverge FACT 9r carbon, SWAT Door integration, Future Shock suspension, threaded BB, internal routing, 12x142mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc . The 2021 Specialized Diverge range encompasses 11 bikes and one S-Works level frameset. Total: 1,746 grams. Specialized Diverge Elite E5 Tubeless. For me, the suspension shone on the rougher descends. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. Once at speed, it held it without a problem. Indeed Specialized hardly touched upon it in the launch event presentation. 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 . 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. 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. Frame: Specialized Diverge FACT 9r carbon, SWAT Door integration, Future Shock suspension, threaded BB, internal routing, 12x142mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc . Even if the bike is a total marketing coup, it doesnt mean that producing something like this isnt a risk. 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. This, Specialized argues, is what ultimately makes you faster in the long run, and why Ian Boswell will be choosing the STR as his weapon of choice for the 200-mile Unbound next year. Its more than stiff enough, and its predictable, nimble and positive when cornering. The same is true on gravel bikes. But it was the tidy fender mounts that impressed me more than the number of other mounting options. Specialized says it decided to launch the bike after seeing a number of riders converting the previous-generation Diverge to flat bar. 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. I joked to my fellow bike journalists upon seeing the new Specialized Diverge STR. Uphill the lightweight build came into its own. We have over 300 original and curated bikepacking routes in our global network spanning nearly 50 countries. The Specialized Diverge was designed to explore gravel roads. The 10-50 cassette provides all the gearing one could want, the carbon components are light and responsive, and I continue to appreciate the Diverge's SWAT system in the down tube and the ability to run just about any gravel tire size of choice. Nieuwe Specialized Comp Carbon in de kleur Satin Gun Metal in maat 58.Verwacht in week 11:Diverge Comp Carbon Satin Olive in maat 54 & 56.Diverge Expert Gloss Arctic Blue in maat 58.Diverge Spor. Specialized has overhauled the Diverge for 2021. Gone is the SWAT box that sat at the base of the main triangle above the bottom bracket. But compared to the 2015 version, the latest 2021 Diverge makes off-road performance its priority. An air shock dampener in the top tube is attached to the frame post by a sturdy aluminum piece called the tendon. to support us + get The Bikepacking Journal. So perhaps, this is what differentiates Specialized's gravel offerings. My first ride was spent on the Pro model and was meant to get an initial feel for the bike as a whole. 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. 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. Part of the reason larger tires can now be accommodated is the advent on hydraulic brakes with drop handlebars. Save 30% + G-Form Pro X3 Knee Pads when you subscribe to MBUK magazine. Fourche amortie Future Shock 1.5, carbone FACT. The Specialized Diverge has been completely reworked from the frame up, including neat new features and a huge variety in options. I cant see how the extra tech it offers is worth sacrificing an otherwise well-performing and comfortable ride. Just look at the internet-breaking hubbub that the launch of the Canyon hover bar created, firmly cementing the Grail in the collective consciousness of the gravel riding masses. Increasing reach while reducing stem length means that riders are less pitched over the front wheel, improving control in steep terrain. 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. Subscribe to Cycling Plus from just 13.50 and get a Lezyne Pocket Drive Pump, worth 29! This means, as always, youll likely be able to squeeze in something a touch chunkier if youre feeling bold. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. The new Diverge range is extensive. Speed, control and confidence - Future Shock technology is ideal for the gravel rider. 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. Published 2 March 23. A 40T chainset spins along with a SunRace 11-42T cassette. The Specialized Diverge comes in a range of prices, from around $1300 for an entry-level bike to about $7500, depending on the features you want. In fact, as someone who obsessively avoids paved roads, the Diverge reminded me about the pleasures of road touring. I've seen a Diverge set up with 38700 Specialized Trigger Pros. While the front future shock underneath your hands and arms moves up and down, you saddle moves back and down. After all, Specialized has designed the carbon post in conjunction with the new frame for a reason. Were personally going for aggressive performance. In which category would you place the bike? 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. Already have an account with us? Both bikes have a race pedigree yet sit at the opposite ends. Each year sees tweaks and changes. 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. Finally got myself into the gravel world with a 2021 Specialized Diverge Elite E5 and have had a blast on it so far. 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. Ive been embarking regularly on two-wheeled explorations for the last 18 years. Wheels are again DT Swiss G540s like the two models above and this time they get wrapped in 38 mm Pathfinder Sport tyres. For anyone that has been following trends in contemporary mountain bike geometry, this will all be familiar stuff (with the exception of the higher bottom bracket). These tweaks offer increased stability, lowering your centre of gravity on the bike. In a size 56, the S-Works Diverge STR weighs a claimed 8.5kg set up tubeless. There's a small lever on the top tube that provides three levels of compression damping that you can toggle between while riding. Specialized claims that the whole system only weighs just under 400g more than the current S-Works Diverge frameset. As for chainstay length, thats been lengthened. Specialized Diverge Bikes. Details of the Specialized DIVERGE COMP. E5 Comp EVO price: US$1,600 / 1,599 / AU$2,500. "100mm more travel and I can do away with my mountain bike!" But it turned out to be the X-Fusion Manic dropper post that really swayed my opinion of the bike. The one on the downtube even features three eyelets, so you can run an Anything Cage too. 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. The Future Shock 2.0 is an adjustable coil suspension cartridge housed in the fork steerer. Just say when and how. . For the really rowdy riders, the Diverge STR is also dropper post compatible and sports a standard 27.2mm seatpost diameter. As usual, the S-Works sits at the top of the pecking order. My subsequent rides were spent paying closer attention to what the bike, and the dual Future Shocks specifically, were doing. 12 X 100 (front) and 12 X 142 (rear) thru-axle only can't be convert to anything else. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. The EVO differs from the rest of the range in several ways. 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. 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. Unbound gravel has had a rocky few years but, much to the relief to the gravel community, returned last weekend and featured a packed field for 2021. This is is a pure pleasure to ride. The latest Diverge, a purpose-designed gravel bike that also looks to be a solid super commuter. DT Swiss G540 rim, 24mm inner width, tubeless ready, 24h, Specialized full sealed bearing thru axle hub, centerlock disc, alloy freehub body, DT Swiss Champion 14G stainless steel spokes, DT . Your bike will come fully built and 100% ready to ride, . How do you remove a specialized diverge wheel? 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. FRAME Specialized Diverge FACT 9r carbon, SWAT Door integration, Future Shock suspension, threaded BB, internal routing, 12x142mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc . The S-Works model comes stock with 38-millimeter Specialized Trigger tubeless-ready tires that look plump on the Roval CLX 32 Disc carbon rims (21.7mm internal width). 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. 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. Speed, control and confidence - Future Shock 2.0 technology is ideal for the gravel rider. Specialized Diverge FACT 8r carbon, Future Shock suspension, threaded BB, internal routing, 12x142mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc. Below the S-Works eTap sits the Pro model, with a FACT 9r carbon frame. On paper, the Diverge isnt as performance-orientated as an all out road machine. Specialized says it decided to launch the bike after seeing a number of riders converting the previous-generation Diverge to flat bar. The Expert I rode on my home gravel roads in Oregon. Yes, its almost as if flat bars make sense for improving off-road control. Also see gravel tires listed below. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, This also included using this wild test rig with an adjustable head angle. . Part of the reason larger tires can now be accommodated is the advent on hydraulic brakes with drop handlebars. This Specialized Pathfinder Pro Tubeless Ready Tan Wall gravel tyre was born in the American Midwest. The new Diverge has certainly jumped high up the list as a possible replacement. The question is: whos this for and is there a market? The first day we took on a pretty sedate 75 km-ish gravel ride. 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!) You need to be logged in to use these features. When I put down what power I have, the bike picked up speed with ease. Specialized Diverge FACT 8r carbon, Future Shock suspension, threaded BB, internal routing, 12x142mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc Suspension . A new name and one significant new face made the headlines as Ian Boswell took the . Is the suspension going to bob on an out-of-saddle climb? 6 bolt disc and has HG freehub body for 11 speed cassettes. Starting with its road capabilities, the bike felt as road-orientated as a gravel bike can with 38 mm tyres. Then there are two additional models which bear the name Diverge EVO. 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.