Hey! Im new to this world of bicycles. Im currently searching for a great bicycle to buy and keep for a few years.Would you recommend this bicycle for long distances?
One thing I don't like about the Diverge is the way the seat stay connects to the seat tube a couple of inches below the top tube. Maybe it's just an aesthetic thing, but is there a good performance reason for this?
Yeah! I just bought a used Specialized with a Future Shock and it has no spring in it. It still has the hefty one inside it, in the bottom but I had to order the lighter trimmer springs, plus headset spacers which are proprietary, at $4 PER SPACER. Mildly annoying though the future shock rocks.
Thanks for another great review. I'd like to know how you get all these recent models for review, when the industry keeps whining that everything is "oversold".
The bike brands are "oversold" but it's the bike retailers who have these bikes now. A good quality bike retailer has a steady supply coming in from ordering preemptively. In my case my local dealer has lots in-stock and tons arriving every week. Makes it nice because new bikes are flowing to check out.
@@Jamesthebikeguy My local Trek/Specialized/Bianchi dealer who's been in business over 20 years can't get anything. He ordered $100K worth of bikes, and says they likely won't appear until 2022. Do you know where I can get a Diverge 2X alloy 54cm?
I fitted the Specialized Plug and Play custom set of mudgards on my older Smartweld and I sounded like tin cans dragging down the road < nothing I could do would silence them. They were terrible .
That's a really tough call. I think the parts spec on the Trek is a little better, but I prefer the Specialized frame. Choose what matters more to you.
@@Jamesthebikeguy I have a 2013 Specialized Tricross Aluminum frame and the ride without the vibrations to my hands means a lot. Sounds like the Diverge would be the better for that reduction in hand numbness
@@Jamesthebikeguy Which bike is more comfortable to ride? Is it better to have the Future Shock or better to have the ISO speed in the handlebar and seat?
Checkpoint ALR or SL is a great option too... the finishing like internal routing on the forks is not there on the Trek. It is zip-tied I believe. The Specialized Future Shock is a good option. It is sold with 3 springs. The stiffest makes it closer to road performance and the softest suits gravel. But the headset cap which sticks out over the top tube related to the future shock is delicate and can break, accumulate dirt underneath (not expensive plastic though) during transport, etc - [SKU: S192500010 called as the ROUBAIX HEADSET CAP costs $3]. The tires (replaceable) on Diverge has smooth middle section which makes it roll fast, but the treads on the side give confidence in turns. Disc brakes on both give confidence! I wish the handlebars were more flared on either. But that is replaceable at your own cost unlike in Canyon Grail SL. Both Specialized and Trek sell all over the world. So there is a confidence that you can fix/maintain/replace things.
A few weeks ago I had the same question .The price for this bike with a carbon frame was higher than my budget I planned. But I wanted it ,-) and after a few rides I am very happy with this bike. It is my first Gravel Bike and I can`t compare with other Gravel Bikes, but in my opinion you will buy a very good bike. The Future Shock System, combined with the carbon frame, gives you a wonderful feeling riding in the woods. Sorry for my bad english, I need more practice.
The only reason you may want to pay higher ($2100 vs $2800... actually its bumped up higher now to $3300) for Carbon instead of Aluminum alloy is that the highest priced (with the GRX equivalent of Shimano 105) Al version (Diverge Comp E5) comes in a 1 BY instead of 2 BY. Otherwise, its a pound heavier at most, but makes our life so much easier in terms of worrying about handling it especially during transport ! The Aluminum version has a longer cable near derailleur which sticks out a little bit more - not desirable - it needed to be trimmed a tad shorter. This bike can double up for touring with wider tires and lower pressure and can be used for road biking with smaller tires or the stock tires at 80 psi itself (aerodynamics don't matter below 20 Mph - if at all !). But for touring, it may be good because it comes with all rack mounts. But one cannot take lenience with carbon the way you take with Aluminum. No 'clamping' stands. The choice of racks is fewer - no clamps here either. I read that Aluminum is isotropic but carbon can take loads only in directions it is designed to take loads. You have to be careful about over tightening bolts with Carbon though it may be occasional. The Specialized Future Shock is a good option. Stiffest makes it closer to road performance and softest suits gravel. The speed on Roubaix can be slightly higher due to different chain rings - but to me it did not matter. In fact, I prefer gravel chain rings for road, so I can do the climbs better and most of us cant ride over 30 Mph on flats. Even on a downhill, its not easy to max out the gears. But the headset cap which sticks out over the top tube related to the future shock is delicate, accumulate dirt underneath, and can break (not expensive plastic though) during transport, etc. [SKU: S192500010 called as the ROUBAIX HEADSET CAP costs $3]. General rule of thumb is to buy what you can replace! But pandemic pricing is 30% higher. So you might just want to buy Aluminum if you didn't mind the 1BY and 2-3 years later, buy Carbon if prices come down!
You have won my like and subscription with this one! Not even an hour ago I was researching if this exact drivetrain combo would work on my Surly Cross Check...and bam! You’ve confirmed it for us. Is that a factory option spec from Specialized? Or have you put this groupset together yourself? Cheers!
Weighs less once you pull all the reflectors off 😳. Not sure a truncated racing style saddle with steel rails is the best choice here. Would swap that out immediately.
@@Jamesthebikeguy Yes correct. A nice pair of HUNT wheels will help but it will set you back $1000. Considering the price of the bike the whole expenditure is a little steep. One can get the Giant Advanced 0 for less and it comes with carbon wheels.....But then again people have different preferences.
Shame on Specialized for spec’ing non-tubeless tires on a (not cheap!) gravel bike. 🤦♂️ What did they save by not mounting Pathfinder Pros? $8? Just creating more waste. A bad look for the company.
Hey! Im new to this world of bicycles. Im currently searching for a great bicycle to buy and keep for a few years.Would you recommend this bicycle for long distances?
One thing I don't like about the Diverge is the way the seat stay connects to the seat tube a couple of inches below the top tube. Maybe it's just an aesthetic thing, but is there a good performance reason for this?
More compliance for more shock absorption. Same design as their Sirrus hybrid frames.
James mentions it at 4:08 - enables compliance at the rear in addition to the futureshock 1.5 at the front. Sounds like a dream ride.
what sort of parts came with the bike? I just bought one but I didn't realize I'm missing the stem springs / spacers for modifications
Yeah! I just bought a used Specialized with a Future Shock and it has no spring in it. It still has the hefty one inside it, in the bottom but I had to order the lighter trimmer springs, plus headset spacers which are proprietary, at $4 PER SPACER. Mildly annoying though the future shock rocks.
Great review James! Diverge is one of my all time favorites. Order to delivery on a Comp carbon is about 6 months. I just checked the other day.
Ordering is quite a bit of time, but many shops you can get a pre-order done out of the bikes they already have coming in.
instaBlaster.
what are the two eyelets on the top tube for? you didn't finish your sentence. I've never seen a water bottle cage on the top tube.
Thanks for another great review. I'd like to know how you get all these recent models for review, when the industry keeps whining that everything is "oversold".
The bike brands are "oversold" but it's the bike retailers who have these bikes now. A good quality bike retailer has a steady supply coming in from ordering preemptively. In my case my local dealer has lots in-stock and tons arriving every week. Makes it nice because new bikes are flowing to check out.
@@Jamesthebikeguy My local Trek/Specialized/Bianchi dealer who's been in business over 20 years can't get anything. He ordered $100K worth of bikes, and says they likely won't appear until 2022. Do you know where I can get a Diverge 2X alloy 54cm?
Have you tried fitting any mudguards to the diverge? Any recommendations?
I fitted the Specialized Plug and Play custom set of mudgards on my older Smartweld and I sounded like tin cans dragging down the road < nothing I could do would silence them.
They were terrible .
Frame size 54? How tall are you? Thanks for reply:)
Debating between the Diverge Sport carbon and the Trek Checkpoint SL5. What are your thoughts?
That's a really tough call. I think the parts spec on the Trek is a little better, but I prefer the Specialized frame. Choose what matters more to you.
@@Jamesthebikeguy I have a 2013 Specialized Tricross Aluminum frame and the ride without the vibrations to my hands means a lot. Sounds like the Diverge would be the better for that reduction in hand numbness
@@Jamesthebikeguy Which bike is more comfortable to ride? Is it better to have the Future Shock or better to have the ISO speed in the handlebar and seat?
Checkpoint ALR or SL is a great option too... the finishing like internal routing on the forks is not there on the Trek. It is zip-tied I believe. The Specialized Future Shock is a good option. It is sold with 3 springs. The stiffest makes it closer to road performance and the softest suits gravel. But the headset cap which sticks out over the top tube related to the future shock is delicate and can break, accumulate dirt underneath (not expensive plastic though) during transport, etc - [SKU: S192500010 called as the ROUBAIX HEADSET CAP costs $3]. The tires (replaceable) on Diverge has smooth middle section which makes it roll fast, but the treads on the side give confidence in turns. Disc brakes on both give confidence!
I wish the handlebars were more flared on either. But that is replaceable at your own cost unlike in Canyon Grail SL. Both Specialized and Trek sell all over the world. So there is a confidence that you can fix/maintain/replace things.
I’m debating on a gravel bike and I might jump on this one. The real question is, do I need a damn carbon frame? No, but I want it.
Need is relative. The E5 Alloy frame a pretty good. IMO the E5 Comp and this Sport Carbon are the best deals on the 2021 Diverge
@@Jamesthebikeguy I have the Gen 2 aluminum bike. I like it a lot, but raising the BB and slacking out the fork souls like great updates.
A few weeks ago I had the same question .The price for this bike with a carbon frame was higher than my budget I planned. But I wanted it ,-) and after a few rides I am very happy with this bike. It is my first Gravel Bike and I can`t compare with other Gravel Bikes, but in my opinion you will buy a very good bike. The Future Shock System, combined with the carbon frame, gives you a wonderful feeling riding in the woods. Sorry for my bad english, I need more practice.
@@Jamesthebikeguy For this Bike in the video, is the stack and reach is same to roubiax?
The only reason you may want to pay higher ($2100 vs $2800... actually its bumped up higher now to $3300) for Carbon instead of Aluminum alloy is that the highest priced (with the GRX equivalent of Shimano 105) Al version (Diverge Comp E5) comes in a 1 BY instead of 2 BY. Otherwise, its a pound heavier at most, but makes our life so much easier in terms of worrying about handling it especially during transport ! The Aluminum version has a longer cable near derailleur which sticks out a little bit more - not desirable - it needed to be trimmed a tad shorter.
This bike can double up for touring with wider tires and lower pressure and can be used for road biking with smaller tires or the stock tires at 80 psi itself (aerodynamics don't matter below 20 Mph - if at all !). But for touring, it may be good because it comes with all rack mounts. But one cannot take lenience with carbon the way you take with Aluminum. No 'clamping' stands. The choice of racks is fewer - no clamps here either. I read that Aluminum is isotropic but carbon can take loads only in directions it is designed to take loads. You have to be careful about over tightening bolts with Carbon though it may be occasional. The Specialized Future Shock is a good option. Stiffest makes it closer to road performance and softest suits gravel. The speed on Roubaix can be slightly higher due to different chain rings - but to me it did not matter. In fact, I prefer gravel chain rings for road, so I can do the climbs better and most of us cant ride over 30 Mph on flats. Even on a downhill, its not easy to max out the gears. But the headset cap which sticks out over the top tube related to the future shock is delicate, accumulate dirt underneath, and can break (not expensive plastic though) during transport, etc. [SKU: S192500010
called as the ROUBAIX HEADSET CAP costs $3].
General rule of thumb is to buy what you can replace! But pandemic pricing is 30% higher. So you might just want to buy Aluminum if you didn't mind the 1BY and 2-3 years later, buy Carbon if prices come down!
Can this bike ride up small hills?
I ´m considering to buy this bike. Does 56 size fit you well? What is your high? Thx!
First Watching here from Emerald Princess - La Paz, Mexico (Anchorage).
I thought the 1.5 future shock has 20mm of travel?
Shoot, my mistake. Thanks for catching it!
You have won my like and subscription with this one! Not even an hour ago I was researching if this exact drivetrain combo would work on my Surly Cross Check...and bam! You’ve confirmed it for us.
Is that a factory option spec from Specialized? Or have you put this groupset together yourself?
Cheers!
Factory spec!
Correction. This bike has the GRX 600 groupset, not the 800. 600 has 46/30 front chainrings, 800 has 48/31.
It's a mix. Here are the official specs:
Shift Levers - Shimano GRX-600 hydraulic brake levers, mechanical shifting
Front Derailleur - Shimano GRX RX810, braze-on
Rear Derailleur - Shimano GRX RX810, 11-speed
Cassette - Shimano 105, 11-speed, 11-34t
Crankset - Shimano GRX RX600
@@Jamesthebikeguy exactly. This is the correct spec for the Sport Carbon.
738mm wide, sort of like a top fuel drag slick? Jk great review as always
Whoops good catch!
All diverges under 7K have a critical weakness . . . The Axis wheelset. Figure in 1000 to 1200 for some carbon wheels.
Weighs less once you pull all the reflectors off 😳. Not sure a truncated racing style saddle with steel rails is the best choice here. Would swap that out immediately.
Thats not a "racing saddle" and the truncated nose relieves pressure when you are in the drops.
The wheels are too heavy.
Great place to upgrade.
@@Jamesthebikeguy Yes correct. A nice pair of HUNT wheels will help but it will set you back $1000. Considering the price of the bike the whole expenditure is a little steep. One can get the Giant Advanced 0 for less and it comes with carbon wheels.....But then again people have different preferences.
Shame on Specialized for spec’ing non-tubeless tires on a (not cheap!) gravel bike. 🤦♂️
What did they save by not mounting Pathfinder Pros? $8?
Just creating more waste. A bad look for the company.
I suppose. Challenges when do you stop saying that they should have just gone a little bit further? Cuz at some point the bike ends up at $10,000
@@Jamesthebikeguy right in the bulls eye!
First Watching here from Emerald Princess - La Paz, Mexico (Anchorage).