Specialized Diverge

108 replies · 45,264 views

frontrangegravel
453 posts
#1Jul 16, 2014, 8:33 AM
Specialized just launched a new all roads oriented bike, the Diverge.
What are your thoughts?

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0
BluesDawg
198 posts
#2Jul 16, 2014, 10:42 PM
That picture and those specs are for the A1 aluminum version of the bike which is pretty close to the current Sectuer Disc. The more interesting versions of the Diverge are the smartweld aluminum and the carbon versions which feature lower BB drop and hydro disc brakes. They basically look like a wide tire, disc brake Roubaix. I'm a little disappointed in the reported 35mm max tire width, but that will work fine with all but the roughest gravel roads while still working well on pavement.

1
jwarkins
3 posts
#3Jul 18, 2014, 9:12 AM
Any idea on pricing yet?
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joecoolboyz
3 posts
#4Dec 6, 2014, 10:40 PM
I went ahead and pulled the trigger and got this bike. In a week I should have the Diverge Carbon Comp. I ordered back in October so if you're thinking about getting this bike by a certain time you might think again. Last I heard it could be february before you get ahold of another one.

I'll post thoughts on this after I give it a couple of rides.
2
Walt Brown
210 posts
#5Dec 16, 2014, 8:30 PM
Looking forward to your review, Ive been considering the Smartweld version and the Carbon GT Grade
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Walt Brown
210 posts
#6Apr 1, 2015, 9:37 AM
I plan to test ride the A1 later today.
1
henrypretz
67 posts
#7Apr 1, 2015, 2:42 PM
Let us know what you think of it!
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joecoolboyz
3 posts
#8Apr 1, 2015, 11:38 PM
Love this thing!

So I posted awhile back about getting it. turns out there was a delay then I got lazy ect...
Sorry for no posts when I said I would.

First know that this is my first upscale bike. My first bike was a spec hardrock 29er very basic so actually having hydraulic disc brakes is nice. anyways

I got the Diverge Carbon Comp. I'll let you read the specs. Mine is black and I didn't know it came in red otherwise I would have gotten that one (red ones are faster). The bike is fast! Everything about the oversized chain stays is true there is a lot of stiffness in the crank and chainstay region and this thing can go. But it's also comfy. I had to switchout saddles as the stock saddle didn't have enough padding for my rump (or lack of one). But the cobl gobl'r seatpost works like a charm. I've riden some very rough dirt roads and some worse city streats and I feel fine even after 3+ hrs.

The tires (and maybe wheels) are probably where it's missing it comes with the spec roubaix gripton tires with no tread. This hurts on dirt and loose gravel but I don't mind (tell ya why in a bit). Again I'm fairly new to cycling but I feel like wider rims and maybe a better tire selection would be appropriate.

I got the special frame box that Spec sells for this model and a few mtn bikes. It was a waste of money but I've wasted money in worse ways so I'm not sour.

My biggest peeve is the tires but also it's very nice as well. I bought this bike intending it to do 2 things I wanted a bike to do gravel events (I'm signed up for the Dirty Kanza half pint). As well as road events (also doing the BAK) so it's alright if it has slicks on it because that's what I'll be riding at least half of the time. So I'll be maybe buying some wheels and tires in the future but I'm not sour about this as well.

If you have questions about specifics let me know I can maybe answer some of them.
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Walt Brown
210 posts
#9Apr 2, 2015, 5:58 PM
I thought it was a good bike. It's more of an endurance bike that can do gravel than a gravel bike, thus the slick tires. It's chainstay is also shorter than most gravel bikes and therefor quick. I think it's a good all purpose bike, great for someone who will use it on roads 80% of the time and do some off road once in awhile. If someone wants a bike just for gravel I think they'd be better off with one of the Raleigh's. My biggest complaint is the price. A Tiagra version GT Grade is about $200 less. Granted, I think the Diverge is much better looking and there's far more Specialized LBSs out there to support you. The killer for me is having to go upto $2700 for a Shimano 105 equipped aluminum bike, even if it's Smartweld. The A1 is a little on the heavy side, 58 weighing in at 24 lbs. \n \nI'll probably go with the Trek 720, which I can get for about $1800. Geo wise it's like an Endurance bike, has 105 11 speed Groupset, HYRD brakes and weighed in around 21 lbs. It can take at least 32s for tires which is good enough for the gravel I'd do here in New England.
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Walt Brown
210 posts
#10Apr 2, 2015, 7:02 PM
My first ride, all on road, was pretty harsh. When I got back to BS they checked the tire pressure, it was at 100 PSI. They lowered it to 70 PSI. The same ride was much better. Lesson learned, tire pressure has a lot to do with it.
0
levity
44 posts
#11Apr 4, 2015, 6:13 PM
How large a tire can be squeezed into the Diverge carbon frame?
The OEM Roubaix 700x30/32 tires have a lot of clearance, so a larger tire with more volume and tread could be used for rough terrain. How much larger? To find out I mounted a set of Continental SpeedRide 700x42 tires (from my CAADX) on the Diverge Axis 4 wheels. The Roubaix tires came off easily due to the deep center channel in the Axis 4 rim. The wheels were also tubeless-ready with a full rim strip.

The Conti’s mounted easily, without levers, but required >70 psi to fully seat on the tall rim shelf. Not sure how this might affect changing a flat in the field. The tires, which measured 40mm wide, just did fit.

The tire molding nipples touched the frame with tight clearance in the fork, seatstays and chainstays being similar (~2mm clearance above and on each side). No room for mud or debris, and the tire would likely rub if the tire or rim went the slightest bit out of true.
Based on this I think the widest tire you can safely run is about 36mm. This is probably fine since the bike is more roughroad than dirt-sand-knarly gravel oriented.
For a bit more volume and tread than the Roubaix tires offer, one can use Continental Cyclocross 700x 35 tires (a set I have measure 36mm wide) or Specialized Trigger Pro 700x33 (the set on my wife’s bike measure 35mm wide). The heavy duty Specialized Trigger Pro 700x38 tires are also an option since they’ve been reported to be only 35mm wide (http://www.cxmagazine.com/specialized-trigger-pro-38c-2bliss-tire-review). There are several knobby cyclocross tires in the 32-34mm wide range that would also fit, but these seem to diverge from the bike’s intended purpose.
levity
44 posts
#12Apr 6, 2015, 11:10 PM
How about a 700x35 tire?
Mounted Continental Cyclocross 700x35 tires (measured width 36mm) on the Axis 4 rims, and they fit in the frame fine. The front tire has 4mm clearance on each side between the fork legs and 12mm to the fork crown.

The rear tire is a shade tighter, with about 3 mm between the sides of the tire and the seat and chainstays. Tire height was OK with 9mm to the seatstay bridge and 11mm to the seattube.

FWIW, I’m liking the 5mm hex-keyed thru axles. Simple and fast to insert and tighten with a T-type Allen wrench in the garage (no guesswork or adjusting lever positions), and easy enough with a regular 5mm hex key in the field. Very clean w/o levers sticking out.
2
fergnago
3 posts
#13Apr 10, 2015, 4:01 AM
Thanks for the info re tyre width. I bought a set of conti speed ride and found that the rear tyre rubbed on front derialier and frame. Will change to the cyclocross in 35 m size. \nI ride mostly forestry gravel roads and find the roubaix tyres fine but expect when winter kicks in May need something with a bit more tread.
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Walt Brown
210 posts
#14Jun 6, 2015, 8:38 PM
I test road the Carbon version for a couple of hours. It was all road but boy did it cruise. I road a favorite rail trail and PRd 15 times. I road so hard I began to cramp my legs, a first for me. What an incredible bike. They let me keep it over night, so I'll try some off road stuff in the morning.
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Walt Brown
210 posts
#15Jun 6, 2015, 8:38 PM
How did it do in Dirty Kanza?
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Walt Brown
210 posts
#16Jun 7, 2015, 1:01 PM
Truly an amazing bike. I've never ridden so fast. Tour up gravel without a problem.
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Walt Brown
210 posts
#17Jul 10, 2015, 10:31 PMedited
Looks like they'll offer a 2016 Smartweld Tiagra version. Should drop the price down some.
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Walt Brown
210 posts
#18Jul 17, 2015, 9:05 AM
Price on 2016 dropped considerably, now $1500 for Smartweld w/ new Tiagra and Spyres. Great looking bike IMO.
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levity
44 posts
#19Aug 17, 2015, 10:39 PMedited
I completed the switch to non-SCS wheels with carbon rims, and have the original Diverge Axis 4.0 disc wheels with disc rotors available if anyone is interested in a second wheelset. Located in So. Calif., but can ship conUS. Please contact me by PM. SOLD
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Walt Brown
210 posts
#20Oct 30, 2015, 3:12 PM
Looking forward to test riding the Smartweld version this weekend! Hoping my bike search will come to an end.
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