The Diverge Base with a FACT 8r carbon frame, Future Shock 1.5 (without adjustable damping), SRAM Apex brakes and a mechanical 1×11 Apex drivetrain marks the entry into the carbon range. This guide will help you for sure: gravel bike buyers guide. The new Specialized Diverge now has clearances for tires up to 700 x 47C (700 x 42C with mudguards) or 650 x 54B, yet still maintains 6 mm of space on either side of the tire to clear mud and dirt. Read the new issue of GRAN FONDO Cycling Magazine now. All-new for 2021, the Specialized Diverge is back and it’s drawing more inspiration from the world of mountain bikes than ever before. What use is a bike that is stiff and aerodynamic if you can’t ride in the drops for more than 10 minutes? The Future Shock 2.0 system offers lots of comfort. Latest deals Our review The Specialized Diverge Comp Carbon is a hugely versatile carbon gravel bike that could be turned to almost any task The new … Do you want to know more about how other gravel bikes perform? Before developing a bike, designers have to figure out who they are building it for and where it will be used. Specialized operates on an aggressive product-development schedule. During our first ride review, we flogged it across the gravel tracks around Girona! If you want a bike to escape everyday stress on whichever paths you choose, be they road, gravel or trails, then the brand new Diverge is your perfect getaway vehicle! Who rides gravel and where do they ride? Solid components, which are able to cope with the rigours of continuous usage in any kind of weather, are part of the basic equipment. Leave the asphalt and compacted ground behind in favour of trails and the fun really begins – for you and the bike! In size 56, our test bike weighs 8.66 kg. Why do we actually ride bikes? Nonetheless, steering input is transmitted directly, meaning that the Diverge can always be moved around easily regardless of its length. Specialized is committed to suspending the rider and has been doing this since the early 1990’s with their first full-suspension FSR mountain bike design through to the CG-R micro-suspension seatpost. The Diverge EVO takes a different approach with flat bars and modified geometry to suit. The Specialized S-Works Diverge doesn’t just shine thanks to its great looks but also due to its incredible all-round handling. To do this, the reach has been lengthened, the head angle is slacker and the bottom bracket has been lowered. Specialized Diverge 2021 is a very interesting bike. 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. 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. Instead, it’s not the wheels that are suspended, but the rider themselves on top of the bike. It also climbs willingly and quickly, without robbing you of energy. Specialized have subscribed to the notion that a certain degree of suspension and comfort result in more speed overall. The new carbon seatpost, available with 0 or 20 mm offset is based on the Pavé seatpost from the Specialized Roubaix (click for review) and should help balance out the comfort generated at the front of the bike. )↩, … also known as bike riding. Get an overview of this group test: The best gravel-bike 2021 – 13 models on review, All bikes on review: 3T Exploro Race EKAR 1X13 (Click for review) | ARC8 Eero (Click for review) | BMC URS 01 ONE (Click for review) | Cannondale Topstone Carbon Lefty 3 (Click for review) | Canyon Grail CF SLX 8 eTap (Click for review) | Fustle Causeway GRX600 (Click for review) | OPEN WI.DE. It masterfully covers technically challenging terrain while delivering a confidence inspiring ride. THE ULTIMATE GETAWAY VEHICLE. If you want to tear up your home trails aboard the Diverge, you should make sure to keep enough pressure on your front wheel. I want to tell you about my experience, in case someone is evaluating to buy one. 2021 Specialized Diverge E5 Elite $ 1,699.00 Whether your goal is to escape on gravel back roads, far from cars and crowds, toe the start line at your first gravel race, or simply get the most versatile bike on the road or dirt, no bike is better than the new Diverge. Meet the Future Shock. The bottom bracket has been raised by 6 mm to improve ground clearance. It’s supposed to blur the boundaries of gravel bikes just that bit more, able to master most of the technical challenges you’re likely to face on the trails. The 700 x 38C Specialized Pathfinder tires roll fast on the road and work as good all-rounders on compacted ground. Reviews × Specialized S-Works Diverge Frameset - 2021 $4,200.00. Specialized Diverge Sport Carbon 2021: Review I bought a Diverge Sport Carbon MY 2021 in August and I run around 2.000km. We still see the potential for future developments in this area. With speed, control, and confidence on any terrain, Diverge is the most capable gravel bike ever made. Specialized Diverge E5 Elite Bike. The fork offset has been increased by 5 mm and the stem is short, meaning the length of the cockpit stays the same. When the road ahead is long and challenging, a smooth ride that delivers confidence, speed, and comfort is mandatory. Here, the various models on offer give you enough choice to choose your dream build. A quick overview of this group test: The best gravel bike 2021. Racer, Cruiser or Load Lugger, the Choice is Yours. Specialized has overhauled the Diverge for 2021. Fun guaranteed then! It is not a hardcore, racy gravel bike like Cervelo Aspero, but at the same time, it is not a fully off-road, MTB gravel bike like for example BMC URS. For the 2021 model year, Specialized redesigned their popular Diverge gravel bikes. 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. Words: Philipp Schwab, Benjamin Topf Photos: Benjamin Topf, Etienne Schoeman, Jojo Harper. The only real niggle is that the dropper post remote kept coming into contact with our testers’ thumbs while riding, especially as the question of whether you really need one on such a sporty bike will be very personal. It’s been roughly 14 years since the first Dirty Kanza gravel race in Kansas. Specialized’s answer is two wheels attached to what they see as the ultimate getaway vehicle – the brand new Specialized Diverge! Their do-everything gravel bike sees a completely redesigned frame, updated geometry, a new Future Shock 2.0, and increased tire clearance for up to 700 x 47mm and 650B x 2.1″ rubber. You can find more information about the Specialized Diverge at specialized.com. The Diverge is equipped with plenty of mounting points, accelerates quickly and rides well on the trails. Gravel. Size: 49 52 54 56 58 61Weight: 8.66 kgPrice: € 10,999. You wonder what tires to put on your gravel machine? It’s a guarantee for good times with an extra dose of security thrown in, making it suited to a wide range of riders. Seatpost X-Fusion Manic Dropper 0 mmBrakes SRAM RED 160/160 mmDrivetrain SRAM RED eTap AXS mit Eagle AXS XX1-Schaltwerk 42 (10–50)Stem S-Works Future Stem 100 mmHandlebar Easton EC70 AX 420 mmWheelset Roval Terra CLXTires Specialized Pathfinder Pro 38C, Size 49 52 54 56 58 61Weight 8,66 kgWheelsize 700C, Future Shock 2.0 suspension with damper in the steerer tubeSWAT box in the down tubeBolting points for mudguards and luggage racksBolt-on points on top of the top tube, on the underside of the down tube and on the fork; 2 per side. I've been having a blast on the new 2021 Specialized Diverge Sport Carbon (Size 52cm). But does that automatically make the Diverge the best gravel all-rounder of 2021? The new Diverge has the most progressive geometry ever created for a drop bar bike, giving riders a capable and stable bike in the dirt, that still feels responsive and nimble on the road. The Diverge is also somewhat heavy when compared to top-end carbon competitors. Question upon question that in the end, according to Specialized themselves, played a subordinate role in the development of the new Diverge. What does gravel mean exactly? The Specialized S-Works hits the sweet spot between asphalt and off-road performance. Compare prices, weights and specifications across models from the world's leading manufacturers including Giant, Trek, Cannondale, Specialized, Scott, Focus and more. How has the geometry changed in all those years and can the Diverge be both the perfect getaway vehicle and Haribo transporter? One thing should be obvious. The spec of the € 10,999 gravel bike is consistently geared towards performance, featuring a 1×12 SRAM RED eTap AXS drivetrain combining an Eagle AXS XX1 rear derailleur, 42 t chainring and 10–50 t cassette. Happy days! Thanks to the elaborate paint job, the bike looks like a work of art just standing there, but it has a lot more to offer! This is how our test riders unanimously describe the excellently balanced, road bike like handling of the Diverge. The best gravel bike on test – 13 bikes in direct comparison, quick acceleration and very high efficiency, direct and precise handling can overwhelm/tire out beginners. That lets you adjust the comfort up front to suit the current terrain you are on. What kind of gravel bike should it be? Instead of a hollow tube, the drive side chainstay around the area of the tire is solid. The only factors that might limit the speed of this gravel bike are the grip of the tires in very loose terrain or the rider’s skills. As long as you have enough power in your legs, you’ll easily shake off any annoying pursuers aboard the Diverge. Read on to find out. As the trails get rougher and thick roots are accompanied by large rocks, quite a few gravel bikes would start to reach their limits. While this allows experienced gravel fans to play with the terrain, beginners are likely to be overwhelmed, especially when riding downhill as the bike does not forgive any major errors, doing exactly what the rider tells it to. The position on the bike should be rather relaxed, the overall comfort high, so that the Afterwork Ride becomes a cure and not a curse. that takes the victory from the S-Works Diverge. Effort-joy ratio: 80:30 (not everything has to be 100%! The adjustable Future Shock 2.0 suspension is a decidedly useful development! This is the second-tier bike, with a 12-speed SRAM eTap Force/Eagle drivetrain, Roval Terra CL wheels and seatpost, and an Easton EC70 AX carbon bar. On the way are 52, 56, and 58cm 2021 Specialized Diverge E5 in sage green, $1100. SpecializedDiverge Pro Carbon- 2021. Our test bike, the Specialized S-Works Diverge 2021, came with the following kit: Groupset SRAM RED eTap AXS, 1 x 12, 42 t Cassette SRAM XG-1295 Eagle, 10–50 t Brakes SRAM RED Hydro, 160/160 mm Wheelset Roval Terra CLX, 25 mm inner width, 32 mm depth Tires Specialized Pathfinder Pro 700 x 38C Seatpost X-Fusion Manic Dropper Post, 50 mm travel Bars Easton EC70 AX Carbon, 420 mm Stem S-Works Future stem, 90 mm Weight 8.31 kg in size 56 Price € 9,999 Availability available now at your Specialized dealer. It delivers a smooth and confident ride over any terrain, while keeping the frame stiff and nimble for efficient power transfer and … Sound familiar? The Comp, Expert, Pro and S-Works models are available in size from 49 to 61. THE ALL-NEW DIVERGE. That wide array of options makes a lot of sense to cater to diverse needs. It’s been more than 30 years ago since the Specialized RockCombo 1989 first saw the light of day. Crank Boutique is the first website dedicated to road bike comparison. 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