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The fourth generation of the Specialized Diverge remains true to its roots. According to Specialized, it has "not reinvented the wheel", but has further sharpened its character as an adventure off-road bike with a few technical innovations. The most important updates include greater tyre clearance of up to 50 millimetres, a more voluminous storage compartment in the down tube and the latest version of the in-house suspension system under the stem. The Californians have also adapted the geometry to make the Diverge attractive to a large target group.
Specialised Diverge: The most important facts
- Weight of complete wheel (carbon): 8.0 to 10.0 kilogrammes
- Weight of complete wheel (aluminium): 10.6 to 10.7 kilogrammes
- Frame weight (carbon): 1150 grammes
- Stack/Reach/STR: 610/400 millimetres/1.53
- Max. tyre clearance: 50 millimetres
- Frame sizes: 49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61
- Prices (carbon): 3499 to 9999 Euro
- Prices (aluminium): 2299 to 2799 Euro
The motto "Smoother is faster", which Specialized first introduced on the long-distance Roubaix, continues to be applied to the Diverge. Like the latest version of the marathon bike, the gravel bike has now also been given the so-called Future Shock 3.0. The suspension below the stem is said to offer 20 millimetres of suspension travel. On the TOUR test bench, we measured a little less for the S-Works Roubaix SL 8, but the 15 millimetres with a test load of 40 kilograms is still very impressive. In practice, the system reacts particularly well to rough road bumps and irons them out.
Suspension like the Specialized Roubaix SL 8
The top version called Future Shock 3.3 also offers numerous adjustment options to adapt the hydraulic shock absorber to the surface and rider or system weight. Before the ride with different spring stiffnesses and preload discs, during the ride with a dial on the stem. The only catch: the full range of functions on the Diverge is only available on the two most expensive Pro and Pro LTD models. The carbon models Expert, Comp and Sport do without the wheel for adjusting the compression damping (Future Shock 3.2), while the aluminium platforms E5 Comp and E5 Sport do without a hydraulic cylinder (Future Shock 3.3). There is no lockout function to set the system completely rigid.
The suspension at the rear is complemented by a compliant carbon seatpost, which, according to Specialized, allows a maximum flex of 18 millimetres. Here too, the S-Works Roubaix SL 8 from our test serves as a reference, as both platforms share the same post from the in-house component brand Roval: For example, the comfort measurement at a standardised seat height of 750 millimetres and a test weight of 80 kilograms resulted in a flex of around eleven millimetres. A very good value, as also achieved by current models such as the Cannondale SuperX, Giant Revolt, Storck Grix.2 or Trek Checkmate achieve. The leader in this discipline to date also comes from Specialized: the Diverge STR yields up to 30 millimetres at the rear thanks to an integrated damper.
Greater tyre clearance rounds off the comfort approach of the new Diverge. This means that the gravel bike can be fitted with tyres up to 50 millimetres wide. Specialized also mentions the option of being able to ride the new model with maximum 56 millimetre wide rollers (2.2 inches). However, the US company also points out that this setup falls short of the ISO standard clearance of six millimetres. The necessary space for voluminous knobby tyres is created by longer chainstays with a cut-out. The models roll on 45-millimetre tyres from our own production as standard.
MTB influences frame geometry
In terms of geometry, the Californians have adapted their expertise from the MTB sector by making the reach proportionally longer from frame size 54 upwards. In combination with a short stem, this means less weight on the front wheel, which should benefit taller riders on steep descents or when changing direction quickly. At the same time, a slacker steering angle, longer wheelbase and lower bottom bracket indicate high directional stability and uncomplicated handling on rough terrain. The carbon and aluminium models are based on identical geometry.
However, the two platforms differ in terms of the so-called SWAT technology (Storage, Water, Air, Tools). While the Specialized Diverge in carbon features a slightly larger storage compartment with a revised lid compared to its predecessor, the aluminium versions adopt the system of the old model. According to Specialized, it should be "the first and only aluminium gravel bike with storage space in the down tube". However, shortly before the official launch, Rose pulled a fast one on the US-Americans and presented the Rose Backroad AL also an aluminium bike with a "boot". Attachment points for pannier rack and mudguards on the frameset as well as additional mounting eyelets on the top and down tube round off the Diverge's character as an adventure gravel bike.
The suspension, storage compartment and luggage options clearly set the versatile Diverge apart from the US manufacturer's competition-orientated Crux in terms of weight. The official total weight of 8.0 and 8.4 kilograms for the two top models (Pro LTD, Pro) is nevertheless remarkable in view of the additional functions mentioned. In the current test year, the Cannondale SuperX 2 with a weight of 8.4 kilograms is the lightest gravel bike on TOUR. For the simpler equipment variants with carbon frames (Expert, Comp, Sport), Specialized quotes complete bike weights of between 8.9 and 9.8 kilograms. The aluminium Diverge (Comp, Sport) is said to weigh 10.6 and 10.7 kilograms respectively.
Specialised Diverge: Features and prices
The latest addition to the Specialized portfolio starts at 2299 euros with an aluminium frame and 3499 euros with a carbon frame. The top model costs 9999 euros. Electronic groupsets from Shimano or SRAM including UDH technology are bolted onto bikes from €4499, while a build with carbon wheels costs at least €6299. All versions come with a single drivetrain and mountain-compatible gear ratios, but can also be retrofitted with a double crankset and front derailleur. Specialized is not offering a tuning version from the S-Works department for the time being.
Specialised Diverge E5 Sport
- Drive/gear shift: Shimano Cues (1x11; 40, 11-50 t.)
- Brakes: Shimano cues
- Tyres: Specialised Tracer TLR (45 mm)
- Impellers: Axis Elite Disc (aluminium)
- Spring system: Future Shock 3.1
- Weight: 10.7 kilogrammes
- Price: 2299 Euro >> available here
Specialised Diverge E5 Comp
- Drive/gear shift: SRAM Apex/Eagle (1x12; 40, 11-50 t.)
- Brakes: SRAM Apex
- Tyres: Specialised Tracer TLR (45 mm)
- Impellers: DT Swiss G540 (aluminium)
- Spring system: Future Shock 3.1
- Weight: 10.6 kilogrammes
- Price: 2799 Euro >> available here
Specialised Diverge Sport
- Drive/gear shift: Shimano GRX (1x12; 40, 10-51 t.)
- Brakes: Shimano GRX
- Tyres: Specialised Tracer TLR (45 mm)
- Impellers: DT Swiss G540 (aluminium)
- Spring system: Future Shock 3.1
- Weight: 9.8 kilogrammes
- Price: 3499 Euro
Specialised Diverge Comp
- Drive/gear shift: SRAM Apex/Eagle AXS (1x12; 40, 10-52 t.)
- Brakes: SRAM Apex
- Tyres: Specialised Tracer TLR (45 mm)
- Impellers: DT Swiss G540 (aluminium)
- Spring system: Future Shock 3.2
- Weight: 9.7 kilogrammes
- Price: 4499 Euro
Specialised Diverge Expert AXS
- Drive/gear shift: SRAM Rival XPLR AXS (1x13; 40, 10-46 t.)
- Brakes: SRAM Rival
- Tyres: Specialised Tracer TLR (45 mm)
- Impellers: Roval Terra C (Carbon)
- Spring system: Future Shock 3.2
- Weight: 8.9 kilogrammes
- Price: 6299 Euro
Specialised Diverge Expert Di2
- Drive/gear shift: Shimano GRX Di2 (1x12; 40, 10-51 t.)
- Brakes: Shimano GRX
- Tyres: Specialised Tracer TLR (45 mm)
- Impellers: Roval Terra C (Carbon)
- Spring system: Future Shock 3.2
- Weight: 8.9 kilogrammes
- Price: 6499 Euro
Specialised Diverge Pro
- Drive/gear shift: SRAM Force XPLR AXS (1x13; 40, 10-46 t.; Powermeter)
- Brakes: SRAM Force
- Tyres: Specialised Tracer TLR (45 mm)
- Impellers: Roval Terra CL (Carbon)
- Spring system: Future Shock 3.3
- Weight: 8.4 kilogrammes
- Price: 7999 Euro
Specialised Diverge Pro LTD
- Drive/gear shift: SRAM Red XPLR AXS (1x13; 40, 10-46 t.; Powermeter)
- Brakes: SRAM Red
- Tyres: Specialised Tracer TLR (45 mm)
- Impellers: Roval Terra CLX II (Carbon)
- Spring system: Future Shock 3.3
- Weight: 8.0 kilogramme
- Price: 9999 Euro
Julian Schultz
Editor
