Diverge 2018
#76
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The 54cm '18 headtube is 9mm taller, wheelbase 6mm longer, and there was a couple of other things. The HT length alone is a no go for me. My bars are already 1/2 inch higher than I normally have, and the stem is slammed. Love the thru axles, though. That alone is almost worth upgrading.
Though doesn't taller headtube is to compensate for the future shock unit? HT length is an odd one, even comparing between the 2017 Diverge 54s and 56s, I'm just surprised at how big the difference is.
I guess the biggest issue for you will be the bars already 1/2 higher than you normally have. If it's worth anything, I think I saw some pro 2017 Roubaix went for negative stem to offset the height of the future shock, but it's not a pretty sight
+1 on thru axles, that's why I waited for the 2018 model instead of getting the 2017 model with SCS
#77
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Head tube length alone does not tell the whole story since it doesn't account for BB drop. Stack height is what gives a complete picture of your position on the bike, and they are wildly different from the previous one. 23mm taller stack height increase from the old bike is crazy. That's almost an inch taller! The 613 number doesn't look right since the carbon HT is only 15mm taller than the aluminum (which also doesn't seem right considering they look the same in pics), but Specialized assures that the published numbers are correct, which doesn't bode well.
2018 vs. 2017
Stack: 613 vs. 590 mm
2018 vs. 2017
Stack: 613 vs. 590 mm
Last edited by vinuneuro; 06-16-17 at 11:58 AM.
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Aah, I never did this comparison before (cause this time I'm planning to sell my first gen Giant Anthem for either a Diverge or Roubaix), so never realise the usual BB drop for an average road bike. And you mention pedal strike tendencies cause of the low BB, but wouldn't during turning, we'll raise up our left or right leg depending on the direction we turn to so the tendencies to pedal strike is pretty much null??
May not be an issue for many, but it is a very notable difference in stock form and even more so if people toss on regular sized road wheels.
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I'm not a fan of the increase in stack for 2018. I think stack is now measured taking the FS into account.
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Head tube length alone does not tell the whole story since it doesn't account for BB drop. Stack height is what gives a complete picture of your position on the bike, and they are wildly different from the previous one. 23mm taller stack height increase from the old bike is crazy. That's almost an inch taller! The 613 number doesn't look right since the carbon HT is only 15mm taller than the aluminum (which also doesn't seem right considering they look the same in pics), but Specialized assures that the published numbers are correct, which doesn't bode well.
2018 vs. 2017
Stack: 613 vs. 590 mm
2018 vs. 2017
Stack: 613 vs. 590 mm
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Yeah, I kind of agree with this. It's looks to me like it's clearly a gravel bike, whereas the previous iteration was more of a versatile road bike with off-road sensibilities. I suppose it makes sense from a marketing perspective, but it makes the new Diverge much less appealing to me. I may look for a 2016 if there are any models left that would work for me.
One thing I'll grant though: the new models have way more appealing colour schemes!
One thing I'll grant though: the new models have way more appealing colour schemes!
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Here is a visual comparison of the 2017 Elite DSW and the 2018 E5 Comp with Futureshock:
#86
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I completely understand the concern some who prefer a low, racing position have with the increased stack height on the new Diverge. But for me, that is one of the best features of this new model (along with the Future Shock) and has me seriously considering buying one instead of the Sequoia I had been planning on. The stack on the 58 Diverge is roughly the same as what I have currently on my Large AWOL and on my custom Zukas road bike. I prefer a more upright bar position for gravel riding, plus, my neck mobility is severely limited requiring even my road bike's handlebar to be just a hair under saddle height so I can see farther ahead than just beyond my front tire.
Last edited by BluesDawg; 06-16-17 at 08:18 PM.
#87
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The cartridge offers 20mm of travel between the stem and head tube, and adds 25mm to the bike’s stack height, but the head tube length is well judged to still allow for an aggressive position.
Mountain biking legend, former World Champion and Specialized Ambassador, Ned Overend — who has lost little of his speed and love of cycling — was at the launch and talked to us about the Diverge. He assessed it as a blast to ride quickly both on- and off-road, with an overall mass and tough accelerative wheelset that, with a tyre swap, wouldn’t be outpaced on fast road rides.
From our initial experience aboard the S-Works Diverge, we can’t disagree with Overend, but we will organise a more extensive test of the new Diverge as soon as possible.
Guess we have to wait for more reviews to see if Spesh nailed the geometry of the new Diverge, especially with the non-S-Works model as it's heavier than the previous model Diverge.
Talking about weight, it seems no one knows what the other models weigh as I only see the S-Works which is at 8.4kg (with Dropper)
My est. would be
~9.2kg for the carbon models
~10kg for the alu models?
Last edited by wheelhot; 06-17-17 at 03:39 AM.
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I completely understand the concern some who prefer a low, racing position have with the increased stack height on the new Diverge. But for me, that is one of the best features of this new model (along with the Future Shock) and has me seriously considering buying one instead of the Sequoia I had been planning on. The stack on the 58 Diverge is roughly the same as what I have currently on my Large AWOL and on my custom Zukas road bike. I prefer a more upright bar position for gravel riding, plus, my neck mobility is severely limited requiring even my road bike's handlebar to be just a hair under saddle height so I can see farther ahead than just beyond my front tire.
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Yes, that's a downer. And is it just cosmetic?
So for the 2018 Elite you get inferior welding, possibly inferior, heavier frame; and the same components as the 2017 Elite. Downgrade rather than upgrade. And for the same price! One would think the lack of DSW and the switch to standard wheels would lower the price rather than raise it.
So for the 2018 Elite you get inferior welding, possibly inferior, heavier frame; and the same components as the 2017 Elite. Downgrade rather than upgrade. And for the same price! One would think the lack of DSW and the switch to standard wheels would lower the price rather than raise it.
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The E5 Comp, which is the one I'm considering (along with the 2017 Elite DSW), had this written about it by CyclingAbout:
I'm not sure where they're getting the weight figures from, though.
From Cyclist:
The best value-for-performance bike in the range has to be the Diverge Comp E5. You’re still getting the 20mm Future Shock and Shimano’s midrange 105 11-speed groupset. This model employs the brilliant TRP Spyre cable disc brakes which are known to be the best cable brakes around. The Praxis Alba crankset yields a 1:1 climbing ratio (26.8 gear inches) and the wheels are the same as those on the US $3000 Diverge Comp Carbon. All Diverge aluminium models come with 30mm wide tyres, presumedly so that they can be marketed as ‘capable’ road bikes too. Total weight is 9.80kg (21.6lbs) in size 54cm.
From Cyclist:
Verdict: The innovative Specialized Diverge makes a leap forward to encompass virtually all the terrain you could imagine while remaining a road bike at heart.
...
I had the opportunity on my first ride of the Specialized Diverge to ride on fast roads, on technical gravel and even mountain bike trails in the hills of New Jersey.
The Diverge feels immediately like a nicely finished and highly tuned bike. The sizing is much in line with the Roubaix, with the Future Shock creating a high front end, while the wide tyres and lay-up choices all contribute to a very smooth ride.
The surprising impression with the Diverge is the responsiveness of the bike even with wide tyres at low psi. It is a strikingly light bike for its class, while the stiffness of the rear end sees it leap up to speed with impulses of power.
...
Moving over to the road, the Specailized S-Works Diverge is capable on the tarmac, even with the wide tyres at a low pressure. It cruises happily without any real sense of drag or sluggishness.
Much like the Open U.P, the Diverge offers a huge amount of fine tuning with regards to wheel and tyre choice. Trimming the tyres down to 32mm would make a big difference to the overall speed.
I would be eager to put the Diverge to the test on a narrower tyre width at higher pressure to see how it fares against serious endurance bikes.
Given the weight and the all around stiffness, I’m confident that it would be able to sit happily in amongst a decent paced group ride.
...
I had the opportunity on my first ride of the Specialized Diverge to ride on fast roads, on technical gravel and even mountain bike trails in the hills of New Jersey.
The Diverge feels immediately like a nicely finished and highly tuned bike. The sizing is much in line with the Roubaix, with the Future Shock creating a high front end, while the wide tyres and lay-up choices all contribute to a very smooth ride.
The surprising impression with the Diverge is the responsiveness of the bike even with wide tyres at low psi. It is a strikingly light bike for its class, while the stiffness of the rear end sees it leap up to speed with impulses of power.
...
Moving over to the road, the Specailized S-Works Diverge is capable on the tarmac, even with the wide tyres at a low pressure. It cruises happily without any real sense of drag or sluggishness.
Much like the Open U.P, the Diverge offers a huge amount of fine tuning with regards to wheel and tyre choice. Trimming the tyres down to 32mm would make a big difference to the overall speed.
I would be eager to put the Diverge to the test on a narrower tyre width at higher pressure to see how it fares against serious endurance bikes.
Given the weight and the all around stiffness, I’m confident that it would be able to sit happily in amongst a decent paced group ride.
Last edited by curttard; 06-17-17 at 09:07 AM.
#93
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You can get the bars above the saddle on the old Diverge if you want. It doesn't have a low racing position. I'm 5'10" with a 33 inch inseam on a 54 when most people my size would be on a 56 and the top of the hoods are actually level with the saddle with the stem slammed.
I'm strongly considering the Diverge Sport Carbon. I have a set of Roval carbon 29er wheels I can use (with a 15mm-12mm reducer shim from MTB Tools) and I was already building a set of 650b wheels with WTB i23 Frequency rims and a generator front hub. The 10 speed Tiagra is a good enough component set. If I like the bike enough, I might consider upgrading to a Campagnolo Potenza hydro group and a White Industries crank a year or so down the line.
Last edited by BluesDawg; 06-18-17 at 03:01 AM.
#94
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Yes, that's a downer. And is it just cosmetic?
So for the 2018 Elite you get inferior welding, possibly inferior, heavier frame; and the same components as the 2017 Elite. Downgrade rather than upgrade. And for the same price! One would think the lack of DSW and the switch to standard wheels would lower the price rather than raise it.
So for the 2018 Elite you get inferior welding, possibly inferior, heavier frame; and the same components as the 2017 Elite. Downgrade rather than upgrade. And for the same price! One would think the lack of DSW and the switch to standard wheels would lower the price rather than raise it.
Both DSW and the 2018 Diverge uses E5, so the aluminium quality will be the same. But yeah, if you're not going for the future shock model, based on the chart I posted, the DSW model will be a better buy (cause of the components as well), though you'll end up with QR SCS on the rear and even less tyre clearance.
Compliance wise I think both will be the same as the dropped seat stays in 2018 Diverge is a proven design and not only by Spesh, even BMC and etc. has similar dropped seat stay, not to mention, it's thinner which naturally means more flex.
So all in all, the noticeable difference will probably be cosmetic and probably a few hundred grams heavier between, E5 DSW and E5
---
Btw, how sure are you that cyclist tested the E5 Diverge and not 9r Diverge?
#95
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Hmm, in terms of stack and reach number, the 2018 Alu Diverge is quite similar to 2017 Diverge.
Also I'm still waiting for the official weight, I'm guessing the site that reported the weight is estimating it based on past year Diverge and S-Works Diverge
The pros for 2018 Diverge is it seems all models will be able to mount racks front and rear whereas 2017 only DSW is able to mount rear racks
Also I'm still waiting for the official weight, I'm guessing the site that reported the weight is estimating it based on past year Diverge and S-Works Diverge
The pros for 2018 Diverge is it seems all models will be able to mount racks front and rear whereas 2017 only DSW is able to mount rear racks
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Some more shots of the E5 Comp
https://www.chainreaction.co.nz/collections/new-2018-specialized-diverge
What do you think?
https://www.chainreaction.co.nz/collections/new-2018-specialized-diverge
What do you think?
#97
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If I wanted a new one I would get an E5 Comp. Flat mounts are another plus. I would like to test ride one and see how it compares on the road.
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New geometry
The Diverge gets a more stabile Open Road geometry good for gravel and rough roads. With a bottom bracket that's over a half centimeter lower, a slacker head angle, shorter chainstays and shorter wheelbase, the new Diverge is not only fun in the gravel, but also performs well on the road.
They say it has shorter chainstays and wheelbase, but they're longer.
The Diverge gets a more stabile Open Road geometry good for gravel and rough roads. With a bottom bracket that's over a half centimeter lower, a slacker head angle, shorter chainstays and shorter wheelbase, the new Diverge is not only fun in the gravel, but also performs well on the road.
They say it has shorter chainstays and wheelbase, but they're longer.
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Not sure if you saw my post on Page 3, but the 2018 Carbon Diverge has the same wheelbase as 2017 Diverge, with the exception of 2018 Alu Diverge being 3mm longer.
Both the Carbon and Alu has a longer chainstay than the 2017 models, but that is expected due to the increase tyre clearance.
Both the Carbon and Alu has a longer chainstay than the 2017 models, but that is expected due to the increase tyre clearance.