ColonelSanders

I'm assuming the tyre compound and tread pattern of your 38's is different to that on thinner tyres you have previously tried on a road bike, so I am wondering how much that is slowing you down, versus just wider and/or heavier tyres?

bikebreak

I doubt it, for a good while I had 21mm tires on my road bike with 72.5mm BB drop. No issues, and I did some light off roading and hopped curbs.
That's right about the same BB height off ground as a Diverge with 80 drop and 28mm tires would get

scotjonscot

With 28’s it’d be a bb height of 255mm. A tad too low for my taste, but to each his own.

ATPAH

Actually, it's an 85mm BB drop, but that's not unheard of for road riding.

ruppster

I’ve not tried a Diverge, but 32c GravelKing SKs fit fine on a 2017 Roubaix just for a reference point. Mine measure 32.5 on the stock R470db wheels. It looks like a 33 could fit, but there would be very little clearance for mud, especially around the front derailleur arm. Depending on your gravel roads, that could be enough tire.

scotch

I rode a 2015 carbon comp for a few months last year. It had whatever tires came with it...32s maybe? Anyway, that rig was so fast, so stiff and so agile, I could pretty much dust most people on my weekly group ride. Honestly, those bikes are really nice, for road or off road. You can't really go wrong.

solbey11

I was kicking around the idea of selling my 2013 Allez Race DSW and getting a 2018 Roubaix base with Tiagra. But the more I look at the Diverge, I'm wondering if that's ideally what I'm looking for. My current thoughts are buying an absolute base model E5 and swapping my Sram Red 22 components over along with my saddle,seatpost,stem,handlebars. And with the base model costing $1000 MSRP, I could probably sell my Allez DSW frame and wheelset and come close to breaking even. Does that make sense to buy a brand new bike and hang all of my old components on it? It would definitely be an upgrade over the stock 8 speed Sora components.

I know the Diverge isn't a race bike but I'm not a racer. I'm finding more gravel/dirt/broken asphalt roads around my home and they aren't being kind to my Allez. Comfort isn't an issue but my 25mm tires aren't holding up well to the road surface. So I don't think losing the FutureShock will be an issue and without it, I may be able to dial my current fit in a little better without it as well.

I also like to use a Kinetic RoadMachine trainer from time to time when I don't have time to just go out and I've read a lot of comments saying it's safe to ride a carbon frame on a trainer, but Specialized doesn't recommend it. So the E5 frame will take the worry out of that issue. And also with the E5 frame, I will be able to pull my son's tag-along with it.

I will still primarily use the bike on the road but after reading Lazyass's comments about not being any slower on his Diverge makes me feel more comfortable about changing bikes.

Can anybody chime in and tell me if this is a stupid idea or not?

RideMyLeMond

I did a demo ride of about 25 miles on a 2018 Diverge Carbon Comp and really like the ride. The FS worked well and didn't get in the way when standing to climb or to sprint from a dead stop. The riding position is a little more relaxed than I'm used to, but as I'm on the down-hill slope after 60, I may just need this. I was originally looking @ the Carbon Comp, except it is set up with the 105 shifters/brakes and RD/FD. My sights were set on the Ultegra level of components, so I may opt for just the Carbon Sport and upgrade the these items plus the wheelset and the Bars and seatpost. Anybody have any ideas/input on which model; Comp or Sport would be better as a starting point for just wanting the frame-set and crank-set and go upscale from there? I'm thinking that I'd still top out above the Carbon Comp price, but have Ultegra and better wheels for not too much more, like ~3200 to 3500-ish. I'm thinking that it would be better to start from 2,100 than 3,000 to replace so much of the OEM setup. My other thought was just settle on the Carbon Comp learn to like the 105 setup.

brittex

Dear John, I just saw your post from about a year ago. I am also trying to decide between the 2019 Warbird and Diverge. The diverge has some grommets on the front fork in the 2019 model that will allow some light backpacking for longer rides. There are no shock absorbers. The diverge has the new shock (it came out in 2018\7 or 2018). I am wondering what decision you made, and any feedback will be helpful. I also will use this 60% of the time on the road. Thinking of Shimano 105 with two chainrings in front (unless one is recommended with another groupo). Please advise.