Looking at Specialized Diverge for first time gravelbike and drop handlebars use?
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Specialized Diverge - for first time user of gravelbike?
Hello.
Looking to venture into the gravelbike world.
About two months ago I bought a hybrid bike(Scott Sub Cross 30), and fell in love with biking, probably 10-15 years since I did it last.
Anyway, been looking at the Specialized Diverge, what do the people on here think about the bike?
Will mainly be used for commuting to work, about 10km each way, which consist of about 80% road and 20% dirt/gravel and some recreational riding in my spare time, which probably will consist of 50/50 road/offroad biking.
As stated in the title, never used drop handlebars before, but i've had some testrides with bikes that have it now recently in shops around where I live, and it's for sure a different experience from what i've used too.
I know there are a lot of other gravelbikes around as well, but they are hard to find these days, I firstly fell in love with the Scott Speedster Gravel 30 and Scott Addict Gravel 30, mainly because of the color scheme, but they are nowhere to be found around my area at the moment.. So i'am open for other brands as well, but so far the color scheme on the Specialized Diverse Sport Carbon have caught my attention.
Looking to venture into the gravelbike world.
About two months ago I bought a hybrid bike(Scott Sub Cross 30), and fell in love with biking, probably 10-15 years since I did it last.
Anyway, been looking at the Specialized Diverge, what do the people on here think about the bike?
Will mainly be used for commuting to work, about 10km each way, which consist of about 80% road and 20% dirt/gravel and some recreational riding in my spare time, which probably will consist of 50/50 road/offroad biking.
As stated in the title, never used drop handlebars before, but i've had some testrides with bikes that have it now recently in shops around where I live, and it's for sure a different experience from what i've used too.
I know there are a lot of other gravelbikes around as well, but they are hard to find these days, I firstly fell in love with the Scott Speedster Gravel 30 and Scott Addict Gravel 30, mainly because of the color scheme, but they are nowhere to be found around my area at the moment.. So i'am open for other brands as well, but so far the color scheme on the Specialized Diverse Sport Carbon have caught my attention.
Last edited by Nitrius; 06-21-20 at 08:41 AM.
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The Diverge Sport Carbon is quite the bike to start out with for an entry into drop bar territory.
I dont do Specialized, but even I can acknowledge its a nicely spec'd bike.
The stack and reach measurements allow for some really big bikes in that line, which as a tall cyclist, I can say is pretty rare.
The bottom bracket drop is extremely aggressive compared to almost all other gravel bikes too. Its 10mm lower than what is probably the average and though that doesn't seem like a lot it can make you feel like you are riding more in the bike than on the bike. Neither style is good nor bad, its just a preference each of us had.
I dont do Specialized, but even I can acknowledge its a nicely spec'd bike.
The stack and reach measurements allow for some really big bikes in that line, which as a tall cyclist, I can say is pretty rare.
The bottom bracket drop is extremely aggressive compared to almost all other gravel bikes too. Its 10mm lower than what is probably the average and though that doesn't seem like a lot it can make you feel like you are riding more in the bike than on the bike. Neither style is good nor bad, its just a preference each of us had.
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@StarBiker never heard of that brand before, don't think it's something that's available over here either, can't say i've seen it in any store. Though I liked the look, and the price seemed nice.
mstateglfr Thanks, good information there, though what do you mean by bottom bracket drop? Is that when your holding the bottom grip on the drop handlebars? And if I may ask what bike do you ride? Open for other suggestions
mstateglfr Thanks, good information there, though what do you mean by bottom bracket drop? Is that when your holding the bottom grip on the drop handlebars? And if I may ask what bike do you ride? Open for other suggestions
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mstateglfr Thanks, good information there, though what do you mean by bottom bracket drop? Is that when your holding the bottom grip on the drop handlebars? And if I may ask what bike do you ride? Open for other suggestions
The larger the difference, more 'in' the bike you feel. The smaller the difference, the more 'on top of' the bike you feel.
mountain bikes have a small bottom bracket drop. Cyclocross have a medium amount. Road bikes have a bigger drop.
The Diverge has a lot. Again- there is no right or wrong when it comes to how much bottom bracket drop there is. Its just preference for how each of us wants to feel and ride. Some like sitting in the bike and some like sitting atop the bike.
I ride a Fairlight Secan frame that I built up. I love it, but some of its geometry is different from what is currently trendy/popular.
A Ribble CGR is one that i would consider if I were wanting a carbon frame gravel bike. Good value and i think it would be a nice mix of geometry overall.
Please dont read much into my comment that I'm not a fan of Specialized. As a whole, its a very good company that does extensive testing and quality control. Many friends ride the brand and all are loyal to it.
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I bought a Diverge 11 months ago and I love it. I'm riding mostly on paved roads, with some trail riding, typically 15-20 miles a day. I'm riding for exercise (not for transportation) and most of my riding is on the drops. The Diverge seems like a great "do everything" bike. It's good on the road, but also good off-road as long as things aren't too rough. As to the low bottom bracket, it makes the bike feel more stable because the center of gravity is lower, but I have had a few pedal strikes so I'm very conscious of keeping the pedal going into a turn up to avoid that. The bike is very comfortable. I've gone on a few rides over 50 miles (longest ride--62 miles) and have felt good afterward. My bike is a 2019 model and I believe the 2021 model has a higher bottom bracket. The 2020 frame is the same as the 2019 that I have, so there are slight differences between the 2020 and 2021 models. I'm guessing you're looking at a 2020 because the 2021 models are just coming out. I'm very happy with my Diverge.
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#9
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@StarBiker never heard of that brand before, don't think it's something that's available over here either, can't say i've seen it in any store. Though I liked the look, and the price seemed nice.
Here is another one of their excellent bikes
https://www.rei.com/product/159860/c...es-adv-23-bike
Yeah, your limited to what you can get. REI tried to have an international presence but it didn't work.
Bummer. I just checked, they won't ship their bikes internationally. I can walk to my local REI, and bike past it everyday.
Oh well. I would mention some other brands but your location might not work for them either.
Best of luck with your decision.
Last edited by StarBiker; 06-21-20 at 09:08 PM.
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I have been trying to get Diverge for a couple of months and it has been a real struggle to get what I want when I first started looking. I am now waiting to get the Diverge Comp E5 (aluminum frame w/ future shock).
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As I don't know which year Scott or Diverge colour interests you, can you give me the main colours you'd prefer in a frame?
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Diverge owner here. I have a 2019 Expert that I have grown to love over the last year and a half. The big knocks on the Diverge are the low bottom bracket and the durability of the future shock.
My future shock had to be replaced due to excess free play. The newer FS 1.5 it was replaced with was a definite improvement. I can only imagine how much better the FS 2.0 is. I helps knock down the chatter for you hands but it will never work as well as a real shock. I like it, and actually bought the bike because of the FS.
The low bottom bracket is a non issue as long as you don't want to run any technical single track. Narrow worn in trails and rock gardens are not very friendly for this bike. Pedal strikes are common for me. I don't ride that type of terrain often so when I do I just take easy and focus on avoiding rocks.
I just recently converted my bike from a 1x to a 2x because of this. The bike is a go-fast road oriented gravel bike. Use it in that context and you won't be disappointed one bit.
My recommendation is to buy a carbon model with the FS 2.0. As always, economics play unto your purchase so buy the best bike you can and upgrade what you may not like later on.
My future shock had to be replaced due to excess free play. The newer FS 1.5 it was replaced with was a definite improvement. I can only imagine how much better the FS 2.0 is. I helps knock down the chatter for you hands but it will never work as well as a real shock. I like it, and actually bought the bike because of the FS.
The low bottom bracket is a non issue as long as you don't want to run any technical single track. Narrow worn in trails and rock gardens are not very friendly for this bike. Pedal strikes are common for me. I don't ride that type of terrain often so when I do I just take easy and focus on avoiding rocks.
I just recently converted my bike from a 1x to a 2x because of this. The bike is a go-fast road oriented gravel bike. Use it in that context and you won't be disappointed one bit.
My recommendation is to buy a carbon model with the FS 2.0. As always, economics play unto your purchase so buy the best bike you can and upgrade what you may not like later on.
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But right now all the colors on the 2021 version of Specialized Diverge Sport Carbon is fine with me.
Bryan C. Thanks for sharing your experience with Specialized. So far it's still looking like the bike will be Diverge Sport Carbon, i've been in contact with a store that got a 2021 model, but they have a lot to do at the moment and the bike is not built yet. I know this bike is the step before you get FS 2.0, but it's quite the jump up in price for this here in Norway, so i'll have to do with FS 1.5 I think, though I have no idea if i'll like that system yet, as I haven't tested it.
Last edited by Nitrius; 06-23-20 at 12:01 PM.
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FaraCycling (Oslo). F/Gravel.
2x GRX 810 in fjord green.
2x GRX 810 in fjord green.
Last edited by tangerineowl; 06-23-20 at 09:24 PM. Reason: txt
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Look at the Canyon brand. First make sure they ship to your country. They have a 30 day return policy if you don't like the bike which you can't do with any other brand. The downside is you can't test ride before you buy. They offer a lot of bike for the money.
#20
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I have that model in the Moss Green color. It really looks great in the sunlite.
The bike is a great ride. I only do about 10% gravel so I swapped out the tires
for Schwalbe Marathon Plus.
The bike is a great ride. I only do about 10% gravel so I swapped out the tires
for Schwalbe Marathon Plus.
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Sounds like my Diverge (although the color looks more brownish, so maybe not the same color, but the color does come out in the sunlight). I also put Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires on my bike. I also ride mostly paved roads, but the bike and tires do very well on gravel. I've heard some complaints about those tires giving a harsh ride, but I rode someone else's Tarmac this morning and there was noticeably more road vibration on that bike, so maybe those tires work better in combination with the Diverge.
#22
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Late to see this thread. For the distance you are mentioning, the Diverge is quite a bike, at any model. I had the 2018 edition and just received a new 2021 edition. Both the carbon S-Works versions. Awesome bikes. I use for training and racing for longer events like Dk200, Barry Roubaix, etc. Solid reliable bike.
That said, I also have a Lynskey Pro GR (Titanium) that is my go-to commute bike. My commute is ~20 miles each way. I prefer not to take my nicer carbon bikes on my daily commute rides. (That said, working from home under COVID since 3/13/20). The future shock on the Diverge is great for gravel rides - especially long ones. For a short commute, mostly paved, not sure you really need it. You may save a little or get better components considering another rigid gravel type bike.
Just my $0.02
That said, I also have a Lynskey Pro GR (Titanium) that is my go-to commute bike. My commute is ~20 miles each way. I prefer not to take my nicer carbon bikes on my daily commute rides. (That said, working from home under COVID since 3/13/20). The future shock on the Diverge is great for gravel rides - especially long ones. For a short commute, mostly paved, not sure you really need it. You may save a little or get better components considering another rigid gravel type bike.
Just my $0.02
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Earlier version
Hello.
Looking to venture into the gravelbike world.
About two months ago I bought a hybrid bike(Scott Sub Cross 30), and fell in love with biking, probably 10-15 years since I did it last.
Anyway, been looking at the Specialized Diverge, what do the people on here think about the bike?
Will mainly be used for commuting to work, about 10km each way, which consist of about 80% road and 20% dirt/gravel and some recreational riding in my spare time, which probably will consist of 50/50 road/offroad biking.
As stated in the title, never used drop handlebars before, but i've had some testrides with bikes that have it now recently in shops around where I live, and it's for sure a different experience from what i've used too.
I know there are a lot of other gravelbikes around as well, but they are hard to find these days, I firstly fell in love with the Scott Speedster Gravel 30 and Scott Addict Gravel 30, mainly because of the color scheme, but they are nowhere to be found around my area at the moment.. So i'am open for other brands as well, but so far the color scheme on the Specialized Diverse Sport Carbon have caught my attention.
Looking to venture into the gravelbike world.
About two months ago I bought a hybrid bike(Scott Sub Cross 30), and fell in love with biking, probably 10-15 years since I did it last.
Anyway, been looking at the Specialized Diverge, what do the people on here think about the bike?
Will mainly be used for commuting to work, about 10km each way, which consist of about 80% road and 20% dirt/gravel and some recreational riding in my spare time, which probably will consist of 50/50 road/offroad biking.
As stated in the title, never used drop handlebars before, but i've had some testrides with bikes that have it now recently in shops around where I live, and it's for sure a different experience from what i've used too.
I know there are a lot of other gravelbikes around as well, but they are hard to find these days, I firstly fell in love with the Scott Speedster Gravel 30 and Scott Addict Gravel 30, mainly because of the color scheme, but they are nowhere to be found around my area at the moment.. So i'am open for other brands as well, but so far the color scheme on the Specialized Diverse Sport Carbon have caught my attention.
The future shock is a really nice feature that while I don't have it on the Diverge, I do have it on it's carbon cousin the Roubaix. Takes the edge off nicely.