Specialized invents the hybrid bike
 

The Diverge Evo is flat bar gravel bike with fatter tires and a dropper post - a mountain bike / gravel bike hybrid!

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...528b5a222b.jpg
https://bikepacking.com/news/2021-specialized-diverge/

A 90s mountain bike is now the new advanced technology. We've come a long way baby

Look at the range of that drivetrain. Tiny front crank, gigantic cassette

So hybrids will be considered "cool" now? You know, like they had to invent a new name for drop bar hybrids because "gravel bike" sounds so much cooler than a "Fred machine".

I think we will see more bikes just like this in the future.

Everything old becomes new again

That was my first thought when I saw the pic and before I read your comment. "We've gone full circle..the 90s rigid comes back with some juicing up to fit modern trends"

I'd guess it's lighter than the old 90s lower-end bikes, but the very good 90s models can still be had..for very low money and would probably compete with this bike very well in specs and performance.

Oh I like it, she's a Beaut. But the bike weight savings not worth it to the $1,600-$2,600 wallet shaving my lollygagging style would warrent. My Montague X70 with a Surly Troll solid fork just fine. To the Hammers out their looks like a sweet ride in the right hands.

How is this one different from a "29-er" with a cost-reduced single chainring setup?

I hope that those shifters and brake levers are functional because they sure look clunky.

Although I agree with those saying this is a rehash of old technology, I think it's good to have some new bikes available in this category. The majority of new mountain bikes seem to be focused on more and more slack geometry and suspension designed for very rough and aggressive terrain. Gravel and other relatively smooth trail riding is really gaining popularity as you don't need to deal with the distracted drivers and poor infrastructure in most areas for road cycling and can enjoy a more scenic environment while covering extended distances and not dealing with major obstacles. Older mountain bikes were fantastic for this, but not everyone already has one, and lots of people buy and like new bikes.

These bikes that are enjoyable on anything but hardcore trails are great. I own a Salsa Cutthroat which has drop bars and a little more tire clearance but has been serving this niche for quite a while. For many people, a flat bar is preferable, especially if they aren't planning to ride longer distances where different hand positions become more beneficial.

I don't think Specialized is claiming to have invented something new, simply continued the progression of morphing characteristics of road bikes and mountain bikes together to meet the changing desires of riders.

I said early 90's MTB first time I saw it, but I could see hybrid as well.

I think this is a good bike setup, a lot of modern bike design has gone off in left field or into very specialized areas most people just don't need.

Throw a 1x on it and use future shock vs headshock and you've got Marketing :thumb:

That’s hydraulic brake levers for ya. Many of them are so ugly that you have to hang a pork chop around them to get the dog to play with them;)

That’s not a “90’s hardtail”. It’s an 80s rigid.

That bike is still out in left field. It just isn’t watching bugs in left field like so many modern bikes are.

I only occasionally lurk on the Gravelbike Forums but I have run across the idea of putting suspension on gravel bikes. When you do that, what is the difference between that and a mountain bike? My “gravel bike” is a Moots YBBeat
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...97918eced.jpeg

with suspension front and rear. My “gravel” tends to run more towards the larger size...

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...947cc11c_k.jpgUntitled by Stuart Black, on Flickr

If the suspension is 60mm or less, then it's a gravel bike. If it's 61mm or more, then it's a mountain bike.

So would my old mountain bike with a first generation Manitou suspension fork be a mountain bike or a gravel bike?

Frankly, I thought the whole idea of a gravel bike was the rugged simplicity without suspension...kind of like the rigid mountain bike I put that first gen Manitou on.

Finally, the YBB has 100 mm of suspension on the front and about 40mm in the back. Mountain bike? Gravel bike? Both? Neither?

I think people are being unnecessarily harsh on Specialized. I personally love the idea of a proper hybrid. The dropper post might be a bit much, but my first “real bike” was a front suspension hybrid. It absolutely sucked - but that was because I paid $350 for it from bikesdirect.

For people who do a majority of slow or offroad riding and don’t ride in packs, a hybrid with clearance for MTB tires if necessary makes a lot of sense.

I’ve done a couple of black diamond trails on my hybrid. I pinch flatted a bunch (no TL, small 45mm tires), I knocked the wheels out of true, and the crappy mechanical brakes didn’t work even on flat roads. A hybrid with good tires and modern tech would fix almost all the issues I had.

I’d argue that most of the fun of MTBing is being underbiked. How many people buying these 150-180mm full suspension, 2.6” tire, DH geometry bikes actually ride EWS level courses and have the need to go as fast as possible?

I’ve taken my rim brake crit bike with carbon race wheels and 25mm race tires on rocky singletrack with few issues. I can’t imagine how boring it must be to lug around a shred sled everywhere.

If it has 26 inch wheels - mountain bike.

I agree. I don't think the suspended gravel bikes will be very popular. I do think this "flat bar gravel bike" style will be popular.

If either the front or the back has more than 60mm travel - mountain bike.

well, at least they got it right by using a 68mm BSA bottom bracket!

What the hell is the point of a 50mm dropper? S/B 125, mountain bikes are moving to 170

Edit: my question every time is why, didn't they go further? If they wanted to do a dropper why does it still have a pretty long x 27.2 road-bike seat tube? Why brag on your steering when it's utterly conventional? What's the point of this ridiculous little 2cm suspension stem if you are going to install 2" tires? Who knew NX 11-speed was still around?

Sorry but that all seems a bit arbitrary. But then I find the whole “gravel bike” thing to be rather arbitrary as well. I have a Salsa Las Cruces cyclocross bike that isn’t any different from “gravel bikes”. My touring bike is capable of “gravel”...I did hundreds of miles of it in Canada and canal paths of New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and Pennsylvania...while carrying enough stuff for living on the road for weeks on end.

Frankly, the whole “gravel bike” thing is a bit pretentious.

I don't get what makes this one different or special? The raleigh Alysa 4 was something I bought my parents 2 years ago as a year old sale to get them on a newer and easier to ride bike.
https://www.amazon.com/Raleigh-Bikes...dp/B01N0DJWXN/
Hybrid frame with spacing for wider tires, 1x11 speed, riser bar, carbon fork, and hydraulic discs. Can't remember the name of the men's version but it just came in red and neither looks as boring as the trek. Was a really nice bike for 1100 and since my parents could never figure out their chainrings it was the first time I decided 1x had some utility. Just needed to add a chainguard.

To fully experience the essence of the gravel road - to truly understand it - you need a gravel bike. Not a mountain bike, not a cross bike, a gravel bike. Some people don't about the fullness of the gravel experience, and that's ok.

Serious question: what's the point of a dropper seat post on a bike intended for cruising off pavement- as opposed to "real" mountain biking?