Yesterday I hopped on my bike three times: for a sunrise singletrack session, a slow 30-mile spin on asphalt, and a quick tripto the post office. Right now I’m planning a five-day bikepacking trip that’ll happen later this month. For all of these rides, Iusethe same bike: the($1,200 and up).
Fast on pavement and smooth on gravel, the third iteration of the Diverge fitsall of my needs. The revised , a small suspension system in the headset, levels bumps and rough roads. A slew of mounting points allow a seamless transition from adventure chariot to daily driver. The geometry hits the sweet spot between snappy and stable.After test-riding the model ($4,800) for more than a thousand miles, I may never ride skinny roadtires again.
Background
The gravel market hasexploded in the past five years, with manufacturers racingto keep up. Todaymost brands sell at least one bike in theemerging category. Gravel grinders, as one of the sport’s fastest growing segments, feed off aspirations of freedom and the allure of adventure, and they appealto experts and newbies alike. They’ll keep up with roadies on an easy group ride, tackle mixed terrain with aplomb, and perform sufficiently on moderate trails, merging culture and components from the worlds of road riding and mountain biking.
After testing a half dozencompetitors, including the , , , and , over the course of the spring and summer, the Diverge ismy preferred steed. Here’s why.
What I Like
The newest model of the Diverge, released in May 2020,has a longer reachandslacker front end, giving it a longer wheelbase, with the same responsive handling as previous models. This geometry makes the bike more grounded, providing confidence at high speeds and on challenging terrain. Overall, it’s a big advancement for on-trail performance, without compromising too much on smoother surfaces.
While some bikes have a learning curve forhandling, Specialized madea bike that feels immediately intuitive to ride. This comes from the balanced center of gravity—you’re not too far over the front axle, nor too highor far back. Such positioning gives you addedstability onbumpy sections and through loose gravel.
But Specialized’s system is what sets the Diverge apart from the competition. This internal spring is positioned above the headtube toallow the handlebars to move in a vertical path, offering 20 millimeters of travel;it absorbsthe energy from bobbing up and down over rough roadsand preserves forward momentum. I was amazed by how much it dampedchatter from rocks, rumble strips, roots, cracks, and bumps on pavement. A smoother ride creates more comfort and provides more contact with the ground, enabling you go faster and corner better. It also reducesfatigue across your body.
Lastly, the Diverge is ready to be transformed into an adventurebike. It has optionsfor attachmentson the frame and fork. This makes it useful for both weeklong tripsand all-day rides. I’ve done a few bikepacking tours with the Diverge and found that the slacker geometrylends stability when loaded with the extra weight. Combined with single-chainringcompatibility and clearance for 700x47cor 650bx2.1-inchtires(I currently runWTBRiddler 700×45’s),it checks all the boxes for the long haul.
What Could Be Improved
For my style of riding (mostly on dirt and typically long enough to run out of snacks), I’d prefera few tweaks to any futuremodels.I’d love for full two-inch mountain-bike tires to fit on a 700c wheel so I can tackle more serious singletrack without having to swap wheels.(It’s worth noting that the 2021 iteration does have moretire clearance than the previous year’s model, by about five millimeters.)
The Diverge is alsosomewhat heavy when compared to top-end carbon competitors. My bike, a large2021 Expert Carbon model, weighsabout 22 pounds with pedals, bottle cages, and a Garmin device. That’s a pound or two more than a few of the bikes listed above when weighed with the same add-ons:
- ($2,750 and up): 22 pounds
- ($1,850 and up): 18 pounds
- ($5,299 and up):18 pounds
- ($2,599 and up): 22 pounds
- ($3,499 and up):18 pounds
- ($2,899 and up): 19 pounds
As a hobbyist rider, this isn’t a huge deal forme, but it’s worth considering, depending on what type of riding you like to do.Some of the added weight comes from the Future Shock, but in my opinion, it’s more than worth thatsmall penalty.
The Final Verdict
Frankly, I couldn’t be happier with this bike. With nine tiered models to choose from, ranging from $1,150 to $10,000, Specialized provides a buffet that almost anyone can agree to. The slacker geometry, improved Future Shock, and ample dropouts make it a gravel grinder for all types of riders.