Future Shock 2.0 is no different to the Future Shock that is found on the Roubaix, however, the 20 mm of adjustable hydraulically dampened suspension travel seems more at home on a gravel bike than it does on a road bike. The Expert I rode on my home gravel roads in Oregon. Specialized is just marketing old ideas! Otherwise, keep your bikepacking payload to a minimum. Pathfinder Pro 2BR . Join the conversation. *Note that only the newer version of the Alpinist and Rapide wheels are tubeless compatible. After decades of bike riding, getting out of the saddle to respond to and absorb bumps or tricky terrain is almost second nature. Inseam: 35. I guess that comes down to the individual. To take the wheel off, you'll be faced with either a quick-release (QR) skewer or thru-axle. tubeless ready, 24h, Specialized full sealed bearing thru axle hub, centerlock disc, DT Swiss Champion 14G stainless steel spokes, DT Swiss brass nipples Front Tyre Rhombus Pro . The frame also differs its made with Specialized E5 alloy, but the top tube is 30 mm longer than the standard Diverge geometry (size medium). but, in brief, it is a lighter overall setup that does not significantly affect handling. On the descends, this translated to confidence on the at-times loose terrain and new-to-me roads. With 20mm of spring-loaded suspension in the front and 30mm of hydraulically dampened rear-end compliance, Specialized is taking its "Smoother is Faster" approach to yet another level. Indeed, Id claim we were venturing close to MTB territory in several parts of the ride. There are nine standard models in total and two flat-bar offerings, but more on those later. Cycling Weekly is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. I cant see how the extra tech it offers is worth sacrificing an otherwise well-performing and comfortable ride. Front Wheel: DT Swiss G540 rim, 24mm internal width, tubeless ready, 24h, Specialized full sealed bearing thru axle hub, centerlock disc, DT Swiss Champion 14G stainless steel . Its a neat addition, but realistically its not a storage area youd want to be delving into on every ride. Price: US$10,000 / AU$16,000 / 8,899. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. Its more than stiff enough, and its predictable, nimble and positive when cornering. The Diverge STR unveiled today now features both front and rear Future Shock suspension. Visit our corporate site. Yes, its almost as if flat bars make sense for improving off-road control. Part of the reason larger tires can now be accommodated is the advent on hydraulic brakes with drop handlebars. The post is available in both a 20 mm offset and zero-degree, and the bike is dropper-post compatible too (such a thing comes standard on the S-Works). The bike should also appeal to riders looking for something like the latest Sirrus X(which also has Future Shock), but with more aggressive geometry. Since then I've worked my way through a Specialized Trigger Pro 33c tyre on the rear wheel and bought a set of 38c Trigger tyres. 20.10.2022. Finally got myself into the gravel world with a 2021 Specialized Diverge Elite E5 and have had a blast on it so far. Sure the tyres had been swapped out for the fatter Tracers, but the fore and aft of the post was massively noticeable. Unique, hydraulically dampened suspension, Great tire clearance - 700c and 650B compatible, The fit and ride feel takes some time to set up. Specialized S-Works Tracer 2Bliss Ready Tire. You can see these prototypes and read about the process in depth in our launch story, but in the interest of this review, we're going to skip ahead several hundred prototypes and years of work to what you can see and feel in the rear Future Shock as it exists today, and the bike that's built up around it. The flexible rear with its dropped seat post clamp and seat post deflection does achieve a good amount of rear-end compliance, but it reached its limits with the increasingly rough terrain common in today's events. Van 4900 nu voor 3850! Secondly, the two days of riding I did at the Diverge launch turned out to be the last real-world riding Id do (and have done) in over two months now. And more impressively, the same tyre clearance is provided with the more affordable alloy frames, too. I suspect this new bike may very well take sales away from the Roubaix. I know theres plenty of people out there who may want a dropper post, but personally, I just dont get it. - smoothly. you'll be looking at about an 8kg build for the Diverge S-Works, set up tubeless. E5 Expert EVO price: US$2,600 / 2,399 / AU$4,100 And when traffic encroaches and the path less traveled calls, its stability emboldens extended forays away from pavement. If you intend to multi-day camp regularly, Id recommend picking a model with a 2x drivetrain, ideally a compact 48/32T chainset, to enjoy the best of both worlds. The Future Shock 1.5 which is used on cheaper versions of the bike has swappable springs (soft, medium and firm), but does not feature the hydraulic damper or adjuster. Across the six sizes available, its now a universal 425 mm, an increase of 4 to 6 mm depending on size. And without being bounced around so much, you're able to maintain sustained efforts, or simply pedal, for longer. Subscribe from just 13.50 and get a Lezyne Pocket Drive Pump, worth 29! Specialized Diverge FACT 9r carbon, SWAT Door integration, Future Shock suspension, threaded BB, internal routing, 12x142mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc . The E5 Aluminum frameset also features Specializeds proprietary OSBB, which is compatible with BB30 press fit bottom brackets. And for this review, I had the rare pleasure of test-riding all three models of the STR line, so I could get a good feel of the frame and Future Shock, no matter the components. The Diverge has me hankering for the open paved roads of the New Mexican desert; as a self-confessed dirt road addict, this is quite a statement. A note on 2016/2017 model years. Years in the making, the engineers at Specialized realized that while the front-end Future Shock did a great job isolating riders from the bumpy surface below, the bike no longer felt balanced. The Future Shock 2.0 is an adjustable coil suspension cartridge housed in the fork steerer. In fact, as someone who obsessively avoids paved roads, the Diverge reminded me about the pleasures of road touring. tubeless ready, 24h, Specialized full sealed bearing thru axle hub, centerlock disc, DT Swiss Champion 14G stainless steel spokes, DT Swiss brass nipples: Front Tire: Rhombus Pro . Dven with Specializeds enormous clout, the Diverge Evo is a weird bike that straddles niches and that could be a hard sell for many shops. Would you like to receive offers, updates and events from BikeRadar and its publisher Our Media Ltd (an Immediate Group Company)? tubeless ready, 24h, Specialized full sealed bearing thru axle hub, centerlock disc, DT Swiss Champion 14G stainless steel spokes, DT Swiss brass nipples. As De La Soul sang, three is the magic number, and so the question arises: has this third-generation of the Diverge moved in tune with what seems to be a rapidly changing gravel scene? But compared to the 2015 version, the latest 2021 Diverge makes off-road performance its priority. Height: 61 In terms of the frameset and the increasingly perplexing world of standards, the rear is spaced for a 135mm QR wheel, while the carbon fork accepts a 10012 TA hub (just to add further confusion, the 2015 models are different, as are 2016 and 2017 carbon-framed versions). . FRONT WHEEL DT Swiss G540 rim, 24mm internal width, tubeless ready, 24h, Specialized full sealed bearing thru axle hub, centerlock disc, DT Swiss Champion 14G stainless steel spokes . At the end of the day, its just a damn fun bike to ride. Specialized Diverge E5 Premium Aluminum, Future Shock suspension, 1x specific EVO geometry, threaded BB, internal routing, 12x142mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc . Luckily, Specialized made it fairly easy but be prepared to spend some time playing with your setup for the first couple rides until you find a ride feel you prefer. Are specialized tires tubeless ready? I seem to find myself between two frame sizes and spent a lot of time fussing with my position while not the easiest on the front Future Shock system, it was mostly just a matter of swapping stems and removing any spacers. . With the suspension absorbing the bumps instead of your body, I found that the bike stayed planted and so did I. Just look at the internet-breaking hubbub that the launch of the Canyon hover bar created, firmly cementing the Grail in the collective consciousness of the gravel riding masses. Nothing too crazy: a mix of mainly loose gravel over a dusty, hardpacked surface, and a nice amount of tarmac to get a feel for the bike out on the road. This bike was released in 2022 and its price was 4300 AUD (3048 $). The geometry is said to be directly-inspired by the Epic. Sign in to manage your newsletter preferences. On one end, you've got companies like Ridley, 3T, Cervelo and Scott with their speed-first, aerodynamic race steeds that stay true to their road origins. thus killing a number of birds with one stone. Here in New Mexico, its introduced me to the potential of connecting quiet desert roads with the dirt and gravel tracks that meander between them. In which category would you place the bike? Specialized has overhauled the Diverge for 2021. Strengthened by the many miles spent darting around Seattle's hilly streets on a steel single speed, Rook's progression in the sport was a quick one. Whether you're looking to set new best times on the next climb or tackle the next mountain, the Diverge will deliver. In layman terms, the hero of the rear Future Shock is a composite frame post that sits inside the seat tube. According to Specialized, this is a bike for pushing boundaries. . Lead time has been reaaaally long, my German dealer ordered it before launch in March 2020 (!!). The headline news from this launch sees top-tier versions of the new Diverge adopt the same hydraulically-damped version of the Future Shock as used on the newest Roubaix. Subscribe to Cycling Plus from just 13.50 and get a Lezyne Pocket Drive Pump, worth 29! Tubeless tires contain a sealant to protect against small punctures and also allow riders to use lower inflation pressure without the risk of damaging a tube from impacts. More often than not, I found myself simply cruising along in comfort. All other models feature the Future Shock 1.5. Jack Luke is the deputy editor at BikeRadar and has been fettling with bikes for his whole life. She's now been a cycling journalist for 11 years. Notably, the new Diverge is also the first non-electric bike from Specialized to ship with Shimanos gravel-specific, Shock suspension, threaded BB, internal routing, 12x142mm, Specialized full sealed bearing thru-axle hub, centrelock disc, DT Swiss Champion 14G stainless steel spokes, DT Swiss brass nipples, Specialized sealed bearing thru-axle hubs, six-bolt disc, J-bend 14G stainless steel spokes, brass nipples, 2021 Specialized Diverge Comp Carbon review, Specialized Roubaix Expert long-term review, Future Shock 2.0 introduced on select models, Revised geometry for improved off-road performance, Tyre clearance increased to 47mm (700c) / 2.1in (650b). My subsequent rides were spent paying closer attention to what the bike, and the dual Future Shocks specifically, were doing. First ride review: new Specialized Diverge STR S-Works 2023 with Rear Future Shock. Weight: 165 lbs Finding your fit and ideal ride feel is a little different on the STR than any other gravel or road bike before it, and Specialized does recommend getting a bike fit if you haven't had one yet (or in recent years). All builds come with a 1x SRAM drivetrain with a 10-50 cassette, 42mm tubeless Tracer Pro tires, eyelets for mounting gear and the internal SWAT compartment weve come to appreciate about the current Diverge. RapidAir. Prior to the world going into lockdown, Dave Shoddy Everett attended an exclusive launch of the new Diverge to learn what it was all about and how it rides. The Diverge Comp Carbon features the same game changing FACT 9r Carbon frame and Future Shock 2.0 as Specialized's Pro build but spec'd with SRAM's mechanical shifting Rival 1 111 gravel group. I will be using the stock Specialized rim liner or rim tape. FRAME Specialized Diverge FACT 9r carbon, SWAT Door integration, Future Shock suspension, threaded BB, internal routing, 12x142mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc . Comp E5 price: US$2,100 / AU$3,000 / 1,999 Its not as nippy as a Roubaix, but I could see people putting some light wheels and 30/32 mm road tyres on and being perfectly happy doing big road rides with it. The new frameset has been redesigned with a new longer fork offset (55mm), a slacker head tube angle, a considerably longer overall wheelbase, a very slightly higher bottom bracket and increased reach on all sizes. Thru-axles are regular 10012 and 14212 front and rear respectively. Whether you're looking to set new best times on the next climb or tackle the next mountain, the Diverge will deliver. The dampener controls the movement of the frame post backwards and forwards, giving the rider a smooth ride in the saddle while maintaining the same saddle height and position in space. . Come the second day I was lucky enough to have the staff on hand swap out the dropper post for the new carbon post. Should you choose to take this bike on a loaded bikepacking excursion, you'll want to revisit your frame stiffness to account for the added weight to the seatpost. As for its aero credentials, well yes, there are a few subtle aero advantage design tweaks but nothing to really write home about. And heres some more sweet music: gone is the PF30 bottom bracket while the prodigy child a 68 mm BSA threaded bottom bracket has returned. Last year we had a first look at the Specialized Trigger Pro 700x38c 2Bliss Tire during the Lost and Found gravel ride. Details of the Specialized DIVERGE SPORT. Travis | Specialized USA Rider Care" I interpret that as if the stock tape has their 2bliss branding it should be ready to go, but if it doesn't, the rims are compatible but need to be retaped with tubeless tape. . Pro and Expert models come in at 19.6 lbs (8.9kg) and 20.9lbs (9.5kg), respectively. While on the other end of the spectrum you've got the the outrageously slack Evil Hagar or the likes of Lauf, Niner and Cannondale who've gone all in on suspension. The Base Carbon is fitted out with some pretty basic Axis tubeless-ready Elite Disc rims . More here. At the same time, the head angle is also a little slacker, with more fork offset, which actually serves to conjure up a similar trail figure to the Tarmac 64mm to 53mm, depending on the frame size suggesting the bike will steer more like a road bike than a touring bike. . DT Swiss G540 rim, 24mm internal width, tubeless ready, 24h, Specialized full sealed bearing thru axle hub, centerlock disc, DT Swiss Champion 14G stainless steel spokes, DT Swiss brass nipples . Your bike will come fully built and 100% ready to ride, . The Roubaix Pro 2Bliss Ready is an endurance road tire that's well suited for smooth and rough roads alike. Theres provision for a rear rack mount and two water bottle cages. The bike should also appeal to riders looking for something like. Fond memories, a pleasant experience, a top-tier bike? Like the S-Works, the Pro gets Easton EC70 AX Carbon 16-degree flare bars. Next post . (And luckily these things are carried over into the new Diverge STR!). Cycling Weekly's North American Editor, Anne-Marije Rook is old school. 700 x 40 Tubeless Ready, up to 45 : Great Value gravel bike . The two Diverge Evo builds also use an alloy frameset, but feature Future Shock 2.0. Bath Yep, it wasnt as nippy, and yes cornering became slower, and there was also that lean-in that larger tyres throw up when cornering sharply. We have over 300 original and curated bikepacking routes in our global network spanning nearly 50 countries. But their added potency, modulation make them feel indispensable within the first few miles of riding. this will all be familiar stuff (with the exception of the higher bottom bracket). You've been subscribed to our newsletter. If the rear Future Shock was the first head turner of the Diverge STR, then the price tag is a close second. Doing a quick comparison, we notice that Diverge Expert E5 EVO price it's 41.83% higher than the average cost of a Gravel bike. Staying seated also allows you to continue putting out the power. The Diverge is like a road bike that coaxes you to hop off curbs and cut down trails, without any of the hesitation you might otherwise feel. Internal cable routing and a curvy tubing help lend the bike a great profile, though I have to admit, the carbon framesets look even snazzier. This changed on the second day with wider tyres. The question is: whos this for and is there a market? - Check, check and check. Whether your goal is to escape on gravel back roads, far from cars and crowds, or drop the hammer at the front of your favorite gravel race, no bike d. The S-Works, Pro, Expert, and Comp Carbon models all get the updated Future Shock, while the Future Shock 1.5 an older version without hydraulic damping (or the ability to firm it up while riding) is found on the Comp E5, Sport, and Base Carbon offerings. Then again, we could easily have said exactly the same thing about gravel bikes a short time ago, so maybe this really will be the future of gravel riding. Ive been on the lookout for a gravel bike since some scumbag decided that my previous one was to their liking. It's not recommended that you mess with the rebound speed too much, but it can be adjusted with a hex key through a hole in the base of the top tube. The 10-50 cassette provides all the gearing one could want, the carbon components are light and responsive, and I continue to appreciate the Diverge's SWAT system in the down tube and the ability to run just about any gravel tire size of choice. Specialized Diverge FACT 8r carbon, Future Shock suspension, threaded BB, internal routing, 12x142mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc: Rammaterial: Kolfiber: .