Whether you want to escape on quiet gravel back roads away from traffic and crowds or lead your favorite gravel race, the new Specialized Diverge is your top choice. It's possibly the most fun bike Specialized has ever crafted. It offers a quick and lively ride when you pedal hard, yet remains stable and confidence - inspiring on rough terrains. The Diverge showcases all of Specialized's 40 - plus years of experience in road, gravel, and dirt riding, from the Future Shock 2.0 and gravel geometry to internal storage and great tire clearance. It's rewriting the rules in the gravel bike category, enabling you to plan exciting new rides. It's truly the ultimate bike for getaways.
The Diverge Expert comes with a perfect blend of SRAM's Rival, GX, and NX components. It has an 11 - 50 cassette for fast and efficient shifting, ensuring you have the right gears for any ride. The bike rolls on Roval Terra C wheels with 42mm Pathfinder Pro tires. Adventure Gear alloy handlebars, a Roval Terra carbon seatpost, and a Power Expert saddle complete the setup.
Here are its amazing features:
- Internal Storage: Borrowing the SWAT internal storage from the Stumpy, the Diverge lets you store tools, flat kits, nutrition, and even a SWAT Jacket in the down tube. It keeps the weight low for better handling and makes you self - sufficient.
- Progressive Geometry: Specialized has revolutionized gravel geometry. The new Diverge has the most advanced geometry for a drop - bar bike. With increased frame reach, a slacker head tube, and a longer offset fork, it offers stability on dirt and responsiveness on the road. Shorter stems keep the steering lively, and the low BB provides stability while allowing for 650b wheels.
- Future Shock 2.0: This technology offers 20mm of axial compliance and a hydraulic damper. It suspends the rider, not the bike, giving you control on rough roads and keeping you fresh. The adjustable damper works well on both rough and smooth surfaces.
- Rack Mounts: There are plenty of rack mounts, including fork and top tube mounts, so you can carry what you need for long - distance rides.
- Tire Clearance: The Diverge has a huge 47mm tire clearance with 700c wheels and 2.1” with 650b wheels. The carbon chain stay design provides clearance without using a fragile dropped chain stay or increasing length.
- Lightweight Frame: The FACT 9r carbon frame makes the Diverge Expert incredibly capable and as light as a race bike. It will get you to your destination faster, whether it's a local dirt climb or a backcountry peak.
Using the Diverge Expert Carbon is a breeze. First, adjust the saddle and handlebars to your comfort. When you're out on a ride, shift gears smoothly using the SRAM components to handle different terrains. The Future Shock 2.0 can be adjusted according to the road conditions - use a softer setting for rough gravel and a stiffer one for smooth roads.
For storage, open the SWAT door in the down tube and place your tools, flat kit, or snacks inside. If you're going on a long trip, use the rack mounts on the fork and top tube to attach your bags.
Here are some things to keep in mind. When riding on rough terrains, be careful not to hit large rocks or potholes too hard to avoid damaging the frame or components. Also, check the tire pressure regularly, as proper pressure is crucial for a good ride and to prevent flats.
For maintenance, clean your bike after every dirty ride. Use a mild soap and water to wash the frame, wheels, and components. Dry it thoroughly to prevent rust. Lubricate the chain regularly to ensure smooth shifting. Check the brakes and gears periodically for any signs of wear and tear, and have them adjusted or replaced if needed. If you're not sure how to do any of these maintenance tasks, it's always a good idea to take your bike to a professional bike shop.
