I own both bikes. The benefit of the STR is that over a 6-hour gravel race, you are less fatigued. Both physically from the suspension but also mentally from not having to manage the minutia of watching a adjusting your line the entire time. While I love the Crux for its lightness and snappiness, I have not raced it since I bought the STR.
I didnt have the STR, but did have a '22 Diverge which i no longer ride since getting my '24 CRUX - so kind of the opposite of your status. I ran 47c pathfinders on both bikes, and just found that at 25-30psi/1.5-1.8bar the tires bring the comfort for 8hr gravel events, not the FSR.
@@neilk22 but with STR/FS combo on the 24 Diverge you'd be able to run higher PSI as in low to mid 30s - that way you're pumped up for the packed gravel/tarmac sections and still have the compliance (via the STR/FS) for the more gnarly gravel sections, noh?
@@noels8817 i don't believe harder pumped tires is a popular opinion. Rolling resistance factors in on harder tires, traction etc also then factor in the additional weight of the STR setup, slacker geometry etc horses for courses i guess, but the crux is optimal in the district events i do
My wife recently bought the STR pro. Yesterday I took her bike for a ride on a number of mtb tracks in the Netherlands. Although it is not quite my size, I got a good impression of the bike. And....... this is the best bike I've ever ridden. The bike is very comfortable even on mtb tracks, on gravel it will only be better. In all cases, contact with the substrate remains. The fatigue is substantially less than on my own gravel bike. Although the STR is heavier than my own gravel bike, I covered the mtb tracks faster. In short, I am very jealous of my wife's bicycle 🙂100% my new bike!! Smoother is faster!!
@@berkshirebikeandboard6020 Since last week I have my own STR Pro and have now ridden about 400 km of gravel rides. And I can say with certainty: smoother is faster!!!
Great comparison. Going to be interesting to see how the STR performs and is received. Will all the racers like Ian Boswell, Allison Tetrick and Sarah Sturm choose it over the Crux? Still love my 2018 Diverge with upgraded FS 1.5. Been thinking about the Crux but older me likes a little cushion. Is the Diverge getting overly technical or are the earlier simpler versions the sweet spot of the model line up?
@@berkshirebikeandboard6020 Ultimately... this design or the next the future of gravel is suspended. I remember having the same thoughts on my '93 Stumpjumper M2 with FS. ;)
I have a S-Works Diverge and just built a Crux. There’s no comparison between them, the Crux is much faster and handles more precisely. I find the Diverge is great for endurance training but it’s no race bike. One thing I’m pretty light at 150 lbs so these larger tires ran tubeless are really forgiving for me. I guess it all depends on the individual but if I could only have one of them it would be the Crux, how many 200+ Km races do most ppl do anyway?
I own both bikes. The benefit of the STR is that over a 6-hour gravel race, you are less fatigued. Both physically from the suspension but also mentally from not having to manage the minutia of watching a adjusting your line the entire time. While I love the Crux for its lightness and snappiness, I have not raced it since I bought the STR.
I didnt have the STR, but did have a '22 Diverge which i no longer ride since getting my '24 CRUX - so kind of the opposite of your status. I ran 47c pathfinders on both bikes, and just found that at 25-30psi/1.5-1.8bar the tires bring the comfort for 8hr gravel events, not the FSR.
@@neilk22 but with STR/FS combo on the 24 Diverge you'd be able to run higher PSI as in low to mid 30s - that way you're pumped up for the packed gravel/tarmac sections and still have the compliance (via the STR/FS) for the more gnarly gravel sections, noh?
@@noels8817 i don't believe harder pumped tires is a popular opinion. Rolling resistance factors in on harder tires, traction etc also then factor in the additional weight of the STR setup, slacker geometry etc horses for courses i guess, but the crux is optimal in the district events i do
Thanks Jaryn. . A more comfortable ride can be a faster ride. Really nice video. Richard
Thanks Richard!
I’ve been debating about which one to get… very helpful. Thanks for creating.
My wife recently bought the STR pro. Yesterday I took her bike for a ride on a number of mtb tracks in the Netherlands. Although it is not quite my size, I got a good impression of the bike. And....... this is the best bike I've ever ridden. The bike is very comfortable even on mtb tracks, on gravel it will only be better. In all cases, contact with the substrate remains. The fatigue is substantially less than on my own gravel bike. Although the STR is heavier than my own gravel bike, I covered the mtb tracks faster. In short, I am very jealous of my wife's bicycle 🙂100% my new bike!! Smoother is faster!!
@@berkshirebikeandboard6020 Since last week I have my own STR Pro and have now ridden about 400 km of gravel rides. And I can say with certainty: smoother is faster!!!
I had same decision..I bought Crux..awesome..fast bike
Then have a XC MTB bike if I want to do anything that is on the harder end of spectrum
Great comparison. Going to be interesting to see how the STR performs and is received. Will all the racers like Ian Boswell, Allison Tetrick and Sarah Sturm choose it over the Crux? Still love my 2018 Diverge with upgraded FS 1.5. Been thinking about the Crux but older me likes a little cushion. Is the Diverge getting overly technical or are the earlier simpler versions the sweet spot of the model line up?
@@berkshirebikeandboard6020 Ultimately... this design or the next the future of gravel is suspended. I remember having the same thoughts on my '93 Stumpjumper M2 with FS. ;)
boswell was on the str for 5th overall at unbound
Great job. Thank you guys…👍🇧🇷🇺🇸
Good vid Bro!
what tyres did you run? Are those Rene Herse ?
I have a S-Works Diverge and just built a Crux. There’s no comparison between them, the Crux is much faster and handles more precisely. I find the Diverge is great for endurance training but it’s no race bike. One thing I’m pretty light at 150 lbs so these larger tires ran tubeless are really forgiving for me. I guess it all depends on the individual but if I could only have one of them it would be the Crux, how many 200+ Km races do most ppl do anyway?
Hmmmm not enough !
What is the seat post that you mentioned.
Please if you have a link.
Thanks.
Reverb dropper post
Given a money, which one would you buy S-Works Diverge or Specialized Diverge STR Pro?
@@berkshirebikeandboard6020 Given a money, which one would you buy S-Works CRUX or Specialized Diverge STR Pro?
Planning to buy my first gravel bike. Is this diverge str expert worth it than crux expert?
@@Michael-b6k2u I had the Crux Expert. Diverge STR is more versatile. The Crux is more focused in smooth dirt roads.
Nice Gloves!
Man, which tires?? Tks
i have the str. it's faster. i was also surprised. but it is what it is. any race over 3 hours, you can't beat this thing. it's a cheater.
I look at those, dreaming of getting one,
Then i wonder, dang, two specialized swork is money to buy a new subaru to log around the whole family 😂😂😂😂😅
Maybe a microphone would be okay, just a thought
Gravel bikes has became a gimmick lmao 🤣🤣🤣