Specialized Diverge STR Gravel Bike Review | Creamy Smooth But EXPENSIVE 🤑

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  • Опубликовано: 11 янв 2025

Комментарии • 108

  • @Daniel-ux8tx
    @Daniel-ux8tx Год назад +5

    I’m over a year now with the Expert STR, it’s extremely comfortable on both dirt & pavement, a high priority for me, very planted & stable downhill on both surfaces, no issues at all with any components, love love love this bike!

  • @hisdadjames4876
    @hisdadjames4876 Год назад +17

    Thanks for such a balanced, objective and fact-based review. Makes such a difference when it isnt sponsored content. 👍

    • @bikeradar
      @bikeradar  Год назад +4

      Thanks for the comment! We guarantee that BikeRadar's reviews are 100% independent and will never be for sale. Any sponsored content we do produce will always be marked as such :) Jack

  • @MozOnBikes
    @MozOnBikes Год назад +34

    My top tip as a prior generation diverge owner, save yourself £7000 and just buy a mint a late 90s early 2000s MTB like a Trek Y33, Cannondale Scalpel or even an epic for £300, fit a micro shift Advent X drivetrain and a set of drop bars. Spend the other £7k on holidays and having fun with friends and family . You’ll smoke fools that buy silly stuff like this with a really smug grin to boot!

    • @timdixo
      @timdixo Год назад

      Better option…buy a generic Chinese carbon gravel bike,add a redshift suspension stem,some quality tubeless tyres and you’re done.

    • @MozOnBikes
      @MozOnBikes Год назад

      @@timdixo naa generic Chinese gravel frames are too risky and depreciate like supermarket sushi. With an old mountain bike the cost of entry is low, they are rock solid reliable and way cooler.

  • @waelisc
    @waelisc Год назад +6

    Nice to get lots of Jack's opinion and not just spec-list overview.
    Anyway, another example of the US gravel square peg vs the UK gravel round hole? At least where I am, the roads aren't bad enough for it, but the bridlepaths are either greasy mud, where comfort isn't the problem, or are probably too chewed-up and stony for this to make the difference between standing and sitting.

  • @robertsonfamilyfarm9126
    @robertsonfamilyfarm9126 Год назад +6

    What a awesome bike but , like 👍 you said 🎉 the crux for the win ! And in 5- 10-20 years with the crux you still have a bike that’s still awesome and works like it should without trying to fix outdated shocks

  • @danielreynolds5012
    @danielreynolds5012 Год назад +2

    Stayed until the bitter end and was delighted by the emotional outburst harking back to videos of old after what was an interesting but tech heavy 12 min video!!

    • @danielreynolds5012
      @danielreynolds5012 Год назад +1

      Sorry, 14.5 mins; time flies when you're having fun!!!!

    • @bikeradar
      @bikeradar  Год назад

      Thanks for watching till the end Daniel! Glad you enjoyed the sign off 😁

  • @BennyCornelissen
    @BennyCornelissen Год назад +17

    I generally like Specialized bikes, and I've owned the previous Diverge (before swapping it for the current Crux). I use my Crux for road, and light to moderate gravel. For rougher stuff, my Epic HT is my go-to. The Diverge STR, to me, is a solution in search of a problem, and then after finding the problem it's the wrong solution.
    It's easy to knock Specialized for the pricing. The thing is hideously expensive, but knowing Specialized's customer base, there will be people ready to buy these, so apparently pricing is 'business sane'. However, even if you get past the pricing, there's a lot about this bike that is ineffective and even contradicting.
    1. Gravel bikes are made to be simple, reliable, and robust: the Diverge STR is far from simple. Whether it turns out to be reliable is anyone's guess, but if you're out bikepacking (or riding the TCR) and the rear suspension craps out, you're done. There's no roadside fixing this, and 'random bike shops' won't have the spare parts you need. In fact, if Specialized insists on its warranty approach for the Future Shock, you're going to be bikeless for days or weeks.
    2. The Diverge STR is built on the idea that if a bike is better at accommodating rough terrain, you can take it to places you otherwise couldn't. This doesn't take into account rider skill, which is dangerous. At some point, you need to be able to handle the bike on the terrain you chose to ride on, and once you get to the limits of the 'support systems', unskilled riders will also immediately be at the limits of their skills. I expect some riders to get nasty crashes out of trusting their gravel tractor too much. It's for this very reason that I vastly prefer the Crux to the new Diverge STR for offroad riding: the Crux is demanding and doesn't isolate you from the tracks you're riding, but gives very clear feedback to the rider. It allows me to make a much more informed decision on whether I should ride or walk something 😉
    3. The rear suspension makes your seat move in an arc, and that in fact is the whole point of the bike. A crucial part in bike fitting (and also in the Retul process that Specialized advocates for) is putting your butt (actually your pelvis) in the correct location. Saddle height, setback, and tilt are crucial to rider comfort. The rear suspension sacrifices all of those for the purpose of 'protecting your butt from impacts'. You can stay seated for longer. Yes, but you will do so at varying saddle setbacks and tilts as your saddle moves through the arc. This will force your pelvis to rotate more than it should, and over time it may cause friction on the saddle (hey ho saddle sores!), affect your hips (and therefore your knees), your back, etcetera.
    I feel that if you want to ride rough stuff, there's a few sane approaches in Specialized's lineup:
    - improve your line choice, riding skill, and core strength. The simplest option to protect your butt from impacts while not compromising your bike fit is learning how to pick a line, and when to lift your butt off the saddle.
    - if you want a drop bar bike, get the previous (non-STR) Diverge or the Crux depending on how aggressive you want your bike to handle
    - if you think the Diverge non-STR or Crux are insufficient: maybe consider one of the many (full-suspension) MTB options

    • @High_Octane
      @High_Octane Год назад +4

      you done?

    • @cjohnson3836
      @cjohnson3836 Год назад +1

      Converting an Epic to dropbars (there's multiple ways to do this; some cheap, some not) will give you a far more capable gravel bike that won't be horribly overweight, unless one's local gravel is closer to all-road. But then, if one's gravel is all-road, this Diverge STR isn't the bike either.

    • @BennyCornelissen
      @BennyCornelissen Год назад +2

      @@High_Octane Did I miss anything? 😉

    • @BennyCornelissen
      @BennyCornelissen Год назад

      @@cjohnson3836 I haven't done this myself but it seems to be hugely popular among riders that do beach races as well, and I might be tempted to try it if I wanted a monster-gravel-dropbar bike.

    • @cjohnson3836
      @cjohnson3836 Год назад +1

      @@BennyCornelissen Yeah its a niche thing, but then again suspension on a gravel bike is already niche. I've seen some of the sponsored racers do it in gravel races in the US. If one is looking at this diverge str, just go the rest of the way with an epic (or any XC bike).

  • @MG-iv8oo
    @MG-iv8oo Год назад +3

    bought one. love it. your "floating" analogy is misleading. it takes the edge off but not "soft" or "floaty". would never go back to a rigid frame on gravel. the technology will improve but this will be like rim vs. disc brakes. better control, less thinking, more fun.

  • @markburns739
    @markburns739 Год назад +9

    Wouldn't a Redshift (or something similar) suspension seapost achieve the same thing but at a much cheaper price with less that might go wrong and with a lower weight penalty? Seems like a much simpler and more elegant solution.

    • @tarantulasam7609
      @tarantulasam7609 Год назад +1

      Road the redshift and the diverge str. I have a strong preference to redshift. Way cheaper. Similar saddle movement. Highly adjustable. You can get a sram red to the nines Lauf Seigla with a redshift seat post for less money and have a lighter, faster, more responsive bike that will accommodate wider tires.

    • @PauloSerra
      @PauloSerra Год назад

      I have to agree on that.
      I prefer the front future shock, as it does not change the lever angle, but the redshift stem is very nice ( I still ride with it).
      For the rear, I highly prefer the redshift version, as it does not change saddle tilt.
      Best combo for me would be the previous diverge with front future shock, and stick a redshift seatpost on the back (or the BMC URS, but that's a completely different story).

  • @Hintonbro.
    @Hintonbro. Год назад +3

    Great review Jack - depending on you BR guys more than ever now that Cycling Tips is kaput

    • @bikeradar
      @bikeradar  Год назад

      Thanks for watching! There's lots more in depth reviews and fun rides to come 👍👍

  • @pl4free
    @pl4free Год назад +3

    you can get much better ride-quality from a quick XC-MTB for less than 3.000€. And you'll have much more fun on the rocky terrain shown in the video.

  • @CarsandBikes
    @CarsandBikes 9 месяцев назад

    I've had a few STR customers tell me that they extended the life of the rear Future Shock service intervals by installing a suspension seat post, which also made the STR even more comfortable.

  • @trevekneebone369
    @trevekneebone369 Год назад +1

    Great presentation - thanks 👍

  • @Brownie861
    @Brownie861 Год назад

    I love the looks! think the suspension on long rides wil be nice too

  • @chrisvanbuggenum871
    @chrisvanbuggenum871 Год назад

    Good to see you Jack! Been too long!

    • @bikeradar
      @bikeradar  Год назад +2

      I'm still here! Just plugging away mostly on the site :)

  • @NewPolishScientist
    @NewPolishScientist Год назад +10

    Redshift suspension seatpost costs £200. So you can have it 2.6% of price of specialized

    • @pe3117
      @pe3117 Год назад +2

      Stop crying! You don’t have to buy it! 🤷‍♂️

    • @NewPolishScientist
      @NewPolishScientist Год назад +1

      @@pe3117 I will not able to buy it anyway

  • @letsgo_inc
    @letsgo_inc Год назад +2

    Cool bike, could never own it. Simplicity is king

  • @pe3117
    @pe3117 Год назад +2

    Definitely my next bike 💨🚴‍♂️
    I have a Specialized Turbo Creo SL with the front Future Shock and it works incredible!

    • @bikeradar
      @bikeradar  Год назад +1

      If you like the Turbo Creo SL, I expect you'll really enjoy this!

  • @ThunderStruckMTB
    @ThunderStruckMTB Год назад +1

    If you have to have a frame that has the rear triangle supported by a string, you are sitting down in places that you should be standing.

  • @sorinpintilie1110
    @sorinpintilie1110 Год назад +4

    Besides the ridiculous pricing, I feel this bike comes in contradiction with everything that defines a gravel bike, witch is supposed to be a simple, mile munching no faff machine. You spend your time fiddling with compression, rebound, etc. not to mention the cost of regular maintenance on all of this...

  • @tecnociclista5342
    @tecnociclista5342 Год назад +8

    Frame posts, dampers, rebound speed...if I wanted to deal with this sort of stuff I'd ride a full-suspension MTB...

    • @marcgtsr
      @marcgtsr Год назад +1

      A mtb will always be slower on fast terrain. I would never buy this bike. But it's interesting

  • @petayV8
    @petayV8 Год назад +1

    This bike would good for bike touring or bike packing with long days in the saddle. For anything else I dont get it. Ide personally get a Lauf Grit for half the price and have just as much fun if not more...

  • @jellyfishsalad5926
    @jellyfishsalad5926 Год назад +9

    At £7000 they should call it the divorce rather than the diverge.

    • @alves81
      @alves81 Год назад

      lllllllllloooooooolllllllllll

  • @Michael-b6k2u
    @Michael-b6k2u Год назад

    With same price, which one better for competitive cycling. S-works diverge or Specialize Diverge STR Pro? Thanks.

  • @fbdtravel2594
    @fbdtravel2594 Год назад

    which is the fundamental difference between a trekking bike and a gravel so to change category?

  • @jezza359
    @jezza359 Год назад +2

    A Boardman ADV 9.4 with the same groupset costs £2650. This means you are effectively paying £4850 for the Specialized name and the suspension. Any discomfort the suspension takes away is put back in by the price tag.

  • @MrKruucks
    @MrKruucks Год назад

    How does the rear future shock compare to the canyon VCLS 2.0 leaf spring style seatpost?

    • @bikeradar
      @bikeradar  Год назад +1

      The two are quite hard to compare. The VCLS seatpost helps take the sting out of big bumps and reduces vibrations on buzzy terrain. The Future Shock Rear system has an 'always on' floaty feel that isolates you (not the bike!) from most bumps and lumps.
      The RedShift ShockStop is probably a closer comparison to the Diverge STR but, even then, it's not quite as active (not necessarily a bad thing - it really depends on how you want your bike to feel).

  • @nancyosborne-webb646
    @nancyosborne-webb646 Год назад

    Wonderful, low-cost bike. LUDICROUS SPEED!!

  • @StockySnail
    @StockySnail Год назад

    Sounds like if you have enough money for a motorcycle you should consider this bicycle. Sounds like it would take extra time to dial it in. I currently have a Diverge with the 1.5 future shock in front (spring not shock) and love it but would be nice to have something in the rear to soften the blows as well. Not willing to spend $6k more vs what I paid new for my current Diverge though. I'd rather buy another motorcycle at that price. 🤣Why didn't they just do short progressive spring in the rear seat tube like the do with the front? Much cheaper that way.

  • @The2808erik
    @The2808erik Год назад +10

    This suspension does nothing you couldn't achieve with a suspension seat post adds complexity, points of failure and more faffing around with maintaining the thing . . .

    • @kbikski
      @kbikski Год назад +1

      suspension seatpost has stiction and most change your saddle-to-pedal distance constantly; this does neither

    • @The2808erik
      @The2808erik Год назад

      @@kbikski it does change saddle to pedal distance via changing the fore and aft of the saddle.

  • @alexdoherty1984
    @alexdoherty1984 Год назад

    Cannondale headshox?

  • @Zzyyxx22
    @Zzyyxx22 Год назад

    I’ve a much simpler 2016 comp DSW diverge. It’d be perfect if it could take wider tyres. For bumpy stuff I have a Chisel.

    • @kbikski
      @kbikski Год назад

      The newer Diverges have much improved 'trail' geo and tire clearance. Not just the STR.

  • @Monotruco
    @Monotruco Год назад +10

    I hope one day the mountain bike is invented...

    • @r.davies2702
      @r.davies2702 Год назад

      Nah, not enough money in it for the manufacturer's.

  • @cup_and_cone
    @cup_and_cone Год назад +7

    This is a very overcomplicated and expensive way to try and replicate a Y2K era Cane Creek Thudbuster...

    • @Jacob99174
      @Jacob99174 Год назад +1

      Prefer Redshift Shockstop
      However, we both agree, just not this version

  • @Ew-pc5pk
    @Ew-pc5pk Год назад +1

    Best in the biz at reviewing kinda weird bikes

    • @bikeradar
      @bikeradar  Год назад

      Kinda weird bikes are my jam 🤙

  • @PauloSerra
    @PauloSerra Год назад +1

    Nice review on this !! I had a chance to test ride one, and I can say you are spot on on everything (at least to me).
    The bike itself is nice, but I wouldn't buy one.
    I am one of those that the change in reach and more noticeable to me, change in saddle tilt, is highly annoying.
    This feels smooth, but annoying ...

  • @JonReid
    @JonReid Год назад

    I’ve got a diverge. I hate the future shock. It’s just more complexity, more that can go wrong and it makes the bike feel spongey when sprinting or climbing. The bike would be so much better with a standard headset.

    • @bikeradar
      @bikeradar  Год назад

      Interesting, thanks for commenting. I personally really vibed with the Future Shock, but also appreciated being able to lock it out to avoid the issues you describe. With hindsight, what gravel bike would you buy today?

    • @JonReid
      @JonReid Год назад

      @@bikeradar I’m partial to a simple, race orientated setup, particularly the Giant Revolt, the Scott Addict or with Specialised, the Crux.

    • @Skooteh
      @Skooteh Год назад

      @@JonReid There are many people who prefer the futureshock over a standard headset. Not that your opinion is invalid, but the market for gravel bikes without weird headsets is pretty well served by other companies.

    • @JonReid
      @JonReid Год назад

      @@Skooteh I hear you, but it should be a simple thing on their side to offer both options.

    • @Skooteh
      @Skooteh Год назад

      @@JonReid It's kind of complicated to offer multiple similar SKUs. I can understand why they wouldn't bother.
      I just wish they provided adequate part support for older bikes. I would not trust really any company in the bike industry to support a proprietary system like that in 10 years.

  • @twatts4436
    @twatts4436 Год назад +4

    Given the bike industry's propensity for recalls in recent years, i am dubious of any system which relies on inherent flex of materials as a suspension setup (beyond normal flex of a solid).
    I fear things like this will crack at the join in 5+ years with limited support.
    In theory - should be fine. But i just don't think it will have been suitably tested.

  • @yarlon2014
    @yarlon2014 Год назад +8

    Can’t imagine the laugh your Specialized dealer has everytime you come in get your whacky, overengineered rear suspension gimmick fixed for 500$ after getting memed out of 7500+$ for an over 3kg rival equiped bike in the first place.

    • @LifeCycle1978
      @LifeCycle1978 Год назад +3

      Congrats. You’ve won this months “way to angry over something he has the freedom not to purchase” award.

    • @pe3117
      @pe3117 Год назад +1

      Don’t cry! You don’t have to buy nothing

  • @High_Octane
    @High_Octane Год назад

    it's fine and I always wondered why something like that wasn't invented sooner buy an OEM and not aftermarket. It's just ugly which is a bigger turn off than the price.

  • @keepinitfloored
    @keepinitfloored Год назад

    Thx about ready to kick the doors open on my local bike store.

  • @miguelangel909
    @miguelangel909 Год назад +1

    The price....kills the concept, might as well get a mtb

  • @steadster6572
    @steadster6572 Год назад +1

    If you think you need this you're probably actually in the Mtb market.

  • @jellyfishsalad5926
    @jellyfishsalad5926 Год назад +3

    So many things to go wrong and require maintenance on new fancy pants bikes these days. You can't beat a fully rigid bike with mechanical shifting and rim brakes for low maintenance and longevity.

    • @High_Octane
      @High_Octane Год назад

      or terrible ride quality lol

    • @jellyfishsalad5926
      @jellyfishsalad5926 Год назад +1

      @@High_Octane depending what sort of riding you are doing of course. I just don't think bikes should be discarded after a few years because it's not worth fixing all the broken/ worn out/ obsolete technology. I've got a redshift stem on my gravel bike for improved comfort which if it breaks I can just replace with the stock stem rather than potentially needing to replace a whole frame with a bike like this.

    • @High_Octane
      @High_Octane Год назад

      @@jellyfishsalad5926 this is literally the only bike with that potential.

  • @johnnnewmex
    @johnnnewmex 10 месяцев назад

    The irony of a flex post but no dropper...

  • @tomas7403
    @tomas7403 Год назад +1

    🤔 I think it is going to be a commercial feilure.

  • @laszlozoltan5021
    @laszlozoltan5021 Год назад +2

    Specialized - built to last a year or so....

  • @tarantulasam7609
    @tarantulasam7609 Год назад +1

    The diverge str is a joke. I test road it. It was extremely heavy. It felt very sluggish. I did not like it. I like the feel of the redshift seat post more and it is highly adjustable and a fantastic value for money. You also can throw it on just about any bike. You can buy a sram red equipped Lauf Seigla ultimate and toss on a redshift post for less money than this mediocre build. It would be much lighter and can accommodate wider tires.

    • @corybrim7524
      @corybrim7524 Год назад

      I see this exact comment so much that I'm wondering if it's a genuine comment

    • @tarantulasam7609
      @tarantulasam7609 Год назад

      ​@@corybrim7524 If you want a diverge, go get one. They seem to be on clearance everywhere right now. I assure you my comment was sincere. I bought the Lauf and have not looked back. I used it on a WIRAD trip and it handled that trial no problem. Granted I did run 2.2" x 29 tires, which the Lauf can clear.

  • @docmccoy9813
    @docmccoy9813 Год назад +3

    Repaint your old mtb frame from the 90s and save a lot of money.

  • @Intrud0r
    @Intrud0r Год назад +2

    Rear shock? No thanks. If I want this I buy a CC Fully.

  • @alainpfammatter8224
    @alainpfammatter8224 Год назад +3

    I donˋt think this will be a successful bike… First of all it looks terrible and is far to complex and your seat position variies all the time!

  • @JamesZebra
    @JamesZebra Год назад

    Companys really are desperate to make things more expensive.

  • @imola8
    @imola8 Год назад

    sorry, but i believe Specialized is going the completely wrong way with their suspension system. Adding more and more proprietary highly expensive parts for a little suspension effect that could be achieved by a simple supsended seatpost and stem that fits on every bike. This one is definitely not for me.

  • @PolyglotBikepacker
    @PolyglotBikepacker Год назад +4

    Or a mountainbike LOLLLL

  • @mohamadjamil3164
    @mohamadjamil3164 Год назад +1

    I will not buy this bike as well. I will go for crux or simply a mountain bike. Specailized is trying or innovating at the expense of the end user

  • @r.davies2702
    @r.davies2702 Год назад

    The things they do to try and part us with our cash.

  • @calcite84
    @calcite84 Год назад +4

    Nonsense machine

  • @chaotictattoo
    @chaotictattoo Год назад

    Gravel bikes with suspension. Why buy a gravel bike then?

  • @PeterPutz82
    @PeterPutz82 Год назад

    🤦‍♂️

  • @danielstorengen4283
    @danielstorengen4283 Год назад

    if they put a cover over that rear sus. it would be a horribly bad looking bike...?!

  • @mokotramp
    @mokotramp Год назад

    Christ, and I thought I'd seen it all! Buy an MTB FFS! 🤦

  • @cjohnson3836
    @cjohnson3836 Год назад

    Specialized is completely missing it. The Crux is too expensive and lacks versatility. Most people don't need a race bike. And this thing is a solution in search of a problem. What is really missing is a carbon tier diverge WITHOUT the Future Shock mess. They have the base aluminum version. Do it in carbon, as well. THAT would the perfect gravel bike.

  • @Andy-co6pn
    @Andy-co6pn Год назад

    Its not a rear suspension system, its a rider suspension system