I have this bike. There are a lot of negative comments on here, so if you want the opinion of an owner, here you go. If not, move on to the next hater. I have this as well as the base model Diverge. I also have a Stumpjumper full squish and a Canyon road bike. I only mention that, because of the "just get a mountain bike" crowd. I love my base model alloy diverge. I wanted to upgrade to this one because of the rough washboard roads in southern AZ, as well as the handy integrated swat storage in the downtube. The front and rear future shocks do add some weight. Enough weight that it offsets the carbon frame. Both of my Diverges weigh exactly the same. However, with the carbon wheels, it feels much snappier. The added weight makes it feel more planted in the loose stuff. It absorbs absolutely everything. Maintenance is not really an issue over the standard non STR model. The rear future shock doesn't really have anything to service. It is fully adjustable, but it is just a damper. It isn't like a hydraulic fork or an MTB shock. Sure, it may break. But it is specialized, so there are 4 specialized dealers within 30 minutes of my home. It has electric shifting, so no cables to adjust. Set it and forget it. The batteries last for thousands of shifts. I'm not too concerned about it dying on a ride. When I am lubricating my chain and shifting through the gears, I just make note of the color of the light. If it's red, I will charge it. If that is a concern, a spare Sram battery weighs in at 24 grams and would fit right in the SWAT storage with the rest of my gear. It is pretty robust. Since getting this bike, I have set new PR's on Strava on my local flow trails, with prior PR's being on my MTB and/or base model Diverge. I have also set a new PR on my neighborhood tarmac loop with my prior PR being on my Canyon Endurace SLX. Bikes prices are falling so cost was not an issue. I can fit everything I need in the downtube, so no need to wear a pack on rides shorter that three hours. If I had to look for something to gripe about, it say that the finish is easy to scratch. But that is what you get with a matte finish. It gets shiny where things rub on it. But again, that is me looking for something to pick on. Overall, I would rate this bike 5 out of 5. Super comfy. The knocked it out of the park. I really wanted a Grizl, but I am so glad I stumbled upon this one.
I think his implication was that he’d make it with “the standard”. I think hypocritical is probably not the best description. You see his problem would be that there is no longer any parts being made in “the standard” because no one makes them anymore. So he’d have accidentally made a proprietary frame 😂
Thank you David for introducing and reviewing when there is the new bike releasing. It would be the one of the greatest bike for specialized if they reserve this bike as a prototype. Next version diverge please! Because lots of people are going to skip this version
Oh this is perfect! Let's just add more complexity and proprietary shizzle to gravel bikes, that's exactly what was needed. Many people are complaining that their bike is just too simple and boring since there is nothing to service.
Nice concept! Would've loved a frame with a 2x option and more mounting points in the rear (for mud guards/light pannier racks). Then it could've been my next do-it-all bike. From road to gravel, from commuting to bike packing.
Oddly, I really like the way this thing looks! Maybe some inspiration from Trek’s IsoSpeed? Though I’ve thought lately, at what point do you just get a nice cross country racer? When my revolt is no longer enough, I’ll just buy a Supercaliber. And maybe some drop bars… 😁
Huge flaw in there. On mountain bikes the suspention is vertical, how it's supposed to be. On this bike the seat post is just constantly moving back and forth horizontally which just messes with your reach and position on the bike and therefore messing up your powertransfer to the pedals. Also who knows how bad that ever changing position and reach is for your body: knees, back ect.
Interesting points, however, I do think you’re overestimating this effect. First, the movement is not much. Secondly, it’s not like your position on a ‚normal’ bike is fixed since you’re constantly moving on the saddle as well. Haven’t tried the bike, just my opinion … kind regards : )
@@UndoFilms If he is underestimating the negative affects, then maybe there is an overestimation in the benefit this actually provides. I am not a super knowledgeable person when it comes to road bikes, but I don’t get it. The seat moving back and forth smooths out vertical bumps?
David ... in 2021 , you did a review of the redshift suspension seatpost. Granted this new diverge has on-the-fly adjustment, but how does this compare otherwise?
The performance and action of the Future Shock is superior - plus you can firm it up, but Redshift can be fitted to any bike and is relatively affordable
Best informative video I've seen on this bike thank you David, I usually come to you first but for a change had a look at another video that was longer and had less information/close ups of the system. Not for me but the Black Forest looks amazing!
Credit to Specialized for doing something innovative and genuinely different. However, I would have serious concerns about the durability and weight of the system, given its complexity.
Durability? never! You see a firmly mounted linear damper that it attached via a stiff aluminum plate to the carbon seatpost that actually bend in a curve. So the small vertical movements have to be compensated by the inner seal rings of the damper. Good luck with that after 2 years. Oh yeah, warranty is 2 years and then you need to buy a new damper because it is proprietary stuff.
I'm sure some will be unhappy with the price of this bike, but we must take into account that this is a real innovation. In the future, technology will become easier and more accessible (as happens with all new technologies) So now it's a bike for professionals, rich people and enthusiasts. A real masterpiece )
can't agree with comments from Arthur - "allows you to push your limits on fast gravel". On fast gravel pros will use road bikes as seen at the UCI gravel event in Italy last week. This is nice cushion for older Sunday riders, but such a demographic is even better served by an actual MTB...
@@DaveCM Nah that was a gravel race. I think as long as the pros will ride road bikes on gravel there will always be hippies complaining about the course being not technical enough because their investment into shitty heavy gravel bikes becomes miniaturized and they can't get over it.
I think there is a huge misunderstand with suspension travel: it is 30mm along the outer curve of the seatpost and not 30mm vertically. Vertically it is maybe just 8-10mm. And that can easily be achieved with a Canyon VCLS 2.0 seatpost or the similar Ergon seatpost, just at a tiny fraction of the price. Here you need 9 different carbon seatposts and 18 settings plus damper settings to get it right. Nope. Trek had the learning experience that customers rarely fiddle with their bikes and leave it at factory setting. Thus Trek abandoned their geometry flip chip. Now they even simplified their IsoSpeed system, which was fully tuneable before. On the Madone it's gone completely and was replaced by a flex carbon seatpost. ☝🧐
Great to see brands pushing the innovation in their top tier products. Great review as always EDIT: David, how come the bike doesn't come with the Pathfinder tires? I thought those were Spec's preferred gravel option
Annnd cue the recalls for when the shock goes askew in aggressive riding and begins to scar the inside of the frame and introduces the beginnings of stress fractures! 😂
Yeah you'd think a company like specialised would have thought of that. Would it be so hard for them to just contact some youtube commenters before releasing a bike?
It was a bad week for me. A friend's funeral, and my mom's injury that led us to hospital. Thank God we are still up and running and we got something interesting to look at. Very good presentation on and off the bike, beautiful scenery and extreme weather conditions for a revolotionary but pricey bike test. I like the fact that even on Germany, presentation took place the Arthur way. Really appreciated, thank you. You made my day. P.S.: Oops! Another video uploaded, a discussion with wizard D' Alusio...Can't miss 😉
Ah, I own a 2018 diverge and I use the cobble gobbler for my seat post and it works perfectly. No need for all the metal works, best gravel riding bike with less weight. I also have carbon rims for better rolling. Plus the best part is that I only paid $700 for it on sale. I pitched the crappy trigger tires and use panaracer so tires in 38. Pump ‘‘em up for pavement to 50 psi and lose psi to 35’s on gravel and it rides smooth as butter!!!
Imagine buying this suspention gravel bike because you can't handle the little vibrations that you get from riding on little rocks on gravel roads.. People like that should just quit cycling all together at that point.
I like the idea and it could work very well. My only concern is that it is under the Specialized brand which means it will probably come with a hefty pricetag.
Seems nice but for the same amount of travel better off with a Topstone with a lefty to avoid the complexity. Thanks for braving the elements to bring us this review and thanks for posting
I want one. It’s funny, I have the Topstone Carbon Lefty and this is a very similar result achieved in a very different way. I would love to try it with a Rudy Xplr fork. Things are looking great for the future. Top video again David, thanks. J
Nice idea but just prefer something simpler. No damper please just some extra flex in seatpost/bar and stem I think is enough? Wish they would stop making stuff more complicated!
That looks really cool. Looks like I need to get into gravel bikes now. Time to start saving money. Lol. Great video. So envious of your ride in Germany 🇩🇪. Keep up the great work
that's one heck of a bike but the price is jaw dropping. The entry str starts at $9,500 and the frame costs $6,000! I'll rather get the new 2023 Trek Domane. half the price (Domane SL6 gen 4 version) and can take 38mm tires. I even saw a video that it can take a 42mm gravel tire. anf the drivetrain on that bike is good too with Shimano 105 Di2.
People fail to realize why Specialized chose to suspend the rider and not the wheels. This is not a mountain bike. This is essentially a road bike designed to take rough surfaces. A road bike has a snappy drive response to crank input. An XC or mountain bike does not, they suck up energy cranking in your suspension. On a road bike, you need to keep the relationship between your bottom bracket and the drive rigid, but by doing so, you face the challenge of getting rid of chatter and vibration and small hits to the rider without compromising the rigidity of the drive relationship. Specialized focused on the portions of the rider interface that would not affect the efficiency of pedaling or create a bobbing. Seat flex is nothing new, there's flexible seat posts, flexible damper systems for mounting seats, this is merely addressing the rear wheel lift that doesn't require a lifting of the rider (over bumps). Same with the front end. Front wheel lift doesn't have to slap the rider's hands/wrists/arms up and down a thousand times per minute. At the same time the front wheel and fork are rigid design. The bump isolation is a good solution. Cry about maintenance. There's other bikes, brands, less expensive options for you. If you can't afford this, why are you even here?
Everything that needs damping is to much for gravel in my opinion.. Something like the bmc or the trek isospreed thing is fine, but everything else you can just get a hard tail and are better off
As always, video is top notch. But man, either I'm too old or too practical, but that is just plain ugly and totally unnecessary. Thank god its hyper expensive as well....
Interesting concept but I'm surprised for such a big brand they couldn't make it look more "finished". Trek made the rear iso-speed decoupler look good. This just looks like an injury waiting to happen lol.
I really don't think this is tech that makes much sense or is needed. - not at these insane prices !!! Also, Trek seems to be doing doing a better job with their iso-speed decoupler.... and at Specialized wanting $7,500 to $12,000 i don't ever need to worry about this stuff! No thank you Specialized, wow ! A decent carbon seat post, a dropper with a bit or flex or a specific suspension seatpost all achieve the same as this system for WAY less. SMH.
I do like the look of them(I think) but at around $26000 Aus. (and $20,000Aus.for lower spec. model) I think I'll be sticking with my Cannondale Slate with carbon Lefty fork and Specialized CG-R carbon seat post for awhile yet. Good on Specialized for innovation tho'. Keeps things interesting.
I actually had a friend running some numbers a day or so ago. Certain full sus xc bikes suit the task better than others. I think the specialized epic evo with a 40mm fox 32tc was the one that came out looking the best, not even including any angleset/offset bushings. Starting with a frame with too steep a hta (trek supercaliber for example) results in usually almost 72 degrees, but the epic evo resulted in around 69.x° and change with the 32tc-40mm with a seat tube angle of 78.x°
I have to say it just looks a mess! Over complicated and not really needed for most people in most situations. I’ve always like Specialized bikes but I can’t see the need for this bike. ☹️
Anyone noticed how a part of top tube is missing? Seriously tho, why cant bike companies just quit all these shenanigans-fat tyres at low pressure provide plenty of comfort already, no Isospeed and suchlike gimmicks are needed.
We know where the increase in bike cost is going…taking 20+ “journos” to Germany. Like a car launch (costs just as much as a car I guess). That aside, looks cool & interesting.
Hi David, there seem to be a few of us that have been sent a ( you have won a prize messages) (text me) on our replies/comments to the STR interview .I’m not sure if it’s legitimately you or spam. Could you clarify either way please? Cheers J
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I have this bike. There are a lot of negative comments on here, so if you want the opinion of an owner, here you go. If not, move on to the next hater.
I have this as well as the base model Diverge. I also have a Stumpjumper full squish and a Canyon road bike. I only mention that, because of the "just get a mountain bike" crowd. I love my base model alloy diverge. I wanted to upgrade to this one because of the rough washboard roads in southern AZ, as well as the handy integrated swat storage in the downtube. The front and rear future shocks do add some weight. Enough weight that it offsets the carbon frame. Both of my Diverges weigh exactly the same. However, with the carbon wheels, it feels much snappier. The added weight makes it feel more planted in the loose stuff. It absorbs absolutely everything. Maintenance is not really an issue over the standard non STR model. The rear future shock doesn't really have anything to service. It is fully adjustable, but it is just a damper. It isn't like a hydraulic fork or an MTB shock. Sure, it may break. But it is specialized, so there are 4 specialized dealers within 30 minutes of my home. It has electric shifting, so no cables to adjust. Set it and forget it. The batteries last for thousands of shifts. I'm not too concerned about it dying on a ride. When I am lubricating my chain and shifting through the gears, I just make note of the color of the light. If it's red, I will charge it. If that is a concern, a spare Sram battery weighs in at 24 grams and would fit right in the SWAT storage with the rest of my gear.
It is pretty robust. Since getting this bike, I have set new PR's on Strava on my local flow trails, with prior PR's being on my MTB and/or base model Diverge. I have also set a new PR on my neighborhood tarmac loop with my prior PR being on my Canyon Endurace SLX. Bikes prices are falling so cost was not an issue. I can fit everything I need in the downtube, so no need to wear a pack on rides shorter that three hours. If I had to look for something to gripe about, it say that the finish is easy to scratch. But that is what you get with a matte finish. It gets shiny where things rub on it. But again, that is me looking for something to pick on. Overall, I would rate this bike 5 out of 5. Super comfy. The knocked it out of the park. I really wanted a Grizl, but I am so glad I stumbled upon this one.
At this point I'm just going to take a welding class and make my own. Enough with the proprietary everything. This is insane.
You can already buy very standardized, very well built and pretty cheap frames and build them up...
If you make your own, wouldn’t that make another proprietary standard?
Hypocrite?
I think his implication was that he’d make it with “the standard”. I think hypocritical is probably not the best description.
You see his problem would be that there is no longer any parts being made in “the standard” because no one makes them anymore. So he’d have accidentally made a proprietary frame 😂
@@samgreen5622 exactly!
Irony?
I guarantee that your bike would have better tolerances than most production frames.
A tube within a tube within a tube! The Russian doll of suspension, i like it
Thank you David for introducing and reviewing when there is the new bike releasing. It would be the one of the greatest bike for specialized if they reserve this bike as a prototype. Next version diverge please! Because lots of people are going to skip this version
Oh this is perfect! Let's just add more complexity and proprietary shizzle to gravel bikes, that's exactly what was needed. Many people are complaining that their bike is just too simple and boring since there is nothing to service.
Nice of them to try something different, to give everyone something to complain about
On point
just buy a Suntour NCX. much cheaper, same purpose and easily replaceable
It's trash ppl don't need. Doesn't solve a problem it only creates more. So enjoy giving them thousands
Love to ride one of these and a Trek Checkpoint carbon back to back.
Nice concept! Would've loved a frame with a 2x option and more mounting points in the rear (for mud guards/light pannier racks). Then it could've been my next do-it-all bike. From road to gravel, from commuting to bike packing.
just buy a Suntour NCX. much cheaper, same purpose and easily replaceable
You can buy fenders and racks that don't require threaded mounting points
Probably not for me, but I’m so happy to see some innovation. This is a novel execution of a classic solution
Oddly, I really like the way this thing looks! Maybe some inspiration from Trek’s IsoSpeed? Though I’ve thought lately, at what point do you just get a nice cross country racer? When my revolt is no longer enough, I’ll just buy a Supercaliber. And maybe some drop bars… 😁
Huge flaw in there. On mountain bikes the suspention is vertical, how it's supposed to be. On this bike the seat post is just constantly moving back and forth horizontally which just messes with your reach and position on the bike and therefore messing up your powertransfer to the pedals. Also who knows how bad that ever changing position and reach is for your body: knees, back ect.
Interesting points, however, I do think you’re overestimating this effect. First, the movement is not much. Secondly, it’s not like your position on a ‚normal’ bike is fixed since you’re constantly moving on the saddle as well. Haven’t tried the bike, just my opinion … kind regards : )
idk who rides with locked out arms, 1 inch of movement isn't much
@@UndoFilms If he is underestimating the negative affects, then maybe there is an overestimation in the benefit this actually provides. I am not a super knowledgeable person when it comes to road bikes, but I don’t get it. The seat moving back and forth smooths out vertical bumps?
Great full Suspension XC Racer! Looking forward to the flat bar version.
David ... in 2021 , you did a review of the redshift suspension seatpost. Granted this new diverge has on-the-fly adjustment, but how does this compare otherwise?
The performance and action of the Future Shock is superior - plus you can firm it up, but Redshift can be fitted to any bike and is relatively affordable
Best informative video I've seen on this bike thank you David, I usually come to you first but for a change had a look at another video that was longer and had less information/close ups of the system. Not for me but the Black Forest looks amazing!
The riding was amazing in the Black Forest Greg, definitely want to go back
Credit to Specialized for doing something innovative and genuinely different. However, I would have serious concerns about the durability and weight of the system, given its complexity.
Durability? never! You see a firmly mounted linear damper that it attached via a stiff aluminum plate to the carbon seatpost that actually bend in a curve. So the small vertical movements have to be compensated by the inner seal rings of the damper. Good luck with that after 2 years. Oh yeah, warranty is 2 years and then you need to buy a new damper because it is proprietary stuff.
suspension stem and seatpost, I think there are easier and cheaper ways, but that won't matter to spec customers :)
I’d much rather have a redshift suspension post and stem than have this system
Splurge for an EESilk. Cheaper, lighter, easier to maintain, easier to clean around, and if you don’t feel you need it, just put in a regular post
Lord can you imagine servicing this bike at this point
yeah just like any other bike, easy
Yes, I expect it’s easy just like all bikes
I'd always be looking at that and thinking!!!...... some of my bike is missing!
I'm sure some will be unhappy with the price of this bike, but we must take into account that this is a real innovation.
In the future, technology will become easier and more accessible (as happens with all new technologies)
So now it's a bike for professionals, rich people and enthusiasts.
A real masterpiece )
I think these str models are cool!
Can't wait for the recall to happen...
can't agree with comments from Arthur - "allows you to push your limits on fast gravel". On fast gravel pros will use road bikes as seen at the UCI gravel event in Italy last week. This is nice cushion for older Sunday riders, but such a demographic is even better served by an actual MTB...
Anyone else happy they bought a Diverge last year?
Another gravel bike we will never see in a UCI gravel world cup 😅
Was thinking the same
@@DaveCM Nah that was a gravel race. I think as long as the pros will ride road bikes on gravel there will always be hippies complaining about the course being not technical enough because their investment into shitty heavy gravel bikes becomes miniaturized and they can't get over it.
I think there is a huge misunderstand with suspension travel: it is 30mm along the outer curve of the seatpost and not 30mm vertically. Vertically it is maybe just 8-10mm. And that can easily be achieved with a Canyon VCLS 2.0 seatpost or the similar Ergon seatpost, just at a tiny fraction of the price. Here you need 9 different carbon seatposts and 18 settings plus damper settings to get it right. Nope. Trek had the learning experience that customers rarely fiddle with their bikes and leave it at factory setting. Thus Trek abandoned their geometry flip chip. Now they even simplified their IsoSpeed system, which was fully tuneable before. On the Madone it's gone completely and was replaced by a flex carbon seatpost. ☝🧐
The damper is such an eyesore...
The first model is the Scout, they patented the design and its amazing how road bike and mountain bike improve throughout the years.
Great to see brands pushing the innovation in their top tier products. Great review as always
EDIT: David, how come the bike doesn't come with the Pathfinder tires? I thought those were Spec's preferred gravel option
Because they are terrible gravel tires.
Waiting for heated pedals and a shiatsu seat.
Abs brakes, seat belt, auto pilot and air bags coming soon
@@joem3701 abs brakes are already in proto on ebikes from Bosch
"Quick, write that down" - Specialized product development team, probably. haha
@@Emolokz Yikes.
Hi David-I appreciate your excellent reviews and takes on these new bikes. What helmet are you wearing on this ride?
Hey, it’s a HJC Valeco
it's the S-Works Prevail 3, not an HJC
Honestly this is interesting. Definitely very interested to see where this goes
Hi David 🚴♂️🚴♂️🚴♂️
Great job on your video
👍 very informative as always. Looks a great gravel bike 🚴♂️🚴♂️🚴♂️
Annnd cue the recalls for when the shock goes askew in aggressive riding and begins to scar the inside of the frame and introduces the beginnings of stress fractures! 😂
Yeah you'd think a company like specialised would have thought of that. Would it be so hard for them to just contact some youtube commenters before releasing a bike?
how much weight is added with the rear suspension?
8.62kg for the 14000USD S-Works with no pedals in a 56cm
LOL!
I believe it’s around 400g in additional weight.
David - excellent video. Have you done a long term review of this bike, or can you share some thoughts after more extensive riding?
great review, as always
Specialized is very innovative at getting people to give up their money…
They should stop spending on research and fund GCN instead like pinarello
So zero lateral stiffness when in the saddle. Kool
would love to see a side impact test on the hydrolic arm
Impact would have to go through your femur first, given the location😖
I really wonder what Future Shock adds compared to a allready proven solution like Cane Creek eeSilk seatpost.
"I tried so hard and got so far
But in the end it doesn't even matter
I had to fall to lose it all
But in the end it doesn't even matter."
overengineered for minor gains compared to other options out there... well done to the Specialized Marketing Team!
To me it seems a very complicated way to resolve a very simple issue
It was a bad week for me. A friend's funeral, and my mom's injury that led us to hospital.
Thank God we are still up and running and we got something interesting to look at.
Very good presentation on and off the bike, beautiful scenery and extreme weather conditions for a revolotionary but pricey bike test. I like the fact that even on Germany, presentation took place the Arthur way.
Really appreciated, thank you. You made my day.
P.S.: Oops! Another video uploaded, a discussion with wizard D' Alusio...Can't miss 😉
Ah, I own a 2018 diverge and I use the cobble gobbler for my seat post and it works perfectly. No need for all the metal works, best gravel riding bike with less weight. I also have carbon rims for better rolling. Plus the best part is that I only paid $700 for it on sale. I pitched the crappy trigger tires and use panaracer so tires in 38. Pump ‘‘em up for pavement to 50 psi and lose psi to 35’s on gravel and it rides smooth as butter!!!
That looks awesome
Best thing of the bike? you have been in the Black Forest…just around the corner where I am living. Hope you enjoyed my cycling territory 😘
The riding was amazing 🤩
15000 Euro price for 8.5 kg
You want to be confortable …put big tyre at low pressure
Imagine buying this suspention gravel bike because you can't handle the little vibrations that you get from riding on little rocks on gravel roads.. People like that should just quit cycling all together at that point.
And where is it most likely to crack? You guessed it. The base alloy Diverge with the gobbler is bombproof
"Suspend the rider, not the bike!" Allsop Softride. I've gotten old.
More moving parts mean more maintenance costs 🤔
Does anyone know the glass brand he’s wearing.??
David…where are those trails in Germany? Black Forest, but which town?
I like the idea and it could work very well. My only concern is that it is under the Specialized brand which means it will probably come with a hefty pricetag.
At least in Germany it will start at 7.5k€
Seems nice but for the same amount of travel better off with a Topstone with a lefty to avoid the complexity. Thanks for braving the elements to bring us this review and thanks for posting
Please tell me what Glasses you’re wearing on the bike. Great video.
Thank you
I want one. It’s funny, I have the Topstone Carbon Lefty and this is a very similar result achieved in a very different way. I would love to try it with a Rudy Xplr fork. Things are looking great for the future. Top video again David, thanks. J
With same amount of money, which one to choose S-Works Diverge or Specialized Diverge STR Pro?
Nice idea but just prefer something simpler.
No damper please just some extra flex in seatpost/bar and stem I think is enough?
Wish they would stop making stuff more complicated!
They do the Crux if you want a simpler solution 😜
That's what I thought, something like the bmc rubber thing or the trek isospreed is enough, everything else is too much.
I do a lot of long gravel in the black forest, no need for suspension. (on a cfr696 for a quarter the price)
That looks really cool. Looks like I need to get into gravel bikes now. Time to start saving money. Lol. Great video. So envious of your ride in Germany 🇩🇪. Keep up the great work
Is that Laurens ten Dam at 8:02 ?
yes it is!
This reminds me of those sick bags you used to get on airplanes.
Still not integrated cables?Looks very good otherwise,thanks for the vídeo David
I think it looks Rad…
But £13k 😂😂!! Most of the UK is struggling to pay a gas bill
Do a few pressups and warm up
Yep I'm going to buy one of these, after I rob a bank- as am a mere but honest mortal on a crappy wage!
that's one heck of a bike but the price is jaw dropping. The entry str starts at $9,500 and the frame costs $6,000! I'll rather get the new 2023 Trek Domane. half the price (Domane SL6 gen 4 version) and can take 38mm tires. I even saw a video that it can take a 42mm gravel tire. anf the drivetrain on that bike is good too with Shimano 105 Di2.
wow how i envy you my friend, dream job tbh, best of luck for the future
People fail to realize why Specialized chose to suspend the rider and not the wheels.
This is not a mountain bike. This is essentially a road bike designed to take rough surfaces. A road bike has a snappy drive response to crank input. An XC or mountain bike does not, they suck up energy cranking in your suspension. On a road bike, you need to keep the relationship between your bottom bracket and the drive rigid, but by doing so, you face the challenge of getting rid of chatter and vibration and small hits to the rider without compromising the rigidity of the drive relationship. Specialized focused on the portions of the rider interface that would not affect the efficiency of pedaling or create a bobbing. Seat flex is nothing new, there's flexible seat posts, flexible damper systems for mounting seats, this is merely addressing the rear wheel lift that doesn't require a lifting of the rider (over bumps). Same with the front end. Front wheel lift doesn't have to slap the rider's hands/wrists/arms up and down a thousand times per minute. At the same time the front wheel and fork are rigid design. The bump isolation is a good solution. Cry about maintenance. There's other bikes, brands, less expensive options for you. If you can't afford this, why are you even here?
Everything that needs damping is to much for gravel in my opinion.. Something like the bmc or the trek isospreed thing is fine, but everything else you can just get a hard tail and are better off
I appreciate the innovation
you wont went warranty is void because you didnt get it serviced on time or you took the seat off your bike yourself lol
I wonder what it's like compared to the Niner MCR 9 RDO
Can you run fully integrated cabling on these?
It's advertised as internal routing on the website.
great looking bike, I'm pretty much sold but one very important question remains... Is it in the "spirit of gravel"?
If it’s a UK or US product then apparently, yes according to Dave 😝
UCI gonna ban this real quick for "worlds" lol
As always, video is top notch. But man, either I'm too old or too practical, but that is just plain ugly and totally unnecessary. Thank god its hyper expensive as well....
This will have a video 5-10 years from now talking how it was a flop
Better than watching Bike Radar. Their presenters are sooo dull.
How much for it? Couldn’t see where the price was written.
David you are fantastic!. Maybe you are one of the best doing bike reviews. Very down to earth.
👍😎
That’s a crazy looking bike ! Love the innovation
Interesting concept but I'm surprised for such a big brand they couldn't make it look more "finished". Trek made the rear iso-speed decoupler look good. This just looks like an injury waiting to happen lol.
We'll look back on this in a few years as one of those tech bad ideas that never took off.
Isospeed by specialized?
I really don't think this is tech that makes much sense or is needed. - not at these insane prices !!!
Also, Trek seems to be doing doing a better job with their iso-speed decoupler....
and at Specialized wanting $7,500 to $12,000 i don't ever need to worry about this stuff!
No thank you Specialized, wow ! A decent carbon seat post, a dropper with a bit or flex or a specific suspension seatpost
all achieve the same as this system for WAY less. SMH.
Why you didn't weigh it? Did specialized confiscated all your scales for this event in Germany? ;)
On peut d'origine les faire mettre en cintre plat les gravelles... 🤔??
I do like the look of them(I think) but at around $26000 Aus. (and $20,000Aus.for lower spec. model) I think I'll be sticking with my Cannondale Slate with carbon Lefty fork and Specialized CG-R carbon seat post for awhile yet. Good on Specialized for innovation tho'. Keeps things interesting.
$26k?!?!
They’re $10500aud. 🤷🏻♂️
@@mattjns I was just going on the claimed price of 13000 UK pounds here for the SWORKS model. At exchange rate that's around $26,000 Aust.
@@soloist777 Ahhhh gotcha, my apologies.
Yeah S-Works is outta hand, screw that!
I was referring to the Specialized prices, not S-Works. 👍🏼
judging by the video... Specialized managed to keep this bike under wraps for 3 months. Video looks like it was taken back in July/August!
Launch was in September but yes surprised it didn’t get leaked before then
I did a video about it last week.
At this point I can just put drop bars on the full sus...ffs
Send us a photo when you’ve done that 😛
I actually had a friend running some numbers a day or so ago. Certain full sus xc bikes suit the task better than others. I think the specialized epic evo with a 40mm fox 32tc was the one that came out looking the best, not even including any angleset/offset bushings. Starting with a frame with too steep a hta (trek supercaliber for example) results in usually almost 72 degrees, but the epic evo resulted in around 69.x° and change with the 32tc-40mm with a seat tube angle of 78.x°
No mudguards?!
I wouldn't want my gentleman area crush in that new"future shock"
I have to say it just looks a mess! Over complicated and not really needed for most people in most situations. I’ve always like Specialized bikes but I can’t see the need for this bike. ☹️
Anyone noticed how a part of top tube is missing? Seriously tho, why cant bike companies just quit all these shenanigans-fat tyres at low pressure provide plenty of comfort already, no Isospeed and suchlike gimmicks are needed.
Trek design team: "Hmmm, yes, let's make a full suss Checkpoint using a modified IsoStrut system for gravel!" ;-)
We know where the increase in bike cost is going…taking 20+ “journos” to Germany. Like a car launch (costs just as much as a car I guess).
That aside, looks cool & interesting.
Hi David, there seem to be a few of us that have been sent a ( you have won a prize messages) (text me) on our replies/comments to the STR interview .I’m not sure if it’s legitimately you or spam. Could you clarify either way please? Cheers J
Hi John that is spam, it’s bit of a problem on RUclips widely, so please ignore, I delete and report them as quickly as I see them
Get a MTB with Surly corner bar.
Specialized has jumped the shark. Enough is enough.
Nice MTB!
Gone are the days when the bikes were simple and affordable.
Love the innovative spirit at Specialized. The only downside is that it’s ugly.