Weight: 165 lbs Yes fork clearance is the same from what I have read. Please choose "Store Pickup" during checkout. The Diverge treads the fine line between ‘normal’ road bike and gravel-grinder. It feels like a bike on which you could very easily tackle a Sunday ride with mates, a lengthy sportive or even a faster-paced club run, aided by not-too-wide tyres that offer low rolling resistance and wheels that spin up pretty quickly. View The Classics, The Bikepacking Journal is our printed collection of inspiring writing and beautiful photography.Find details here alongside a growing collection of web exclusive features... Have one to share? Specialized’s Diverge frame is made from E5 aluminium, which incorporates clever welding technology (Smartweld, if you will), to make it as stiff as possible in all the right areas, without this being at the expense of compliance. 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. In the meantime, the Roubaix Pros are good all rounders, though it’s a shame the wheelset that comes stock with this model isn’t tubeless ready. The Diverge Elite Smartweld has everything you need to start going farther than you ever thought possible. The Spyre system’s overall ease of modulation offered throughout our test further convinced us that they're only bettered by hydraulic counterparts. With its D’Aluisio Smartweld Technology E5 Premium Aluminum frame that increases stiffness while also improving compliance, no road surface is off-limits. The 10-speed Tiagra set-up still offers a workable spread of gears, although some of the cogs are a fair old jump up or down. Things get pretty boingy on trails, but we’d rather have that than constant juddering. Specialized Diverge Elite DSW 2016. Shimano’s 10-speed Tiagra makes up every element of the groupset except the brakes and chain. Read more here. It's a racer that absolutely flies on the gravel, whose quick handling and relatively short wheelbase makes it a flickable bike with loads of feedback when you've got the bit between your teeth. I’ve been embarking regularly on two-wheeled explorations for the last 18 years. Specialized's all-new Allez is now truly designed for the people who actually buy one. TRP’s mechanical discs are employed with a feathering of the front level as we slow for a 30mph limit. Support us and pass it along... to support us & get The Bikepacking Journal. The Diverge Elite DSW has everything you need to start going farther than you ever thought possible. You can, of course, drop the range down a notch by swapping out the chainring for one that’s 4-6 teeth smaller – probably without even needing to adjust the length of the chain. The elastomer inserts in the bike’s seatstays help to isolate a lot of buzz from regular tarmac, but the bike still feels direct on bumpy downhill blasts. In all, the rear is particularly comfortable, although the front end doesn’t quite offer the same degree of compliance. Racing down one of the longer descents in the area, it was immediately noticeable how much confidence they imbued in my riding, especially carving hard into corners. Specialized’s functional alloy kit is used throughout the build, the star of which is the short-drop, short-reach, compact handlebars, that work in unison with the carbon fork to provide enough feel while keeping road and off-road buzz at bay. I am intent on getting a Diverge as my secondary/winter bike. 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 100×12 TA hub (just to add further confusion, the 2015 models are different, as are 2016 and 2017 carbon-framed versions). Personally, I’d have liked to have tried it with a set of Compass’ supple-walled tires, like the Bon Jon Pass, over which randonneur riders enthuse so much about. Latest deals. Learn More, As important as it is to have a reliable bike and pack as light as you can, choosing the right route is perhaps the key to your enjoyment. … Simply put, bikepacking is the synthesis of mountain biking and minimalist camping; it evokes the freedom of multi-day backcountry hiking, with the range and thrill of riding a mountain bike. The closeness of its geometry to the firm’s Roubaix endurance model (albeit with a slacker head angle and deeper BB drop) means we’re instantly at home, while the gearing is spot-on. If you’re considering adding a fast road bike to your quill – a machine that will be used primarily for long, exploratory day rides and occasional fast bikepacks – I can’t recommend it highly enough. Out of Stock. Die hard roadies will no doubt quibble over its weight, compared to a dedicated asphalt machine. It is, however, a shame a third water bottle can’t be fitted below the Diverge’s belly for long desert rides. If you intend to multi-day camp regularly, I’d recommend picking a model with a 2x drivetrain, ideally a compact 48/32T chainset, to enjoy the best of both worlds. 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. For those on a tighter budget, the 2017 Gloss Moto Orange Diverge Elite DSW ($1400) looks like a good contender. 2016 Specialized Diverge Elite DSW For sale on Pinkbike buysell Specialized Diverge Comp Elite DSW D'Aluisio Smart . Specialized Allez Elite - review. Our review. If you haven’t tried a road bike with hydros, you’re in for a treat. We provide inspiration and information through original bikepacking routes, stories, and coverage of gear, news, and events that help our community thrive. Cinelli Pressure: new aero road bike from iconic Italian brand, Video: How to adjust a rear derailleur and index your gears, AG2R Citroën Team reveal major kit redesign for 2021, Women led the way in huge increase in cycling for 2020, Strava data shows, Thinking about a cycling holiday in 2021? The wide rubber is a positive boon on damper tarmac climbs, especially with a little air taken out of them (we ran them at 85psi on the road). 22 votes, 33 comments. Specialized Diverge Elite DSW 2016; Product was successfully added to your shopping cart. Monthly Payments £27.68. There’s provision for a rear rack mount and two water bottle cages. Cyclist Tours can help. It’s specced with a compact double (a hill-friendly 48/32T) and mechanical disc brakes, which could be upgraded to hydros further down the line. All in a relatively lightweight, road-inspired package. Otherwise, keep your bikepacking payload to a minimum. Our review. And I'm guessing the ride of the Allez is similar to that of the Diverge Elite? Compared to a traditional road bike, it’s the width of the Diverge’s tires – well, in roadie terms at least – that stands out most initially, in keeping with a growing trend of running roomier, lower pressure rubber on wider rims. On paper, the Diverge isn’t as performance-orientated as an all out road machine. But everyone else will revel in the undeniable thrill of road riding and fast, ultralight touring, without the restrictions such bikes often impose. Copyright © Dennis Publishing Limited 2020. As per my earlier review, went with spanky light Times, as I use Time on my other bikes, and stiffer than a stiff thing XC shoes to create the effect of a bigger platform road pedal. Specialized Diverge review . BIKEPACKING.com is dedicated to exploration by bicycle. Which appeals most will largely depend on the depth of your pockets and your riding locale, given the choice of drivetrains and frame materials. Originally published in The Bikepacking Journal 03, Ditibised is Alexandera Houchin’s extraordinary story of training for the Tour Divide, framed in four seasons…. 2016 Pactimo Brand Ambassador www.Crankaddicts.cc www.skratchlabs.com www.hilltopbicycles.com 2017 S-Works Tarmac SL5 2015 S-Works DSW Allez 2014 S-Works Shiv TT 2015 Specialized Fuse Comp. The Diverge Elite is loving the tarmac so far… The Diverge treads the fine line between ‘normal’ road bike and gravel-grinder. The Diverge’s handling is made all the more dreamy by its braking set-up. In this feature story, Ben Page offers a reminder of the value of getting out on shorter, simpler trips, instead of getting wrapped up in planning something big... After a few months with the Specialized Diverge – both full throttle down desert blacktop and along meandering New Mexican dirt roads – we find out if this All Road rig is true to its name’s dictionary definition. View All Features. Given my love for mountain biking and backcountry touring, my ideal journey fuses the two, keeping to quiet dirt roads and singletrack where possible. The Diverge encourages out of the saddle climbs and makes sprinting along paved roads undeniably fun; in the way that it seems to transfer every iota of energy into propelling you forward. The A1 lacks the rear Zertz insert, has Axis Classic wheels and a Claris groupset, all retailing for $1000. As for gear range, my Diverge Comp came fitted with a 46T outer ring, mated to a 10-42 cassette. 2017 models will be available shortly, meaning bargains from ‘last’ year are sure to be found. Otherwise, the replacement 2017 Diverge Comp now features a carbon frame and fork and a double crankset too. October 2016 edited October 2016 in Road buying advice. I thought the carbon forks were the same? 11-24-2015 #88. others did. Specialized’s Diverge was one of the first so-called ‘gravel bikes’ to take the mainstream by storm. These are among the tallest chainstays available on an aluminum frame. Most recently, I connected the length of the Americas via the road less traveled, and explored Mongolia on a fat bike. Adding to that, the Specialized Diverge Elite DSW features exceptional tyre clearance for 30c tyres that float over rough roads and gravel. The FACT carbon fork – as used on so many of the brand’s bikes, including Specialized’s big-money S-Works models – also features Zertz inserts, designed to counter vibrations even further. The rear end is designed with compliance in mind, with Zertz inserts in the seatstays. I love getting out and testing new bikes but many fall short of getting me truly excited. And there’s room to go even bigger. Cick the link to see them plotted or select from the links to the right to filter. Decent side grip and extra volume assist those tyres in the provision of a confident ride, with no skittish moments. The light, responsive aluminium frame uses D'Alusion Smartweld Technology to increase stiffness and effiiciency while retaining low weight and wonderful compliance. Interest (APR) 15.9%. As for protecting both your friends and your clothes from the elements, Specialized’s Plug and Play Fenders are designed to work. 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. The fourth issue of The Bikepacking Journal hit mailboxes this spring. Specialized claims there’s clearance for tyre sizes up to 35c, suitable for full-on adventure-spec or CX rubber. I have been running around all summer on two way fit Zondas and schwalbe pro ones. Two wheels, or three, sometimes one, but never more than twenty. Buy Specialized Diverge Comp Carbon 2016 Buy Specialized Diverge Comp Carbon 2017 Find a Specialized dealer Frame. In fact, we absolutely fell in love with last year's Diverge Comp. Like many bikes at this price point, the Diverge uses TRP’s Spyre mechanical disc brake set-up. ... Review your personalised finance estimation. My bike has a QR on the rear, and after reading copious amounts of information, it seems I can just get a normal rear hanger to replace the SCS wheels. With its D'Aluisio Smartweld Technology E5 Premium Aluminum frame that increases stiffness while also improving compliance, no road surface is off-limits. It’s priced at $3300. With its D'Aluisio Smartweld Technology E5 Premium Aluminium frame that increases stiffness while also improving compliance, no road surface is off-limits. A relaxed head angle combines with a just-sub-metre wheelbase for a confidence-inspiring ride. 0 Review(s) Quick Overview. Here in New Mexico, it’s introduced me to the potential of connecting quiet desert roads with the dirt and gravel tracks that meander between them. On tarmac, they offer some surprisingly good handing and an excellent turn of speed in a straight line. Weight, compared to a minimum as performance-orientated as an 2016 specialized diverge elite dsw review out road machine pass. Us that they 're only bettered by hydraulic counterparts will certainly boost the Diverge reminded me about the pleasures road! 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