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Just about to press the button on the £999 version as my only do it all road & everything bike. Was hoping to pick up last year's model of this or something similar, but at 6'4" stock is pretty non existent. So before I do it, anyone bought one?
can't help about the bike but specialized concept store have size 61 of the 2018 diverge comp for £1200 - down from £1500
https://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/product/11223/2018-men-s-diverge-comp-e5/
I've got to say - I'm not a fan of Specialized... but I LOVE my Diverge!
I bought the most basic model (alu frame/carbon forks, Claris gruppo) as I knew I'd be upgrading everything except the frame/fork and wheels. I must say though, it rides fantastically well in stock trim. I thought the 8spd Claris would be terrible and that I'd ditch it after 1 ride, but it is surprisingly OK. I don't notice the gaps between cogs off road.
The handling is a joy - it's responsive, accelerative, yet stable and predictable. It'll take at least 40mm (measured) tyres, probably larger (despite Specialized stating 'up to 38mm').
It is perfect for its intended use: a mixture of gravel/dirt tracks, Singletrack and road. I used to ride either my CX bikes or MTB's around on those kind of rides, probably 50/50 tarmac vs off road... the Diverge is in its element on those kind of routes. I am going to use it for plenty ox CX Sportives, and more than likely ride the Dirty Reiver on it in 2019.
It also - thankfully - has an English threaded BB! 🙂
I have a basic alu one for my everyday get to work, get about in the wet, generally get about bike. It's fantastic. So fantastic I'm thinking of swapping my carbon defy and diverge for a new carbon diverge.
I run it with cx tyres and have put hydro brakes on it and it gets used on tarmac and crappy paths and I cannot fault it.
Get one, you won't regret it.
We bought a few of the £1500 FutureShock models for the hire fleet this year. Customers love them. The FurureShock works really well. The only issue we've had is with spokes failing on the rear wheel on 3 of them, cause undetermined.
We sell the fleet off each year at the end of the season (i.e. now) but most of the Diverges are already spoken for.
I've got one of the old DSW diverge's it rides really well, accelerates quick if you need it to and comfy. Mine came with basic 10 speed Tiagra other than the left shifter which is sometime difficult to shift into the large ring works great.
Excellent thanks all
I have the earlier version and it's just perfect for my needs. As fast as a road bike and as tough as a crosser.
If I was buying now, I'd be torn between a Giant Defy or Revolt, though. However, they're both on the shinier end of the spectrum!
Friend of mine has one of the entry level Diverge from this year, and whenever we've ridden together, he seems very please with it. A little more capable off road than mine, but a little slower on road than mine. I'm fairly sure that my years of riding MTB, and especially the early years of rigid steel ones, means that I can more effectively compensate for the lack of any bounce!
All in all, good bikes
Sorry to hijack this thread OP
Kuco:
Regarding the stiff shifter going into the big ring try some GT85 or Similar lube on the cable where it exits the downtube. You literally have to lube it after every ride but it makes the problem go away, I think its grit getting inside the plastic housing.
Thanks for the suggestion andypaull99 i'll give it a go. Been very tempted to stick a single ring on it.
I've heard they are laterally stuff but vertically compliant.
Thanks all. In sizing. I am 6'4. Do they size up small. Would like a 64 but can only get a 61 for £999. Any thoughts?
I have an E4 comp with Future shock, wheels are like boat anchors and the rear bearings went within a year. Replaced wheels with some Prime Races which are lighter. I have raced cross, done Sportives and do the odd quick ish group ride on it and with a swap of tyres it does it all well enough without excelling at anything but thats a Gravel bike for you I think, the stock pads in the cable disks were awful new pads improved the brakes to acceptable.
Not much to add except when I looked at them I was surprised that you only got cable discs (albeit spyres). That was on the £1500 E5 and splashing out £2k on the sport still only got cables.
Don't get me wrong, I like spyres and have them on my bike but it seems a bit tight
Specialized has always been tight on the component front unless you spend mega bucks.
My other half has all Alu one and loves it. Got mason hunt wheels and tubeless tyres and she loves it even more. The stock wheels are robust but heavy. Tried to persuade her how much better it would be with a decent group set and hydros but she’s not budging yet.
Some of them had SCS dropout spacing which can make aftermarket wheels a bit less straightforward, may or may not be relevant to you or that particular model.
Yep, mine got the SCS all you have to do is get the rear hanger that specialized do that means you can run normal hubs. One of the best things with Specialized is hangers only cost £10
Also, Hope make SCS hubs.