All-New Specialized Diverge 2020 / 2021 with Future Shock 2.0 - FIRST RIDE IMPRESSIONS

[@BoxCarBoy12]

When I saw this Diverge this morning, I immediately cancelled my order for a Look 765 Gravel and bought one of these. It look like an awesome all round gravel bike, plus it has a threaded BB! Amazing!

[@GravelCyclist]

The one thing I forgot to mention in my video, oops.

[@SuperRobbro]

Good luck with future shock.

[@nelsonglover3963]

Hambini disapproves

[@BoxCarBoy12]

@@nelsonglover3963 LOL funny story... I thought that I'd canceled the order for the Look but the retailer didn't process it so I was still sent the bike. Meanwhile my order with Specialized failed to process, so the bike was never sent. I could've easily corrected the situation, but I changed my mind and decided I wanted the Look while this was all happening so it worked out. No regrets, the Look is awesome. Hambini can rest easy!

[@jaysong2890]

Placed the order for the exact bike in the video 2 weeks ago. Will keep watching this review video till my bike arrives.

[@OmarTan]

I love that this one comes with all the necessary mounts, no need for straps anymore! Would be interesting to see this bike durability and reliability being tested in an ultra endurance race.

[@markowsley4954]

Like that they switched to a threaded bottom bracket. Was interested in the previous model but this one may make me pull the trigger.

[@blackwatch_TV]

Jom is no slacker! This bike is a beauty, excellent review

[@roel-janmouw8748]

Based on your review got a pair of Terra CLX' for my 2021 Diverge Expert. Great upgrade for the bike. Although the standard wheels on the bike are mediocre, so any premium wheel will be so much better, love the ride feel of new Terra's, a major upgrade:). thanks for reviewing wheels JOM!

[@GravelCyclist]

Glad I could help!

[@BlackWaterCyclist]

Great video JOM! I love that SWAT option inside the downtube which was borrowed from their MTB lineup. So much space inside those downtubes that seem wasted to me.

[@GravelCyclist]

Thanks dude, love the SWAT system. I could see myself totally abusing it, stuffing jackets, all manner of crap inside!

[@dkcycles757]

That 700x47mm tire has my attention.

[@SHWELL11]

Definitely my next bike. Thanks for sharing!

[@durianriders]

Finally a proper BB design! BSA FTW! Proprietary fork is a deal breaker. That would cost so much to replace if you have a solid rag on it. 1x is crap for full on adventure riding in most parts of the world. Those tires look good!

[@skierskymichael2681]

Good review, thanx. I have now in focus Diverge Carbon Sport , after Cannondale Topstone, Giant Revolt and Rondo HVRT. Greetings from Poland

[@walcottav]

Oooh, that is nice. Its the first Specialized that would have me move on from my 2011 Roubaix. And that Roubaix does have a threaded bottom bracket btw, and even though a rim brake bike, I can get 700x32mm tires on it. Glad Specialized has brought the Diverge up to my preferred spec and maintained some mere mortal price points.

[@roadglide]

Specialized really sets a high bar in riding technology.

[@Talos353]

They set the price high for what you get, thats for sure!

[@gauloisrefractaireenexilvo4366]

Thank you for this practical review. You seem to be one of the few YT channels that actually rode this bike. I am out on the market for all-road adventure bike, and the Diverge 2020 ticks lots of boxes. I just to have review the gear ratio since I never used a x 1 as versatility is key to multi-week or -month bike packing (which includes camping gear, although light).

[@GravelCyclist]

If it were me, I'd suggest looking at a 2x build, there are a couple of those available, and I believe at the GRX level. I believe 1x is too much of a compromise most of the time, and for bike camping / packing, I would want versatility and lower gear options. Good luck!

[@danw3863]

@@GravelCyclist I'm interested in this bike for "credit card" touring. I don't see a place to mount fenders; did you? There are mounts on the fork for a front rack at least but only two small mounts for a rear rack at the base of the rear seatstay? Perhaps they have a removable bridge for the top of the seatstay?

[@GravelCyclist]

@@danw3863 There is a removable bridge that I mentioned in the video but it was unavailable during the media camp. Sorry, I wish I had more info for you.

[@josh33172]

Specialized came back at it in 2007 with the Tricross Expert that fit 700x42 (with minimal clearance). It was Columbus aluminum and a fact carbon seatstay w/ Zertz inserts also present on the seatpost and fork. The bike was too long, slack and the BB was too low compared to CX bikes at the time. Great comfortable bike, but unfortunately it was canti brakes but they do actually work well, and make for a light build.

[@alradhi.j3009]

i saw specialized rockcombo on gravel cyclist! and super flare-but-not-super-wide nitto dropbar mentioned too!

[@matthewjohnson4617]

Boom I’m in can’t wait, going to buy s works frame plus grx

[@mancello]

Almost 21K subs. Should be 100K subs by now. No justice in this world!🚴🚴🚴

[@GravelCyclist]

Thanks Nick, I agree. I see so much sub-standard content out there, and yet they have a ton of followers. However, I will keep plugging away!

[@Chader9]

Agreed, GC is a leader and has some of the best content around. :D

[@psydanger_ivan69-81]

Nice video love diverge also grettings from Croatia

[@CG-vb9di]

Is the Futureshock considered as part of the overall stack height?

[@Zinngeschrei]

Great Video. Looking for bike for So Cal mountains and BWR. Looking at Grizl, Niner RDO, Diverge, Revolt. Any advise which might be the better choice these days?

[@alecfotsch3533]

Do you say JOMetry on purpose or am I just hearing things?

[@GravelCyclist]

Haha amusing.

[@wranglercycling6420]

Jom...in your view what would be the most apropriatte tires to be used when riding only in tarmac...??

[@GravelCyclist]

Hello there, hard to go past the regular Panaracer Gravelking... I love the 700c x 32mm version, works fab tubeless, very fast, very light.

[@YellowfinCoachMatt]

did you notice any seat post slippage? I just got one and the post creeps down about 5mm every ride despite, cleaning, carbon past, proper torque etc...

[@another_wai8388]

Yep.. happens to my fellow Diverge riders too

[@hardmtnbiker]

Great review, seems like you could ditch your XC hardtail and get the have a flat bar gravel.

[@norcalchrismeister]

Thanks for the vid. I was interested in the Diverge Expert, but now I'm leaning towards the Comp Carbon because it has a 2x and it's about 2 grand cheaper lol.

[@GravelCyclist]

Indeed, 2x is winning any day in my book, and $2k, significant!

[@tmayberry7559]

I have an older version of the tracer pro's they are a very capaable tire fast on paved and fast off road. I find myself looking for a gravel road with these tire and they're tube less ready

[@ltp2151]

Thanks for the review! I didn't see a 2X with electronic shifters at their website, did you see one at the demo? How do you feel this compares to the Niner RLT 9 RDO that you covered pretty thouroughly? I'm moving to your neck of the world later this year so those type of roads, paved centuries and gravel rail trails. I got Specialized email announcement at 3pm today, called customer support with some questions but they're on COVID schedule so bad to email questions.

[@GravelCyclist]

No 2x electronic which is very disappointing.

[@ltp2151]

Thanks. I still havn't heard back from Specialized but did talk to someone at my Specialized LBS (open half week short hours), who had to look it up and that's what they said too. So, unfortunately, I won't be buying this Diverge afterall. Maybe the 2021 Trek Domane will have everything I want.

[@robertsonfamilyfarm9126]

John now what is the best build for the 2021 specialized diverge ? Pro or Expert , do they have a 2x build ? I think 🤔 this bike will be a great 👍 gravel bike for lost and found and more dirt friendly rides plus a nice road bike with tire change

[@GravelCyclist]

Hello, it is JOM. I am not a fan of 1x, they do have a 2x GRX mechanical option, that would be my choice.

[@fabzrustrider9838]

Awesome video 👍🏾💯🇯🇲

[@kennoon7177]

Please review the evo please

[@another_wai8388]

JOM.. great review. Am deciding between Base Carbon and Expert. Both have plus and minuses. Most of my fellow groadies ride Expert and above model. So decisions decisions..

[@bigflat1238]

Is this any good for country roads and just regular roads

[@GravelCyclist]

I would say so.

[@ranotuitam]

Silex or Diverge?

[@DCCSound]

Be aware that the 2021 Diverge alloy frame has longer chainstays at 432mm (56 cm) vs 425mm for the carbon version, vs 421mm for the 2020 carbon version.

[@GravelCyclist]

There is no problem here, it all equates to more tyre clearance. Win!

[@ssejati]

How is it compare to Trek Domane SL6 ?

[@GravelCyclist]

Never ridden the Trek, sorry!

[@MozOnBikes]

Always trust Jom gravel bike reviews. A few of the other reviews out there are a bit strange as it’s their first on a gravel bike and they are too busy making sense of wider bars with a slight flare or 1x drive trains. I have to say the new Diverge looks promising that’s for sure!

[@GravelCyclist]

Thanks, really appreciate the feedback. Too many reviewers these days jump on the bandwagon of gravel, yet I've never seen these people ride very many miles/kms on gravel.

[@SergHooley]

hi, what are the tires with a stripe in the middle called. Sorry for my English ))

[@jg9008]

Those are Specialized Pathfinder Pro's. WTB Byways are another similar model.

[@SergHooley]

@@jg9008 thanks)

[@thecatsonholiday5932]

Will it take the edge of my medge.

[@abbys82]

Thank you for the amazing review. How well does it ride on pavement as a pure road bike for long distance?

[@GravelCyclist]

It would be fine on pavement and narrow, road specific tyres.

[@L.O.K.I]

Does it have threaded bottom bracket?

[@GravelCyclist]

Affirmative, I totally forgot to mention that.

[@timdixo]

JOM...is the Future Shock 2.0 a huge leap over 1.5 or is it more marginal considering the leap in cost? I’m getting seriously tempted by this over the Aspero now damn it!

[@GravelCyclist]

Tim, I didn't have enough time on 1.5 to accurately and honestly answer your question. Sorry... all of these new bikes are good problems to have :)

[@timdixo]

Gravel Cyclist Just took a Diverge carbon with FS 1.5 in my size for a test run. FS did everything it says on the tin and more,feels so planted...sold! Next up a Di2 2x upgrade.

[@SuperRobbro]

On Future shock 2.0 the shock outer ruber breaks and adjuster knob sometimes fell of because of internal failure.

[@another_wai8388]

Robert Bro seriously??

[@GravelCyclist]

@@SuperRobbro Thinking you should make a warranty claim.

[@nikibirling]

What saddle height did you have in 54cm Diverge? I'm looking at the geometry and though I usually ride 56cm frames the stack in 56cm diverge is just too damn high. I'm wondering about ordering 54cm but I'm worried about being able to raise saddle to my preferred height 78cm. Thanks!

[@GravelCyclist]

My saddle height is 766mm center of BB to top of the saddle.

[@jaspreetsidhu5708]

Hey Jom did you end up sizing your frame down while riding?

[@GravelCyclist]

I didn't change my bike setup while riding, if that is what you are asking. The bike is appropriately setup for me.

[@confusedmachine]

@@GravelCyclist You were on a 54cm? How tall are you?

[@angeloldschool9834]

What 's about the tracer tires?

[@GravelCyclist]

Specialized's website has the answers.

[@angeloldschool9834]

​@@GravelCyclist I meant your feelings with the tires

[@cccpkingu]

@@angeloldschool9834 If it is missing, it probably isn't that good.

[@bikepacking330]

Very Good bike

[@steveharris5526]

Thanks for the review! How do you feel about the Carbon Comp if 2x is wanted. Seems like the best all around deal.

[@GravelCyclist]

Haven't seen the pricing but for me, 2x is always the best choice. I don't understand why 1x is touted as the future blah blah when all you are doing is limiting your gear choices. Modern front derailleurs are so good, no brainer to me.

[@steveharris5526]

Gravel Cyclist I ended up with the carbon comp with 2x grx and I’m so happy I did. I have all the range and it shifts wonderfully. No issues spinning out on hard packed fast gravel and paved roads.

[@hansschotterradler3772]

How can you make this your only bike if you already own 4??

[@GravelCyclist]

N+4, no problem.

[@MoveAndPerform]

Thanks for the video - nice upgrade from the previous Diverge generation but the paint schemes are horrible...especially the 10k version. Be Well!

[@vomErsten]

It's effectively a Tarmac SL6 with clearance for larger tires and a squishy stem. Look at it!

[@roel-janmouw8748]

Hi, got both, while might look similar it’s very different. The diverge is about 10cm longer, is much more suitable on ‘technical’ terrain due to different / wider bars and different angle on the bikes fork. Love the diverge for bike-packing and gravel, my to go bike, the tarmac for road as it’s simply a much faster bike.

[@nikrusso5822]

Nice review! Weight?

[@12799MaDeuce]

Wish they'd put hydraulic brakes on the lower models

[@danw3863]

It looks like they do have hydraulics on the Base Carbon and Comp E5 models for 2021 also my shop says they aren't available yet.

[@mikicastan]

They could hide cables like rose backroad

[@durianriders]

exposed cables easy to service on the road.

[@arbjful]

@@durianriders yes....you have a point there..

[@davidtt8372]

I've been trying to order this thing for weeks. Quit rubbing it in

[@GravelCyclist]

FYI, I last rode the bike you saw in the video, way back in March. Good luck with your order!

[@PresiMinchev]

Its a XC bike with drop bars ! Change my mind.

[@GravelCyclist]

Super original comment! Like that hasn't been said about 400 times already.

[@PresiMinchev]

@@GravelCyclist Some how this bike looks sick AF , want one !

[@rainerschenk5667]

the first recall because of a cracked chainstay will be on...2020

[@outerstellar7186]

Jumping up and down handlebars is the most idiotic idea cycling industry could make. Your rolling resistance is the same as a rigid fork, but you have constantly changing bike geometry and additional fatigue because of that, it's like driving a car and having shocks inside your seat instead of suspension. Marketing doing very good on you, consume obsessed fanboys.

[@GravelCyclist]

Maybe you should also look at the suspension seatpost concept..

[@cbenson513]

Maybe you should actually try the bike. Those that do, seem to like it.

[@osint6372]

Too heavy...The wheels and tires got to go...