SPECIALIZED DIVERGE COMP CARBON vs. EXPERT CARBON (BEST GRAVEL BIKE?) *FUTURE SHOCK* 2021

In this video I am showing off the differences between the 2021 diverge comp carbon and the expert carbon and showing what each bike comes specked with but also what the price difference gets you.
At the end of the video I will go over both bikes and tell you what I think and if its worth it for the money between the two models.
Please lemme know which model you guys like and what bike you liked better.
Thanks so much for watching and I will see you all in the next video :)

[@scrappydoo102ify]

Literally took your advice . Returned the expert and got the comp carbon and put some c38 carbon wheels

[@GCPerformance18]

Thats awesome!!! also awesome having both options to choose from :)) your going to love it with the wheels way better

[@scottlstone]

What about DT SWISS GRC, is this a compatible wheel set?

[@shane4176]

Thanks for the info

[@looee___]

Thanks for the video GC. For me, (aside from obviously being the better value bike) the color on the comp slays the argument for the expert carbon... I mean look at that! A thing of art!

[@GCPerformance18]

The blue color is amazing, one of the nicest paint jobs I seen in a while.

[@mr.h00ks59]

I bought the Specialized Roubaix Comp 2020 in the Blue Crystal Flake ( beautiful machine ) and I LOVE IT! So much so that I have been looking into the Diverge Comp so I have the off-road gravel trail option. Great side by side comparison! Thank you!

[@GCPerformance18]

very nice anmd you can also make the roubaix similar to the diverge, the roubaix can fit a 700x33 tire on there

[@rezahelali6083]

thank you for det comparison , very helpful .

[@GCPerformance18]

You are very welcome!!

[@mariagiuliazoppi4198]

*Looked at a lot of options for getting my **Latest.Bike** . Great find in SAVA. Super light, nice components, really good value as it comes with many options only found in much higher priced bikes.*

[@AREMPEE]

Good comparison and good point. Just like what you said, I went with the Sport Carbon and spent the $1200 for the C38 wheels.

[@GCPerformance18]

Yea c38s on there you got any amazing gravel bike

[@stealth1fighter]

I absolutely love your channel! You do a great job! And your voice is fine! Lol

[@GCPerformance18]

Glad you enjoy it! and lmao thkans

[@paulr3613]

My next bike, thx for the video 😊👍

[@GCPerformance18]

your very welcome

[@PiquePictures]

I love my Specialized Diverge! Just got back from a 1,000 kilometre gravel adventure in British Columbia!

[@GCPerformance18]

Amazing!!!

[@jussa101]

Hey saw your video on Facebook :). I'm in the bc groups on Facebook.

[@TomNeuhauser]

I just put Roval C38's on my 2020 Diverge Comp Carbon- even though it's not the new model, I absolutely love my bike and those wheels just made it so much better!

[@GCPerformance18]

Yea people don’t realize how nice wheels can make it

[@moniquelangston8355]

@@GCPerformance18 so would it be better to buy the pro than expert? Any suggestions on which one to get. I’m deciding between the comp, expert or pro? Thanks

[@marcburbridge19]

Great review! Thanks! I'm planing to purchase a 2021 Diverge Comp with Roval C38. What is the best tire to put on this bike for 80% road 20% offroad? Rene Herse Steilacoom 38 ? Schwalbe G-One speed or allround 35? Specialized Trigger Pro 38 ? Other ? What size is the best for mostly road use ? Thanks!

[@jarnoklijn5908]

Nice video, thnx! Can you also make a video of the Diverge Elite E5?

[@GCPerformance18]

If I can get my hands on one for sure

[@cyndy_776]

I got the Expert partly because that was all the bike shop had in stock in my size 😆 but anyway I love it, I really like the 1x set up & Di2 rocks.

[@GCPerformance18]

Very nice!! All you need is just some wheels and you got yourself an amazing dream bike

[@melissapatrick6888]

Same here.

[@juanpadilla8808]

Both bikes are beautiful! Digging the Comp though! Nice color scheme! I like the two by for sure!

[@GCPerformance18]

Yea the comp color is out of this world. Even for me, the computer image did it no justice

[@84imreplica]

I have Di2 on my Giant Defy Advanced Pro 0 and I love the way it shifts, but I agree with you that the Comp Carbon is a better deal.

[@GCPerformance18]

yea for the money comp carbon all the way but if you odnt want to deal with hassle then just get expert

[@Cycling_in_ja]

Love dem bikes 👌🏾

[@GCPerformance18]

thanks my man, the bikes are amazing!!!

[@rustybridges5858]

I sorta took your advice. I ordered the Expert so I could have the electronic shifting but I also ordered the Roval c38's based off your feedback in this video

[@GCPerformance18]

yes!!!!!! thats aweomse!!!! the bike is going to be sick with those wheels

[@MrSchattka]

Any idea if the SWAT frame storage cover is waterproof?

[@sw6493]

Looking at these bikes and a Cervelo Aspero right now. Between these two, I'd also go with Comp. Same frame and wheels. Throw carbon wheels on there and its good to go.

[@GCPerformance18]

Yea the comp is the way to go all the way!! Get some nice carbon wheels for the money you save

[@jaspreetsidhu5708]

If the expert was 2x i would have bought it went comp carbon, spent the money on a set of clinchers. Grx mechanical shifting is sooooo crisp with a bit of maintainence. The shift feels so nice.

[@GCPerformance18]

Yea, you get that thing dialed in a couple times it’s butter smooth

[@noonster55]

I think you are 100 % correct.

[@GCPerformance18]

Thanks so much!!!

[@emmanuelbacal7249]

That future shockkk!!! is litt!!!!

[@GCPerformance18]

:)))

[@emmanuelbacal7249]

@@GCPerformance18 im on my online class but watching this HAHAHAHAH

[@GCPerformance18]

@@emmanuelbacal7249 dammmm my dude!!! your the real mvp, im stil trying ot get a giant dealer to work with

[@YesItsKevin]

@@emmanuelbacal7249 lmao my mom found me watching in class. worth getting screamed at

[@rodrigopages1054]

Things to know when buying specialized bikes is that most of the new designed models, for the first year of the redesign, all carbon frames will probably if not always, be the same fact r number so going with the best cost effective component bike is the better buying option! Because you basically get an sworks bike for far cheaper which you can upgrade once your components wear out or age after 1-2 years depending how much you ride ! This will also apply for mountainbike bikes!

[@GCPerformance18]

Yea for mountain bikes for sure, but the roads do usually follow with different levels of carbon.

[@richardlocke7264]

Another difference the Expert Carbon comes in size 64 cm, while Comp Carbon's largest size is 61 cm. I'm 6'6" with long legs, and I have two 64cm Specialized bikes and a 61 cm Cannonade CaadX. The 64cm bikes are more comfortable to me. I agree with you in regards to value- I would buy the Comp Carbon (if they made my size) and buy some Carbon wheels - but size matters and will likely purchase an Expert. 64 cm frames are VERY difficult to find. Specialized is one of the very few manufacturers, and they make very few models. PS Comp Carbon has the nicer color scheme too.

[@GCPerformance18]

no wayyyy I did not even think about that but yesa that is a huge difference and a nice option for those taller people such as yourself. I miss the good old days where they uise to make double xl in all the sizes and all bieks

[@IamCredit]

Holy crap the Expert is $1200 more now vs September 2020. Comp is $400 more now vs September 2020. The bike market is insane.

[@GCPerformance18]

yea I know it is crazy to see right

[@TheFastman112]

I think you are right, Unfortunately must go for the expert though because they have 64 cm version of it, that would fit me better than 61 cm comp

[@GCPerformance18]

Okay yea in that matter get the bike that actually fits you lol. That’s the best bang for the buck hahhaa

[@justinofboulder]

I would go with the comp as well, especially because it comes with 2x.

[@jamr3315]

Great video bro, currently subbed. 👍🏽 I just bought a size 54 expert in satin green coz I like the unique color and the di2 differences. Dry weight is 9.5kg net without pedals.

[@GCPerformance18]

yea man the experet is a nice bike!!!! congrats on the new order and you are going to love it

[@elachichai]

Between the sport carbon and comp e5 aluminium, I thought the carbon was better equipped with 2BY. I was told the jumps in gears are smoother with lesser deltas in 2BY. But then the Di2 comes with 1BY as well. By what year will electronic shifting come down to the $2500-$3000 bike price point? The sweet spot price.

[@GCPerformance18]

lets seeif shimano comes out with somethign new for the 105 and maybe it will reach that price of like 3500

[@angelortiz353]

Im just wondering can the 48/31 chainring be change out to a 50/34 on the 2x set up thanks in advance

[@GCPerformance18]

yes it can be

[@WILCOgameplays]

Hello! I bought a comp carbon 2021 (used) online and it should arrive tomorrow. However it was very cheap, is there a possibility it is fake? And if so is there Any way to check? Thanks!!

[@GCPerformance18]

How much was it and just be careful. You have a link you can send, because right now a lot of people are trying to find this bike and I would be surprised for it to sell cheap

[@louisAudet]

I’m currently waiting for the expert because I think DI2 worth the extra money. Plus all the little differences here and there.

[@GCPerformance18]

Yea I mean at the end of the day that’s why they make the different models. And some people would want the di2 so if it works for you then pick thag one

[@scottlstone]

Is Di2 £1000 extra RRP in comparison to cable GRX if bought as an individual item?

[@jimcain349]

I'd probably choose the Comp and upgrade the bits. BTW you wrote "1000 dollars dollars" in the title card.

[@GCPerformance18]

yea I would do the same probably, make it more my own

[@pmartbrown]

Great video comparison. I’ve been looking at these two and asking the same question. Is Di2 really the only difference, or is the gearing also going to make a difference when not on gravel hills? I love Di2 and would pay 1k for it, but what about the gearing on the top end side? Is the one-by limited too much?

[@GCPerformance18]

its not limiited they give you enough gearing for it and then you would just have to figure out your area and decide what chainring you want and that works for your area, like if your more flat then put on a larger chainring and you should be fine with top end gearing

[@richardlocke7264]

The is a size difference too up to 64cm frame in Expert, only 61 cm frame for Comp. Also Color paint job difference.

[@amandeepanand9972]

Will the Comp Carbon be better for someone looking to do 75% road cycling? I expect so given the front derailer but not sure.

[@GCPerformance18]

I think you oculd jsut add a bigger chaninring on the expertt, it just depends if you want to think about charging the electronic gears but i mean both are nice options and I think you would use more of the expert gearing for road riding too

[@piet213]

I have the 2018 model and i ordered the comp carbon. On the comp carbon the reach is 15mm bigger how did you solve this? Only a shorter stem?

[@GCPerformance18]

yea that is it, they did make the top tube longer so yea it is a problem but just make the stem shorter or you can make it taller

[@shirtlessGraveler305]

You correct. Why pay more ,,, not getting carbon wheels . My thing to is color options for each model. I need to check the website now.

[@GCPerformance18]

Yea that plays a factor too but I feel like the comp has really nice colors too unless you really want the green or barry

[@PatrickFortunatoJr]

My 2023 Diverge Comp Carbon just arrived at the shop, to be built sometime this week. The only think that I saw that I would have preferred on the Expert was the 1x12 vs the 1x11 on the Comp. That said, the $2000 difference doesn't justify the gearing. I can convert the Comp carbon to a 1x12 for about $400, which I will probably wait 6 months or so to do.

[@GCPerformance18]

this is true, but also the expert is electronic, and you wil have change the freehub on the wheel on thje back and the whole electronic upgrad kit might be like 1500 so it is kind of there to be honest

[@PatrickFortunatoJr]

@@GCPerformance18 I'm not interested in going electronic. I really don't like the idea of having to recharge batteries to ride.

[@rudyelizondo1935]

Yup me too go with the comp n upgrade the wheels

[@GCPerformance18]

all day for sure :))

[@chrisblanchard4938]

I have a 2018 S-Works Diverge with a 2.0 Future Shock. The bike came with a 1.0

[@jacktreeger5676]

I would like to see a blue sl7 pro

[@GCPerformance18]

I got it coming in today stay tunned

[@GreyDuck54]

Lol, I didnt see this video yet. But I literally bought the Expert and exchanged it for the Comp the very next day. For the same exact reason. For me personally, while I think Electronic Shifters are amazing, its something not for me. I'm a casual rider, I feel like the Electronic is better suited for racing. Not saying casuals cant use it, but for $1,000, I'm perfectly fine with manual. Plus, the Comp has an option for the Orange color... SICK!!!

[@GCPerformance18]

yea I mean I would rather take that 1k and put it into wheels and then run the mechanical shifting which works amazing. and thats awesome that you got the orange color, I havnt seen the orange color in person yet... how you liking it?

[@GreyDuck54]

@@GCPerformance18 Its sick... did a 50 mile ride with friends in Minnesota. Lets just say heads were turned!!!... I'm loving this Comp bike. I'll look into those C38 like you mentioned.

[@1777DK]

They are all spec’ed crazy similar, and you have to reach the very high tiers, for the bikes not to weigh a metric ton and that’s a bit sad. For $3800 a 9 kg gravel bike, without pedals, is not too much to ask. I was looking at these but even at $3800, the bike still weighs more than my alloy frame, alloy wheel, 2X, $2500 current bike.

[@GCPerformance18]

The comp is an amazing bike

[@Colquhoun7]

It sucks you can’t get a 1x for less than a 2x with that frame. Can’t work that out?

[@GCPerformance18]

you could maybe talk to your shop about making it a 1x for you but I think you would have to buy a 1x chainring

[@fastlanerc5551]

Is the extra money for the Diverge comp carbon worth it over the Diverge Sport carbon?

[@GCPerformance18]

Yes 100% in my opinion you get the swat storage on the down tube and also the future shock 2.0 which you can control the shock stiffness on the go. That’s nice option for sure

[@troyrabang1575]

in addition the comp carbon has Better frame, shift levers and cassette (9r vs 8r frame, 810 vs 600 levers, and ultegra vs 105 cassette) granted the last two won't make that much of a difference.

[@fastlanerc5551]

Cool, the future shock 2.0 and swat seems like the best upgrade over the sport

[@GCPerformance18]

@@fastlanerc5551 yea I agree you get alot of good things for the price upgrade

[@tombola4046]

I brought a comp and with the money saved bought an epic pair of Zipp 303s with 42 tyres and the bike is incredible 👍

[@cjohnson3836]

I don't see the point in paying extra for a carbon gravel bike. Proper tire pressure on those tires will do more to mute vibration than anything the frame will do, along with the shock, and the fork is still carbon on the Al models anyways. Go for the $2k Al Comp E5 and use the saved money for baller wheels and a dropper post.

[@GCPerformance18]

I mean that theory could be applied to any bike while riding, I mean aluminum road bike and just add 28-30mm tires and make them tubeless and there is no nead for carbon...... its honestly just cause

[@cjohnson3836]

@@GCPerformance18 That's what I did with my road bike tbh 😄

[@centexsucks1]

what do they weigh? thanks

[@GCPerformance18]

I did weight on both bikes in there own videos. I’m sorry I forgot to mention thag

[@p.a.ch.3861]

same Future shock system 2.0 ?

[@GCPerformance18]

yes they both have a 2.0

[@scrappydoo102ify]

Whats the benefits and negatives of having a 1x12 vs a 2x11

[@GCPerformance18]

just less weight in theory and no chain rub, the idea is that you can kind of negate all the redundant gears by just making on massive cassette in the back and all those gears be very efficient instead of having 2 gears in the front with massive extremes but also comes with a lot of dead gears

[@gavyns4649]

is the tarmac sl6 comp still worth it?

[@GCPerformance18]

Yea it’s a great bike why do you ask

[@gavyns4649]

GC Performance its really hard to find the tarmac sl7 pro udi2, so i guess im buying the sl6 comp then, -_-

[@GCPerformance18]

Gavyyns- what size you looking for

[@gavyns4649]

GC Performance 52

[@devengudinas1649]

The non di2 is better for long distance bike packing. No need to recharge

[@GCPerformance18]

yea I mean for long trips but you can get about 800-1000 miles out of one charge and thats a lot of miles to travel on one backpacking trip, and I would think if you did do longer then that you would bring some kind of portable battery charger

[@duckmanduckfairy8010]

The Di2 is what makes the biggest difference and unless you’re racing save the grand!

[@GCPerformance18]

Yea that’s all the difference is

[@formula155]

It's not just about racing. I went with the 1x electronic shifting and have no regrets spending the extra money to avoid having a front derailleur and having to worry about getting adjustments perfect

[@scottlstone]

If you do 60/40 road to off-road riding then it makes more sense have a 2 by

[@thepleasureroom9646]

Frame weight?

[@GCPerformance18]

I dont have just the frame weight im sorry, but if I ever get a chance to i wil put it on

[@vidocq9593]

@@GCPerformance18 Specialized claims that a FACT 9r frame weighs 1100g, for a size 56. The S-Works one should weighs under 1000g.

[@cjohnson3836]

Gravel bike weight. What difference does it make?

[@thepleasureroom9646]

@@cjohnson3836 Gravity

[@cjohnson3836]

@@thepleasureroom9646 Diet

[@scofair1968]

Is that not a girls bike on the left?

[@GCPerformance18]

So they don’t make a girls version anymore. But the color I guess would be more aimed that way

[@scofair1968]

@@GCPerformance18 i'm guessing it's the frame size then coz it looks really low slung like your average female compliant setup. It does look tiny

[@GCPerformance18]

scofair 1968 it is a 52 compared to the 56 on the right

[@cornellmiller2315]

I hear u butt they are not the exact same frame the bike on the right has slightly more agressive geometry the bike on the left is more slack but they're more the same than different good video.

[@GCPerformance18]

same frame jsut different sizes the one on the right is a 52 and the one on the left is 56 the smaller bikes will always have a sloping top tube to accommodate shorter people for stand over height other then that both exact same bikes and geos. the headtube angles are going to feel similar to each rider on each bike

[@cornellmiller2315]

@@GCPerformance18 right on point taken

[@GCPerformance18]

@@cornellmiller2315 thanks for pointing it out though!! I appreciate it

[@cornellmiller2315]

@@GCPerformance18 No problem keep the vids comin good stuff man!

[@Zoinaire]

Carbon Expert is much better in uphill

[@GCPerformance18]

really??? how so???

[@darrenbarlow5759]

4k + and no carbon wheels is cray cray

[@GCPerformance18]

shit this bike went up in price too but I mean u get alot of nice tech

[@osint6372]

too heavy....Wheels got to go.....

[@GCPerformance18]

yea once you change the wheels out then your money and ready for anything but those wheels are jsut cheap wheels

[@osint6372]

@@GCPerformance18 Yes good point..I am on the fence on this one. Either I get a cheaper bike and upgrade the wheels or I buy a TREK SL6 or a Giant Revolt 0. Only the Giant comes with Carbon wheels....I could buy a Diverge Sport Carbon and change the wheels if I need to go a little cheaper. I have a Specialized Roubaix Carbon road bike 2019.

[@bikebudha01]

Specilized should fire whoever cam up with that shit sriped paint job...

[@GCPerformance18]

Lmao I love that paint job.

[@bikebudha01]

@@GCPerformance18 It's heartwarming to hear you've come out of the closet - rainbow power brother!!!

[@GCPerformance18]

@@bikebudha01 lmaoooo stopp, heres the thing I got os use to seing black all the time and the safe colors, I like to see something different once and while and I odnt know if I could ever own it but its a nice color at first

[@pjwillsr]

Specialized notorius for lack of value, especially in the wheel sets...so obvious here. I am, however, looking hard at the Diverge Flat bar EVO carbon. @elaichiChai brings up a good point on how Di electric shift components need to come down now in price.

[@GCPerformance18]

of course they do but if there is a demand and the market is calling for that price then it will not go down, butyea specialized wheels have neevr been a strong suit in terms of specing the bike right

[@pjwillsr]

@@GCPerformance18 understood...especially now with the demand and supply upside down.