Specialized Diverge STR | Cody Kaiser Gives His Thoughts

The Diverge STR is a bit of a polarizing bike. It's a bike you have to ride to truthfully understand.
There are plenty of tech videos on what the bike is all about but let's break down how it can really help you as a rider!
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Cody Kaiser :: / thekidkaiser
Kinetic Cycles :: / kinetic_cycles
Website :: codykaiser.com

[@MG-iv8oo]

great review. just got the str and i have several rides on it. absolutely love this bike! i totally agree with your assessment that "smoother is faster" and more important than the nominal weight penalty. your other comment that the str "takes the edge off" is a spot on description. the str is not about delivering a comfortable or plush ride. the str is a high performance machine that excels over all types of terrain by reducing the energy sapping effects of rough terrain. i no longer waste time and energy hunting for smoother lines, i just pedal (seated) through rough terrain. the bike is simply faster and more fun to ride. the additional weight is an easy trade for the improved performance and quality of ride. i think the str concept is a winner and is here to stay.

[@thekidkaiser]

That is awesome to hear. I like how you said how you no longer search for smoother lines. I hadn't thought about that but it is very true!

[@chrisstastny2029]

Thanks for the insights Cody!

[@theaxe916]

Great video Cody, very informative!

[@wp7876]

Thanks. Great video and just the info I needed !

[@LuisManuelHdez]

Thank u for giving folks a common sense review! Not just following along for views.👍 I think this bike makes tons of sense. Specialized always pushing boundaries 🎉

[@jgrefrath]

Always great to hear your expert bike opinion. Diverge STR is a unique bike. It will be interesting to see if other mfg follow.

[@kelleyheiland5863]

Real good review

[@terryg2543]

I love my Diverge STR!

[@limjunyih9791]

Thanks for the awesome video. I had not had the bike yet but I strongly feel that STR is very underestimated just like how many faded Aethos. Perhaps I always prefer something more "unique" but I see massive potential in STR and it could really be my first choice of bike. Still undecided between STR or Aethos but likely, STR first. Its a real cool future settler!

[@granamonto]

Thanks man

[@Arkie_Outdoors]

Great video. I’m planning on buying a gravel bike in the next week or so. I’ve ridden the Crux (too aggressive), the Checkpoint (I like it for sure), and the Diverge. I will be riding longer rides/events and feel like the Diverge is the best fit because of the comfort; however, I’m torn between the Diverge and the Diverge STR. I haven’t gotten a chance to ride the STR and there aren’t a ton of reviews yet.

[@markfellows6248]

@thekidkaiser am I ordering a complete bike and making adjustments from there or building from scratch from the frame up? Alpinist bars and post and ceramicspeed everything. Eggbeater Tis. Wheel choice….🤔?

[@juanfersan]

i got the first roubaix w the future shock 1.0; soon there was a small recall; then the 1.5; until they perfected it when 2.0 came out. May wait til next year when the rear system potential shortcomings, if any, get ironed out

[@thekidkaiser]

I'm unfamiliar with any recall on the futureshock itself...It was the collar that secured it into the frame. FutureShock 1 to 1.5 to 2.0 were all improvements most definitely. I'm always a fan of innovation so I'm comfortable with jumping into new technology, but understandable for wanting to wait.

[@juanfersan]

@@thekidkaiser cool. Perhaps i misspoke when i said “recall”. All i remember is we had to bring the bike to the shop to swap one part in the system.

[@fbonde]

Super colour. Where do you get that? It's not on the S' website.

[@thekidkaiser]

Thank you. It's not available for purchase unfortunately.

[@michaeljoeyumali6320]

New subscriber here. Seen your videos about crux, diverge and diverge str. If only one bike to choose, which one is suitable for 12-16hrs cycling, fast and comfortable? Thanks

[@thekidkaiser]

A bit ago I would have said the CRUX but I'm quickly changing my mind. The STR is quickly becoming the top choice for me

[@bowlander]

You should A/B this with an original soft ride beam bike and suspension stem. "suspend the rider not the bike"

[@andreamantovani5354]

Why getting this complicated expensive proprietary bike when you can slap on any bike a shockstop stem and seatpost?

[@thekidkaiser]

You're assuming that Redshift products actually accomplish the same thing. Which they don't. Their stem shifts the angle of the bars continuously through the movement of it. And the seatpost changes the saddle height and setback as it cycles through. Constant adjustments to fit on a 4hr day only add to fatigue as a rider.

[@andreamantovani5354]

@@thekidkaiser sure you're right it's a bit of an apple to apple comparison. But the bike price is outrageous, moreover the complexity of the system is really overshooting. The suspension stems and seatpost from redshift or cane creek are not the same, but they don't really change the rider's position that much more than the diverge. They primarily absorb vibrations and only bigger bumps will cause a slight and momentary slight change. Not so different from the diverge which also momentary changes it with a swing of the post back and forth or thr stem up and down. Amd if something brakes say goodbye to the whole bike. Adding two hydraulic sospensions to the bike is kinda crazy for me, but of course to each his own

[@MG-iv8oo]

@@andreamantovani5354 price is alwasy subjective. if you can't afford it, or think it is too expensive, don't buy it. the str technology is not comparable to "alternatives" you reference. read up on the str technology so you are better educated.

[@andreamantovani5354]

@M G I understand the tech way better than you, and I am convinced it is an overkill solution, especially giving that it doesn't suspend the bike over rough terrain, unlike suspension does. While still sharing basicallybthe same cost and complication of a suspension. Of the purpose is to suspend the rider, a much cheaper and flexible accessory like suspension seatposts and stems basically do the same. It really looks like you're falling from the gimmicky matleting and don't quite understand the dynamics and physics of it

[@MG-iv8oo]

@@andreamantovani5354 recommend you extend your educational pursuits to include english composition.