Specialized Diverge Expert Carbon Review
- Price: $6200
- Frame: Carbon
- Tires: Pathfinder Pro 2BR 700×42
- Gear: 1×12 Electronic
What We Liked About It: The FACT 9r carbon fiber frame and Future Shock 2.0 can adapt to a wide range of terrains, providing an excellent fit for riders, and ensuring a smooth and responsive ride.
What we don’t like about it: The solid carbon chainstay doesn’t allow for adjustments in chainstay length or the use of a vulnerable dropper chainstay design.
Rating: (4.8/5)
The Specialized Diverge Expert Carbon delivers an exhilarating experience for your adventurous journeys, conquering challenging terrains with ease. There’s no bike quite like it that can meet your needs. With its incredible features and lightweight design, this bike truly excels. I believe any rider can master it.
Next, we’ll analyze the riding experience, key features, components, specifications, and other versions of the Specialized Diverge Expert Carbon in this article. In the latter part of this article, we’ll also compare it to several other top bike models. If you’re interested in more bike reviews, be sure to follow us.
Riding Experience
I booked my flight, reserved a hotel on IHG, and arrived at Deer Valley Resort. Here, I chose the Aspen Slalom, Upper Trail. It stretches 1526ft with a 254ft elevation drop, offering a downhill descent with lots of loose rocks, making the terrain quite bumpy. These conditions posed a considerable challenge for my ride.
Riding on Loose Gravel
I set off from the starting point, gradually gaining speed. The initial section of the road near the start was relatively smooth, with the wheels closely gripping the ground. I remained focused on the road ahead, prepared to handle various road conditions, whether it was rough mountain trails or uneven gravel roads. I began my journey along a peaceful path, feeling the gentle breeze and the warmth of the sun.
As the road conditions changed, I encountered a section with loose gravel. Each pedal stroke brought vibrations and challenges, but I could feel the grip and stability provided by the PATHFINDER PRO 2BR tires. The large tires and the 20mm front travel suspension effectively reduced the jolts, allowing me to tackle the road’s irregularities more comfortably. I adjusted my body’s center of gravity, maintaining balance with agile movements and precise control, all while enjoying the thrill of the ride.
Is that all?
Gradually, I entered a vast wilderness area. The loose gravel road sprayed beneath my feet as I accelerated and pedaled. With increasing speed came a rush of excitement. Every turn and bend demanded my quick reflexes and accurate judgment. I felt the seamless coordination between me and this bike as we conquered every inch of terrain ahead. The bike’s stability and control allowed me to maneuver effortlessly through these challenging landscapes.
As the finish line approached, my body was fatigued but my heart was content. I could truly appreciate the exceptional performance of the Specialized Diverge Expert Carbon. It conquered every piece of loose gravel, making it the perfect companion for riders on such terrain.
Specifications
The Specialized Diverge Expert Carbon is an outstanding gravel bike. It features a FACT 9r carbon fiber frame that is both highly functional and lightweight. The Future Shock 2.0 w/ Damper provides 20mm of front travel, offering excellent suspension performance on gravel roads. The SRAM GX Eagle AXS rear derailleur delivers smooth and precise electronic shifting. Additionally, the SRAM Rival eTAP AXS hydraulic disc brakes provide excellent stopping power for enhanced rider safety.
Furthermore, it is equipped with PATHFINDER PRO 2BR tires with a 120TPI casing, making them ideal for gravel riding. The durable casing and BlackBelt puncture protection structure prevent flats and potential hazards. The Roval Terra seatpost offers excellent support, ensuring the Diverge Expert maintains the perfect balance.
Video
Other Versions
After multiple tests, our understanding of this bike has deepened. It is an exceptionally capable gravel bike.
However, many riders have specific performance or component requirements, which is why we’ve explored other bikes of a similar type.
Specialized S-Works Diverge
These two bikes share identical components and geometry, differing only in components. The Specialized S-Works Diverge is equipped with top-tier SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS and RED eTap components. In contrast, the Specialized Diverge Expert Carbon’s SRAM GX Eagle AXS RED eTap is well-suited for beginners. SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS RED eTap components are designed for experienced riders.
The XX1’s shifting performance remains highly responsive and lightweight over extended periods. The GX, on the other hand, is suitable for those seeking optimal downhill performance, excellent wireless shifting, and are less concerned about weight. Additionally, the XX1 derailleur has better surface quality, utilizing stricter tolerances and harder materials to maintain fast and reliable shifting over time. The GX controller features a black body and the original AXS paddle, while the XX1 has a silver body and an updated lever.
What do we like about it?
- The FACT 9r carbon fiber frame and Future Shock 2.0 adapt well to various terrains, providing an excellent fit for riders and ensuring a smooth, highly responsive ride.
- The Future Shock 2.0 with 20mm of axial compliance and hydraulic damping performs exceptionally well on rough terrain and gravel.
- The short stem makes steering highly responsive.
- The Diverge offers numerous frame-mounting points, making it convenient to carry all your essentials.
What don’t we like about it?
- The solid carbon chainstay cannot be lengthened or accommodate a fragile dropper chainstay design.
FAQ
- Is this bike suitable for beginners?
Yes, it is suitable for both beginners and experienced riders.
- Can this bike be used for other purposes besides gravel riding?
It can also be ridden on paved roads and explore smooth singletracks.
- Is this bike a fast one?
It offers high-speed performance on all terrains and provides excellent control.
- Can the Future Shock 2.0 damper be adjusted?
The Future Shock 2.0 damper can be adjusted, providing a more comfortable experience on rough and uneven roads.
Specs
Build
| Frame | Specialized Diverge FACT 9r carbon, SWAT™ Door integration, Future Shock suspension, threaded BB, internal routing, 12x142mm thru-axle, flat-mount discBB Standard: BSA, 68mm, ThreadedColor: Gloss Dune White / Taupe |
| Fork | Future Shock 2.0 w/ Damper, Smooth Boot, FACT carbon, 12×100 mm thru-axle, flat-mount |
| Bottom Bracket | SRAM DUB BSA 68 |
| Stem | Future Stem, Pro |
| Handlebar | Specialized Adventure Gear Hover, 103mm drop x 70mm reach x 12º flare |
| Saddle | Body Geometry Power Expert |
| Seatpost | Roval Terra Carbon Seat Post, 20mm Offset |
Groupset
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM GX Eagle AXS |
| Crank | SRAM Rival 1 Wide, 40T |
| Shifters | SRAM RIVAL ETAP AXS |
| Cassette | SRAM NX Eagle, 12-speed, 11-50t |
| Chain | SRAM GX Eagle, 12-speed |
| Brakes | SRAM Rival eTAP AXS, hydraulic disc |
Wheels
| Rims | Front: Roval Terra C, 25mm inner width carbon rim, 32mm depth, NEW DT 370 hub, 24h, DT Swiss Comp Race spokes, Rear: Roval Terra C, 25mm inner width carbon rim Rear: Roval Terra C, 25mm inner width carbon rim, 32mm depth, NEW DT 370 Star Ratchet hub, 24h, DT Swiss Comp Race spokes |
| Tires | Front: Pathfinder Pro 2BR, Tan sidewall, 700×42, Rear: Pathfinder Pro 2BR, Tan sidewall, 700×42 |
Comparison Table
| Bikes | Click view | Tires | Drivetrain | Frame Material | Groupset |
| Lauf Seigla – Ultimate | Click View | Maxxis Rambler 45c | 1×12 Electronic | Carbon | SRAM RED XPLR eTap, RED eTap |
| Giant Revolt X Advanced Pro 1 | Click View | Giant CrossCut Grip 1, 700x45c | 1×12 Electronic | Carbon | SRAM GX Eagle AXS, Rival eTap |
| Specialized Diverge Expert Carbon | Click View | Pathfinder Pro 2BR 700×42 | 1×12 Electronic | Carbon | SRAM GX Eagle AXS, Rival eTap |
Specialized Diverge Expert Carbon vs. Lauf Seigla – Ultimate
These two bikes are both Hardtail suspension. However, the Lauf Seigla – Ultimate has 30mm of front travel, while the Specialized Diverge Expert Carbon has 20mm of front travel. A longer front travel provides better suspension, making the rider’s experience more comfortable.
Moreover, the Lauf Seigla – Ultimate has a tire clearance of 57c. Additionally, the Lauf Seigla – Ultimate’s tires have a width of 45c, which is slightly wider than the 42c tires on the Specialized Diverge Expert Carbon. Therefore, the Lauf Seigla – Ultimate can handle a wider range of terrains and can roll over gravel more effectively.
The Lauf Seigla – Ultimate features an Integrated power meter, allowing riders to identify their strengths and weaknesses based on data and tailor their training accordingly. That’s right. It helps riders capitalize on their strengths and address their weaknesses. Furthermore, the Lauf Seigla – Ultimate has a top speed of 35mph, which is faster than the Specialized Diverge Expert Carbon’s 31mph.
Specialized Diverge Expert Carbon vs. Giant Revolt X Advanced Pro 1
The Specialized Diverge Expert Carbon is equipped with RED eTap components, while the Giant Revolt X Advanced Pro 1 comes with Rival eTap. Rival has narrower handlebars and doesn’t allow the use of auxiliary remote shift buttons, unlike SRAM RED, which permits such customization. Rival features alloy brake levers and polished aluminum crank arms, whereas RED uses carbon fiber crank arms, which are lighter in weight.
Additionally, although both the Giant Revolt X Advanced Pro 1 and the Specialized Diverge Expert Carbon have hardtail suspension, the Specialized Diverge Expert Carbon has 20mm of front travel, while the Giant Revolt X Advanced Pro 1 boasts 40mm of front travel. Longer travel provides better suspension, resulting in a more comfortable riding experience.
Learn More: Is Giant Revolt Advanced Pro 0 Worth Buying? – [2022 Giant Revolt Advanced Pro 0 Review]
Specialized Diverge Expert Carbon vs. Specialized Diverge Expert Carbon
These two bikes are almost identical, with the only difference being the Shifter. The Specialized Diverge Expert Carbon uses SRAM RED ETAP AXS D1 SJD REAR/RT F20 shifters, while the Specialized Diverge Expert Carbon comes with SRAM RIVAL ETAP AXS shifters. Both of these shifter options offer similar performance.
In terms of colors, the Specialized Diverge Expert Carbon is available in Gloss Dune White / Taupe, while the Specialized Diverge Expert Carbon comes in three colors: Gloss Teal Tint / Carbon / limestone / wild; Gloss Arctic Blue / Sand Speckle / terra Cotta; Satin Orange Tint / Spectraflair. So, you can choose based on your preferred color.
Summary
This is our review of the Specialized Diverge Expert Carbon. It’s an outstanding gravel bike that performs exceptionally well on gravel roads, earning it a high rating of 4.8. If you want more information about bikes, feel free to check out our other reviews.
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