With the new Diverge STR 2023 featuring the new Future rear shock, Specialized wants to take comfort, efficiency and control to a new level while reinventing the full suspension bike through goggles. gravel. Not only does the result look exciting and different, it also rides the same! After over a month of exclusive testing, we can tell you why the new technology behind the Specialized Diverge STR S-Works 2023 could be a great option for 80% of gravel riders!
Not only does the right amount of comfort make you faster, but also more efficient. In recent years, almost every brand in the world has complaughed and adopted this principle. Increased comfort allows the pros to traverse treacherous cobbled classics like Paris-Roubaix or races in gravel 10 hour epics like Unbound, and at the same time allows us mere road mortals to have a better time on virtually every ride - and have a whole lot more fun in the process! With the Future Shock system, the Californian manufacturer of innovation Specialized has spent several years trying to reinterpret the concept of ride comfort, with varying degrees of success. Keep in mind that the first generation of the Future Shock system was still undamped, providing suspension but very little control with consecutive hits at high speeds.
With the new Diverge STR 2023, the main focus of Specialized was to improve comfort, control and performance without sacrificing efficiency or responsiveness.
We really like this approach, because most enthusiasts of gravel prefer a versatile bike and a comptrusted agnon for any adventure to a thoroughbred specialist who is only suitable for a limited range of applications. Therefore, versatility is essential with mountain bikes. gravel. But Specialized can it ship with the new Diverge? And at what price – the €15 price of the flagship S-Works model? We had the exclusive opportunity to test the new Diverge STR at the official launch in Baiersbronn in the Black Forest as well as on countless rides on the fine gravel of Stuttgart and through the breathtaking mountain scenery of the Dolomites of the South Tyrol.
Le gravel de Specialized is the brainchild of the manufacturer's lead developer, Chris D'Aluisio, who came up with the idea during a rather nasty jaunt down a rough, heavily undulating road in Eureka Canyon, in California. To get to his destination safely and reasonably comfortably, he had to constantly avoid potholes and bumps, while moving his body around the bike to absorb the impacts. And it was on this descent that he thought of developing a suspension system to suspend the cyclist, rather than the bike, as is common in the world of mountain biking. Several prototypes and iterations later, the new Rear Future Shock from Specialized, which has been designed to provide comfort without compromis, stands right in front of us - and fast spoiler: it's nothing less than a fast magic carpet with excellent sprint characteristics.
Before we delve into the suspension concept of the new Diverge STR 2023 itself, we need to explain what the purpose of suspension is and how it can benefit a bike from gravel. The bikes of gravel are designed for paved and unpaved roads (as well as the occasional foray into the unknown) and should therefore be able to handle uneven surfaces with rough gravel, bumps, roots and potholes. However, impacts come at the expense of propulsion and traction, putting more stress on the rider and materials, leading to physical fatigue more quickly. This is why it is important to smooth out the impacts and filter them in a controlled way. When the suspension absorbs impact, a bike inspires more confidence and doesn't knock its rider out of the saddle. But with the advantages also come disadvantages. For example, suspension components will inevitably affect both the efficiency and the weight of a mountain bike. gravel, while adding to its complexity. Moreover, the compConventional suspension dares will have a negative effect on handling, as they change the geometry of the bike, especially the head angle and wheelbase. Needless to say, it's not ideal, especially when riding on the road. Moreover, the increase in complexity also means adding more compdaring ones which can break and which require attention and regular maintenance. That's exactly why Specialized developed the Rear Future Shock, which aims to significantly reduce the disadvantages of conventional mountain bike rear suspension while striking an optimal balance between on-road efficiency and off-road capability, thereby ensuring that the benefits of added suspension elements the outweigh their drawbacks. As a result, the new Diverge S-Works weighs 400g more than its predecessor and offers a radically new riding experience, offering 20mm of travel in the front and 30mm in the rear to smooth out the ride.
The acronym STR stands for "suspend runner". The slogan "hang the cyclist, not the bike" is part of the furniture of the marketing department of Specialized for years and expresses their belief that suspending the rider is more important than the entire bike. With conventional mountain bike full suspensions, it is crucial to minimize the unsprung mass of the bike in order to achieve the lowest possible moment of inertia and maximum traction. In mountain biking, obstacles and impacts are greater than with mountain bikes. gravel, so it is crucial that both wheels can move to overcome obstacles in order to provide a constant level of traction. However, as the suspension comprhyme, the geometry of the bike changes, which changes both the handling and pedaling efficiency of the bike - a critical issue with mountain bikes. gravel and road.
With Specialized Diverges STR, almost the entire bike is unsprung and the (seated) rider is the only sprung mass. As a result, the geometry remains unchanged throughout the ride, except for the seat angle and handlebar position. When sprinting out of the saddle, the Diverge accelerates like a mountain bike. gravel or classic road, without the rear suspension influencing its driving performance. We were really impressed with how the new 2023 Specialized Diverge STR 2023 combines out-of-the-saddle sprinting abilities with magic carpet qualities - but more on that later!
Like the current Diverge and Roubaix models, the new Diverge STR uses the Future Shock 2.0 system from Specialized in the front, which offers 20mm of travel, allowing the cockpit to move vertically to absorb impacts and vibrations from the ground. Unlike conventional MTB suspension forks, however, it has no influence on the handling of the bike. In the rear, the exclusive rear shock absorber from Specialized generates around 30mm of travel and can be adjusted to suit the rider's weight, height and riding style using a clever system of interchangeable seat tubes called the frame post (FP). The damper in the top tube can be adjusted while riding with a lever comp3-level rebound, while the rebound speed can be changed with an Allen key located under the top tube. In addition, cyclists from gravel Gravity-oriented riders can further customize their Diverge by running a low-travel 27,2mm dropper post like the RockShox Reverb AXS XPLR post with up to 75mm of travel. MTB specific dropper posts with longer travel are usually available in sizes 30,9mm and above and are therefore not compcompatible with the narrow seat tube of the Diverge.
Not only Specialized reinterpreted the idea of full-suspension bikes, but also came up with an all-new concept of rear suspension, which uses the seat tube as the spring, attached to a shock in the top tube. CompRather, a conventional MTB shock integrates the spring and damping together. An inner tube or coil spring with a preset spring rate provides support, while a hydraulic damper regulates both the stage of comprebound and rebound and, depending on the design, allows different adjustment options such as low/high speed and low/high speed rebound. speed of comppressure.
Although the damper Specialized Rear Future differs in both construction and appearance from a conventional shock absorber, it compdare of the same elements. Simply put, the interchangeable seat tube is the mainspring of the Diverge's suspension system. Unlike conventional shock absorbers, the spring stiffness is not determined by the pressure in the inner tube or the spring rate of a coil, but by the interchangeable frame post that accommodates the seatpost. The frame upright is connected to a cylinder in the top tube which is solely responsible for damping. The seatpost is connected to the damping unit via an alloy bracket, allowing a compression and rebound controlled. The damper is based on a pull design, so the damping of compRebound controls how quickly the seatpost can flex away from the frame, and rebound damping controls feedback.
In end of compte, Chris D'Aluisio's Future Future shock is based on the same principles as a conventional mountain bike shock, but with a new approach, namely the replaceable frame rod, which also serves as the spring. Overall, however, the basic premise is the same!
In order to ensure maximum adaptability, Specialized offers 9 interchangeable frame uprights with different degrees of stiffness. These are marked with a number and the acronym FP, which stands for frame post. Each frame post can be installed in two different orientations, which provide different degrees of stiffness and, in turn, different spring rates. The right choice of frame stem depends on several factors, including frame size, rider weight, saddle position, and pedaling style. The new Diverge comes standard with 2 interchangeable frame uprights, which according to Specialized, should meet the needs of most cyclists. You can change the frame post yourself by following the instructions in Specialized. The process is quite simple and takes around 10 minutes - although there are a few tricks you should know first. However, if you are unsure about installing the frame post yourself, you should ask your dealer Specialized trusted to take care of the installation and fine-tuning of the system. A problem we had with the frame post that Specialized comes standard with our frame size is that generic size indications do not always hold compte other factors - there can be significant weight differences between a super thin roadie and a more muscular and robust rider. , even though they are just as large. Therefore, be sure to choose the rigidity of the frame uprights according to your own needs and requirements. A problem we had with the frame post that Specialized comes standard with our frame size is that generic size indications do not always hold compte other factors - there can be significant weight differences between a super thin roadie and a more muscular and robust rider. , even though they are just as large. Therefore, be sure to choose the rigidity of the frame uprights according to your own needs and requirements. A problem we had with the frame post that Specialized comes standard with our frame size is that generic size indications do not always hold compte other factors - there can be significant weight differences between a super thin roadie and a more muscular and robust rider. , even though they are just as large. Therefore, be sure to choose the rigidity of the frame uprights according to your own needs and requirements.
In a nutshell, an air shock would add too much weight and complexed to a drop bar frame. Moreover, according to Specialized, an air shock would not offer the same sensitivity to small shocks and would require more frequent maintenance. Speaking of which: the Rear Future Shock's damper requires service every 2 years, but it costs more than the damper itself, so Specialized replace everything. That said, the first shock replacement must fall within the statutory 2-year warranty period. And while it may not be the most durable approach, with high-end performance products, performance is often prioritized over durability – especially in the drop bar segment. As compis right,
The skeptics among us might ask: why all the effort, what's wrong with a suspension seatpost? The objective of Specialized was to create an adjustable, damped suspension system that keeps the rider's center of gravity as constant as possible. Here we will show you different concepts and approaches from different manufacturers and competing products, each with their pros and cons.
For the S25 VCLS seat post, the German direct sales brand Canyon uses carbon leaf spring technology. The patented design generates up to 20mm of travel and is claimed to be 100% maintenance free. However, the degree of stiffness cannot be adjusted and changes noticeably with increasing saddle height. Also, the movement of the seatpost is not damped and tends to bounce with impacts. With full-suspension mountain bikes, we speak of the wheel path, that is to say the exact line that the axle of the rear wheel follows during a compressure compend of the suspension. With bikes that rely on a flexible seatpost instead of compConventional suspension darings, the stem flexes in an angled curve that changes the angle of the saddle during the ride, making you feel like you're sliding backwards out of the saddle - although this feeling may vary depending on the ride. intensity depending on the seatpost and the bike. To counter this, Canyon relies on a two-piece design that ensures a very low degree of saddle tilt.
Much like the Rear Future Shock, Trek's IsoSpeed has gone through several evolutionary stages, and the latest iteration has been simplified to reduce the weight of the system. While the previous version still allowed you to adjust the system to the rider's weight and riding style to some degree, the current IsoSpeed system forgoes any type of adjustment. The saddle lean curve is significantly steeper compared to the new Diverge, as the pivot point is significantly higher than the last offspring Specialized. As a result, the Trek has a more pronounced saddle tilt.
More volume and less air pressure is a safe formula to follow when you want to improve comfort and, depending on the surface, traction. However, this combination also calls for compromis, because low air pressures generally only work well on one type of surface, improving comfort off-road, but also making the ride blurry on the tarmac. Additionally, high-volume tires squirm more on the gravel.
You plan to embark on longer outings with your Specialized Diverge STR 2023? Feel free to attach a large bicycle bag to the saddle. We recommend that you choose an interchangeable frame stem that allows you to ride with a softer spring rate on a normal day in the saddle and turn the tube 90° to increase the spring rate when riding with packs of bikepacking.
Le Specialized Diverge STR 2023 stands out from the crowd, both for its innovative technical features and its polarizing looks: the split top tube gives way to the shock, ensuring you're the center of attention on your next mountain bike ride. band ! For the frame of the S-Works Diverge STR 2023 and Diverge STR Pro 2023, Specialized relies on its high-quality FACT 11r carbon fibers. At 1100g, the frame of the new S-Works Diverge weighs only 100g more than its predecessor. With the shock and mounting hardware, the Diverge STR frameset weighs only 400g more than the conventional Diverge frameset.
The trend towards 1x transmissions is clearly on the rise, which becomes even more evident when you realize that Specialized renounces compdirectly to a front derailleur hanger. The Diverge STR frame can accommodate tires up to 700 x 47mm, or 2,1" on 650B wheels. Specialized has also integrated its exclusive and very handy SWAT box into the downtube of the bike, allowing you to store smaller trail essentials such as a spare tube, mini tool, jacket compressible or even a snack or a pack of gummy bears. It makes perfect sense to store items in the downtube rather than a conventional saddle bag or jersey pocket, as the weight is distributed more evenly. If you want to haul more, there are rack mounting points on the Diverge STR fork and top tube.
Our test bike Specialized S-Works Diverge STR is equipped with a 1×12 SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS wireless drivetrain, which was developed specifically for XC mountain bikes but is becoming increasingly popular among mountain bikes. gravel progressive. The 10-50T cassette is paired with a 40T chainring mounted on SRAM RED 1 AXS cranks that come with a Quarq power meter. SRAM also provides the brakes, combining premium SRAM RED eTap AXS stops with 160mm rotors front and rear. For wheels and tires, Specialized relies on its in-house products, by combining two tires Specialized 2x700mm Tracer Pro 42BR to a 25mm inner width Roval Terra CLX carbon wheelset.
Le Specialized Diverge STR 2023 is based on a geometry of gravel modern with a longer range. While the reach and stack height have remained unchanged from previous Diverge models, the chainstay length has been increased from 425 to 429mm. The seat angle has increased by 0,5° to compreduce the sag of the Rear Future Shock.
Select | 49 | 52 | 54 | 56 | 58 | 61 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Seat tube | 390 millimeters | 430 millimeters | 470 millimeters | 500 millimeters | 530 millimeters | 560 millimeters |
Upper tube | 527 millimeters | 540 millimeters | 556 millimeters | 570 millimeters | 586 millimeters | 602 millimeters |
steering tube | 100 millimeters | 100 millimeters | 115 millimeters | 130 millimeters | 155 millimeters | 182 millimeters |
Head tube angle | 70° | 70,5° | 71.25° | 71.75° | 71.75° | 72.75° |
Seat angle | 74,5° | 74.25° | 74° | 74° | 74° | 74° |
Base | 429 millimeters | 429 millimeters | 429 millimeters | 429 millimeters | 429 millimeters | 429 millimeters |
BB drop | 80 millimeters | 85 millimeters | 85 millimeters | 85 millimeters | 85 millimeters | 85 millimeters |
Wheelbase | 1.023 mm | 1,027 millimeters | 1,034 millimeters | 1,044 millimeters | 1.060 millimeters | 1,078 millimeters |
reach | 365 millimeters | 374 millimeters | 383 millimeters | 392 millimeters | 401 millimeters | 410 millimeters |
Stack | 569 millimeters | 576 millimeters | 593 millimeters | 609 millimeters | 633 millimeters | 659 millimeters |
Alongside the $15 S-Works model, Specialized offers two other versions of the Diverge STR 2023, all of which feature a carbon frame. The Diverge STR Expert retails at €7 and is based on a FACT carbon frame, constituting the gateway to the carbon dimension of the Diverge STR. The entry-level Expert comes equipped with SRAM Rival eTap AXS disc brakes and a 500×1 SRAM GX Eagle AXS electronic drivetrain, borrowed from the MTB segment. Just above is the Diverge STR Pro, which costs you €12 and combines a high-end FACT 9r carbon frame with SRAM Force disc brakes and a 500×11 SRAM XO1 drivetrain. All three models are equipped with the exclusive SWAT box of Specialized in the downtube and the Future Shock suspension system front and rear.
The current Diverge model will still be available for purchase, but with different features. Moreover, Specialized will no longer offer an S-Works model with only the Future Shock Front 2.0 system. Instead, there will be two more carbon variants, one with and one without the SWAT box. There will also be two alloy versions called Diverge E5, one with Future Shock Front 2.0 and both without the SWAT box.
Enough theory! How to compdoes the new S-Works Diverge STR 2023 in real life? As soon as you swing your leg over the saddle and start pedaling, you realize compyou know this bike is unlike anything you've done before - and the Rear Future Shock really does make a huge difference! That being said, it took us some time to find the optimal configuration. As with conventional mountain bikes, it's essential that you tune the suspension of the S-Works Diverge STR 2023 to your needs and preferences before you ride.
Initially, we followed the recommendations of Specialized for a rider weight of 70kg and a frame size of 54, but that was clearly too soft for our liking. After swapping the FP2 frame post with a stiffness rating of 35-43 for the harder FP3 variant (40-48), we settled on the 48 position, which is around 37% stiffer than the recommendation of Specialized. Luckily, the bike comes standard with two uprights with varying degrees of stiffness, so you can experiment with different combinations. As with conventional mountain bike suspension, finding the right spring rate is critical, as using the wrong spring rate will prevent the system from performing as it should.
Once the suspension system is properly tuned, you'll have to get used to the new riding experience, which is nothing short of a magic carpet. OK, we never really flew with Aladdin, but that's what it has to do. The Future Future shock works efficiently, neutralizing vibrations from thicker gravel and small bumps while preventing larger impacts from traveling directly to your back, dramatically reducing fatigue on long rides.
When riding over rough terrain, the S-Works Diverge STR 2023 forces you to adapt your riding style, as the system only works while seated! Experienced riders who would instinctively get up on the pedals to negotiate nasty root mats aboard a mountain bike. gravel rigid, will have to force themselves to sit - and wow - if you do, you surrender compthe system really works! With bigger obstacles, however, the rear wheel still has a tendency to bounce, but this is unavoidable and, after all, an active mountain bike suspension system always has a distinct advantage over rough terrain. However, the Diverge STR was not designed for this purpose in the first place. At the Baiersbronn press camp, we stayed away from singletrack and rode almost exclusively on gravel paths and double forest tracks. There are gravel bikes with dropper post.
Even with the rear suspension system, the Diverge STR retains its original character, ensuring a high level of comfort with its well-integrated riding position while striking an excellent balance between agility and composure, both on descents. fast and on the turns. The Diverge STR is accurate but has become even more compdaring on the descents thanks to the Rear Future Shock, allowing you to actively push the bike through the turns to increase traction on both wheels.
When you start on the tarmac and challenge your riding buddies to a city sign sprint, the Diverge takes full advantage of the advantages of its stiff bottom bracket area and accelerates just as happily as its predecessor without the rear Future Shock. In addition, with a simple movement of the lever comppressure on the shock absorber, you can increase the suspension activity even more while driving. As long as you're seated, this reduces both sensitivity and the degree of deflection, providing a much stiffer ride, which can be a real boon on a tarmac smooth. And although we are generally big fans of the saddle Specialized Power Pro Mirror, on our test bike, was too soft in combination with the Rear Future Shock, resulting in vague handling in certain scenarios, such as when riding hands-free.
On steeper climbs, it makes sense to slide forward slightly in the saddle to distribute the weight more evenly across the bike. Increasing the grade of the grade changes the weight distribution and with it the forces acting on the suspension, both front and rear. If you don't shift your weight, the rear Future Shock tends to sag a bit, reducing weight up front and allowing the front wheel to lift off the ground more easily.
Wireless drivetrains, front and rear suspension, the convenient SWAT box and replaceable seat tubes with multiple moving parts - the days of cruisers from gravel simple and maintenance-free is over! There compThe lexity of drop-bar bikes is constantly increasing, which can be fascinating and fun, but also requires a bit more thought, forethought and care. Are the batteries charged? Are the moving parts clean and which ones need lubrication? Although the Specialized S-Works Diverge STR clearly has its qualities and advantages, it will inevitably divide opinion in the gravel world and spark exciting discussions in pubs after the ride.
If you have reached this point in the exam, you compyou might realize why the new Diverge STR isn't necessarily the bike of choice for two-wheeled adventurers looking to embark on a self-guided cycling expedition around the world. And if you expect the Diverge STR to be a ripper of gravel by gravity for epic singletrack shredding, you might also want to look elsewhere. While the Diverge STR's suspension greatly increases comfort levels and helps reduce stress on the body, it doesn't really improve the trail capabilities of the bike. Instead, we should consider the drop bar comphead of Specialized like a high-tech gravel bike that offers noticeable benefits to both beginners and experienced riders, allowing you to adjust the level of comfort while inspiring more confidence and ensuring more and sustained riding pleasure. The suspension system has hardly any negative influence on the sportiness and efficiency of the Diverge STR and also makes it an excellent bike option for long trips and cycling expeditions, together with the mounting points for bags and the integrated SWAT box. However, as with suspensions compconventional mountain heads, finding the right spring rate is essential with the Rear Future Shock!
Le Specialized S-Works Diverge STR 2023 combines different worlds. It combines the road capabilities and sprinting qualities of a gravel to a newly developed suspension system, delivering an innovative and captivating overall package that would make Aladdin's flying carpet jealous. With its comfortable yet sporty character, polarizing look, and sophisticated, fully customizable suspension system - which adds only marginal weight and doesn't seem to affect the bike's efficiency - the gravel full of Specialized really knows how to impress. The new S-Works Diverge STR is the right choice for all riders who want to go further, higher and longer – provided they can afford €15!
Source: https://granfondo-cycling.com/
Read also: https://bike-cafe.fr/2022/11/specialized-diverge-str-expert-gravel-double-suspension/
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