Specialized S-Works Diverge 2021

The S-Works Diverge

The latest 2021 Specialized S-Works Diverge is very impressive to ride. It is a racer that absolutely flies on the gravel, whose quick handling and relatively short wheelbase make it an admirable bike with loads of positive feedbacks.

Against the opposition, though, it is a bit weighty and a fair chunk of money given the spec.

What sets the top-end Diverge models apart from a lot of other gravel bikes is the Future Shock suspension that sits between the head tube and the stem.

The Future Shock takes the edge off the vibration and jarring of your wrists when the surface is rough or makes a mistake.

The Diverge – like the excellent Canyon Grail – has quite aggressive geometry compared to many gravel bikes, which goads you into pushing just that little bit harder into the corners or on descents.

At 8.95kg, the S-Works Diverge is one of the lightest gravel bikes on the market and you can feel it when pedalling up a hill in anger.

The 42, 10-50T drivetrain assembly offers a wide spread of gearing to ensure everything from the steepest of inclines to fast, rolling roads are effectively dealt with.

Sure, you could shave off in the region of 300-400g if you bin the dropper post for something more traditional but considering the type of topography the Diverge is capable of dismissing it's probably worth leaving intact.

Frame and Fork

The S-Works Diverge comes in carbon fiber, with this model being the S-Works Carbon offering, with its FACT 9r frame. It is available in both men's and women's versions.

It is a quality bit of kit, offering a great balance of stiffness and comfort, ideal for standing up to the rigors of off-road riding.

Specialized has followed the usual route of oversizing those parts of the frame that are likely to see the largest loads from pedaling, steering, and braking.

A beefy head tube, large-diameter down tube, and ample seat stay to keep the bike planted and flex-free, helped by being held together by the chunky BB386 Pressfit bottom bracket shell.

Geometry-wise, the Specialized is at the racier end of the spectrum thanks to its Open Road Geometry.

What does that mean? This 56cm size has a 73.5° seat angle and a 72.5° head angle; most gravel bikes usually are around 71° at the front end.

It has a relatively short wheelbase for this type and size of the bike at just 1,011mm, all of which adds up to the sort of quick-handling, responsive riding style you can get from the Diverge.

The Wheelset

The Roval Terra CLX with a 25mm inner width carbon rim, and a 32mm depth and Roval AFD hub wheels are some of the lightest in the business and do not hamper the bike's ability at all. With a 21-spoke build at the front and a slightly beefier 25 at the rear, they are aimed more at faster, unloaded gravel riding than others on the market.

The Pathfinder Pro, 2Bliss Ready, tires fitted are 38mm wide and suited more to smoother aggregate gravel as the tread is quite small, so when riding on the smaller sized stones, they can be a handfull.

They work well on hardpacked surfaces like dry mud and chalk and are great on grass. If things get wet, though, away from the gravel, you might as well be on slicks for all the bite they will give you.

Value For Money

Diverge Pro is priced at $6,700. This is the one place where the Diverge falls a bit. I have made references to the Canyon Grail in the review, and the main reason is that it is by far the best no-nonsense gravel racing bike out there. While the Diverge is close in performance, what you are getting for the money does not compare.

The Grail CF SL 7.0 is the entry point into the carbon models with their Hover Cockpit Bars, and it will set you back $2,499 plus delivery.

Conclusion

Overall, the S-Works Diverge offers an excellent ride and is suited to those who want to get out and explore the countryside at speed. It comes down on price, though, compared to some of the best in the business, which is its biggest issue. Would you want more bang for your money!

Verdict

Pros: Absolutely the best Quality frame and fork, very responsive handling.

Cons: Very pricey being right at the top of the price range.