Bikes up to 60% offWe monitor over 40,000 bikes daily to find the best prices
Today’s Deals2022 Specialized
Diverge STR Expert
A carbon frame gravel bike with high-end components and sram rival hydraulic disc brakes.
Compare the full range
Manufacturer Price
$7,500| Frame | Carbon |
|---|---|
| Suspension | Full, 30 / 20mm |
| Fork | Specialized Future Shock 2.0 |
| Wheels | 700c Carbon |
| Drivetrain | 1 × 12 Electronic |
| Groupset | RED AXS, GX Eagle AXS |
| Brakes | SRAM Rival Hydraulic Disc |
5'1" – 5'5"
5'3" – 5'8"
5'6" – 5'11"
5'8" – 6'0"
5'10" – 6'3"
6'1" – 6'6"
🐐 Estimated
Summary
The Specialized Diverge STR is a gravel bike that stands out for its innovative rear suspension system, offering improved ride quality and versatility across various terrains. It strikes a balance between comfort and performance, making it suitable for both multi-day adventures and single-day racing. However, its added complexity and higher price point may not appeal to all riders.
Innovative rear suspension system improves ride quality
Versatile performance across various terrains
Balances comfort and performance for adventure and racing
Significant comfort gain over rough ground
Calm and controlled descending experience
Added complexity and higher price point
Potential sluggishness on steeper climbs
Movement of the saddle can be unhelpful during climbs
400g increase in frameset weight
Aesthetic appeal of rear suspension may not suit all
The Diverge STR simply feels planted.
Cycling NewsIt’s a fascinating piece of design that goes that bit further to bridging the road–MTB divide.
CyclistThis is going to be a marmite bike. You’ll either think that the rear end is super comfortable, or you’ll think that it moves around too much.
road.ccFeedback?
View all reviews
Sep 2023 · Tyler Benedict
Here's why the Specialized Diverge's damped seatpost flex is a brilliant design and doesn't care if you think it's ugly.
Sep 2023
I’ve been quite happy for my gravel riding to remain a suspension free pursuit; well, I was until I spent a couple of months on Specialized’s Diverge STR Expert. With the brand's Future Shock treatment now extending to the rear end of the Diverge, not only is it one of the comfiest gravel bikes on the market, but that ‘boing-free’ rear end also aids traction on climbs and minimises fatigue. Though, I'll admit, its aesthetics are quite divisive.
May 2023
Compliance without compromise is the name of the game here in this future-thinking adventure machine, but does it work?
Feb 2023 · Jack Luke
The divisive Future Shock Rear 'suspension' system is tricky to set up, and the build isn't competitive for the price, but the Diverge STR Expert will delight those who like high-tech bikes
Super-smooth ride when seated
Hugely versatile
Sorted geometry
Improved tyre spec
Quirky aesthetic
Very involved setup
Uncompetitive build for the price
Quirky aesthetic
Oct 2022 · James Huang
30 mm of rear suspension travel, 20 mm of front travel, and clearance for 700x47 mm knobbies is a formula for a good time on rough terrain.
Ridiculously smooth and isolating ride quality with lots of rear tunability, immense off-road capability, versatile handling.
Not everyone will like the rear Future Shock feel, heavy, expensive, complicated.
Oct 2022 · Peter Stuart
The new gravel race bike is a big step forward in tech, and though it comes at a price, the gains could be well worth it
Better ride quality
More ride versatility
Better all-around performance
Impressive comfort across all terrain
Added complexity
Increased price
Oct 2022 · Matthew Loveridge
Specialized’s radical new butt suspension shows great promise but is this the future of gravel?
Ingenious approach to suspension seems to work well
Retains best bits of previous model
Impressive price tag
Exposed rear suspension won't be to all tastes
Oct 2022 · Mike Hunger, Robin Schmitt
With the new Diverge STR 2023 featuring the new Rear Future Shock, Specialized want to take comfort, efficiency and control to a new level.
Innovative and customisable suspension system
Unique ride feeling, high level of comfort
Rear Future Shock offers advantages both for pros and inexperienced riders
Clever frame features like the SWAT box
Good sprinting qualities
Damper can’t be serviced and has to be exchanged
High complexity of the system
| Frame | Diverge FACT 11r carbon frameset with front and rear Future Shock suspension, SWAT™ Door integration, threaded BB, internal routing, 12x142mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc BB Standard: BSA, 68mm, Threaded Colors: Satin Harvest Gold / Gold Ghost Pearl; Satin Black / Diamond Dust |
|---|---|
| Fork | Future Shock 2.0 w/ Damper, Smooth Boot, FACT carbon, 12x100 mm thru-axle, flat-mount Travel: 20mm |
| Bottom Bracket | SRAM DUB BSA 68 |
| Stem | Future Stem, Comp |
| Handlebar | Specialized Adventure Gear Hover, 103mm drop x 70mm reach x 12º flare |
| Saddle | Body Geometry Power Expert, titanium rails |
| Seatpost | S-Works Carbon Seat Post, 20mm Offset Type: Rigid |
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM GX Eagle AXS, w/ battery cover |
|---|---|
| Crank | SRAM Rival 1 Wide, 40t |
| Shifters | SRAM ED RIV ETAP AXS D1 SJD REAR/RT F20 |
| Cassette | SRAM NX Eagle PG-1230, 12-speed, 11-50t |
| Chain | SRAM GX Eagle, 12-speed |
| Brakes | Front: SRAM Rival eTAP AXS, hydraulic disc, Rear: SRAM Rival eTAP AXS, hydraulic disc Type: SRAM Rival Hydraulic Disc |
| 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, 32mm depth, NEW DT 370 Star Ratchet hub, 24h, DT Swiss Comp Race spokes |
|---|---|
| Tires | Front: Tracer Pro 2BR, 700x42, Rear: Tracer Pro 2BR, 700x42 |
First added January 31
Last updated April 22
Not listed for 1,138 days