- Pros: Smooth, suspended ride, integrated storage, excellent Shimano parts
- Cons: Price, tall stack might not be ideal for all riders
- Price: $1,100 to $10,000. $6,700 Diverge Pro tested
- Similar Products: Trek Checkpoint, Salsa Warbird, Cannondale Slate
- Photographed: Elephant Rock and Boulder County
Pop quiz: which do you like more, a rattling ride or a smooth ride? Specialized is betting on the latter with its Diverge, which has 20mm of spring suspension on the steering column and a flexing seatpost. The visual is different than other gravel bikes, but so is the ride.
Future Shock

Call it gravel. Call it adventure. Call it what you want. Riding off the trafficked roads is what it’s all about
Fit constraints
Story continues below gallery. Click on any image for full-size version, and to toggle through the gallery.
Tucked under the rubber collar is the Future Shock, a coil spring with 20mm of travel
Tucked under the rubber collar is the Future Shock, a coil spring with 20mm of travel
With gravel bikes, it’s all about the wide stance: at the fork, at the rim and tires, and in the flared drops
With gravel bikes, it’s all about the wide stance: at the fork, at the rim and tires, and in the flared drops
Goofy look, great feel. The elastomer-damped seatpost doesn’t just take the edge off of bumps, it nearly erases the small ones
Goofy look, great feel. The elastomer-damped seatpost doesn’t just take the edge off of bumps, it nearly erases the small ones
A clear sticker protects the sparkly paint – and the carbon underneath
A clear sticker protects the sparkly paint – and the carbon underneath
S.W.A.T.
Bottom line: A little cushion goes a long way
The Diverge ranges from $1,100 to $10,000 models. This is the $6,700 Diverge Pro
The Diverge ranges from $1,100 to $10,000 models. This is the $6,700 Diverge Pro
When riding, you really don’t notice any bob in the Future Shock. You do notice less tension in your arms and shoulders
When riding, you really don’t notice any bob in the Future Shock. You do notice less tension in your arms and shoulders
Shimano’s Ultegra Di2 functions identically to Dura-Ace Di2. Without a scale – or your wallet – you cannot tell a difference
Shimano’s Ultegra Di2 functions identically to Dura-Ace Di2. Without a scale – or your wallet – you cannot tell a difference
A sloping top tube adds to the comfort, as it allows for more carbon-post deflection
A sloping top tube adds to the comfort, as it allows for more carbon-post deflection
All you need to fix a flat is conveniently tucked into the S.W.A.T. box in the bottom of the frame
All you need to fix a flat is conveniently tucked into the S.W.A.T. box in the bottom of the frame
The multi-tool pops out without fully opening the S.W.A.T. box
The multi-tool pops out without fully opening the S.W.A.T. box
The Praxis Zayante Carbon crankset comes with 48/32 rings – an excellent pair for gravel
The Praxis Zayante Carbon crankset comes with 48/32 rings – an excellent pair for gravel
When the going gets rough, the padded chainstay cover keeps chainslap relatively quiet
When the going gets rough, the padded chainstay cover keeps chainslap relatively quiet

Ben Delaney
Roll Massif editor
Ben has been riding bikes and slinging stories since he was a paperboy. Professionally, he’s been a cycling journalist since 1999, when racing bikes and studying journalism at the University of New Mexico led to pulls at VeloNews, BikeRadar, Cyclingnews and elsewhere. After traveling the world to report on pro cycling in Europe and manufacturing in Asia, Ben is happy to be at home in Colorado, writing about the incomparable riding and the creative people who drive the cycling culture.